If you force me to take the blame, I'll spend a day in jail and gain a year's worth of spi

Qin Xuehua's words were considerate, giving the royal family ample face-saving options. Under normal circumstances, her prediction would almost certainly come true.

The royal family will certainly take the opportunity to temporarily detain Zhang Yu, and may even take the initiative to abolish Zhang Yu's cultivation in order to prevent future troubles.

Although Zhang Yu has potential, and his innate talent at just over twenty years old is indeed extraordinary, potential is ultimately just potential, not immediate combat power.

As the saying goes, a dead genius is worthless.

Because of being abandoned by Zhang Yu's biological father, Sheng Yuntang, Qin Xuehua already harbored hatred towards Zhang Yu and regarded him as an unclean stain.

After being repeatedly humiliated and defeated, this hatred has transformed into the most resolute desire to kill.

She had made up her mind that once Zhang Jiuling and the old master returned to the capital, she would do everything in her power to completely eliminate Zhang Yu, this "root of trouble," and prevent any future problems.

At this moment, her gaze towards Zhang Yu was filled with undisguised contempt and pleasure, her eyes seeming to say:

"Man proposes, God disposes; what good is your patience and scheming?"

What good is extraordinary talent?

If fate is against you, and heaven decrees your demise, then you can only accept your fate.

The royal family was indeed caught in a huge dilemma and hesitation.

Zhang Yu's value is undoubtedly extremely high, and he is expected to become a grandmaster in the future, but that is, after all, the future.

At present, it seems disproportionate to the cost and risk of directly confronting a powerful master and his family who have already achieved great power and control a large army for the sake of a genius who is still growing and has become a mortal enemy of the Zhang family.

In particular, the State of Wei was located in a strategically important area, surrounded by powerful enemies: the State of Zhao to the north, the powerful State of Chu to the south, and the powerful State of Wu to the east.

If the nation were to completely break with the Zhang family, which possesses a grandmaster, its national strength would be severely weakened, and external threats would likely follow one after another.

This is an unwise decision no matter how you look at it.

However, the royal family also knew that Zhang Yu controlled the Heavenly Prison Array, and that within the Heavenly Prison, one could rival a Grandmaster.

If you want to turn against Zhang Yu, you'll also be facing a combat power that's almost that of a grandmaster.

Moreover, Zhang Yu's ability to enhance women's talents and cultivation is of immeasurable value.

Therefore, the royal family was unable to make a decision for the time being.

At that moment, Xiao Fenghua stepped forward again.

Her phoenix eyes flashed with authority as she swept over her hesitant uncles and grandfather, her voice clear and firm:

"Grandfather, Father, and all uncles, you must not be blinded by temporary gains or losses."

"The Zhang family's wolfish ambitions are obvious."

For many years, they have been harboring bandits in the northern border to maintain their own power, and have been secretly colluding with the Zhao state. Their intentions are despicable.

Even if my royal family compromises and hands over Mr. Zhang today, would Zhang Yuanfeng be willing to continue serving as a subject of my Xiao family?

Would Zhang Jiuling then abandon his ambition to amass military power?

Her words were forceful and went straight to the heart of the matter:

"Won't.

They will only see my royal family as weak and vulnerable, and become even more arrogant.

If we back down today, they will take ten steps forward tomorrow.

Compromise will not bring peace; it will only breed trouble and encourage the enemy's rebellious intentions.

Once its wings are fully grown, it will surely become a major threat to the Xiao family's rule, and by then it will be too late to regret it.

Xiao Fenghua's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over their faces, making the princes, who were originally inclined to compromise, feel a chill.

Yes, the Zhang family's treacherous intentions had been brewing for a long time, and it wasn't just because of Zhang Yu's affair that they started to harbor them.

With a newly promoted grandmaster and the already powerful border town forces, why would they be willing to remain subordinate to others?

Compromise today is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.

"Fenghua is absolutely right."

Prince Jing was the first to express his support for his daughter.

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes:

"When Zhang Yuanfeng broke through to the Grandmaster level, Zhang Jiuling dared to lead his elite troops to approach the capital without imperial decree. His arrogant attitude already showed signs of forcing the emperor to abdicate."

Even if we abandon Zhang Yu today and feign compliance with him, they will never restrain themselves; they will only become more ruthless.

Even worse, they would seek to carve out their own territory and become kings, dominating a region.

Rather than being forced to react and falling into a passive position when the time comes.

"It would be better to take advantage of his early mastery and unstable foundation, and use the combined strength of the entire Xiao clan to kill him."

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly impassioned:

"My Xiao family has ruled the country for a hundred years and has a profound foundation. How could a mere newly promoted grandmaster shake our power?"

By pooling our strength and launching a swift and decisive attack, we have at least an 80% chance of victory.

"We would rather deal with foreign powers than allow our servants to grow too powerful and turn against their master."

These words, especially "I'd rather give it to foreigners than to my own slaves" and "I have an 80% chance of winning," deeply stung the sensitive nerves of the royal family.

King Qi, King Rui, and the others exchanged bewildered glances, their hearts beginning to waver violently.

Prince Rui pondered for a moment, then spoke:

"What my elder brother and niece Fenghua said is not without reason."

The Zhang family's power is already established, and they cannot be appeased simply by handing over Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu is a man of extraordinary potential. If he can overcome this calamity, he will surely be a great help to our royal family in the future.

Conversely, if we hand it over, it will not only chill people's hearts, but also make it seem as if our royal family is afraid of the Zhang family.

How will the various warlords and powerful families view this at that time?

King Qi nodded slowly, his hesitation fading and replaced by a resolute look:

"Indeed, conceding now will lead to endless troubles in the future."

Since Zhang Yuanfeng is a grandmaster and our royal family also has an ancestor in charge, we can certainly fight him.

The key is to act quickly, to seize the initiative before the Zhang family army is fully assembled and Zhang Yuanfeng has completely consolidated his cultivation level.

With Xiao Fenghua's analysis and Prince Jing's strong advocacy, the opinions of the royal family's top brass quickly converged.

The thought of compromise and concession was suppressed, and an atmosphere of resolute determination to take the initiative and strike first began to permeate the air.

Xiao Zhengfeng listened to his nephews' argument, his gaze growing increasingly profound.

He looked at Zhang Yu again, only to see that Zhang Yu remained calm and composed, even giving Xiao Fenghua an approving look.

He seemed to have nothing to do with the current crisis and the royal family's disputes, and it was as if everything was under his control.

As Qin Xuehua and Zhang Heng listened to the conversation among the royal family members, their faces gradually turned deathly pale.

"You've all gone mad... You Xiao family members have all gone mad."

Qin Xuehua let out a bewildered low growl, her voice trembling with extreme shock and confusion:

"You actually want to completely break ties with the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion, which possesses a Grandmaster and commands a large army, all for the sake of a mere Zhang Yu, an abandoned son of the Marquis's Mansion..."

On what grounds?

What makes Zhang Yu so special?

She simply couldn't understand or accept it.

In her view, no matter how much potential Zhang Yu had or how many adventures he had, he was ultimately just a rootless, drifting duckweed, an abandoned child.

How can one compare to a deeply rooted, newly mastered behemoth?

The royal family's choice seemed utterly absurd to her.

Zhang Wanning and Zhang Heng also found it unbelievable, as if they were in the most absurd nightmare.

Is the royal family really willing to go to such lengths for Zhang Yu?

Qin Xuehua forcibly suppressed her almost outburst of emotions, using the last shred of reason and strength to stare intently at Xiao Zhengfeng, and asked, word by word:

"Your Majesty, are you truly willing to fight to the death with the Zhang family and a newly promoted Grandmaster over a mere abandoned son of a marquis's household?"

Xiao Zhengfeng met her gaze calmly, his tone even, yet carrying the unquestionable authority of an emperor:

"The Marquis of Yong'an's mansion is home to treacherous officials and traitors; everyone has the right to kill them."

This short sentence has completely revealed the royal family's position, leaving no room for negotiation.

"You...you'll regret this!!!"

Qin Xuehua's last thread of reason snapped, and she screamed shrilly, her voice distorted by despair:

"The Xiao family will pay a heavy price for being enemies with the Zhang family and with a grandmaster."

The country is about to cease to be a country...

Zhang Heng and Zhang Wanning collapsed again, as if all their bones had been removed. They no longer had the strength to cry out, only boundless, all-consuming fear remained.

Xiao Zhengfeng stopped looking at them, his gaze sweeping over Prince Jing, Prince Qi, and the others, and said in a deep voice, "Feng Hua."

"Your subject is here." Xiao Fenghua stepped forward.

"With my imperial edict, immediately dispatch the elite Imperial Guards to block relevant key roads and monitor the movements in the northern border."

Orders were issued to the Ministry of War and the Beijing Garrison to prepare for action.

"Your subject obeys the decree."

Xiao Zhengfeng then looked at Prince Jing, Prince Qi, and the others:

"You shall leave the palace immediately, contact trusted individuals, stabilize the court, and guard against any unrest."

At the same time, quickly go and invite the patriarch to emerge from seclusion.

As orders were issued, the massive machine of the royal family began to operate at high speed in preparation for the impending storm.

The window for compromise has been completely closed.

Throughout the entire process, Zhang Yu simply watched everything quietly.

Only after Xiao Zhengfeng finished giving his orders did he slowly rise and bow slightly to the emperor and the princes: "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you all for your trust and decision."

Then, his gaze calmly turned to Qin Xuehua, Zhang Heng, and Zhang Wanning, who were lying on the ground. There was no pleasure or mockery in his eyes, only a cold indifference, as if he were looking at dust.

As Jiang Luohan watched the series of reversals unfold, her mind went blank; the royal family's reaction was far beyond her expectations.

"Great, thank goodness I broke ties with the Zhang family early on, or I would have been in serious trouble."

This fickle woman is glad she made that decision.

But little did she know, she would soon regret it again.

Because of Dong Qingshan, the Grandmaster's fame is about to spread to the imperial city.