At the words "Receive the imperial decree," everyone in Prince Su's Mansion instantly dropped to their knees, their faces filled with reverence.
Feng Yu unfurled the imperial decree and read in a solemn voice:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Prince Su has died. The mansion has colluded with evil men and committed crimes against Great Zhou."
"I am furious. I hereby demote Xiao Jingyuan, Heir Apparent of Prince Su, to a commoner and exile him to the frontier. Another member of the imperial clan shall be chosen to inherit the title."
After reading the decree, Feng Yu slowly held it out. "Xiao Jingyuan, receive the decree."
Hearing its contents, Xiao Jingyuan trembled all over. He hurriedly prostrated himself and cried, "I—I am innocent!"
He hastily raised his head, terror in his eyes, and looked to Feng Yu for help. "Lord Feng, my lord, you're a close aide to His Majesty. Please help me."
"Everyone in Prince Su's Mansion has always been utterly loyal to His Majesty. This lineage has been passed down for three hundred years. It cannot end with me."
Feng Yu replied calmly, "Besides you, there are plenty of other descendants of Prince Su, aren't there?"
Xiao Jingyuan trembled. "They—they're all dead..."
Feng Yu wasn't surprised by the answer, as if he had known all along. Instead, he said, "Rest assured, Heir Apparent. Prince Su's bloodline won't end. His Majesty will select a suitable member of the imperial clan to inherit the title."
Terror filled Xiao Jingyuan's eyes. As the Heir Apparent, how could he not understand what this meant?
Prince Su's Mansion had always been rather distant from the current emperor.
If this happened, the emperor would likely arrange for a member of the imperial clan with closer ties to him to inherit the