It's all ruined, who cares about the chastity arch

"Indeed, His Majesty has never mentioned that he has a daughter. How can he easily allow a woman of unknown origin to be named a princess? This is nothing short of an insult to the dignity of the royal family!"

Another person said indignantly, his tone full of determination to defend the glory of the royal family.

"Have you ever heard, my Lords, that many years ago, Concubine Song gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, one of whom is the same age as your Majesty, but is a little-known princess?"

A slightly deep voice interrupted and revealed a palace secret.

"Is there such a thing?"

The ministers looked at each other with surprise on their faces, and started talking, eager to get more details.

Prime Minister Wu, a wise man who had a close personal relationship with Gu Linjun, stepped forward to explain: "Indeed, the imperial concubine Song gave birth to twins in Jiangzhou, a dragon and a phoenix, but the princess's affair was not announced to the world for various reasons."

Wei Taishi, an old minister who had served three dynasties and was loyal to the emperor, interrupted Prime Minister Wu. His brows were furrowed, and his words were serious: "How can people be convinced by rumors alone? Now that Concubine Song and the late emperor have passed away, who can prove that this woman's bloodline is pure and she is not an imposter?"

Grand Tutor Wei's worries did not stem from his distrust of Emperor Xuan, but were based on his loyalty to the country and his adherence to the purity of the royal bloodline. As someone who has always acted prudently, he would not take issues concerning the royal bloodline lightly.

Lord Pei, who was standing by, seemed to have an unspeakable intention and echoed, "Your Majesty, please do not let an unknown woman pretend to be a princess, so as not to damage the reputation of our royal family."

"If so, where is my royal dignity?"

Several ministers nodded in agreement, as if Lord Pei and Master Zhang's views resonated with them.

Facing the doubts and confusion of the ministers, Emperor Xuan was not angry. Instead, he showed an intriguing smile. He turned and walked to the imperial desk, pulled out an imperial edict from the pile of documents, held it high, and displayed it in front of everyone: "My dear ministers, please be patient. The spirit of the late emperor in heaven had foreseen it and left an imperial edict to verify the purity of the princess's identity."

As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes were focused on the yellowed yet solemn imperial edict, and the air was filled with a tense and expectant atmosphere.

Emperor Xuan did not explain much, but unfolded the imperial edict directly. His voice was clear and powerful, echoing throughout the whole hall: "In the fifth year of Cheng Qian, Concubine Song gave birth to my eldest daughter Chongya and second son Chongyi. At that time, Concubine Song worked hard and made great contributions. However, Princess Chongya was weak, so in order to protect her, I followed the teachings of the masters and implemented special methods to foster the princess in the Su family, a salt merchant in Jiangzhou, hiding her name and identity until she reached the age of marriage and could return to her clan."

"I know that my time is short, so I hereby will that when Princess Chongya comes of age and returns, she will be canonized as the first-rank Princess of Pingle, and be granted the two states of Linyun as her fiefdom, 10,000 soldiers and horses, and 10,000 kilograms of gold as a reward."

"Every word of this will was written by me and stamped with my imperial seal. Anyone who disobeys will be severely punished."

After he finished speaking, he gently closed the imperial edict and glanced around with a deep gaze, as if examining the reactions on everyone's faces.

Upon hearing this, Master Zhang frowned, full of shock. "Ridiculous! Giving the princess soldiers and horses is undoubtedly giving her military power. How could the late emperor leave such a confusing edict?"

"Your Majesty, has the authenticity of this will been verified?"

Other officials were also confused and waiting for answers.

Emperor Xuan held the imperial edict in his hand, slowly approached Grand Tutor Zhang, and handed it to him: "Grand Tutor, read it, and the truth will be clear."

Tutor Zhang took the imperial edict with both hands, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement. He slowly unfolded the imperial edict and confirmed the extremely familiar handwriting and the unique imperial seal.

This imperial seal was the personal treasure of the late emperor and was buried with him. It could only be recovered if it was the genuine one. The seal before him was undoubtedly authentic, which made him feel overwhelmed with emotion.

"This... this is indeed the work of the late emperor... this imperial seal..."

Master Zhang's hands began to tremble more violently, and as he saw the things that reminded him of someone, his eyes gradually became moist.

The hall was boiling again. Lord Pei pursed his lips, his eyes flickering, obviously weighing the pros and cons.

However, before he could respond, Zhang Taifu had already respectfully returned the imperial edict to Emperor Xuan with both hands, and said in a deep voice: "Since it is the last wish of the late emperor, we, the humble officials, shall follow and execute it."

Taifu Zhang and the late emperor had a relationship like that of a father and son. He was willing to do his utmost to protect the late emperor's trust, no matter what the new emperor's achievements were.

Today, the late emperor protected his beloved daughter with his will, how could he disobey?

Seeing that Grand Tutor Zhang agreed with the imperial edict, the other officials naturally followed suit. Even Lord Pei, who was unwilling to do so, did not dare to act rashly at this moment.

However, although Lord Pei remained silent, several of his subordinates who were eager for quick success and instant benefits were eager to try.

A fifth-rank official who was promoted by Lord Pei, relying on his master's power, stepped out boldly and said, "Your Majesty, the origin of this imperial edict is unknown, but the princess is in charge of the army, which is against the rules and is difficult to convince the public!"

Facing the challenge, Emperor Xuan raised his eyebrows and glared at the minor official: "Do you mean to doubt the decision of the late emperor?"

Upon hearing this, the official trembled and knelt down in a hurry: "How dare I? It's just that the content of this imperial decree is difficult to execute!"

"Although the princess is of noble status, she is a woman after all. If she holds military power, it is indeed against the law of the country!"

The official defended himself.

Emperor Xuan's face turned cold, but a cold smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "According to the law of the country, if you have any doubts in your heart, you can ask the late emperor and find out why he left such a will. When you have understood it, come and report to me."

The official looked frightened and didn't know what to do.

Before anyone could react, there was a crisp "snap" sound, accompanied by a flash of cold light. Emperor Xuan drew out the long sword of the guard beside him, and with a flick of his wrist, the sharp blade drew a perfect arc in the air and accurately chopped down the official's neck...

Blood splattered, and with a look of fear in his eyes, there was a streak of bright red on the official's throat. His body swayed twice, and finally he collapsed to the ground.

This kind of villain, who is used to being an accomplice to evil, has been bullying others by taking advantage of his power for a long time, and Emperor Xuan has long been unable to tolerate it.

Witnessing this scene, all the civil and military officials around changed their expressions and looked away, not daring to meet that cold gaze.

Emperor Xuan slowly retracted his sword, his voice as cold as ice: "Since Master Zhang has verified that the imperial edict is correct, we will handle it according to the order. Anyone who disobeys the order will be killed without mercy!"

"Someone, drag the body out!"

He gave the order indifferently, and the residual sound echoed in the hall, announcing the emperor's decision that no one could shake.

The armored guards acted immediately upon hearing the order. Their vigorous footsteps made dull echoes on the stone slabs of the hall. Their strong arms dragged the trembling body of the minor official out effortlessly. The scene was solemn and the air seemed to be frozen with tension and fear.

This series of quick and decisive actions, like killing a chicken to scare the monkeys, shocked the minds of all the ministers present.

Those voices that were originally ready to raise objections were all swallowed back at this moment, and were replaced by silence and awe-filled eyes.

Inside the hall, the only sounds left were heavy breathing and the occasional sound of clothes rubbing against each other.