The emperor stared intently at Song Xia, deeply unwilling to be unable to punish her.

He even felt particularly humiliated. He was the emperor, so why did he have to rely on a woman to communicate with the will of Heaven? Didn't this world belong to him alone?

"Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven, but you need a phoenix by your side to communicate with Yin and Yang and to turn the universe around, so that you can communicate with the will of Heaven and achieve the path to immortality!"

"Even if she has committed a crime punishable by death, can't I still punish her?"

"Your Majesty, if the Empress is immoral, Heaven will naturally remove her from the life of a phoenix, but it cannot do so at present."

Master Qingfeng's implication was that the Empress was virtuous and righteous, and even His Majesty could not arbitrarily punish her.

The court officials and princes were temporarily relieved. Although His Majesty was absurd, he couldn't possibly ignore the will of Heaven!

"Song Xia, you're really something! Even Heaven is on your side!" The emperor gritted his teeth, feeling extremely aggrieved.

Song Xia remained neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Majesty, this proves that I have rendered meritorious service to the world and have been recognized by Heaven. During your cultivation, I will be there to keep an eye on the world for you. You should be grateful."

The emperor sneered: "Don't think that just because you're approved by Heaven, I won't depose you and let you go. Guards, convey my decree: The Empress has committed treason, but considering that she hasn't committed any major offenses, I hereby grant her a special pardon and confine her to Fengyi Palace. Without my decree, no one is allowed to visit her or serve her."

"His Majesty!"

The emperor coldly looked at the crowd: "I cannot kill her, but that doesn't mean I can't kill you. Anyone who says another word, I will make an example of them."

The court officials fell silent again, but the emperor's anger had not subsided. He threw the memorial at the head of the eldest prince, Jiang Jin: "Who gave you permission to ask the empress about state affairs? And you..." He then pointed at the second prince, Jiang Ming, "Even you side with her. Ming'er, you know I have always been most concerned about you. What do you say, I will demote your eldest brother to a commoner and make you the crown prince?"

The courtiers' expressions changed. Over the years, the eldest prince and the second prince had always had a good relationship. Wouldn't His Majesty's words turn the two princes into enemies?

If the Second Prince is made Crown Prince, will the Third Prince, who already holds military power on the border, and the Fourth Prince, who has influence in the south, also vie for the position? Will the court still be peaceful then?

“Father,” Jiang Ming said with a serious expression, “My elder brother has done nothing wrong. Over the years, it has always been my elder brother who has taken care of me and my younger brothers. Whether it is the eldest son or the eldest son, or whether it is knowledge and talent, Father should make my elder brother the crown prince.”

The emperor's tone was somber: "He and the empress have corrupted him; I will not pass the throne to him."

These words sent a chill down the spines of the court officials. If word got out, the court would truly be in turmoil! Your Majesty is foolish! How could you joke about state affairs like this!

“Father,” Jiang Ming still refused, “Your Majesty and I have been taught by Mother all these years, and what Your Majesty and I have learned is no different.”

Seeing his protective stance, the court officials were only temporarily relieved. But if His Majesty continued to test them like this, who could remain steadfast? Even if the Second Prince remained steadfast, what about the power behind him?

Moreover, even if the Second Prince can persuade the forces behind him, wouldn't His Majesty use similar words to test the Third and Fourth Princes...?

So everyone knelt down: "Your Majesty, establishing a crown prince is a matter of great importance to the country, and cannot be decided lightly!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

The emperor just watched as his ministers and sons knelt down to plead for mercy. Was this still his empire? If it was his empire, why was every decision he made opposed?

"Guards, from this day forward, the First Prince shall be confined to his residence and forbidden from participating in any political affairs. The Second Prince’s reckless speech is the fault of Consort Zhuang’s inadequate guidance. Consort Zhuang shall be demoted to Consort Zhuang and her monthly salary shall be halved."

"He's using me to tell everyone that he can't touch the Empress, but he can touch us." Consort Zhuang sneered after receiving the imperial edict. "I used to think His Majesty was omnipotent and supremely majestic, but now it seems he's nothing special."

"Your Majesty, be careful what you say, for walls may have ears."

"I am not afraid. Now that the harem and the court are one, can he really depose all the princes and give birth to a new seventh prince?"

"Your Majesty, I heard that His Majesty has bestowed titles upon four more beauties today."

Consort Zhuang took a deep breath: "Has the Empress sent any message?"

“Now the Phoenix Palace is heavily guarded, and no one is allowed to enter or leave. No one can get close to the Empress.”

Consort Zhuang slammed her hand on the table, angrily saying, "Why is someone like him recognized by Heaven? The princes are just tools he uses. Does he have any humanity left? Does he want the world to be in chaos?"

"Keep your voice down." Consort Li entered at some point. "Things aren't like they used to be."

The two, who were once rivals, now sit together, feeling a sense of mutual sorrow, after all, they were so happy before!

"I sent palace maids to bribe the guards, but they only obey His Majesty's orders and were unmoved. However, don't worry too much, at least Her Majesty the Empress's life is safe for the time being."

Consort Zhuang sighed, "I'm worried that if things continue like this, His Majesty will incite the princes to turn against each other."

"No, none of us would, and I believe they wouldn't either. We've all been broadened in our horizons by Her Majesty the Empress, and we won't fall for her wicked schemes so easily."

"But what about those court officials? Can you guarantee their minds won't be disturbed?"

"With the princes all working together, where do they stand? The seventh prince that His Majesty mentioned, who is still unborn? I don't believe His Majesty can have another child."

Consort Zhuang looked at Consort Li in surprise: "Do you perhaps know something?"

Consort Li coughed and explained in a low voice, "Didn't His Majesty trust Wuweizi and Xuanjizi before? They were greedy for money. I gave them a lot of treasures. They accidentally revealed a few words about why there were no children in the harem for those years. It might be because they took pills that made them unable to have offspring."

"Really? But with Master Qingfeng's care these past few years, it's hard to say..."

"Master Qingfeng spoke up for the Empress, so I believe he's not some kind of evil sorcerer. He must care about the world. If she really is pregnant, sister, even though the Empress is under house arrest, we still have the palace! Whether she can give birth or not depends entirely on us, doesn't it?"

"Amitabha." Consort Zhuang clasped her hands together, but her words were cruel. "If any concubine is truly pregnant, for the sake of all living beings, we can only commit this sin. I believe all the gods and Buddhas in the heavens will understand us."

After they finished speaking, they smiled at each other and then began to worry about how Song Xia would take care of herself alone in Fengyi Palace.

In fact, Song Xia was quite relaxed at this moment. After so many years in the palace, this was a rare time of leisure. Although the court might be a bit chaotic for the time being, it was also a good opportunity for everyone to think clearly about what was best for Xuan Kingdom and its people.