His Majesty's greatest taboo is fratricide, and since several princes have been involved, they will likely be implicated.
Wu Chang took the petition from Li Ningqi's hand and handed it to Emperor Yuming.
Li Ningqi returned to his seat, head bowed, and straightened his posture. Even as all the court officials looked at him, he remained unmoved.
As the sun sets behind the pavilion, clouds begin to rise over the stream; a mountain rain is imminent, and the wind fills the tower.
The courtiers in the hall remained silent for a moment, for Emperor Yuming, who had just finished reading the two petitions, was already ashen-faced but remained silent.
Seeing his expression, the officials fell silent, no longer daring to discuss anything, and just looked at each other, not knowing what they were trying to convey.
Emperor Yuming's forehead veins bulged, and after a long while, he calmly said, "Dismiss the court."
Li Ningqi's lips curled into a smile as he knelt down with his ministers, chanting in unison, "Respectfully bidding farewell to our Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
...
"Bang--"
It is said that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, and this is especially true for the capricious emperor.
As the porcelain shattered, Emperor Yuming's anger rang out: "You scoundrel!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" The palace maids and eunuchs knelt on the ground, fearing that the emperor's anger would befall them.
The second prince was hit by a teacup, and a streak of blood trickled down his forehead. His face was glistening with moisture, making it impossible to tell whether it was tears or snot.
But he couldn't care less about anything else, and crawled on his knees to Emperor Yuming's feet: "Father! Father, you're innocent! Your son really didn't mean to harm my third and fourth brothers!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuming sneered: "Injustice? That Li Ningqi was only promoted last year during the Frost's Descent solar term. He has always been diligent and conscientious in his work and has never offended anyone. You're telling me you're injustice?"
The second prince wiped his nose, his eyes darting around: "That's right, Li Ningqi must be jealous that I am more capable than him, that's why he resorted to this tactic. He's lying to you, Father!"
Seeing that the hand he had just used to wipe his nose was about to pull up his dragon robe again, Emperor Yuming kicked him in disgust: "Do you know what you're saying? This is the crime of deceiving the emperor! Not to mention that you are not as good as him, even if it is as you said, are you willing to risk your life for such a thing?"
The second prince was kicked away by him and was immediately speechless, not knowing how to answer.
Just then, a shrill, hoarse voice suddenly rang out: "The Crown Prince has arrived—"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the eldest prince walked over with an elegant and refined air, and bowed respectfully to Emperor Yuming: "Your subject greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy ten thousand years of good fortune and peace."
Upon seeing him arrive, Emperor Yuming's expression softened slightly.
He walked to the kang table and sat down, raising his hand in a gesture of support, saying, "Rise, please. Wuchang, please have a seat."
The head eunuch raised his whisk, and several junior eunuchs who were waiting nearby quickly brought over a chair for the eldest prince and placed it below Emperor Yuming.
"Thank you, Father Emperor." The eldest prince spoke calmly and composedly, rising to his feet.
Emperor Yuming glanced at his composed eldest son, then at his second son whose face was streaked with snot and tears, and sighed softly.
Seeing his expression, the eldest prince's expression shifted slightly, and he asked, "Father, is something troubling you?"
Emperor Yuming glanced at the Second Prince, who was lying on the ground looking on expectantly, and said disdainfully, "Ask him what good deeds he has done! If it weren't for Li Ningqi's outstanding talent, I would still be kept in the dark!"
When the second prince heard that he had finally been brought up, he frantically touched his face, his nose and tears all mixed together: "Brother! Brother, I'm innocent! I really didn't do this!"
He stood up, intending to walk to the Crown Prince's side. But his legs had gone weak from kneeling for so long, and with a dull thud, he fell to the ground again.
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