Chapter 441 I did as A-Wu said.

The reactions of the three Hu brothers left everyone sighing with regret.

The Wei family was also a military family, known for its strict upbringing of its children, which produced many talented individuals. Wei Ting's military talent was evident from a young age, from a young man in a simple blue robe roaming the capital to a young general guarding the border. Wei Ting was the focus of everyone's attention and the envy of countless people.

The Yuchi family and the Hu family are similar, yet different.

Similarly, Yuchi Lianping's father also died tragically, but he never forgot it. Carrying the earnest expectations of his elderly grandmother, he came to Lin'an and worked his way up from a captain guarding the city gate to a prince consort of Princess Huachang.

Hu Chen's tears were still in his eyes, Hu Lie pounded his fist on the ground where many tears had already dripped, and Hu Feng lowered his head, his expression unreadable.

Ji Qingwu walked quietly to Emperor Wusu's side, but the emperor's face showed no emotion whatsoever.

Zhao Mingyan stood before them and said coldly, "I thought you had forgotten who you were!"

These words further aroused the shame in the three Hu brothers.

Hu Feng's throat bobbed several times before he said, "It is my bad luck that I was born at the wrong time, but since I have already done something wrong, I am willing to bear the consequences."

"I hope Your Majesty will not punish my two younger brothers. They are unaware of the situation, so I will bear the blame alone."

Hu Lie and Hu Chen said, "Big Brother..."

"You'll take the blame all by yourself?" Zhao Mingyan said casually, "Can you bear the weight of treason and collusion with the enemy?"

Upon hearing this, the members of the Hu family all lowered their heads in fear.

Such a heinous crime, once proven, would implicate his entire family. Hu Feng's attempt to protect his brothers was futile; even his deceased grandfather would suffer the infamy.

Wei Ting glanced at the emperor in surprise.

Ji Qingwu quietly turned his head to carefully observe Emperor Wusu's expression.

She was also filled with surprise.

At this time, the army in the northern border is short of generals. The emperor specially sent Wei Ting to persuade them to surrender and went to great lengths to bring the Hu family into the camp. This was both to offer them amnesty and to provide relief to the Hu brothers.

But Emperor Wusu seemed about to erupt again...

He was definitely not trying to punish him; Ji Qingwu suddenly understood Emperor Wusu's intentions.

Following Emperor Wusu's words, Ji Qingwu spoke softly.

"The last person convicted of treason was Su Fengyue, a former prime minister. Do you know what kind of punishment he and his family suffered?"

Although the tone was light and casual, the meaning behind the words was quite profound.

Everyone's expression changed simultaneously.

The Su Fengyue incident caused a huge uproar. Not only was the Prime Minister's treasonous behavior extremely damaging, but what was even more astonishing was that Su Fengyue was castrated by Prince Yong while still in prison and before he could even sign the indictment. Several of the censors who submitted the memorial were so angry that they fainted. The matter became known throughout the land.

Qi Peiyao hissed, "This crime is far too serious!"

She tilted her head to look at Hu Chen kneeling to her right, and Hu Chen quickly brought his knees together. Hu Lie shrank his broad shoulders, also unable to accept such a humiliating way to die.

Hu Feng lowered his head even further, his face grim, and he dared not answer for a long time.

Ji Qingwu secretly glanced at Emperor Wusu's face again, only to find that his expression remained calm and indifferent.

She continued, "Your Majesty, Hu Feng did not intend to help Xijin; he was deceived. Could you give the Hu family another chance to redeem themselves?"

The three Hu brothers raised their heads, determined to seize any opportunity that presented itself.

Ji Qingwu's gaze swept across the faces of the three men, and he slowly said, "General Hu is watching from heaven. He must hope that his children and grandchildren will be pillars of society who will carry on his legacy."

"Instead, they will remain bandits who kill and plunder until their deaths."

These words struck a chord with the three Hu brothers. If they had a choice, why would they want to be bandits?

Hu Feng's eyes reddened as he said, "Thank you for your kind words, Doctor Ji. This humble subject also thinks the same way." He took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, could you please give the three of us brothers another chance to reform?"

His head hit the ground hard.

Hu Lie and Hu Chen also kowtowed, the three of them seemingly trying to demonstrate their sincerity with each kowtow, each one louder than the last.

Ji Qingwu turned his gaze to Emperor Wusu and asked, "Your Majesty?"

Zhao Mingyan said in a deep voice, "What merits do you have that can atone for your sins?"

Hu Feng raised his head, which was covered in blood from the kowtow, and cupped his hands, saying, "My ancestors have served in the military for generations, and my family has martial arts techniques for strengthening the body. We three brothers dare not slack off in our martial arts training."

"We are willing to serve the Emperor and the Northern Li with utmost loyalty, devoting ourselves to the cause until our dying breath!"

In fact, Zhao Mingyan had already seen how skilled Hu Lie was during the exchange between Wei Ting and Hu Lie.

Although Wei Ting held back, deliberately luring Hu Lie into using his ultimate move, Hu Chen only stepped forward to advise Hu Lie when Hu Lie was about to lose.

He knew it; he knew they weren't lying.

If you neglect your martial arts training for one day, it may not be noticeable, but if you neglect it for seven days, you will become rusty and full of flaws.

Although Hu Lie's skills are not yet comparable to Yuchi Lianping's, with more training in the army, he will become a fierce general in the future.

Five pairs of eyes looked expectantly at Emperor Wusu.

The three pairs are the Hu brothers, and the other pair is their wife, Qi Peiyao.

With only a pair of bright eyes remaining, Zhao Mingyan said calmly, "Very well, I will do as Awu says."

Emperor Wusu left these words behind and then departed from the tent.

As Li Yuzong followed behind his master, he winked at Ji Qingwu, signaling her to hurry up and catch up.

But Ji Qingwu didn't move. She pretended not to see it. She still remembered why she came here: to take Qi Peiyao's pulse.

Furthermore, Emperor Wusu might still be harboring resentment, so she should wait until he calmed down before returning.

Once the emperor left, the atmosphere in the tent finally eased.

Hu Lie was completely baffled and asked, "Who is A Wu?"

Qi Peiyao slapped him hard: "You idiot! Talk less and eat more!"

Hu Feng did not get up, but knelt on the ground, gazing sincerely at the woman in front of him.

"Miss Ji, my two brothers and Yao'er all want to thank you."

He gestured to his two brothers to kowtow to Ji Qingwu again in gratitude.

Ji Qingwu stepped aside, not wanting to be knelt, and said with a smile, "No need for thanks. Please help Madam up quickly. She shouldn't kneel for so long in her current condition."

Upon hearing the mention of his wife, the Hu brothers stopped insisting and quickly helped Qi Peiyao to her feet.

Qi Peiyao shook her head, abandoning her usual spoiled attitude, and pushed away Hu Chen and Hu Lie who were supporting her.

“Miss Ji, my husbands are all stubborn in their own way. They will need your help in the army.”

"If they have done anything wrong, just tell me. I have a way to help. Please, Miss Ji..."

Qi Peiyao choked up.