As Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long's laughter rang out, every court official in Qiankun Hall held their breath and waited in silence.
Everyone knew that once the laughter ended, the outcome of this political struggle would be decided.
Not one of the court officials who could enter Qiankun Hall was a fool.
By now, they had long seen through it. Today's grand court session was, in truth, a political struggle led by Prince Xun Ji Mao and the six Princes of Consultation, joined by Prime Minister Wen Gang, using Ye Zhen's request to marry Princess Changle as a pretext!
A political struggle that was practically forcing the emperor to abdicate!
It simply had not yet reached the point of tearing all pretenses apart!
Because thus far, only Prime Minister Wen Gang and the six Princes of Consultation had made their positions known. Though their lineup looked formidable, they were merely the appetizer.
Both Prime Minister Wen Gang and the six Princes of Consultation had countless former students and old subordinates throughout the court.
Should Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long refuse once more, Prime Minister Wen Gang's former students and old subordinates, along with the lackeys under the six Princes of Consultation, would step forward one after another and confront Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long head-on!
This was politics!
When that happened, all pretenses would truly be torn apart.
Once two-thirds of the officials in all of Qiankun Hall vigorously pushed for something, even if the emperor wished to oppose it, it would be extremely difficult.
If the emperor insisted on opposing it at all costs, the price he would have to pay would be incomparably enormous—perhaps even beyond what he could bear.
Moreover, once things reached the point of tearing all pretenses apart, the struggle would continue beyond the court.
At the same