But no matter how they all knelt on the ground and pleaded, Shi Muyuan never once looked back. She led the emperor straight to the city wall near the palace gate.
From this vantage point, one could see everything around the palace gate. At this very moment, the King of the Western Regions was causing a ruckus right in front of it.
Since they hadn't made a big deal at first, almost no one at the palace gate noticed their arrival.
The King of the Western Regions had pulled out all the stops in his act, attracting many commoners to come and watch.
"Our envoy has been here for a long time. Until now, he hasn't returned, and not a single piece of news has come out. I request that His Majesty give our Western Regions an explanation!"
The other ministers who had come with their king also chimed in: "Yes, Lord Lan has made many contributions to our Western Regions. Now he's neither seen alive nor found dead. Shouldn't the court of the Great Liang give us an explanation?"
The minister who had been guarding the city gate early on was feeling a headache. This King of the Western Regions was really a hard nut to crack.
"If Your Highness truly wishes to see His Majesty, then why not go to the posthouse and rest first? When His Majesty summons you, I will surely inform you."
"You don't need to use such words as an excuse. Although our Western Regions has long submitted to your country, it doesn't mean you can treat human lives like grass. I've waited in the Western Regions for over a month but haven't been able to contact our envoy. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
When the commoners watching the show heard this, their expressions changed. They didn't know the inside story, but on the surface, the disappearance of the Western Regions' envoy in the Great Liang was not a good thing for anyone.
So, some timid people began to persuade: "My lord, it seems to us that the King of the Western Regions must value talents greatly. Otherwise, with his status, why would he travel all the way to the capital and endure the hardships of the journey? In our opinion, it would be better to invite His Majesty to come out and uphold justice."
"Yes, the King of the Western Regions must have had no other choice but to come here suddenly. His Majesty is well - known for his virtue. But he hasn't shown up yet. Could there be some hidden truth about the envoy's disappearance?"
The Minister Qi, who had been sent by Ji Heng early on, was no ordinary figure. Hearing what they said, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Presumptuous! You are all offending your superiors. Do you believe I won't report this to His Majesty and let him deal with you? How stupid! You can't even tell right from wrong. You are unworthy to be His Majesty's subjects."
Just these four simple words "offending one's superiors" hit the commoners like a hammer, making them shiver involuntarily.
The person who had just spoken scurried away like a frightened rat, disappearing into the crowd.
After dealing with that "rat", Minister Qi focused on the people in front of him.
After hearing what the commoners had said, the King of the Western Regions knew that if he acted even more pitifully, he could gain the upper hand in the conversation.
Moreover, he was already familiar with those old - timers in the Great Liang court. They must be trying their best to hold back the young emperor from coming out. As long as the young emperor didn't show up, his chances would increase.
After so many years of hardships, he deeply understood how terrifying the power of public opinion could be.
Taking this opportunity, he pressed on: "I've come here just to see my envoy. Even if he died in the capital, I just want to find a burial place for him and let his soul return to his homeland. My lord, please rest assured and convey this to His Majesty. I will never let him lose his reputation, nor will I entangle you. After all, our two countries are still in diplomatic relations."
The King of the Western Regions had a gentle appearance. With his specially - dressed plain white clothes and worried expression today, he looked like a melancholy young gentleman.
This scene won the sympathy of countless commoners.
Some even dared to walk up to Minister Qi.
"Lord Qi, the King of the Western Regions has traveled a long way. Doesn't His Majesty have the slightest bit of grace of the Great Liang? Our Great Liang has always been known for treating guests kindly. But now, it seems that we are being ungracious and mistreating our guests."
Minister Qi was a bit surprised by this sudden appearance.
He thought he had already had a deterrent effect, but unexpectedly, there were still some fearless people.
Since that was the case, he didn't need to hold back any longer.
Minister Qi waved his hand seriously. Immediately, some guards rushed up. His words made those who were about to plead for the King of the Western Regions back down immediately.
"Come and drag this person out. Charge him with the crime of offending one's superiors and showing disrespect to His Majesty."
Although the commoners didn't understand all the laws of the Great Liang, just these few words told them that this might be a crime even more serious than beheading.
The relatives of the person who was being dragged out soon rushed over. After hearing the news, they knelt at Minister Qi's feet and pleaded.
"Lord Qi, my daughter is still young and prone to making mistakes. Please forgive her ignorance. We will take her back and discipline her strictly. She won't run out and talk nonsense again."
Minister Qi snorted coldly and pulled his robe away mercilessly.
"If you know your daughter likes to talk nonsense, why did you let her out and disgrace the Great Liang? Fortunately, His Majesty is not here. If His Majesty were here, your whole family might lose their heads. If you're smart, leave here quickly. Otherwise, I'll report this to His Majesty as it is."
The noble lady who had collapsed on the ground was wearing brocade from the Jiangnan region. The man beside her, presumably her husband, had been supporting her. After hearing Minister Qi's words, his face changed slightly. As if thinking of something, he could only pull his wife up from the ground.
"Enough. It was our daughter who made a mistake. The law is merciless. Even the emperor is equal to the common people in the face of the law. Since she has paid the price for her mistake, let's go back and bury her properly. Don't mention this again in the future."
The noble lady seemed not to expect that her husband, who had always doted on their daughter, would say such things. Tears streamed down her face.
"Do you know what you're saying? Our daughter is innocent. She's so young and hasn't even reached the age of adulthood. You used to love her the most. Why have you changed your attitude today? Just because she offended the royal family?"