Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 2123: Chapter 1884: Punishment

Liu Tong’s way of thinking inexplicably resembles Liu Bei’s, so both of them believe that following the Five Elements Reincarnation Theory, it might be the era of Yanhan, and therefore, Grand Princess Liu Tong’s coronation robe has a golden pattern on a red background.

Thus, at the moment when the palace gate was pushed open by the eunuch, Liu Tong, dressed in a bright red silk robe and wearing the Imperial Crown, stood coldly at the entrance of Weiyang Palace, waiting for all ministers to pay their respects.

This is nearly a privilege akin to the new emperor’s ascension, and now, as the Grand Princess, Liu Tong also has the chance to stand high and overlook all ministers, which is an extremely honorable matter. As the Grand Princess stepped forward, her smile was almost impossible to conceal.

Although concealing emotions is the standard for those in high positions, being able to stand here and overlook all ministers as a woman, it’s difficult even for Liu Tong to maintain her composure.

However, in that instant, as she stepped forward, blood had already splattered on the Jade Steps of Weiyang Palace, and Liu Tong’s smile suddenly turned cold, her beautiful eyes filled with murderous intent as she looked in the direction of Yuan Shu.

Chen Xi, upon hearing the exclamation behind him, turned his head towards the direction of the sound, seeing Yang Xiu fall, Xu Huang holding an axe, Jii Ling wielding a broken sword, and the officials scattering, unable to form an orderly lineup.

At this moment, any official previously beside Yuan Shu instinctively distanced themselves from him, fearing trouble, completely forgetting that this was the Grand Assembly, and furthermore, the new emperor’s proclamation, the first Grand Assembly to face all ministers; any reckless movement was a breach of decorum.

By this point, the officials who had been flattering Yuan Shu had already completely left, leaving only a resolute-faced Jii Ling beside Yuan Shu, pointing a broken sword at Yang Xiu with one hand and holding a Three-point Double-edged Knife in the other, alongside the newly appointed Marquis of Duting Xu Huang, who held a battle axe with a terribly grim expression.

After all, Xu Huang wasn’t a fool; how could he not understand now that today’s encounter with Yang Xiu was entirely the other’s calculation?

When Xu Huang moved, he hadn’t considered the current situation at all; it was purely reflexive action. And now, just feeling the gaze coming from Cao Cao’s direction, Xu Huang already knew things were bad, but should he retreat now?

Can he retreat? Yuan Shu drew his sword to attack a court official during the Grand Assembly; Xu Huang, being the first to stop him, can he retreat?

"My son!" Yang Biao cried out as he rushed forward, holding Yang Xiu and weeping bitterly.

"Arrest Yuan Shu." Chen Xi, decisive as ever, Yuan Shu harmed someone during the Grand Assembly, the new emperor’s proclamation, in front of all ministers; this is undoubtedly a capital offense, and one that implicates the entire Yuan Family. Moreover, this act directly harmed the dignity of the Imperial Family.

It’s fair to say this move is nearly an annihilating kill; Yuan Shu’s strike in such a setting violated the Han Dynasty’s hundreds of years of rules. Regardless of any reasons, by law, executing Yuan Shu and discarding his body in the wilderness would be lenient; a standard death sentence involving extermination of three familial generations.

Even though Chen Xi wants to protect Yuan Shu, he absolutely cannot say so publicly now, because Yuan Shu has made too many mistakes, too excessively, almost irretrievably.

Liu Bei glanced at Chen Xi and chose silence, while Liu Yu and Liu Zhang both simultaneously spoke, "Where are the escorts? Arrest this lunatic!"

"Quickly arrest Yuan Shu," Chen Xi ordered the escort beside him. Only if they arrest Yuan Shu now, Yuan Shu won’t face a life-threatening issue; if he falls into the Liu Royal Family’s hands, Yuan Shu is undoubtedly dead.

Even Liu Bei remaining silent is giving Chen Xi enough face because this is equivalent to Yuan Shu directly humiliating Liu Bei. Liu Bei refraining from speaking is already because Chen Xi is trying to save Yuan Shu first. As for asking Liu Bei to speak out to save Yuan Shu, how could that be possible?

If an Imperial Family member publicly pardons such a madman, the subsequent chain reaction, even Liu Bei might not withstand. Just seeing this scene, numerous aristocratic families might develop other ideas.

Sunx Ce immediately stepped forward, intending to intercept the actions of others, but before he could lean forward, Zhou Yu already pressed down on Sunx Ce’s shoulder, stopping him.

"Gongjin, what are you doing?" Sunx Ce asked angrily.

"Going forward will only drag you in as well; it’s not the right time!" Zhou Yu replied calmly, transmitting his voice to Sunx Ce.

"Even so, can we just wait and watch?" Sunx Ce immediately tried to dash forward, but Zhou Yu grabbed him. Unfortunately, with Zhou Yu’s limited strength, how could he hold Sunx Ce, ending up dragged out of the lineup with Sunx Ce.

The two were already at the forefront of the entire lineup, and with this dash, they were nearly just steps away from the Grand Princess.

"Please calm down, Your Highness; Yuan Gong was merely momentarily impulsive, his actions slightly improper. Please forgive him," Sunx Ce bent over solemnly towards Liu Tong after rushing forward, performing arguably the most respectful salute since mourning before Sunx Jian’s spirit.

"General Sunx, and General Zhou, young and promising, it’s best to step back," the Grand Princess’s voice carried almost no emotional fluctuation, just flat and merciless.

"Arrest the rabble-rouser!" Liu Tong coldly commanded.

"Lord, let’s go!" Jii Ling grabbed Yuan Shu and flew out of Weiyang Palace.

"All generals, where are you?" Liu Tong, her eyes filled with murderous intent, glanced at Guan Yu and others standing aside and coldly spoke.

Guan Yu stroked his beard and immediately flew towards Jii Ling’s direction, the others following suit, but the military generals’ ranks were immediately thrown into chaos.