In the imperial court, the officials began to whisper among themselves, and Huang Huaiyuan was the first to be disturbed. He stepped forward and bowed to Su Mu.
"Your Majesty, I noticed you seem unwell. Was this edict your own decision? Or was you coerced by someone else?"
“Imperial Censor Huang, what do you mean by that?” Li Fuge interrupted Huang Huaiyuan.
Huang Huaiyuan glared at Li Fuge and said sternly, "Prime Minister Li! I am speaking with the Emperor. How dare you interrupt me so rudely?"
Li Fuge smiled and said, "Imperial Censor Huang, I am just kindly reminding you that the imperial edict just now clearly stated that His Majesty is unwell and has passed the throne to Prince Yun."
"And as you can see, the Emperor looks exhausted. In fact, he only needs to issue an imperial edict and rest in peace in the Zichen Palace to recuperate."
"Why is His Majesty forcing himself to come to court despite his illness? It's because of those who are suspicious and paranoid. His Majesty has no choice but to drag himself to court to shut them up!"
"I advise you, since the imperial edict has been issued and the Emperor himself has come to the court to deliver it, Censor Huang, you should refrain from meddling in other people's business."
Huang Huaiyuan glared angrily at Li Fuge, then suddenly flicked his sleeves. When he turned to look at the dragon throne, he was surprised to find that Su Mu, who had just been sitting on the throne, was now being helped away from the hall by eunuchs.
"I would also like to ask Lord Huang, is this an act of disobeying the imperial decree?"
Huang Huaiyuan looked into Su Yuntian's eyes without fear. Recently, many of his colleagues who served in the same court had died or been injured by Su Yuntian.
He has always been upright and incorruptible, and had offended many of Su Yuntian's henchmen in the past. Even if he doesn't stand up today, Su Yuntian will not let him off the hook.
Huang Huaiyuan raised his hand to Su Yuntian in a gesture of respect and said, "I dare not, but as Prince Yun and all the ministers just saw, His Majesty was pale, his eyes were dull, and his voice was hoarse. I do not believe that His Majesty is capable of making such a major decision as passing the throne at this time."
Su Yuntian curled the corners of his lips, glanced around at the officials in the court, and sneered, "Is there anyone else who shares Lord Huang's opinion?"
At this moment, the court was completely silent, with all officials bowing their heads, not daring to participate.
Huang Huaiyuan sneered, "Why does Prince Yun ask such a redundant question? Tell me, who would dare to say a bad word about you now? They dare not speak up, not because they don't have this question, but simply because they are afraid of offending their wives, children, and elderly parents."
Su Yuntian sneered and said coldly, "Since Lord Huang understands this principle, why utter such treasonous words in the imperial court?"
Huang Huaiyuan said frankly, "I am only worried that if I don't speak such truths now, I will never have the chance again!"
"His Majesty's health has been abnormal these past two months. He even suddenly collapsed and fell into a coma. Then, he abruptly announced his abdication in court. Prince Yun, can you honestly say that none of these events have anything to do with you? This is clearly a despicable tactic you used to seize power!"
"How dare you!" A furious shout rang out in the hall. The speaker was none other than the newly appointed General Huang Xin.
"The imperial edict has just been read aloud, and the Emperor's will is known throughout the land. You, Su Yuntian, shall immediately ascend the throne, receive the congratulations of all officials, and rule the world. All officials and commoners should obey the new ruler and participate in this grand undertaking; those who disobey shall be punished for treason!"
"Huang Huaiyuan, are you perhaps going to defy the Emperor's decree?"
Su Yuntian looked at Huang Huaiyuan, his expression unchanged, but his voice was as cold as ice. He then turned to the officials in the hall and said, "I want to know how the crime of disobedience should be punished."
As soon as Su Yuntian said this, all the officials in the hall felt uneasy.
Li Fuge walked slowly forward with a smile on his face. He and Huang Huaiyuan had always disagreed on political views, and when he heard Su Yuntian ask such a question, he immediately stepped forward.
"Disobedience is one of the ten heinous crimes, second only to treason and rebellion. For officials, disobedience results in dismissal pending investigation, exile, or military service. The most severe punishment for disobedience is even more cruel than slow slicing; skinning and stuffing the skin with straw, grinding the bones and scattering ashes are all methods of punishment."
"Then what are we waiting for? I admire Imperial Censor Huang's frankness, but the country has its laws. The imperial edict states that those who violate it will be punished for disobedience. I cannot disobey my father's imperial edict and protect Imperial Censor Huang, can I?"
Su Yuntian addressed the Imperial Guards outside the palace: "Men, come here!"
Two imperial guards rushed into the hall and pinned Huang Huaiyuan down. Huang Huaiyuan spat in Su Yuntian's direction and cursed, "Traitorous minister! You will surely meet a terrible end!"
Su Yuntian remained unmoved and ordered the Imperial Guards entering the hall: "Drag Huang Huaiyuan, who has committed the crime of disobedience, out of the hall and execute him by slow slicing."
"If anyone dares to question the King's decree again, he shall be punished the same as the King! After the court session, everyone must stand outside the palace to watch how this disobedient person is executed, as an example to others."
Huang Huaiyuan was dragged out of the hall, still cursing Su Yuntian all the way. The ministers trembled with fear, and no one dared to speak again.
...
Su Muxue had a long dream.
The dream seemed incredibly long, and she wanted to wake up, but she couldn't.
In her dream, Su Muxue felt as if she were in a fantasy world. Her eyes widened as she stared in disbelief at everything happening before her.
Su Yuntian and Nangong Ce were seen conspiring together, holding pills that emitted a strange fragrance, and luring Su Mu, who longed for immortality, step by step into the abyss.
Blinded by his desire for immortality, Su Mu swallowed the poisonous pill offered by Nangong Ce without hesitation, a satisfied smile on his face. But soon, the drug took effect, and Su Mu's body began to undergo terrifying changes.
First, his skin became loose and weak, and wrinkles deepened like ravines; then his hair fell out in clumps, and his once bright eyes lost their luster. As time passed, Su Mu's body gradually withered, his eyes slowly closed, and finally only a ghastly skeleton remained.
Witnessing this horrific scene, Su Muxue felt as if her heart was being torn apart, and tears streamed down her face.
She tried to shout, but found herself unable to make a sound; she tried to reach out and grab Su Mu, but her hands were as if nailed to the ground. Despair and helplessness enveloped her, making it hard for her to breathe.
"Father~" Tears slid from Su Muxue's eyes into her black hair, and gradually, she opened her eyes from her sobs.
As her blurry vision gradually cleared, Su Muxue's gaze fell upon a blue gauze curtain made of luxurious silk, embroidered with exquisite patterns, with fragrant sachets hanging from each of the four corners.
Su Muxue looked up at her side.
A beautiful woman was slumped over the tea table beside her, fast asleep. Her eyes were closed, and her brows were slightly furrowed, as if something was troubling her.
Upon seeing Mu Jin, Su Muxue became even more dazed. She thought that perhaps she was still dreaming, otherwise why would Mu Jin appear in her room?
As she was thinking this, the door to the room was pushed open from the outside and someone entered. It was a maid carrying medicine. The maid's name was Qing'er, and Su Muxue was born from her.
Qing'er, who pushed open the door and entered, paused when she saw that Su Muxue was awake. Suddenly realizing what was happening, she happily whispered, "Princess, you're awake!"
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