Upon hearing this, Gu Qing also set down the teacup in his hand.
"Minister Chen, you speak too gravely."
"Regarding the four words 'fomenting conflict', I dare not take credit, nor is it the true intent of my Gu Clan."
He began to speak slowly, choosing not to evade but to address seriously: "Minister Chen asks what the Gu Clan intends... In fact, what I've done and thought recently is no different from what all those present have considered; it's all for the Kyushu's realm, for the enduring peace and prosperity of the empire."
As he spoke, Gu Qing slowly stood up.
He did not continue to explain further.
As the saying goes, those with different paths do not seek counsel together; what he had said was already sufficient.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Gu Qing walked out of the cabinet's office.
Those present wore expressions that grew increasingly severe.
— The situation suddenly changed.
