"Does the Empress and the Crown Prince intend to rebel, to storm the palace and seize the throne?" the Prime Minister's wife asked calmly.
The Empress frowned, displeased, and looked at the Prime Minister's wife. The Wen family held immense prestige in the court, and she could not touch the Prime Minister's wife for now, especially since no news had yet come from the Hall of Heavenly Purity.
"Madam Wen, what you say is incorrect. I am acting for the good of the court. His Majesty has been gravely ill for a long time and is now unconscious. He is likely beyond recovery. With no one in charge of state affairs, the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, should naturally shoulder the burden for the nation and the Emperor."
"Everyone in the world knows the Crown Prince committed a grave error and is currently under house arrest."
"Madam Wen also said that the Crown Prince is merely under house arrest, not deposed. When His Majesty is unable to govern, it is only natural for the Crown Prince to succeed him and manage state affairs." The Empress's gaze turned icy as she looked at Madam Wen. "Does Madam Wen wish to see Minister Wen?"
Madam Wen's expression changed. She did not fear death, but her son was her soft spot. The threat in the Empress's words was too obvious, and she could only remain silent.
"Does anyone else have questions?" The Empress resumed her smiling demeanor.
"Your Majesty, I have a question," Xiang Huan'er raised her hand.
The Empress looked at Xiang Huan'er. "What question do you have?"
"May I ask Your Majesty, when will the banquet begin? This humble subject is hungry."
The Empress's expression contorted. At such a time, she was still thinking of food! This daughter of the Duke of Lu was truly spoiled!
"The banquet will begin once news arrives from the Hall of Heavenly Purity," the Empress said slowly. "Whether you can eat depends on your parents and brothers."
The crowd below exchanged glances, and no one spoke further. The Empress's gaze swept over them, finally landing on He Qingyi. Seeing two people sitting beside He Qingyi, a smile flickered in her eyes. As long as Xiao Man was here, even if Xiao Zhen did not enter the palace, with Xiao Man in her hands, Xiao Zhen could not make waves.
Xiao Man changed into a palace maid's attire and headed towards the Hall of Perpetual Peace. However, the guards there were heavily fortified; entering was as difficult as scaling the heavens. Xiao Man hid in a corner, her gaze sweeping over the guards protecting the Hall of Perpetual Peace. These guards were quite unfamiliar, and although they wore the Imperial Forest Army's uniforms, they had red strips tied to their left arms. She surmised these were the Empress's personal guards, distinguishable from the Emperor's men.
Xiao Man recalled the people she had seen on the palace path. If she was not mistaken, the Empress and the Crown Prince's rebellion today was highly unlikely to succeed, and this was most likely a trap set by the Emperor to see which of his remaining sons still coveted his throne.
"A'yu, I have already warned you. Do not be blinded by the current glory. If you fall into a trap, you cannot blame me."
In the Hall of Heavenly Purity, the Crown Prince sat in the high seat, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials below.
"My Lords, what do you think of my proposal?"
"Crown Prince, this is treason!" an official from the Censorate angrily rebuked the Crown Prince. "His Majesty is still alive, and you already think of ruling the world! This is great disrespect!"
"Minister Chen, what did you just call me?"
"Crown Prince!" Minister Chen declared loudly. "Do you expect people to call you Emperor instead?"
"You call me Crown Prince, which signifies that I am the heir apparent. Now that my father is gravely ill and unconscious, you must know that a nation cannot be without a ruler for a single day. As the heir apparent, I am the rightful successor. How is this treason?"
"Although His Majesty is indisposed, he is not, as the Crown Prince claims, unconscious."
"I have said that my father has been unconscious for several days and has not attended court. My Lords have all witnessed this." The Crown Prince said slowly. "I am here today to amicably discuss the matter of imperial succession with you all. Are you Lords refusing a toast and opting for a predicament?"
"This is a threat!"
The Crown Prince clapped his hands and laughed. Immediately, guards wielding weapons stormed into the Hall of Heavenly Purity. "You are correct, I am threatening you. Your families are now in my hands. If you dare to disobey my orders, I will not hesitate to deal with your families."
"Despicable and shameless!"
"Who called me despicable and shameless?" the Crown Prince asked coldly. "Step forward, and I will show you what true despicable and shamelessness is!"
"Crown Prince, are you not afraid of provoking public outrage by acting this way?" Prime Minister Wen asked calmly. "You must know that Prince Chu, Prince Qin, and Prince Qi may not submit to your tyranny."
"Those three are in a precarious situation themselves. Prime Minister, you should worry more about yourself." The Crown Prince said slowly. "I know Prime Minister Wen has integrity and fears no death, but I wonder if Madam Wen and Minister Wen are also so unafraid of death?"
"Your Highness, you need not use me to intimidate my father. No one in my Wen family is a coward who fears death."
"Oh. Minister Wen certainly has backbone." The Crown Prince sneered. "Guards, go and seize Xiao Man for me."
"What do you want to do?" Wen Mohan became agitated. "She has no relation to the Prime Minister's mansion."
"Minister Wen, that is where you are mistaken. How could she have no relation to the Prime Minister's mansion? She is young Master Wen's fiancée." The Crown Prince said with amusement. "Young Master Wen, would you like to hear Xiao Man scream?"
"If you dare to touch a single hair on her, I will never let you go!"
"Crown Prince, feel free to do as you wish with Xiao Man." Prime Minister Wen grabbed Wen Mohan's arm, signaling him not to act rashly. "I imagine General Xiao has received the news. Why doesn't the Crown Prince escort Xiao Man to the palace gates and let General Xiao and the soldiers of the Shen Du Camp hear her screams? Let's see if General Xiao will lead the Shen Du Camp soldiers to storm the palace!"
The Crown Prince's expression changed. Xiao Man was a crucial leverage against Xiao Zhen. If Xiao Man were harmed now, and Xiao Zhen desperately fought back, it would not be worth it.
"I was merely joking." The Crown Prince said slowly. "Xiao Man is not only the daughter of the General's mansion but also my sworn sister. How could I bear to harm my own sister? I cherish her too much."
Wen Mohan's expression improved slightly, but he remained silent. Xiao Man was his weakness. Though he feared nothing, he was afraid of anything happening to Xiao Man.
"However, whether others can receive my affection is uncertain." The Crown Prince looked at the Six Ministers. Minister of War Chu Yuan and Xiao Zhen were related by marriage; his daughter was married to Xiao Zhen's son and was currently in Yunzhong City, beyond reach. Minister of Justice Wen Mian had one son and three daughters, but his three daughters were illegitimate, and his only son... was absent!
The Crown Prince gritted his teeth, his gaze shifting to Minister of Revenue Jin Xiao. The Minister of Revenue had always had a penchant for beauty and many offspring. The eldest son accompanying him today was Jin Yu. Jin Rong was supposed to accompany him to the banquet but was out of town for business negotiations and had not yet returned, so Jin Yu came with him.