426 Troublesome Duke (1/2)

Just as Borja was sweating and spacing out, Ludovic's voice sounded in his ears. After hearing it, Borja's expression changed drastically. After a long while, he opened his mouth and rasped out, ”Due to Ye Qingxuan's status, this case will be handed to the Aurora Empire in accordance to the third amendment.”

The gavel pounded. He rose with a defeated expression and left quickly without looking back.

The spectators seemed to be stunned by this explosive news and had not processed it all yet. When they finally did, they looked at Ye Qingxuan strangely. What was with this guy? In their eyes, Ye Qingxuan looked like bad luck in human shape. Wherever he went, there were problems. Whoever he met would run into trouble.

When he arrived at Avalon, there was a political earthquake. When he arrived at Auschwitz, it was invaded by a natural catastrophe. The Ministry of Information lost all dignity before he even arrived at the Sacred City. Now, the Sacred Court was affected as well.

The ones that met him and had better luck would lose their reputation and image. The unfortunate ones would die or completely disappear… The human-shaped natural catastrophe that the Easterners spoke of was probably him.

Hearing the discussions, Ye Qingxuan's expression grew troubled. He even heard a bishop tell the men beside him, ”Be careful in the future. Don't interact with this guy, you hear me?”

Ye Qingxuan wanted to die.

Now, Maxwell's expression was troubled as well. Thankfully, he had experienced worse things. This was sudden but he could still bear it. Looking at the awkwardly standing Mr. Hu, he said, ”I can't believe that you were not just comforting me earlier.”

”To be honest, I'm not so sure about this either.” Mr. Hu sighed. ”I just reported Ye Qingxuan's situation to the emperor. I hope Anglo won't think that I'm butting in.”

”Anglo can't change Ye Qingxuan's identity. He is Deva's blood, after all,” Maxwell said. ”As an official of Anglo, I hope we won't have anything to do with Aurora but from a personal level, I think it's a good thing.”

”Thank you for understanding.” Mr. Hu smiled and bowed slightly.

”And I, you.” Maxwell nodded. ”I still have a question that I hope Mr. Hu will clarify for me though.”

”Yes?”

Looking at him, Maxwell enunciated slowly, ”How will Aurora judge this case?”

-

”Marquess Ye.” Eunuch Zhao pulled Ye Qingxuan to the side and told him, ”The Majesty has another order for you.”

”Oh.” Ye Qingxuan nodded. However, Zhao's face was completely serious and did not seem to be going to open his mouth. Suddenly understanding, Ye Qingxuan nodded. ”Uh, I need to kowtow, right?”

”The Majesty said to follow your customs,” Zhao said. ”Do as you would to your king.”

Ye Qingxuan lowered onto one knee and lowered his head.

Eunuch Zhao nodded and pulled out a palm-sized box. As the gears cranked, the springs trembled and the sounds converged until it finally became the cool voice of a woman.

”Ye Qingxuan, I know about your situation,” the voice from the box said indifferently. ”Because you are young and ignorant, and seeing as this is your first offense, I shall take four-hundred serfs and that will be all. The world may be interesting but home is where you should be. As a member of the Ye family, you cannot always be wandering through the countries. Come back after two years. You must inherit what belongs to the Ye family. That is all.”

The voice stopped.

”That's it?” Ye Qingxuan asked, looking up.

Eunuch Zhao nodded. ”That's it.”

”What now?”

”What now? Now you can do as you wish, Marquess.” Zhao shrugged. ”I must return to report to the Majesty. Would you like to come with?”

”Uh…can I not?”

”Oh, look at you. Would I force you?” Chuckling, Zhao handed him a piece of jade. ”This is your proof. Do not lose it. I will stay in the embassy tonight. If you change your mind, come find me at any time.”

He really seemed to have just come to act as the good guy. After bowing, he left. When Ye Qingxuan finally processed everything, the eunuch was already gone.

Then he heard Mr. Hu's voice behind him. ”Can we talk?”

He nodded.