Revenge of the Phoenix Beauty-Chapter 40: Down fall of Zhao

The throne room was silent after Minister Zhao was dragged away.

The emperor's cold gaze swept across the gathered officials, his expression unreadable. Then, in a firm voice, he broke the silence.

"Investigate everyone who had ties to Minister Zhao."

Gasps and whispering filled the hall. Many exchanged uneasy glances, knowing this was only the beginning.

The emperor's gaze sharpened.

"If they are found guilty, no mercy. They will share his fate."

At his command, the guards moved swiftly.

Names were called.

One by one, officials who had aligned themselves with Minister Zhao were dragged away.

"Your Majesty, I swear I know nothing!"

"Please, have mercy!"

The emperor remained unfazed.

Then, his eyes landed on one figure in particular.

The Second Prince, Wei Cheng.

It was no secret that Minister Zhao had been one of his strongest supporters.

The emperor's voice was quiet, but it felt like a knife on neck.

"Second Prince, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Wei Cheng's fingers traced on the jade bracelet on his wrist.

Minister Zhao's downfall had come too fast. This is bad, very bad.

But no matter what, he couldn't afford to act.

"Imperial Father, I have never conspired with Minister Zhao in any treasonous act," he said, though his voice was steady, his hands were trembling at his sides.

The emperor studied him. His silence stretched long enough. Then, he let out a quiet hmm.

Just as the emperor opened his mouth to speak, a voice,clear and firm, cut through the tension.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider."

All eyes turned.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

The Empress, had stepped forward. Her face remained composed, but her hands, hidden within her sleeves, were tightly clenched.

"The Second Prince is your son," she said continued. "He has been loyal to the empire. Without solid proof of wrongdoing, imprisoning him would damage the imperial family's reputation."

The emperor's gaze flickered, unreadable.

She pressed on. "As a mother, I beg, Your majesty. If you must take action, then place him under house arrest."

The court murmured.

"Yes, the Second Prince would never..."

"Minister Zhao was always a greedy man. Perhaps he acted on his own?"

Some nodded in agreement. Others remained silent, too wary to voice an opinion.

The emperor leaned back, his expression unreadable.

The silence was unbearable. Then, he spoke.

"Very well."

"The Second Prince will be placed under house arrest. Until I'm convinced of his innocence, he is not to leave his palace."

A quiet sigh escaped the Empress. Wei Cheng, however, clenched his fists.

House arrest.

This was still a humiliation. A punishment. He had lost his face in front of the entire court.

But before he could protest, the emperor spoke again.

"As for Zhao Lianyi..."

His voice turned colder. "Take her to prison."