Chapter 1681: A Fine Bird! (1/2)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

”Your Highness, what do the laws of the Great Tang say about how this matter should be handled?”

Wang Chong looked up at the enthroned First Prince.

”Come; arrest Kong Wu! Lord Prime Minister, I leave this matter to you. Lead the Three Departments and rigorously investigate this matter!” the First Prince furiously declared from his throne.

Today had been an utter defeat. He understood that Wang Chong was using this deliberate show of strength as a warning, using the matter of Kong Wu to threaten him. However, once one was on a tiger, it was hard to get off, and in front of the entire court, he was forced to deal with Kong Wu.

Such a crime had unquestionably enraged all the officers in the military. Even the First Prince had to give up on him.

”Your Highness! Save me, save me! King of Foreign Lands, there are no grudges between us, so why does it have to be like this!?”

Kong Wu's prostrate form was trembling, his face as white as a sheet of paper and his expression panicked. What he had expected to be a happy occasion had turned into his doomsday.

”Come! Take him away!”

The First Prince was growing increasingly impatient. If not for Kong Wu, he would have never been forced into this stage.

The generals standing in the corners of the palace soon came forward, took Kong Wu by the arms, and dragged him away.

The officials were silent as Kong Wu was taken away, and they even chose to avoid looking at Wang Chong. This was particularly true for the Confucian Sect members, whose eyes were fraught with fear.

The King of Foreign Lands was still the King of Foreign Lands. Even if he was alone and without power or authority, he would still be an existence feared by countless people.

On his first day in court, he had impeached the Assistant Minister of the Bureau of Military Personnel who had been in the post for ten-some years. Not even King Qi had ever managed such a feat before.

”Honored officials, are there any other memorials to be submitted?” the First Prince impatiently said.

The officials looked at each other. A tiny number of major officials submitted memorials on rather trivial affairs, but no one else spoke up.

”Since there is no more, the honored officials are dismissed,” the eunuch finally said.

Everyone sighed in relief. They had managed to get through the day, and they were all too ready to get out of this uncomfortable palace.

Suddenly, Eunuch Yin came up from behind the First Prince and announced, ”Wait a moment. His Highness has decreed that while the other officials may withdraw, the King of Foreign Lands should remain!

”King of Foreign Lands, His Highness has a matter to discuss with you. Please stay back for a while!”

Buzz!

The hall became so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

Everyone waited with bated breath for the reply.

”This lowly subject receives the decree!”

At the very front, Prime Minister Li Linfu seemed unperturbed. With a wave of his sleeve, he began to walk out of the hall.

”Hmph!”

King Qi coldly snorted, shot a glare at Wang Chong, and then began to stride out.

The other officials surged out like the receding tide, and even the eunuchs and guards seemed to realize something and went out through the side entrances.

Bang!

Almost the moment all the officials had withdrawn, the doors slammed shut, isolating Taihe Palace.

All of the officials felt a stifling air, but without another word, they left.

In Taihe Palace, Wang Chong stood unmoving, a calm and assured look on his face. Even after the doors shut, leaving Wang Chong alone in the dim Taihe Palace with the First Prince and Eunuch Yin, he remained unperturbed.

Whoosh!

His robes rustling, the First Prince slowly rose from the throne, his eyes gleaming with cold light.

An immense energy, sharp and cold, erupted from his body.

A voice shattered the silence. ”Wang Chong, it seems you're determined to oppose this prince!”

The First Prince stood on the raised platform, his expression cold as he spoke in an intimidating tone.

One was the regent of the Great Tang and the other was a King. Sovereign and subject each had their own roles, but the First Prince had clearly lost his patience.

”For what reason does Your Highness say such things? Wang Chong is impartially carrying out his duties. And was it not Your Highness who ordered Kong Wu to be arrested?” Wang Chong indifferently said.

”Hmph, there's no need to keep that pompous tone. You and this prince both know what's going on with Kong Wu! You support the Fifth Prince from the shadows, opposing this prince at every turn. This prince knows everything, and it doesn't matter how much you try to defend yourself.

”This prince had you stay so that I could tell you one thing. King of Foreign Lands, do you know what happens when a chicken egg strikes a stone?”

The First Prince murderously glared at Wang Chong.

Eunuch Yin had taken two steps forward, his energy locking onto Wang Chong.