While Di Beiyao slept soundly, a bloody storm was brewing in the imperial palace.

Inside the vast imperial study, Jun Wuji and Jun Wuke stood side by side to the emperor's right, while the emperor stared at the two kneeling on the ground with a gloomy face.

"Bang!" The table, made of fine sandalwood, was slammed down.

"You scoundrels! How could I have raised two such worthless wretches? You actually colluded with officials to have your own brothers killed!"

"Guards! Drag these two bastards away and behead them!"

Upon hearing this, the Sixth Prince, Jun Zilan, who was kneeling on the ground, immediately showed a look of fear and panic, and hurriedly kowtowed to the emperor on the high throne, begging for mercy.

"Father, spare me! Father, spare me! Your son knows he was wrong, he was just confused for a moment."

"I was instigated by that corrupt official from Hexun. Father, spare my life!"

The Second Prince, Jun Wuyai, who had been kneeling with his back straight, remained silent until he saw Jun Zilan's posture and finally spoke.

"My sixth brother was instigated by me and Hexun in this matter. I hope that Father Emperor will spare his life for the sake of my second brother's young age. As for me, I am at Father Emperor's disposal."

The victor is king, the loser is villain; Jun Wuyai accepted that.

"Very well, very well indeed. You show no remorse, then I will grant your wish. Guards, drag this scoundrel away and behead him!"

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, two guards entered through the door and pulled Jun Wuyai up from either side.

"Wait." A voice as cold as ice rang out, and everyone turned to look at Jun Wuji.

Jun Wuji walked up to the emperor and bowed, saying, "Father, please calm your anger. My second and sixth brothers have gone too far in this matter."

But now that both I and His Highness the Crown Prince are unharmed, it wouldn't be unreasonable to spare their lives. The floods in Jiangnan have just passed; it is truly a blessing from Heaven.

It is not advisable to commit mass killings. Your son will soon be married, and I hope that Your Majesty will treat my second and sixth brothers leniently.

His voice remained as cold and icy as ever, devoid of any emotion, as if he were stating something utterly ordinary, not pleading for mercy.

Jun Linzhou looked at Jun Wuji with some surprise. This son had been fighting for many years and had only met him a handful of times, so their relationship was not very close.

He had heard some rumors about Jun Wuji among the common people, but he never expected that he would plead for these two scoundrels.

A deeper, enigmatic meaning flickered in Jun Linzhou's eyes.

Jun Wuke clenched his fists beneath his robes. That damned Jun Wuji really went out of his way and ruined his plans!

"Father, I also think that my eldest brother is right. I hope that you will reconsider and spare the lives of my second brother and sixth brother."

Junzilan quickly replied, "Yes, Father, I know I was wrong. I will never dare to do it again. Please forgive me, Father."

The Second Prince, Jun Wuyai, remained silent, his brown eyes filled with a deathly stillness.

Jun Linzhou didn't really want to kill them; after all, they were his own flesh and blood. It was just a angry outburst, and also to give Jun Wuji and Jun Wuke an explanation.

Now that both parties involved have come forward to plead for leniency, he's happy to have a way out, and said seriously...

"Since Ji'er and Ke'er are willing to forgive and plead for you two scoundrels, then I will show leniency. Guards, issue this decree:"

"The Second Prince, Jun Wuyai, and the Sixth Prince, Jun Zilan, are hereby dismissed from their positions in the court and confined to their respective residences to reflect on their actions. No one is permitted to release them without my permission!"

After Jun Linzhou finished speaking, the eunuch standing to the side prepared to draft the imperial edict, and Jun Zilan quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy! Thank you, my two elder brothers, for pleading on my behalf!"

Jun Wuyai was released by the two guards, but his brown eyes remained lifeless, showing no trace of joy at being pardoned.