However, even so, as long as the Empress still sat on the Dragon Throne, she was still the Emperor of Da Xia. And Wu Zongyun, as a Third Class high-ranking official of the court, not only spoke recklessly about matters that hadn’t been definitively proven, but also consistently took the perspective of the Cangming Holy King. He preemptively draped him in a cloak of righteousness. What else was this if not seeking personal gain while glorifying the selling of oneself?
A touch of disdain flashed across Xiao Yun’s beautiful face.
She ignored Wu Zongyun and looked at Lu Chen instead. Her eyebrows slightly furrowed, then she sighed inexplicably.
“Huaiyu, have you really decided to be like those unfaithful and unjust individuals, going to the Imperial Gateway to be those despicable sycophants?”
Upon hearing this, Wu Zongyun’s face immediately turned dark.
“Our actions are in line with the will of heaven. We are welcoming the legendary Holy King. Our purpose is to spare the people from the suffering of chaotic times. How can you accuse us of being unfaithful and unjust?”
“Mr. Lu,” Xiao Yun’s eyebrows furrowed even deeper. She cast a cold glance at Wu Zongyun and said, “Were you not taught by your master that you shouldn’t interrupt when others are speaking? Otherwise, you come across as uncouth.”
Wu Zongyun widened his eyes, then flung his hand suddenly, “I just can’t stand seeing Minister Xiao misguiding this young man’s future.”
“I observe that Assistant Lu is dignified and extraordinary. He clearly isn’t a mediocre individual. He’s bound to have a boundless future. How can such a talent be wasted? Minister Xiao, you may carry yourself with aloofness, but as long as you don’t confront directly, you can just stay at home with your illness. With the aura of the Cangming Holy King, he surely won’t hold it against you. Why obstruct those with aspirations from moving forward?”
In fact, he wasn’t valuing Lu Chen. He was valuing something that Lu Chen possessed.
For instance, the way Lu Chen had so boldly stood up against the Cangming Holy King previously.
If someone like him could be “converted,” it would undoubtedly boost the Holy King’s prestige. If even such a stubbornly loyal individual could be won over, it indicated that the Holy King was truly widely accepted, qualified to become the ruler of the world.
Upon hearing Wu Zongyun speak like this, Lu Chen’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
This guy just wanted to gather more people, so he should’ve said it straightforwardly. Why so much unnecessary nonsense?
Xiao Yun coldly snorted, “Mr. Lu, you know the truth yourself. Don’t deceive yourself like this.”
“People who don’t understand the situation are truly unreasonable.”
Wu Zongyun folded his hands again, no longer paying attention to Xiao Yun. He turned to Lu Chen and said, “Assistant Lu, don’t waste time arguing here. It will delay your future. I happen to be heading to the Imperial Gateway as well. Let’s go together.”
Xiao Yun didn’t bother with him either. She continued to address Lu Chen:
“Huaiyu, go back. Although the situation of the Cangming Holy King taking control of the capital is irreversible now, we, as courtiers of the Yongchu Dynasty, should not engage in things that go against our conscience, even if it’s for the sake of our sects or families. Don’t do what’s impossible to do. Our consciences shouldn’t be extinguished.”
Having spoken her mind and clearly stating her stance, she didn’t say anything further. She just looked quietly at the man before her. This man who dared to stand up for the dignity of Empress Zhao when the Cangming Holy King was at the height of his power. She watched to see what choice he would make in this momentous change – whether he would adhere to his former convictions and swim against the current, or conform to the situation and go with the flow.