After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen-Chapter 425 - 313: Calamity (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Chapter 425: Chapter 313: Calamity (Requesting Monthly Votes)
I have to say, when the Crown Prince uttered these words, the hall fell silent.
The Empress and the Emperor had supported each other all the way, deeply affectionate. Even after the founding of the nation, though the Emperor took a few concubines, firstly, he only visited them as a formality, and secondly, the affairs of the state left him with little energy to spend in the harem. Thus, aside from the early years when the Empress gave birth to the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, the Emperor had been occupied with the war against Dayue, and with age catching up, no more royal heirs were born.
For a nation, having two legitimate princes to uphold its rule was already sufficient. Even though the Third Prince was frail, the Crown Prince was in excellent health and even had a grandson, providing reassurance to the Great Zhou Court.
But when the Crown Prince committed the crime of fratricide and was about to be deposed because of it—
With the Crown Prince deposed, his offspring could naturally not succeed, leaving only the Third Prince as the successor.
However, after a severe illness in his youth, the Third Prince had been frail up to the present day.
According to tradition, he should have married and taken concubines to propagate the lineage at fifteen, but now at eighteen, he was only just preparing to discuss marriage.
The key issue is, as the Imperial Physician who has long treated him said, even if he gets married, when he can consummate the marriage and have children is uncertain.
Though unspoken, everyone understood that the Emperor could not hold on physically for many more years; could the Third Prince shoulder the responsibility of a burgeoning Great Zhou?
If he frequently fell ill, could he maintain authority over the court’s civil and military officials?
Even the most closely related Prince Rong’s Mansion had already fallen. If he delayed in producing an heir, even adopting a Crown Prince from the royal family would become problematic!
While the state’s laws must be upheld and respected, the royal succession could not afford a single misstep. Even these loyal officials in court could not stand to see the achievements built through tireless efforts by the Emperor and his ministers endangered!
The Crown Prince’s words possessed an air of utter defiance.
The first to be incensed was the Empress, who waved her hand, and the teacup beside her flew to the Crown Prince’s feet: "Rebel! Are you threatening us?"
"You’ve calculated so precisely, you must have thought it through! Your father and I have never been ones to succumb to coercion! Even if you are our own flesh and blood, so what? Are you convinced that the Great Zhou cannot do without you?!"
The Imperial Censor and the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, initially hesitant because the Empress was a woman and held in national esteem, now finding it hard to speak up given the suddenness of events, could understand and thus refrained from voicing out.
Hearing the Empress’s stance, the Imperial Censor couldn’t restrain himself. He stepped forward and said, "The Crown Prince first showed disrespect to the Emperor and then falsely accused court ministers. Regardless of the case of the murdered firstborn prince, these words alone disqualify you as Crown Prince!
"Your Majesty! I suggest first confining the Crown Prince in the Forbidden Palace. After determining the truth, if the crime of fratricide is confirmed, he should be immediately deposed!"
The Minister of the Ministry of Justice also stepped out: "The imperial concubine is wise! The Crown Prince disregards human relations and knowingly violates the law, deserving severe punishment!"
Their voices were increasingly resolute. Meanwhile, the guards, having heard the Empress’s summons, were already entering!
The Emperor and Empress, who built the kingdom hand in hand, were certainly not willing to be led by the nose. Though the Crown Prince’s words struck where it hurt, his move was overly hasty; after all, power remained in the Emperor’s hands. Even with preparations, it was still challenging for the Crown Prince to counter the Emperor’s authority.
Xu Yin, having observed for half a day, now quickly kneeled before the Emperor and Empress ahead of the guards: "Your Majesty, although the Crown Prince is a suspect, the facts are not yet clear. Hastily deposing the Crown Prince could cause unrest throughout the land. I implore your Majesty to reconsider!"
The Emperor turned his anger towards him: "You dare step forward?"
Xu Yin raised his head: "I do not understand the meaning of your Majesty’s words. Please enlighten me, your Majesty."
The Emperor said: "Six years ago, the Prince Rong and his son murdered the firstborn prince. What role did you play in this? What did you do?
"What did you do on the night of August 16, three days after the firstborn prince’s murder? How did your fiancée, Liang Ning, the sister of the Great General Liang Qin, die?
"And how did Princess Rong die just a few days ago?"
Xu Yin replied: "Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly! None of these have anything to do with me! I have always been conscientious and dedicated to the country and the people, never overstepping any boundaries. I implore your Majesty not to be misled by traitors!"
"Traitors?" The Emperor straightened up, "Who do you mean?"
Xu Yin held a righteous face: "Your Majesty! Though I do not know what General Pei intends, I gleaned some from his conversation with the Zhang Family father and son earlier. It seems General Pei has discovered evidence of Prince Rong and his son plotting to murder the firstborn prince and ed to your Majesty. However, even if they assassinated the firstborn prince, it doesn’t prove others were involved, nor does it prove this was not their own conspiracy. Even if General Pei submitted such a letter, as the Crown Prince said, a letter can be forged. Without any witnesses here, who can prove the Crown Prince was involved? Not to mention, General Pei even falsely accused me, placing so many charges upon me!