Inside the main hall, the atmosphere gradually became tense.

Because someone has already recognized him.

The one wielding a sword and killing people in the Eastern Palace was none other than the Ninth Prince.

They belong to King Huai's camp.

Wait, what did the Ninth Prince just say?

So, His Majesty has recently passed away? His Majesty... has recently passed away?

The Crown Prince remained expressionless in his seat.

"Ninth Prince, still the same loud and boisterous person. It's one thing to be presumptuous in my Eastern Palace, but to drag Father Emperor into it all. Father Emperor is in good spirits, yet you dare to spread rumors that His Majesty has ascended to heaven?"

The Ninth Prince laughed menacingly.

"Wei Fenghe, do you think you can cover up everything? Yesterday, Father was assassinated at the Imperial Academy and died within hours. Do you really think this news was kept completely secret?"

The courtiers sat at the banquet, listening to the confrontation between the two princes.

Since it concerned a sage, they had no right to interrupt; they were all trembling with fear, wishing they had no ears.

The crown prince remained calm.

He just shook his head.

“Ninth Prince, there are indeed former Zhou rebels who have been spreading treasonous rumors in the capital these days, such as ‘His Majesty was assassinated and died.’ But you are a prince, how can you believe such things?”

The Ninth Prince roared.

"It is precisely because I am a prince that I know that my father has truly passed away! It was you, you traitor, who concealed the news and attempted to usurp the throne!"

The crown prince slowly stood up.

"His Majesty is resting in the palace at the moment. Wei Yuanliang, you have uttered such treasonous words and even led troops to besiege my Eastern Palace. Are you plotting a rebellion?"

The Ninth Prince roared, "You are the one who rebelled! After I kill you, all the ministers will follow me into the palace and you will know whether what I said is true or false! Everyone, do not be afraid. The General of the Eastern Palace Guard has long since abandoned the darkness and embraced the light! Today, we will surely kill this traitor who murdered his father and betrayed his emperor!"

The crown prince sneered and clapped his hands.

Outside the palace, behind the army brought by the Ninth Prince.

Several rows of heavily armored guards from the Eastern Palace, wielding long swords, appeared.

The Ninth Prince grinned maliciously.

"Very well, so you were waiting for me all along. My ministers, His Majesty was assassinated at the Imperial Academy, and the Crown Prince is the mastermind! Do not be deceived by him!"

The ministers looked around in alarm.

They all looked like little quails, trying to shrink their bodies as much as possible while seated.

At this moment, who has the right to speak?

The crown prince looked at him coldly.

"You've truly gone mad! Guards, seize Wei Yuanliang!"

The Ninth Prince laughed heartily.

"Fine, come here! Prince Huai has already been killed by you in Zhaoyu Prison. I will avenge my father and my seventh brother with my own hands!"

…

The grand and harmonious banquet hall was instantly transformed into a chaotic battlefield.

Blood, flesh, and mangled limbs flew alongside cups, plates, and dishes.

The Ninth Prince's soldiers didn't care which minister was in charge; they simply cut down anyone who blocked their way.

Many second and third-rank officials, carrying tables on their heads, fled in panic like stray dogs.

Yun Wuyi had already quietly hidden in the shadows beside the palace pillars when the two sides started fighting.

Looking up, I saw the Crown Prince of Qin hiding in the shadow of another pillar.

He even leisurely tapped his palm with the fan.

Yun Wuyi shook his head at him.

At this time, shouldn't you be protecting the Crown Prince? Why are you following their example and pretending to be cowardly?

Ouch.

The Crown Prince of Qin threw the fan away.

Look, I almost forgot I'm still in the Crown Prince's camp.

He lifted his shirt and rushed out.

"Who dares to harm my prince?"

.

Half an hour later, the sudden riot finally subsided.

Naturally, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace emerged victorious.

The ministers, who were forced to watch the entire palace banquet, all vaguely had a thought in their minds.

This prince... it's as if he knew all along that someone was going to break in tonight.

The guards were already prepared.

With the Eastern Palace so heavily guarded, the Ninth Prince was able to break in with his men, which means someone must have been allowing it.

Even the Crown Prince himself wore soft armor under his everyday clothes.

Could it be...?

Unbeknownst to them, the entire court of the Great Yan Dynasty had become bait on someone else's hook.

The Crown Prince was protected by Xiao Heng; his robes were neat and his expression was dignified.

It looked exactly the same as it had half an hour ago.

Xiao Heng, on the other hand, was quite disheveled from fighting while wearing casual clothes.

A palace guard from the Eastern Palace came to report.

The Ninth Prince has been captured, and the other traitors have also been brought under control.

Inside the brightly lit palace, most of the ever-burning lamps had been smashed.

Under the dark and desolate night.

Dishes and cups were scattered everywhere, and severed limbs littered the hall.

The crown prince sighed deeply.

"My lords, you have all been frightened. It is all because I, as your elder brother, have not shown enough care and guidance, which has led Wei Yuanliang astray."

The court officials, regaining their senses, offered words of comfort.

What wrong has His Highness the Crown Prince done? Everyone has their own ambitions.

Crown Prince: "Since Ninth Prince has done such a thing, the banquet tonight is over. I must go and see the Emperor immediately."

After saying that, he seemed to have thought of something.

"The Ninth Prince said some disrespectful things to the Emperor, but those were all lies. If you gentlemen have nothing else to do, why don't you come with me?"

Since the Crown Prince has said so, it's not appropriate to leave now.

Besides, although the people brought by the Ninth Prince have been almost all killed.

The Imperial Guard Commandant was standing by, holding a bloodstained knife, watching intently.

Who would dare not go?

.

The Chengming Hall, where the emperor resided, was dimly lit.

The Crown Prince and his ministers were waiting in the outer hall.

The chief eunuch beside Wei Zhao tiptoed over.

"Your Highness, His Majesty's headache has relapsed. Consort Lin comforted him for a long time and he just fell asleep. Hearing that Your Highness has arrived, he has summoned you for an audience."

The crown prince then rose and walked alone into the secluded and quiet inner palace.

There was no sound coming from inside the inner hall.

The ministers exchanged glances.

The Ninth Prince was lying after all. His Majesty is perfectly fine, isn't he?

Not long after, the chief eunuch returned.

He called out several names and summoned these ministers to an audience.

The ministers had just experienced a period of war and could not care about their appearance. They simply straightened their clothes and stepped forward.

This is the first time His Majesty has summoned a minister to his bedchamber.

A dim lamp was lit in front of the dragon tent.

Lin Meiren was nowhere to be seen; only the Crown Prince stood solemnly.

The curtains were half-hidden, half-concealed.

Inside, a man dressed in a bright yellow robe was sitting against a cushion.

The courtiers stepped forward to pay their respects, but the emperor inside remained silent.

Then the head eunuch said:

"His Majesty was just asleep when he was inspired by the gods and deeply felt that Heaven was not granting him long life and that immortality was not long enough. Therefore, he decided to pass on the throne of the Great Yan Emperor to the Crown Prince. You are all witnesses."

What? !

A bolt of lightning rolled overhead.

The ministers were all dumbfounded.

I subconsciously looked up at the emperor in the dragon tent.

But in the dim light, the emperor's eyes were closed, and his face was pale and stiff.

It exudes a cold, lifeless aura.

Suddenly, the head eunuch shouted a stern rebuke in his ear.

"—Did you all hear that?"

The ministers trembled, finally regaining their senses.

They pressed their heads to the ground and hurriedly replied, "We will obey Your Majesty's decree."

The head eunuch nodded in satisfaction.

"A formal edict will follow. Gentlemen, you may return now."