For a time, nearly half the high-ranking officials of the court gathered at Tongxin Pavilion.
For one reason only: the Crown Prince had been killed!
The Crown Prince was the Heir Apparent!
Killing the Crown Prince was tantamount to regicide!
No imperial dynasty would ever show the slightest tolerance for the crime of regicide.
Tongxin Pavilion seemed completely frozen.
His Majesty the Emperor pressed a hand against the Crown Prince's brow, his back facing the crowd.
The Second Prince lay prone on the ground, drenched in sweat.
The Fire Clan members stood in the corner.
Mister Gou looked utterly dazed.
Officials from every faction trembled as they knelt around the room.
His Majesty the Emperor slowly raised his head. "My ministers, Wenxin Pavilion has killed my Crown Prince. Tell me, what should be done?"
His voice was not loud, and every word was exceptionally clear, yet a bone-chilling aura ran from the crowns of every minister's head to the soles of their feet.
The Prime Minister said, "Your Majesty, this old minister believes this matter..."
His Majesty the Emperor whirled around. "Does the Prime Minister think my Crown Prince deserved to die? Or does he think Wenxin Pavilion has the right to stand above imperial authority, using private punishment to throw the law into chaos?"
The Prime Minister trembled from head to toe. "This old minister would not dare... Those who dare kill the Crown Prince deserve execution!"
His Majesty the Emperor's gaze slowly swept across the ministers below. "Since even the Prime Minister believes they deserve execution, then execute them! Minister of War Li Yunjiang, heed my command!"
The capital was in turmoil, but the small courtyard in the south of the city was very quiet. At least, the room itself was quiet.
Lin Su sat cross-legged, his