The Poisonous Consort, the Regent's Beloved

Chapter 226 Killing 9 Clans

His words revealed a hint of concern.

For him, this period of time is of paramount importance. If Ren Zhong falls ill or encounters any unexpected situation at this critical juncture, how will he win over the ministers in the court?

Upon hearing Xiao Junlin's question, Ren Zhong's towering shoulders trembled slightly before collapsing like a deflated balloon.

Then, he gently closed his eyes, looking exhausted, as if trying to hide the unease and anxiety deep inside.

A moment later, he abruptly turned his head away, no longer looking at Xiao Junlin.

Just as Xiao Junlin was still trying to figure out what had happened, suddenly, a deep and majestic voice, like the sound of a great bell, boomed from the high seat:

"After much deliberation, I believe that only the Crown Prince himself can handle this matter. Let the Crown Prince personally lead the army, 50,000 troops, and rush to the border to capture the regent who is plotting rebellion!"

These words were like a thunderclap in the air. The expression on Xiao Junlin's face, which had been as bright and excited as the spring sunshine, was instantly frozen by a sudden frost, and gradually disappeared from his face.

The ministers behind him, who had been eager to chime in, now seemed like a flock of frightened quails, their heads bowed and mouths tightly shut, afraid of offending the emperor.

"What does the Crown Prince think?"

The emperor's face was ashen, his sharp, hawk-like eyes fixed on Xiao Junlin, giving the other no time to breathe or think.

Xiao Junlin felt his throat go dry and a sense of panic wash over him.

He raised his head tremblingly, glanced quickly at the emperor's majestic face, and then lowered his head again like a frightened rabbit, stammering, "Father...Father, your son...I'm afraid I can't do it."

After saying that, he felt an invisible pressure pressing down on him like a mountain, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

"no?"

Upon hearing this, the emperor suddenly slammed his hand on the table in front of him and stood up abruptly.

The force of the slap caused the writing implements on the table to bounce several times, making a series of crackling sounds.

The emperor, his face contorted with rage, demanded, "You are the crown prince of a nation, bearing the heavy responsibility of the country. How can you so easily admit defeat? If you are so timid and hesitant, how can you shoulder the great responsibility of governing the country and ensuring its peace in the future!"

Xiao Junlin was startled by the emperor's sudden action, and his body trembled involuntarily.

Only then did he realize that he had fallen into a trap carefully set by the old emperor.

Thinking about how Ren Zhong had been desperately trying to signal to him with his eyes and give him instructions, while he had been so foolish as to not understand the deeper meaning at all, he was filled with remorse and wished he could immediately raise his hand and slap himself hard twice.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the study became unusually heavy and oppressive, as if even the air itself had frozen.

Xiao Junlin smacked his lips timidly a few times, wanting to explain something, but ultimately swallowed his words back.

He simply lowered his heavy head, silently enduring the emperor's majesty, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead and dripping onto the blue brick floor beneath his feet, forming a small, damp patch.

"Your Majesty, the Southern Xia Kingdom is now besieged on all sides and fraught with danger! At this critical moment, I dare to suggest that we must not allow internal strife to break out again."

Ren Zhong looked anxiously at the emperor on the dragon throne above, while also glaring fiercely at the crown prince beside him. He sighed inwardly: I really don't know what sins I committed in my past life to have such a good-for-nothing nephew!

At this moment, the emperor, high above all others, did not take the matter to heart. Instead, he suddenly said with a joyful expression, "My brother is still alive! This is a great joy, and the whole world should celebrate! What are you old folks trying to do, chattering away here and there?"

Having said that, the emperor ignored everyone else, turned to the eunuch Gao beside him, and waved to signal him to prepare to return to the palace.

However, at this moment, a minister suddenly stepped forward, clearly acting on Ren Zhong's instructions.

He declared righteously, "Your Majesty, while it is indeed fortunate that the Regent Prince escaped death, his concealment of his survival is a crime of deceiving the Emperor! According to the law, he should be severely punished and executed!"

Upon hearing this, the emperor, who had just lifted himself from his chair, slumped back down heavily. His previously joyful expression instantly turned gloomy, and his eyes revealed a hint of impatience.

His sharp, hawk-like gaze slowly swept over the assembled officials below, and he found that they all seemed to be looking at him expectantly, as if they couldn't wait to see him punish the regent.

"Boom!"

A deafening roar suddenly erupted in the study, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, catching everyone off guard.

In an instant, the exquisite teacup that was originally placed on the table instantly turned into countless fragments, which scattered and crashed all over the ground.

This sudden turn of events startled the several white-haired, white-bearded old men standing below, causing them to tremble involuntarily.

The emperor's face was full of anger, his eyes wide open as if he were about to breathe fire.

He suddenly stood up, his anger evident in his expression.

With a sudden, powerful strike, he slammed his palm down onto the solid wood table, creating several dents that clearly demonstrated the force of his blow.

"When the Regent was in danger, I personally ordered a thorough investigation, but you dared to cheat and deceive me! You found a corpse somewhere, attempting to use it to cover your tracks and fool me! Now that the truth has come out, instead of repenting, you are shifting the blame onto the Regent, falsely accusing him of deceiving the emperor!"

The emperor was furious, and his voice was as loud as a bell, echoing throughout the study.

As soon as he finished speaking, the emperor's eyes, filled with majesty and anger, shot straight at the old minister who had just spoken, like two sharp arrows.

Then, in a chilling tone, he continued, "Those who commit the crime of deceiving the emperor shall have their entire family executed! Lord He, do you intend to execute me as well?"