The Slender Waist-Chapter 761 - 543 Critical Moment_2

"My lord, all preparations are complete."

It was Tang Shaogong.

His voice was very distinctive.

Emotionless, without warmth, like an icicle on a branch in winter that might fall accidentally and slide down one’s neck, causing an involuntary shiver.

Pei Jue hmmed, and his quick footsteps immediately disappeared from Feng Yun’s hearing.

All around was quiet.

Only Xiaoman and a few palace attendants stood by his side.

Feng Yun’s gaze slowly turned to the coffin; he bent over and tossed a few pieces of paper money into the brazier...

The flames licked upwards.

Burning fiercely.

-

Tang Shaogong, much older than Pei Jue, had a face like it was covered in frost, from which no one could easily discern any emotion, steady and mature.

"What percentage of confidence does my lord have?"

Pei Jue’s originally rapid footsteps abruptly halted.

Turning his head to look, he said: "One hundred percent." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Tang Shaogong’s eyes slightly flickered.

Pei Jue: "I don’t do anything I’m not certain about."

Tang Shaogong lowered his eyes, "Understood."

He had seen many men of intelligence and bravery, those who could stabilize a nation with their governance or military prowess, but none like Pei Jue...none at all.

After arriving in Xijing, Tang Shaogong, because of his achievements, was not implicated in Li Zongxun’s treason; in fact, he became the envied—staff to the Prince of Yonghuai.

Everyone said he enjoyed his petty profit by betraying his master for glory and wealth.

But...

Only Tang Shaogong knew that his master was never Li Zongxun, and even though he became Pei Jue’s aide, Pei Jue’s stance was not something that could be easily shaken. Rather than calling him an aide, he was more like a servant.

Pei Jue and Li Zongxun were too different.

A person like him actually didn’t need any staff.

But instead of assigning other duties, he specifically chose to keep him by his side...

Tang Shaogong prided himself on his strategic insight, yet he couldn’t fathom Pei Jue’s thoughts at all.

Pei Jue crossed the threshold of Zhenghe Hall, and the buzzing sound of discussion within ceased at once.

The court officials subconsciously held their breath.

Be it the New Party or the Old Party...

Without exception, they watched his imposing figure rise, bowing in salutation.

"Greetings to the Prince of Yonghuai."

Pei Jue waved his sleeve, "Dispense with the formalities."

He strode through the middle, directly sitting on the large red sandalwood chair in the center of Zhenghe Hall, stable and determined, with eyes sharp and piercing.

The chair was below the Danbi.

But precisely in the center of the great hall.

Just like Pei Jue’s current position...

The Dragon Throne above the Danbi awaits.

Below the Danbi, he is above ten thousand people; unshakeable.

Ruan Pu spoke up, "If it was not the Prince who summoned us here, what is the purpose?"

Pei Jue’s gaze swept over, and subtly, there was a hint of a smile.

Rarely did anyone see a smile on Pei Jue’s face.

Yet at this moment, he actually smiled.

"Bring the Crown Prince of Zhuangxian to the hall."

The crowd was slightly shocked.

Ruan Pu also craned his neck.

They didn’t understand the purpose behind Pei Jue’s words until they saw Yuan Yue being dragged up by four Imperial Guards, bound tightly and pulled to the center of the great hall.

"Gentlemen, save me..."

Yuan Yue’s face was pale and his eyes were bloodshot, clearly out of extreme fright.

"I did not harm His Majesty, no, I am innocent... Gentlemen, please see the truth."

Pei Jue looked on coldly.

Ruan Pu inhaled sharply, anger flashing in his eyes.

"May I ask Your Highness, what is this about?"

Pei Jue remained silent, raising his hand to signal with a clap.

Immediately after, several Imperial Physicians were brought into the hall.

Pei Jue said indifferently, "Repeat what you said in the prison."

The Imperial Physicians dared not lift their heads.

One of the younger ones leaned forward, knocking his head on the ground before Pei Jue, then stammered out:

"Replying to Your Majesty, after the beginning of spring, despite the alternating warmth and cold, His Majesty initially caught a chill and it caused his old ailment to reemerge. But with careful tending and plenty of rest, as it gets warmer, he was expected to recover fully..."

Pei Jue nodded.

"Continue."

The Imperial Physician looked nervously at his colleagues, his face wrinkling with tension.

"We all took extra care in treating His Majesty daily, fearing he might catch another chill. But... the Princely Heir is stubborn, acting as a successor already, often ignoring our advice. Even on freezing days, he detested the stuffiness inside, insisting on opening the doors and windows, hanging the curtains high, and would not heed our words..."

Yuan Yue’s face drastically changed color.

"You’re talking nonsense!"

The Imperial Physician said, "I have not spoken nonsense; the Palace Maids serving in the Presence of the Emperor and Eunuchs can bear witness, and within the Imperial Medical Bureau, I am not the only one who has seen it..."

Yuan Yue’s gaze bore into him.

"You, you are slandering me? Why do you slander me? Is it because the Prince of Yonghuai coerced a confession..."

"Impudence!" Ao Zheng reproached in a low voice, standing up and bowing to Pei Jue, who was seated in a higher position.

"The Prince of Yonghuai toils tirelessly for the affairs of state, working to the point of exhaustion; how can the Princely Heir carelessly spread rumors, making baseless accusations, tarnishing Your Majesty’s good reputation?"

With a heavy snort, he turned to face the court officials.

"Could it be true that the Princely Heir harbors disloyal intentions, deliberately harming His Majesty while he’s gravely ill..."

Yuan Yue shouted, "That’s absolute nonsense."

He looked at Ao Zheng and then at Pei Jue, his fear escalating.

If he had harbored thoughts of becoming the Emperor before, at that moment, he had given up on the idea—because what he needed to do now was to figure out how to save his own life.

It only took a moment for him to understand.

His knees buckling, he knelt down.

The Crown Prince of Zhuangxian, with a heavy kowtow before Pei Jue.

"Your Majesty, spare my life. I was negligent in attending to the sickness, failing to properly care for His Majesty. But I am loyal to the core, with no intention to harm His Majesty, and I hope for Your Majesty’s discernment."

Calling for the might of an imposing mountain above,

While referring to himself humbly as your servant below,

Begging on his knees.

One cannot deny that the Crown Prince of Zhuangxian has a sharp wit; facing the inevitable, he knew when to bend...

The court officials fell silent.

But Ruan Pu’s eyes quietly closed.

He wasn’t even sure if he should blame Yuan Yue for his lack of spirit...

But with this kneel,

The position of successor was no longer his.

Showing weakness, admitting fault, referring to himself as a servant, being negligent in serving the ailing former Emperor, groveling before Pei Jue—how could he be a ruler?

Zhenghe Hall was silent for a long time.

Pei Jue silently observed, his face stern and his gaze calm.

"Crown Prince of Zhuangxian, your negligence has aggravated His Majesty’s condition, beyond hope of recovery. But in consideration of your remorse, you shall not be severely punished. From this day forth, you shall be stripped of your title, placed under house arrest in the palace, and reflect for three years."