The Third Prince's words were hesitant and stammering; even a fool could see he was hiding something. Emperor Xiaoxuan was furious, "You wretched child, how dare you lay a hand on your imperial uncle! You are utterly audacious!"
"Father, believe me, I really did not send anyone to assassinate my uncle."
Zhou Xuance coughed, "Your Majesty, how about we reinvestigate my assassination attempt and the matter of Miss Shen? We mustn't wrong Yuan Heng."
Shen Zhiyi finally understood someone's intention.
Royal families value their reputation.
If they handle it privately, His Majesty might cover up his son's assassination attempt.
However, this matter involves the Duke's mansion. Last time, Song Maozhang's slander caused my father and brothers to suffer injustice, and this time they must give an explanation.
Therefore, even if His Majesty intends to cover it up, he cannot conceal it.
The Third Prince this time...
It's completely over!
Shen Chongde knelt down: "I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter."
"Father, my uncle has said he'll give me a chance, and the Duke of Zhenguo has also said he'll investigate thoroughly. I beg you..."
Before Zhou Yuanheng could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Emperor Xiaoxuan's angry rebuke.
"You worthless wretch! Since you were a child, I have hired the best tutors for you, teaching you propriety, integrity, brotherly love, and respect for elders. Now you dare to lay a hand on your royal uncle. I'm afraid you'll turn your attention to me next!"
"Someone come here!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Daban hurriedly stepped forward, "Your Majesty!"
"The Third Prince Zhou Yuanheng disobeys the laws of the country, disrespects his elders, and has repeatedly committed rebellious acts."
"Although I have repeatedly admonished him, hoping that he would repent and start anew, he remains obstinate. Considering the legacy of our ancestors and the well-being of the people, I hereby depose Prince Zhou Yuanheng and demote him to a commoner. All his servants and attendants are hereby dismissed!"
These words shook Shen Zhiyi to her core.
And so on...
The Third Prince is now completely ruined!
Zhou Yuanheng knelt on the ground, his face ashen, and collapsed to the ground, his expression dazed, as if his soul had been scattered. "Father... Father Emperor, you love your son the most, you can't do this to me..."
"From this day forward, never call me Father again. I have no son as disrespectful, unfilial, and unbrotherly as you!"
Emperor Xiaoxuan's expression was cold and stern.
Clearly, there is no room for maneuver in this matter.
Shen Zhiyi was shocked and only dared to secretly peek at Zhou Xuance; he was truly ruthless.
But she always felt that the whole thing wasn't that simple.
Meanwhile, the Empress, who was outside the palace, heard that her son was to be completely deposed. She disregarded everything else, pushed past the guards, and rushed into the Imperial Study. "Your Majesty, there must be a misunderstanding. Yuan Heng would never assassinate his own uncle."
“Xuan Ce…”
"You know that Yuan Heng has always respected you, and His Majesty has always doted on you. Please put in a good word for us."
The Empress looked at Zhou Xuance and even knelt before him.
Shen Zhiyi pursed his lips, still pondering how he should respond to the Empress Dowager kneeling before him, when someone said, "Sister-in-law, please rise. You are making me feel terrible for not being able to do this..."
He stood up to help the empress to her feet.
As a result, he staggered, coughed twice, and then...
He fainted!
Shen Zhiyi was dumbfounded.
How can this kind of operation still exist?
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