Chang'an had been plunged into utter shock. Princes, lords, and dignitaries, as well as ordinary commoners, were all discussing the matter, from princely mansions to streets and alleyways.
"His Majesty must be planning to depose the Crown Prince, mustn't he?"
"Could there be any doubt? The Crown Prince has long since reached maturity. Why would he need a regent?"
"Although Huo Guang is the Crown Prince's uncle by marriage, who in Chang'an doesn't know that the two aren't close? The Crown Prince hardly ever invites Huo Guang to his residence, and Huo Guang never invites the Crown Prince to his either."
"People have always called Huo Guang a member of the Crown Prince Faction, but at heart, he belongs to the Empress's faction. Imperial Prince She is also the Empress's legitimate son, so it's perfectly natural for Huo Guang to support him."
"Now all that remains is to see how His Majesty deposes the Crown Prince, step by step. This will surely bring bloody winds and rains of gore. Let's hope we don't get dragged into it."
"I wonder what charge they'll use to depose the Crown Prince. Lack of virtue, or lack of filial piety?"
Countless discussions sprang up everywhere. The ministers who had submitted memorials during court were thunderstruck. They had never imagined the emperor would deliver such a forceful counterattack so quickly.
This truly was the reigning sovereign's way of doing things!
Once he wanted to do something, he would see it through. No one could shake his resolve. Only if the emperor himself believed he was wrong would he make adjustments of his own accord.
Even Luo Qing was shaken by the scale of Liu Xun's move.
Liu He, who had been brimming with confidence when he left the Imperial Palace, was somewhat dazed. He had