Chapter 73

Emperor Wu Lie was feeling weak and barely managed to sit up for a while before he started to lose strength. However, upon hearing the guard’s words, he squinted at Minister Chu, his gaze still cold and intimidating. “Injustice?”

“Your Majesty!” Consort De crawled forward on her knees, her face pale as she pleaded, “Your Majesty, my elder brother has always been loyal and has never done anything wrong. Today, he opposed the Grand Princess becoming the emperor for the sake of the country. He has no selfish motives, Your Majesty!”

Emperor Wu Lie impatiently said, “Silence.”

His orders were absolute.

Consort De immediately froze, unable to suppress a sense of fear and despair, but she dared not speak again.

Emperor Wu Lie was different from previous emperors. He had personally led military campaigns for many years and had developed a strict and unyielding temperament. The military rules were harsh, and he tolerated no questioning or opposition. His iron-fisted authority was deeply ingrained in everyone’s hearts, even in the court and the harem. Whenever he got angry, no matter how rebellious the minister was or how arrogant the consort was, no one dared to challenge his temper.

“Continue waiting,” Emperor Wu Lie closed his eyes, “Summon the imperial physician.”

“Yes,” Rong Chun obeyed. He quickly turned to leave the hall, instructed his apprentice to summon the imperial physician, and then quietly returned to the emperor’s side.

Consort De’s face was as pale as paper, tears streaming down as fear overwhelmed her.

Yan Donghuang was serious. She truly intended to destroy the Chu family. The emperor wanted Yan Donghuang to become the heir, and Yan Donghuang used her elder brother’s opposition to establish her authority. This ambitious wolf! She had treated her so well over the years, like a mother and daughter, yet she was so heartless?

The atmosphere in the hall grew even tenser, like a taut bowstring ready to snap. No one dared to speak lightly. Even Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi remained silent, their faces heavy with concern.

“Grand Tutor,” Emperor Wu Lie’s deep gaze fell on him, “You are old and should not kneel for long. Rong Chun, provide a seat.”

Grand Tutor Qi was terrified, “Your Majesty, this old minister dares not.”

“Is the Grand Tutor also opposing me?” Emperor Wulie’s tone was calm but filled with intimidating pressure, “The Qi family has always been loyal and noble but not stubborn. I do not wish to act against the Qi family or bring disgrace upon the noble families because of making Donghuang the heir. But if it comes to it, the Grand Tutor should know that I do not care about my reputation.”

A ruler who governs with benevolence worries about his reputation. However, since ascending the throne, Emperor Wu’s Lie has ruled with both kindness and severity. Kindness was genuine. He never hesitated to reward and promote meritorious officials and was willing to employ capable people regardless of their background. But he was also ruthless with corrupt officials, those who held back progress, and those with impure intentions. He never hesitated to kill or demote them, regardless of public opinion. So, his words to Grand Tutor Qi were a final gesture of respect and dignity from a ruler to his teacher.

Grand Tutor Qi understood his meaning. The emperor wanted loyal ministers, not rebellious ones. No matter how esteemed, anyone who opposed him on major decisions was unacceptable. In the past, minor punishments might have sufficed, but today, it was a matter of life and death.

Grand Tutor Qi lowered his eyes and remained silent for a long time before slowly bowing his head, “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He then stood up, assisted by a young eunuch, and took a seat at the front of the hall.

“Prime Minister,” Emperor Wu Lie’s gaze turned to Prime Minister Pei, “Which of my princes and princesses do you think is most like me in temperament?”

Prime Minister Pei was taken aback, then respectfully replied, “Princess Qingluan.”

Emperor Wu Lie asked again, “Who is the most capable?”

Prime Minister Pei paused, “Princess Qingluan.”

“Who has the most courage?”

“Princess Qingluan.”

“If there were foreign invaders in the future, who would be most capable of defending against them?”

“Princess Qingluan.” Prime Minister Pei lowered his head, giving the same answer, “I admire Princess Qingluan’s abilities and her unwavering determination to protect the country. However, I believe the Grand Princess is more suited for the battlefield—”

Emperor Wu Lie coldly interrupted, “Can you guarantee she will stay on the battlefield for her entire life?”

Prime Minister Pei was stunned into silence, unable to respond. He understood the emperor’s meaning.

Princess Qingluan’s military achievements were too great, and her abilities too strong. Future emperors might not be able to tolerate her—even though she was a woman, especially since the emperor intended to make Yan Donghuang the heir. If another prince ascended the throne in the future, today’s events would become a thorn in the new emperor’s side. Princess Qingluan’s existence would threaten the throne, and the new emperor would not tolerate her. The young, capable generals in the court were all under Princess Qingluan’s command. If something happened to her, they would be eliminated one by one. Although these were future possibilities, they were highly likely to occur, leading to internal strife in the Yong Dynasty. If the emperor lost, the throne would change hands; if Princess Qingluan lost, the Yong Dynasty’s military strength would suffer greatly.

Prime Minister Pei seemed to foresee the events of the next decade, his brows furrowing as he realized that once the emperor decided to make Yan Donghuang the heir, there was no other choice.

After a moment of silence, he replied, “Although the emperor’s decision breaks tradition and is unconventional, Princess Qingluan is indeed the only one who can ensure the Yong Dynasty’s continued strength. I have no objections.”

Upon hearing this, the princes’ faces changed, and they all turned to look at him.

“Prime Minister!”

“Prime Minister, a woman becoming emperor disrupts the natural order. How can you—”

“Third Prince,” Emperor Wu Lie’s voice was cold, with a hint of murderous intent, “Are you suggesting that I am senile and deliberately defying heaven?”

The Third Prince’s face turned pale, and he quickly bowed his head, “Your son did not mean that, Your Majesty! Please understand, Your Majesty—”

“Take him away,” Emperor Wu Lie waved his hand indifferently, “Thirty lashes.”

The remaining princes immediately fell silent. Does Father like the number thirty? Because thirty lashes won’t kill a person but will leave them severely injured and unable to speak?

The Third Prince was dragged out, not daring to continue pleading, fearing that his father would add another thirty lashes in anger, killing him outright.

“Your Majesty!” A guard hurriedly entered the hall, kneeling to report, “While searching the courtyard of Minister Chu’s eldest son, the Grand Princess found a young boy who had been chained for a long time. The Grand Princess ordered us to bring the boy here for Your Majesty and the ministers to see.”

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Minister Chu in astonishment.

A boy who had been chained for a long time?
Who could that be?

Emperor Wu Lie’s face was cold and stern, “Bring him in.

“Yes.”

Chapter 74

A young boy was carried in on a stretcher. Two guards, one in front and one behind, placed the boy on the ground, causing everyone present to gasp in shock.

Grand Tutor Qi even stood up involuntarily, staring at the boy on the stretcher in astonishment. “What… what does this mean?”

The boy on the stretcher was emaciated, his face pale and sickly, his body nothing but skin and bones. His clothes were dirty and stained with blood, clearly from long-term whipping. Most importantly, the boy’s wrists were bound with chains, making him look truly pitiful.

Minister Chu’s face turned ashen, and he trembled, unable to utter a word upon seeing the boy.

The boy struggled to get off the stretcher and knelt weakly on the floor. “Slave… greets Your Majesty.”

“Slave?” Emperor Wu Lie slowly sat up, his gaze falling on the boy’s face.

“How old are you?”

“Fourteen… maybe fifteen, this slave is not sure.”

Emperor Wu Lie didn’t want to ask him further and turned to the two guards who brought him in. “Explain, what is going on?”

“Your Majesty, this boy was found locked in the secret room of Minister Chu’s eldest son. When we found him, he was chained to a wooden bed. After we brought him out, the Grand Princess asked him a few questions. He said his name is Mingzhu, given by the eldest son, without a surname. However… however, a concubine of the Chu family cried and begged the princess, saying this boy is Minister Chu’s illegitimate son…”

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

The princes and ministers all looked at the boy, their hearts pounding. Anyone with eyes could see what the boy had endured.

Minister Chu, who claimed to be loyal, not only neglected his son but also allowed his eldest son to abuse his illegitimate son, treating him as a slave and torturing him.

Minister Chu trembled like a leaf, unable to say a word.

Rong Chun spoke softly, “Your Majesty, the imperial physicians have arrived.”

Two imperial physicians entered the hall and greeted the emperor.

Emperor Wu Lie raised his hand, indicating they could dispense with formalities. “I have many matters to attend to today. Imperial Physician Wen, prepare a bowl of ginseng soup to refresh me.”

Imperial Physician Wen respectfully replied, “Please allow this old minister to take Your Majesty’s pulse.”

Emperor Wu Lie nodded.

Imperial Physician Wen approached, knelt, and took the emperor’s pulse before leaving to prepare the soup.

“Imperial Physician Jiang,” Emperor Wu Lie pointed at the boy, “examine him. I want to know how corrupt the Chu family’s conduct has become.”

“Yes.”

Imperial Physician Jiang stepped forward and took the boy’s pulse.

The hall was silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

“This young master is severely malnourished, suffering from a long-term lack of food and sleep, leading to serious stomach issues and a weak constitution. He is in a state of constant tension, showing signs of stress. Additionally, his internal and external injuries are quite severe…” He paused, looking at Mingzhu. “I need to remove your clothes to examine your injuries. Do you consent?”

Mingzhu looked at him blankly.

Consent?
No one had ever asked him that question before.
Did he have the right to refuse?

He raised his chained hands and began to undress himself. As he removed his clothes from his shoulders, his pale skin was revealed, marked with scars of varying depths. Besides whip marks, there were also burns and other injuries.

Imperial Physician Jiang, moved by the boy’s overly submissive attitude, refrained from asking more questions. Everyone present understood that such treatment was not uncommon in noble families, though rarely brought to light. Of course, such extreme cases were less common. It was normal for noble officials or young masters to have certain preferences, with maids or servants warming their beds, visiting brothels at night, or indulging in private pleasures. But torturing someone to death was not unheard of. If this boy was indeed Minister Chu’s illegitimate son, then Minister Chu, his son, and even the wife who allowed this to happen were truly heartless.

Imperial Physician Jiang dressed the boy and turned to Emperor Wu Lie. “Your Majesty, his injuries are severe, and his body is greatly weakened. It will take a long time to recover.”

Emperor Wu Lie’s expression turned icy. “Where is the Chu family’s eldest son?”

“He has been detained at the Fengtian Gate,” the guard replied. “The Chu family’s wife has also been detained.”

Emperor Wu Lie showed his disgust. “Bring them here and execute them outside the hall.”

“Yes.”

Minister Chu collapsed to the ground in fear and despair. “Your… Your Majesty…”

“The Chu family’s crimes are too numerous to list. Just thinking about them disgusts me,” Emperor Wu Lie said coldly. “Rong Chun, draft an edict. The entire Chu family will be executed immediately. No need to wait until autumn. Behead them all. Leave no one alive!”

Rong Chun nodded. “Yes.”

Minister Chu fainted on the spot.

“As for this boy…” Emperor Wu Lie glanced at the emaciated Mingzhu. “Since Donghuang saved him, take him to the imperial hospital, heal his injuries, and restore his health. Then let Donghuang decide his fate.”

“Yes.” Imperial Physician Jiang turned to the guards. “Please carry him to the imperial hospital.”

The two guards quickly carried Mingzhu out. The hall remained deathly silent. Even Consort De, pale and trembling, dared not speak, feeling as if she were facing an impending disaster.

Yan Ming knelt motionless, head bowed, like a lifeless statue. The other princes were equally silent. Too much had happened today, too quickly.

They were unable to respond and lacked the courage to accept the reality.

They hadn’t expected their father to make Yan Donghuang the heir.

They hadn’t expected Minister Chu to be targeted by Yan Donghuang for his strong opposition.

They hadn’t expected the search of the Chu family to reveal evidence of Minister Chu’s corruption and the eldest son’s depravity.

They hadn’t expected the once-prominent eldest son of the Chu family to be executed in front of the hall today.

They hadn’t expected the Chu family, once royal relatives, to be executed entirely today.

They finally realized their father was not joking. He was serious about killing to establish Yan Donghuang’s authority.

“Your Majesty!” The heart-wrenching cries of the Chu family’s wife echoed from outside. “I am innocent! I am innocent!”

“Spare my life, Your Majesty! Spare my life!” The eldest son’s wails sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

Emperor Wu Lie frowned. “Gag them.”

Rong Chun hurried out and whispered, “Gag them quickly. If you disturb the emperor, your heads will roll.”

The Chu family’s mother and son were quickly gagged. The eldest son was pinned down outside the hall, the heavy staff falling on him repeatedly, causing him excruciating pain as he struggled and rolled. Since the emperor had ordered his execution by beating, the guards did not hold back, but four men held him down firmly, forcing him to endure the pain, his throat emitting agonized cries.

The Chu family’s wife knelt beside him, struggling in despair.

As Rong Chun turned to enter the hall, he noticed a tall, slender figure approaching from a distance, exuding an intimidating aura. He hurried into the hall and reported to Emperor Wu Lie, “Your Majesty, the Grand Princess has returned.”