The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 750: Drafting Orders Without Authorization is a Great Crime of Treason!

Chapter 750: Drafting Orders Without Authorization is a Great Crime of Treason!

Prince Zhuang’s words, tinged with mockery and warning, caused Old Prince Ji to feel particularly displeased. His expression turned cold, and he said, "Prince Zhuang, you only know how to enjoy life and avoid the intricacies of court affairs. Don’t assume that everyone is like you, wishing to remain uninvolved during critical moments! Now that the Emperor is gravely ill, the Third Prince is young, his origins are questionable, and he is far away in the Northern Border. For the sake of Mu Nation’s stability, I must bear this responsibility!"

Hearing this grandstanding, Prince Zhuang rolled his eyes and shrugged, saying, "Since royal uncle is so determined, what else can I say?" He had no intention of stirring up trouble. Wasn’t being a leisurely prince good enough?

Old Prince Ji had already made secret arrangements with several of his relatives and ministers. Now, they were bringing Prime Minister Lu back to the palace to confirm the establishment of a regent.

Elder Xu’s expression stiffened, but he could only say, "Establishing a regent is a significant matter; we should wait for Prime Minister Lu to arrive before discussing it further."

However, Old Prince Ji would not be swayed. Chu Family’s second son, being Prime Minister Lu’s son-in-law, would certainly oppose this matter. Thinking quickly, Old Prince Ji signaled Elder Huang, who immediately understood and said, "The Emperor’s condition is critical. We cannot delay the establishment of a regent any longer! Elder Xu, since the court ministers and royal relatives are all present, how about you draft the decree?"

Elder Xu, his sleeve brushing in fury, retorted, "Absurd! Without the Emperor’s permission, to draft a decree without authorization is a great crime of treason!"

"Hmph, then I shall draft the decree!" Old Prince Ji ordered the servants to bring the writing supplies.

Because the Emperor was gravely ill, the Imperial Jade Seal was still securely kept in the Imperial Study.

"You dare?!" Elder Xu shouted.

Old Prince Ji stood with his hands behind his back, completely disregarding Elder Xu’s protests. "I am the Emperor’s most respected royal uncle, and all I do is for the benefit of Mu Nation. Why should I not dare?"

However, the servants did not immediately bring the writing tools. He grew angry, feeling that time was running out, and he needed to act quickly.

He barked, "Useless servants! Can’t you even handle such a trivial matter?!"

He was about to storm off to the Imperial Study himself when, just as he reached the doorway, his steps abruptly halted. His eyes narrowed, and his expression stiffened.

Nanli and Chu Yan entered together.

The moment they stepped forward, Old Prince Ji instinctively stepped back.

One was a Golden Core cultivator, the other was the rightful Human Emperor. From a distance, they had already heard what Old Prince Ji had said.

Old Prince Ji was forced back several steps, nearly stumbling. Only Elder Huang’s quick reflexes kept him from falling.

"You... you two, why have you returned?" Old Prince Ji’s voice trembled slightly.

The ministers and relatives in the side hall stood up, all hesitant. Those who had supported Old Prince Ji earlier now looked uneasy.

Nanli gave him a cold look. "Did the old royal uncle forget that I have various talismans?"

Old Prince Ji choked, but he quickly regained his composure. What was there to fear? He was the highest-ranking relative in the royal family!

Nanli and Chu Yan should be the ones bowing to him; why should he be the one to step back in fear?

Snorting with anger, Old Prince Ji said, "You call me ’old royal uncle,’ yet don’t you dare bow? What kind of disrespect is this?"

Nanli replied, "You’re not worthy of my respect. Why should we bow?"

"You!" Old Prince Ji was furious, "Perhaps you’ve been spoiled by the Ninth Prince, speaking such rebellious words!"

Chu Yan, his gaze sharp and unwavering, lowered his eyes. "It is you who are rebellious. While my father still lives, you wish to crown yourself as regent. Such intentions deserve to be punished!"

With one sentence, Old Prince Ji, a man seasoned with age, felt his body tremble. Under Chu Yan’s fierce gaze, his legs buckled, and he collapsed to the floor.

Elder Huang and the others were stunned!

Looking at the two, it was as if they were different people altogether. Especially Chu Yan, who no one dared to look in the eye.

Nanli, not wanting to waste any more time, spoke coldly, "I’ll go check on the Emperor."

Chu Yan nodded.

Elder Huang, who had previously been in Old Prince Ji’s favor, now saw the old man trembling on the floor, unable to speak a word, and felt a pang of sympathy. "Third Prince, you’ve only just reclaimed your family name, and the Ninth Prince has yet to return to the capital. Old Prince Ji was only acting for the stability of the country..."

"Enough!" Chu Yan snapped, "I know his intentions. There is no need for you to add your commentary."

Elder Huang, chastised, quickly fell silent, lowering his head, not daring to breathe a word.

At first, everyone thought that Chu Yan’s reprimand would be the end of it, but unexpectedly, he immediately ordered the Imperial Guard, "Old Prince Ji has colluded with the Prefect of Yuzhou, amassed wealth, and committed corruption. Take him to the Dalisi Procuratorate and await trial!"

The Imperial Guard complied immediately, and Old Prince Ji’s mouth was sealed as he was dragged away.

His face turned ashen as he realized that Chu Yan knew about his crimes, and even more so, how obedient the Imperial Guard was.

Old Prince Ji no longer cried out in innocence. He stood on his pride, declaring, "Who dares?! I am the brother of the late Emperor! I am the Emperor’s royal uncle! Chu Yan, I am even your granduncle! How dare you disrespect me so!"

Chu Yan sneered. "Granduncle, had you not done what you did today, I would have had no reason to act against you. But your actions today are as treasonous as they come. Adding to the wealth you’ve hoarded, causing countless suffering for the common people, even your high rank cannot save you from retribution!"

Old Prince Ji, now realizing he had no way out, turned to his relatives. "Have you all gone mute? If he dares do this to me, he will one day do the same to you!"

The relatives were visibly uncomfortable, but they dared not speak.

It was Prince Zhuang who finally broke the silence, speaking slowly. "Royal uncle, you really are something. With age, you’ve lost your clarity. Do you still want to drag everyone else down with you? Even though the Ninth Prince is not in the capital, whether it’s the Imperial Guard Commander or the Forbidden Army Commander, they are both chosen by the Ninth Prince and the Emperor. How could they listen to you?"

Let alone the Supervisory Office.

With just a few words from the ministers and relatives, how could they overthrow the palace? It all depended on military power!

Old Prince Ji knew this as well but was willing to take a risk, seeing a glimmer of opportunity.

"Chu Yan..." Old Prince Ji lowered his tone, "I was only trying to help you manage the court. I never intended any treasonous actions."

Chu Yan waved his hand, showing no mercy. "Take him away."

He had to act decisively today, for mercy would only weaken his position. Moreover, Old Prince Ji had accumulated too much wealth, and he needed to give the people an explanation.

The Imperial Guard moved swiftly and silenced Old Prince Ji, dragging him away.

The relatives and ministers looked pale, drenched in sweat.

Just then, Prime Minister Lu arrived from the Chu family. As soon as he entered the hall and saw Chu Yan had already returned, he visibly relaxed with a sigh of relief.

"The Ninth Princess?" Prime Minister Lu hurriedly asked, "Has she gone in to see the Emperor?"

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