The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

"Father! Your son is innocent!" Yun Huan knelt down with a thud, banging his head on the ground, his voice filled with sorrow.

"These...these are all deliberate frame-ups! It's...it's Jingguo! It's her! She resents me, colludes with Su Zhe, fabricates evidence, frames me, and tries to seize the throne! Father, you mustn't listen to slander!"

He actually pointed the finger at Yun Jin and Su Che, trying to muddy the waters.

The last trace of warmth vanished from the emperor's eyes, leaving only cold disgust.

"Even now, you still dare to deny it? Feng Kun's confession, Liu Jin's admission, and... the secret letters between you and Mr. Jia are all here! Should I... read them aloud in public, so that all my beloved ministers can hear how you, this 'wise prince,' colluded with the rebellious princes, murdered your own sister, and poisoned your emperor and father?!"

As he spoke, he took out a thick stack of documents from his sleeve and slammed them onto the imperial desk!

The crashing sound was particularly jarring in the silent hall.

That was a collection of irrefutable evidence of the Third Prince's crimes, compiled by Su Che over the past few days using all the power of "Di Ting," along with the testimonies of Liu Jin and Feng Kun's confidants, and letters that had not yet been destroyed and were found in Mr. Jia's secret hideout.

Although not all of them, they were deadly enough.

The third prince looked at the stack of documents as if he had seen a ghost. His face turned from white to green, then from green to purple, and his whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.

He knew that since his father dared to bring it up in public, he must have solid evidence and would not give him any room to maneuver.

"Father...Father! Your son...your son was confused for a moment! He was deceived by that treacherous Mr. Jia! It was...it was your son who was blinded by greed! I beg you, Father, for the sake of Mother, for the sake of my past...for my past dedication to the affairs of the state, spare my life! I am willing...willing to guard the imperial tombs and never leave again!"

He could no longer maintain his composure, tears streaming down his face, and he kowtowed repeatedly until blood appeared on his forehead.

However, the emperor saw only coldness and resoluteness.

"A moment of folly? Colluding with foreign vassals, plotting against the imperial envoy, poisoning the emperor and father—is this a moment of folly? Yun Huan, do you still have even a shred of fatherly affection, loyalty to the emperor, or basic human decency?! I have no son like you!"

He suddenly raised his voice and roared with his last bit of strength.

"Guards! Seize the rebellious son Yun Huan! Remove his official hat and sash, and throw him into the imperial prison to await his fate!"

Outside the palace, several imperial guards who had been prepared entered in response to the call and headed straight for the Third Prince.

"Father! No! Father!" Yun Huan screamed in terror, struggling to back away, but was firmly held down by the guards, who roughly removed his jade crown and tore off his python robe.

"Your Majesty!" Several officials from the Third Prince's faction, seeing their master being arrested, rushed forward in an attempt to stop him or plead for his life.

"Hmm?" The emperor's gaze swept over the group with lightning speed. "You... also wish to share his punishment?"

Those people immediately felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave, frozen in place, and dared not say another word.

Under the watchful eyes of the court officials, some filled with fear, others with mixed feelings, some with satisfaction, and still others with numbness, the Third Prince Yun Huan, who had once enjoyed boundless glory and was only one step away from the throne, was dragged out like a dead dog. His mournful cries and curses gradually faded into the distance in the long corridor outside the palace, until they could no longer be heard.

Inside the palace, there was a deathly silence. The only sound was the emperor's heavy, bellows-like breathing.

Many officials were drenched in cold sweat.

They knew that tonight, bloodshed was inevitable.

The Third Prince's faction is finished.

"The second matter," the emperor said, his breathing slightly calmer, his gaze falling on Marquis Weiyuan, then sweeping over the assembled officials. His voice grew even weaker, yet carried an undeniable solemnity, "I... know my time is near. The country cannot be without a ruler for even a day. The heir... should be decided as soon as possible, to reassure the hearts of the people."

It's here! It's finally here!

Everyone's heart was pounding.

This is the real highlight of the night!

The eldest prince has "died of illness," the third prince has just been removed from office, and the remaining adult princes are either too young, mediocre, or far away in their fiefdoms... Who will inherit the throne?

Could it really be... that Princess Zhenguo, who lives far away in the south?

With trembling hands, the emperor took out an edict from his robes, already written on bright yellow silk and stamped with the Imperial Seal, and handed it to the eunuch beside him: "Read it."

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies took it with both hands, unfolded it, and read aloud in his high-pitched yet solemn voice:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, with my meager virtue, have inherited this great foundation, and it has been thirty-seven years since then."

They worked diligently day and night, without a moment's rest.

Unfortunately, Heaven did not grant me a long life, and my illness worsened day by day. I fear that entrusting him with my care will be ineffective, thus tarnishing the wisdom of the late Emperor.

The fourth prince, Yunzhang, is my youngest son. Although he is still young, he is naturally kind and filial, and his intelligence is exceptional.

He is hereby established as Crown Prince, to occupy the Eastern Palace, so as to ensure the dynasty's longevity and to unite the hearts of the people throughout the land.

The fourth prince, Yunzhang? That young boy who was only six years old and whose mother was of low rank?

Many officials were taken aback, then suddenly realized.

This is to prevent adult princes from vying for the throne, and also to pave the way for... the regent!

really--

"However, the crown prince is young and needs wise ministers to assist him."

Princess Yun Jin, the eldest daughter of the Emperor, is gentle, virtuous, intelligent, and courageous. She has repeatedly achieved great feats and enjoys the deep trust of the people. She is worthy of being entrusted with important matters.

She is hereby granted the title of Regent Princess, in charge of all government affairs, and all important military and national matters shall be decided by her!

Marquis Zhao Qingcang of Weiyuan is a pillar of the state, mature and prudent. He is hereby granted the title of Grand General Assisting the Regent, to jointly manage military and state affairs with the Regent Princess and assist the young ruler!

I hope that you will all be of one mind and one heart, carry on my will, and ensure the eternal stability of my land and the long-term peace of my nation.

So be it!

Regent Princess!

Grand General Who Assists in Governance!

A will passed down the highest authority of the empire to Princess Yun Jin, the Grand Princess of the State, and Marquis Zhao Qingcang, the Marquis of Weiyuan!

Although there was a precedent set by Empress Wu Zetian, it was unprecedented in this dynasty for a princess to act as regent!

However, considering Yun Jin's achievements in recent years, the current crisis, and the military support from Marquis Weiyuan, this seems to be the only option that can stabilize the overall situation.

After all, adult princes are either incompetent or guilty, and young rulers need strong regents.

Yun Jin and Marquis Weiyuan, one a scholar and the other a warrior, one internal and the other external, complement each other perfectly, and both are utterly loyal to the emperor and the court.

Many officials were already calculating how to show their loyalty to the "Regent Princess" who was about to wield immense power.

However, just when everyone thought the situation was settled and was preparing to shout and receive the imperial decree—

"Father! Your son refuses to submit!"