Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Seeing that they were still trying to cause trouble, Ling Yan's eyes turned cold, and she exuded an imposing aura.

She parted her lips slightly, and though her voice was not loud, it was like a sharp sword, piercing straight at those bouncing officials.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Just because I banned brothels, you want to attack me and even try to put pressure on me by joining forces with the royal family? Do you think I don't know? Look at your faces. You usually indulge in pleasure and despicable acts in brothels. Now that I've only done something that is in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, you want to oppose me for your own shameful desires."

She paused slightly, her gaze sharp as she swept her eyes across the faces of the adults, as if trying to tear off their masks of hypocrisy.

"Don't you even realize that you are here in the court, where you should be sharing the emperor's burdens and working for the people's well-being? Yet now, for the sake of pleasure in brothels, you want to be my enemy? Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You just can't bear to give up those places where you can indulge your desires at will. And you still have the nerve to say that you're thinking of the Great Zhao and the court? You're utterly hypocritical and disgusting!"

Lingyan sneered and continued, "So what right do people like you have to stay in the court? You wear official robes and black gauze hats, yet you do things against your conscience. You have abandoned your integrity as subjects and the respect of the people for you, all for a moment of pleasure and so-called pleasure quarters."

"Have you forgotten your original aspirations when you entered officialdom? Was it to bring glory to your ancestors, or to make this Great Zhao prosperous and strong with your assistance? But now, you have been blinded by these vulgar desires."

"So, gentlemen, why don't you calm down and think it over carefully? Is it really worth risking this hard-earned official robe for the sake of your own flesh and blood?"

At that moment, all the officials firmly replied in their hearts: Of course it's not worth it!

Are they stupid?

So at that moment, those officials who had just been shouting suddenly wilted.

A chill and regret welled up in my heart.

They originally thought that so many ministers in the imperial court were regulars at brothels.

Therefore, as long as they stand up to oppose this matter first, they will gain the support of so many officials.

With the added pressure from the imperial clan, His Highness the Crown Prince will definitely have no choice but to retract his decision.

But to their surprise, apart from these few individuals, not a single one of the many officials stood up to support and echo them.

of course!

Don't they even look at the state of things now?

Are His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Princess the kind of people who would compromise just because they put pressure on them?

Obviously not!

If it were His Majesty, it might actually be possible.

However, His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, absolutely not!

The two will only become more assertive than each other, and may even resort to harsh measures.

Only a few idiots who can't see things clearly would act so foolishly.

So although they were very dissatisfied with this move, they understood that the matter was settled and there was no room for reversal.

Therefore, it's certainly not foolish to pressure His Highness the Crown Prince.

And just now, the slight dissatisfaction in their hearts had long since vanished completely.

Whether it's a realization or a matter of not daring to have any thoughts at all.

In short, they no longer had any ulterior motives at this point.

Lingyan and Xiao Muyao took in all the changes in the expressions of the officials.

They exchanged a glance, both seeing the unspoken understanding in each other's eyes.

The next moment, Xiao Muyao slightly raised his eyes, his gaze revealing coldness and majesty.

He slowly stood up, his posture as upright as a pine tree, and his innate royal aura instantly spread out, enveloping the entire court.

His gaze was like lightning, shooting straight at those officials who were already filled with regret.

His thin lips parted slightly, his voice deep yet penetrating, like a resounding bell, echoing in the silent court.

“Such selfish and self-serving people, who do not care about the interests of the court at all, will certainly not be tolerated by me. For your own selfish desires, you have tried to disrupt the court. Such behavior is extremely heinous. Today should be a time for the court to discuss matters of state, but you have turned this sacred place into a game of your own selfish desires. You are simply shameless.”

After saying that, Xiao Muyao waved his hand and said in a firm and unquestionable tone: "Guards! Remove the official robes from these people on the spot and strip them of their official positions. Let them taste the bitter fruit of their actions, and also give all of you a warning so that you will not make the same mistake again."

At this command, the Imperial Guards sprang into action.

Their steps were neat and powerful, and they marched toward the officials like a fierce army.

The officials were now ashen-faced, their legs weak, and they could barely stand. They had lost all of their earlier arrogance.

They watched helplessly as the Imperial Guards drew closer, their hearts filled with despair and regret, yet powerless to resist.

They collapsed to the ground, their eyes vacant, as if their souls had left their bodies.

The imperial guards walked up to them and swiftly ripped off their official robes.

The official robes that symbolized status and power slipped off in an instant, just like their shattered dreams of officialdom.

Their official hats were also removed, and they, who were once high and mighty, were now prisoners, in a sorry state.

Xiao Muyao looked at all this without any pity in his eyes and continued, "There is no room for impurities or filth in this court. My father and I are wholeheartedly working for the prosperity of the Great Zhao and for the peaceful life of the people, but you are going against the grain. If there is any other official who wants to be like them, I can grant your wish."

Upon seeing this, all the officials knelt down and shouted in unison, "Your humble servants dare not!"

They bowed their heads, their eyes filled with awe and fear, knowing full well that His Highness the Crown Prince was serious this time.

The court was deathly silent. The officials who had been dismissed had already been taken away.

Then Xiao Muyao slowly sat back down, his eyes still cold and stern.

He surveyed the court and slowly said, "My lords, I hope you will take today's events as a warning. From now on, you should prioritize the great cause of the court and the well-being of the people. If you violate this rule again, you will be severely punished."

Upon hearing this, the officials kowtowed again and shouted, "Your Highness is wise!"

At this moment, the imperial court was filled with a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

And the controversy surrounding the abolition of brothels has finally come to an end.

The people, upon hearing about the proceedings of the grand court assembly, were full of praise for the court's actions.

He also spoke highly of Lingyan and Xiao Muyao.

With such a wonderful crown prince and crown princess, the life of the Great Zhao Dynasty will only get better and better in the future.

When the members of the imperial clan saw how these officials fared, they immediately dared not cause any more trouble.

This couple is ruthless, and they dare not act recklessly again, otherwise they simply cannot imagine the consequences.

Especially that woman, they just want to stay far away from her now.

Moreover, the thought that they had harbored those feelings for her in the past made them even more afraid of her, and they felt a chill run down their spines.

So of course they didn't dare to cause any more trouble.

Of course, besides court officials and members of the imperial family, men who frequented brothels also included commoners, wealthy merchants, and纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families who were spoiled and dissolute).

It's easy to deal with commoners and wealthy merchants. When the imperial court issues a decree, they can only obey and dare not resist, otherwise they would not dare to bear the consequences.

Because the people's fear and dread of imperial power and the court are ingrained in their very bones.

As for those spoiled brats, they're easy to deal with.

Lingyan issued a notice, and it was even issued in her name.

The gist of it is: Anyone who tries to cause trouble by disobeying this policy should not blame me for making sure they never have another chance to cause trouble.

Aren't all these people afraid of her?

So she posted this notice to see if they dared to stir up any more trouble.

As expected, these spoiled brats were so frightened that they all became obedient.

Some of the more timid ones were so frightened that they fell seriously ill for several days.

Indeed, as long as the method is appropriate, any problem can be solved perfectly.