After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

Xue Xiqiong stood up, pointed at Cao Yuan, her anger surging in her eyes, "It was you! You killed them."

She rushed over, grabbed Cao Yuan's clothes, and wouldn't let it go, "Cao Yuan, you're absolutely heartless! You killed the entire Xue family, ah..."

“Miss Xue, you can’t say that. When my Highness arrived, the Prince Consort and Madam Xue were already dead. Princess Huafeng killed them herself. Before she died, Princess Huafeng said that the Prince Consort poisoned her and she died from poisoning.” Jinzhu pulled Xue Xiqiong away.

"How could that be? Why would my brother poison her when he was perfectly fine? It must be you, Cao Yuan, who sowed discord between us. You won't even spare your own sister."

Cao Yuan gave her a cold look. "He did so many dirty things, it wouldn't be surprising if he were killed."

"Didn't you also have your brother do some shady things for you?"

"What do you mean by that?" Xue Xiqiong asked, feeling a little guilty.

"Cao Yuan, don't change the subject!"

"You should give your loved ones a proper burial."

Cao Yuan turned around and got into the carriage.

Xue Xiqiong sat on the ground, holding the corpse and weeping bitterly, "Mother... your child is unfilial, your child is unfilial! You died crying out for justice like this..."

"Cao Yuan, you poisonous woman, you will die a horrible death!"

People gathered outside the Xue residence, pointing and whispering about Xue Xiqiong.

"Look how tragically the prince consort died, he was stabbed so many times by the princess."

"Being a live-in son-in-law is really not easy."

"So being a live-in son-in-law is a matter of life or death!"

-

The day of the emperor's funeral has arrived.

Court officials, princes, and concubines all entered the mourning hall one after another.

"bow down!"

As the eunuch shouted, they all knelt before the emperor's coffin.

Some of the concubines had already begun to mourn.

Those concubines who had no children began to worry about their future.

"What should we do..."

"I have only been in the palace for a few years and have only met His Majesty less than ten times. I don't even have any children yet."

"What will the Second Prince do to us... he will definitely silence all of us who know the truth."

Consort Hua, kneeling beside them, could only listen quietly. She had hoped to find a comfortable place to live, but unexpectedly…

Xiao Jinghan watched this scene from the city tower with great satisfaction.

The princes and court officials were most worried about the succession to the throne.

“Now that the Second Prince is in charge, it seems there is no doubt about the throne,” one of the courtiers said.

"Yeah yeah!"

Others echoed this.

Cao Yuan looked out of the hall, biting her lip anxiously. Why hadn't Fan Qingli arrived yet? Was he really not coming? She could only rely on herself.

"Father, you've left us so soon. Your son misses you so much!"

Cao Yuan suddenly knelt on the ground and burst into tears, completely losing her composure.

"My lords, Father has not yet entered the imperial mausoleum. Isn't it too early to discuss this matter?" Cao Yuan sobbed.

Minister Fan frowned. "Your Highness Prince Shuo, what kind of behavior is this? Guards, please escort Your Highness out immediately, lest you disturb the late Emperor."

Two soldiers stepped forward to pull Cao Yuan away.

"Who dares touch me!" Cao Yuan's single glance scared away everyone around her. She cried out pitifully at the emperor's coffin, "Father, you have only just passed away, your body is not even cold yet, and they are already in a hurry to ascend the throne!"

Upon hearing Cao Yuan's words, Minister Fan hurriedly said, "Your Highness, we all understand your feelings. A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Although His Majesty has not yet established an heir, since His Majesty fell ill, His Highness the Second Prince has been working tirelessly for the country, which is evident to all."

"Minister Fan, you are mistaken! His Majesty has not yet designated an heir, but surely there should be a will! It would be better to produce the will first to quell the rumors outside the palace." Cao Yuan wiped away her tears.

"Yes, what about the will? There must be a will!"

The ministers echoed.

"But don't forget, His Majesty has been ill for so long and hasn't summoned us ministers, so where did this imperial edict come from?"

Cao Yuan walked over to Cao Ji and asked, "Second brother, none of these officials have seen Father. What about you? Have you seen Father?"

Every court official knew that His Majesty had issued an edict appointing Cao Ji to handle state affairs. If Cao Ji claimed he had never met the Emperor, it would certainly arouse suspicion.

Minister Fan narrowed his eyes, feeling uncertain, and forced a smile. "We should ask His Highness about such matters."

With a dignified yet indifferent smile, Cao Ji said softly, "Father did not leave a will."

All the other court officials remained silent.

Ever since the incident involving the Prime Minister of Chu, the entire court has basically sided with Minister Fan.

No one will question what they say.

"Second brother, Father has been ill for so long and hasn't issued a will? That can't be!"

"Your Highness, didn't the Second Prince say he hadn't made a successor? Perhaps His Majesty thought he could withstand the illness, so he didn't make a successor, but unexpectedly he passed away suddenly. That's not necessarily true!"

"Who said His Majesty didn't leave a will!"

Everyone looked towards the door upon hearing the sound.

He slowly stepped into the hall, dressed in a purple court robe.

"Xiang Chu!"

"It's the Prime Minister of Chu!"

Minister Fan and Cao Ji exchanged glances.

"Prime Minister Chu, is it true that there is a will?"

The ministers standing nearby all looked at the Prime Minister of Chu.

Minister Fan remained skeptical, saying, "Prime Minister Chu has long been confined to his residence. How could a will be in his hands if there was one?"

"Minister Fan, this matter concerning the state is of great importance. How could you, an unrelated person, know about it! When this eunuch was made, Eunuch Wang was also here. Why not ask him to come out and testify?"

"Oh, and there's also Eunuch Wang!"

Cao Yuan's eyes flashed; she hadn't seen Eunuch Wang since she returned.

“Eunuch Wang? Prime Minister Chu, Eunuch Wang has been missing for a long time. Nobody knows where he went. You’re just saying nothing.”

Minister Fan retorted, "So the authenticity of your will is questionable? Perhaps you've tampered with it! Have we all forgotten that the Prime Minister of Chu secretly harbored the crown prince of an enemy state?"

"Minister Fan, what are you afraid of? Why don't you have the Prime Minister of Chu bring out the imperial edict and read it aloud first?"

Cao Yuan said.

"Alright! Why don't we ask Prime Minister Chu to read out the will?"

Cao Ji interjected.

Cao Ji's unhurried demeanor greatly displeased Minister Fan and made Cao Yuan somewhat uneasy. Did he already have other countermeasures in mind?

The Prime Minister of Chu took out a brocade box from his bosom. Just as he opened the box and took out the imperial edict, a cold arrow shot towards him.

"Prime Minister Chu, be careful!"

Cao Yuan went over to protect Chu Xiang, and the two of them squatted down on the ground together.

"what!"