Zhan Tianye heard Zhan Tianhong's inquiry, his expression indifferent.
Instead of giving an answer as he usually did, he slowly said, "This matter was ordered by His Majesty. This king has no objections."
Yun Shu's heart stirred.
Yun Changfeng lowered his head and frowned secretly.
After hearing Zhan Tianye's response, Zhan Tianhong seemed unsurprised. The timid young man who had once needed directions was gone.
Now, he could face things alone.
Moreover, since it concerned the Empress Dowager, he wanted to make his own decision!
The Empress Dowager was relieved that Prince Ye did not pursue the matter relentlessly. No one knew Zhan Tianhong better than she did. He was timid and would certainly not dare to offend the Geng family, nor could he bring himself to be so ruthless.
Just as she thought the matter was settled.
Zhan Tianhong turned his attention to outside the hall, "What about you all? How do you think this should be handled?"
The ministers outside the hall were all sharp-witted individuals.
Although many officials were close to the Geng family, and even the Regent King, none dared to step forward at this moment.
This was not a trivial matter of petty squabbles; it was an affair between the Empress Dowager and the Regent King!
With irrefutable evidence, who would dare to plead for leniency?
To step forward would be to invite questioning from the Emperor.
Even though the Emperor appeared calm at this moment, many knew he would not let the Empress Dowager off the hook.
Old Master Geng bowed his head deeply, until it nearly touched the ground.
This fully displayed his current state of mind.
The Geng family admitted defeat.
They would absolutely refrain from any further transgressions and would henceforth serve the Emperor with obedience.
However, if this scene had unfolded a few months prior, Zhan Tianhong would have believed it. But the current Zhan Tianhong saw this as a cunning ploy by the Geng family to feign submission, only to strike back when the opportunity arose.
At that time, he would surely regret showing them mercy.
Just as he had in the past.
Therefore, the roots must be eradicated.
The light in Zhan Tianhong's eyes grew increasingly resolute.
"The Empress Dowager has committed a grave mistake. She and the Regent King were involved in an illicit affair even when the late Emperor was alive. They committed unforgivable transgressions. Even if the late Emperor were alive, he would not have pardoned them. If they were pardoned, would not the realm fall into chaos? Everyone would follow suit. Though I am reluctant, Old Master Geng speaks the truth, a prince is subject to the same laws as a commoner! Therefore, since the Regent King has passed away today, strip Zhan Ming of his title as Regent, and he shall not be interred in the imperial mausoleum. The Empress Dowager is to be demoted to the status of a commoner and reside in the cold palace. It is hoped that the Geng clan will reflect well after entering the cold palace." Zhan Tianhong said slowly, without haste.
Upon hearing the last word, Old Master Geng fainted.
The Empress Dowager's knees suddenly buckled, and she was about to collapse.
The cold palace?
A commoner?
She had never imagined he would be so ruthless! He wouldn't even allow her to become a nun, but instead, reduced her to a commoner and imprisoned her in the cold palace! That was a place no woman in the palace ever wished to go!
Even if she were foolish, she understood that being sent to the cold palace was akin to a death sentence. Many former consorts resided there, women she had wronged in the past. Once she entered, they would seek revenge upon her! It was uncertain whether she would even see the next sunrise!
How could the young Emperor be so venomous!
"Does Your Majesty not care at all about the upbringing I gave you?" the Empress Dowager demanded angrily.
She was not reconciled.
She did not want to go to the cold palace!
She could not comprehend where she had gone wrong!
Zhan Tianhong sighed deeply. "If I did not consider our mother-son relationship and your upbringing of me, how could I have shown leniency? Mother, rest assured in the cold palace and contemplate your actions. If you truly repent, perhaps Father Emperor in the netherworld will forgive you."
"Guards, take her away."
As the words fell, he could no longer bear to look at the Empress Dowager.
The guards immediately entered.
After all, she was the Empress Dowager. Even as a commoner, the guards did not dare to be rough.
They waited for the Empress Dowager to stand up on her own and then follow them.
The Empress Dowager struggled to her feet.
She swayed precariously.
She let out a cold laugh.
Her scarlet eyes seemed to drip blood.
"Good, good! You have grown wings! To kill without a trace, truly commendable!" The Empress Dowager glared at Zhan Tianhong with eyes full of hatred and regret.
She regretted her own past leniency.
She had thought the Emperor before her would always be subservient, and that as long as the Regent King held immense power, the Emperor would be no threat.
Who would have known that fortunes would change, and everything would spiral out of control!
One misstep led to eternal regret!
Then, she pointed at Zhan Tianye and Yun Shu, "You will not laugh in the end! Today it is me, tomorrow it will be you! He can be heartless towards me, and even more so towards you! Hahahaha, your fate will not differ much from mine!"
At this moment, the Empress Dowager descended into madness once more.
She looked down again at Old Master Geng, who had fainted on the ground, "It is all my fault! It is all my fault!"
"Hahahaha..."
Her maniacal laughter mingled with the tears streaming down her face.
Utterly unwilling, she followed the guards step by step as they led her away.
Everyone outside the door fell silent.
What was said was intended, and what was heard was taken to heart.
After the Empress Dowager had gone, everyone turned their gaze to Zhan Tianye, Yun Changfeng, and Yun Shu.
The Empress Dowager's words had struck a chord in everyone's hearts.
Could it be that the Emperor could no longer tolerate Prince Ye and the Grand General?
These two had, after all, aided the Emperor in dealing with the Regent King and the Empress Dowager.
For a time, everyone remained silent.
Zhan Tianhong's eyes suddenly became unfathomable.
Yun Shu glanced at Zhan Tianye.
They were both silent.
After a period of silence, Yun Shu suddenly remembered someone: Jiang Luoxi.
She immediately looked at Zhan Tianhong, "Your Majesty, Jiang Luoxi has always been by Madam Geng's side. I believe she is also aware of Madam Geng and the Regent King's affair."
"Jiang Luoxi?" Zhan Tianhong looked at Yun Shu, his gaze suddenly becoming complex.
If it were before, he would not have hesitated to agree to punish Jiang Luoxi. But now...
She was too late.
Zhan Tianhong felt a pang of regret. He looked at Yun Shu helplessly and said in a deep voice, "This matter ends here. Madam Geng has paid the price, and Zhan Ming is dead. No one else will be punished for the collective wrong. Even if Jiang Luoxi knew something, she was serving Madam Geng and likely coerced by her. Whatever she did, she did under duress. I do not wish to implicate anyone further. Even the servants in Madam Geng's palace will be dismissed from the palace."
Upon hearing this, Yun Shu frowned slightly, then her expression returned to normal.
Zhan Tianye grasped Yun Shu's hand.
"Jiang Luoxi is not just a servant by Madam Geng's side; she is the illegitimate daughter of Prime Minister Jiang," Zhan Tianye stated in a deep voice.
The people outside the hall were stunned.
How did Jiang Luoxi get involved again?
Jiang Luoxi was not even acknowledged by Prime Minister Jiang, so why would she suddenly be brought up for punishment?
Prince Ye had spoken very little since the beginning, and now he was speaking out to punish Jiang Luoxi.
Suddenly, everyone recalled that the Empress Dowager had arranged for Jiang Luoxi to enter Prince Ye's residence earlier. Indeed, Prince Ye was not taken in by this honey trap!
Zhan Tianhong knitted his brows.