Chapter 148: A Kick to the Top <<<
Li Chen's scolding made this already snow-filled cold night even colder.
Civil and military officials looked at each other in dismay, each feeling a little embarrassed.
But Li Chen's reputation for ruthlessness was widely known, and no one dared openly disobey his orders. So everyone turned their attention to Zhao Xuanji.
Zhao Xuanji's face was as calm as water. He looked at Li Chen and said, "Your Highness, this old minister dares to ask a question, did the Ninth Prince truly die violently?"
Li Chen calmly said: "This palace only just received the news and hasn't had time to inquire about the reason, but it is presumed that no one has the guts to joke about this kind of thing."
Zhaoxuanji’s face was grim as he said, “Now that the Emperor is in a coma and the Ninth Prince has suddenly died, people are naturally anxious. Therefore, I hope Your Highness can understand our feelings.”
"Please understand, Your Highness!"
A group of people, cupping their fists, said.
Li Chen stared at Zhao Xuanji, who had a calm expression, and said in a soft voice: "Your Majesty, all of you officials care about the royal family, this palace understands your intentions. But it's late at night now, and it's inconvenient for outsiders to enter the inner palace. This is an ancestral rule, and this palace dares not disobey. You should all go back first. The cabinet ministers will follow this palace into the palace."
Seeing that Li Chen had finally relented, Zhao Xuanji relaxed his expression and clasped his hands together. "Your subject thanks Your Highness for your understanding."
Thus, since both bigwigs have reached a consensus, the rest of people naturally have no objections and dare not have any.
Thus, only Zhao Xuanji, the Grand Scholar of Zhongji Palace and Chief Assistant Minister, followed Li Chen into the palace, along with Duan J Jiang, the Grand Scholar of Dongge, Fu Yuzhi, the Grand Scholar of Wenhuadidian, and Zhang Biwu, the Grand Scholar of Wuyindidian.
These three individuals constitute the entirety of the cabinet.
Before that, there were Chen HuaiZhi and Wang TengHuan, but unfortunately, they were killed by Li Chen, one demoted. It's impossible for them to come back.
A group of people entered the palace and headed straight for Fengxi Palace.
At this moment, outside the Fengxi Palace, chaos has erupted.
Zhao Qinglan was talking to the imperial physician about something.
"My child, I greet your mother."
Li Chen bowed, performing a respectful greeting.
Zhao Qinglan saw that it was Li Chen who came, snorted coldly, and said nonchalantly: "The prince has finally arrived."

There is much discontent in his words.
Li Chen didn't care, if Zhao Qinglan was able to look at him favorably that would be a ghost.
"We, your humble servants, pay our respects to the Empress."
Zhao Xuanji and others then followed up with greetings.
Zhao Qinglan tensed her face and nodded curtly. “You may omit the ceremony,” she said.
Then, Zhao Qinglan's face turned cold as she said, "The Ninth Prince has just passed away."
Li Chen, upon hearing this, said nothing and walked straight into a side hall.
"Prince!"
Behind him, Zhao Qinglan's voice called out, but Li Chen acted as if he hadn't heard it. He pushed the door open with one hand.
Inside the room, several imperial physicians were gathered around the bed, and beside them, the eighth prince was sobbing so hard that he fainted.
Upon seeing the Eighth Prince, Li Chen's eyes narrowed as he said, "Eighth Prince, why are you here?"
Someone immediately replied, “Today, the Eighth Prince learned that the Ninth Prince had been frightened, and he specially came to see him. When the Ninth Prince died suddenly, the Eighth Prince was present.”
Li Chen walked up to the eighth prince, and seeing the eighth prince Li Yinhu with tear-stained eyes and a face full of grief, he narrowed his eyes and said: "Look up."
Li Yinhu, upon seeing Li Chen, choked back tears and said, "I have met Your Highness the Crown Prince, Second Brother. Ninth Brother died unjustly!"
Li Chensu said, "Where were you when Li Wu died?"
Li Yinhu wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes and said, "I heard that Ninth Brother was frightened today, so I hurried over to visit him. I asked the imperial physician about Ninth Brother's condition outside the door, and as soon as I entered, I saw Ninth Brother twitching all over. I went forward to check, but before I could call the imperial physician, Ninth Brother had already stopped breathing."
As they spoke, Zhao Qinglan and Zhao Xuanji arrived. Li Yinhou saw Zhao Qinglan and immediately burst into tears, "My ninth younger brother was at the peak of his youth, but now he has suddenly died. I beg your Majesty to give my ninth younger brother justice!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Li Chen suddenly launched a kick at Li Yinhu without any warning.
"Why didn't you come earlier or later, but just tonight? The parakeet died suddenly, and you were the only one there. Now you're crying and asking the Empress to be fair. What do you mean? Are you implying that I killed the parakeet!?"

(Editor in charge：)