Resolute and decisive, his voice powerful and resonant. The surrounding ministers were all dumbfounded.
"You …" Suddenly, Dai Zhide pointed to the front and said in shock, "Aren't you that …"
Zhao Daosheng's face was splashed with scalding water. Immediately, it wrinkled and fell off in large chunks.
However, what was revealed was not blood and flesh, but another layer of scalded skin — this was his real face.
"Helan …" The several prime ministers simultaneously exclaimed, "Helan Minzhi?!"
"Prince of Yong!" Queen Wu was both shocked and furious. "What is going on?!"
Helan Minzhi had been exiled three years ago for his crimes. When he arrived in Shaozhou, he was ordered to be executed. However, who would have thought that he was actually rescued by Li Xian, the Prince of Yong, and hidden in the Prince's estate, living an ignoble existence until now?
Li Xian, who had been apprehensive since just now, saw that the truth had finally been exposed. He immediately trembled like a sieve, softly prostrating himself on the ground. "Mu-mother, this son was only …"
"Shut up!
Who is your mother?! "
Queen Wu turned to the completely speechless Emperor and loudly said, "Your Imperial Majesty, just now, the palace servants have already confirmed that when the bowl of soup was served, it was received by the Prince of Yong's chamberlain. When the Crown Prince drank the soup, only the Prince of Yong and Helan Minzhi were at his side. Can you still not deduce the truth of the matter?"
"Helan Minzhi was exiled and executed because of his collusion, corruption, and repeated misconduct. However, the Prince of Yong had the courage to deceive his superiors and conceal the truth, bringing this criminal back to the capital and hiding him in his estate. He even allowed him to have close contact with the Crown Prince!"
"Prince of Yong!" Queen Wu roared, "You are simply audacious! What are you scheming?!"
The Prince of Yong was normally an intelligent, studious, and prudent young man. However, at this moment, his soul had disappeared. In front of Queen Wu, he could only sob bitterly and shake his head. "I did not!
This son is innocent!
Imperial Father, please judge clearly. This son is truly … "
"This has nothing to do with His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Yong!" Helan Minzhi was still struggling and angrily shouted, "It's all because of you, Empress!
You borrowed a knife to kill, you framed me! It was you who killed the Madam of Wei, it was you … "
When the words' Madam of Wei 'came out, the Emperor suddenly thought of the young and beautiful Jialan who had been poisoned to death by Queen Wu. His entire body trembled uncontrollably.
— — Pa!
At this moment, a loud sound rang out. Everyone was stunned as they saw Xie Yun slap Helan Min Zhi across the face.
"He Lan Min poisoned the Crown Prince. Because General Huai Hua and I arrived in time, she must not have had time to destroy the evidence."
Xie Yun paused and said, "Men, search He Lan Min Zhi. Search He Lan Min Zhi inside and outside of He Bi Palace."
The guards in front of the palace looked at each other, hesitating and not daring to move.
Xie Yun coldly said, "What? I can't order Yu Lin Guards around, can I?"
Shan Chao almost silently exhaled a mouthful of hot and sour gas. After a while, he said in a low voice, "Go!"
The guards cupped their fists and left.
Of course, Helan Min Zhi wouldn't be so stupid as to hide the poison on his body, but there was no need to go to such great lengths to search the palace.
A moment later, a guard came to report that a celadon medicine bottle had been found under the flower bushes in front of the palace entrance. When opened, it was empty. However, there was still a blood-red powder on the surface of the bottle. The imperial physician had examined it and confirmed that it was Crane's Crown Red mixed with cinnabar.
The irrefutable evidence was irrefutable. Dai Zhide and the other Prime Ministers exploded on the spot.
"You unfilial son!"
Queen Wu was so angry that her entire body was trembling. She didn't even care about her bearing as an empress and stepped forward to give Li Xian a heavy kick in the chest. "— — How have I wronged you? You actually dare to harm the Crown Prince's life?!
Do you want to die?! "
Li Xian couldn't stop crying bitterly. Helan Min Zhi roared, "Don't implicate the Prince of Yong!
It has nothing to do with the Prince of Yong!
It was I who changed my appearance and became a servant of the Prince of Yong's estate. It was I who planned all of this for the sake of revenge. His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Yong, doesn't know anything! "
Xie Yun stepped forward, wanting to tap Helan Min Zhi's mute acupoint. However, Dai Zhide suddenly stood up, using all his strength to grab Xie Yun's hand. "Commander Xie, what are you doing?
Even if this person deserves to die ten thousand times, he should be allowed to confess his crimes. Why are you in such a hurry to seal his mouth? "
As expected of a famous prime minister, Xie Yun felt a lump in her throat.
However, at this moment, Dai Zhide was pulled back by an enormous force from his shoulder. At the same time, a hand reached out from the side, separating him from Xie Yun.
"You …" Dai Zhide's cheek muscles twitched. "General Shan?"
"Duke Dai, you can speak freely. There is no need to take action."
At some point, Shan Chao had unexpectedly walked over from the Emperor's side with large strides. Refined and courteous, he pushed Dai Zhide away, not allowing any refusal.
Immediately following, without even looking at Xie Yun, he turned to the imperial bodyguards and instructed, "His Imperial Majesty is here. His safety cannot be compromised. Take Helan Min Zhi away for interrogation later."
Xie Yun wanted to stop him, but she had already lost her opportunity.
Helan Min Zhi was dragged out of the palace hall by the imperial bodyguards. He struggled and screamed, "Your Imperial Majesty!
Think of this subject's mother, Madam of Han! Think of the Madam of Wei who died unjustly!
The Prince of Yong is innocent! The Prince of Yong doesn't know anything, Your Imperial Majesty!
Your Imperial Majesty! "
Xie Yun turned her head, coldly meeting Shan Chao's gaze.
The corners of Xie Yun's eyebrows rose. His eyes were long and slender, and his eye sockets were deep and serene.
When he stared fixedly at something from this angle, his handsome and cold silhouette was exceptionally obvious, causing one's heart to palpitate.
Shan Chao closed his eyes. After several breaths, he opened them again and shook his head at Helan Min Zhi.
"Enough is enough," he said softly, using a voice that no one else could hear.
Helan Min Zhi's figure gradually disappeared into the distance, but his voice lingered in the air, like a sharp awl ruthlessly stabbing into the Emperor's heart.
The Emperor of the Nine and Five seemed to have suddenly aged ten years. His face, originally flushed with anger, had turned ashen. His lips were dry and trembling, as if he wanted to say something.
"Empress …" he said hoarsely.
Queen Wu did not say a word, standing straight in front of him.
"That wicked servant's actions should have nothing to do with others. The Prince of Yong has always respected his elder brothers and loved his younger siblings. He would not do such a disgraceful thing …"
However, as Queen Wu looked down at the Emperor, a hint of ridicule suddenly appeared in her eyes.
— — Just like back then, she thought.
This affectionate and benevolent monarch was indeed the same as in her memories. He had not changed in his entire life.
"Does Your Imperial Majesty remember Madam of Wei, Helan?" Queen Wu suddenly asked softly.
The Emperor stammered and did not speak.
"I still remember that on the year of Helan Min's death, Your Imperial Majesty was in court. Upon learning of her death, Your Imperial Majesty wept loudly on the spot. Compared to today, Your Imperial Majesty was even more heartbroken …" Queen Wu's voice paused, smiling as she continued, "Today, Your Imperial Majesty has shed less than a tenth of the tears you shed for the Crown Prince."
The several Prime Ministers all cautiously lowered their heads.
The Emperor's expression was slightly embarrassed, and he averted his gaze.
"Although Your Imperial Majesty is benevolent, that benevolence is a bit too biased.
Why did the Prince of Yong risk his life to take in Nalan Min Zhi? Why did he have ulterior motives for the position of Eastern Empress? These are all matters that you and I are well aware of. Don't you think that 'respect your elder brothers and love your younger siblings' is too laughable? "
Li Xian cried out involuntarily, "This son truly does not!
This son has absolutely no desire for the position of heir apparent. Imperial Father, please make a clear decision! "
"When did the Prince of Yong not respect his elder brothers and love?" The Emperor retorted with a trembling voice, "Did We say anything wrong?"
Queen Wu sneered.
"Is that so, Your Imperial Majesty?"
"The one he respects and loves is clearly his elder brother, Nalan Min Zhi. As for Crown Prince Li Hong and Princess Taiping, when have they ever been his siblings?!"
The Prime Ministers all looked at each other in dismay, their expressions as if they had been struck by lightning.
Shan Chao's pupils suddenly constricted. He had never expected that Queen Wu would actually, at this time, openly reveal the secret of the Prince of Yong's ancestry in front of these important ministers!
"Do you think that by temporarily protecting Helan Min Zhi, you can wash away the suspicion of the Prince of Yong?"
At his side, Xie Yun softly said, "Don't be naive, Grand General Dan. When the Empress wants to drag him into the water, she has a thousand ways to do so …"
"… Then what about you?" Shan Chao forced himself to speak in a low and hoarse voice, "If one day she wants to drag you into the water, what do you plan to do?"
"I'm already in the water," Xie Yun indifferently replied.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
The Emperor's face was filled with anger, but his overly sharp voice gave people a feeling of false bravado. He said, "How could Hong 'er and Taiping not be his siblings? Have you lost your mind?"
"Even if I lost my mind, I wouldn't remember wrongly how many children I gave birth to. I also wouldn't mistake my own sister's posthumous child for my own when I woke up!"
Queen Wu had just finished speaking when Li Xian's face turned deathly pale. "Mother, you, you …"
The Empress quickly stepped forward and grabbed Li Xian by the collar. Pointing at his face, she angrily said to the Emperor, "Out of respect for Your Imperial Majesty, I gritted my teeth and acknowledged this vile spawn. I announced to the public that I gave birth to him while paying respects to the Zhao Mausoleum. In these past twenty years, when have I ever mistreated him?
Have I ever eaten less than him? Have I ever worn less than him?! "
"Now that his wings have hardened, his ambitions have expanded. He took in Helan Min Zhi behind my back and caused the death of my own child!
He caused the death of my Great Tang's heir apparent! "
The Emperor flew into a rage out of humiliation. Several times, he wanted to interrupt her, but no sound came out of his mouth. His entire head and face were flushed red, his eyes bloodshot, and the veins on his forehead bulging. He looked extremely frightening.
"This treasonous bastard who fought against his own brother has now become the nominal eldest son of the first wife. He will also become the Emperor that you will all pledge your loyalty to tomorrow!"
Queen Wu abruptly turned around, her gorgeous red finger inlaid with pure gold pointing at the faces of the Prime Ministers one by one. She shouted, "Are you all willing to bow three times and kowtow nine times to this impure spawn and worship him as the Emperor?!"
Dai Zhide and the others all hesitated.
Although the Eastern Palace faction and the Empress were mortal enemies, the current situation was treacherous and difficult to distinguish. If the Prince of Yong was really suspected of causing the death of the Crown Prince, how could they not avenge the Crown Prince?
Taking ten thousand steps back, even if they were willing to pledge loyalty to the Prince of Yong and oppose the Empress with the Prince of Yong's faction, they would not necessarily meet a good end. The Prince of Yong had his own personal subordinates. Wasn't Nalan Minzhi, who had just been dragged away, the best example?
During this moment of hesitation, Queen Wu had already ruthlessly thrown the Prince of Yong to the ground. She loudly shouted, "Come, imperial guards!
The Prince of Yong, Li Xian, secretly hid a condemned prisoner and poisoned the Crown Prince to death. Immediately search the Prince's estate and take him to the Ministry of Justice's Imperial Prison! "
She had actually directly skipped the Supreme Court and went to the Ministry of Justice. It was obvious that she wanted the Prince of Yong's life.
Li Xian sorrowfully roared, "Imperial Father!"
Just as he finished speaking, the Emperor staggered to his feet, trying his best to stretch out his hand as if he wanted to stop something.
However, his facial muscles spasmed and his arms trembled violently. Despite exerting all his strength, he could only produce a gurgling sound from his throat. The bystanders could only hear a few muffled "Don't" and "Let go." Then, they saw the Emperor's eyes turn upside down, his entire body flipping backwards!
Cries of alarm rang out from all around, "Your Majesty!"
A strong wind whistled and a figure flashed. Shan Chao had already rushed forward, supporting the Emperor in the time it took for a spark to fly off a flint.
However, the Emperor's condition was extremely bad. His facial features were crooked and trembling, saliva flowing out from the corners of his mouth. It was as if he had been struck by a stroke!
This unforeseen event had occurred too suddenly. Even the Prime Ministers, who had experienced ups and downs in the bureaucracy for a long time, might not be able to immediately assess the severity of the situation. However, for some unknown reason, like some sort of intuition passed down through blood, the extremely complex political situation unraveled in Shan Chao's mind, instantly transforming into a clear thought:
The Crown Prince had already died, and the Prince of Yong had lost his power. If the Emperor were to suffer a stroke and become paralyzed, then there would be no power in the Great Ming Palace that could contend against Queen Wu.
What to do?!
The crowd in the main hall was stirred up. In a clear voice, Queen Wu shouted, "Why haven't you called for an Imperial Physician?!"
Shan Chao gasped for breath. Suddenly, he extended his hand and pressed on several major acupoints on the Emperor's head. Clenching his teeth, he continuously channeled his zhenqi into the Emperor's body.
This was actually very dangerous. After all, no one knew how the Emperor's condition was. After all, if the Emperor's head acupoints were to be stimulated, he would suddenly die.
However, stroke progresses extremely quickly, often occurring within a few breaths of time. If one did not make a prompt decision, by the time the Imperial Physician arrived, it would be too late to save the Emperor.
Since ancient times, how many Emperors could share trials and tribulations, but could not share riches and honor together? Queen Wu was no exception.
Once the cunning hare was dead, the hound was cooked, and the bow was put away when the birds were gone. Only when Queen Wu was in danger would Xie Yun, who she relied on, be the safest.
"What are you doing?" Queen Wu sternly shouted. She turned and hurriedly walked over, wanting to stop Shan Chao.
However, at this moment, Xie Yun, who was standing behind the chaotic crowd, flicked her fingers from within her sleeve.
An invisible force shot out like an arrow, instantly striking Queen Wu's knee!
Queen Wu staggered. Caught off guard, she almost fell. The palace servants cried out in alarm and rushed over.
In that short moment of time, the Emperor, who was under Shan Chao's hand, convulsed and opened his eyes. "Shan … General Shan …"
"Silence!"
Shan Chao turned around to face the crowd. His clear male voice, infused with inner strength, instantly suppressed everything.
"His Majesty has woken up. Quickly summon the Imperial Physician!"
Queen Wu stood up with the help of the palace servants. Her complexion suddenly changed.
"The Prince of Yong …" The Emperor's voice was unclear, but intermittent words could still be heard. "Escort the Prince of Yong back to his residence … Shan Chao and the Yulin Royal Guards guard him day and night. Do not enter or leave …"
"Bestow General Shan with a golden letter and an imperial sword. Anyone who attempts to resist, kill … kill without mercy!"
The Emperor struggled to get up under the shocked gazes of those around him. His chest leaked air like a bellows, and his throat emitted a terrifying sound of sputum being blocked.
Immediately after, his eyes rolled back and he completely fainted.