After all, his son had indeed defected from the Great Chu to the Northern Li.
"Alright, stop arguing, Regent. What do you say?"
Xiao Yanchu looked at Xiao Chenyi and said with a half-smile, "It is up to His Majesty to decide."
Xiao Chenyi felt a little better. Xiao Yanchu was sensible enough to know that he was the one who would make the final decision.
Xiao Chenyi glanced at the Duke of Dingguo, who was also looking at him anxiously.
Xiao Chen also understood that his uncle really wanted to protect Wei Xuebin, but given the current situation, it was impossible for Wei Xuebin to stay any longer.
Otherwise, as Prime Minister Xu said, what if everyone followed Wei Xuebin's example and defected to the enemy in the face of battle?
Moreover, if he doesn't severely punish those who betray their country and defect to the enemy, how can he explain this to the people and his soldiers?
"By imperial decree, Wei Xuebin is guilty of treason and collusion with the enemy. He is to be torn apart by five horses in three days. Queen Bei Li and King Xiao Yong shall move into Jingfu Palace. As for other matters, I will consider them further. Court adjourned."
After Xiao Chenyi finished speaking, he got up and left. He was afraid that Xiao Yanchu would say something else. His mind was in a mess right now, and he needed to go and discuss it with the Empress Dowager.
Xiao Yanchu watched Xiao Chenyi's retreating figure, narrowed his eyes slightly, said nothing, and turned to leave.
Prime Minister Xu caught up with him. "Your Highness, this old minister believes that His Majesty intends to protect the Queen of Beili and the Prince of Xiaoyong. Could it be that he really wants to make peace with Beili? If so, what will become of the prestige of our Great Chu? Your Highness, you cannot allow His Majesty to do such a thing."
Xiao Yanchu stopped and looked at Prime Minister Xu. "Prime Minister Xu, don't worry, the Emperor won't have the chance to do that. The situation is about to change. Prime Minister Xu, you should go back to your residence as soon as possible. Farewell."
Prime Minister Xu looked up at the sky, which remained overcast. What else could it possibly do?
Then, as if he had just realized something, Prime Minister Xu's eyes widened, and he quickly left the palace.
Back at his residence, Prime Minister Xu gulped down the tea offered by his steward before calming himself down.
He didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
Prime Minister Xu sat for a long time, seemingly making a final decision, before leaving the Prime Minister's residence to have tea with familiar colleagues.
When Xiao Yanchu returned to the manor, Su Ruojin asked, "How did it go?"
"Xiao Chen also sentenced Wei Xuebin to be torn apart by five horses, to be carried out in three days. Lin Wanqing and Fei Molong will be placed in Jingfu Palace," Xiao Yanchu said, and then mentioned the Duke of Dingguo's suggestion.
Su Ruojin smiled slightly, "It seems that even now that things have come to this, our emperor still doesn't want to break ties with Bei Li."
"It's not just that he doesn't want to break off relations; I think he even wants to bow down to Bei Li and beg Bei Li to kill me for him."
Su Ruojin glanced at Xiao Yanchu. "He really hates you. He's willing to sacrifice the interests of Great Chu to kill you. What do you plan to do next?"
Xiao Yanchu sighed, "If he still had any backbone today, I was thinking of letting him be a carefree prince, but now it seems he doesn't deserve it!"
Su Ruojin understood Xiao Yanchu's meaning and nodded, "A person who would betray the interests of Great Chu is indeed not even worthy of being a prince. Do you think Empress Dowager Wei would really let Wei Xuebin die like this?"
Wei Xuebin was Wei Qiming's eldest son and someone favored by Empress Dowager Wei. In comparison, although Wei Yinshuang was a princess, she was far less favored by Empress Dowager Wei than her nephew Wei Xuebin.
Xiao Yanchu smiled and said, "If I say I'll be torn apart by five horses, then I will be torn apart by five horses. Not only Wei Xuebin, but the Wei family will not escape either."
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