With a young village child by his side, he could focus on other matters…
After dealing with these treacherous officials, he would definitely thank Xi Tian properly and then request a reward for her from his father.
“Tsk, you’re useless. You always rely on Sister Xi Tian to make decisions for you, hmph…” the young monk couldn’t help but retort.
Hearing this, Xiao Jinheng smiled slightly, “Xi Tian’s suggestions are more effective than anyone else’s. If she’s willing to speak, I’m willing to listen. Do you have any objections?”
Little Jie Kong: “……”
Hmph, you, the one surnamed Xiao, your skin is getting thicker and thicker.
Never mind, he had to protect Sister Xi Tian. He wouldn’t argue with you today…
After everyone was ready, they didn’t even eat breakfast and hurried to the palace.
The palace gates had just opened at this hour; it was time for the morning court.
The Golden Imperial Hall was filled with guards and some palace maids. On the dragon throne inside, Emperor Cheng sat with a look of exhaustion, his eyes bloodshot, as if stained with fresh blood…
At this moment, a young eunuch stood at the entrance of the hall and shouted, “The morning court has begun. Please, ministers, enter the hall in order!~”
Prime Minister Yang, as the head of the civil officials, led a group of ministers and vice-ministers into the hall…
Before they could even look up at the Emperor, everyone felt a strange aura pervading the hall.
Immediately after, officials from the Ministry of War and various military officers also entered, kneeling in a line, and shouting in unison, “Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live…”
Emperor Cheng narrowed his eyes. He did not tell them to rise, but instead, his gaze coldly swept over Xiao Jinheng in the crowd.
“Where is Eunuch Zhao?” Emperor Cheng asked in a hoarse voice.
Zhao Gonggong, who was guarding the entrance, trembled and walked in fearfully, “Your… Your Majesty!~”
“Eunuch Zhao, I ordered you last night to summon the Crown Prince and the ministers to the palace. Why did you only bring them to see me at dawn?” Emperor Cheng questioned.
Hearing this, Zhao Gonggong felt a surge of panic.
Before he could even explain, Xiao Jinheng stood up and walked to the center of the hall. “Father, Eunuch Zhao suddenly had diarrhea last night and only informed me about coming to the palace at dawn. So, Father, there’s no need to blame him…” httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
“Is it up to you, a Crown Prince, to decide whether I blame him or not?” Emperor Cheng clenched his fists, his emotions growing increasingly agitated.
Although Little Xi Tian was a郡主 (Junzhu - Princess of the Second Rank), she was not qualified to attend the morning court, so she could only wait at the entrance of the hall like everyone else…
Seeing the Emperor become irrational and disown his kin, Little Xi Tian really wanted to rush in and stomp on the蛊虫 (gu worm) to force him to face reality sooner.
Xiao Jinheng did not want to delay. Just as he was about to take out the package to kill the蛊虫 (gu worm) in front of everyone, Emperor Cheng suddenly spoke, “Heng’er, do you know why I summoned you to the palace this time?”
Xiao Jinheng paused and looked up. “I understand Father’s intentions, but you must consider the empire and the state. You cannot act blindly and rashly…”
Although he hadn’t explicitly mentioned ‘deposing the Crown Prince,’ he had made the general meaning clear.
“Heng’er, you have lived in the countryside all these years. Your vision and thoughts must be clouded by ignorance, lacking in principles, and a bit short on brains and experience. Therefore, I believe you are not yet fit to be the Crown Prince…”
Emperor Cheng stood up shakily. After a few days, he had become as thin as a rake. “Since you cannot be the Crown Prince, this position should be left to someone more talented and courageous, like your elder brother, Xiao Yue…”
Upon hearing this, the ministers murmured amongst themselves.
It seemed the Prince was right; the Emperor had indeed been bewitched by Consort Hui.
Although Xiao Yue was a prince, he had been well-behaved in his fiefdom over the years and hadn’t done anything outrageous. However, he was not suitable to be the Crown Prince…
Who in the court and the country didn’t know that Xiao Yue had suffered from a stutter since childhood and wasn’t very quick-witted? It was said that even at his age, he still didn’t recognize all the characters.
How could such a person ascend to the throne of the Crown Prince?
This was too irresponsible to the people of Daliang…
“Your Majesty!~”
Prime Minister Yang was the first to step forward, his voice filled with grief. “Your Majesty, although the Fourth Prince is talented and learned, he cannot bear the responsibility and burden of the Crown Prince. Now that we have repelled the barbarians and stabilized the empire, the people are just beginning to live good lives. If we depose the Crown Prince and appoint a new one, the other princes will surely be dissatisfied…”
“At this sensitive time, I implore Your Majesty to consider the overall situation of the empire and not act on emotion!~”
Emperor Cheng had many princes, and besides Xiao Jinfeng and Xiao Junbao, the rest were not to be trifled with…
If Xiao Yue were hastily elevated to the position of Crown Prince, the other princes would undoubtedly feel it was unfair, leading to a huge disparity and escalating conflicts.
If a stuttering illiterate like Xiao Yue could become Crown Prince, why couldn’t they?
“Prime Minister Yang!~”
Emperor Cheng stood up from the dragon throne, leaning on a golden cane. “You can barely protect yourself, and you have the leisure to concern yourself with the Crown Prince’s affairs?”
“Since it has come to this, then I will be frank!~”
Emperor Cheng slowly descended the steps and approached Prime Minister Yang. “Prime Minister Yang, you have served in office for many years. What contributions have you made to the court? Tell me yourself…”
Prime Minister Yang: “???”
It seemed the Emperor was indeed planning to make an example of him.
“Your humble subject… your humble subject is untalented and inexperienced, and has no achievements!~” Prime Minister Yang stammered.
“Heh, you actually have self-awareness!”
Emperor Cheng curled his lips and sneered. “Since you are so sensible, I won’t make things difficult for you. Starting tomorrow, you will hand over your official seal, complete the necessary documents and procedures for retirement, and take your family to the Southern Border…”
The terrified Prime Minister Yang: “???”
To the Southern Border?
He was inexplicably exiled just like that?
“Your Majesty!” Gu Baoquan, the Minister of Works, stepped forward, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt before Emperor Cheng. “I know Your Majesty is not thinking clearly now, but you cannot dismiss Prime Minister Yang and depose the Crown Prince. Do you know the consequences of doing so?”
He had followed Emperor Cheng for many years and had never seen him so foolish…
“What?” Emperor Cheng gnashed his teeth. “Minister Gu, do you also want to take a trip to the Southern Border with Prime Minister Yang?”
Everyone knew that the Emperor had murderous intent now. Exiling Prime Minister Yang to the border was a way to kill him and his entire family on the way, eliminating future trouble…
The more such important court officials there were, the greater the risk.
“Father is simply making a mockery of things!~”
Xiao Jinheng roared and stood up abruptly. “Since Father’s mind is not clear, then don’t blame your son for being disrespectful…”