Before the word "death" could even be uttered, the court officials once again knelt down in unison, crying out, "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Prince Yu said, “Your Majesty, Miss Ye risked her life to save you. If we execute her now, I fear the people of the world will be disheartened.”

Pan Yuanzhou said, "Your Majesty, it is my son's one-sided love for Miss Ye. Please do not make things difficult for Miss Ye."

General Lan: "Your Majesty, Miss Ye has rendered such great service that she is willing to exchange all her merits for a marriage agreement with Prince Jing. This shows that Miss Ye's feelings for Prince Jing are sincere. I implore Your Majesty to grant her request!"

"Your Majesty, since Miss Ye returned to the capital, including tonight's act of protecting you, she has already made four great contributions. Does such a capable person not even have the right to choose her beloved? If Your Majesty does not grant her wish, who else will be willing to devote themselves to the Great Zhou and die for it?"

"Your Majesty, since Lord Pan also believes that it is your son's wishful thinking, please grant Miss Ye's wish?"

"Your Majesty, I beg you to grant my request!"

"Your Majesty, I beg you to grant my request..."

The emperor stood on the high platform, watching his ministers below speak one after another, all speaking in defense of Ye Qingxue and Yun Zhuo, and he was furious.

But it must be said that these people are right.

Ye Qingxue has made so many contributions; it would indeed be difficult to convince the public if she were killed because of the arranged marriage.

The emperor refused to grant his request, but he couldn't get all his court officials to his side, making it difficult for him to step down.

The atmosphere inside the hall became tense.

Yun Xun saw all of this, then suddenly stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Father, I have a request to make of you!"

The emperor, as if finding a way out, immediately asked, "What is it?"

Yun Xun said, "There is a cousin named Ji Mingwei in the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion. She previously discovered the conspiracy between Prince Ding and Ye Yabing and tried to send the information to me, but they found out and she was persecuted and almost lost her life."

"Fortunately, I discovered it in time and was able to save her, and also take down the Empress at the critical moment. It was Ji Mingwei who saved my life, and she also contributed to the Empress's execution. I wish to marry Ji Mingwei, and I beg Your Majesty to grant us this marriage."

Another silence fell over the Zichen Palace.

However, the hearts of the court officials were already churning with turmoil.

—Pan Heng shielded Ye Qingxue from a knife, and the emperor wanted to bestow a marriage upon them, but Ye Qingxue defied the imperial decree.

— Ji Mingwei almost lost her life for Prince Xuan. Prince Xuan performed such a great service tonight, yet he never forgot Ji Mingwei's kindness. She was just a cousin of the Marquis's family, yet he took the initiative to ask for her hand in marriage.

Thinking about it this way, I suddenly realized that although Ye Qingxue was outstanding in ability and had a unique personality, she was extremely indifferent to her savior and did not think about repaying the kindness.

—His Highness Prince Xuan is truly a man of great loyalty and righteousness!

The emperor's gaze swept back and forth between Yun Xun, Ye Qingxue, and Yun Zhuo, as if he had realized that Yun Xun's loyalty and righteousness could be used to contrast Ye Qingxue's coldness and ingratitude.

"Your Highness is so loyal and righteous, truly a model for princes. I grant your request, Pan Yuanzhou. I hereby order you to draft an imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon Prince Xuan and his cousin Ji Mingwei."

Pan Yuanzhou stepped forward and replied, "Yes."

Yun Xun said, "Your son thanks Your Majesty!"

The Emperor said, "As for Prince Jing, with so many officials pleading for you, I will not imprison you for now. You can stay in Prince Jing's residence and reflect on your mistakes. You will be fined three years' salary, and you need not come to the palace without my summons."

The emperor's gaze swept over Ye Qingxue: "And you, Ye Qingxue, since you refuse to marry Pan Heng, I will not force you! But Prince Jing is a criminal, and I will absolutely not grant you two a marriage!"

He paused for a moment, then said, "Both of you, get out of the palace now!"

Yun Zhuo slowly knelt down. Although he was weak, his voice was firm and resolute: "Father, I have not mobilized troops without authorization. Given time, I will give you, my lords, and all the people of the world an explanation."

"Your subject—takes his leave now."

The next line of text seemed to be spoken by Yun Zhuo through gritted teeth.

After getting up, he looked at Ye Qingxue and waited for her to come over.

Ye Qingxue immediately knelt down to take her leave, and then turned to walk towards Yun Zhuo.

Unexpectedly, the emperor's voice came again: "If the two of you insist on being together without my permission, it will be considered an affair. Ye Qingxue, I hope you will be mindful of your reputation and not tarnish the honor of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion."

Ye Qingxue paused, remained silent, and, supporting Yun Zhuo's arm, walked out of the Zichen Palace.

The two, severely injured, looked towards the palace gate and suddenly felt that the road out of the palace was very, very far.

Fortunately, Zhuang Xin, Dong Bai, Qiu Shen, and Granny Xing quickly came to their aid.

Normally, Dongbai could carry Ye Qingxue on his back, and Zhuang Xin could carry Yun Zhuo on his back.

But now, they are all injured.

Granny Xing was not injured, but she was old.

Without the emperor's special permission, the only way out of the palace was on foot, and every step tore at the wounds, causing unbearable pain.

The sky gradually turned a pale white.

Yun Zhuo suddenly stopped and said to Zhuang Xin, "Go find Chu Xianyun and bring him to see me."