"Impossible," Xue Zining growled.
Xue Wenjie chuckled, "Your Majesty, whether it is impossible or not is not decided by your word alone. We have witnesses and evidence; the case is conclusive."
Xue Zining clenched her fists, her gaze sharp. "Where is the evidence? I demand to see it."
"Your Majesty, this king has already presented all evidence to the Grand Court, if you doubt me, you can ask the Minister of the Grand Court, Lord Ren."
Xue Wenjie's expression was nothing short of triumphant.
Xue Zining bit her lower lip and asked, "Is Lord Ren present?"
The Minister of the Grand Court, Ren Tang, stepped forward. "This subject is present."
"Is what the Regent King says true?"
"Yes, the prisoner Gu Yungge colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. The evidence is conclusive, and I have already sentenced her to immediate execution."
"Your Majesty, you see, I am speaking the truth. I know the influence of the Grand Tutor on you, but the Grand Tutor has committed such a grave crime. If Your Majesty does not punish her, how can the national law be upheld? What do you say, Your Majesty?"
Xue Zining raised her head. She saw a look of mockery and disdain on Xue Wenjie's entire face.
He was warning her that fighting him would have no good outcome, and Gu Yungge was just the first.
"Your Majesty," Hua Yunjin stepped forward, shaking his head.
Xue Wenjie sneered, "Prime Minister Hua, you should properly advise His Majesty. To pardon a traitor who colluded with the enemy will displease all the civil and military officials and the people of this land."
"Yunjin, you know, the Grand Tutor, she..."
"Your Majesty, this subject knows." Hua Yunjin looked up, tears already welling in his eyes.
Xue Zining trembled. How could she have forgotten that Gu Yungge was not only her Grand Tutor but also Hua Yunjin's master.
"Yunjin..."
"Your Majesty, Master cannot be saved." Hua Yunjin's voice trembled slightly.
She knew he was trying to hold back his tears.
Pushing Hua Yunjin aside, she walked towards the person who was already covered in blood.
Gu Yungge suddenly lifted her head. Seeing her, her gaze was filled with gentleness.
"Grand Tutor, I'm sorry," she said softly.
Gu Yungge shook her head. She opened her mouth, and blood flowed out. She made sounds, but no words came out because her tongue had been cut off.
"Your Majesty, if you truly cannot bring yourself to do it, this subject can act on your behalf." Xue Wenjie walked over at this moment, coming beside Xue Zining.
"Wuwu..." Gu Yungge suddenly struggled. Her face, which had been gentle moments ago, was now contorted, as if the person before her was an enemy she hated to her very core.
"Gu Yungge wants to kill this king? You will never succeed, because you are already dead." Xue Wenjie walked to Gu Yungge and said word by word.
"Do you need me to act on your behalf?" Xue Wenjie turned back and asked.
"Wuwu..." Xue Zining saw Gu Yungge shake her head, her eyes pleading.
"No, I... will do it myself." Xue Zining's voice was colder than ever.
Xue Wenjie narrowed his eyes. The young girl standing before him at this moment exuded a biting chill. Though she barely reached his chest, she gave him a sense of supreme authority.
Like a king standing before a besieged city, looking down on all the heroes.
This feeling annoyed him greatly.
"Then, this subject will await Your Majesty's first shot." Xue Wenjie sneered and left.
Gu Yungge quieted down and looked at her with a gaze that was gentler and more resolute than ever. Even though she did not speak, Xue Zining knew that she had conveyed her silent message.
Gu Yungge sought death.