After hearing Zhao Huan's description, Liu Tieshou fell into deep thought once more.
"Is what the Crown Prince said true? Can you replicate it?"
Zhao Ji's face was so grim it looked like water was about to drip from it.
As he spoke, his entire being exuded a violent aura.
"Your Majesty, this is something I have never attempted before, but I can try!"
Although everyone in the great hall looked incredibly uneasy, Liu Tieshou knew in his heart that he was merely a goldsmith. In such a situation, he could only speak the truth.
"How long will you need?"
Zhao Ji asked again without even raising his eyelids.
"If it's just to make a model, an hour should be enough!"
"Then proceed as you wish. I will wait here!"
After speaking, Zhao Ji closed his eyes, his entire body becoming like a statue.
The atmosphere in the Daqing Hall suddenly became extremely oppressive.
Everyone was lost in their own thoughts, and for a moment, not a sound could be heard in the hall.
The eunuchs and palace maids waiting outside even dared not breathe loudly.
"This old minister is senile. If not for the Crown Prince's reminder, I would still be deceived by those scoundrels!"
At this point, there was no need to wait any longer. Cai Jing let out a bitter laugh and, trembling, stepped forward to kneel.
He now had only one last card to play: to gamble on the Emperor's feelings for him over the years.
However, he himself was unsure of his chances of success. After all, his favor with the Emperor had already greatly diminished compared to previous years.
Coupled with the two incidents that had occurred today, who knew how much of the Emperor's affection remained.
But to his surprise, the Emperor simply closed his eyes, showing no intention of replying.
Helpless, Cai Jing could only remain kneeling on the ground, maintaining his full prostration.
At this moment, Cai Jing was filled with boundless sorrow.
He knew in his heart how these auspicious signs had come about.
In fact, the Emperor himself knew it too, but now that the Crown Prince had so ruthlessly exposed it, the Emperor was naturally blaming him for his incompetence!
"Father, while Minister Cai has made an oversight, he is already an old man of seventy. It's natural for his energy to wane. I implore Your Majesty to forgive him in consideration of his lifelong service!"
Seeing everyone in the hall watching, Zhao Huan stepped forward again, knelt beside Cai Jing, and said loudly.
Cai Jing's smile became even more bitter. This Crown Prince had truly become wicked!
This was not pleading for him at all; it was clearly stating that he was old and unfit to serve!
But at this moment, he could not speak.
Therefore, he could only kneel, even though this posture of full prostration was utterly unbecoming of a prime minister.
After all, a scholar could be killed but not insulted, let alone a prime minister being a teacher to all officials!
However, this was also one of the secrets of Cai Jing's ability to stage comebacks over the years.
Other officials always maintained a degree of pride even before the Emperor.
But he was more like a servant, a loyal subordinate working for the Emperor.
Essentially, he would not defy any of the Emperor's wishes, even if the Emperor's demands did not align with the current national conditions.
For example, a life of extravagance and luxury, to build gardens for his personal enjoyment.
This would have been unimaginable for previous Emperors. Perhaps these orders would have been rejected ten thousand times before even leaving the palace.
But he had unhesitatingly turned them all into reality.
The Emperor remained silent, but Liu Tieshou, who had been waiting outside, returned with his creation.
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed!"
Although this model was far from the item brought by the Crown Prince, the aura of not being carved by human hands was already quite evident.
"You may leave!"
Zhao Ji waved his hand expressionlessly. Liu Tieshou quickly had the item placed down and turned to leave the Daqing Hall.
"Grand Preceptor, you may rise! The Crown Prince is correct. This matter is not your fault; it is mine!"
Zhao Ji still maintained his expressionless demeanor, but Cai Jing's heart turned to ice.
The Emperor was hinting to him that he could depart...
"Your Majesty!"
Cai Jing was suddenly overcome with grief and burst into wailing.
Hearing Cai Jing's sorrowful cries, Wang Fu felt like singing. The world was a place of constant change; Cai Jing's era was finally coming to an end.
He believed that it would not be long before he was legitimately addressed as Prime Minister Wang!
However, just as he was feeling smug, he suddenly saw Liang Shicheng signaling to him.
He abruptly realized that, yes, he was still in the Daqing Hall.
If he dared to show even a hint of happiness today, all his efforts would be in vain.
"Your Majesty, this is not your fault; it is my fault! It is our fault for not investigating properly, which allowed this villain to succeed! I beg Your Majesty to punish me for my oversight!"
After understanding this, he immediately stepped forward, knelt beside Cai Jing, and voluntarily confessed his fault.
Although Tong Guan was not implicated, at this moment, he could not help but glance at Liang Shicheng.
It seemed that for a long time to come, he would live under Liang Shicheng's shadow.
Even though he had now entered the Bureau of Military Affairs, only one step away from Liang Shicheng, who held the title of Grand Commandant.
However, in terms of these schemes and stratagems, he was far behind!
This was perhaps the first time in years that he had felt the terrifying power of Liang Shicheng.
The former Crown Prince was like a leaky boat with holes everywhere. But in such a short period, with the addition of Liang Shicheng, the current Crown Prince was already able to contend with Cai Jing...
The previously one-sided situation seemed to have completely reversed. The chances of victory between Prince Yun and the Crown Prince had returned to a three-seven split.
If Cai Jing were to leave, Wang Fu's ascension would be unstoppable.
And after Wang Fu took office, Prince Yun's situation would likely worsen again, as Cai Jing had always maintained neutrality between the Crown Prince and Prince Yun.
But Wang Fu was different; he firmly stood on Liang Shicheng's side!
The Emperor's most favored eunuch and the current prime minister, if these two joined forces to support the Crown Prince, would Prince Yun still have any chance of winning?
Although the Emperor had not yet expressed his opinion or made a final decision, looking at the sunlight streaming in from outside the hall, Zhao Huan felt immense gratitude towards Han Mo.