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

"Your Highness!" In the civil service, an official in his fifties, with a thin face and three long wisps of beard, wearing a scarlet robe, stepped forward first, holding an ivory tablet, and bowed loudly.

This person was Yan Song, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, who was known for his "upright character" and adherence to etiquette and law, and was also one of the leaders of the upright officials in the court.

He had no connection with the Third Prince, but he never expressed support for Yun Jin.

"What are your thoughts, Imperial Censor Yan?" Yun Jin asked, her expression unchanged.

"Your Highness is humble and open-minded, and readily accepts good advice. We are deeply grateful." Yan Song said respectfully, but then changed the subject.

"However, I have something to say that I cannot keep from speaking out, even though I know it may offend Your Highness. But for the sake of the country and the laws of our ancestors, I must speak out!"

coming.

Many people inside the hall felt a chill run down their spines.

"Imperial Censor Yan, please speak freely. As I have said, speak your mind," Yun Jin said calmly.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Yan Song straightened up, his eyes bright, his voice suddenly rising, carrying a sorrowful and compassionate tone.

"Since the founding of our dynasty by Emperor Taizu Gao, who established his rule over the world, it has lasted for three hundred years!"

All the emperors of the past dynasties were diligent in governing and caring for the people, working day and night, which is why we have today's peaceful and prosperous world.

This is the wise teaching of the sages, and also the correct way of Yin and Yang in the universe!

"When a woman interferes in politics, it is not a blessing for the country, but rather the beginning of chaos!"

His words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake!

Many officials' expressions changed drastically; some were secretly pleased, some were worried, and many more held their breath, looking up at the imperial steps.

Yun Jin's face remained expressionless as she quietly watched him, as if listening to something that had nothing to do with her.

Seeing that Yun Jin did not interrupt, Yan Song became even bolder and continued his impassioned speech.

"After the fall of the Tianming Dynasty, Empress Lin Chu of the Tianming Empire ruled as the female ruler. At first, she might have shown some small favors, but in the end, she wreaked havoc in the palace, slaughtered members of the royal family, harmed meritorious officials, and shook the foundation of the country!"

Although Your Highness is of the late Emperor's bloodline and has rendered meritorious service to the country, you are ultimately a woman.

A woman should be virtuous in her gentleness and chastity, and should be a good wife and mother. This is the right way.

Now, Your Highness, as a princess, is acting as regent, taking control of the court and deciding all affairs of state. This not only violates the established laws of our ancestors, but also reverses the natural order and disrupts the moral order!

If this continues, it may invite divine retribution, bringing disaster upon the court and harming the common people!

Your Highness, I humbly request that you prioritize the well-being of the nation and the people, follow ancient rites, return power to the court, and retire to the inner palace to enjoy your remaining years!

In this way, it will be in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, bringing joy to our ancestors and peace to the world!

He spoke with tears streaming down his face, and at the height of his emotion, he even knelt down, his forehead hitting the ground with a loud thud, appearing as a loyal minister who was willing to die for his country and people.

"I second that proposal!"

"What Lord Yan said is truly wise and insightful advice for governing the country, invaluable wisdom! Your Highness, please reconsider!"

"A empress ruling as regent is not a blessing for the country. Your Highness, please return power to the emperor!"

As soon as Yan Song finished speaking, seven or eight officials stepped forward from the civil service line, knelt down in unison, and loudly echoed his words.

These people were mostly upright officials from the Hanlin Academy, the Imperial College, and the Ministry of Rites, who were either on good terms with Yan Song or were extremely opposed to female regency.

Their voices echoed within the hall, creating a considerable sound wave.

Among the ranks of military officers, Zhou Bo, Zhao Jianing, and others wore angry expressions, their hands on their sword hilts, looking at Marquis Weiyuan.

Marquis Weiyuan frowned, but did not speak immediately. He was waiting for Yun Jin's reaction.

Su Che remained standing with his eyes down, seemingly detached from the situation, but a barely perceptible smile played at the corners of his lips, a smile that seemed both mocking and expectant.

All eyes were once again focused on Yun Jin.

How will this young regent princess handle this first and most challenging situation?

Was it a sudden outburst of anger, followed by a stern rebuke?

Is it about swallowing one's anger and feigning compliance?

Or...should I refute it with reason and evidence?

Yun Jin looked quietly at Yan Song and the others kneeling below, her face showing no anger, but instead she sighed softly.

"Imperial Censor Yan, and all other officials, please rise." Her voice remained calm.

Yan Song and the others were taken aback and hesitated before getting up.

"Imperial Censor Yan cites classical texts and is deeply concerned about the country and its people; his heart is commendable," Yun Jin said slowly, her gaze gradually sharpening.

"However, I have a few questions that I would like to ask Imperial Censor Yan and the other officials."

"Your Highness, please ask." Yan Song cupped his hands, his posture still respectful, but a hint of certainty flashed in his eyes.

He was confident that he was well-versed in poetry and literature, and that his knowledge of classics and etiquette was far beyond what a woman in the inner palace could achieve.

"My first question," Yun Jin looked at him, "Imperial Censor Yan said, 'Empress Tianming has brought chaos to the country. I would like to ask, is the chaos in the empire due to the fact that they are women, or due to their inhumane governance, improper appointment of officials, and the breakdown of discipline?'"

Yan Song was taken aback, not expecting Yun Jin to not directly refute "women's interference in politics," but instead to ask for specific reasons.

He thought for a moment and replied, "Naturally... it's because his governance is inhumane and perverse..."

"Then," Yun Jin interrupted him, her gaze sweeping over the other officials.

"If a man were to rule, govern inhumanely, appoint the wrong people, and corrupt the social order, wouldn't that also lead to national chaos and even the downfall of the country? Other empires were all ruled by men, so why did their countries perish?"

The hall was completely silent.

This is a sharp and direct question.

Yes, most of the rulers of fallen kingdoms were men. How can this be explained?

Yan Song's expression changed slightly, and he argued forcefully, "This...this is a case of a ruler's moral failings leading to his own destruction, and has nothing to do with men or women. However, women interfering in politics is inherently contrary to the natural order of Yin and Yang, easily inviting disaster; this is an innate flaw!"

"Okay, the second question." Yun Jin didn't dwell on the mysterious concept of "Heavenly Dao Yin Yang" and continued to ask.

"Imperial Censor Yan demands that I return power to the court. Then, may I ask, to which 'court' should power be returned? Should it be returned to the gentlemen present here?"

Her gaze swept over everyone again: "When the late emperor was alive, there were princes in the court who formed cliques and engaged in private activities, and there were princes who colluded with foreign vassals to plot against the emperor and his father!"

If it weren't for the late emperor's keen insight and my own good fortune, the person sitting in the Zichen Palace right now would probably not be a descendant of the Yun family, and I don't know who would have gotten this empire!

Is this the "court" that Imperial Censor Yan spoke of? Is returning state power to such a "court" truly a blessing for the nation and its people?

That's even stronger!

He directly exposed the Third Prince's plot to rebel and implied that many people in the court had colluded with him.

Many officials, especially those who had dealings with the Third Prince or whose stance was ambiguous, turned pale and lowered their heads.

Yan Song was also speechless. He couldn't very well say that the Third Prince was right, or that everyone in the court was a loyal minister.