"Since the Regent thinks it's impossible, how does he explain this incident? How could a poison only found in the Northwest appear on the land of our Great Liang? Is there a bigger conspiracy behind this?"

Xiao Ye looked at Gao Changhong with a mocking expression.

"Perhaps you went to the Northwest to buy this yourselves. Did you deliberately cause this commotion to try and detain my family in your Great Liang?"

We came to visit the Great Liang with sincere intentions, but we never expected you to treat us like this. Your Majesty, are you not afraid of what other countries will say about you in the future?"

Gao Changhong was eloquent and persuasive, showing no sign of unease on his face; he was clearly a seasoned veteran who had navigated the court for many years.

"Your Majesty, please don't misunderstand. I am just acting in accordance with the law. Now we have all the witnesses and evidence, but I haven't made a final decision yet. I'm only making a final discussion for your sake."

Emperor Wenjian smiled gently.

In fact, he was extremely displeased with Gao Changhong at this moment, and he naturally understood the threatening meaning in Gao Changhong's words.

If he were to actually punish his son, then he would spread rumors that the Liang dynasty was unfriendly to foreign guests.

Even if they are wrong, rumors spread like wildfire and eventually become distorted. People in other countries may not hear the truth.

This will affect the future diplomacy between the Great Liang and other countries.

"Has Your Majesty decided how to deal with my son?"

Gao Changhong was not someone who didn't know when to advance or retreat. Seeing that Emperor Wenjian's words showed a softening tone, he took the opportunity to ask a question.

Only by knowing Emperor Wenjian's bottom line could he know what to do next.

At the same time, Xiao Ye was also impressed by Gao Changhong's experience. He was indeed a powerful figure who could control everything in the Northern Desert. He had managed to deflect his question with ease.

However, he also understood that Gao Changhong was right. Gao Junning's identity was extraordinary, which meant that this matter could not be handled simply.

It would be difficult to execute him, but he thought his father wouldn't let him off easily.

After all, the number of civilians who died this time was not small, and the emperor had to give the people an explanation.

So he looked intently at Emperor Wenjian, wanting to see what his father was really thinking.

Emperor Wenjian lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then lightly tapped his fingers on the table.

After a long pause, he slowly said, "Logically speaking, if this were anyone else, they would only be able to atone with their death. Even if my son committed such a mistake against the people, he would certainly be demoted to a commoner if he didn't die."

But unfortunately, he is the son of the Regent. Executing him would certainly damage the friendship between our two countries, yet keeping him alive would hardly quell public anger. This truly puts me in a difficult position!

After saying this, Emperor Wenjian sighed deeply.

Gao Changhong narrowed his eyes slightly. Seeing Emperor Wenjian's expression, he knew that Emperor Wenjian actually wanted to take the opportunity to ask him what benefits the Northern Desert was trying to extort.

This was within his expectations. After all, if they insisted on killing Gao Junning, he would be at a disadvantage now that he was under someone else's roof and outnumbered.

He had no choice but to pay money to avoid further trouble.

So he immediately followed up, saying, "As long as Your Majesty can pardon my son's crime, Your Majesty can ask for anything you want. Whatever I have, I will not be stingy with."

"Is the Regent telling the truth?"

Emperor Wenjian was waiting for this very sentence.

"nature."

Gao Changhong nodded in agreement.

All the ministers' eyes lit up, thinking that Emperor Wenjian wanted to take the opportunity to ask the Regent for something from the Northern Desert that would benefit the Great Liang.

For example, the two countries could reduce trade profits by a significant portion to Daliang, or ask Beimo to provide some of their unique food cultivation techniques. On a larger scale, they could ask Beimo to take a city in exchange for Gao Junning's life.

But no one expected that after lowering his eyes for a moment, Emperor Wenjian would slowly say, "I feel that I have a special connection with the Northern Desert national treasure, the Snow Lotus, that the Regent mentioned last time. I have been feeling physically and mentally exhausted in recent years, but I still want to do more for the people of Liang. If I could have this Snow Lotus, that would be wonderful."

"Snow Lotus?"

Gao Changhong couldn't help but ask in surprise.

Wasn't this Snow Lotus stolen by that scoundrel Emperor Wenjian a long time ago?

Why is he still asking me for it now?

"Is the Regent reluctant to part with you? If so, then—"

When Emperor Wenjian saw Gao Changhong's surprised expression, he assumed that Gao was reluctant to part with the child, so he deliberately asked him.

But before he could finish speaking, Gao Changhong interrupted him.

"Of course I'm willing to part with it, but recently I've sent the Snow Lotus back to the Northern Desert. If Your Majesty wants it, you'll have to wait for me to send someone to fetch it."

He certainly couldn't tell Emperor Wenjian that the Snow Lotus was lost, as it was something that could save Gao Junning.

If this thing hadn't been lost, he would definitely have taken it out by now. In his opinion, it was worth it to exchange a snow lotus for his son's life.

But now that it's lost, and it's been discovered that it wasn't Emperor Wenjian who stole it, he needs to go down and send people to search for it immediately.

When Emperor Wenjian heard Gao Changhong agree, he was overjoyed and quickly replied, "Then I will pardon your son again when the Regent brings the Snow Lotus."

"It's convenient to have your son stay in the imperial prison for a few days; this will at least give the people an explanation. Regent, rest assured, I will not allow anyone to mistreat your son."

Are they still going to keep Gao Junning in the prison?

Upon hearing this, Gao Changhong's expression naturally turned sour, but upon reflection, he realized that Emperor Wenjian's agreement to exchange the Ice Lotus for his life was already the best possible outcome.

I can only blame myself for being careless and letting someone steal the Snow Lotus.

All he can do now is try to find it as soon as possible, and Gao Junning will have to make do for a few more days.

Gao Changhong then bowed and thanked him.

The other court officials were naturally dissatisfied with Emperor Wenjian's request. Such a good opportunity, yet the emperor only asked for a snow lotus for himself.

Although the Snow Lotus is a precious medicinal herb, what benefit does it bring to the country and the people?

It was just Emperor Wenjian's selfishness; he simply wanted to sit on the dragon throne for a few more years.

However, despite their thoughts, not a single minister dared to speak out against it, as none of them wanted to offend Emperor Wenjian.

Only Xiao Ye felt a smile cross his mind when he heard the name "Ice Snow Lotus".

If they use the Snow Lotus to exchange for Gao Junning, I'm afraid Gao Junning will never be able to escape responsibility for the rest of his life.

He and Luo'er would never let Gao Changhong find the real Snow Lotus.

After the court session ended, in order to appease the people of the capital, Emperor Wenjian still issued an imperial edict to announce it to the capital.

The imperial edict stated that Gao Junning had committed such a heinous crime due to a momentary lapse in judgment caused by personal grudges, but considering the relationship and impact between the two countries, it was decided to imprison him.

In addition, the families of the deceased will receive substantial compensation and pensions.

The decree did not specify how long Gao Changhong would be imprisoned, thus giving him a chance.

The hefty compensation also silenced the families of those people.

This matter has finally been temporarily suppressed.