The system seemed capable, putting Xiao Ye at ease.
The people outside the palace gates were very respectful to Xiao Ye. They looked like ordinary people, but it was unclear if they were disguised as "Chi Gui".
After observing the palace attendants, Xiao Ye took a sedan chair to his residence.
The Prime Minister's mansion was vast yet sparsely populated and desolate.
When Xiao Ye entered the living room, a servant respectfully offered him tea. "Prime Minister, you have returned."
Xiao Ye observed the entire Prime Minister's mansion, and a sense of poverty permeated the surroundings.
His mansion had few servants. Xiao Ye, who held immense power in court, lived a life poorer than a mere merchant.
Xiao Ye accepted the tea and calmly instructed the servant, "Xiao Si, hire more servants for the mansion, so I can live more comfortably."
During his reincarnation, Xiao Ye had lived a humble life, fearing that Mu Qinglan would become wary.
This time, he intended to enjoy the privileges of a Prime Minister.
Xiao Si was also taken aback, not expecting the Prime Minister to want to hire more people for the mansion!
The following day.
In the imperial court, civil and military officials stood in neat rows.
Empress Mu Qinglan sat on the dragon throne, looking down at all the ministers present.
Her gaze fixed on Xiao Ye, who stood at the forefront, waiting for him to speak and save Mu Li.
However, the court session had been going on for nearly the time it took to drink two cups of tea, and Xiao Ye had yet to speak.
Fortunately, the Grand Tutor, a loyal minister to the Empress, noticed Mu Qinglan's concern. He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Mu Li has been imprisoned for some time. To ensure the peace of the populace, it is time for his final judgment."
Upon hearing this, Mu Qinglan asked, "Grand Tutor, how do you believe the Prince's crime should be classified?"
"Although he has incurred the wrath of the common people, he is young and inexperienced. It should not be a capital offense."
The aged Grand Tutor touched upon Mu Qinglan's hopes. He stated calmly, "Prince Mu Li is still young. Let him be demoted to commoner status to appease the public's anger!"
If Mu Li were merely stripped of his princely title, the punishment would not be severe.
Mu Qinglan could arrange for Mu Li to be protected, allowing him to live a safe life.
"Do any of my esteemed ministers have any objections to the Grand Tutor's proposal?"
If no minister objected, Mu Qinglan could successfully protect Mu Li.
But just then, Xiao Ye, in his court attire, smiled faintly. "Your Majesty, your humble servant has a memorial to present."
Mu Qinglan frowned, hoping Xiao Ye wouldn't cause any trouble.
"What are Prime Minister Xiao's views?"
"The Son of Heaven and commoners are equal under the law. Prince Mu Li has already incurred the anger of the populace. Without execution, it is impossible to convince the masses."
Xiao Ye spoke with composure, uttering words that enraged the Empress. "Your Majesty, Prince Mu Li should be sentenced to death!"
With Xiao Ye stepping forward, the entire court erupted in a stir.
Before Mu Qinglan could react, a throng of ministers stepped forward.
Their voices were resonant as they spoke in unison, "We implore Your Majesty to sentence Prince Mu Li to death and bring justice to the people of the dynasty!"
The ministers who had remained silent in court earlier now stepped forward at Xiao Ye's word.
They were all Xiao Ye's men, their gazes fixed intently on Mu Qinglan.
This was a coercion to make her agree; otherwise, she would be deemed a foolish monarch for eternity.
Mu Qinglan clenched the armrest of the dragon throne, suppressing her killing intent.
Her expression was exceedingly stern and cold. She stared intently at Xiao Ye. "Prime Minister Xiao, don't forget... don't forget what you promised me!"
"Your Majesty, what did your humble servant promise?"
Xiao Ye feigned an innocent and confused expression, as if he remembered nothing.
How could the Empress, in her supreme position, bring herself to speak of such a thing?
Mu Qinglan looked at Xiao Ye's indifferent demeanor, trembling with anger.
She recalled how she had sacrificed her appearance to make Xiao Ye agree to the arrangement.
Yet, Xiao Ye had broken his promise in public?
You scoundrel... you scoundrel Prime Minister Xiao!!
Mu Qinglan saw the Grand Tutor's darkened expression. Throughout the morning court, she felt as though she had been sidelined.
Two-thirds of the ministers had been swayed by Xiao Ye.
Facing such a treacherous minister, Mu Qinglan had no confidence in defeating him.
She gripped the armrest of the imperial seat, almost shattering it.
Mu Qinglan forgot how she had spoken. "The memorial is approved. Mu Li is to be sentenced to death. He will be executed at the execution platform in three days, and all the people of the dynasty may witness it."
For royalty, this was the most ignominious way to die.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Xiao Ye's tall figure was below Mu Qinglan, yet she clearly saw him looking down at her with disdain.
He was seizing her authority!
He was a damned treacherous minister!!
Mu Qinglan thought of Mu Li being forced to death today, and Xiao Ye's broken promise.
Her eyes turned red; she actually cried from anger.
Mu Qinglan concealed her loss of composure and announced the end of the court session before departing.
Seeing the Empress gone, the surrounding ministers converged on Xiao Ye.
Their faces wore expressions of obsequious smiles, clearly recognizing that in the entire Mu Dynasty,
Although the surname remained Mu Qinglan's, everything was decided by Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye, uninterested in dealing with the power-hungry officials, noticed the Grand Tutor's faction looking at him with complex gazes.
Especially the old Grand Tutor, who looked down upon Xiao Ye, a man of military background.
He let out a cold snort at Xiao Ye.
After familiarizing himself with the court officials, Xiao Ye left.
The system was astonished by Xiao Ye's actions, questioning why he had defied and oppressed Mu Qinglan.
Didn't the host have to complete the mission?
Why could he be so arrogant towards Mu Qinglan?
...
Blue Star.
On Blue Star, infected individuals within the Huaxia Alliance saw the Heavenly Screen broadcasting Xiao Ye's reincarnation.
Their expressions were of shock, and they urgently notified Gu Feng and others.
"Why has the Master's reincarnation appeared again?"
Gu Feng and the others saw the reincarnation appearing in the sky, their hearts filled with a sense of foreboding.
They could not be certain if Xiao Ye had encountered any accidents while confronting the Chi Gui.
However, these reincarnation scenes served as a warning to them.
Gu Feng's heart was filled with struggle and conflict. After watching a few minutes of the reincarnation footage, he suddenly announced to all infected individuals in the Alliance.
"Evacuate. We are all evacuating the Alliance. We will wait until we see King Xiao."
The infected individuals who heard the news were utterly bewildered.
Gu Feng had already opened the gates of the Alliance, ordering their rapid evacuation.
Zhao Chen looked at Gu Feng hesitantly. "Brother Gu, aren't we waiting for Lord Zuo Wang and the others to return?"
"This reincarnation footage would not appear without reason. It must be a hint from the Master."
Gu Feng's premonition grew stronger. He looked into the pitch-black void outside the Alliance.
"I dare not gamble with everyone staying in the Alliance. We can only evacuate first and then find Lord Zuo Wang and the others."
Although their army of hundreds of millions made them formidable,
Gu Feng was still certain of one thing: sacrificing everyone to fight the crisis was a loss for Xiao Ye, and a foolish approach.
Zhao Chen and the others also followed Gu Feng's orders. Countless infected individuals that day fled the Alliance like ants.
Gu Feng led them to other cities. Xiao Ye's reincarnation appeared in the sky everywhere.
All humans on Blue Star could clearly see it and, in their hearts, simultaneously wondered.
Where was Xiao Ye at this moment?