Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Clay, the Creator of All Things

Barons are out of the question; court nobles without fiefdoms are not qualified to attend court assemblies of this caliber.

Even ordinary viscounts might not be eligible if they did not hold a certain official position.

Of course, Lu Yan was an exception; whether he wanted to participate or not was entirely up to his personal will.

Given his status and position, he had long since transcended the category of so-called nobles and viscounts.

The title of viscount was, in all his identities, the least significant one.

After Lu Yan and Xue Qinghe arrived in the capital, Xue Qinghe, as the crown prince, still had to observe the proper etiquette.

As for Lu Yan, well, he's naturally too lazy to play these fancy games.

Under Xue Qinghe's arrangement, a servant led him to a side hall to rest.

Thus, while Lu Yan was leisurely enjoying his time, the series of procedures of the court assembly reached the stage of presenting memorials and discussing matters.

In the main hall of the imperial court, civil and military officials lined up on both sides.

The magnificent and dignified court robes and brocade official robes were arranged in a staggered pattern. In the silence, only the cold wind outside the hall passed through the corridor, carrying a biting chill.

Even without prior warning, many officials had already vaguely sensed that today's court meeting was unusual.

After all, the court assemblies of the past were not as heavily guarded as they are today.

Even the Imperial Guards on duty seemed much more imposing than usual.

On the dragon throne, Emperor Xueye sat upright as usual, his face seemingly dignified, but there was a hint of tension hidden in his eyes, and his gaze frequently swept towards the position of the Crown Prince's line.

Dressed in the Crown Prince's court robes, Xue Qinghe stood tall and straight in front of the officials, his face refined and calm. He remained unfazed by the subtle scrutinizing gazes around him.

They seemed completely unaware of the impending storm.

"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"

The eunuch's high-pitched voice echoed in the hall. As soon as he finished speaking, a veteran noble minister dressed in high-ranking court attire suddenly stepped forward from the ranks of the princes.

Holding his court tablet, he bowed deeply and then raised his voice sharply: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!"

"Granted," Emperor Xueye said calmly.

"Your Majesty, I impeach the Relief Association under the Crown Prince for harboring rebels, manipulating public sentiment, using the guise of providing relief to the common people to actually win them over, secretly expanding its power, and disregarding imperial laws. This is truly an act that harms the country and its people. I beseech Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate the Relief Association and the Crown Prince's negligence!"

These words caused an uproar in the hall.

This first shot was aimed directly at the relief association, and also at Prince Xue Qinghe.

Before Xue Qinghe could speak, another noble official stepped forward and followed closely behind: "I second that! The Relief Association controls half of the people's livelihood in Tiandou. The people only know the Crown Prince and Judge Lu Yan, but they are unaware of His Majesty's divine might. This has already committed a grave offense!"

"Furthermore, the Crown Prince condones Lu Yan's wanton suppression and trial of nobles, elimination of dissidents, and monopolization of the government. His intentions are despicable!"

This incident caused a huge uproar, as if it had been premeditated. In a short time, dozens of officials and nobles stepped forward to jointly impeach the official, and their words became increasingly vehement.

From the various measures taken by the relief association to the Crown Prince's decisions on managing state affairs, everything was criticized and the voices of accusation were endless. The entire court was instantly drowned out by the clamor of impeachments.

Emperor Xueye sat upright on the dragon throne, his face solemn and silent. All of this was done at his behest.

Xue Ye glanced at Xue Qinghe without showing any emotion, thinking to herself, "Qinghe, oh Qinghe, you still have a lot to learn!"

The impeachment calls grew louder and louder. Finally, a nobleman who was a member of the royal family stepped forward, his gaze sharp as he looked at Xue Qinghe, his voice icy cold.

"Your Majesty, I also want to impeach Crown Prince Xue Qinghe for colluding with the Spirit Hall, raising a private army, and plotting a rebellion to seize the throne! I implore Your Majesty to immediately depose the Crown Prince and thoroughly investigate this serious crime of treason!"

The words "treason" resounded like thunder in the hall, silencing all the officials who turned to look at Xue Qinghe.

Treason is a serious crime that would be an unforgivable offense if it were pinned on anyone.

Especially since this crime was committed against the crown prince, it was no small matter.

However, facing the various expressions on the faces of the people in the court, Xue Qinghe finally raised his eyes.

His gaze swept calmly over the group of people impeaching him, a faint sneer playing on his lips, but he did not rush to defend himself.

Therefore, when someone accuses you of treason, you'd better have the power to treason.

At this point, someone will naturally come to your rescue.

The person who came to Xue Qinghe's rescue was none other than Emperor Xue Ye.

"Enough!" Emperor Xueye roared, his sleeves billowing out as his aura instantly ceased, the noise in the hall falling silent.

His sharp gaze swept over the group of officials below who had jointly impeached him, his face as cold as a deep pool, his tone filled with both anger and protectiveness, before he finally looked at Xue Qinghe, who was standing in the prince's presence.

"Qinghe, you have been intelligent since childhood and have achieved remarkable political achievements over the years. I know your character well. How could you be the kind of person who plots rebellion and disrupts the government?" Emperor Xueye spoke in a deep voice, his words resounding.

His tone was full of trust and protection for the crown prince, and even carried a hint of dissatisfaction with the officials' harsh criticism of the crown prince.

"Since the Crown Prince assumed regency, he has rectified the court and pacified the people. Even if his actions were occasionally inappropriate, he was always thinking of the country and the empire. You have accused him of treason without any regard for the facts. What are your intentions?"

The officials were all taken aback upon hearing this, and many looked on in astonishment as they turned to look at the emperor on the dragon throne, completely unprepared for His Majesty to stand up first to defend the crown prince.

This seemed completely different from the previous tacit instruction, and for a moment, the emperor's thoughts were hard to fathom.

Only a small number of veteran officials were fully aware of this.

A barely perceptible glint flashed in the eyes of the Snow Night Emperor. His tone softened slightly, yet still carried an unquestionable imperial majesty. However, his tone suddenly shifted.

"However, Qinghe, you must also understand that the officials' impeachment was not entirely without reason."

"The Relief Association's influence extends throughout the country, controlling people's livelihoods and commerce. The people only know the judges, not the majesty of the court. There is much criticism from both the court and the public. You cannot escape blame for this matter."

"As for the allegations of raising private soldiers and having too close ties with the Spirit Hall, although there is no concrete evidence, it has caused a great uproar in the city, shaken the foundation of the court, and put me and the royal family in controversy."

He slowly stood up, his gaze fixed on Xue Qinghe, his tone seemingly regretful, but in reality carrying a resolute determination.

“I know you are loyal and I believe you have no ulterior motives, but the court is in turmoil and the stability of the empire is of utmost importance. I have no choice but to handle this matter impartially.”

"To quell the criticism from the court and the public, and to allow you to calm down and reflect on your actions, effective immediately, you are relieved of your post as Crown Prince Regent and your authority to handle state affairs is temporarily suspended. You should stay in the Crown Prince's residence for a while to recuperate."

"As for matters related to the relief association, I will personally take over for the time being and hand them over to the court and the royal family for joint investigation. Once all the issues have been investigated, I will clear your name and give the court and the public an explanation."

Xueye's words were eloquent and respectable, both demonstrating his protective stance towards his son and silencing the crowd's insistence on accusing him of treason.

Without making a sound, he stripped Xue Qinghe of all real power and took control of the State Council and the Relief Association into his own hands.

Emperor Xueye looked down at Xue Qinghe, who remained calm, and sighed inwardly. However, his face still showed a helpless and heartbroken imperial expression as he spoke in a deep voice.

"My actions are also for the sake of the greater good, Qinghe, do you understand my good intentions?"

Upon hearing this, even the most dull-witted among the officials instantly understood.

The snowy night was not an attempt to relieve the Crown Prince's predicament; rather, it was a pretext for impeachment to legitimately strip him of his power.

By completely sidelining the crown prince and firmly grasping power back into his own hands, he not only gained the reputation of a benevolent ruler but also achieved his goal, killing two birds with one stone.

Tsk tsk, this emperor has truly mastered the art of ruling to perfection!

"Interesting!" Lu Yan chuckled softly from the side hall.

This snowy night was ultimately a result of the emperor sitting on the throne for too long, becoming blinded by a single leaf.

Is the relief organization something you can just take over as you please?

Even if Xue Qinghe was only cooperating with the Spirit Hall.

But given the close relationship between the Spirit Hall and the Rescue Association, would the Spirit Hall allow you to make a move on Xueye?

of course not.

Therefore, it's only natural that Serpent Spear Douluo and Porcupine Douluo would make their appearance.

Chapter 238 Stalemate and Standoff, Master Lu

"Your Majesty's good intentions are naturally understood by Qinghe." Facing Xue Ye's pretentious words, Xue Qinghe smiled faintly, his tone calm and composed.

"However, there may be some issues with the relief association."

Xue Qinghe's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone in the hall.

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye remained unfazed and slowly said, "What do you mean by this, Your Highness? Please speak freely."

No sooner had he finished speaking than two immense and unparalleled auras of soul power surged into the hall from outside.

A bluish-purple light intertwined with purple mist as two figures stepped through the air and landed directly in the main hall, their imposing aura sweeping across the entire area.

The officials turned pale instantly and retreated one after another. Only a few high-level soul masters managed to hold on, and they all looked extremely embarrassed.

The newcomers were none other than Serpent Spear Douluo and Porcupine Douluo!

The two men's spirit rings rose, nine rings shining brightly, revealing the power of a titled Douluo. The Serpent Spear Douluo held a serpent spear, his cold gaze sweeping over the group of impeaching officials.

Finally, his gaze fell upon Xue Ye, and his voice, as cold as ice, resounded throughout the hall: "Your Majesty Xue Ye, the Rescue Association was jointly established by the young master of my Spirit Hall and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"If His Majesty insists on taking over the Relief Association, then he will need to ask the young master of the Spirit Hall for his opinion."

As soon as Serpent Spear Douluo finished speaking, Porcupine Douluo followed closely behind, saying, "The Heaven Dou royal family, apart from His Highness the Crown Prince, is full of incompetent and foolish people. The nobles, both high and low, are greedy by nature. I'm afraid the young master will not agree to His Majesty's request. I urge His Majesty to reconsider!"

boom!

The words of Serpent Spear and Porcupine were like thunderclaps, exploding in the ears of everyone in the court.

Ask the young master of the Spirit Hall what he thinks; he will not grant His Majesty's request!

In front of a large audience, in front of all the civil and military officials, the word used was actually "request"!

Such words are tantamount to trampling on the dignity of the entire Heaven Dou royal family and the entire Heaven Dou Empire.

Even with Emperor Xueye's composure, his expression suddenly changed, and his face turned ashen.

The Spirit Hall is truly going too far!

The day has finally come!

Thinking this, Xueye couldn't help but glance coldly at her eldest son, Xue Qinghe.

Seeing that he still looked calm and collected, he was instantly filled with rage.

Qinghe, Qinghe, do you know that my today is your tomorrow?

You have always been intelligent, so why are you still so stubbornly deluded even now?

The two Title Douluo directly stood up for Crown Prince Xue Qinghe in the name of the young master of the Spirit Hall, and the situation instantly fell into a stalemate.

But soon, Xueye's gaze fell on the two titled Douluo, Serpent Spear and Porcupine.

"Does your Spirit Hall really intend to interfere in the internal affairs of my Heaven Dou Empire?" Xue Ye's voice was as cold as a knife, this emperor who did not have much Soul Master strength.