After all, it's difficult for an honest official to settle domestic disputes.
Li Hongyun felt that neither of these views likely represented the truth.
Lord Qin was a seasoned politician, decisive in action, and should have been clearer than anyone about the current situation. Thus, being swayed by emotions, while possible as an influencing factor, was definitely not the decisive one.
But this act seemed to have indeed taken place.
Li Hongyun felt that there were mainly two reasons why Lord Qin had to perform it.
First was that the overarching environment of the time demanded such a performance.
Just like when a Crown Prince was offered the throne, he must decline multiple times to show respect for his father the Emperor. Even a powerful official who usurped the throne, after having completed the standard procedures of being conferred the nine bestowments, still had to decline when he was genuinely recommended to become the Emperor.
