Since Lord Ye made such a huge commotion, many commoners had gathered around as soon as they entered the city gate. But when they saw so many soldiers and horses, they didn't dare to get too close.
However, his voice was so loud and the surroundings were so quiet that his words naturally fell into everyone's ears.
In an instant, the surrounding commoners began to whisper among themselves.
"What's wrong with Lord Ye? He seems to be plotting a rebellion. But what did he just say? Could there really be such a thing?"
"I don't think so. The Empress Dowager is extremely powerful. It's always been rumored that she and the national advisor don't get along. How could she do such a foolish thing? Maybe Lord Ye made up this excuse just to stage a rebellion."
It had to be said that Lord Ye was really smart. He knew that he mustn't take action against these commoners. Even if he was going to rebel, he had to find a legitimate reason for himself to avoid being criticized in the future.
If something happened to the commoners on his watch, he would surely not be able to escape the blame. So he just let the commoners watch and spread his words.
The whispers around grew louder and more chaotic.
"I don't think it's like that. I once saw the Empress Dowager and the national advisor go out and come back together on a mission."
"According to what you said, the two of them have been having an affair secretly for a long time. Only we commoners have been kept in the dark."
The young emperor couldn't bear it any longer when he heard them talking more and more absurdly. His voice, infused with inner strength, resounded in everyone's ears.
"Bold!"
Although he had never used his martial arts skills before, under Cui Qizhou's supervision, he still practiced diligently every day. Originally, this was just a means of self - protection, but unexpectedly, it was exposed ahead of time today.
However, for the sake of his mother, he didn't care anymore.
"Nothing has been finalized yet. I won't allow anyone to make reckless accusations. Lord Ye, I can understand that you resent me because of the matter of the noble concubine. I'll just consider today's incident as you being senile and confused. I won't hold it against you. Go back and write a memorial asking for retirement."
The emperor couldn't not punish Lord Ye for what he had done today. Otherwise, in the future, anyone could ride roughshod over the royal family.
However, Lord Ye obviously didn't think he would lose today.
"Your Majesty, you surely can't hide the matter between the Empress Dowager and the national advisor. Judging from your appearance, you probably know about it too. How can our Great Liang tolerate such a royal family? Can such a royal family still lead us? Am I right, everyone?"
"Pooh! What could I possibly have to do with the national advisor? I don't know anything about it. You old traitor are just using me and the national advisor as an excuse to stage a rebellion."
But her words were finally drowned out by the noisy voices.
Lord Ye couldn't wait any longer and directly ordered his men to bring the two of them up.
Just like that, the two of them were unceremoniously thrown into the middle of the crowd in a somewhat disheveled state.
When Ji Heng saw this scene, he almost couldn't help but fly down to kill Lord Ye. He forced himself to appear calm.
"Lord Ye, don't be too arrogant. Not everyone in Changjing City is blind. The Empress Dowager and the national advisor have always been running around for the commoners of Great Liang. They've put themselves in danger many times without complaining once. They went out and came back together just to bring more benefits to the commoners. Otherwise, do you think the Western Regions would suddenly submit obediently?"
These words finally made some commoners wake up.
"Yes, sometimes I've seen the Empress Dowager with injuries. The national advisor has been injured for our sake more than once. Everything they've done has never been for themselves. Isn't it a bit too much for us to make wild speculations like this?"
However, only one or two people could wake up.
The others didn't take this matter to heart.
"They enjoy the supreme power. They should make contributions to us."
Shi Muyuan happened to hear this sentence and couldn't help cursing in her heart.
Without hesitation, she shot a cold look at the speaker.
"Fine, then I'll give this power to you. Let's see who among you is willing to risk your life for Great Liang."
That person didn't expect that Shi Muyuan, who was already like a fish on the chopping board, would still dare to confront him. But in the face of the Empress Dowager, he couldn't refute a single word and could only slink away into the crowd.
A look of disdain flashed across Lord Ye's eyes. He knew that if he delayed any longer, reinforcements might arrive. He decided to finish the matter quickly.
"How can His Majesty still be worthy of sitting on the throne? Am I right, everyone?"
There was an immediate chorus of agreement. Many soldiers behind him loudly echoed, and their voices resounded through the sky.
Lord Ye was very satisfied. A long sword appeared in his hand. It seemed that he was about to stab it into Shi Muyuan's chest. Ji Heng felt a bit nervous.
"What exactly do you want? Just say it directly."
Shi Muyuan's right eyelid twitched violently. She quickly shouted, "Your Majesty, even if I die here today, I'll have no regrets. Don't be foolish. Don't agree to his unreasonable demands for my sake."
This made Ye Xinxin angry. She stepped forward and slapped Shi Muyuan.
"You cheap woman. How dare you speak at this time?"
She then stuffed her handkerchief into Shi Muyuan's mouth. Only when she saw the resentful look in Shi Muyuan's eyes did she show a smile.
Cui Qizhou said coldly, mocking from the side, "You can only bully a weak woman who has no strength to bind a chicken. If it weren't for the poison you gave us, how could we be at your mercy here? If the Empress Dowager and I's several near - death experiences in the past failed to gain the trust of these commoners, then even if the surname of the royal family of Great Liang changes today, so what?"
His words made some of the people around feel a bit regretful.
"Maybe we misunderstood the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager and the national advisor have always been upright. They've made so many contributions to us in the past. We really shouldn't have taken advantage of their misfortune at this time."
"I... Forget it. I'll just stay here and watch quietly. Everything will be decided in the end. Anyway, no matter what happens, it won't affect us commoners."
It had to be said that such words really made Shi Muyuan feel extremely cold - hearted.
How could she have believed that these people would be grateful?
There was a hint of vicissitude on her face. Cui Qizhou felt helpless and just slightly turned his body to block her view of the commoners.
"Don't look anymore. People forget about you when you're out of power. The world is cold. The Empress Dowager should know this truth and shouldn't have any expectations for these people."
Although Lord Ye was a bit angry, he still thought that the current matter was the most important.
"Your Majesty, come out and exchange yourself for my illegitimate daughter, and I'll let these two go. How about it?"
"Hehe, Lord Ye, didn't you keep saying that you brought so many people here because you couldn't stand the Empress Dowager and the national advisor? Why do you want me to come out and exchange myself? What's the reason for this?"