Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 143 Please, Crown Prince, abdicate and yield the throne to a more worthy successor!

When Chen Wenyu met Bai Xiaoxiao's gaze, she felt uneasy, sensing that the Imperial Noble Consort was acting strangely and probably had ill intentions.

"Imperial Noble Consort, don't suggest finding another way. This is a matter of state, concerning the nation. How can you act recklessly?"

Bai Xiaoxiao, however, was unaffected.

Instead, she smiled and said, "Your Excellency knows that matters of state are of great importance to the country, but I remember that it was the officials in the court who started this nonsense with me first."

"What? You courtiers are allowed to laugh at me, but I'm not allowed to retaliate?"

Chen Wenyu fell silent after hearing these words.

They did intend to discourage Bai Xiaoxiao, but they didn't expect this woman to be so clever.

They actually broke the deadlock by using unreasonable and sophistry.

Bai Xiaoxiao looked at the reactions of everyone in the hall and sneered inwardly.

At this moment, the Crown Prince urged her, "Imperial Consort, if you have any other ideas, please speak them quickly. The disaster will not wait for anyone."

Bai Xiaoxiao glanced at him but ignored him, continuing to look at Chen Wenyu.

"Lord Chen, I saw your memorial in Hexi Palace. You requested His Majesty to issue an edict of self-reproach. Is this true?"

Chen Wenyu stood up straight, making no attempt to hide it: "It is indeed Your Majesty's memorial."

"Does Lord Chen think His Majesty needs to issue another edict of self-reproach now?"

In Chen Wenyu's mind, the Great Zhou Emperor was utterly absurd.

The state affairs are neglected, and now a woman is being appointed as regent; this is tantamount to abandoning the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

He should certainly issue this edict of self-reproach!

"I believe that Your Majesty should issue an edict of self-reproach."

"Heavy snow has been falling in the capital for more than ten days, causing great suffering to the people. This is a warning from the heavens."

"The emperor is the ruler and father of the people. If the emperor makes a mistake, he should correct it and appease heaven and earth."

Most court officials remained silent regarding the issue of the edict of self-reproach.

They didn't have Chen Wenyu's fearless spirit, daring to point his finger at the emperor and curse him.

Even when offering advice, the words are at most a bit harsh.

They neither echoed nor opposed Chen Wenyu's work; they simply observed it from the sidelines.

Now that Bai Xiaoxiao has brought up the edict of self-reproach, could it be that the emperor wants to punish Chen Wenyu?

At the end of the court officials' line, Wang Wu stopped slacking off and became extremely focused.

The princess's instructions were to oversee the court assembly to prevent any trouble.

Actually, he wanted to protect Chen Wenyu!

Wang Wu had already received Ma Hu's instructions, and at this moment his eyes were fixed on Chen Wenyu.

Seeing Chen Wenyu's resolute expression, Bai Xiaoxiao couldn't help but chuckle.

"My lord, there is no need to be so nervous. I do not intend to punish you."

"But I think that I should indeed issue an edict of self-reproach."

Upon hearing this, the court officials all looked at Bai Xiaoxiao in surprise, not understanding what this Imperial Noble Consort was up to.

Could this woman be so favored?

Not only could he oversee the country, but he could even persuade the Great Zhou Emperor to admit his mistakes?

The court officials all found it unbelievable!

The Great Zhou Emperor was once a powerful monarch, but now he has been manipulated to such an extent by a woman.

Chen Wenyu, however, had a completely different idea. He looked at Bai Xiaoxiao with a wary expression.

"Since the Imperial Noble Consort believes that this edict of self-reproach should be issued, when will we be able to see the document proclaiming this to the world?"

Bai Xiaoxiao gently raised her hand: "My lord, please don't be in a hurry. Let me finish what I have to say."

"I do think that an edict of self-reproach should be issued. The capital is now suffering from a snow disaster of unknown cause. The south has also experienced disasters last year and this year. This is a warning from God."

"But I do not believe that the celestial signs are a warning from His Majesty."

Chen Wenyu's heart skipped a beat; she had a bad feeling.

Bai Xiaoxiao's words seem to suggest that she is using someone else to do her dirty work.

However, Chen Wenyu was under great tension at the moment and couldn't think of who she wanted to kill with this knife.

He could only mechanically reply, "I do not understand what the Imperial Noble Consort means. Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, the monarch. Who else could be the one to receive the warning from the heavens?"

The eldest princess raised her head and looked intently at Bai Xiaoxiao.

The Imperial Noble Consort's intentions were quite clear; she wanted to use the celestial phenomena as a warning to achieve other goals.

Jiang Yueli has lived two lives and has received countless acts of malice.

Naturally, one would assume that Bai Xiaoxiao's actions were directed at her!

The eldest princess took a deep breath, composed herself, and prepared to fight.

Unexpectedly, Bai Xiaoxiao's gaze only lingered on her briefly before shifting to the Crown Prince.

"Lord Chen, a few days ago I led the staff of the Imperial Observatory to observe the celestial phenomena at the Hexi Palace Observatory. Can you guess what celestial phenomena we observed?"

"It's an omen of Mars guarding the planet!"

Upon hearing this, the court officials were immediately in an uproar.

The crown prince stumbled and almost lost his balance!

In just a short moment, his back was completely soaked.

How could this be?

He had barely entertained the idea of ​​forcing the emperor to abdicate when the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the palace appeared.

Could it be that this heavy snowfall was really caused by him?

Bai Xiaoxiao was satisfied with the Crown Prince's reaction. She said slowly, "In the celestial phenomena that day, Mars lingered near Antares and seemed to overshadow it."

"I will not explain the meaning of this astrological phenomenon, but you all know it: it signifies replacement!"

"Therefore, I believe that the so-called celestial omen is not referring to Your Majesty, but to the Crown Prince!"

Bai Xiaoxiao's voice was soft, yet it carried immense weight, making it difficult for the Crown Prince to breathe.

He wanted to refute it, but emperors throughout history had always been extremely cautious about matters of celestial phenomena.

When the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the palace appears, the country will be in chaos, and this celestial phenomenon will also affect the crown prince.

How could he possibly refute that?

Jiang Yueli gave the Crown Prince a strange look, not understanding why he didn't defend himself.

The astrological sign of Mars guarding the heart does not necessarily indicate guilt on the part of the crown prince. Border conflicts and political turmoil among court officials can also be evidenced by this astrological sign.

Why did the Crown Prince stand there without reacting, as if he had lost his mind?

Jiang Yueli was unaware that the Crown Prince was feeling guilty.

He already harbored the intention to force the emperor to abdicate, and now Bai Xiaoxiao's use of celestial signs as a warning has struck at his most secretive point.

This threw him into a moment of panic!

However, even though the Crown Prince didn't refute it, Bai Xiaoxiao had no intention of letting him off the hook.

"The appearance of Mars guarding the star indicates that the calamity of the day is the fault of the crown prince."

"Even if an edict of self-reproach were to be issued, it should be issued by the Crown Prince, not by His Majesty."

"However, the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, and there has never been a precedent of an heir apparent issuing an edict of self-reproach. Therefore, for the sake of the people and for Heaven's warning."

"In my opinion, the Crown Prince should voluntarily relinquish his position as heir apparent and yield it to someone more worthy!"

Bai Xiaoxiao's words were like a thunderclap, stunning everyone on the spot.

Many people didn't even realize that the situation had suddenly changed from targeting the Imperial Noble Consort to demanding the Crown Prince's abdication.

What exactly happened in those few short moments?

The prince broke out in a cold sweat, constantly reminding himself to stay calm.

The situation is tense now; if you say the wrong thing, you could face utter ruin.

His gaze fell on Chen Wenyu. In such a chaotic situation, only a veteran official like Chen Wenyu had the ability to keep things in order.

However, before Chen Wenyu could step forward to refute him, one of the civil officials stood up.

He cupped his hands and said to Bai Xiaoxiao, "I believe that what the Imperial Noble Consort said is absolutely right!"

"I second that Your Highness should abdicate and yield the throne to a more worthy successor!"

After the crown prince clearly saw who was speaking, his eyes widened in fury.

He forced out a voice through clenched teeth: "Li An, you...you dare to betray me!"