A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 763: Chapter 763 Imperial Edict

The following day, Zhao Junyao issued an imperial decree on the spot in the court.

”Prince Yan plotted treason and colluded with the enemy; the evidence is conclusive. Henceforth, his fiefdom is retracted, and he is sentenced to death. Crown Prince Yan is stripped of his imperial surname, demoted to a commoner, and exiled beyond the borders, never to set foot in Capital City for the rest of his life. Princess Consort Yan shall enter the Imperial Monastery to practice Buddhism, while all remaining family possessions are to be confiscated into the national treasury, and their mansion reclaimed. All other servants and slaves shall be conscripted as official slaves and entered into the lowly register!”

This royal edict exploded like a bomb on calm waters, creating waves thousands of feet high.

The entire court was in an uproar.

”Wasn’t it Crown Prince Yan who committed the offense? Why is Prince Yan the one to die?”

”Indeed. However... being stripped of the imperial surname and exiled beyond the borders—that must be worse than death itself! The Emperor is wise!”

”Seems like... that’s the case, yes!”

The crowd debated for a full quarter of an hour. Only after repeatedly confirming that Prince Yan’s Mansion would gain no advantage this time did they finally cease their discussions and kneel in unison.

”The Emperor is wise!”

Zhao Junyao, deep down, was deeply troubled.

He was, after all, his own Imperial Uncle.

But the matter had to be concluded.

In full view of the public, he had to give an account to the soldiers who had died.

Thus, he had no choice but to act as he did!

Now, seeing all these ministers kneeling and proclaiming his wisdom, he felt somewhat helpless.

”I am merely administering punishment according to the law. Where does wisdom come into this?!”

Immediately, someone stepped up to offer flattery.

”Firstly, Your Majesty, this action quells public anger and gives an account to the fallen soldiers of the realm—this is great righteousness!”

”Furthermore, Your Majesty spared the life of Crown Prince Yan by stripping him of the imperial surname and exiling him beyond the borders—this is great kindness!”

”Your Majesty bears the world in your heart, with great kindness and righteousness. We are all in awe!”

Having said that, they knelt.

Seeing this, the rest quickly followed suit.

What a joke. Not to kneel at this time would be tantamount to denying the Emperor’s great kindness and righteousness. This was not a matter to be taken lightly!

So, everyone knelt promptly, prostrating themselves.

Above on the throne, Zhao Junyao looked down at the large numbers of people kneeling below.

A bitter smile touched his lips; in his heart, he truly wanted to give these old men a fierce beating!

Great kindness and righteousness, my foot!

Flattery on ordinary occasions is one thing.

But must they still offer such praise at a time like this? Is this truly what I desire?

Zhao Junyao secretly admitted to himself: Yes, he truly did want this.

Though his Imperial Uncle was family, what did he weigh against the empire?

Furthermore, because of the incident with the Empress Dowager, there had long been knots in his heart, and he felt no closeness—just the need to maintain appearances.

If he and the Empress Dowager were truly innocent in their dealings, that would be one thing!

But if it were ever discovered that they had engaged in illicit affairs... The Empress Dowager’s fate aside, Prince Yan would undoubtedly be doomed!

Therefore, handling the matter in this way was, in fact, perfectly aligned with his own wishes!

After thinking it through in his heart, Zhao Junyao didn’t dare to show any sign of satisfaction on his face.

Not only could he not be satisfied, but he also had to appear deeply distressed.

However, with Zhao Junyao’s perpetually stoic face, he didn’t need to feign anything for others to already perceive him as grim-faced.

”All rise. There is no need to discuss this matter further!”

”Your subjects comply with the decree!”

Zhao Junyao nodded and directed the discussion toward other matters.

The morning court proceeded very smoothly.

The royal decree was also issued after the court session ended.

The Imperial Court was unanimously supportive; not a single person opposed. As for the Harem...

When the Empress Dowager received the news, she fainted on the spot.

All the on-duty Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau were summoned, causing a great commotion in the palace that became known to all!

Regardless of whether their concern was genuine or feigned, the concubines all rushed to attend to the Empress Dowager.

Xia Ruqing, still in her lying-in period, did not go.

However, to express her concern, she specifically sent Zi Yue to stand vigil.

Although it was somewhat against the rules, no one had the time to quibble with her at that moment.

While the Imperial Physicians made their diagnosis inside, the concubines stood outside.

The air was cold, and some, clad in thin garments, shivered yet dared not leave.

They all stared at each other, each disapproving of the others!

But no one dared to speak; they all bowed their heads in silence.

Suddenly, a loud shout was heard from outside.

”The Emperor has arrived!”

His own mother had fainted; how could he not come to see her?

Although... the reason for the Empress Dowager fainting at this particular moment was rather obvious.

But even if he was angry, as her son, he had to put on an act.

If he truly did nothing, wouldn’t that confirm... that all those old rumors were true?!

He would not do something so self-incriminating!

”We greet Your Majesty, the Emperor!”

The concubines knelt all over the floor.

Zhao Junyao was somewhat surprised upon entering.

He glanced around, and when he didn’t see Xia Ruqing, he felt relieved.

He immediately waved his hand.

”Rise, all of you!”

”Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Zhao Junyao ignored them and went straight into the inner chamber.

Inside, several Imperial Physicians had just finished their diagnosis and were conferring in low voices.

Seeing the Emperor enter, they quickly knelt to pay their respects!

Zhao Junyao gestured with his hand.

”Rise, all of you!”

Saying this, he looked towards the couch.

He saw the Empress Dowager lying with her back to him, not getting up or moving, as if she were still unconscious. He asked, ”How is the Empress Dowager’s condition?”

Head Imperial Physician Zhang hurriedly responded, ”Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager suffered a sudden surge of extreme anger, which caused her to vomit blood!”

”Fortunately, she has awakened. Once I prescribe a few restorative medicines to regulate her condition, she should recover quickly. However... the Empress Dowager requires complete bed rest and must not be subjected to any further agitation!”

Zhao Junyao barely registered these words.

But... Head Imperial Physician Zhang said the Empress Dowager was awake.

Yet the Empress Dowager hadn’t moved, still facing away.

Is she... disdaining to even look at me?

Zhao Junyao scoffed and said, ”If that’s the case, you may all go and prepare the prescriptions!”

”Yes!”

The Imperial Physicians bowed and then left.

Only mother and son remained in the inner chamber.

The Empress Dowager still did not move.

Zhao Junyao, however, was not in a hurry.

He sat down in a nearby chair. There was no tea, nor did he desire any.

He looked around and then said, ”Mother, is it that you... resent me?”

The Empress Dowager, still facing away, did not respond.

After a moment of silence, she could no longer hold back and abruptly sat up.

”Your Majesty jests. You are the sovereign of this nation!”

”I am but a mere woman; how could I dare resent you?”

”Whatever you do is correct, all for the sake of the common people!”

”Even if you have to be cruel to your own kin for the sake of justice, you do not care! Your eyes see only the empire!”

The Empress Dowager, like a lit cannon, fired off her words, each one sharp and accusatory!

Zhao Junyao laughed.

”My eyes see only the empire, that’s right!”

”But in Mother’s eyes, who is there?”

”Those who don’t know better might think Zhao Junqi is your biological son, while I am merely some motherless child!”

This remark seemed to strike a nerve with the Empress Dowager.

She sat there, speechless.

She opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say!

Her face gradually turned waxen, then a deathly ashen gray.

”You...”

”You are truly... insolent!”

Feeling guilty? Zhao Junyao sneered.

But he couldn’t be bothered to say more to her.

He stood up.

”If Mother has leisure, it would be best to focus on recuperating!”

”As for those inconsequential individuals, it would be wise to trouble yourself less with them!”

”Your son takes his leave!”

Having said that, Zhao Junyao turned and walked away!