Chapter 370: I am the Crown Prince
Before Yu Hao could finish speaking, Yu Yuanchao ignored the female official's advice at the door, pushed her aside, and stormed in angrily: "Father! What nonsense are you talking about! Your son is the Crown Prince, the heir apparent!"
"This throne, both morally and logically, should belong to your subject!"
Li Yuande hurriedly followed and rushed in, but he was still a step too late. Upon hearing this, the emperor was furious. If he hadn't been bedridden at the moment, he probably would have kicked him over.
"You insolent fool, how dare you interfere in this matter!"
Yu Hao was already furious, and now he was even more enraged. He threw the jade pillow he was using as a pillow, which landed right at Yu Yuanchao's feet, startling him so much that he instinctively shuddered.
"Your Highness, what are you saying? Are you perhaps possessed? Quickly apologize to His Majesty..."
"Stop defending him!" Yu Hao slammed his fist on the dragon bed in his anger, silencing Li Yuande.
"All these years of my careful cultivation have been in vain. Putting aside your respect for frugality and love for the people, count the foolish things you've done. Which one of them is worthy of being criticized?"
Yu Yuanchao retorted unwillingly, "Yes, even if I am not capable, do you intend to depose the legitimate heir and establish an illegitimate one? The court officials will not agree to that!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yuande almost fainted. After all, it was not good for eunuchs to interrupt in front of the emperor. Taking sides too obviously was not a good thing for him. He just didn't know how much the empress doted on the crown prince that she could say such a thing. It was obvious that she was used to being unrestrained.
Ever since the truth about Chu Huan's incident came to light, the political situation in the court has been completely overturned. Many people speculate that the emperor will change his mind and pass the throne to Prince Mu. Currently, those who support Prince Mu are able to rival the Crown Prince's faction.
Even though Prince Mu was not the eldest son of the legitimate wife, he still had the Empress Dowager behind him.
It should be noted that when the current emperor ascended the throne, he was not the eldest son of the legitimate wife. It was thanks to the Empress Dowager's help that he was able to secure his position. Although the Empress Dowager had long since given up her duties, she still held considerable influence in the eyes of the officials.
"Li Yuande!"
"Your servant is here." Upon hearing the emperor's angry shout, Li Yuande hurriedly flicked his whisk, bowed, and took two steps forward, his expression extremely cautious.
"He shall be given thirty strokes of the cane, confined to his quarters for three months, and no one is allowed to visit him. He is no longer required to attend the morning court session, and all matters under his control shall be handed over to Prince Mu!"
Li Yuande was terrified, both by the emperor's decree and by the fear that Yu Yuanchao might do something outrageous again. He had no choice but to agree and take the man away.
Yu Yuanchao was naturally extremely unwilling and even wanted to continue arguing, but Li Yuande waved his hand and two guards immediately came in and dragged him away without a second thought.
"Release me! I am the Crown Prince!"
Li Yuande caught up, feeling utterly miserable. At this moment, all he wanted was to shut him up: "Oh Your Highness, please calm down. We servants didn't mean to offend you, but His Majesty's orders cannot be disobeyed!"
"I am the Crown Prince! Why should Father Emperor's words allow that good-for-nothing Yu Shiyan to replace me?"
Despite being supported as she walked forward, Yu Yuanchao still angrily glanced back at the receding palace behind her and loudly repeated, "I am the Crown Prince!"
"Your Highness, please don't add fuel to the fire. His Majesty was just saying things in anger, why take it to heart!"
Only when he was far enough away from the bedchamber did Yu Yuanchao break free from the two guards' restraints, his face ashen: "Talking in anger? He clearly intended that!"
They pretended to nurture me with care, but in reality, they had already planned to pass the throne to that good-for-nothing. Why should I?!
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