Chapter 448: Incident, Forcing the Palace?

Sima Da, do you dare to assassinate the ruler?

Sima Da showed no fear, calmly replying: "Eldest Princess, your words are mistaken; how could I do such a thing?"

"His Majesty is old; birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of heaven and earth. Eldest Princess, why… bother over trifles? If you leave today, this old minister will pretend to have seen nothing."

"Eldest Princess, do not put this old minister in a difficult position, nor make the other officials uncomfortable."

Around Sima Da, several officials stepped forward; these people clearly sided with the Eldest Prince and would not retreat because of a single remark from the Eldest Princess. With His Majesty dead, the Eldest Prince they follow is the future emperor.

And they are the ministers who follow the dragon.

The matter has already succeeded halfway; the rest—when they receive their rewards, how could they shrink back?

To make them retreat now would be to tell them they are useless.

"Do you also mean this?"

The Eldest Princess glanced at the people beside Sima Da; these were all members of the great clans of the Great Qi Dynasty, holding much real power. These clans are not simple; each ancestor was no ordinary figure, and after years of development they have become colossi of the Great Qi Dynasty.

Deep-rooted aristocratic families control everything, including that position—they also want to intervene.

What these families seek is not merely a mere throne, but also the meaning behind it; once successful, the future throne will not be decided by a single word of theirs.

The Wang, Bai, and Zhang families—the three great clans—have sided with the Eldest Prince.

Wang Qingfeng of the Wang family clasped his hands and said: "Eldest Princess, your words are mistaken; we fight for the orthodox line of the Great Qi Dynasty. The Eldest Prince is the legitimate eldest son of His Majesty; inheriting the throne is heavenly ordained."

"His Majesty is about to die; the Eldest Prince goes to pay his final respects—what is wrong with that?"

"As a woman, the Eldest Princess should remain in her mansion, not come here to plot rebellion."

Bai Potian of the Bai family coldly laughed: "This is a royal affair; it is not for the Eldest Princess to interfere."

Zhang Dongguo of the Zhang family mercilessly said: "Eldest Princess, please withdraw."

The Eldest Princess was angered by these three; they are all powerful ministers of the dynasty, wielding absolute power of the Great Qi Dynasty. As soon as they speak, they attack the Eldest Princess.

As a woman, she should not interfere in this matter and has no qualification.

If other princes came, they might yield.

Only the Eldest Princess cannot.

Women are lowly, especially at such a time; they fundamentally lack the qualification to stand or to speak.

The throne can only be inherited by a son; His Majesty has several sons—whichever one it is, it will never fall to a single princess.

Naturally they will not give her face; the other officials all spoke out in condemnation, opening with remarks like 'woman of low status' and 'princess has no qualification,' etc.

In a single sentence, at this moment you even lack the qualification to speak.

Many princesses are merely tools used by the royal family to marry off other officials.

These words made Jing Yuheng beside the Eldest Princess displeased; he drew his Thunderbolt Spear and pointed it at these officials.

Lightning flickered, ready to bombard them at any moment.

"If you utter another word of nonsense, do not blame my spear for being merciless."

Bai Potian scoffed: "Jing Yuheng, are you planning to rebel?"

Zhang Dongguo sneered: "A mere woman dares to be presumptuous before His Majesty? Jing Yuheng, you have great gall—come, seize Jing Yuheng for me."

A group of soldiers behind them surged forward, preparing to seize Jing Yuheng.

The Black Dragon Guard beside Jing Yuheng pressed forward, their cultivation directly suppressing.

The White Wolf Vice Hall Master and the Azure Dragon Vice Hall Master stood with arms crossed, coldly observing these people—each a formidable opponent.

Although these people's strength and cultivation are not particularly strong, the individuals beside them are very powerful.

Outside, many more soldiers gathered to surround.

The main issue is the situation inside the Dadian; no one knows what is happening, and they cannot enter.

Nor can they break through the blockade.

The Second Prince Qi Mingdi arrived.

The Third Prince Qi Mingxuan also arrived.

Behind them came the Fourth Prince Qi Minghuang, followed by the Fifth Prince Qi Mingyu, all accompanied by their retinues.

All pressed these people to make way, so they could enter the palace.

The Second Prince narrowed his eyes, imposing and dignified: "Three ministers, and the National Preceptor, do you truly intend to do this?"

"What exactly does His Majesty, the Eldest Prince, intend to do alone inside? Do you plan to assassinate the ruler?"

"If so, generals, hear my command—kill."

"Yes."

The soldiers behind them, the Black Dragon Guard, and the many Strong Ones shouted in unison.

The sound shook the entire Wanggong; for a moment, swords were drawn and bows strung.

The Third Prince stepped forward, walking straight to Bai Potian and the others, pushing them aside.

Bai Potian: "Third Prince, you cannot enter."

"Pa."

A slap sent Bai Potian flying, a tremendous force blasting a deep pit.

Wang Chu and Zhang Dongguo beside him stepped aside; the soldiers behind saw them yield and followed suit.

"Sima Da, will you block this Prince?"

Sima Da gave an apologetic smile: "This old minister does not dare, Third Prince; consider well—once you do this, you become the enemy of the Eldest Prince."

"The Eldest Prince is the legitimate eldest son of His Majesty; he rightfully should inherit the throne."

"Third Prince, do not delude yourself."

The Third Prince raised his hand, imitating the previous move.

Blocked by Sima Da, Sima Da pushed his hand away, threatening: "Third Prince, this old minister is not like them; if you dare to strike again, this old minister does not mind sending you out of the Wanggong."

The Second Prince stepped forward, the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Princes behind him followed, the Eldest Princess followed behind, Jing Yuheng brought people to surround them, and he would not easily let them go; these people are all criminals.

They have not been sentenced, not yet confirmed; Jing Yuheng will not let any of them go.

"Sima Da, are you seeking death?"

The Second Prince and the Eldest Princess spoke at the same time, ready to act at any moment.

Sima Da then stepped back a step, clasped his hands, and said: "Second Prince, Eldest Princess, please enter."

He moved aside, letting them open the gate of the hall behind them themselves; the National Teacher would naturally not stop them.

This show is already over.

They, who already had victory in hand, … were no longer afraid.

Or rather, they all hoped to see this scene happen.

The Eldest Princess gave Sima Da a cold glance, then glanced at the distant National Teacher, her expression grim.

"Hmph."

She remembered them, and followed the Second Prince and the others as they pushed the door open and entered.

Inside the hall, a bloody smell assailed them, a faint bloody smell; they all had cultivation, so they could naturally smell that faint bloody smell, their brows furrowed, they involuntarily lifted their heads and stared at the figure on the throne.

Father Emperor, seated there, had lost his breath.

And their elder brother, the Crown Prince Qimingtian, stood there with his back to them.