Chapter 837: It

Seeing the eager look on his brother-in-law's face—clearly ready to slap him—Joshua instinctively shrank back, his hand that had slapped the armrest sweeping left and right to brush away nonexistent dust.

Better not…

It's not that I'm scared; the main thing is, I'm not on the same side as this female councillor. She opposes the Replacement Order, and I want it passed—why would I blindly support her?

Besides, I'm a prince, and someday I'll be king. There are so many councillors watching below—if I get slapped to tears at such an important gathering, how will I ever command respect after ascending the throne?

So… you're lucky. For now, the greater good comes first. I'll let you off this time!

Glaring fiercely… then sneaking a glance at Leon, the freckled prince, deprived of his uncle's support and trembling inside, lowered his head and began picking at his nails.

"Your Highness?!"

When Joshua had "slammed the table" just now, the middle-aged female councillor had thought he was about to stand up and speak out, rebuking the presiding officer for his antics—her heavily made-up face had been filled with delight.

But to her shock, Joshua had slapped the armrest, glared, and assumed the posture of a righteous arbiter—yet he merely posed, then uttered not a single word. The middle-aged councillor could no longer hold her composure and cried out in furious disbelief:

"Prince Joshua!

Your role here, representing the Royal Family, is to supervise the Council on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor—to prevent people like him from acting recklessly! If you don't speak up now, where is the Royal Family's dignity?"

"..."

That's right!!!

Hearing the councillor's words, the freckled prince suddenly snapped awake: if he didn't speak now, if he appeared afraid of the man, it would shame the Royal Family and deliver a fatal blow to his personal prestige!

But the moment this thought surfaced, it was snuffed out like a cigarette dropped into a river—by Leon's slightly delighted expression.

Let the blow come—it's nothing I can't take. Besides, his expression clearly shows he's waiting for me to take the bait!

If I ignore this, I'll only lose face. But if I intervene, I'll first get slapped hard, then lose even more face.

Since my face is doomed either way, why would I walk up and ask for a beating? That's pure madness.

…

"It seems Prince Joshua also approves of my temporary proposal."

Standing on the main stage for a long while, watching the middle-aged councillor scream to no avail while Joshua, head bowed, kept picking at his fingers, Leon sighed in disappointment, then turned and waved to the crowd below.

"Two guards, please. She's no longer a senator—she has no right to remain here… Take her out!"

"You?! I dare you to try!"

Seeing two guards approaching to drag her away, the middle-aged councillor flew into a rage, gripping the podium with both hands and shrieking hysterically:

"I am a Countess of the Kingdom! My family has held senatorial seats for two hundred years! You have no right to strip me of my position! And you two—damn you! Don't touch me! Get out!"

Unaccustomed to such an unusual situation, the two guards were momentarily flustered by the councillor's tantrum.

She was clinging to the podium—pulling her off would be difficult. She was no longer a senator, but still a noble. Could they really knock her unconscious?

The guards tried tugging once, but ripped a large tear in her gown, exposing her shoulder—immediately they stopped, helpless, turning to Leon for guidance from this "all-powerful" presiding officer.

What… you can't even handle this? You need me to teach you?

Noticing the guards' pleading glances, Leon shook his head in exasperation, then pulled a rope from his pocket and handed it to them.

"???"

"Still don't get it?"

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Seeing the confused guards, Leon sighed and pointed at the middle-aged councillor, still screaming as she clung to the single podium:

"She's holding onto the podium—tie her to it. Then carry them both out together."

Of course!

With Leon's instruction, the guards instantly understood. They tied the councillor to the podium with the rope and carried them both out as one unit.

Without the podium, Leon wasn't fazed. He picked up the scattered documents from the floor, lifted his small silver hammer and golden bell, and turned back toward the raised dais.

"Move over!"

Shoving the trembling, furious freckled prince aside to clear most of the seat, Leon dumped the pile of documents onto the wide royal throne, then, before the horrified stares of countless councillors, raised the hammer and struck the golden bell twice, calling out:

"Come on, let's continue the meeting!"

"..."

Wait, are we turning this into a market fair now?

Facing Leon's enthusiastic invitation, the councillors below, watching the prince—face ashen, trembling, yet too cowardly to speak up—finally snapped.

You waved your left hand, then your right, and declared two-thirds approval. Joshua's spineless and won't stand up to you. So now, isn't the Upper Council just your personal dictatorship?

Anyone who opposes you gets fired on the spot, tied up like a pig and dragged out—who dares challenge you now? Just vote for whatever you want yourself and declare it passed. Why bother dragging us through this charade?

"Presiding Officer!"

Facing Leon's tyrannical conduct, an elderly councillor with gray hair stood up, sneering sarcastically:

"This session you've presided over will surely be recorded in the Kingdom's history! Whether it's the Replacement Order or expanded suffrage—decide for yourself what passes. We won't be staying."

"Mm, mm. Don't see me off."

Leon wasn't angered by the mockery. Instead, he glanced around politely and suggested:

"Are there others here who, like him, oppose the Replacement Order and expanded suffrage? If so, you may leave together.

Don't worry—I won't strip you of your seats. The Council exists for free speech. If you wish to leave, go ahead. I won't retaliate."

"Since the Presiding Officer says so, we won't stay either."

Hearing Leon's words, another councillor rose and walked toward the exit.

One after another, councillors stood and left, faces dark, occasional muttered curses drifting behind them.

"Absurd!"

"Don't think being a duke gives you license to act like this! The Emperor will never tolerate this!"

"This isn't over!"

Fingertips brushing the horns of a black goat, Leon watched one by one, senators with souls streaked black and purple, exit through the doors. Gazing at the now much cleaner soul-layer of the council chamber, he smiled contentedly, eyes half-closed.

"Everyone!"

Once the opposition councillors had mostly departed, Leon struck the golden bell with his hammer and, with a faintly embarrassed expression, confessed:

"I didn't realize so many opposed me. Clearly, I'm unfit for this role—I'm deeply ashamed…

So, I declare a temporary recess. Please remain seated. Myself and Prince Joshua will go to the Wang Gong to fetch the person qualified to preside over this session!"