Soon, someone went to Liu Ping's house and collected all the calligraphy and paintings belonging to the late emperor.
One of the ministers quickly recognized it: "It is indeed the late emperor's handwriting without a doubt!"
A hint of sorrow appeared on the faces of the ministers.
The late emperor was truly pitiful!
This... is all thanks to Your Highness. Otherwise, if the throne had fallen into the hands of an illegitimate child born to an empress dowager and her lover, it would have been discovered many years later, when the young emperor came to power.
That would truly be a laughing stock for all time.
“There should also be a portrait of me in the Empress Dowager’s palace.” Liu Ping touched his nose again and added, “After all, the Empress Dowager lives deep in the palace and cannot see me all the time, so she painted a portrait of me and hid it in a place where no one would find it.”
"When she misses Xiaomin, she will take out his portrait when no one is around to ease her longing."
"These are all things she said to Xiaomin herself!" Liu Ping said confidently, as if afraid people wouldn't believe him.
The young emperor, sitting on the throne, had a face that was already ashen.
He never imagined that he would suddenly have a father.
Moreover, in such a disgraceful manner, in front of a group of ministers...
If this father's actions are confirmed, then he will no longer be the emperor, but will be a prisoner, to be executed the next day.
"You're talking nonsense! You're all talking nonsense! You're all trying to fool me!"
"Who is this person? Throw him out of here!! No! Drag him out and kill him!"
"My mother and father have a harmonious relationship; she would never betray my father!!!"
No matter how hard the young emperor shouted, his words had no effect...
And at a time like this, nobody listened to him; everyone was staring at Gu Mu.
"Search the Empress Dowager's palace," Gu Mu gestured.
Although the Empress Dowager had passed away, Gu Mu had not moved into the palace. The young emperor missed his mother, so some of the original residences in the palace remained untouched and kept as they were.
A short while later, the ministers returned from the search, carrying a smashed wooden box, and entered the main hall.
They opened the wooden box, and sure enough, it contained many scrolls of calligraphy and paintings.
A guard unrolled one of the scrolls of calligraphy and painting, and inside was a painting of Liu Ping.
Liu Ping was completely naked.
The guards then unfurled the remaining scrolls one by one.
The other paintings all depict Liu Ping in various naked poses!
"How vulgar! How could such calligraphy and paintings appear in the Empress Dowager's palace!" A minister couldn't bear to look at it, covered his face, and said with heartache.
This is truly a disgrace to the royal family.
In addition to this evidence, Gu Mu also presented to everyone what he had found out about Liu Ping and the Empress Dowager's relationship, the locations of their meetings, the eyewitnesses who witnessed their meetings, and the history of Liu Ping's cloth business.
With witnesses and physical evidence, even if Gu Mu could bribe these people, some evidence cannot be faked.
Moreover, Liu Ping's ambition to expand and strengthen the cloth business required the leniency and covert support of some officials in the palace.
Those officials who had previously given Liu Ping preferential treatment naturally knew perfectly well that those who had spoken to them and asked them to take care of Liu Ping were all relatives of the Empress Dowager.
They didn't understand back then; they only supported Liu Ping's cloth business out of respect for the Empress Dowager.
But now we know that the Empress Dowager asked them to help Liu Ping for such a sordid reason.
At that moment, those officials felt as disgusted as if they had a fly in their mouths.
"Nonsense! You're all trying to fool me!"
"These are all fake! They're all fake! They've all been bribed!"
"They're all trying to frame me!"
The young emperor burst into tears in the imperial court.
He has nothing left.
He had neither a mother nor a father, but although both his parents had passed away at that time, he lived a life of luxury and was the nominal ruler of the country.
Now he's inexplicably gained a father, and his life is about to be ruined.
Liu Ping looked at the young emperor with affection. He didn't actually have deep feelings for the young emperor, but he was still better than a stranger.
Even when he was having an affair with the Empress Dowager, Liu Ping's concubines had given him several sons and daughters. With so many children, none of them were particularly precious.
"Don't be afraid, my son, I will die with you." Liu Ping sighed deeply.
For him now, being beheaded with a single blow is something to look forward to.
After all, those tortures were just too painful.
"Ministers, since..." Gu Mu stopped using the term "young emperor" and instead used the young emperor's original name, "Gu Liu is not of royal blood, so this throne is naturally not for him. I will personally ascend the throne. Do any of you have any objections?"
Of course not.
Gu Mu had long since seized power; the only difference between him and the emperor was the title.
Even if Gu Mu were to kill the young emperor with a single blow and seize power in a coup, the ministers would have no reason to object. After all, Gu Mu was a descendant of the late emperor, and moreover, he had made significant contributions to the Southern Kingdom. It was clear to everyone that he was more suitable to be emperor than the young emperor.
Moreover, it's perfectly legitimate now.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
All the ministers knelt down in a grand procession and said in unison.
Their heads slammed heavily onto the floor as a sign of loyalty.
Now that he has ascended the throne, a coronation ceremony will be held immediately, and Shen Ling will become the empress, just as Gu Mu promised.
At that time, Gu Mu will build her a fairytale house inside this palace city.
"Your Highness, I will certainly handle the enthronement ceremony tomorrow perfectly!" The minister in charge of this matter could not hide his joy, clasped his hands and kowtowed, excitedly saying... Your Highness has finally agreed to ascend the throne!
He had been waiting for this day for a long time!
"Alright!" Gu Mu said in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of authority.
No matter what, being an emperor and being a regent are two different things.
Being an emperor brings an added sense of responsibility.
"Since tomorrow is my coronation ceremony, it is certainly not appropriate to shed blood, and a general amnesty will be granted." Gu Mu glanced at Gu Liu and Liu Ping, who had been dragged to the bottom.
Upon hearing Gu Mu's words, their faces lit up with joy. Could it be that they wouldn't have to die...?
But the next moment, their faces turned ashen, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on them in the dead of winter...
Then, Gu Mu said, "Therefore, these two people who have disgraced the royal family shall be beheaded today."
At this point, Gu Mu's eyes subtly swept over the ministers below.
He decisively executed Gu Liu.
The big fish in the capital, suddenly faced with this change, will definitely have to adjust their plans.
They'll slip up as soon as they panic...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
