"I would like to ask, what do Your Majesty and Empress mean?" Shang Xiye retorted sharply in a low voice, "You came in without asking a single question, yet you want to punish people. Are you trying to ensure that there are no witnesses left to testify, thus solidifying the stigma against my Princess and Bei Yu?"

"Ninth Prince, stop talking nonsense. The Third Prince and the Ninth Princess were in the same room with their clothes disheveled. This is something that everyone has seen." Even as they started arguing, the Empress remained dignified. "Furthermore, His Majesty only said to drag the Third Prince away, not to execute him."

Shang Xiye's gaze pierced Chen Ziyun like a sharp sword: "Does Your Majesty have an eye ailment? When you came in, how could you not see how many people were in this room? Or perhaps Your Majesty knew all along how many people were originally supposed to be here?"

“You…you’re just making excuses,” Chen Ziyun said, speechless.

"Master, I'm so hot..."

As time dragged on, Ji Fengyao became increasingly confused and instinctively sought relief. She sobbed and muttered, waving her hand to open a corner of her outer robe, revealing half of her flushed face.

Many of those present were experienced in worldly affairs. Seeing Ji Fengyao's appearance and then looking at Shang Beiyu's state on the bed, they instantly understood.

Chen Ziyun seized the opportunity to sneer: "No matter how much the Ninth Prince tries to argue, it's useless. The Ninth Princess and Bei Yu are like this. When word gets out, the world will have its own judgment."

“If one person goesssips, the king will kill that person; if a city goesssips, the king will slaughter the entire city.” Shang Xiye’s eyes were filled with an incomparably dark killing intent, as if they were bottomless abysses that could devour people’s minds. “Besides, I already know the truth of this matter. Your Majesty, not every act of revenge requires solid evidence.”

Shang Xiye confronted his empress so forcefully right in front of him.

Even though Shang Xiche no longer had much affection for Chen Ziyun, he couldn't save face, especially since the Empress had indeed helped him a great deal these past two days.

For some unknown reason, he developed headaches after winter began, and no medicine could cure him.

Fortunately, the Empress knew massage techniques and could relieve his pain.

"Outrageous! Ninth Prince, are you plotting a rebellion?!"

"Your Majesty, do you intend to force me to rebel?" Shang Xiye met Shang Xiche's outwardly strong but inwardly weak gaze and asked in a low voice.

Shang Xiche was deeply shaken, and alarm bells rang loudly.

The late emperor left a decree for the Ninth Prince, and he had seen that decree with his own eyes.

The will stated that if the new emperor intended to eliminate the Ninth Prince, the Ninth Prince could use this will to protect himself and regain his throne.

The letter Nash wrote is not "reversed" or "substitution";

It's "reset"!

This was something that had been on his mind all along, something that felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat!

He would never forget the words the late emperor said to him while holding his hand on his deathbed.

The late emperor said, "Che'er, in terms of talent, virtue and martial arts, you are inferior to Ye'er in every way; but in my Great Zhao, you are the only one suitable to inherit the throne."

These words were like sharp blades, cutting his heart into pieces;

Just like this throne, which the late emperor had no choice but to bestow upon him out of desperation!

He hated it, but he was even more afraid.

If Shang Xiye really finds some dirt on him and the Empress and starts a rebellion, then Shang Xiye's rebellion will not be considered a simple act of defiance, but rather a "legitimate" one!

Shang Xiche is not a fool.

He could tell at a glance whether the matter was consensual between the bandit and Shang Beiyu, or a deliberate scheme by the Empress.

Those who secretly get together are just looking for fun.

Who would willingly give themselves so many drugs when it's a mutually agreeable arrangement?

If you make yourself lose your mind, what fun is there in that?