Nan Gongyan narrowed his eyes, looking at Minister Chu. The Chu family, being in-laws to the Xiao family, had been living cautiously and anonymously since Xiao Man’s rebellion. They had always been obedient ministers, and Nan Gongyan had thought they would be easy to control, but unexpectedly, this was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
"Is Minister Chu insisting on opposing me?"
"I heard that a few days ago, Ran Sheng, the commander of the Imperial Guard, was summoned to the palace and never came out. He is neither seen nor his body found. If General Ran does not reappear, I fear the Imperial Guard will mutiny."
"General Ran left the palace shortly after entering. As for where he went, I do not know."
Minister Chu smiled slightly, "Does Your Highness not know anything?"
"Naturally."
"If that is the case, please forgive me for not agreeing." Minister Chu stated firmly, "Without the testimony of the Three Dukes, and without Eunuch Wan’s imperial decree, I question the authenticity of this edict."
"Absurd!" Prince Zhao then stepped forward, sneering, "Chu Yuan, I was present when His Majesty decreed this. Not only I, but Minister Tang and Minister Ji were also present."
"If you were all present, why did you not speak up earlier?" Minister Chu asked slowly. "Moreover, Prince Zhao, you are the father-in-law of Prince Chu. You should recuse yourself from this matter. Minister Tang and Minister Ji are capable generals under Prince Chu. Your words carry no weight!"
"If my words carry no weight, whose do?"
"Naturally, the words of Prince Qin, Prince Qi, and Duke Chen, who are highly respected, carry weight."
"Prince Qin is far in the northern territories, and Prince Qi is on a diplomatic mission to Blue Moon. You are clearly making things difficult intentionally!"
Minister Chu looked at Prince Chu, "Your Highness Prince Chu, what exactly happened to His Majesty? Is he ill, or was he harmed? Do you dare to speak the truth?"
Nan Gongyan's gaze turned icy, and he watched Minister Chu silently. At this moment, a team of guards entered the hall in single file. Nan Gongyan’s expression finally softened slightly. "To tell you the truth, my father, His Majesty, is not ill. He was framed by villains and poisoned into a coma. I, along with the Imperial Academy, have exhausted all possible remedies, yet I could not save him. Out of necessity, I have ascended the throne early. As for this imperial decree, it was prepared by His Majesty long ago."
"You are speaking utter lies!" Minister Chu relentlessly exposed Nan Gongyan’s deception. "If His Majesty prepared it long ago, how could he have said he had been ill for a long time? You are clearly malicious and intend to usurp the throne while the two princes are absent from the capital!"
"Chu Yuan, you are audacious!"
"Your Highness Prince Chu, if your conscience is clear, why do you not summon Eunuch Wan to confront him publicly?"
When Eunuch Wan appeared in the court, everyone felt something was amiss. Eunuch Wan was old, but he was not so bent that he could not straighten his back. His robes looked new but were somewhat ill-fitting, as if Eunuch Wan had lost a lot of weight and the clothes no longer fit him.
Fuyao supported Eunuch Wan and whispered in his ear, "Eunuch Wan, remember what to say and what not to say. Otherwise, be careful of that person's life!"
Eunuch Wan's eyelids twitched. He was supported by Fuyao to the front.
"Eunuch Wan, are you alright?" Chu Yuan stepped forward and inquired.
Eunuch Wan looked at the guards on both sides, then at Minister Chu, and slowly shook his head, "This servant is fine."
Fuyao breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Eunuch Wan would stubbornly reveal everything, and then they would be in a difficult situation.
"Your Majesty, was he really poisoned?"
Eunuch Wan slowly nodded, "Yes."
"Was the poison identified?"
Eunuch Wan shook his head, "His Majesty has been in a coma for half a month. He has never woken up during this time, and the imperial physicians were helpless."
Chu Yuan narrowed his eyes. His Majesty had been in a coma for half a month, which meant that the imperial decree held by Prince Chu was indeed a forgery. The key was how to expose Prince Chu.
"Minister Chu, you have seen Eunuch Wan. Are you satisfied now?"
Chu Yuan stepped forward, wanting to get closer to Eunuch Wan. Unexpectedly, Fuyao immediately drew his sword, forcing Chu Yuan back. Chu Yuan was not angry and took a step back.
"Daring servant, to bring a sword to the Golden Dragon Hall!" Su Dan Novel Network
"I permit him to." Nan Gongyan sat on the dragon throne. "My esteemed ministers, do you have any further questions? If not, the enthronement ceremony shall proceed."
"Your Majesty, disaster! The Imperial Guard has surrounded the city and blocked the entire imperial city!"
"What? This is impossible!" Prince Chu was greatly shocked. Ran Sheng had already been imprisoned by him. Who mobilized the Imperial Guard to surround the city? Could it be that Ran Sheng had escaped?
Prince Chu quickly looked at the hidden guard beside him, signaling the guard to check if Ran Sheng was still there. The hidden guard immediately left quietly to confirm if Ran Sheng was still present.
"The Imperial Guard has mutinied. It seems the army does not trust Your Highness Prince Chu either," Chu Yuan said gently. "Your Highness, how do you explain this?"
"What do I explain? I am the Emperor now. The Imperial Guard must obey the commands of the Heavenly Son."
"Do you possess the token to command the Imperial Guard?"
Prince Chu's face changed drastically. Of course, he did not have the token of the Imperial Guard, but he had Ran Sheng in his hands. As long as Ran Sheng was there, the Imperial Guard would not dare to retreat!
However, fate was not on his side. The hidden guard had been gone for a long time and had not returned. Nan Gongyan felt uneasy and sent someone to investigate. The hidden guard was killed, and Ran Sheng was rescued. Nan Gongyan felt a vague unease, as if a pair of eyes were watching him from the shadows, waiting for him to make a mistake!
"Your Majesty, the enthronement ceremony must proceed!" Prince Zhao, seeing that Prince Chu was somewhat distracted, said quickly. As long as Prince Chu successfully ascended the throne, even the Imperial Guard would not dare to disrespect the new Emperor!
"I'm afraid not," Minister Chu said slowly. "Prince Chu, Nan Gongyan, harbors wicked intentions, poisoned His Majesty, and attempted to usurp the throne. His crimes are heinous. Such a person, lacking virtue and talent, is unfit to be ruler."
"Presumptuous, Chu Yuan, I think you are tired of living! Guards, execute Chu Yuan on the spot!" Prince Zhao roared. "I shall see who dares to be so audacious!"
A mocking smile appeared on Chu Yuan's lips. "Truly a nest of snakes and rats. Prince Zhao, your marriage alliance with Prince Chu was to instigate Prince Chu to usurp the throne. Once your daughter gives birth to an imperial prince, Prince Chu will conveniently 'fall ill and die,' and then your granddaughter will ascend the throne, and you will naturally become Regent, controlling the Sheng Dynasty’s political power. What a well-laid plan!"
"Nonsense!"
"Is it truly nonsense?" Minister Chu sneered. "Prince Zhao, do you dare say you do not desire this immense power?"
"Sowing discord! Your Majesty, you must not fall for his provocation!" Prince Zhao immediately drew his sword and charged towards Chu Yuan. He thought Chu Yuan was merely a weak scholar and would surely not evade his sword. However, as soon as he charged, his wrist was seized, his sword was taken, and it was placed at his neck.