She was filled with anger, but she had to maintain an elegant and gentle appearance. She clasped her hands, bowed, and replied in a good-tempered manner:

"Everything is up to the emperor, father."

The moment he lowered his head, from an angle where no one could see, his expression became extremely gloomy.

The position of crown prince is once again vacant.

The morning court continues.

Half an hour later, the court was dismissed.

Imperial study.

As soon as the emperor returned, Prince Chen asked for a meeting. The father and son had not seen each other for three months and thought they would just get together to chat about family matters, but when Prince Chen arrived, he presented evidence that showed Prince Li was guilty of colluding with the Huns in the northern border.

He looked at the secret letter in his hand and fell into a brief silence.

He knew that there was something wrong with King Li, but he didn't expect that King Li was so bold that he dared to collude with outsiders, commit treason, and ask the Huns to kill and oppress his own people.

Anger is anger.

After regaining his composure, his eyes gradually darkened again:

"Chen'er, I will keep this evidence with me for now. I will have someone check it out. If it is true, it won't be too late to deal with Prince Li."

He collected all the evidence and put it in a drawer.

What he said was equivalent to implicitly favoring King Li.

"I don't understand." Zong Zhengchen looked at him straight.

"What don't you understand?"

"If you really favor King Li, why don't you make him the crown prince? But if you don't favor King Li, why don't you convict him of treason?"

This puzzled Zong Zhengchen.

Isn't it inconsistent for the emperor to do this?

The emperor smiled bitterly.

He naturally had selfish motives in doing this.

On the one hand, he is the king, in charge of the country. He hopes that his country will be peaceful and prosperous, and that the people will live and work in peace and prosperity.

From another perspective, he is also a mortal, with selfish desires and ambitions. He has reached an age where he is no longer able to do anything and wants to live a few more years.

The medicine in King Li's hand, when taken together with the Flower of the Dead, can achieve the effect of immortality.

He wants it.

He didn't want to offend King Li, nor did he want to support King Li and let him dominate alone.

"I have my reasons for doing this. When you reach my position in the future, you will understand, Chen'er, that not every matter needs to be determined as right or wrong. Sometimes, turning a blind eye is the best option."

The emperor explained earnestly.

What he got in return was a sneer from Zong Zhengchen.

After all, he still favors Zong Zhengli.

"In that case, there is no need to say more. You have already made your choice. In the future, I will not ask you for anything, and I will not be polite to Zong Zhengli anymore!"

After Zong Zhengchen finished speaking, he turned around coldly and strode away.

Defu was a little scared:

"Your Majesty, this..."

"Leave him alone, let him go!"

The emperor felt exhausted and mentally exhausted.

Zong Zhengchen didn't understand his difficulties, but one day, he would understand that everything he did was for Dongling Kingdom, for the people, and for this country.

.

Away from the palace.

Zong Zhengli returned to the palace with a gloomy face. He strode into the courtyard with big strides. His steps brought a chilly wind with them, causing the servants passing by to stay away from him when they saw him.

Inside the house.

Qin Jiaojiao rushed out upon hearing the noise:

"Your Majesty!"

She hurried forward:

"Have you told the emperor about Ziye? Did the emperor allow Ziye to come back?"

Ever since Defu brought Zong Zheng Ziye into the palace yesterday, he has not been brought back. She was so worried that she did not sleep all night.

Although he is not her biological child, as long as Zong Zheng Ziye is in her hands, she can live a prosperous life by relying on her identity as the mother of the emperor's eldest grandson.

However, as soon as she finished speaking, the man grabbed her collar.

The man's eyes were as gloomy as a beast on the verge of a rampage, and even his eyeballs were glowing a gloomy scarlet:

"Why did you provoke Qin Ye? Why did you provoke her yesterday?!"