Chapter 216 Like a Dream

Chapter 216 Like a Dream

Everyone looked at the two almost identical faces of father and son, one big and one small, their demeanor and expressions were the same, even their indifference was the same.

They were all hoarse for a moment and couldn't utter a single word.

Xie Yu felt sorry for Cheng'er and continued to berate him: "When the Second Princess Consort lost the power struggle, what were her intentions in saying those words before she died? Don't you know?"

"Are you all afraid the world isn't chaotic enough? Do you only feel at ease when the Milky Way is in complete chaos?"

"I see that you are in high positions and have been used to enjoying life. You have never experienced the suffering of ordinary people."

"His Highness Prince Jing and his son are of one mind, a loving father and a filial son. Why do you insist on believing such nonsense, pretending to be blind, and getting a blood test?"

"If it weren't for the Second Imperial Concubine killing the late Emperor and Prince Jing, Yunhan would have been peaceful long ago. How could Yunhan have been invaded by the Cangjue?"

“You’re still speaking up for her, questioning this and that, and obstructing Prince Chengze’s registration. How are you any different from the Xue family?”

Xie Yan glanced at Xie Yu. He had come at just the right time; another one helping Cheng'er.

His expression was already cold, but when he saw Cheng'er's pale face, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

We must make an example of someone today to stop the rumors.

Those who jumped the hardest just now were all beyond his control, and Prime Minister Li's subordinates could take this opportunity to give them a warning.

Now is a good time to test Prime Minister Li's attitude.

"The Sixth Prince is absolutely right. You are all used to enjoying your high positions and have never experienced the suffering of the common people."

As Xie Yan spoke, he subtly took Cheng'er from Xie Yu's hands.

Cheng'er resisted being pulled to his side, so Xie Yan sighed slightly and had no choice but to press down on his little shoulder with one hand and hold his little hand tightly with the other.

"Lord Liu, Lord Wang, Lord Chen, and who else?"

Upon hearing Xie Yan call out names, the officials immediately sensed something was wrong and quickly hid behind others, shrinking their necks and acting like turtles.

He snorted coldly, "You are blind and ignorant, doubting that Cheng'er is not of my blood."

"I solemnly declare that Xie Chengze is my only son, and Xie Hongrui is not my son."

Xie Yan felt Cheng'er's stiff shoulders soften slightly, clearly still affected by the rumors.

My anger flared even more, and I felt a pang of heartache.

"If you all participate in spreading this nonsense, then the common people will become even more unscrupulous."

“In the future, my Cheng’er’s background will surely be fabricated into more versions by future generations, which will be detrimental to Cheng’er’s reputation.”

"If he becomes emperor, someone might use this as an excuse to cause trouble."

"The very foundation of the imperial court will also be shaken."

The officials who had been shouting the loudest were dumbfounded. Wasn't it just opposing the grandson of the emperor's ascension to the throne?

How did this involve the very foundation of the imperial court?

"Today, I am making an example of you three as an example to deter others. As officials of the court, you have committed the crimes of spreading rumors and slander without verifying the facts, which has damaged the reputation of my son, Xie Chengze."

"From this day forward, hand over your official seals and await dismissal and investigation."

Dismissal and investigation!

No official who could come to the palace and appeared here was below the fourth rank.

These people have worked their whole lives to get to this position.

They were not satisfied with just a few words of opposition when Prince Jing went on a killing spree.

The three officials immediately looked to Prime Minister Li for help. Prime Minister Li had his hands hidden in his sleeves, and at that moment he was practically grinding his teeth to powder.

He had been switching between the Xue family and Prince Ding, but now they have both lost.

He knew that Prince Jing would no longer give him an important position.

I intended to stir things up and let Prince Jing know that his influence in the court was not to be underestimated, and that he should not attempt to weaken or eliminate him.

Unexpectedly, Prince Jing is indeed a tough nut to crack; he dared to touch his people even before he ascended the throne.

Now that Luoyang is full of Prince Cheng's army, Prime Minister Li was worried that the fire would spread to him, so he instinctively hunched his shoulders, clearly not wanting to get involved.

The three adults realized that Prime Minister Li had given up on them.

They've toiled for most of their lives, and now they've been dismissed like this; they're not about to give up.

Immediately kneeling on the ground, Lord Liu said defiantly, "Your Highness Prince Jing, what we have said is merely honest advice that is hard to swallow. If Your Highness behaves like this, who in the court will dare to speak the truth in the future?"

"Honest advice is hard to swallow? Truth?" Xie Yan picked up Xie Chengze and made Lord Liu see him clearly: "Do you want to take another look? Do my son and I need your honest advice? Is what you're saying the truth?"

"Are you burying your head in the sand, or are you blinded by a leaf? My Cheng'er is not my own flesh and blood. You're spouting such lies, and now you're blaming me?"

Looking at the face that father and son shared, Lord Liu felt no resentment and was speechless.

Seeing that Liu was not enough, the other two simply gave up and begged for mercy, saying, "Your Highness Prince Jing, we were misled by slander and that's why we misunderstood the young prince."

"Your Highness, please consider our humble contributions and spare the three of us!"

“If we let you off the hook, others will still have a sense of impunity and use this as an excuse to make a fuss.”

The three knew they had run into a dangerous situation; Prince Jing was making an example of them to deter others.

They were finished. Knowing they were doomed, the three of them immediately changed their expressions.

"You have not yet declared yourself emperor, what right do you have to dismiss us from our posts?"

In an instant, the man who had been shouting was silenced by Lie Feng, who held a sword to his neck, and dared not utter another word of his arrogant and presumptuous speech.

Just as the second person was about to speak, Zhao Zhendong appeared and held a knife to the man's chest.

Seeing this, the third person immediately shut up to avoid further trouble.

For a moment, the hall was completely silent.

…

The farce has come to an end.

Xie Yan looked at Shen Minghan and said, "Grand Commandant Shen, I entrust this matter to you. You must uphold justice and enforce the law impartially."

Shen Minghan was slightly taken aback. Xie Yan wanted to restore him to his original official position?

Shen Nanzi was also a little uncomfortable. Xie Yan had never protected her brother before, and the two acted as if they didn't know each other when they met.

Now he has so easily restored his brother's position.

They've always been at odds, but now it seems like they've become a team.

This sudden change made her feel very unreal and uneasy.

The others also realized that Xie Yan was now giving important positions to the Shen family, and was not even bothering to hold Shen Taiwei accountable for hiding troops in the past.

Thinking that if Prince Chengze were to ascend the throne, the winds of the court would likely blow completely in favor of the Shen family.

Shen Minghan cupped his hands in greeting, "Your subject obeys the decree."

The guards immediately escorted the three officials out.

"Keep him locked up for now, we can deal with him after the coronation ceremony," Xie Yan instructed Shen Minghan, putting Xie Chengze down from his arm and holding his hand in the other.

He looked up at the crowd and asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"

Seeing the three officials dismissed, the others dared not provoke them and immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully obey Prince Jing's wishes and establish Prince Chengze as Emperor."

The voices of dozens of people were heavy and powerful, heralding the beginning of a new year.

Xie Yan looked at the sky outside the palace; it was just past Chen Shi (7-9 AM), and the morning light was just right.

"It's still early today, everyone, please continue with your duties and prepare for my son's coronation ceremony!"

After saying that, Xie Yan coughed lightly.

The imperial physician immediately frowned and advised, "Your Highness, you are not fully recovered yet. Please rest."

“It’s alright,” Xie Yan said, holding Xie Chengze’s hand as he watched the officials leave one after another.

Shen Nanzi stood there, feeling as if she were in a dream.