The officials who were earnestly presenting evidence against the Seventh Prince saw Li Yuan’s expression nearly conceding, but suddenly he stood up.
Especially as his face changed dramatically.
Monts ago, his expression was clearly one of disappointnt at unt expectations, teetering on the edge of despair. Now, however, he was full of authority and joy.
"Saint Emperor?"
"Saint Emperor, though the Seventh Prince, as a prince, turned a blind eye to the cris of Consort Zhen’s family, is his heart truly with the Imperial family or the Jin family?"
"I also request severe punishnt for Consort Zhen..."
Though they didn’t understand why Li Yuan was suddenly acting this way, the officials were old foxes in the political scene, worried that Li Yuan was intentionally diverting attention, so, after a brief pause, they once again pressed the issue of harshly punishing the Seventh Prince.
A thin smile appeared at the corner of Li Yuan’s mouth.
He surveyed the court officials.
"Hahaha, hahaha..." Amidst everyone thinking they were about to succeed, he began to laugh heartily.
"..." The officials watched Li Yuan’s hearty laughter with suspicion, but no one dared to respond, nor dared to accompany his laughter.
No one knew why the Saint Emperor was laughing.
Not until ten breaths had passed, did Li Yuan’s laughter gradually dissipate.
"Saint Emperor, why laugh without reason?" An official finally asked out of confusion.
Li Yuan glanced at him, slightly raising his head: "Draft the decree! Consort Zhen’s father, Jin Zhaoyu, has been a pillar of the nation, relieving burdens for the ruler, benefitting the country and its people. He is to be granted the title Marquis Qingzhou and awarded nine honors, with a reward of ten thousand acres of Spirit Stones."
Thump~
"This..."
"A pillar of the nation? Relieving the ruler’s burdens?"
"Awarded nine honors?"
... In an instant, the entire court was shocked.
A decree was just issued confirming Jin Zhaoyu’s cris, even sentencing him to execution, so why suddenly bestow titles and honors?
"Saint Emperor, Jin Zhaoyu’s treason and betrayal, how can such rewards be bestowed? How can this settle the people’s hearts?"
"Please, Saint Emperor, guide us."
Li Yuan sneered, yet said nothing.
The reason he couldn’t avenge the citizens of Yong’an City was because once entangled with the Demon Race, Cangming Imperial City and Great Xia would certainly seize the opportunity to invade.
Now, Jin Zhaoyu went to such lengths to ensure that the Jiuli Dynasty wouldn’t invite disaster.
To prevent giving the Demon Race an excuse.
Thus, he naturally had to pretend ignorance.
However, such a significant matter wouldn’t take long to beco known nationwide, sparking a national celebration.
"Draft the decree, Consort Zhen is virtuous and benevolent, serving family and country, to be elevated to Consort Rong, residing in Huaqing Palace."
"The Seventh Prince is astute, loyal and righteous, courageous and wise, rewarded... with a million Spirit Stones, and entrusted with national affairs..."
Boom~
Consort Zhen elevated, Prince Qing entrusted with national affairs... What is going on here?
Entrusted with national affairs, isn’t this the oversight role previously held by the Crown Prince?
Does the Saint Emperor intend to establish the Seventh Prince as Crown Prince?
Instantly, the officials were shocked!
The Dragon Aspect suddenly opened his eyes, always calculating and composed, his heart suddenly raced.
Such generous rewards certainly ant the Seventh Prince had accomplished sothing major.
Yet he was unaware!
Of course, what unsettled him most was the Saint Emperor entrusting national affairs to the Seventh Prince.
To them, this was the greatest threat.
No matter what, the Seventh Prince must not return to court! He imdiately devised a plan.
anwhile, the ministers aligned with Consort Rong all broke out in cold sweat.
Having been bought off by Consort Rong, they banked heavily on the Ninth Prince’s potential.
The Crown Prince detained, should the Seventh Prince fall, the Ninth Prince would be the future heir.
But now, they had just united to overthrow the Seventh Prince, and the next mont, he’s entrusted with national affairs!
What hope is left for them?
----------
"Bang!" In Consort Rong’s residence, a priceless Liuli cup was shattered to pieces.
"What exactly is going on? Jin Zhaoyu was evidently colluding with enemy nations, conspiring with foreign races, you all promised he could be nailed down, yet why not only did he evade conviction, he was even honored?"
Old Qi has been away for nearly two months without any news, why suddenly is he entrusted with oversight responsibilities?
Who will tell this palace, what on earth happened?"
Consort Rong was furious.
The Ninth Prince Li Chaoyang was utterly stunned.
Yesterday, when Consort Rong contacted the officials, he overheard. He thought that today Old Qi would be taken down, the Crown Prince detained, leaving him with no rivals, the throne within reach.
Now, the Seventh Prince is nad by the Saint Emperor to oversee the realm!
No one could answer their questions.
Following impotent rage, Consort Rong waved the attendants away, then summoned the Hidden Guard from the shadows.
"Useless! I had you contact assassins, yet Old Qi retaliated within the swamp, and now after two months, not only did you fail, you don’t even know Old Qi’s whereabouts?"
"Forgive us, madam. This ti we’ve contacted Celestial Punishnt and Celestial Slaughter, there won’t be another failure."
"Celestial Punishnt and Celestial Slaughter? How many Spirit Stones?" Consort Rong was slightly taken aback.
The top assassins of the Celestial Punishnt force are from the Celestial Slaughter Division, possessing Divinity Transformation and skilled in deadly Secret Skills. A Prince of Great Xia once at the Refining Void level, heavily guarded, was assassinated by the assassins from the Celestial Slaughter Division.
"Celestial Punishnt stated that this ti they don’t require compensation; there’s sothing the Seventh Prince possesses that they need."
"Old Qi possesses sothing they need?" Consort Rong was further surprised.
"Indeed, after the previous attempted assassination failed, they discovered the reason. It’s because the Seventh Prince likely obtained the remnants of the Blood Fiend Celestial Venerable."
"Remnants of the Blood Fiend Celestial Venerable? No wonder he’s established his Dao Foundation so swiftly, he long acquired the Celestial Venerable Dao Fruit?"
"Apart from the Dao Fruit, the Blood Fiend Celestial Venerable was actually the founder of Celestial Punishnt, and the Seventh Prince likely inherited the Blood Fiend Celestial Venerable’s Dharma Realm."
"Hmm? Celestial Venerable Dharma Realm! What is miraculous about this realm?" Consort Rong instantly grew vigilant.
A Celestial Venerable’s possession, it can’t be ordinary.
"According to the master of Celestial Punishnt, the Blood Fiend Celestial Venerable’s realm contains infinite Blood Fiend spirits, and there’s a Golden Corpse equivalent to Tier Five nurtured within."
"rely a Tier Five Golden Corpse, how could it kill so many Celestial Punishnt assassins? Last ti, the assassins deployed were at the Divinity Transformation level." Consort Rong was puzzled.
"Because the realm of Blood Fiend Celestial Venerable has laws that isolate anyone above Divinity Transformation except its master. If a Divinity Transformation cultivator enters, they are transported away by the miraculous space within."
"I see!" Consort Rong suddenly understood.
Then furrowing her brows slightly: "If so, doesn’t Old Qi possess the Celestial Venerable’s realm, leaving him free of mortal danger unless a Celestial Venerable level intervenes?"
"Please rest assured, madam. Now that the master of Celestial Punishnt knows of the realm’s existence, they have ans to restrain it, ensuring the Seventh Prince is unable to hide within!"
"Good!" Consort Rong finally felt pleased.
anwhile, in the secret chamber of Prince Qing’s residence, nine clay figures emitted light once more.
Soon, discussions arose.
"This ti, we cannot allow the Seventh Prince to return! He must be slain!"
"Furthermore, swiftly uncover what truly transpired?"
"Exterminate all spies from the Jin family in Qingzhou, leave no traces."
"Now only the Seventh Prince’s demise ensures the Crown Prince’s reinstatent without incident."
"Ancestor, besides these thods, we cannot beco complacent; it’s ti to prepare all asures, better safe than sorry."
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