Chapter 212 A Punishment Worse Than Death

Chapter 212 A Punishment Worse Than Death

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the golden dragon's horn was broken, and imperial power was swept away.

Pei Yunjing gave the ministers present no time to react. He did not need to summon the Ministry of Rites to draft an edict, nor did he need to consult with the imperial clan.

On this night when the strong reign supreme, the sword in his hand is the only decree.

"Reveal this king's decree."

Pei Yunjing, with his back to the slumped Zhao Yuan, scanned the entire scene, his voice cold:

"Emperor Zhao Yuan was immoral and corrupt, and persecuted loyal officials. He was not fit to inherit the throne."

"Effective immediately, he shall be reduced to a commoner."

In just a few words, all of Zhao Yuan's glory was stripped away.

There were no cumbersome procedures, and no hypocritical abdication.

That's how direct and brutal it is.

"No...no! I was appointed by the late emperor! I am the Son of Heaven!"

Zhao Yuan snapped out of his shock and screamed like a madman, "You can't depose me! This is treason! I refuse to accept this! I refuse to accept this!"

"You're not convinced?"

Pei Yunjing turned his head to the side, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.

He raised his hand.

Han Zheng immediately led two black-armored guards forward, and like dragging a dead dog, they lifted the still struggling deposed emperor up on either side and roughly ripped off the bright yellow dragon robe that symbolized the supreme ruler from his body.

He was left only in his white undergarment, shivering in the cold wind.

Killing him would be too lenient.

For someone who craves power but is utterly incompetent, losing power or living like a rat is the greatest torment.

"Throw him into the Imperial Clan Court."

Pei Yunjing waved his hand:

"In that vast world, reflect on the rest of your life."

"take away!"

"Uncle! Uncle, spare me! I was wrong! I don't want to go to the Imperial Clan Court!"

Zhao Yuan's cries faded into the distance, eventually disappearing behind the heavy palace gates.

After dealing with the younger ones, there's still the old one left.

Pei Yunjing turned around and looked towards the back of the main hall, in the direction leading to the inner palace.

"Is Your Highness going to Cining Palace?" Tang Li walked up and asked softly.

Pei Yunjing's brows furrowed instantly, his face revealing undisguised disgust:

"I'm not going."

"That old hag's palace is full of the smell of medicine and old people, it's very unlucky."

He reached out and smoothed Tang Li's sideburns, his tone softening:

"Moreover, I'm afraid that if I go there I won't be able to control myself and I'll cut her down with my sword."

The Empress Dowager's actions towards Tang Li, whether it was poisoning her or burning her at the stake, were all enough to warrant Pei Yunjing's wrath and torture.

"That……"

Tang Li blinked, a knowing smile playing on her lips:

"What?!"

"Perfect timing, I have a few accounts to settle with the Empress Dowager."

Pei Yunjing looked at her, a hint of doting in his eyes.

"Go."

He took a token from his waist—a gold token that could mobilize all the palace guards—and placed it in her hand.

"Do whatever you want, without any worries."

“If that old hag dares to go crazy and hurt you…” Pei Yunjing’s eyes turned cold, “then let the black-armored guards outside set fire to Cining Palace.”

"Don't worry." Tang Li gripped the token tightly, turned around and walked out of the hall. "I've prepared a... big gift for her."

...

Cining Palace.

The area is completely surrounded by the Black Armor Guards; not even a fly can get out.

The palace gates were tightly closed, and only a few dim oil lamps were lit inside the hall.

The palace maids and eunuchs who had served them before had long since disappeared, fearing being purged, leaving only a mess on the ground.

"Water...water..."

On the phoenix bed in the inner palace, the Empress Dowager was groaning in pain.

"Someone come here... I need some water..."

The Empress Dowager struggled to open her eyes, feeling as if she had swallowed a burning coal.

"Squeak—"

Just then, the tightly closed palace doors were slowly pushed open.

A gust of wind blew in, causing the curtains to flutter wildly.

"Who is it? Is it Granny Gui?"

The Empress Dowager's vision was somewhat blurry, and she couldn't see the person coming. She could only see a red figure walking against the light.

"Water... give water to the Aijia quickly..."

The red figure didn't move; it simply stood quietly in front of the bed, looking down at her.

The Empress Dowager finally realized that something was wrong.

She strained to open her eyes wide, her gaze gradually focusing.

What came into view was an exquisitely beautiful face, yet as cold as ice.

In this gloomy palace, this person dressed in red, so red it was blinding, looked like a vengeful ghost coming to claim a life.

"It's you..."

The Empress Dowager's pupils contracted violently, her body instinctively shrinking towards the corner of the bed, letting out a scream from the depths of her soul:

"Witch!!!"

"You...you stay away!"

Tang Li looked at this woman who was once arrogant but now acted like a mad dog and slowly curled the corners of her lips.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

Her voice was soft, yet it resonated deeply in the empty hall.

"Didn't you want to exorcise the evil spirits from me?"

"Now... I'm here."