“Father…” Xuanyuan Duo was completely terrified. Looking at the serious Xuanyuan Peng, he didn’t even dare to plead for himself.
The third brother was to be torn apart by five horses. He was originally going to be beheaded, but now he has been exiled. Compared to them, his demotion to commoner seems to be the lightest punishment. He was afraid that if he said too much, he would make a mistake and be punished even more severely than being demoted to commoner!
Xuanyuan Duo dared not speak, and could only look pitifully at Xuanyuan Zhan, pleading for help.
He just pleaded for the second son, so he should be able to say a few words on his behalf.
His father dotes on him so much that if he were to plead for him, his father would certainly not demote him to a commoner.
Receiving Xuanyuan Duo's pleading look, Xuanyuan Zhan sighed and spoke again: "Although Xuanyuan Duo has done many wrong things and deserves punishment, he was not in a leading position. At most, he is an accomplice. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider his sentence!"
Upon seeing Xuan Yuanzhan plead for him, Xuan Yuanduo was immediately moved to tears, sobbing, "Father, I know I was wrong. I was misled by the second and third princes when I framed the Holy King. As for the third prince using witchcraft on you, and the second prince's treason, I knew nothing about them. I beg you, Father, to give me another chance to repent. I will definitely turn over a new leaf and start anew!"
Xuanyuan Peng felt a headache coming on again when he saw Xuanyuan Duo's appearance.
What sins did he commit in his past life to have such unfortunate sons who do such foolish things?
Xuanyuan Peng frowned and looked at Xuanyuan Zhan: "What do you think should be done with him?"
Since he's going to plead for him, then we'll leave the matter of how to handle it to him, so he won't have to worry about it.
Presumably, Xiliang will not object to what he said.
Seeing himself fall into Xuan Yuanzhan's hands, Xuan Yuanduo looked at him pitifully again, silently pleading for mercy.
Xuanyuan Zhan glanced at Xuanyuan Duo before speaking, "Although Xuanyuan Duo is not the principal offender, he aided and abetted the evildoer and committed a grave error. Tomorrow at noon..."
Upon hearing the words "tomorrow at noon," Xuan Yuanduo felt a chill run down his spine and immediately grabbed Xuan Yuanzhan's sleeve, crying out, "Third brother, you can't!"
"Xuanyuan Duo!" Upon hearing Xuanyuan Duo call him the third brother, Xuanyuan Zhan instantly flew into a rage!
He knew perfectly well that he hated being called "Third Brother"!
Xuanyuan Zhan disliked this title, but Xuanyuan Duo was eager to establish a connection with him: "You're the third one! You were born earlier than Xuanyuan Yu. Of the five elements—metal, wood, water, and fire—you are water, and he is fire. He was born after you, so you should be the third one!"
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Peng's expression instantly became uncomfortable.
When he named Zhan'er, he did put his own little thoughts into it, but he didn't expect that the boss and the others would see through it.
None of the officials dared to utter a sound.
In fact, they had already discovered the secret of the name, but no one had dared to reveal it for so many years.
To save his life, this prince really went to great lengths to cultivate a relationship with the Holy King.
Seeing Xuanyuan Duo say these things in public, Xuanyuan Zhan became even angrier: "Xuanyuan Duo, do you believe I'll destroy you right now!"
As Xuan Yuanzhan angrily spoke, he tugged at his robe, trying to pull it out of Xuan Yuanduo's grasp. But Xuan Yuanduo held on tightly and even clung to his leg, saying, "Third brother, we're brothers! Second brother betrayed the country and you just pleaded for him, yet he still wanted to kill you. You only got exiled, so why am I the one to be executed? I've been completely deceived! I didn't do anything! You can't do this to me!"
Xuanyuan Duo became more and more heartbroken as he spoke, and he hugged Xuanyuan Zhan's leg and wept bitterly, feeling extremely sad!
Looking at Xuan Yuanduo, who was crying so pitifully and cowardly, Xuan Yuanpeng's head started to throb with pain again.
What terrible things did he do to give birth to such a bunch of bastards!
Xuan Yuanzhan was speechless at Xuan Yuanduo's antics, and rolled his eyes, saying, "When did I say I wanted you to execute me?"
"Huh?" Xuan Yuanduo, tears welling in his eyes, looked up at Xuan Yuanzhan in surprise and stammered, "Didn't you just say... tomorrow at noon?"
Isn't the execution to take place at the execution ground at noon tomorrow?
Xuanyuan Zhan was truly defeated by him: "I meant that I would send you to the execution ground at noon tomorrow to witness the execution, and I would also give you fifty lashes in public to teach you a lesson. Also, demoting you to a commoner is indeed too harsh, so I'll just demote you to a prince."
Upon hearing Xuan Yuanzhan's words, Xuan Yuanduo burst into tears again, but this time it was not out of fear, but out of gratitude: "Third brother, thank you. I will definitely repent and never do anything foolish again."
Only then was Xuanyuan Zhan able to pull his thigh away, and said helplessly, "It would be good if you really knew how to repent and start anew."
"I really know I was wrong, really!" Xuanyuan Duo immediately assured him.
No one raised any objection to Xuanyuan Zhan's verdict.
Seeing that Su Xuening remained silent, Xuanyuan Peng was happy to follow Xuanyuan Zhan's opinion: "Then let's listen to the Holy King. Take Xuanyuan Duo away first, and take him to the execution ground for caning tomorrow at noon. We can also observe the execution."
"Yes." The Imperial Guards responded and dragged Xuanyuan Duo away as well.
After everything was settled, Xuanyuan Peng looked at Mu Lingchen and the others and said, "You have rendered meritorious service in guarding the border, so I will entrust the matter of rewarding you to the Holy King!"
Firstly, he doesn't have much time left, and secondly, he simply doesn't have the energy for it.
Secondly, these people will all become Zhan'er's confidants in the future, so it's best for Zhan'er to make the decision on the reward personally.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Mu Lingchen and the others naturally had no objections.
They also knew that the emperor was not in good condition and probably didn't have many days left.
Now is not the time to reward merits; everything must wait until the prince ascends the throne. They are not in a hurry for this lifetime.
Xuanyuan Peng nodded and suddenly stood up from the dragon throne.
Seeing this, Zong Jiu quickly stepped forward to help him, but he was stopped by Zong Jiu raising his hand.
Xuanyuan Peng descended the jade steps himself, walked unsteadily to Bai Shi, and looked at her with love in his eyes: "Ya'er, are you willing to marry me?"
Bai's eyes suddenly reddened, and she didn't say anything, only nodded seriously.
Xuanyuan Peng was overjoyed. He immediately took Bai's hand and announced to the court officials, "Tomorrow I will hold a grand ceremony to formally marry Bai Fuya!"
The ministers all lowered their heads, and no one dared to say another word.
The Emperor is already in this state; it would be too inhumane for them to try to stop him. Besides, the Emperor has made up his mind, and it's probably useless for them to plead to the death. They might as well grant the Emperor's wish.
After all, the Holy King will ascend the throne in just a few days. If they come out to stop him now, they will not only anger the Emperor, but also offend the new Emperor. They really don't have the guts to die with the Emperor!
Seeing that no one dared to speak, Su Xuening nodded slightly to Xuan Yuanpeng and Madam Bai: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Mother Consort!"
The courtiers then realized what was happening and shouted in unison, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Empress Dowager!"
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