I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon

Chapter 597 - 229 Chen Mo: The Three-Surnamed Servant Like Me Has Plenty of People Above!_2

Why have we suddenly come to the Golden Throne Hall?

The Empress and Eunuch Jin exchanged a glance, with a hint of gravity in their expressions.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

The ministers reacted and promptly knelt in greeting.

The Crown Prince walked with steady steps, passing through the ministers, stopping before a majestic and extraordinary elder, bowing respectfully, "Grandmaster."

The elder’s voice was somewhat hoarse and piercing, "Your Highness is here to listen to the administration today, no need to adhere to the teacher-disciple etiquette."

"Very well."

The Crown Prince nodded, turning and ascending the Nine Golden Steps.

"Your son greets the Empress."

Upon reaching the high platform, the Crown Prince first bowed towards the bamboo curtain, then climbed onto the regency seat below the dragon throne.

The chair, carved with a four-clawed golden dragon, was so wide that even with his legs stretched straight, he only reached the edge; his head barely reached halfway up the backrest, further exaggerated by the wide ceremonial robe, making him appear somewhat comically awkward.

The ministers lowered their heads, as if statues, remaining motionless.

"You may all rise." The Crown Prince spoke.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The group then scrambled to their feet.

The Crown Prince spoke in a childish voice, "Father Emperor is unwell, temporarily entrusting the affairs of the regency to myself. During my tender years, my understanding is yet unformed, thus I shall carefully abide by the Empress’s teachings and the advice of my beloved ministers..."

At this point, his tone slightly paused, his expression showing slight panic.

Oh no, he couldn’t quite recall the words beyond this...

At this moment, the Empress spoke up, "Though the Crown Prince is young, he is intelligent and studious. In time, he will surely assume the great responsibility of governing the realm."

"Thank you, Empress."

With the Empress’s rescue, the Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a bit more relaxed.

He looked at the ministers and said, "Just before I entered, I heard some noise in the hall, presumably discussing official matters, yes? Please continue, I would also like to hear it."

Xu Lin glanced around, a subtle understanding dawning in his heart.

For so many years, the Crown Prince had never appeared publicly, but now suddenly attending court at this time, his purpose is evident!

It must be for the Heir of Prince Yu!

"It seems the matter at the Imperial Music Bureau has already reached the emperor’s ears, and knowing the Empress would favor Chen Mo, thus the Crown Prince is made to appear... On one hand to punish Chen Mo, and on the other to caution the Empress!"

"After all, the Great Yuan still bears the surname Chu!"

Xu Lin, firm in his guess, stepped forward and loudly declared, "To report to His Highness, the Sky Scale Guard’s Deputy Thousand Households, Chen Mo, under the guise of carrying out an investigation, openly aimed sword and blade at the Heir of Prince Yu! Such open acts of harm against the imperial family are indeed unforgivable!"

"I plead with His Highness to uphold justice and rectify the court’s rule!"

?

The Crown Prince was somewhat stunned upon hearing these words.

"You’re saying Chen Mo beat Chu Heng?"

Although Chu Heng was much older, by generation alone, he should be considered his cousin.

"Indeed!" Xu Lin replied, clasping his hands. "Such reckless behavior demands strict and severe punishment, serving as a warning to others!"

The Crown Prince turned to look at the Empress, "Mother, what do you think should be done about this?"

The Empress did not immediately reply, softly saying, "The Crown Prince may express his own thoughts."

The Crown Prince pondered for a moment, then inquired, "How is the Heir’s condition now?"

Xu Lin responded, "The Heir is seriously injured and currently resting in the manor."

"So he’s not dead? I thought it was a much bigger issue." The Crown Prince waved a small hand dismissively, his face indifferent, "In my view, let’s leave this matter as is."

?

"Leave... leave it?"

Xu Lin hesitated, questioning if his ears might have deceived him.

The Crown Prince, in a serious but youthful tone, continued, "As far as I know, Chen Mo is exceptionally skilled, repeatedly solving major cases... As they say, talents are like uncut jade, slight blemishes do not hide their brilliance... If such a pillar were to be broken, it would be a misfortune for the state affairs..."

The Grandmaster usually forced him to study the "Emperor’s Model" and "National Strategy"; he often dozed off with the teachings going in one ear and out the other, rarely retaining much. This was among the few lines he remembered...

Unexpectedly, it came in handy today.

Xu Lin hurriedly said, "Your Highness, while Chen Mo indeed has merit, that is no excuse for reckless behavior. If everyone were as arrogant as him, wouldn’t the national laws and discipline become illusory?!"

"For such a grave offense to be treated so lightly, how can it be convincing to all?"

"He should first be thrown into the Heavenly Prison, awaiting trial by the Three Departments!"

The Crown Prince’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

This person is so annoying, refusing to let go of Chen Mo.

It’s hard enough to have a friend, if sent to the Heavenly Prison, who would play ball with him?

"Who are you, anyway?"

"...I am Xu Lin, Minister of the Ministry of Justice."

The Crown Prince glanced around and asked, "Besides this Xu Lin, is there anyone else who disagrees?"

A dead silence filled the hall, with no response.

Xu Lin felt a growing sense of foreboding.

The Crown Prince crossed his arms, irritably saying, "Seems it’s only Mr. Xu who disagrees... You ask my opinion, I give it, but you don’t listen. Would you like to sit here and govern instead?"

Upon hearing such scathing words, Xu Lin’s scalp tingled, and he quickly knelt on the ground.

"I am guilty, may His Highness pardon me!"

The Crown Prince tilted his head, "Then how do you propose to die?"

"I, I..." Xu Lin stammered, his back soaked in cold sweat.

"..."

Eunuch Jin pursed his lips, nearly bursting into laughter.

Though the Empress held a prominent position, she, too, had to follow rules, balancing the ministers while being constrained by powerful figures.

But the Crown Prince was different.

He was of royal lineage, the state’s Crown Prince, backed by the Central Secretariat, most importantly, merely six years old...

By virtue of identity and age, he could act with wilful abandon!

He could even ride atop these ministers and defecate, and none would dare utter a word in dissent!

"Ahem."

The Empress cleared her throat and said, "Mr. Xu, too, is motivated by a desire to uphold the dignity of national law, overwhelmed with concern, without ill intent. The Crown Prince should not fault him."