Xiao Jinsen gave an evil smile.

He looked at Xiao Zhanping with satisfaction.

Xiao Zhanping was so angry that his veins were popping.

Everyone from the scholar mansion had arrived so quickly because, naturally, arrangements had been made in advance.

"Let them in," Xiao Jinsen ordered.

"Yes."

Led by Liu Wenxue, the Chief Scholar, all people from the scholar mansion entered.

"Your servants pay respects to Your Majesty and to Prince Chu," everyone knelt down and saluted.

Seeing the scene before them, seeing Prince Chu sitting on the Dragon Throne and His Majesty being detained, they did not react too much, indicating they had anticipated this.

Xiao Zhanping had yet to speak.

Xiao Jinsen went straight to the point, "Rise."

"Thank you, Prince Chu," everyone stood up.

Then they stood respectfully to the side and waited.

Xiao Jinsen looked at Xiao Zhanping and purposely said, "Father Emperor, I must thank you for putting me in charge of the scholar mansion, which allowed me to gain the allegiance of everyone there. Since the scholar mansion is the only Assistant Minister institution within the court, as long as they all claim to the outside world that Father Emperor has passed the throne to me, it becomes an established fact. Neither the civil and military officials nor the common people will have any doubts."

"Without My own handwritten edict, even if the scholar mansion unites in their claim, the will shall not be established!" Xiao Zhanping threatened, "And I will absolutely not create such a will!"

Xiao Jinsen was completely indifferent to Xiao Zhanping’s threat.

He coldly ordered, "Zhang Hequan."

"Your servant is here."

"Eunuch Mu."

"This servant is here."

"Bring out the will, and have Master Zhang write on behalf of the Emperor."

"This servant obeys the order."

"Zhang Hequan, it all depends on you now."

"Your servant obeys."

Xiao Zhanping didn’t understand what was happening.

He could only watch fiercely as Zhang Hequan wrote out a line of will with fervent strokes at the inkstone desk.

After the transcription was completed.

Xiao Jinsen picked it up, looked it over carefully, and then walked in front of Xiao Zhanping, "Father Emperor, does it not look exactly like your handwriting?!"

Xiao Zhanping’s face underwent a drastic change.

Instantly, he understood Xiao Jinsen’s intention.

"Zhang Hequan’s calligraphy and painting skills are considered first-rate in Daxuan. He can emulate anyone’s handwriting, including Father Emperor’s," Xiao Jinsen was smug, "As long as there’s something I wish to accomplish, it will certainly be achieved."

"You you you..." Xiao Zhanping was so furious his face turned red, and he was too angry to speak.

Xiao Jinsen had thought of everything in his quest for power!

"Eunuch Mu, bring out Father Emperor’s Jade Seal and stamp it onto the document," Xiao Jinsen commanded.

"This servant obeys."

Eunuch Mu hurriedly fetched the Jade Seal.

The will was stamped with Xiao Zhanping’s seal.

The will was established.

Xiao Jinsen then sat back on the throne, appearing utterly invincible.

"Mother Consort," Xiao Jinsen suddenly called out to Zhao Mengyu.

Zhao Mengyu was naturally thrilled beyond measure at this moment.

Her efforts in bringing up Xiao Jinsen had not been in vain.

Indeed, his actions were meticulous.

Indeed, he was capable of great achievements.

"My dear son." Zhao Mengyu called out with sheer joy to her own son.

"All these years you’ve devoted yourself to your imperial father. Yet, in the end, he chose to betray you like this. Today, my son, I shall leave this opportunity to you, to personally put an end to the Emperor’s life," Xiao Jinsen said malevolently.

A ruthless look appeared in Zhao Mengyu’s eyes.

If it weren’t for her son’s preparedness today, she could imagine how she would have been treated by Xiao Zhanping!

Just thinking about Xiao Zhanping’s heartlessness erased her every hesitation.

"Alright," Zhao Mengyu agreed without hesitating.

Xiao Jinsen let out a cold laugh.

With a glance from him,

Eunuch Mu, trembling with fear, handed a bowl of poison to Zhao Mengyu.

Zhao Mengyu took it over, then turned her gaze towards Xiao Zhanping.

Xiao Zhanping felt a tremor in his chest.

He moved his body.

Shackled by Xiao Jinsen’s men, he was completely unable to move.

Zhao Mengyu, holding the bowl of poison, walked towards Xiao Zhanping.

Xiao Zhanping glared at Zhao Mengyu viciously.

With authority, he shouted loudly, "Zhao Mengyu, you dare!"

"Your Majesty, I dare not. I have been wholeheartedly devoted to the Emperor. But given how his Majesty has treated me, I am compelled to do this," Zhao Mengyu said to Xiao Zhanping, enunciating each word, "It’s either the Emperor dies, or I die."

"Zhao Mengyu!" Xiao Zhanping roared at her.

"Your Majesty must not get agitated. This bowl of poison was personally prepared by me. After you drink it, there will be no pain, just like when the Princess died, without suffering!" Zhao Mengyu said with a cold smile.

"What did you say?!"

"Didn’t you know, Your Majesty?" Zhao Mengyu mocked, "Princess Xiao Qinghui was murdered by my son and I."

"You actually killed my Imperial Aunt!"

"Your Majesty, if I dare to kill even the Empress Dowager, what’s a Princess in comparison?" Zhao Mengyu said smugly, "Who told her to be so clueless, daring to force my son to marry Xie Ruiyao. Utterly, overestimating herself!"

"Zhao Mengyu, I really wish to tear you into pieces!" Xiao Zhanping was seething with fury.

"You’d need the capability for that!" Zhao Mengyu dismissed him contemptuously.

Xiao Zhanping clenched his fists, continuously struggling against his restraints.

But to no avail.

"Do you remember Liu Yanxi, the mother of Xiao Jinxing?" Zhao Mengyu said brutally.

"What are you trying to say!" Xiao Zhanping asked fiercely.

"Liu Yanxi wouldn’t dare engage in an affair; she must have been framed!"

"Did you do it?!" Xiao Zhanping trembled all over.

"No, it wasn’t me," Zhao Mengyu sneered, "I didn’t have the audacity back then. But if I could understand such a clear fact, you must have known it in your heart as well. You knew it, yet you still executed Liu Yanxi so ruthlessly. Not only that, but you were also cruel to your own son, Xiao Jinxing. If it weren’t for the Empress Dowager’s kindness in taking in Xiao Jinxing, he would have died a thousand times over. Your current plight is well deserved!"

"Enough, Zhao Mengyu!"

"So I have always understood how to survive better in this deep palace," Zhao Mengyu stated fiercely, "It was never about pleasing you, but my dear son! He is the achievement of my life that I am most proud of!"

"Zhao Mengyu, you will ultimately face the consequences!"

"I am but the hand of Heaven, carrying out its will. Heaven shall thank me," Zhao Mengyu’s eyes narrowed as she coldly ordered the guards, "Shackle the Emperor for me and pry his mouth open."

The guards followed the order, firmly holding down the struggling Xiao Zhanping, while forcefully prying open his mouth.

Zhao Mengyu, without any hesitation, poured all the poison into Xiao Zhanping’s mouth, forcing him to swallow it all!

Everyone watched indifferently as Zhao Mengyu carried out her cruel deed on Xiao Zhanping. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

At first, Xiao Zhanping kept struggling.

But gradually, his strength waned.

He could do nothing but let the poison continuously be swallowed down his throat.

Until he had swallowed it all.

Only then did Zhao Mengyu let people release Xiao Zhanping.