Although the evidence against Lan Linxue was solid, Lan Xiuyuan wasn't entirely confident because of Lan Xiuyuan's involvement. If the Emperor found out that someone from his faction had committed perjury, and the charge of framing the Crown Prince was proven true, he would be wrong even if he was in the right, and might even lose the prince position he had just acquired.
Therefore, Lan Xiuyuan knelt on the ground and stopped talking, with layers of cold sweat on his forehead.
Lan Linxue lowered her head and glanced at Lan Xiuyuan with a cold smile. She had always thought that Lan Xiuyuan was incapable of accomplishing anything significant. If it were him at this moment, he would do it even if it meant banging his head against a pillar. He must be eyeing the title of prince that he had just acquired.
Hu Tianyong knew that things had escalated to this point, and he couldn't say anything more. However, he was still very unwilling. Was such a good opportunity just going to slip through his fingers and benefit Lan Linxue?
Hu Tianyong thought for a moment before speaking in a deep voice: "Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the emperor. Your Majesty's decisions are absolute, and we have no objections! However, Your Majesty, this old minister still has to say that the Crown Prince has ultimately broken the law and committed an act against heaven and earth. Although there were no casualties, if this precedent is set and future generations follow suit, wouldn't that be a regret for ten thousand years? I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully!"
Upon hearing this, Lan Shanyang immediately gave a cold laugh: "Hu Tianyong, you don't need to go through five hundred years of entanglement! In the end, the Crown Prince still made a mistake! Even if those four counties have nothing to do with the Crown Prince, the embankment on the Qinhuai River was still built by the Crown Prince. You are still afraid that I will indulge the Crown Prince, or perhaps what you are after is the position of Crown Prince! Fine! Today I will make the decision unilaterally. I hereby issue the decree: effective immediately, Lan Linxue's position as Crown Prince is hereby revoked. Guards, remove the Crown Prince's crown and take back the Crown Prince's seal!"
"yes!"
The men below immediately took action.
Hu Tianyong and Lan Xiuyuan could hardly believe what they were hearing! The Emperor had actually stripped the Crown Prince of his title! This was utterly unexpected! Hadn't the Emperor already decided to keep the Crown Prince? Why had he revoked the title? What was the Emperor really thinking?
However, their plan was at least half successful. Lan Linxue was no longer the Crown Prince! With the position vacant, was their grand ambition still far off?
Looking at their ecstatic expressions as they tried so hard to hide them, Lan Shanyang couldn't help but let out a cruel smile: Go ahead and fight for it, Lan Linxue's knife is already raised behind your backs. I just hope you can still keep this smile when your heads are chopped off!
Lan Linxue remained obediently still. Chen Kuangzheng and the others, however, had eyes filled with grief and indignation.
"Effected from this day forward, Lan Linxue is hereby conferred the title of Prince Rongya, and granted a Prince's Mansion! He is also granted the military tally to travel 800 li through the pass!"
This sentence was like a blow to the head of someone who was just overjoyed.
Lan Linxue is no longer the crown prince, yet he has been bestowed with a princely title and a military tally?!
You must understand, that military tally is possessed only by a few top-ranking ministers like Lan Qingtian and Xu Ming, who are in charge of the military. It practically controls all the passageways in the country. It is more valuable than anything else, and anyone who refuses to open the gate upon seeing the military tally will be executed for disobeying.
"Are you all satisfied now?" Lan Shanyang said, slowly standing up. "Lan Linxue is no longer the Crown Prince. Are you all satisfied now? Also, appoint Chen Kuangzheng as the special envoy to Jiangnan to thoroughly investigate the bombing of the four counties!"
With that, Lan Shanyang didn't want to look at anyone anymore and turned to leave.
Chen Kuangzheng quickly knelt down: "Your subject accepts the imperial decree!"
Lan Shanyang still didn't let go of the matter of Jiangnan. Lan Xiuyuan's words and the evidence he presented were still just a bunch of question marks.
"Court adjourned!"
The momentous impeachment campaign against the Crown Prince finally came to an end with Lan Shanyang's decisive action.
Lan Linxue slowly stood up from the ground. Without the crown, he looked even more relaxed and at ease. He walked to Qin Kou'er's side and reached out to help her up, but Qin Kou'er flicked his hand away and stood up as if she hadn't seen him.
Seeing that there were many people around, Lan Linxue didn't know what to say, but she stepped on Qin Kou'er's skirt and then turned to look at Lan Xiuyuan and Hu Tianyong without looking at him.
"My lord, are you satisfied with your life today? I'm no longer the crown prince, so aren't you feeling especially relaxed and happy?"
Hu Tianyong still looked at Lan Linxue with that kind and amiable face and said, "What are you saying, Your Highness? It's all thanks to His Majesty's wisdom!"
With that, Hu Tianyong bowed slightly, turned around, and walked out.
The officials below quickly went over and fawned over Hu Tianyong, helping him slowly walk outside.
Lan Xiuyuan and Lan Linxue stared at each other, neither of them hiding their disgust and hatred.
Finally, Lan Xiuyuan reached over Lan Linxue's shoulder, wanting to take a look at Qin Kou'er, but Lan Linxue moved and blocked his view.
Lan Xiuyuan glared at Lan Linxue again, then turned and walked out in silence.
Lan Qingtian walked over with a sullen face, and without saying a word, slapped Lan Linxue across the neck: "Your Highness? Bah! What kind of prince was demoted from the Crown Prince! Shameful!"
Lan Linxue rubbed her neck, but remained silent.
This was already the best possible outcome, far exceeding his expectations.
Although he's no longer some nobody prince, he wields far more real power, and according to his plan, the next step is to begin a large-scale purge. Therefore, today's prince is truly an unexpected bonus.
According to Lan Linxue's initial plan, he was supposed to spend a few days in jail. However, because of Qin Kou'er's words, he not only didn't go to jail, but also got a prince's position and a military tally. Therefore, no matter what, he had to talk to Kou'er today.
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