No!
Absolutely not!
Stop it immediately.
Looking at Princess Shengyue, who had finally reacted, Zhan Tianhong's expression was cold, and his tone was even more icy and resolute, "Does Princess Shengyue think I punished Zhan Tianyu too lightly? He did indeed insult Princess Shengyue, but beheading him publicly will serve as a warning to the world and show that I have avenged you."
"No! You can't kill him! He can't die, I… I misspoke in the heat of the moment. He didn't insult me, I was angry with him this morning, so I said something in anger. I… I do intend to marry Prince Ning!" Princess Shengyue gritted her teeth, her face flushing red with suppressed rage.
Although she said it, she was seething inside.
She truly wished she could kill Zhan Tianyu with her own hands, preferably dismembering him, otherwise, her hatred would not be appeased!
However, now was not the time!
Zhan Tianhong glanced at Zhan Tianye beside him. Seeing that Zhan Tianye remained silent, merely watching the scene unfold, he said coldly, "Zhan Tianyu intended to rebel, and he caused the deaths of over a hundred members of another family. Furthermore, he repeatedly attempted to assassinate King Ye. With multiple crimes, he must be severely punished."
"But, but he is my husband!" Princess Shengyue was sweating profusely with anxiety!
Zhan Tianhong's expression remained unchanged, "Princess Shengyue has not yet married Zhan Tianyu, and I now suspect that Princess Shengyue was coerced and threatened by Zhan Tianyu, and has been unclear in her mind until now. Guards, escort Princess Shengyue to the temporary palace to rest."
Zhan Tianye watched silently from the side as Zhan Tianhong resolved a series of matters.
Decisive and ruthless.
Everything an emperor should possess, Zhan Tianhong now had.
"I don't care, since he is my husband, he is not just a person of Yongning Kingdom, but a person of Xixia Kingdom! You cannot execute him. I want to hold our grand wedding tomorrow!" Princess Shengyue gritted her teeth, disregarding how shocking her next words might be. She absolutely could not become a laughingstock!
Zhan Tianhong frowned deeply.
"Furthermore, the general from our Xixia Kingdom is among those escorting me to Yongning Kingdom! He is in the capital right now. If you insist on executing Prince Ning, this matter will surely be reported back to Xixia Kingdom, leading to enmity between the two countries. This is not a result you wish to see, is it?" Princess Shengyue became calmer as she spoke. There was nothing she set her mind to that she couldn't achieve!
"King Ye is also here, and I believe King Ye is well aware of the negative consequences this will bring to Yongning Kingdom!" Princess Shengyue then looked at Zhan Tianye.
Seeing the incredibly handsome Zhan Tianye, Princess Shengyue's eyes turned red.
Even knowing that this man was her brother, she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart.
Perhaps her father and the others were mistaken.
That detestable Zhan Tianyu was not her brother!
"Fifth Brother…" Zhan Tianhong subconsciously wanted to seek Zhan Tianye's opinion.
Zhan Tianye, however, lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "His Majesty decides this matter."
Zhan Tianhong was stunned for a moment, and then the hand under his sleeve trembled slightly.
He suddenly realized that Fifth Brother seemed to be truly letting go!
After a moment of stunned silence, he looked at Princess Shengyue.
"Even if the Emperor of Xixia were before me, I would absolutely not disregard the lives of the many citizens and let Zhan Tianyu go. As he is Princess Shengyue's husband, his death sentence can be commuted, but he cannot escape punishment. His guilt will be determined tomorrow!"
Princess Shengyue stumbled back several steps.
However, the next moment.
A guard outside the door suddenly announced loudly, "Your Majesty, the prisoner Zhan Tianyu has bitten his tongue and committed suicide!"
"What?" Princess Shengyue exclaimed in shock.
Zhan Tianye's expression was calm, and his dark eyes cast a cold glance at Zhan Tianhong.
Zhan Tianhong appeared to be surprised, "What happened? Didn't I order you to escort him to the imperial prison? Why would he bite his tongue and commit suicide?"
"Your subordinate… Your subordinate and the others do not know why he suddenly bit his tongue and committed suicide. The imperial physicians have examined him, and he has no breath!" The guard immediately knelt before the hall door.
Princess Shengyue, overwhelmed with urgency and anger, fainted directly.
Zhan Tianhong glanced at the unconscious Princess Shengyue, first ordering her to be sent to the temporary palace, then sighed, "Alas, since he feared punishment and committed suicide, let him be given a proper burial. Tomorrow morning, his crimes will be announced to the world. I only hope he does not make such mistakes in his next life."
"Fifth Brother, it is late now. Would you like to rest in the palace for the night?"
He said to Zhan Tianye.
At this moment, he was waiting for an answer.
Fifth Brother had spoken little today, and he had revealed some things in front of Fifth Brother just now.
His feelings for Fifth Brother were extremely complex.
Zhan Tianye glanced at the sky outside the hall, which had already completely darkened. "This subject will leave the capital tomorrow to wander the world. I will return to my residence tonight to stay."
"This subject takes his leave."
After Zhan Tianye finished speaking, he walked towards the hall door.
When Zhan Tianye reached the hall door, Zhan Tianhong suddenly asked, "Will Fifth Brother return?"
"It is not yet decided." Zhan Tianye stopped, and after a moment of silence, he replied in a deep voice.
As Zhan Tianye placed one foot out of the hall door, Zhan Tianhong said again, "Fifth Brother, you are leaving the capital tomorrow and will not return for an unknown period. We brothers will not see each other for a long time. Tonight, have a few drinks with me."
"Consider it… consider it me sending Fifth Brother off."
Zhan Tianye stopped, and a faint scent of blood could be heard from not far away.
It was likely the smell of blood from Zhan Tianyu biting his tongue and committing suicide.
Not far away, palace guards were patrolling.
Several officials were also walking towards the palace exit, talking amongst themselves.
"Fifth Brother?"
"Guards, go and prepare wine and food."
Zhan Tianhong first called out to Zhan Tianye, then gave orders to the palace servants beside him.
The palace servants passed by Zhan Tianye, respectfully bowing to him first.
Zhan Tianye withdrew his gaze, turned back to Zhan Tianhong, and said, "Alright."
They indeed had some things to discuss, the two brothers.
…
Inside the temporary palace.
Li De first learned of the situation in the palace, and then of Zhan Tianyu's insult to Princess Shengyue.
Two events occurring suddenly.
Li De was furious.
He knew that Princess Shengyue had been rescued and sent to the palace. He immediately wanted to intervene, but it was too late. He saw the unconscious Princess Shengyue outside the palace and was about to ask about the current situation and whether Zhan Tianyu had been imprisoned by the Emperor.
Instead, he learned that Zhan Tianyu had bitten his tongue and committed suicide to evade punishment!
After hearing Qianjin, Princess Shengyue's maid, recount the events in the hall, his entire being seemed to be enveloped in a dark cloud.
He was filled with murderous intent.
"Years of planning and effort have been ruined by that idiot!" Li De cursed.
He had always known Zhan Tianyu was stupid, but he never expected him to be so incredibly stupid! After being taught by him for so many years, his inherent stupidity still could not be changed!
"General, what should we do now? King Ye will be leaving the capital early tomorrow morning." someone beside him asked.
Li De took a deep breath. "The Emperor is truly astute. He had already foreseen the current situation. It is I who misjudged that fool! Now, proceed according to His Majesty's instructions. In the palace… something should have already been set in motion. We must not make any further mistakes from now on."