The Crown Princess's Final Kill
The business banquet at Yingtian Gate was attended by many. Among them were Louhuang Crown Prince Xiao Xingchen and his consort Muya, Tufan Crown Prince Afaner and his consort Gao Mier, and Yanyou Crown Prince Xuanyuan Haonan and his consort Wei Ningshuang. The sunlight shone brightly, yet it made people nervous. Besides the banquet for the four nations, another event was the final selection of Qiankun Crown Princess.
Concubine Chen Youyou, who was sitting next to the Crown Prince Li Lin of Qiankun Kingdom, stood up and said, "Sister, you can't be so rude to guests."
Chen Yun knew that she was the concubine of the Crown Prince of Qiankun Kingdom. Since she had already informed the Crown Princes of the three kingdoms of the important issues, there was no need to continue to be rude, so she quietly returned to her seat.
Xiao Xingchen tried to smooth things over for Chen Yan: "There's no need to make a fuss. How can the prince's men accuse each other?"
Seeing that she was in the wrong, Chen Youyou could only grit her teeth and sit down reluctantly.
Li Lin ignored Chen Youyou the entire time. The moment Chen Yan sat down, he leaned over and asked softly, "What did you say to them just now?"
Chen Yun's expression was calm. He picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. He said lightly, "Let them be grateful to me for what I have done."
Then, the palace maids began bringing in the dishes. They filed in, carrying exquisite dishes in their hands, gracefully moving between the long banquet tables. Suddenly, the air was filled with aromas, and all sorts of delicacies filled the tables.
Halfway through the banquet, Afan'er's face suddenly darkened. He threw his wine glass to the ground and shouted angrily, "Why is the wine getting harder and harder to drink? How do you treat your guests in Qiankun Country? With such management, how can we talk about business?"
Seeing this, Xiao Xingchen also spoke up, a hint of dissatisfaction on his face. "I've been meaning to raise this issue for a while, but I didn't want to embarrass everyone. Now that it's been brought up, I'd like to ask Your Majesty something. When our country hunted down the Crown Prince, it wasn't because we were belligerent. It was because my cousin, the Crown Princess, was ostracized as a maid in your palace. I'm curious, is Qiankun Kingdom, as a major country, really so lazy?"
After hearing this, everyone began to whisper to each other, and voices of agreement rose one after another, which put the people from Qiankun Country into an awkward situation.
Minister of Works Li Shangshu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty! The management of the Eastern Palace was originally managed by the four concubines surrounding the Crown Prince. As far as I know, Li Liangdi and my daughter are jointly responsible for the Eastern Palace's accounts and etiquette and palace discipline, while Lan Liangdi is responsible for the Eastern Palace's handover with field work and the palace's layout. Naturally, the remaining entertainment and palace services are the responsibility of Chen Liangdi. Therefore, she is responsible and should be punished!"
Afaner said, "No matter who is responsible, you must give us three countries a reasonable explanation today! Otherwise, our cooperation will be put on hold!"
However, Li Lieo and the others were all well aware that Chen Yan was being sidelined, but they could not bring this issue up in front of outsiders, otherwise it would give the other party an excuse to make cooperation more difficult.
Li Lin approached Chen Yun and whispered, "It seems your words are useless."
Chen Yun also whispered, "Prince, please give me a hand!"
"I will definitely save you. And... didn't I say there would be a good show tonight? Do you mind if I join in?"
Li Lin finished speaking, flirting with Chen Yun before standing up. He walked to the center of the hall and said, "Father, my Chen Liangdi's existence is different from the division of labor in your respective countries and the history of Qiankun Kingdom. She is assisting me in handling issues related to the memorials."
Imperial Tutor Lan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty! The Crown Prince is the heir to a great nation, yet he is so incompetent that he requires a woman to assist him in handling government affairs. I implore you to abolish the Crown Prince's position and appoint someone more virtuous and capable!"
As soon as Grand Tutor Lan finished speaking, Li Lin immediately followed up, "Respect women for this prince! How could you be barking at me without your mother? My beloved concubine's assistance is twice as effective with half the effort. How could such a virtuous wife be impeached even though she hasn't interfered in domestic affairs?"
Doctor Chen stepped forward and said, "Grandmaster, please be mindful of your choice of words. It's not that the Crown Prince is incompetent, but rather the women around him. Those who fail to fulfill their duties when they are no longer in office are a burden to the nation and its people."
Chen Yun felt uncomfortable listening to these people making indirect accusations. She suppressed her anger and drank a cup of tea in an attempt to calm herself down.
Xuanyuan Haonan said with a mocking tone: "Your Majesty, it seems that your family affairs are quite complicated."
Li Lie'ao was displeased and pointed at the officials below, accusing them: "This is a banquet for our distinguished guests, and you dare to force the emperor to abdicate and bring shame to our Qiankun Kingdom?"
Minister Li said, "Chen Liangdi killed all the adulterers on the spot to avoid exposure. How could this person be the daughter-in-law of the Qiankun Kingdom?"
At this time, everyone present started whispering to each other again and discussing Chen Yun.
For a moment, all the pressure was on Chen Yun, but she suppressed her anger and appeared calm, asking calmly, "So all of you officials think it's my fault?"
Grand Tutor Lan said, "All the officials think you are delaying the Crown Prince. If it weren't for you, would the Crown Prince have become so ignorant? He should be banished to the cold palace, but executed!"
Then a group of officials from the Qiankun Kingdom jointly requested execution.
Li Lie'ao clenched his fists and glared at the people below. Xue Lian held his hands and shook his head.
Chen Yun stood up and said, "Prince, change people." Chen Yun walked over to Li Lin and gently patted his shoulder. Then he walked to the throne and looked down at the crowd. "Okay, so this is how you play, right? Then you must accept the consequences of your actions."
Chen Yun shouted loudly: "Dear distinguished guests, citizens and officials of Qiankun Kingdom, and all the families of Qiankun Kingdom! Good afternoon! Next, I, a humble palace, will bring to you those who are disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unrighteous in the royal family!"
As everyone's attention was drawn to this man's sudden performance, Chen Yun applauded a few times. Guo Huangshang was tied up by two masked members of the Seven Star Assassination Team and led into the hall. Suddenly, the Seven Stars came from all directions. To everyone's astonishment, Imperial Tutor Lan, Imperial Physician Chen, Minister Li, Chen Youyou, and Li Zi were abducted by the Seven Stars at knifepoint and brought to the center of the hall.
Meanwhile, Yangyang presented a pile of letters to the emperor, who began to examine them carefully.
Recalling the earlier arrangements, the Seven Stars disguised themselves and sneaked into the homes of the three families as servants to inquire about the news, and then cooperated with passers-by outside to successfully bring the news to the palace.
Chen Yin had no interest in their greed, which was why he had tolerated it all along. Now, these people had pushed him to the point of no return, and with Chen Yin's personality, he simply couldn't tolerate it any longer.
Chen Yun said, "This is the owner of the Guo family's imperial merchant business in Qiankun Country. From a year ago until now, he has been colluding with Grand Tutor Lan to sell illegal salt in Leping Town, Yongle Town, and Shangxiachuan Township. They've been exchanging letters for this entire time. The mansion also has account records and evidence of illegal salt processing at the corresponding locations. According to the laws of Qiankun Country, no one is allowed to produce illegal salt!"
The whole audience erupted in uproar after hearing this. Chen Yun even kicked Master Lan to his knees.
Chen Yun ignored everyone's reactions and continued to issue orders: "Send! Ye Ting Prison Warden!"
The prison guard who once worked with Chen Ying came to the scene with a ceramic medicine pot.
Chen Yun stepped forward, snatched the medicine bottle, and smashed it in front of Doctor Chen. The bottle shattered, revealing a pile of black residue. Chen Yun turned around, pointed his finger directly at Doctor Chen, and shouted, "Ever since I was imprisoned in the Ye Ting Prison, I have been distributing so-called strengthening medicine to everyone in the palace. In fact, it is poison!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was horrified, their faces filled with fear and anger. Deputy Imperial Physician Chen's expression suddenly changed, and he quickly argued, "Nonsense! The Imperial Physician's prescription can't possibly be poison!"
Chen Yun approached Doctor Chen, kicked away the medicine residue, and asked, "Any doctor can tell what's on the ground? It's a pile of aconite! Every doctor knows aconite is poisonous, and an overdose will only cause illness. Poisoned people will experience abdominal pain, numbness in the limbs, difficulty breathing, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Does anyone else have these symptoms?"
Xue Lian suddenly realized: "No wonder my chest felt like a rock for a few days."
Chen Yun kicked Doctor Chen's foot, causing him to kneel down on the spot.
"Every maid who brewed medicine would be sent out of the palace that day to prevent her from informing on others. That's why many maids disappeared recently. Fortunately, I have found them all. They are being held in disguise in the Ye Ting Prison and have been interrogated. Doctor Chen, you can't escape this time!"
Doctor Chen's eyes were filled with fear and despair. Seeing this, Chen Youyou's face turned pale and she quickly shouted, "You're talking nonsense! My father is innocent, it's you who is slandering me!"
Chen Yan turned abruptly, pointing his finger directly at Chen Youyou: "Chen Youyou! Do you think that if you oppress the palace maids, no one will retaliate? Thanks to them, we discovered your adulterer in the palace! Oh, and your old lover is also imprisoned in the Ye Ting Prison. He has confessed all his crimes and is still alive."
Chen Youyou took a deep breath and closed her eyes in despair.
Chen Yun walked up to Li Shangshu, grabbed his hair, and kicked him to his knees. "And more!"
Chen Yun bent down, grabbed Minister Li's head and pulled him towards him, looking down at the humble man below him and said, "Minister Li! Your summer resort is quite useful. It has stored a lot of weapons for the royal family."
Chen Yun waved his sleeves and continued, facing Li Lie'ao, "Father, if you can just send someone to question the servants of the Li Mansion, you'll know. Plus, the two account books from the Ministry of Works you have prove that Minister Li falsified accounts, embezzled labor wages, and secretly manufactured large quantities of weapons. According to the laws of Qiankun Kingdom, he deserves death!"
Li Zi's face turned pale, and she murmured to herself: "This is impossible, this is impossible..."
Li Lieao looked at the pile of information in his hand and threw it on the ground: "Great! Each and every one of them is so talented!"
Chen Yun quickly walked over to Li Zi and kicked her away: "It's your turn. Pass!"
At this time, the palace maid who was punished came to the front and saluted.
Chen Yun said, "Father, this palace maid is the sister of the so-called adulterer whom I killed. Little palace maid, tell me the truth."
"Your Majesty, I, my elder brother, and I are from the third group of Sannong Village in Zhutouling. My elder brother and I have been in the palace for three years and have always worked diligently. But not long ago, this Li Liangdi threatened my elder brother with my family members and asked him to have an affair with her!"
Li Zi quickly defended herself: "Nonsense! Slandering the harem is punishable by death!"
"Shut up! When will it be your turn to speak, a sinner? Don't think I don't know. Not long ago, you gave Doctor Chen, Tutor Lan, and my family a jade talisman engraved with anti-imperial and heaven-defying words. It's just like Chen Youyou sending poisonous mosquito coils to our family!"
Tutor Lan and Imperial Physician Chen immediately took out the jade pendant and indeed discovered the words on it.
Chen Yan put his hands on his hips and said, "You three families are finished!"
Grand Tutor Lan said, "Your Majesty, I have a question. How did Chen Yun and these women obtain this evidence so easily? Proof that they were the ones who sneaked into the minister's house and framed him for the crime! Ultimately, they wanted to make themselves the Crown Princess! This was their goal!"
Doctor Chen said, "That's right. Every civil and military official can attest to their intention to frame loyal officials and seize the throne! They're raising private soldiers and breaking into the residences of important officials!"
Xuanyuan Haonan said, "Well, I didn't expect our partner to have such chaotic management. How can we conduct business with peace of mind?"
Afaner also said, "That's right! If the problem really can't be solved, our three countries don't mind intervening to resolve your country's order. Otherwise, let's not do business with each other!"
When the three princes were in doubt, Chen Yun snapped his fingers, and servants in civilian clothes were brought out. At the same time, the Seven Stars Group walked towards Li Lie'ao and knelt on one knee in worship.
"Anbu Seven Stars Group, greet the Emperor, greet the Empress!"
The officials looked at each other in bewilderment at the sudden turn of events.
Chen Yun said, "The evidence all comes from you, the servants of your mansion. Your evil deeds are so notorious that even the servants despise you. You say I intend to seize the throne? If you had such a heart, you could have done it long ago! Now that I have married the Crown Prince, my life and death are tied to the Qiankun Kingdom. I am loyal to my husband and to His Majesty! How can I allow you to slander me!"
In fact, Chen Yan had already asked the Seven Stars Group to steal the indentures of these servants, allowing them to regain their freedom and paying them with silver. Only then were these servants willing to cooperate with Chen Yan.
Imperial Tutor Lan, Imperial Physician Chen, and Minister Li kept muttering to themselves, unable to believe that they had been completely defeated.
Lan Xixi ran to the throne and knelt down, "Father! Your Majesty! My father was temporarily possessed by a demon. Please, considering his many years of service to the country, please show some mercy!"
Chen Youyou hurriedly apologized: "Father! I was jealous of other women who had the crown prince all to myself. That's why I made a mistake that all women in the world make. I sincerely know my mistake, please be lenient with me!"
Li Zi was also trembling with fear: "Father! I know I was wrong! I was just bewildered like Chen Youyou. My heart is with Qiankun Kingdom!"
A bunch of officials came out to plead, "Your Majesty! All these actions prove that the Crown Prince is incompetent and indulges his concubines! Please depose the Crown Prince!"
Chen Yun watched these officials' omnipresence in the deposed crown prince's affairs, and he burst out in anger: "You incompetent officials, what else can you do except engage in internal strife?"
Li Lin patted Chen Yun's shoulder and said, "It's my turn to come out this time."
Li Lin approached Chen Yun and said, "I have negotiated countless wars for Qiankun Kingdom, sparing its people the suffering of war! During my reign, I was instrumental in the reconstruction of the Bashu earthquake, the theft at the Ministry of Revenue, and the border wars between the three kingdoms! I ask you, if I were incompetent, how could I have achieved such success and been granted the title of Crown Prince?"
The official was speechless, while Chen Yun behind him looked at Li Lin with admiration, "This is the domineering attitude that a prince should have."
Xiao Xingchen said, "Your Majesty, your country's crown prince's concubines are not distinguished by rank. Even if there is sufficient evidence, it should not be used as evidence! We do not accept it!"
Li Lie'ao reminded Xue Lian, who smiled faintly, "Then, Yun'er, what do you think the Crown Princess should be like?"
Chen Yun approached the throne and said, "My Queen Mother, the Crown Princess is charged with assisting the Crown Prince and nurturing his heirs. She oversees all affairs of the Eastern Palace, coordinates the inner chambers, and commands the servants, ensuring order from top to bottom. When entering and leaving the palace, you must be respectful and courteous, speaking and acting in a measured manner, embodying the virtuous character of the royal family and setting an example for the other concubines."
Li Lieo and Xue Lian were filled with joy after hearing this, and Li Lin had an expression of doting on his face.
Xue Lian nodded in satisfaction, then took a deep breath and said, "Then if she's the Crown Princess, that's enough for me to talk to you, right? That's right, I declare that the position of Crown Princess to be the legitimate wife of the Crown Prince of Qiankun Kingdom is Chen Yin!"
The officials all expressed their dissatisfaction. "The harem's affairs must be decided by the harem. The queen must not act arbitrarily!"
At this time, Concubine Xiao Xian stood up and said, "As one of the four concubines, I support Chen Yun as the Crown Princess!"
Concubine Lin stood up and said, "I agree that Chen Yun should be the Crown Princess!"
Concubine Sun Shu stood up and said, "I agree that Chen Yun should be the Crown Princess! What about you, Concubine Fang De?"
The three imperial concubines looked at Concubine Fang De, who shook her head helplessly and stood up, saying, "I agree."
The four of them all agreed, leaving Lan Xixi, Chen Youyou and Li Zi dumbfounded.
Li Lie'ao said, "You have always believed that my daughter-in-law is of lowly origin, but you did not know that Chen Yun is a direct disciple of Yuan Tianpai."
When Chen Ying turned around, everyone in the audience was shocked by his identity.
"From this moment on! Whoever questions His Majesty and the Queen Mother, whoever dares to question the Crown Prince and me, I will never let him go!" Chen Yun said this with a confident and sharp look, as if telling the world, I am not to be doubted.
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