The court officials were greatly astonished.
Two senior ministers even dropped to their knees directly.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider..."
"The Qi people's challenge to battle must harbor ill intentions. Your Majesty should prioritize your well-being and need not rush to this decision."
"What my court says is reasonable." Pei Jue swept his calm gaze across everyone. "But is it that I cannot lift a blade or fight a battle? Do you think I fear them?"
The ministers forced a few uneasy chuckles.
The Emperor himself hailed from military origins; of course, he harbored no fear for the battlefield. However, Xiao Cheng's challenge this time inevitably made people suspect some ulterior motive.
Ao Zheng bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, please discern wisely. We harbor no such thought, but a wise man does not stand under a threatening wall. You, as the supreme Nine-Five Sovereign, bear the safety of the empire on your shoulders; how can you lightly venture into peril?"
