Jiang Rumou, as the Prime Minister, was the final buffer between the Son of Heaven and the officials.
Because the Son of Heaven’s words were like gold, once spoken, there was no room for change.
But Liu Yingqi did not offer much explanation to Jiang Rumou, only repeatedly requesting the Holy Judgment. This was a desperate, life-or-death struggle against Tian Xili.
Jiang Rumou could say nothing more either.
At this moment, Tian Xili remained silent.
No accusations, no rebuttals, no pleas, nothing. A resigned silence.
This was a wise choice.
Liu Yingqi’s plea for death was a deadly move, of course, but it also contained the implication of using death to threaten the Son of Heaven. Liu Yingqi had already lost everything and cared for nothing else, as long as Tian Xili died with him.
And he had to present a different demeanor.
Compared to the current Liu Yingqi, he did indeed have fear. He had splendid robes and fine mansions, held great power, and possessed almost everything. How could he not fear death?
So he made his fear more apparent.
Those who understood fear were more submissive, more obedient.
His “obedience” highlighted Liu Yingqi’s “rebellion.”
Therefore, under the divine might of the Son of Heaven, he remained silent, using his actions to interpret the phrase, “Humbly implore Your Majesty for clear judgment.”
He too knelt there, awaiting the Holy Judgment.
He was the one truly submitting to being killed or punished!
His previous rash attack was indeed a underestimation of Liu Yingqi, of his intelligence, and of his courage.
Now the other party had seized the opportunity to directly engage in a king-vs-king confrontation, seeking death through death. He could not break this ruthless sacrifice of a vital piece.
But on the chessboard of Qi, the struggle between Liu Yingqi and him was not just about themselves. There was also a will that transcended everything else.
Therefore, he simply let go of everything and allowed the Qi Emperor to handle it.
He did not believe that a supreme ruler like the Qi Emperor would allow his decisions to be swayed by others, even if it was a threat of death, for after all, there was still the word “threat”!
Stepping back, even if the Qi Emperor truly granted both him and Liu Yingqi death, his submissive death and Liu Yingqi’s threatening death carried entirely different meanings.
This was the best choice for the Tian family!
The Qi Son of Heaven must remember his Tian Xili’s loyalty and obedience! Only then could he maintain the hearts of the people.
Everyone was waiting for the Son of Heaven’s decision.
This matter involved a hereditary Marquis and a hereditary Earl, two prominent families of Qi. No one could make the decision for the Son of Heaven.
The Prime Minister could not, and the Empress, Crown Prince, and various princes and princesses even less so.
And the Son of Heaven did not remain silent for too long.
His voice descended as if from the Nine Heavens, utterly majestic: “Qing Yangzi!”
Jiang Wang, who was silently observing this struggle between noble families, was momentarily stunned.
Who am I? What am I doing? What are you calling me for?
But despite his confusion, he reacted very quickly, cupping his hands and bowing: “Your subject is here!”
“I command you to immediately depart for Daze County and arrest Liu Xiao.”
The Qi Son of Heaven’s voice showed no emotion: “Do you dare go?”
With an Inner Mansion cultivation to arrest a Divine Ascension realm expert, and one who was already determined and had in fact disregarded the laws of Qi, naturally required some courage.
Because the current Liu Xiao might not care at all whether you are Qing Yangzi or some third-grade Golden Melon Warrior!
But Jiang Wang’s face showed no fear, not even a hint of hesitation.
“With Your Majesty’s divine might upon me, what do I not dare to do to apprehend a criminal?”
He simply bowed once and, without another word, soared from in front of the Tai Temple, shattering the Green Cloud imprint, and headed straight for Daze County!
“Well done!” Chongxuan Sheng cheered inwardly.
In his opinion, this trip was completely risk-free. Whether Liu Xiao had killed Tian Anping or not, his loyalty to the Fufeng Liu family was beyond doubt. If the Son of Heaven sent someone to apprehend him and he dared to resist, he would be risking the safety of the entire Fufeng Liu family.
In the face of potential life-and-death crisis, it was difficult for people not to hesitate. As the protagonist of today’s ceremony, Jiang Wang’s performance at this moment precisely showcased his courage and loyalty, which was very impressive.
And for Jiang Wang, in fact, he only asked himself one question:
With the Qi Son of Heaven personally issuing the order, was there any possibility of him refusing?
The answer was clearly definite. So he did not hesitate and accepted the order and left.
As for various pros and cons, he could slowly think about them on the way.
As Jiang Wang shattered the green clouds and went far away, the Great Qi Emperor, seated on the dragon chair, slowly said, “Xuan Huai Bo, Gao Chang Hou, you may rise first.”
Liu Yingqi’s plea for death to the Son of Heaven, which the Son of Heaven avoided discussing and instead ordered the arrest of Liu Xiao, was itself an attitude.
Firstly, the handling of Liu Xiao would depend on the final result, whether Tian Anping was dead or not.
Secondly, sending Jiang Wang was precisely to make Liu Yingqi and Tian Xili understand.
When it came to heavenly talents, Qi had many. Right now, there was the number one in the world, the champion who fought against the top heavenly talents of the various nations on the Guanhe Stage.
So do not think that the death of a Liu Shentong was so remarkable, nor think that having another Tian Anping in the family was so significant.
Know your own measure!
“Your subject, thank Your Majesty for your grace!” Having escaped disaster, Tian Xili hurriedly kowtowed and rose.
And although Liu Yingqi’s tears were still wet and his deliberately unprotected forehead was already bleeding from kowtowing, he could no longer kneel.
He choked out, “Your subject, thanks for your grace!”
The punishment of the Son of Heaven could not be refused.
The grace of the Son of Heaven could not be refused!
The two nobles stood one after another on the high platform, while the rest of the officials and dignitaries kept a great distance, as if avoiding a plague.
The voice of the Great Qi Emperor fell again: “Ritual Official, what is the punishment for losing one’s composure in front of the palace?”
The Ritual Official presiding over the ceremony bowed and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, there are several degrees of punishment. If Your Majesty does not grant pardon, it may be flogging, demotion and deprivation of title, or death!”
The Qi Son of Heaven said: “Gao Chang Hou and Xuan Huai Bo’s ancestors both rendered meritorious service to the country. I often think of this. Although they lost their composure today, I shall pardon their death. However, the crime must not go unpunished. They shall be flogged fifty times as a warning to others!”
The Son of Heaven looked at Cao Jie: “General Cao, I shall trouble you.”
Cao Jie saluted properly: “Your subject accepts the order!”
Then he simply raised his hand towards Tian Xili and Liu Yingqi: “Please.”
The Son of Heaven’s question had significance.
He said “殿前失儀” (losing composure in front of the palace) rather than “大典失禮、太廟失儀” (losing etiquette during the grand ceremony, losing composure in the Tai Temple) as Liu Yingqi had said when pleading for death.
Because losing composure in the Tai Temple was an offense to the ancestral emperors.
And legally speaking, the Son of Heaven could not pardon crimes on behalf of the ancestral emperors!
The Son of Heaven intended to punish Liu Yingqi and Tian Xili, but not to kill them for it, hence this question.
The Ritual Official clearly understood the Emperor’s will.
Tian Xili said nothing and walked down the high platform to the square. He removed his outer robe and then his inner garment, directly baring his upper body in front of the civil and military officials and the spectators, and then knelt down.
This was undoubtedly a great humiliation.
To think of his status, yet he had to endure punishment naked before so many people whose status was far inferior to his.
But perhaps this was already the best outcome, so he silently accepted it, as before.
Liu Yingqi’s actions were identical, but his expression was more sorrowful.
Cao Jie strode down from the high platform and extended his hand.
Naturally, someone presented a whip soaked in water.
This whip was a刑鞭 (xingbian – torture whip), soaked in刺水 (ci shui – stinging water).
The whip was wielded according to law, and the water felt like needle pricks upon contact.
He raised his hand, and the whip cracked three times in the air, signifying witness from heaven and earth, and hearing from the law beasts.
Then a whip fell…
Tian Xili, with Divine Ascension cultivation, and Liu Yingqi, with Outer Tower pinnacle cultivation, were both whipped to the ground by this single strike! Their faces were extremely contorted, yet they did not cry out in pain.
They also gritted their teeth, propped themselves up with their hands on the ground, and straightened their bodies.
Before the solemn Tai Temple, on the vast square, only the sound of whipping echoed.
And the two noble peers continuously fell, and then struggled to rise again.
This pair of ancient enemies, in this situation, finally reached a tragic consistency.