At this time, everyone finally noticed Zhou Quande standing to the right of the emperor, holding a rectangular box in his hands.
He took out an imperial edict from the box, unfolded it,
Everyone below held their breath, pricked up their ears, afraid to miss a single word.
Zhou Quande read aloud: "This son's second son Qin Lie..."
Just these few words, and Qin Lie was already having trouble bearing it, his breathing quickening, as if he would swoon from excitement at any moment!
The fists of the Third Prince and Sixth Prince, tucked in their sleeves, were clenched tightly.
But then they heard Zhou Quande continue: "Qin Lie is humble and courteous, gentle and refined, excelling in both civil and military arts, loyal and filial. He is hereby granted the title Prince of Jin!"
Qin Lie was like he had a basin of ice water poured over his head, his aura instantly diminished, his whole being like a plucked rooster, standing stiffly in place!
The ministers who supported the Second Prince reacted the same as Qin Lie, identical.
The other two princes breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhou Quande did not care how they felt, his mouth did not stop: "The third son Qin Zhe is excellent in both moral conduct and learning, gentle and kind, abundantly talented, with an imposing manner. He is hereby granted the title Prince of Qi!
The fourth son Qin Su has fine looks and remarkable talents, outstanding and exceptional, a rising talent. He is hereby granted the title Prince of Chu!
The fifth son Qin Cong has a stately bearing, civil and military strategy, open-minded and broad-chested. He is hereby granted the title Prince of Zhao..."
Zhou Quande went on, eliminating the previous five imperial sons in succession!
Qin Song became more and more excited, thinking His Majesty must be saying words contrary to his true feelings, and what he said that day in Jingyang Palace was to test his mentality.
After all, the one who could become Crown Prince must be unmoved by favor or disgrace, more steady than the average man!
But before his internal drama could play out, he heard from Zhou Quande's mouth the words that shattered his fantasies!
"The sixth son Qin Song has bright eyes and white teeth, is clever and quick-witted, refined and sincere, outstanding talent and elegance. He is hereby granted the title Prince of Wei!"
Qin Song had a dazed expression, his vision seemingly shrouded in darkness, almost unable to stand.
Only the seventh prince remained.
Just when people thought Qin Zhan would be the final winner, he too was granted the title of Prince of Yan!
At this point, all the adult imperial sons had been eliminated!
The ministers did not dare believe what had happened in the hall.
But what Zhou Quande read next shocked them even more, scaring their three souls and seven spirits away!
In the hall, apart from the emperor sitting upright and unconcerned and Zhou Quande loftily ignoring it all, no one survived!
Zhou Quande said, "The ninth daughter Princess Qin Zhao, the only lawful daughter between this one and the virtuous Empress, is hereby granted the title Imperial Princess!"
As the words fell, it was like cold water poured into hot oil, exploding Golden Hall!
The people disregarded court etiquette and cried out one after another in surprise!
"How can this be?"
"Why would it be Princess Zhaoyang?!"
Some even questioned the emperor's edict, shouting, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, could you have written it wrong?"
The three princes fighting for the throne had red eyes and heaving chests as they stared fixedly at Qin Zhao, as if wanting to pierce her through with their gaze!
The princesses could not accept it either.
They had long known they had no chance at being Crown Princess, they had only come to enjoy the show.
Who could have imagined that Qin Zhao, also a princess like them, would be granted the title of Imperial Princess!
Some of the princesses even cried out loud.
Qin Ling sobbed softly, "How can Father treat her with such favoritism?"
She held no malice towards Zhaoyang herself, only unable to bear the emperor's doting on her.
This led to her being unable to restrain her spiteful words whenever she saw Zhaoyang.
Now the emperor's favoritism had evolved to the point of passing the throne to her!
The emperor's decision completely disregarded his other children!
The more Qin Ling thought about it, the more grieved she felt.
Qin Zhao now was not as shocked as the others.
The emperor's decision, while beyond expectations, was still within Qin Zhao's acceptable range.
Becoming Imperial Princess actually made things easier in terms of status.
She no longer needed to rack her brains over how to legitimately ascend the throne and become emperor.
But the cost was that she would become the public target of attack.
And this was precisely Qin Zheng's aim!
Indeed, subsequent events confirmed Qin Zhao's guess.
Qin Zheng lightly coughed, "Cough!"
The unwilling people quieted down.
Qin Zheng asked, "Seeing your reactions, it seems you are very dissatisfied with this one's decision.
Speak, you may voice any opinions you have, and the ministers will discuss matters together."
Cao Ren, a supporter of the Second Prince, was the first to stand up, "Your Majesty, your subject believes granting Princess Zhaoyang the title of Imperial Princess is highly inappropriate!
The laws of Great Yue have provisions that princesses cannot participate in politics!"
Qin Zheng said, "Minister of Justice, tell Us, do the statutes indeed contain this provision?"
Minister of Justice Yuan Jianan stood up and said, "Replying to Your Majesty, our nation's laws do not explicitly prohibit princesses from participating in politics."
Cao Ren was unsatisfied, "Then why has no princess ever attended court before?"
Yuan Jianan said, "Perhaps it is because the princesses had little interest in politics, leading to the prolonged absence of any princess from court.
Over time, everyone mistakenly believed princesses were barred from politics, and it was passed down as tradition and convention."
The Minister of Justice's explanation forced the people to accept that it was legal for Princess Zhaoyang to enter the Eastern Palace.
Zhang Que, Vice Minister of Rites said, "Princess Zhaoyang previously received a refined lady's education. How can she be up to the task of a political position like Imperial Princess?"
Qin Zheng said, "This one still has a few years left to live. Zhaoyang can use this time to thoroughly study the way of emperors.
Prime Minister of the Left, the matter of teaching the Imperial Princess will be left to you."
His thinking was that Xiao Ang Ming belonged to Qin Lie's faction, and certainly would not teach Qin Zhao properly.
Little did he know Xiao Ang Ming had long become Qin Zhao's man!
Xiao Ang Ming said in a loud voice, "This subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations and groom the Imperial Princess into a qualified heir!"
The dissenting opinion was refuted again, leaving the people briefly confused.
Huo Xiaosu suddenly stood up and said, "The emperor, as ruler of a nation, is also the representative image of the country.
Successive emperors have all been as beautiful as jade.
However, Princess Zhaoyang has a facial deformity and cannot show her full face to others.
A person like this does not have the qualifications to be honored as Imperial Princess!"
Huo Xiaosu, self-proclaimed as having lofty status and matchless achievements, spoke bluntly without mincing words.
He was saying this to pave the way for his son Huo Chengjin's future.
Huo Chengjin would soon marry Princess Zhaoyang.
If she ascended the throne, Huo Chengjin could only enter the harem as an imperial consort.
He would lose all chance at participating in politics.
Huo Xiaosu would not allow this to happen!
His words drew eager support from the ministers.
At this moment, the ministers were united, determined to strip Qin Zhao of her title as Imperial Princess!
Qin Song, already incensed beyond reason, rushed to Qin Zhao and ripped off her face mask!
