The court was filled with silent, exchanged glances.
What Prince Yu had said, in truth, was not problematic.
The Princess had indeed been somewhat arrogant this time.
The reason everyone harbored such thoughts was, naturally, because Prince Yu had planned meticulously.
Upon receiving news of his son being severely injured by caning, he had immediately gathered a group of people to pose as villagers from Xinhua Village.
They spread tales of the Princess's cruel and wicked behavior in Xinhua Village throughout the alleys and byways.
In a single night, the entire imperial city was abuzz with the matter of "The Princess's overbearing tyranny and inability to tolerate Prince Hao."
Chu Qianli looked at Prince Yu standing below, her expression unreadable.
This Prince Yu was truly difficult to deal with.
One misstep, and one could easily be cast into an abyss of eternal damnation.
No wonder the Emperor, despite his many years on the throne, had never been able to completely subdue him.
More importantly, not only was he cunning and resourceful, but he also suffered from a serious illness, which made him the most troublesome.
"First Imperial Uncle, your words are mistaken. The transgression committed by Prince Hao this time is truly an offense against heaven and man, unforgivable. If our royal family does not execute him, how can we command respect?"
"Your Highness, what outrageous nonsense are you spouting!" Prince Yu's face flushed with anger.
Execute him? Had this madwoman's brain been gnawed by pigs?
She was clearly insane!
The ministers were all terrified. Was the Princess mad?
The objective of eliminating Prince Yu's faction was too obvious. Even if everyone knew this was the ultimate goal, it couldn't be achieved in a single leap!
Did the Emperor not intend to intervene?
Chu Jiangnan, at this moment, had no intention of intervening. He simply watched his daughter, his face devoid of much expression, serene.
The ministers exchanged bewildered glances. How was this matter to be resolved?
Prince Yu, enraged, laughed instead: "Your Highness Princess, can you not tolerate my Hao'er at all?"
Everyone understood the unspoken implication in these words.
Previously, everyone had been discussing in private, hearing that the Emperor had mentioned Nanming's history, which had once included a female emperor.
Listening to this, it seemed the Emperor intended for the Princess to inherit the throne.
For Nanming, which had been ruled by male imperial power for so many years, this was already somewhat unbelievable.
If she were truly a talent of the ages, perhaps people might consider it.
But now, it seemed she was merely a narrow-minded, willful, and reckless young girl?
If Nanming's empire were to fall into the hands of such a person, the empire would surely be lost.
With this thought, the gazes of many neutral ministers towards Chu Qianli clearly changed.
Chu Qianli tilted her head and glanced at the Emperor.
Her father's expression remained calm.
She also smiled faintly: "First Imperial Uncle, regarding the crimes committed by Prince Hao, does First Imperial Uncle truly know nothing at all?"
Prince Yu, this time, no longer showed any deference.
He said coldly, "Although Hao'er may not be considered a chosen one, I acknowledge his capabilities!"
"Hao'er's actions were merely for the sake of the people and the nation! The Princess gathered the gravely ill villagers together; was her starting point not identical to Hao'er's?"
"When the Princess was helpless against the most critically ill villagers, Hao'er forbade them from leaving the sick area, fearing they would infect other citizens."
"May I ask, what crime has my Hao'er committed?"
He snorted coldly: "Later, when the patients were cured by the imperial physicians, the Princess sought to punish my Hao'er! May I ask, Princess, do you truly not believe you have done anything wrong? Princess…"
Unexpectedly, Chu Qianli coldly smiled and interrupted him: "What I am discussing now is the matter of Prince Hao deliberately detonating and destroying the city moat embankment."