Villain: Gouging Out the Heroine’s Spiritual Eyes at the Beginning

Chapter 12: Forgetting Righteousness for Love, Selfish and Self-Serving:

The next day, at the morning court session…

“Prime Minister… Prime Minister Shen…”

As Shen Yuan walked in at a steady pace, the surrounding civil and military officials quickly stepped aside and bowed in greeting.

“Good morning, my lords.”

Shen Yuan greeted them all with a warm smile. His sincere and friendly expression, elegant and refined appearance, and composed etiquette made those unfamiliar with him feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.

However, the seasoned officials of the court knew all too well his true nature.

Anyone deceived by his gentle facade would find themselves utterly devoured without even their bones remaining.

Previously, a naïve official had accused Shen Yuan over a trivial matter. Within seven days, the official’s residence was besieged by various demonic sects from the martial world.

In the end, not only was the official turned into a human swine by those cultists, but his wife and daughter were used as cultivation tools, suffering fates worse than death.

The very next day, Shen Yuan stood in court shedding tears over the incident, expressing deep sorrow and regret for the official’s plight. He even called for a thorough investigation into the demonic sects.

But anyone with a discerning eye could see through the act—was he really unaware? Who was he fooling?

Yet, Shen Yuan had covered his tracks too well. Not a single clue pointed back to him. Even when those demonic sect disciples were caught, they firmly denied any ties to him.

Still, no official in court believed that Shen Yuan had nothing to do with it.

In politics, all were seasoned foxes who had cultivated their craft for decades. Only an occasional fool emerged once in a century.

As Shen Yuan exchanged pleasantries with the officials, he leaned on his cane, limping toward the grand Golden Throne Hall.

Despite his lame leg, everyone who saw him would instinctively step aside.

However, one person did not.

Standing directly in Shen Yuan’s path was Wei Qi, the Commander of the Dragon Gate Guards.

“Prime Minister Shen, despite your ailment, you still attend court daily. Truly, you are a model for all of us.”

On the surface, his words seemed respectful, but they were a thinly veiled mockery of Shen Yuan’s disability.

Shen Yuan tapped his cane on the stone floor, producing a rhythmic “thud, thud, thud.”

“A servant of the Emperor must always strive to share his burdens. Even with this crippled body, I must constantly concern myself with His Majesty’s affairs. That is our duty as ministers, wouldn’t you agree, Lord Wei?”

“I never expected such dedication from you, Prime Minister. It is indeed a blessing for our Northern Qi Immortal Empire to have you in court!”

Wei Qi emphasized the phrase “a blessing for the court,” but Shen Yuan pretended not to notice and continued,

“Not just myself, Lord Wei. This is the obligation of every minister. It’s merely what we should do, so please, don’t make it sound like I’ve done anything remarkable.”

Wei Qi forced a smile. “Prime Minister Shen’s integrity is truly exemplary.”

Failing to gain the upper hand in the verbal exchange, Wei Qi said no more.

Before long, all the officials assembled, and with the eunuch’s announcement, “Her Majesty the Empress arrives,” Empress Yaoshi gracefully took her seat on the dragon throne.

The officials knelt in unison.

“Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!”

“Rise, all of you.”

“What matters do my beloved ministers wish to present today?”

“Your Majesty, I have a report!”

“Speak, Lord Wei.”

“Your Majesty, I accuse Prime Minister Shen Yuan of being ruthless and cruel, forcibly gouging out a person’s eyes and disregarding the laws of our empire!”

Before Shen Yuan could speak, another official stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, the Prime Minister was merely disciplining a wayward member of his family. His actions are understandable.”

“Lord Wang, that is incorrect. Even if it involves the Shen family, they are still citizens of our Northern Qi Immortal Empire. Does this mean they are exempt from following our laws?”

“Lord Fang, disciplining family members for internal violations is normal. There is no need to make such a fuss over it.”

As the debate among the officials grew more intense, the Empress furrowed her brows deeply.

The officials were clearly divided into factions—either siding with Wei Qi or Shen Yuan.

With such rampant factionalism, how could the Empress be pleased?

“I have something to say.”

Shen Yuan stepped forward.

The Empress frowned slightly. “What do you wish to say, Prime Minister?”

“Your Majesty, my actions yesterday were solely for the sake of our Northern Qi!”

“Oh?”

Shen Yuan turned to face the officials, his gaze sharp. As he swept his eyes across the court, those who had spoken for Wei Qi earlier instinctively swallowed and lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

“Yesterday’s incident—many of you must have heard rumors, but without understanding the truth. Allow me to clarify.”

“No need! Everyone knows you are a smooth talker, Prime Minister. I’m sure you could turn black into white if you wished.”

The speaker was Liu Qian, a loyal supporter of Wei Qi and Minister of Rites.

Shen Yuan did not respond, merely casting Liu Qian a meaningful look.

For some reason, Liu Qian felt as though he was being stared at by a venomous serpent and shuddered involuntarily.

Ignoring him, Shen Yuan continued, “My relative, Shen Xiao’er, betrayed the family. Such treachery cannot be tolerated! Surely none of you would want a traitor within your own families?”

“A traitor deserves no sympathy. I intended to spare her out of familial ties, but the Thousand Illusion Spirit Pupil is the foundation of our Shen family. A traitor has no right to possess it!”

“Thus, I had no choice but to take her eyes.”

“But she is merely a woman, Prime Minister Shen. Don’t you think this was too cruel? You must know that since the founding of our empire under the first Empress Liuli, our laws have always been lenient towards women.”

Wei Qi seized the opportunity to criticize Shen Yuan.

“Lord Wei, you are mistaken!” Shen Yuan responded passionately, cupping his hands towards the Empress.

“Think of our founding Empress, the mighty Empress Liuli, who was a paragon of virtue and wisdom. Thanks to her, our empire has stood strong for five centuries!”

“Her greatest strength was her ability to appoint loyal and righteous ministers. In the early days of the empire, despite immense hardship, no one ever abandoned her because of their unwavering loyalty!”

“In contrast, my relative Shen Xiao’er betrayed our family just for a man! This stands in stark contrast to the Empress’s loyal subjects!”

“Such disloyalty deserves no mercy! If she can betray her family today, what stops her from betraying our empire tomorrow?”

“A traitor is a traitor, no matter the circumstances. Adding a man to the equation won’t change her nature!”

“If one day she betrays the empire for another reason, how will our five hundred years of legacy survive? How could I face our ancestors in the afterlife?”

Tears seemed to glisten in Shen Yuan’s eyes as he spoke.

The officials below twitched their lips. They all knew Shen Yuan was a master of deception, but this was on another level.

If he was so loyal, why had he eliminated those who opposed him without a second thought?

Now, over a minor family dispute, he was elevating the matter to the fate of the entire empire…

He truly had a knack for spinning things.