When Feng Xi Wu entered the city with the Xuan Jia Army, he had no intention of continuing to play pleasantries with these people.
However, everything he did was closely related to Si Feng Ming, so all his actions and plans were not hidden from Si Feng Ming.
Si Feng Ming's lengthy discourse with the various vassal kings was merely to buy time for Feng Xi Wu to control their attendants.
The fiefdoms of the various vassal kings were hundreds of miles from Zhong Zhou, or even thousands of miles away.
As long as those attendants were controlled, these people would not be able to stir up any trouble in the palace.
Lu Qing Wan's sudden interjection was to inform Si Feng Ming that everything was ready.
Upon hearing this, Si Feng Ming revealed a satisfied smile and readily agreed, "Very well, since all the kings have doubts, then let Lan An and his son Lan Hua Xiao come out and speak in person!"
With a graceful wave of her hand, the guards, who had been prepared long ago, escorted Lan An and his son Lan Hua Xiao into the grand hall.
Si Han followed behind, making a gesture as if by chance. Lu Qing Wan then understood that Lan An and Lan Hua Xiao had already been injected with truth serum.
Si Feng Ming had learned his lesson this time.
Without the various vassal kings pressing him, he took the initiative to say, "Lan An and Lan Hua Xiao are both here. Feel free to ask any questions you have, Your Royal Highnesses.
By the way, the rebellion of the King of Ji Zhou is closely related to Lan An. Perhaps you can also ask him about the King of Ji Zhou. You might even have some unexpected gains?"
As he spoke, his eyes meaningfully glanced at the anxious Empress Lan, who was cowering nearby.
When the latter met his gaze, she shivered, wanting to say something, but Si Feng Ming had already shifted his gaze and no longer met her eyes.
Over there, the various vassal kings had already begun interrogating Lan An.
The questions were simple, mostly the same old questions about whether Lan An had truly rebelled and why.
And after everyone had asked these old questions, a deep voice entered Lu Qing Wan's ear.
He said, "The rebel Lan's act of rebellion and usurpation of the throne seems to be a foregone conclusion.
However, this is a matter of Zhong Zhou, and His Majesty has not asked us to interfere. The Crown Prince is more than capable of quelling the rebellion and restoring order, so this King will not ask further.
This King only wishes to ask, Lan Hua Xiao, why did you place those twelve cannons on the roads that the vassal kings must take to enter Zhong Zhou?"
As soon as the King of Liang Zhou spoke, all the vassal kings belatedly realized that if what Si Feng Ming had said earlier was true, they would have almost become the souls of the dead under Lan Hua Xiao's cannons.
The group of people no longer cared about interrogating Lan An, who was already doomed, and rushed to look at Lan Hua Xiao.
They saw him open his mouth like a puppet, "The old emperor was poisoned into a coma by the longevity pill given by my father. After he wakes up, he will surely punish the Prime Minister's mansion.
My father has been planning for many years. Although he doesn't have much military power, he holds evidence against various officials, so he is not afraid of his position being unstable.
He was only worried that the various vassal kings would ruin his plans, so he specially ordered me to guard Zi Yang Pass. Before Zhong Zhou is pacified, any vassal king who approaches will be bombarded and stopped. If anyone forces their way through, they will be killed.
After all, the vassal kings have no shortage of heirs. After pacifying them, they will soon forget their father's death and only be grateful to my Lan family..."
"Arrogant, truly too arrogant!"
The King of Yue Zhou could not believe that his proud status as a vassal king was being so disdained, and he stomped his feet in anger.
The King of Qing Zhou felt insulted and was so angry that he wanted to draw his sword and kill Lan Hua Xiao to vent his anger.
But just as he was about to act, the King of Yan Zhou, who had been quietly watching, suddenly spoke, "Lan An, you said you hold evidence against various officials and have thirty thousand Tiger Leopard Cavalry.
Yet Zhong Zhou has eight hundred thousand royal troops. The Jin Wu Guard and the Imperial Forest Army alone in this Imperial City are enough to wear down your thirty thousand Tiger Leopard Cavalry.
You have navigated the officialdom for thirty years and would not fight a battle unprepared. Tell me, what made you decide to initiate this rebellion and usurp the throne!"
Finally, someone connected the Lan family with the King of Ji Zhou. Lu Qing Wan silently gave the King of Yan Zhou a thumbs-up in her heart.
But she was still happy too soon.
Under the influence of the truth serum, Lan An answered every question. However, after he said, "Because the King of Ji Zhou...",
The rest of his words stopped abruptly.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Lan An's body stiffened, and then he slowly fell.
The guards quickly stepped forward, and Feng Xi Wu knocked a dart to the ground, "Protect the Crown Prince!"
At Feng Xi Wu's command, the Xuan Jia Army soldiers holding shields immediately surrounded Si Feng Ming.
A fleeting figure quickly darted out of the grand hall. Without thinking, Lu Qing Wan sent out the wings of the King of Myriad Phoenix, entwined around the figure's waist, and pulled them back.
With just one glance, she smiled, "Such a familiar assassin. Does Your Majesty the Empress recognize this person?"
As she spoke, she placed her knee on the assassin's lower back and pulled the assassin's hair to make them face Empress Lan.
Empress Lan's face turned ashen and she remained silent, but it was no use. If she didn't speak, others would speak for her.
The officials, who had shrunk into a ball from fright, recognized the assassin at a glance and exclaimed, "Isn't this Aunt Lan Xi from the Empress's palace?
She she she... How could she?"
"This is something we should ask Your Majesty the Empress!"
Lu Qing Wan glanced back at Feng Xi Wu, who cooperated by waving his hand, "Come, arrest the Empress and Prince Rui!"
The Xuan Jia Army moved quickly. Si Feng Chi was still shouting noisily, but Li Yang stuffed a rag into his mouth, and he could no longer speak.
Empress Lan was much calmer than Prince Rui. As the Xuan Jia Army approached, she raised her hand gracefully and said calmly, "Wait, you don't need to arrest me. I will walk myself."
She descended the platform with an elegance that showed no hint of panic, and then looked at Feng Xi Wu with seriousness.
"I know what you want."
Her cold eyes glanced at Si Feng Chi, who was struggling to break free, and then she retracted her gaze without any emotion.
"I have all the evidence that Si Hong Ru murdered the former Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and forced the former Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Jing Hui to their deaths.
I have the list of names and evidence of all those who colluded with him, provided him with intelligence, helped him conceal his crimes, and created opportunities for him."
Empress Lan was indeed a woman worthy of being the mother of the nation. With her words, she scared the souls out of most people.
The court officials were terrified and, regardless of whether Empress Lan's words were true, they frantically exclaimed, "The Empress has gone mad!
Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Your Royal Highness Prince Qin, the Empress has gone mad, her words are not to be believed!"
"Yes, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Empress Lan has been neglected by His Majesty for many years and has long been possessed by demons..."
A group of people were eager to silence Empress Lan, but Feng Xi Wu, from across the spacious hall, respectfully asked, "What is the condition for Your Majesty the Empress to do all this?"
"Let Prince Rui become the King of Ji Zhou."
Empress Lan stated her demand in an almost ruthless tone, "As long as he does not rebel or betray the country, no matter who among you two brothers becomes the new emperor, you must not harm his life."