Chapter 209 A New Year Has Arrived

Chapter 209 A New Year Has Arrived

"Your Majesty!" Several senior officials exclaimed in surprise, wanting to step forward to check, but fearing the sword-wielding Imperial Uncle Shen, they dared not make any rash moves.

Everyone looked at the unconscious emperor on the throne, and then at Li Yuanzhao, who was sitting in the same seat with no expression on his face.

Everyone was eager to know how this noble princess would react after learning that her own father had killed her own mother.

"Uncle, put down your sword." Li Yuanzhao finally spoke, his voice devoid of any emotion.

Shen Guojiu's face turned bright red, and the veins on his hand gripping the sword hilt bulged.

How could he not want to kill Li Ye with a single sword strike?

He knew he couldn't!

Even if it is true that Li Ye killed his wife, he is still the emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty.

If he were to kill him in public, he would become a traitor who plotted rebellion and murdered the emperor, just like Cui Shiliang.

It doesn't matter if he dies, but it will also implicate the eldest princess, causing her to suffer the same infamy.

But……

He was simply unwilling to accept it!

He hated not only Li Ye, but also himself.

Why have we been kept in the dark for so many years, never discovering the truth?

He actually treated his sister's killer as his brother-in-law, helping him expand his territory and stabilize the border.

How foolish!

The Duke of Liang, standing to the side, was also filled with turmoil, his old face full of regret.

As the general's closest deputy, he fought alongside the general in those years.

Even after the general's death, she remained loyal to her husband.

Now he discovers that the person he has served for so many years is actually the general's enemy!

The guilt and anger almost suffocated him.

He slumped into the chair, his eyes blank, seemingly lost in thought.

Seeing that her father was reluctant to let go, Shen Churong quickly stepped forward and pulled him back, lowering her voice to persuade him, "Father, believe in Her Highness, she will definitely give Aunt justice."

Shen Guojiu looked up at Li Yuanzhao, gritted his teeth, and finally threw the sword to the ground with a clang.

"I was impulsive and offended you just now. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Li Yuanzhao said calmly, "It's only human nature, what crime is there in it? Guards, help the Imperial Uncle Shen and the Duke of Liang to rest."

After the two left, Li Yuanzhao looked at Cui Yunyi.

"The evidence of Cui's treason is conclusive. He shall be imprisoned in the imperial prison and executed on a later date. All members of the Cui and Feng families shall be detained and await trial. All those who have close ties with the Cui family shall be arrested and brought to justice without exception."

At the beginning of the banquet, in front of civil and military officials and envoys from various countries, the Emperor handed over the power of the Six Ministries to the Princess.

Therefore, now that His Majesty is unconscious, it is perfectly legitimate for the Eldest Princess to oversee the country and govern.

None of the prince's civil and military officials objected; they all bowed and accepted the order.

Li Yuanzhao's gaze then fell on Li Yuanshu, who had been kneeling all night. "As for Li Yuanshu..."

She had barely opened her mouth when Cui Yunyi abruptly interrupted her, "The Cui family's rebellion was planned by my brother and me alone, and had nothing to do with Yuan Shu! She knew nothing about it!"

She looked at Li Yuanzhao, her eyes filled with a final plea, "Please, Princess, spare her life for the sake of me revealing the truth about the Empress's death!"

After she finished speaking, she took one last deep look at Li Yuanshu.

Li Yuanshu felt a pang in his heart when he saw her resolute gaze.

Before she could speak, Cui Yunyi suddenly broke free from the imperial guards' restraints and rushed towards the pillars of the main hall like a madwoman, slamming hard into one of them.

Li Yuanshu's eyes widened in horror as he let out a piercing scream, "Mother!"

But Cui Yunyi's body had already slowly collapsed.

Before she closed her eyes, she looked at Li Ye in the main hall one last time and whispered, "Li Ye... I... am waiting for you... in hell..."

Everyone was stunned by this sudden act of martyrdom, and the hall fell silent once again.

Li Yuanshu cried out and crawled toward Cui Yunyi's corpse, but was held down by the Imperial Guards and could not move. He could only watch helplessly as his mother's bloodstains spread on the blue bricks.

Upon seeing this, Li Yuanzhao merely frowned slightly and continued issuing orders in a completely calm tone.

"Princess Li Yuanshu has repeatedly worked for the Cui family and is suspected of treason. Considering that she took the initiative to expose the Cui family's crimes, she is demoted to a commoner and exiled to Qianzhou. She is forbidden from returning to the capital for eternity without an imperial edict."

Li Yuanshu then raised his head to look at Li Yuanzhao, his eyes filled with astonishment.

Why would Li Yuanzhao spare her life?

She stopped struggling and let the Imperial Guards drag her away by holding her arms.

Li Yuanzhao spoke again, "As for the Second Prince Li Yuanyou..."

She paused before saying, "Considering his status as a nun, he is spared the death penalty, demoted to a commoner, and allowed to cultivate the Tao for eternity, but is forbidden from leaving the temple even a step."

"Your Highness!" An old minister suddenly stepped forward. "The Second Prince knew nothing about the rebellion. It was all a scheme by the Cui family and the Imperial Concubine. This punishment is truly unfair to him!"

Li Yuanzhao's sharp gaze shot directly at him, "The Cui family plotted a rebellion with the aim of pushing Li Yuanyou to the throne. Did they reap all the benefits of the rebellion? Now that the rebellion has failed, can they simply walk away with a claim of knowing nothing about it?"

Upon hearing this, Lord Sun's expression changed, but he continued to argue, "I believe this matter should be addressed after His Majesty awakens..."

Li Yuanzhao interrupted him directly, "Since Lord Sun is so concerned about the Second Prince, then I will send you to accompany him and cultivate together."

After she finished speaking, she waved her hand, and two imperial guards stepped forward.

Seeing that things were not going well, Lord Sun immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! I know I was wrong! I was just talking nonsense. Please forgive me!"

But the Imperial Guards had already stepped forward and grabbed him, dragging him away no matter how much he begged for mercy.

Li Yuanzhao scanned the officials in the hall, "Does anyone else have any objections?"

Everyone knelt down and kowtowed in unison, their voices filled with awe: "We have no objection!"

Everyone realized that the world of Daqi seemed to have changed completely that night.

Li Yuanzhao finally looked at Li Ye, who was lying unconscious on the ground.

She frowned and calmly ordered, "Someone, take Father back to his palace and ask Physician Lin to take good care of him."

"Yes!" Several eunuchs hurriedly stepped forward, carefully helped Li Ye up, and then quickly withdrew.

After everything was settled, Li Yuanzhao stood up, his gaze sweeping over the officials still kneeling in the hall, his voice steady and powerful.

"Although there were some setbacks at today's New Year's Eve banquet, the rebellion has been quelled and the truth has been revealed. My father is unwell and can no longer handle the workload. From this day forward, all matters of state, large and small, shall be reported to me in accordance with regulations."

"You are all pillars of the Great Qi Dynasty. You should prioritize national affairs, fulfill your duties, and work together to support the nation."

At this point, her tone became more authoritative, "This matter ends here. No one is allowed to discuss it privately, let alone spread rumors or cause trouble. Anyone who violates this rule will be treated as an accomplice to treason."

"It's getting late, let's call it a night."

After saying this, Li Yuanzhao said no more and walked out of the hall.

The officials in the hall immediately shouted in unison, "Respectfully seeing off Her Highness the Eldest Princess!"

When Li Yuanzhao stepped outside the palace, he noticed that the sky was already beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

The new year has arrived...