One council elder stood, face flushed. "You can't guarantee it's pure. It must be eliminated before it destabilizes the realms."
The Emperor felt his wife's hand tighten around his. He glanced at her, then squeezed back gently. Who was comforting who here was unclear.
"Before you condemn it," he said, voice cutting through the noise, "take it to the Hall of Minor Judgements. Let them decide whether it is pure enough."
Some immortals nodded, others protested. The Divine Emperor let the ruckus swell. It was only when they had vented enough did he raise his hand and they hall fell into silence. "Let's put it to a vote," he said his voice firm but internally he was a mess. If they chose to end his grandchild he might have to go against Heaven's Mandate and rebel.
The eldest council member stood his expression stern. "Those in favor?" he said his voice trembling from old age. Hands rose and most of them. The result was clear.
