The emperor, who had always been amiable and smiled at everyone, finally...
Truly flew into a rage.
In the imperial court, everyone held their breath and dared not make a sound.
Especially those old officials who relied on their age. Feeling the pressure exerted by the young emperor on them at this moment, they all regretted having ever lectured the young emperor so casually.
Sometimes they even forgot that the emperor was the lord of the Great Yan Kingdom.
He had absolute control over everyone's life and death.
It was just that he had always seemed non - aggressive and even adhered to the principle of harmony for wealth when getting along with his officials and even servants.
As a result, everyone except Wei Ying thought that the emperor of the Great Yan Kingdom was easy to bully.
Now, enraged because of Wei Ying, those who had secretly disdained him felt a little scared.
Sure enough, for almost any emperor who ascended the throne voluntarily, the act of someone coveting his throne was a reverse scale.
...
Seeing that no one dared to speak, Xu Han boldly repeated the words that had just enraged the emperor.
"Your Majesty, the common people have quite a few complaints about the imprisonment of the Prince of Ning. Some are so ignorant that they don't understand the horror of colluding with the enemy. They only think that the Prince of Ning has led troops in many battles, so even if he has no great achievements, he has suffered hardships. Indeed, when it comes to our Great Yan Kingdom, the Prince of Ning is really a remarkable figure. Now that the evidence of the Prince of Ning colluding with the enemy is conclusive, Your Majesty, what do you think...?"
Don't delay any longer!
Seeing that Xu Han still insisted that the evidence was conclusive, the emperor resisted the urge to sneer.
If he were not the emperor of the Great Yan Kingdom.
If the Prince of Ning were not Wei Ying.
This incident would definitely create a rift between them.
However, he knew this uncle who was not much older than him too well.
On the surface, Wei Ying was gentle and harmless to others, but in fact, he was decisive and capable.
When he was a child, Wei Ying had saved his life when he was framed and fell into the water.
Later... when his imperial grandmother and father were still alive, out of childishness, he had once asked Wei Ying if he was interested in becoming the emperor.
As a result, he was doused with cold water and lectured on a lot of so - called principles.
The Prince of Ning really had no interest in power. Otherwise, he would have just stood by when the emperor fell into the water.
After all, at that time, he was the only prince.
Now, the Prince of Ning was being persecuted on such a pretext. It was really ridiculous.
...
Seeing that the emperor didn't respond, Xu Han felt a bit uneasy.
Although the emperor was generally good - tempered, his mind was unpredictable after all.
Sure enough, after a long silence in the hall, the emperor finally said coldly, "I've heard that some people have a rather close relationship with the Prince of Ning."
As soon as the words were out, an uproar filled the hall.
No one present was stupid. They naturally understood what the emperor meant.
It seemed that Wei Ying, the Prince of Ning, was really going to fall this time.
Those who were at odds with the Prince of Ning were secretly delighted. Those who were on good terms with him turned as pale as paper, and no one knew what was going on in their minds.
As for those who had been eager to curry favor with the Prince of Ning, they all beat their chests in regret.
The emperor glanced coldly at everyone's different reactions and sneered inwardly.
At this moment, human nature was laid bare.
Xu Han couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth. The emperor was finally taking action!
As a ruler, few people could tolerate such a situation.
The emperor continued coldly, "The Prince of Ning, Wei Ying, has had frequent correspondence with the people of Xiliang. Now that the evidence is conclusive, I've decided to depose the title of the Prince of Ning, demote him to a commoner, and exile him to the border for twenty years. Also, send people to thoroughly investigate those who have had close contacts with the Prince of Ning on a daily basis. I want to see if there are any who have supported him!"
Everyone was shocked. The emperor had actually deposed the title of the Prince of Ning and was going to exile him for twenty years.
Those who were implicated also looked timid.
Because the content was so astonishing, no one noticed that the emperor hadn't issued a clear imperial edict.
Even the suspicious Xu Han was only overjoyed.
After the elation, Xu Han bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. This old official has an impertinent request..."
"Speak." The emperor glanced at Xu Han and nodded for him to continue.
"My daughter, Xu Xin, was confined by the Prince of Ning... Wei Ying some days ago! A few days ago, she fainted suddenly after going hungry for many days. So this old official took the liberty of taking her back to the Xu Mansion." Xu Han looked indignant.
"Oh?" The emperor narrowed his eyes and stared at Xu Han, waiting for him to continue.
"He has never cared about Xin'er. Now this old official wants to plead for a divorce letter or an annulment letter for my poor daughter. As long as Your Majesty can grant my daughter freedom, this old official is willing to accept any punishment!" At this moment, Xu Han even shed tears, looking like a loving father who would rather sacrifice his own life to give his daughter freedom.
The emperor still looked expressionless, but he felt more and more disgusted with the Xu family in his heart.
During the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, Xu Xin had offended the Empress Dowager.
Later, when she was confined, Wei Ying had briefly told him about it.
She had tried to harm others but got herself involved instead, and then played the victim.
Now, the crafty Xu Han was also shifting the blame. Truly, birds of a feather flock together.
"This old official's love for his daughter is understandable. Although your daughter was once the concubine of the Prince of Ning, considering your righteousness in exposing the crime, your merits and demerits can be offset. So... I grant your request." Seemingly still in a rage, the emperor remained expressionless.
In fact, the emperor sneered at their behavior in his heart.
Previously, he had worried that after this incident, Xu Han might use the fact that his daughter was Wei Ying's concubine to do something.
Now, Xu Han had helped him solve this problem.
It would also set Wei Ying free.
Wei Ying would surely be very happy.
No, he must get Wei Ying to help him for a few more years when he got the chance!
Thinking of this, the emperor's anger gradually subsided.
...
Chu Qing, who had been staying quietly in the prison without any visitors, suddenly received a message that the queen wanted to question her.
Chu Qing resisted her surprise and calmly followed the messenger to a strange place.
They didn't enter the palace. Could it be that the queen had left the palace?
Then... after Chu Qing lifted a curtain, she saw steaming hot water. It turned out that the queen had secretly prepared hot water for her.
Although Chu Qing was a bit touched...
Her heart was in turmoil.
Fine! Not only did Wei Ying know that she smelled a bit after staying in the prison, but now the emperor and the queen also knew!
She had long lost her dignity!