My Three Kingdoms is not right

It should be noted that although Liu Xun was the Grand Master of Ceremonies and ranked among the Nine Ministers, he almost never spoke about state affairs.

This is related to his special status.

The emperor's younger brother, a princess of the Han Dynasty, was naturally regarded as a kind of representative of the emperor in the court.

The court officials tacitly acknowledged his exceptional status, and he was never involved in the power struggles among various parties.

Therefore, when this prince, who almost never spoke, suddenly stepped forward at the crucial moment, the air in the entire hall seemed to freeze for a moment.

"Your Highness."

Before Liu Xun could speak, Cao Cao suddenly interrupted him.

Facing Liu Xun's gaze, she forced a smile:

"Yuan Shu's treason is an unforgivable crime. Yang Biao's collusion with the traitor is utterly despicable."

"As a member of the royal family, Your Highness, it would be inappropriate to plead for the traitor at this time, wouldn't it?"

As she spoke, she glanced quickly at Liu Xie, who remained silent on the throne, out of the corner of her eye.

The emperor's expression was hidden behind his twelve-tasseled crown and could not be seen clearly.

Cao Cao clenched his fist slightly.

She already has enough people opposing her today; she doesn't want another Liu Xun to join the opposition.

The situation is currently under control.

But if Liu Xun, or even the emperor, were to get involved, this court struggle would probably not be resolved by the death of Yang Biao alone.

Liu Xun returned Cao Cao's smile and nodded slightly.

"What Cao Sikong said is correct."

"Yuan Shu is a traitor who has committed treason by usurping the title of emperor."

"Yang Biao is related to Yuan Shu by marriage, and their relationship is close, making him a prime suspect. We must not let him off the hook because of his achievements, status, or family background."

Cao Cao was stunned.

She looked at Liu Xun, momentarily stunned, and asked, "What did Your Highness say?"

Not only her, but the entire court was stunned.

Kong Rong stared wide-eyed at Liu Xun in disbelief—they had thought that this princess, who was highly regarded by Yang Biao, would be an ally to help turn the tide, but they never expected that he would turn against them and openly accuse Yang Biao!

"Liu Xun!" Kong Rong exclaimed angrily, calling him by his name. "I never expected you to be so unable to distinguish right from wrong!! The Yang family has enjoyed four generations of virtuous conduct, admired by scholars throughout the land. How could you possibly plot a rebellion?"

Liu Xun remained unperturbed even when pointed at: "Before Wang Mang usurped the Han throne, he was also highly regarded by the people and was called the 'Duke of Zhou of our time.' Did he not plot a rebellion?"

The courtiers, who had been whispering amongst themselves, fell silent, their eyes darting back and forth between Liu Xun and Kong Rong.

How did you two end up chatting online?

"How can that be the same!" Kong Rong exclaimed excitedly. "Wang Mang rebelled, but Yang Gong didn't!"

"It was Yuan Shu who declared himself emperor! The Book of Zhou says, 'The crimes of fathers and sons, brothers, are not related.' Moreover, the Yuan and Yang families were only related by marriage. How can the crimes of the Yuan family be attributed to Lord Yang?"

Liu Xun shook his head repeatedly: "If it was only Yuan Shu who plotted rebellion, then Yang Biao is certainly innocent and should not be implicated."

"But if Yang Biao really colluded with Yuan Shu, then she would be part of the treason, how can she be said to be innocent?"

"You!!" Kong Rong pointed at Liu Xun, too angry to speak.

Cao Cao was overjoyed.

She cupped her hands in a respectful gesture to Liu Xun: "Your Highness is truly wise and insightful!"

Then, turning to Kong Rong and the others, his voice suddenly turned cold: "Are you all, those who forcibly exonerated Yang Biao and peddled his words, perhaps like Yang Biao, also accomplices of Yuan Shu?"

The atmosphere in the imperial court became strange.

The court officials who were trying to rescue Yang Biao looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Liu Xun's sudden change of direction disrupted their entire rhythm.

Just then, Liu Xun turned to the imperial steps, bowed to the emperor, and said:

"Your Majesty, Yuan Shu's rebellion sets a terrible precedent and must not be tolerated."

"Yang Biao is highly suspicious. I suggest that the court should follow the advice of Minister Cao Cao, attach great importance to this case, conduct a thorough interrogation, and carry out an in-depth investigation."

"We must thoroughly investigate his crimes, uncover irrefutable evidence, and then announce it to the world. Only in this way can we convince those who are unaware of the truth and let the world witness the strictness of the imperial court's laws."

Emperor Liu Xie, seated on the throne, had naturally already consulted with her younger brother. She nodded, and a steady voice came from behind her crown: "Your Majesty, Minister Cao is loyal to the country, and what you say is very true."

"The investigation will commence immediately, with Man Chong presiding over the trial, and the Chief Justice and the Vice Censor-in-Chief participating. The progress of the case must be reported at each court assembly and the results will be publicly announced to all prefectures throughout the empire."

"No one may plead for Yang Biao or interfere with the investigation until the facts are clear."

She paused, then looked at Cao Cao: "Minister Cao, what do you think of this plan?"

Cao Cao's smile gradually froze halfway through the conversation.

She was so clever that she immediately understood Liu Xun's intention.

Liu Xun wasn't helping her.

While they verbally expressed their suspicion of Yang Biao and said they would take the matter seriously, their real intention was to escalate the Yang Biao case.

Miscellaneous governance? Court assembly reports? A proclamation to the world?

This would inevitably drag on for a long time. Moreover, under global scrutiny, it eliminates the possibility of framing or coercing confessions through underhanded means.

Every step was clearly an insurance policy for Yang Biao!

Cao Cao really wanted to refuse.

But she ended up here anyway—Liu Xun and the emperor completely went along with her rhetoric of "severe punishment," practically giving her full support.

If she objects now, it would be tantamount to admitting that she doesn't want to make it public, doesn't want to investigate it thoroughly, and doesn't want to make it an ironclad case.

Therefore,

There was simply no choice.

Cao Cao had foreseen Kong Rong, Xun Yu, and all the events that would unfold in the court, but he never imagined that his greatest adversary would be the young man on the imperial steps.

"...Your Majesty is wise."

Cao Cao squeezed out these four words through gritted teeth.

As she said this, she turned her head and glanced at Liu Xun with a complex and unreadable expression.

Meanwhile, several court officials, who had previously looked ashen-faced, exchanged glances quietly. Their tense backs finally relaxed, and when they looked at Liu Xun again, their eyes were filled with respect.

Xun Yu, who had been keeping his eyes down and silent, maintained his gentle and composed demeanor, though the corners of his lips softened almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Liu Xie secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Her palms were already covered in a thin layer of sweat as she sat on the throne.

Successful.

Ah Xun, as expected, everything is under your control.

"In that case, we shall do as my brother has suggested. If there is nothing else, the court may adjourn."

"Your Majesty, please wait."

Cao Cao's voice rang out, drowning out the curtsy of those who had left the court.

Everyone's nerves, which had just relaxed, tensed up again, and all eyes turned to her.

Cao Cao slowly stepped out of the ranks and stood in the center of the hall: "Your Majesty, I have another question that I have been pondering but cannot answer. I would like to ask you gentlemen for your guidance."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the entire room:

"Yuan Shu was powerful, commanding over 100,000 troops and occupying the richest and most fertile lands in the land. None of the surrounding warlords could rival him."

"She interpreted the prophecy 'The one who will replace the Han dynasty is Gao of Dangtu,' and, holding the Imperial Seal of the State, claimed to be the chosen one of Heaven."

"Yuan's followers are all over the country, and his cousin Yuan Shao occupies Hebei, whose stance is unclear."

"The court is already at a disadvantage, its fate hanging by a thread. If Yang Biao is not executed swiftly to deter those who harbor treacherous intentions and waver, how can the army maintain its morale? How can the people's hearts be won over?"

"If morale falters and Yuan Shu's rebel army attacks, who do you gentlemen plan to rely on to defend against them?"