After being exiled for eighteen years, the prince returned to the capital as a veritable immortal.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

The Empress arrived and ascended the dragon throne.

Remove the insane second prince.

All four surviving princes have arrived at the palace.

The sixth prince, a heavy drinker, had not attended court for many years, yet he still came today.

With dark circles under his eyes and skin as thin as a rake, he would have looked exactly like a beggar if not for the python robe he was wearing.

The Third Prince and the Fifth Prince stood imposingly at the front.

The Chancellor, the Grand Marshal, the Imperial Censor, and the three princes stood side by side in the first row, leading the court officials.

The fourth prince stood in the second row, and judging from his expression, he didn't mind being ranked after his sixth brother.

Anyway, he didn't want to be the crown prince.

Hidden in the back row, I could fully appreciate Eunuch Ji's stunning beauty.

Zhou Yi stood side by side with the Fourth Prince, his expression as calm as the other's.

Those standing in the front row were either of high seniority or held high official positions.

He didn't feel that anything was wrong.

Looking up, Zhou Yi saw the Great Qian Emperor for the first time.

He was also his grandfather.

Crown, dragon robe, square face, cold and stern, eyebrows reaching into his temples...

This face certainly suggests a bloodthirsty nature.

He is physically strong and has abundant energy and blood, and he is free from minor illnesses.

It is said that the Empress's health was failing.

It turned out to be just a rumor.

……

"My esteemed ministers, do you have something to report?"

Looking dejected, the Empress was in low spirits.

He seemed about to utter the next line, "With nothing else to do, the court shall adjourn."

The ministers and princes looked at each other, completely bewildered.

The princes traveled a long way back, waiting to be appointed as the crown prince.

At this moment, why does the Martial Emperor seem to be acting as if nothing is wrong?

The astute minister immediately began to make connections.

Could it be that the death of Jiang Chong has caused Your Majesty great sorrow?

By asking for a memorial to the throne, he clearly intended to settle scores with the Grandson of the Imperial Censor first.

This is, waiting for the minister to hand over some leverage.

"Your Majesty, I have this memorial."

Prime Minister Qu Mao stepped forward and said, "Yesterday, someone committed murder in the street right under the Emperor's nose."

What he was referring to was Zhou Yi killing two Embroidered Uniform Guards in the street.

The Martial Emperor frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said:

"besides?"

As expected, the Empress was about to get angry.

However, it's still a little short of perfect.

Grand Marshal Kwong Lee-tak, a former military commander, added fuel to the fire:

"I also have a report to submit: Su Wen, the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was beheaded while performing his duties."

The Emperor's face grew even more somber, his brows furrowing into a deep frown.

The Imperial Censor immediately added fuel to the fire: "Jiang Chong, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard..."

"enough!"

The Empress was furious and said, "When have I ever allowed you to interfere in the affairs of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

The three first-rank officials trembled.

When the Embroidered Uniform Guards were handling cases, the Empress Wu Zetian truly did not allow anyone to interfere.

The issue is.

Now, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has been dealt with.

Everyone just wanted to go with the flow and win the favor of the Empress.

This doesn’t work either?

The Prime Minister, the Grand Marshal, and the Imperial Censor all broke out in a cold sweat.

The consequences of the Second Prince interfering in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's handling of cases are clear.

They are not the Empress's biological sons; if things go wrong, their entire family could be wiped out.

Fortunately.

After a moment of silence, the Empress did not pursue the matter further.

A voice as clear as a lark's rang out, and Ji Yu asked:

"Is there any other official who has something to report?"

The three first-rank officials finally breathed a sigh of relief and quietly wiped the sweat from their foreheads.

This is... the grandson of the Unrepentant Imperial Son?

No one can figure it out.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards had always been the apple of Empress Wu's eye.

Killing even one of his soldiers would enrage him.

now.

The two commanders and the garrison commander were all killed.

Emperor Wu did not intend to immediately settle scores.

What exactly is their plan?

Aside from that, the next matter is naturally the appointment of a crown prince.

The three princes have been ordered to return to the capital; there can't be any mistake about that.

The Minister of Personnel was overjoyed and stepped forward, saying:

"Your Majesty, all three princes have returned to the capital. As for the matter of appointing a crown prince..."

The Empress suddenly raised her eyes and looked at her ministers.

Shi Qing was secretly pleased with himself.

As expected, I have guessed His Majesty's intentions correctly.

"Let's discuss it again," the Martial Emperor uttered.

"To discuss again later" means "to discuss at a later date".

The promised appointment of a crown prince has been postponed?

The Third Prince and the Fifth Prince exchanged a glance, their faces full of surprise.

The ministers dared not utter a sound, and were equally surprised.

A variety of gazes, some open and some hidden, were cast upon Zhou Yi.

If any changes occur in the next two days...

That is, the Grandson of the Emperor returned to the capital and began a massacre.

Moreover, the Empress Wu seemed to have no intention of punishing him.

Could it be.

Just as Feng Ji said.

Empress Wu no longer appointed a crown prince, but instead appointed a grandson of the emperor.

The princes and their loyal courtiers felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.

The situation is not looking good.

"My lords, does anyone have anything else to report?"

Ji Yu urged him again and again.

In the past...

Without receiving any memorials, Empress Wu happily announced the end of the court session.

The way they're acting now clearly indicates that they have some expectations.

but.

I am unaware of this.

All the ministers remained silent, and Empress Wu had no intention of ending the court session.

Ji Yu simply walked to the front of the imperial platform and began to muster his troops:

"Lord Zhao."

"Your subject has no memorial to present."

“Imperial Censor Wu.”

"Your subject has no other report to present."

……

Ji Yu went back and forth, going from one person to another.

The fourth prince peered through the gaps in the crowd, his gaze following the red figure back and forth.

Lost in thought, my feet followed my gaze and I stepped into the middle aisle.

Ji Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief and said:

"Your Majesty, Prince Li has a memorial to present."

brush brush --

All eyes were focused on the Fourth Prince.

The third prince turned around and glared at his younger brother, wishing he could strangle him.

No one knows a younger brother better than his elder brother.

He was 100% certain that the fourth brother had been distracted by looking at Ji Yu.

Is it really necessary to treat a eunuch who is neither male nor female like this?

The Empress raised an eyebrow, asking in surprise:

"Prince Li, what is the matter to report?"

"..." The fourth prince blinked, looking completely bewildered.

If I were to say, I only wish to catch a glimpse of Duke Ji amidst the crowd.

Do you believe it?

Clearly, saying that would be courting a quick death.

"Your subject has nothing to report."

The fourth prince, with a frank expression, said:

"I noticed that my father looked rather haggard, which pained me greatly, so I stepped forward to take a closer look."

???

The entire hall was completely dumbfounded.

Fourth Prince

Are you a clown sent by the monkeys?

"Xiao Si, your filial piety is commendable."

The Empress, her face flushed with excitement, even pulled up her sleeve and wiped her eyes.

"A reward of five hundred taels of gold!"

This……

This……

Is this a generous reward?

The ministers in the hall were shocked.

The third and fifth princes were shocked and regretted not having shown concern for their father sooner.

The two were about to step forward to express their filial piety.

The Empress's cold gaze shot over, causing the two princes to shiver involuntarily.

What followed, the Empress's actions, shocked everyone even more.

He waved his hand lightly, and Ji Yu stepped forward to announce the reward:

"A reward of ten thousand taels of gold for Prince Yi!"

Generous reward.

This is true generosity.

Moreover, it was a reward given without any reason.

Everyone was stunned, and Zhou Yi was equally surprised.

He could only step forward and express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ji Yu continued:

"Jiang Chong's residence outside the palace was sealed off and bestowed upon Prince Yi."

Jiang Chong was extremely powerful; his mansion outside the palace was even larger than those of the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince.

Surprisingly, it was given to the grandson of the emperor just like that.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhou Yi said, "I reside in Bowang Garden and have no need for any other residence."

Refused!

Prince Yi actually refused such a large mansion.

Moreover, he made it clear that he wanted to live in Bowangyuan.

The fact that the Empress bestowed a new mansion upon him clearly indicated that she did not want him to live there.

Bowang Garden remains a source of eternal pain in Empress Wu's heart.

The Emperor's face darkened.

After a moment of silence, he waved to Ji Yu, which was taken as acquiescence.

Ji Yu continued:

"The position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is vacant and will be filled by Prince Yi."

!!!

This……

This is clearly a way to hand over the Embroidered Uniform Guard to the Crown Prince!