Chapter 598: How to Deal With the Aftermath

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The civil and military officials promptly submitted their reports, offering various perspectives on the unfolding crisis.

Some advised caution to the new emperor, suggesting that hastily accusing the Third Prince of assassination and pursuing him relentlessly might lead to discontent from the General Manor. Such actions could potentially trigger resistance from the powerful institution.

Others argued that punishing the General Manor would be detrimental to the situation. Without their defense at the northern border, barbarian incursions were inevitable, leading to widespread devastation.

While other generals could potentially guard the northern border, their lack of familiarity with the terrain and the valiant barbarians made them less effective.

Conversely, some officials chose to flatter the new emperor and advocated for the pursuit of the Third Prince, advocating for a comprehensive solution by eliminating what they perceived as the root of the problem—the General Manor.

The situation incited the old duke’s near anger-induced demise.

It became apparent that the decision to falsely accuse the Third Prince of attempting to assassinate the new king was privately made by the new emperor himself. The rationale behind this decision was the belief that the Third Prince, accompanied by only two guards, presented a convenient opportunity for elimination.

However, the new emperor failed to anticipate the Third Prince’s ability to mobilize the Imperial Mausoleum’s guards against him. Furthermore, these guards deliberately allowed the Third Prince to escape.

As news of the incident spread, despite the king’s official statement that the Third Prince was targeted for attempting regicide, most people saw it as a flimsy excuse. Many officials, both civil and military, deemed the new emperor’s actions as ill-considered, and sentiments echoed within the Public House mirrored these sentiments.

While a king’s malleability could make him easier to control, such blatant stupidity raised concerns even among those seeking influence.

The old duke, accompanied by the Empress Dowager, entered the palace to confront the new emperor, delivering a stern reprimand.

The Empress Dowager’s countenance darkened as she admonished, “What were you thinking? Did you even consider the repercussions before taking such actions? Do you believe being an emperor grants you the liberty to act recklessly?”

“I have always emphasized that being an emperor is no easy feat. Your every move must be more calculated than that of an ordinary person!”

“Assassinating the new king is a grave matter, and yet you chose to act unilaterally without consulting us!”

“You are now the emperor, while the Third Prince has nothing. Are you truly afraid that he poses a threat to you? Your timidity is glaring!”

“In comparison to your father, you fall short by a mere fraction. Not even a tenth of his worth!”

The more the Empress Dowager scolded, the more impassioned she became. However, her frustration was compounded by the fact that her own good son had been killed by her own good grandson and their family, without any prior notification.

She had once showered affection on her biological grandson, but now, contemplating his rebellious actions, she felt an urge to strangle him.

Still reeling from the pain of losing her son, the new emperor’s ill-advised actions further exacerbated her distress.

Feigning understanding of the gravity of the situation, the new emperor refrained from challenging the reprimands of the old duke and the Empress Dowager. He was well aware of the potential consequences; any defiance might lead to his inexplicable demise, echoing the fate of his deceased father. Such an outcome could pave the way for his infant son to ascend the throne, thereby strengthening the Public House’s influence.

Determined not to follow in his father’s footsteps, the new emperor vowed to resist the encroaching dominance of the Public House over his family’s realm.

His intent extended beyond eliminating the perceived threat posed by the Third Prince; the new emperor harbored a desire to eradicate the influence of the Public House entirely.

His deliberate orchestration of this tumultuous situation revealed a hidden agenda.

While the Empress Dowager contemplated scolding the new emperor once more, the old duke intervened, counseling, “Empress Dowager, please, let us maintain composure. The emperor acknowledges his mistake. Haranguing him further at this juncture serves no purpose. Let us focus on strategizing how to navigate the aftermath..”

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