"Rise, my beloved subjects." Li Shengyuan shifted to a more comfortable position, half-lying down, and coldly surveyed the submissive crowd.
Li Changyu and Prince Rui were in the front row.
Prince Rui glanced at him discreetly and whispered, "Second Brother, why are you so late today? It's not like you at all."
"Hmm. Special circumstances."
Li Changyu spoke coldly, a hint of unease flashing in his dark, icy eyes.
I wonder how things are going with Mi Shan.
Has Bai Lingyu escaped danger?
"Today is truly strange. My royal uncle didn't even come to court. And there's also the old prime minister, who always loves to boast of his unwavering loyalty."
The emperor's gaze was deep, and he spoke softly.
"Someone go and see if they encountered some accident along the way, or if they are deliberately trying to avoid seeing me."
Remembering that they had secretly met with the Empress Dowager and probably discussed something, Li Shengyuan's expression grew even more somber.
"Your Majesty need not go to such lengths!"
"I've brought them with me!"
Suddenly, a voice, aged yet imposing, echoed within the solemn and vast palace.
It's the Empress Dowager!
"Why has the Empress Dowager come?"
The ministers all changed color.
Prince Rui subconsciously looked at his second brother beside him, only to see him looking calm and indifferent, seemingly unsurprised at all, which made him even more astonished.
"Second brother, you don't know anything, do you? The Empress Dowager is coming on strong!"
"Don't make a fuss, just look down and you'll see." Li Changyu's expression was calm and unmoved.
"Empress Dowager, what is this?" Li Shengyuan stood up with a flick of his sleeve, displaying the aura of a king. "The people of the inner palace are not allowed to interfere in politics. What is your intention in bringing the Sixth Imperial Uncle and Prime Minister Xia here at this time?"
"Could it be that they're trying to force the emperor to abdicate?"
"Your Majesty, I have come to this point because of you! Since you cannot tolerate me, I will disregard personal feelings and produce the late Emperor's edict! On behalf of the late Emperor, I hereby depose you, this unqualified and incompetent ruler!"
"What?! The emperor has been deposed!"
Upon hearing this, the court erupted in a clamor.
The crowd looked at each other in horror.
Although these civil and military officials did not recognize the emperor's abilities and disapproved of his style, he was, after all, the emperor, a descendant of the former king.
How can one simply depose someone?
"Empress Dowager, what exactly is going on? You and the Emperor...?"
"Yes, is the late emperor's edict real? Why have we never heard of it?"
Faced with the discussions of the court officials and the Empress Dowager's relentless pressure.
Li Shengyuan's face, clad in a bronze mask, was particularly cold and aloof. His dark eyes appeared even more profound, revealing a terrifying chill.
"Imperial Uncle, Prime Minister, do you also stand with the Empress Dowager and support her in deposing me?"
“That’s right! Prince Yong, you are addicted to sensual pleasures and have repeatedly ignored our teachings. Not only have you protected evildoers, but you have also been disrespectful to the Empress Dowager. A person with such a long list of misdeeds and who neglects state affairs is not worthy to be the emperor of our Great Yue! You should abdicate and give the throne to a more capable person!”
Prime Minister Xia finished speaking angrily.
All the civil and military officials were terrified.
Prince Rui stared in astonishment: "He's gone mad! Prime Minister Xia has gone mad! The Empress Dowager is old and doesn't understand things, yet he's following suit! And the Sixth Prince... Instead of trying to stop him, he's rebelling with the Empress Dowager! Aren't they all afraid of death?!"
"Shut up, Prime Minister Xia! How dare you plot a rebellion!"
Before he could react, Li Changyu beside him had already drawn his sword and pointed it at Xiahou Qing, aiming to stab him in the throat.
The emperor raised an eyebrow, looked at his son, and a hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes.
"Good, Your Highness, you've done well!"
Prince Rui: "...No, Second Brother, your reaction is too fast! How dare you! Don't even think about harming a single hair on my father's head!"
He quickly drew his sword, only to find that he only had a dagger with him. He jumped in front of the emperor, his hands clenched tightly, his body trembling.
Li Shengyuan was not surprised by his timid appearance. He lowered his heavy gaze and remained seated on the dragon throne, but his aura had changed.
"Imperial Guards! What are you all standing there for? Quickly seize these traitors!"
The emperor gave the order in a fit of rage, his voice a low growl.
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Guards immediately sprang into action, drew their blades, and approached.
"Who dares! I am here, and the late emperor's edict is here! Anyone who dares to step forward will be killed without mercy!"
The Empress Dowager, dressed in a crimson robe embroidered with phoenixes and auspicious clouds, leaned on a dragon-headed cane and held aloft a golden imperial edict. Her imposing presence was like that of a celestial being, which frightened the surrounding imperial guards into retreating.
Intimidated by her cold and imposing gaze, they dared not step forward!
The six princes and Prime Minister Xia around her were like an impregnable fortress, protecting her within.
"The late emperor?" Li Shengyuan scoffed. "Empress Dowager, it seems you've been living too comfortably. Since ancient times, there has only been one emperor! I am the only true dragon emperor of Great Yue!"
"How dare you mention the late king in front of me!"
"What is there to be afraid of!" Suddenly, a strong voice rang out from outside the hall.
Everyone was surprised and turned to look.
The Prince of Pingxi, with his wildly bushy hair and imposing presence, strode in, his robust body clad in armor, followed by a row of guards, each clad in armor and wielding a blade.
This caused all the civil and military officials to change color in fear, trembling and searching for a place to hide.
"No one is allowed to move! I will not make things difficult for you. Today, the only one I will target is Prince Yong!" Prince Pingxi roared.
After he finished speaking, the crowd calmed down a little.
But Li Shengyuan's expression became increasingly terrifying. He, who had previously disregarded these old men and always treated them with contempt, now found his cheeks twitching violently.
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