Chapter 378: Chapter 378: The Abused Literary Heroine Awakens (54)

"In handling this matter, the Crown Prince ignored the consequences, only knowing how to cover up his mistakes, and is truly unworthy of being the Crown Prince of Great Zhou. I have decided to depose the Crown Prince."

The ministers all agreed, having no objections.

This way, it could pacify those resentful commoners.

Jing Yunzhou’s face had already lost its color. Was Father Emperor really so merciless? From today on, as the deposed Crown Prince, he feared he would be reviled by all.

"As for Prince Ling, he framed the loyal subjects of Great Zhou, colluded with spies from Chen Country, and attempted to disrupt our Great Zhou. He is to be executed. Before execution, he shall be paraded through the streets for three days."

The ministers agreed, thus transferring the people’s ire onto Prince Ling, which in turn reduced a major problem to a minor one.

Even if they internally despised the Emperor, they all pretended ignorance, voicing their praises for the Emperor’s wisdom.

In fact, they were already weighing their options internally, now that the Crown Prince was deposed, other princes would have opportunities. They needed to carefully consider who the next Crown Prince would be.

"Court is dismissed."

Having arranged everything, the Emperor was somewhat fatigued.

Outside the palace gates, under the burning sun, the commoners who had been staring at the people standing atop the palace wall suddenly fell silent.

Jing Yunzhou held a confession book, reading aloud. After he finished reading the long confession, an egg was hurled at him. Knowing he was deposed, the commoners praised the decision.

Thereafter, it was the Grand Steward who read the repentance book on behalf of the Emperor. The commoners, though resentful in their hearts, ultimately feared the Emperor’s authority and vented all their anger on the deposed Crown Prince Jing Yunzhou.

The handling of Prince Ling caused the public’s emotions to reach a pinnacle.

When the palace gates opened, Jing Lingyu was dragged out in a prison cart. The prepared rotten vegetables and eggs were thrown unceremoniously by the commoners. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Retribution, look, this spy’s skin is ulcerated beyond recognition; this is heaven’s punishment."

"Yes, it’s retribution, who told him to harm the loyal subjects?"

"Stone him to death, stone him to death, avenge General Lin."

Jing Lingyu sat inside the prison cart, unable to dodge the things thrown at him from all directions.

He couldn’t understand how it had come to this. Wasn’t he once the lofty Prince Ling?

When did this misfortune begin? Oh yes, it started when he married Cheng Qianyan, from that moment on, his luck turned.

First, he lost the most important thing, and then he contracted this strange skin disease.

If he had known Cheng Qianyan was unlucky for husbands, he would never have taken this step. Perhaps it would have been better for Jing Yunzhou to marry her?

Jing Lingyu was extremely remorseful.

After three days, Jing Lingyu barely clung to life.

On the day of his execution, some commoners were still holding hammers, eager to pound Jing Lingyu into a pulp.

From afar, Doctor Lee glanced, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and walked away with his medical box.

That day he suddenly had a new idea and requested from Prince Ling to go home to fetch medical books. On his way back, he heard of the incident at Prince Ling Mansion, and quickly hid among the crowd.

Unexpectedly, Prince Ling was a spy, and one who harmed General Lin no less.

Pah! Fortunately, he hadn’t healed him, otherwise, his father would have jumped out of his coffin to strangle him.

He might as well become a wandering doctor, the Capital City is too dangerous.

I’m off, I’m off, and I won’t be returning.

...

"County Master, you can leave the palace now. The carriage is ready. Do you wish to return to Cheng Family, or go to the residence awarded by the Emperor?"

Qiann Yan, holding the imperial edict, said, "Let’s go to the residence awarded by the Emperor."

The Emperor conferred upon her the title of County Master of Anning, implying that she thwarted Jing Lingyu’s plot and ensured the peace of Great Zhou. This matter had already been announced to the world, surely causing much discussion outside.

No need to think to know what those people were saying.

Openly, they dared not speak, but in secret, they were likely to gossip about her forsaking her husband.

Qiann Yan sat in the carriage, returning to her bestowed residence.

The Wu siblings, having received the news, along with Ashui, were waiting there.

This outcome was within Ashui’s expectations. Toppling the Emperor of Great Zhou wasn’t so easy. Aside from the Lin Family affair, there were currently no major errors found against the Emperor of Great Zhou. Despite his attempts to cover up the scandal of Lin Family being framed, it can never be completely erased.

Coming back to his senses, Ashui was the first to rush to the carriage’s side, assisting Qiann Yan down, whispering softly, "Thank you."

"County Master, Ashui promised to cook for you once this was over, and now it’s time to honor that promise."