Lan Qing stood up.
In his heart, there was still a trace of unease.
His sister had committed a capital offense, and no emperor could tolerate such a thing.
To completely abandon the empire and its people, to disregard the emperor and the populace, and to be solely devoted to one man.
If every Saintess and Saint were like this, the faith of their Nanming Kingdom would collapse at any moment.
When did the Emperor learn of this matter?
"Your Majesty, although my sister's crime is unforgivable, I implore you, in consideration of my years of dedicated service to Nanming, to spare her."
"So, you still cannot achieve a heart devoid of emotion?" Sibling affection was also emotion.
However, in their Lan clan, the Saint Son and Saintess were meant to sever all emotional ties.
Otherwise, in the future, they might commit acts that harm Nanming's empire and its people for the sake of emotion.
Lan Qing remained silent.
Severing all emotional ties, who could truly achieve that?
Normally, as long as everyone lived in peace, one might maintain a state of equanimity.
But when something happened, the heart would still be unsettled.
"I know this puts you in a difficult position, but this tradition of several hundred years, the education of your Lan clan, I have no right to interfere."
Ultimately, he was still a child!
Lan Qing still did not speak.
The royal family indeed had no right to interfere in the affairs of the Lan clan.
Otherwise, if the weather was unfavorable, this Emperor would be forever disgraced and cursed by the people!
At times, the Lan clan even held sway over the Emperor.
Of course, this was only at certain times.
"Regarding Lan Ji's matter, I can pretend not to know. However, Prince Ling must obey Lan Ji in everything, and Lan Ji herself is a sinner. I cannot hand over this empire to Prince Ling."
"I understand." Lan Qing nodded.
His sister was a sinner, and it was already a great fortune that the Emperor did not pursue her wrongdoings.
It was impossible for her to become the empress of a nation again.
"Prince Jing he..."
"Prince Jing is inherently unrestrained. Forcing him to sit still and be a quiet emperor would be more difficult than taking his life."
Therefore, among his three brothers, none were suitable to be the ruler of a nation.
Prince Yu possessed great ambition and strategy, but his character was truly too cruel and inhumane.
Lan Qing looked at Chu Jiangnan: "Your Majesty has not had a single concubine in the harem for so many years. In your heart, do you truly only cherish that one past affection?"
Chu Jiangnan did not answer the question.
Lan Qing hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I exerted some of my power during this trip out of the palace. I may not be able to see the scene in the Ice Pool."
But since His Majesty wished to see it, he could only try his best to fulfill His Majesty's wish.
Moreover, if His Majesty truly intended for the little princess to inherit the throne, then this little princess would be the crown prince.
The crown prince's status was extremely noble and could not be taken lightly.
"Alright, Your Majesty, please follow me."
Lan Qing turned and walked towards the secret passage behind the Lingjiu Hall.
Chu Jiangnan was not seeing the power of the Ice Pool for the first time, but every time he approached, even his formidable internal energy was difficult to resist.
With each step closer, his entire body felt as if it were being pierced by ice blades.
It was as if ice blades were tormenting every pore.
He could not help but cough.
"Your Majesty, your dragon body is of utmost importance."
The little princess had not yet been found, and if he were to perish, the royal family would have no successor.
The one who might eventually ascend the throne would be Prince Yu.
But Prince Yu was cruel and inhumane; if Nanming fell into his hands, the people would suffer immensely.
"Your Majesty, I will begin to cast the spell. Please watch closely!"