Chapter 302: Chapter 213: The Crown Prince Becomes Regent, Rebukes the Court, Civil and Martial Officials Resign, a Political Earthquake

"He looks so different from over a year ago. Not only is he taller, but is this really the same good-for-nothing playboy from back then?"

"The change is just too drastic. I stared at him for a long time and still almost didn’t recognize him."

Inside the main hall of the Imperial Palace.

Lu Mingyuan’s expression was exceptionally grave as his calm gaze swept over the assembled officials. He was in a good mood. In contrast, the civil and military officials in the hall all had heavy hearts.

This was especially true after Lu Mingyuan appeared.

That pair of ice-cold eyes made everyone present shudder.

In the Holy Bright Palace, many people have a lower Cultivation than the Life Master. Phoenix Cry has been triggered, slightly increasing your power and releasing a suppressive aura.

Text floated before Lu Mingyuan’s eyes. He was surprised. ’I never thought Phoenix Cry had such an effect.’

Phoenix Cry allows you to crush those with less power than yourself.

’So its real purpose isn’t to kill enemies, but to intimidate them.’

Lu Mingyuan came to a sudden realization.

"We pay our respects to the Crown Prince!"

"May the Crown Prince live for thousands upon thousands of years."

At that moment, everyone spoke in unison. But Lu Mingyuan neither spoke nor moved, so the officials could only maintain their bows.

It was clear that Lu Mingyuan was still furious; the anger in his heart had not subsided.

The ministers understood this.

Anyone in his position, forced to marry into an enemy nation as a live-in son-in-law, would be unhappy.

"Heh."

Lu Mingyuan sneered, "Impressive."

"Truly impressive."

"Of all the civil and military officials in this court, not a single one guessed the true purpose of the Great Nether Sacred Country’s political marriage proposal."

Faced with Lu Mingyuan’s sarcasm, many still didn’t understand what he meant.

"Crown Prince, could it be that you know the true purpose of the Holy Netherworld’s political marriage?"

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites stepped forward and asked curiously.

They had analyzed the purpose of the Demon Country’s move many times in this very hall.

But the conclusions always fell into a few categories. The theory that it was purely for humiliation was the least common. Others believed the Empress wanted to sow internal chaos within Great Yan. Even more absurdly, some thought the Great Nether Empress was captivated by Lu Mingyuan’s handsome features.

Although, looking at him now, the Crown Prince was indeed quite handsome, the last theory was undoubtedly absurd.

The Prime Minister, Yuan Xuangang, who sat in the foremost seat, looked at Lu Mingyuan and asked in a low voice, "Crown Prince, you might as well speak plainly."

"You must be the renowned Prime Minister."

Lu Mingyuan asked with a smile.

He glanced at the Cabinet and didn’t see any sign of his maternal grandfather. The Cabinet was missing exactly one person.

’Did my grandfather resign?’

’I thought this moment would come a bit later, that my grandfather could have stayed in the Cabinet a while longer. That was a rather naive thought.’

’Right now is the time for the Cabinet to be reorganized. It’s good that Grandfather left.’

’As expected of my grandfather, his instincts are sharp.’

’This way, he at least secured his own political future.’

’Resigning voluntarily was undoubtedly a way to avoid the Holy Emperor’s purge.’

Lu Mingyuan looked at the civil and military officials and said lightly, "The Demon Country’s move was precisely to steal our National Fortune."

"A matter of such great importance nearly led to a catastrophe. If the Holy Emperor hadn’t perceived the threat to the Great Yan Dynasty’s National Fortune in advance, it would have been stolen by the Demon Country."

"You all are truly loyal to the Emperor and devoted to the country!"

"If this great mistake had come to pass, even your deaths would not have been enough to atone for it!"

Lu Mingyuan began to curse them out. He had been relatively calm before, but seeing this group of people made him unable to hold back his fury.

So close.

He was so close to being married off to the Demon Country.

’It was all these Cabinet Ministers causing trouble. Now it’s time to settle the score!’

’He had wondered before, why would the Great Nether Empress voluntarily give up her military advantage in Great Yan and propose a political marriage?’

’It was only when he saw the Crown Prince’s aura and the Destiny of the Three Religions coalescing into a tangible form that he understood the key.’

’My own Destiny, to some extent, is the Dragon Fortune.’

’Could the Great Nether Empress be after me, trying to steal Great Yan’s Fortune?’

’Right now, this is the only explanation that makes sense.’

’If I were to be lured away by the Great Nether Empress, my father’s plans would all be ruined. Great Yan’s Fortune would plummet, and without firing a single shot, she could dismantle Great Yan from the inside out. This is far more reliable than sending a large army to attack.’

’This is a superior strategy!’

’The Great Nether Empress’s mind is truly extraordinary.’

’But, obviously, my father saw through the Great Nether Empress’s intentions. Naturally, he couldn’t use the real Crown Prince for the political marriage.’

’So he waited for the fake Crown Prince to die a sudden death, deliberately provoking the Great Nether Empress to make the marriage plan fall through.’

’Who would have thought the Great Nether Empress would still endure it and insist on me marrying into her country? She truly is persistent. Only this explanation can perfectly resolve all the suspicious points.’

’Looked at this way, this Great Nether Empress actually wants to drain me dry!’

As the Crown Prince of Great Yan, he now stood between the Emperor of Great Yan and the Great Nether Empress.

The two of them were clearly playing a game, and he was the chip they both wanted.

By spelling it all out, Lu Mingyuan could both display his authority as the Crown Prince and demonstrate his capabilities. Being high-profile at this moment would not arouse his father’s suspicion.

Being too low-key, on the other hand, would make his father suspicious.

At this moment, none of the civil and military officials dared to speak. They all lowered their heads in silence.

The Ministry of Rites, in particular, was deathly silent.

"Guards."

At this moment, Lu Mingyuan held an imperial edict. His gaze was icy as he spoke, handing the edict to Great Yan’s Announcement Official and declaring:

"From this day forward, I, the Crown Prince, will take over the Supreme Authority of Regency. The imperial edict is here. Anyone who dares to disobey may take one step forward."

After a long moment, no one dared to move.

Lu Mingyuan nodded in satisfaction and ordered, "Take the ministers led by the Minister of Rites, along with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites (Left) and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites (Right), and send them to the Bright Lamp Bureau."

"Everyone from the Ministry of Rites involved in the matter of the political marriage is to be sent to the Bright Lamp Bureau for a thorough investigation."