"Your Majesty, Tian Xuan Sect's calculations against Da Qian are truly outrageous!
I implore you to immediately depose Concubine Yu, expel her from the palace, and publicly expose all her schemes with Tian Xuan Sect against Da Qian!
This will serve as a warning to all nations, lest they fall prey to Tian Xuan Sect's stratagems again, unknowingly ceding their lands!"
The speaker was the King of Nan, standing in the center of the grand hall, clad in an extremely solemn official uniform.
His words were precise, his tone righteous, and the civil and military officials and their families in the hall couldn't help but feel a surge of shared indignation.
Nearly three hundred people echoed in unison: "We implore Your Majesty to cleanse the palace and exalt our nation's prestige!"
Meanwhile, the Fourth Elder had finished examining Yu Chuwei. Elder Yu anxiously asked, "How is Chuwei's condition?"
"She is in the early stages of pregnancy and hasn't rested well, but otherwise, she is fine."
This was undoubtedly good news for Yu Chuwei, but it placed Elder Yu and Bei Ming Kun in a difficult predicament, caught between a rock and a hard place.
Elder Yu squatted there, his face a mask of distress, unable to advance or retreat. Bei Ming Kun deflated like a punctured balloon, his arrogance extinguished.
Emperor Jing You gazed down at everyone from his elevated seat and said coldly, "You clamor for Da Qian to give you an explanation, demand the abdication of my sister-in-law, and wish to occupy the imperial consort's position and appoint a crown prince.
Now, isn't it time for Tian Xuan Sect to give Da Qian an explanation?"
Emperor Jing You pointed directly at Bei Ming Kun. "My demands are not excessive. Yu Chuwei, a concubine in the harem, colluded with Bei Ming Kun to commit adultery in the palace, confusing the royal bloodline.
She should have been granted poisoned wine or a silken noose, but in consideration of her pregnancy, her life is spared.
As for Bei Ming Kun, though not a subject of Da Qian, he has violated Da Qian's laws and must be judged by them."
As Emperor Jing You spoke, he suddenly raised his hand towards Bei Ming Kun. With a deafening "bang," a bullet pierced Bei Ming Kun's forehead, leaving a dark, smoking hole.
Bei Ming Xue, standing beside Bei Ming Kun, was so startled by the sudden sound that she screamed and covered her head.
Elder Yu was utterly shocked and, in his fury, forgot to address Emperor Jing You with proper respect. "Feng Xi Yan, how dare you?!"
"I am the Emperor of Da Qian. Those who dare to act with impunity in my realm face this consequence!"
Emperor Jing You slammed the pure gold handgun presented by Lu Qing Wan onto the table and declared loudly, "Tian Xuan Sect dispatched spies to infiltrate the Da Qian imperial palace to assassinate me, intending to seize control of my empire.
I have already drafted a state letter regarding this matter and distributed it to Xi Liang, Bei Wei, and Yun Qiang.
Effective immediately, Da Qian will lead the blockade of all trade and travel to and from Tian Xuan City!"
Emperor Jing You had actually shot and killed Bei Ming Kun. This act finally stirred the Fourth Elder, who had been observing from the sidelines.
He frowned and looked at Emperor Jing You. "Your Majesty's impulsive actions, have you not considered that by offending Tian Xuan Sect, how will Da Qian's merchants transport goods through Tian Xuan City in the future?
Or is your reputation as a wise ruler merely a façade, and you care nothing for the lives of your subjects in your pursuit of fleeting anger?"
The Fourth Elder's words were meant to remind Emperor Jing You that even if Tian Xuan Sect was at fault, they controlled the vital gateway for Da Qian's trade with Da Qin and surrounding countries, urging him to reconsider.
To his surprise, Emperor Jing You replied without hesitation, "You need not concern yourselves with that!
Da Qian has no need for such extortionate and exploitative toll gates!
Go back and tell Bei Ming Xiao that if he dares to extend his hand into Da Qian again, he should try to see if Da Qian's eight hundred thousand cavalry can break through the Thousand Mechanisms Gate of Tian Xuan City!
Guards, escort them out!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Xiao and a group of Shen Ce Camp soldiers spoke in unison, "Elder Yu, please!"
Elder Yu huffed in anger, bowed, picked up Yu Chuwei, and left filled with indignation.
The Fourth Elder and Bei Ming Xue dared not linger. Dragging Bei Ming Kun's corpse, they retreated in disgrace.
In the grand hall, the civil and military officials and their families were stunned by Emperor Jing You's sudden show of strength.
For a moment, the hall, capable of seating hundreds, fell into an absolute silence.
After a long pause, the King of Nan, as the Minister of War, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Tian Xuan Sect's scheme this time is truly detestable. Your Majesty killing Bei Ming Kun serves as a deterrent to Tian Xuan Sect, and it is not excessive.
However, if Tian Xuan Sect were to truly become enraged and completely cut off Da Qian's trade routes through Tian Xuan City to Da Qin and the northern kingdoms, in the long run, it may affect the nation's economy and the people's livelihood.
Should this matter not be discussed with the Sect Master of Tian Xuan Sect?"
"Yes, Father Emperor. Although Tian Xuan Sect was in the wrong first, we all know that their arrogance stems from their control over the strategic gateway of Tian Xuan City.
If we truly provoke them, I fear Da Qian will suffer even greater losses!"
Feng Qing Heng, believing his conspiracy with Tian Xuan Sect was unknown, spoke with a semblance of concern for the greater good, advocating for Tian Xuan Sect.
"Then, according to you, what should Da Qian do?
Should we remain indifferent to Tian Xuan Sect's machinations, or stand by and watch as they plot against Da Qian's throne?
Concubine Yu's child will need at least five years before they can barely ascend the throne. Before then, someone needs to legitimately safeguard the throne for them.
When that bastard grows up, the throne will be returned to them.
The person they chose is you, Prince Chen, which is why they told you that His Majesty was impersonated and that the Princess Consort intended to harm the Emperor, and you believed it immediately!"
Feng Xi Wu did not hide the sarcasm in his tone. "If I had not returned three days ago, would you truly have believed you could outlive His Majesty, convict me and the Princess Consort, and ascend the throne yourself?
You fool, working for others, they merely see you as a temporary tool to hold the throne!
When that bastard grows up, you, the tool, will be expected to abdicate. By then, you might not even know how you died!"
Feng Xi Wu's words were a mix of truth and falsehood, and Feng Qing Heng could not ascertain whether he knew about his collusion with Tian Xuan Sect.
However, after hearing Feng Xi Wu speak, he was still shocked. "No, it's impossible.
Concubine Yu never proactively requested a title, nor did she ever say she wanted her child to be emperor..."
These words were so foolish that even the ministers could not bear to listen. Lu Qing Wan could not help but unleash her full fury, attacking relentlessly.
"She didn't say it because she intended to use you!
Otherwise, why would the daughter of Tian Xuan Sect's Grand Elder remain anonymous in the palace as a mere maid, get pregnant with Bei Ming Kun's bastard, and then impersonate a Da Qian royal descendant!
If this isn't plotting to seize Da Qian's empire, then what is it?
Prince Chen, is that thing on your neck merely for decoration, to make you look taller?"
Feng Qing Heng had plotted against so many people; it was impossible for him to be truly this foolish.
It was just that this particular mistake was pointed out by Feng Xi Wu and Lu Qing Wan, two people he despised and disdained the most. He was unwilling to admit it and could only stubbornly deny it.
But clearly, his stubbornness was misplaced this time.
After being berated by Lu Qing Wan, as he was about to retort, the wine goblet by Emperor Jing You's hand was flung directly at his head.
"To be used without realization, how could I have such a foolish son? Return to your residence and reflect. Until summoned, do not enter the palace again!"