The atmosphere in the hall was extremely tense, and the ministers' rebuttals were heard everywhere.
"Your Highness is extremely intelligent, but governing a country is no joke. If you insist on doing it, you must not cause chaos in the country for your own selfish reasons."
"How can we hand over the eternal empire to a woman? The late emperor's body is still warm, and you knew that Your Highness was about to commit such a heinous act?"
"We can never kneel before a woman!"
The Right Prime Minister took a large step forward, his tone resolute and firm: "The royal family still has male heirs, so it's absolutely impossible for a woman to rule! Don't you even understand this little bit of etiquette?"
"This is not a rule, this is a bad habit!" The princess stood up and approached the right prime minister.
Sharp phoenix eyes stared at him intently: "Rituals and laws were established to govern the country, not to constrain people. When our ancestors founded the country, they also broke with the old system. During the reign of Grandfather, the emperor selected candidates through the military examination, regardless of family background. The great cause of the country cannot be conservative, it must be constantly innovated."
She spoke loudly, her words resonating: "I can abdicate today, but I will not give up my principles or my heart!"
Everyone looked at the silent Fourth Prince, "Your Highness!"
The Fourth Prince slowly raised his eyes, sweeping his gaze across the indignant ministers in the hall. He suddenly lifted his brocade robe and knelt on one knee: "My Royal Sister, what you said is absolutely right."
The ministers were suddenly startled and looked at the Fourth Prince in disbelief.
The Right Prime Minister stumbled back a few steps, nearly dropping the tablet in his hand. He said in grief, "Fourth Prince...how could you aid and abet the tyrant!"
"Your Excellency, this is a mistake," the Fourth Prince said gravely. "When the rebels besieged the city, it was my sister who, with foresight, protected the people of the capital. It was also my sister who risked her life to enter the palace to protect the Emperor. She truly deserves the throne."
The Imperial Censor, his neck red, interrupted, "But the etiquette and laws are clear, there has never been a precedent for a woman to be emperor."
"Etiquette?" The Fourth Prince said calmly, "The late Emperor's will clearly stated 'choose the virtuous and establish the position.' Everyone has witnessed the achievements my sister made in northern Jiangsu. Now, she's capturing rebels and entering the palace to protect the emperor. In every case, how could she not be more talented and virtuous than this one?"
Several old ministers looked at each other, and silently looked at Xiao Yunyu, who had made great contributions in accompanying the princess to protect the emperor.
Looking at Xiao Yunchen, he didn't express any opinions from beginning to end.
Could it be that the Xiao family... also supports the princess?
Scholar Liu took two steps forward, his aged face filled with sorrow. "Even so, Your Highness, as a direct descendant of the royal family, how could you lower yourself?"
"My sister and I are both of royal blood. How can you say you're lowering your status?" The Fourth Prince said resolutely, "Your Majesty, I am willing to serve you as my sovereign and serve you for the rest of my life!"
The ministers cried out in indignation again.
Xiao Yunyu followed closely behind: "I, your Highness, would also like to serve you as my king."
Seeing this, all the ministers immediately looked at Xiao Yunchen.
Master Liu also stared at Xiao Yunchen.
Seeing that the situation was not good, the Right Prime Minister looked at his trusted minister.
Then, with a look of determination, he shouted, "You are unfaithful and unfilial! You are disrupting the order of our dynasty! Today, I, an old minister, will protect the rites and laws with my own life!"
After saying this, the Right Prime Minister threw the board in his hand to the ground and rushed towards the golden pillar with coiled dragons in the hall beside him.
The two ministers exclaimed, "Prime Minister, please think twice!"
“No!”
When Xiao Yunyu saw the two old ministers rushing over to stop the right prime minister from committing suicide, he curled the corners of his lips and moved his fingers slightly.
"Bang!" The prime minister's old and fragile head hit the golden dragon pillar, and blood instantly oozed from his forehead.
"Bang! Bang!" The two ministers who tried to stop him fell to the ground in a dog-eating-shit position, groaning.
The Prime Minister's mind was spinning, he couldn't understand why those two confidants didn't come to hold him back?!
But his professional ethics allowed him to continue acting.
He staggered and trembled, and finally fell unsteadily onto the smooth, cold floor of the hall, muttering unwillingly, "A woman ascending the throne will put the country in danger! My late emperor! Open your eyes and look at the world..."
The princess looked at the unconscious prime minister and announced in a cold voice, "The prime minister has expressed his determination by dying. I am very pleased. I will allow him to resign and live out his days at home."
"Ridiculous! Do you know that a woman ascending the throne will be punished by heaven? I hope Your Highness will put the world first and not make the same mistake again!"
"Master Liu, do you also want to learn the spirit of seeking death from the Prime Minister?" The princess narrowed her eyes and cast a sharp gaze on the old-faced Master Liu.
He curled his lips and said coldly, "If the punishment from heaven can bring peace to the country and well-being to the people, I am willing to accept it!"
Xiao Yunchen stepped forward and spoke calmly, "Etiquette and laws should not become shackles that harm the country. I am willing to follow the emperor."
"Xiao Yunchen!" Master Liu's pupils were shocked.
Xiao Yunchen looked at his mentor with guilt in his eyes.
But my wife is right when she says, “It is to the capable that there lies the throne.”
His eyes became more determined as he looked directly at his mentor and said respectfully, "Master Liu, please take a look. After breaking the old rules and establishing new religions and laws, I believe that the princess will be able to win the support of the people with her achievements."
"Great! A great way to establish a new religion and laws, and win the support of the people with your achievements!" The princess said proudly with a confident look on her face, "I will definitely live up to everyone's expectations!"
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