The Princess summoning her elder imperial uncle for trial was already an act of filial impiety and injustice.
Let alone the rumors that this was all a conspiracy by the Princess to seize power.
The outside world was now abuzz, saying that the Princess, in order to become Empress in the future, intended to eliminate all opposition.
And Prince Yu, who commanded a large army, was the first target she wished to eliminate.
"Did you hear? Prince Yu wanted to return to his territory, but the Princess wouldn't let him go and instead wants to take Prince Yu's life."
"I heard it too. Prince Yu has already given up contesting the throne, only wishing to return north to live out his years in peace, but the Princess refuses."
"Perhaps the Princess fears that if Prince Yu returns, it will be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains. She wants to cut the grass and remove the roots!"
"It's said that Prince Hao was killed by the Princess! Some even say Prince Hao was about to expose Prince Yu's crimes and was secretly killed by Prince Yu. How is that possible?"
"They are father and son, how could they turn on each other? It must all be the Princess's doing."
"I never expected that at such a young age, and so beautiful and charming, her heart could be so wicked!"
"Isn't it what they always say? The prettier a woman is, the more deceitful she is. They're talking about someone like the Princess, aren't they?"
"Alas, I never imagined, such a waste of a beautiful appearance..."
Outside Guang'an Gate Plaza, countless citizens were gathered.
Some who had previously held a good impression of Princess Chu Qianli now saw their favorability plummet upon witnessing how she treated her own imperial uncle.
Regardless of what crimes Prince Yu might have committed, the Princess, as a junior, should not have treated her elder in such a manner.
Prince Yu was currently forced to kneel in the center of the plaza, while the Princess sat high above.
Didn't this scene chill the hearts of onlookers?
Most importantly, Prince Yu hadn't committed any major crime, had he?
Everything was merely a means to seize power.
"Your Highness, Princess, may I ask what crime Prince Yu has committed that requires Your Highness to make him kneel in broad daylight?"
The officials who had arrived could no longer contain themselves.
Prince Yu, as a Prince of the realm, had always been second only to the Emperor in Nanming.
Especially with the heavy military power he held, this was by no means comparable to a mere Princess.
The Princess actually made him kneel at Guang'an Gate, a place where only the most serious court offenders were made to kneel!
The Princess had gone too far!
The citizens below also protested in unison: "Release Prince Yu! Release Prince Yu!"
The Princess forcing Prince Yu to kneel at Guang'an Gate Plaza was not just an insult to Prince Yu, but an insult to all the officials and citizens of their entire Nanming Kingdom!
Could it be that the favored daughter of heaven could do as she pleased?
"Release Prince Yu! Release Prince Yu!"
"Princess is cruel and unjust, we are not convinced!"
"Yes! We are not convinced! We are not convinced!"
The citizens were united as never before. This time, not a single citizen sided with the Princess.
Even the Royal Guards by the Princess's side wore troubled expressions, showing a degree of reluctance to obey the Princess's orders.
The Prime Minister, standing beside Chu Qianli, whispered, "Princess, what crime... do you intend to accuse Prince Yu of?"
He had been invited by the Princess to serve as a witness.
Although the Prime Minister had always stood with the Emperor, he absolutely did not approve of the Princess's actions.
Unless he had committed an unforgivable crime, how could Prince Yu be forcibly made to kneel before everyone?
Prince Yu, kneeling below, had initially been so enraged that he felt his blood would boil and he would collapse. But now, seeing everyone pleading on his behalf, Prince Yu was no longer angry.
He wanted to see how Chu Qianli would resolve this matter!