No one spoke anymore, and everyone's gaze fell on Lousi, wanting to see what else she could say.
Lousi looked at the various expressions of the people in the hall and raised a mocking smile: "You say that the Xiao family has been loyal for generations, I admit that. But if it weren't for the Xiao family conquering the city of Lingjiang, and if it weren't for Xiao Rhen conquering Xiliangyang, I wouldn't be able to come back in this lifetime. So I just think you're joking."
This remark was like a stone dropped into the water, causing a thousand ripples in the hall.
One of the generals angrily said, "Princess, though you are a princess and are a rank higher than us, you can't treat us like we're not people."
"Yes, we fought and died for our country in the borderlands, and yet to you, it becomes a joke."
One of the generals was so angry that his face turned green. He bowed heavily to Lou Zheng and said, "Please execute Princess Chang, so as not to break the hearts of the soldiers at the border."
Upon hearing this, the other several generals also echoed in agreement: "We beg the emperor to execute Princess Chang."
For a moment, the people in the hall had various expressions on their faces.
Lou Yao and Wei Fuqu's eyes both flashed with a hint of satisfaction. Lousi would be in for a rough time today, whether she lives or dies.
Xiao Ren looked at Lousi, whose expression remained unchanged, and unconsciously tightened his grip on his sleeve. He only hoped that Lousi would admit her fault, not that he truly wanted her death.
Lou Zheng's face was unattractive, and his hand in his sleeve was tightly clenched. The force caused his forearm veins to pop. These people today were determined to make him punish Ah Si.
Xu Jingxuan's face was also frighteningly ugly. If someone hadn't pulled him back, he would have gone up and taken Lousi away without regard for anything.
Pei Yan's demeanor remained gentle, but seeing so many people bullying Lousi, a weak woman, his eyebrows couldn't help but furrow.
Lousi glanced at the several people kneeling on the ground, seeing their faces turning white. Just as she was about to speak, someone beat her to it.
"Your Majesty, I believe that even though Princess Lousi has made mistakes, her crimes do not warrant death. After all, she has endured national disgrace for ten years."
As everyone subconsciously turned to look at the person speaking, they saw that it was Pei Yan. When they saw that it was him, everyone was stunned. How could he possibly speak up for Lousi?
Lousi was also slightly stunned. Wasn't it said that Pei Yan was upright and honest? How could he still speak up for her after she had done those things?
Pei Yan did not look at anyone. He bowed his head with his back straight as if he had only said the most ordinary thing.
Looking at him like that, Lousi suddenly felt a sudden madness in her heart. Pei Yan was too perfect, too perfect to be desired.
Feeling the unusual excitement around him, Lou Zheng subconsciously turned to look at Lousi. But she had already returned to her usual expression.
He furrowed his eyebrows slightly, staring at the few generals with a stern expression, "To kill a princess just because of a few words, do you not take the law seriously?"
"Furthermore, what Princess Lousi said isn't the truth? If Lingjiang is solely protected by the Xiao family, then the emperor should simply change his surname to Xiao."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ren's face turned several shades paler. Lou Zheng's words were neither too harsh nor too lenient. If he wasn't careful, his Xiao family might come to an end today.
Luo Jianchang, who had been silent throughout, furrowed his eyebrows slightly and hesitated for a moment before kneeling down in front of everyone.
"Your Majesty, it's not just a matter of a few words now. Princess Lousi, right after returning to the capital, has committed such evil deeds by relying on her status. Keeping her alive is also a disaster."
After finishing, he paused, his head resting on his backhand, and then continued, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Tutor once said that Princess Lousi is cursed by evil in her destiny and will bring about the fall of the country. Even though you may feel a brotherly affection for her, you must also consider the welfare of the people."
"Years ago, the late emperor sent Princess Lousi to marry in another country precisely because of what the Imperial Tutor had said. Now that Xiliangyang has been conquered, it also fulfills the Imperial Tutor's words. I beg Your Majesty to execute Princess Lousi at all costs to avoid following in Xiliangyang's footsteps."
Upon hearing these words, the faces of everyone in the hall changed dramatically. The other several elderly ministers glanced at each other and then also knelt down.
"We beg Your Majesty to execute Princess Lousi, and forever eliminate this problem."
They bowed their heads into their palms, as if they would die on the spot unless Lou Zheng severely punished Lousi.
"Those words from the Imperial Tutor were just in jest; how can they be taken seriously." Lou Zheng's eyes narrowed dangerously, and his face was as dark as night, as he spoke gravely, "Prime Minister Luo, if you're not satisfied with my decision, why don't you take over the throne yourself?"
"Your Majesty, I am just concerned about the overall situation. Please execute Princess Lousi." Prime Minister Luo spoke with determination, as if he was prepared to die.
The other several old ministers also followed suit: "Please execute Princess Lousi."
"Are you trying to force an abdication?" Lou Zheng's forehead veins popped out as he shouted in anger.
"Your servant dares not." Prime Minister Luo and the other ministers all spoke in unison, but they did not back down.
Lousi watched all this as if she was an outsider. She suddenly laughed out loud for some reason.
The crowd furrowed their brows and looked at her, puzzled as to why she would still laugh.
Lousi ignored everyone's gaze and walked slowly down the steps.
He felt a sharp pain in his heart as he saw the smile on her face, and subconsciously tried to grab her hand, but it was too late.
"A Ji." Lou Zheng almost blurted out the word without thinking.
Lousi didn't stop her steps, nor did she turn back. She walked slowly towards the group of elderly officials led by the Left Prime Minister.
"Prime Minister Luo, you are determined today to see me dead, even if it takes a life for a life?" Her voice was so light and faint that it seemed as if she were saying the most ordinary words.
The Left Prime Minister looked up at her, his expression serious, "Yes, if my life can bring peace and stability to the country and the people, I am willing to die for it. I only ask..."
"Then that will do." Lousi smiled to interrupt him. Then, in front of everyone, she calmly cut off the Left Prime Minister's head with the sword held by Chu Wei.
In an instant, blood spurted from the Left Prime Minister's severed neck, splattering everyone around.
Almost simultaneously, the hall fell into an eerie silence so deep that one could hear the sound of breathing.
Lousi reached out to wipe away the warm blood on her face and looked at the stunned crowd with cold eyes, her voice terrible.
"If the Left Prime Minister so wishes to die, then I will personally accompany him on his journey."
There was little expression on Lou Zheng's face, for he had long known that Lousi was of the same kind as he was. However, that did not mean he wanted Lousi to get blood on her hands.
Xu Jingxuan, Pei Yan, Lou Yao, and Wei Feiqi were all shocked by this scene.
Although Xiao Rhen had seen Lousi kill the emperor of Xiliangyang before, he was still stunned to see her kill again.
Lou Yao was the first to react, she wanted to take this opportunity to deal a fatal blow to Lousi.
She hid behind Xiao Rhen and screamed, "Ah ah! Someone's been killed, someone's been killed, my elder sister has killed someone."
As everyone else finally realized what had happened, they were all staring at Lousi in shock. Could she have gone mad? How could she have dared to kill someone in front of so many people?
Lousi ignored their gaze and tilted her head with a smile, "Who else among you wants to follow the Left Prime Minister? I will send all of you along with him."
