Gu Changqing shouted coldly, "Crown Prince, be careful with your words. It is said that both thunder and rain are blessings from the ruler! Are you holding a grudge against His Majesty? Regardless, His Majesty is the father of all the princes, and whatever he does naturally has his considerations! Moreover, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is an age-old principle, unchanging through the ages. How is it that in the Crown Prince’s mouth, it has become His Majesty’s error?"

"The words the Crown Prince just uttered make the old ministers doubt; is it true, as the Crown Prince says, that His Majesty has been poisoned into a coma? Could it be that you, Crown Prince, have played some trick in this?"

With these words, the veil between them was torn away, bluntly pointing out the Crown Prince’s ulterior motives.

Others thought the same but dared not voice it. Hearing Gu Changqing make it public, they looked at him admiringly.

The Crown Prince’s face changed, a flicker of panic crossed his face, but he quickly calmed down, swept his eyes across the hall with a cold smile, "What if it is? What if it isn’t? Now that Father Emperor is in a coma, the civil and military officials and the royal harem are all here, everyone’s life and death depend on my whim! If I want you to live, you live! If I want you to die, you die—"

At this moment, everyone had only two words left in their minds: usurpation!

Everyone showed signs of panic; they all knew that in this situation, with tension high, the Crown Prince would likely have to kill a few people to establish his power and eliminate dissidents, using the corpses to ascend the throne.

Most officials cherish their lives, having practiced their skills to serve the emperor’s family.

As for who becomes the emperor—does it matter? As long as they can preserve their own lives and continue being officials in the future, who sits on the dragon throne isn’t of much concern to them.

Especially the officials supporting the Crown Prince, who showed their elation, knowing that if the Crown Prince successfully ascended the throne, they would have the merit of supporting a new ruler, with promotions and wealth just around the corner.

Only a few loyal ministers of His Majesty’s court looked solemn, knowing well the grave situation; their fates were in the Crown Prince’s hands.

The Emperor’s life or death was still unknown.

The other princes and royal clansmen were all present too.

The Crown Prince chose this timing well, on New Year’s Day, when all the civil and military officials and their families would enter the court for a banquet.

Under normal circumstances, everyone would be busy with their own duties, and they would not gather so completely.

Additionally, the Ninth Prince’s birthday party kept everyone inside the palace, preventing them from leaving, so outsiders wouldn’t suspect why everyone hadn’t emerged yet.

In other words, the power core of Great Chu was locked inside these palace walls.

Before even considering whether the message could be sent out, even if it were, outside would be leaderless, rendering it useless.

More importantly, the Emperor’s life was uncertain; even if they tried to maneuver and stall for time, there was no guarantee that the Emperor might awaken and turn the tables.

Everyone was contemplating the stakes, not just for themselves, but pertaining to their family’s future.

The Crown Prince anticipated this, softening his tone and expression, "I know, esteemed ministers, you have some doubts and worries. Rest assured, I promise here in front of everyone that as long as you witness something today, you will be ensured safety."

Upon these words, many wavered, and the officials started whispering among themselves.

Someone asked from amidst the crowd, "Your Highness, what do you need us to witness?"

The Crown Prince revealed a confident smile, "Naturally, to witness Father Emperor passing the throne to me!"

Gu Changqing and Song Hong, the old ministers, changed expressions upon hearing this, looking towards the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince laughed arrogantly, clapping his hands, "Bring out Father Emperor!"

At the palace entrance, a group carried in a soft sedan, on which sat none other than His Majesty. He leaned slightly on the sedan, eyes shut, unconscious.

Around him were unfamiliar faces, the familiar Chief Steward Su and the Little Chamberlains were nowhere in sight.

Under the Crown Prince’s signal, His Majesty was carried to the throne, half-pulled and half-assisted out of the sedan, and placed upon the dragon throne.

The Emperor slumped over the armrest of the throne, his head hitting its decoration with a thud, without any sign of waking.

Those below changed colors, especially a few concubines, who covered their mouths to stifle their cries, staring in terror at His Majesty, once as revered as the heavens, now utterly oblivious at the mercy of others.

Most dared not even breathe heavily, fearing they would be noticed.

The Empress’s brow furrowed, standing up, taking a few quick steps to support the Emperor, letting him lean on her shoulder, coldly rebuking, "Crown Prince, this is a breach of protocol, an act of rebellion. Do you intend to usurp?"

The Crown Prince chuckled ominously, "Empress, you misunderstand. How could I commit treason? Isn’t it that Father Emperor, being gravely poisoned, can no longer handle state affairs, so he decided to abdicate in my favor? After all, I am the eldest son of Father Emperor!"

"Empress, be assured, once I ascend the throne, I will honor you greatly. Didn’t Father Emperor love you and the Ninth Prince dearly? By then, I’ll ensure your family of three, along with those few new favorites fathered by His Majesty, all reunite happily, won’t that be good?"

The malice in his words was abundant.

If it were an ordinary concubine, she’d probably be terrified by now, but the Empress stood firm, supporting the Emperor, looking at the Crown Prince with derision, "You think you can truly become the Emperor? You patricidal, treasonous son! Do you think I can’t see through your act? That nonsense about His Majesty falling into a coma from poisoned tea from a new favorite? It was your doing, right?"

With the facade already torn, and victory within his grasp, the Crown Prince was impatient and dismissive, "So what if it was? Now that Father Emperor is comatose, do you, Empress, think there is any hope? If you behave, you might have a chance to survive in the Cold Palace. Otherwise, if you still try to stir trouble, let me tell you, I am not as merciful as Father was! Anger me, and I’ll send you and the Ninth Prince to join him right now!"

The Empress’s face turned ashen, yet she remained by the Emperor’s side, looking at the Crown Prince coldly, "Pah! You heinous, treasonous, patricidal villain, Heaven’s eyes won’t allow you to ascend the throne! Even if I die, I won’t let you harm His Majesty!"

The Crown Prince’s face turned livid upon being spat at and cursed.

Consort Shu, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward, "Empress, at this point, why pretend to be so virtuous? You always liked to show your righteousness and grace in front of His Majesty! His Majesty was blind, unable to see through your act, enchanted, making you the Empress over us who’ve been here longer!"

"But now, His Majesty is comatose. Putting on such airs is of no use anymore! Why offend the new ruler? If you admit your mistake and apologize to our Crown Prince, he is magnanimous and won’t mistreat you. In this palace, you’ll still have food for you and the Ninth Prince!"

"Remember, Empress, it doesn’t matter if you die, but you still have the Ninth Prince! Remember, this Ninth Prince is still young, without his parents; life in this deep palace will be tough—"

Consort Shu expertly hit the Empress’s weakness.

The Empress’s expression immediately changed.