TRBDM -Chapter 230 Defeated Foes

Zhao Jingyan opened his mouth, ready to refute, but was cut off by Zhao Jingtian: “You want proof? Then let’s go to the Gao family ice cellar right now. At the time, I was frozen nearly unconscious, but in my daze I felt heat and took off my outer robe. That robe is still in the ice cellar.”

After speaking, Zhao Jingtian pointed at Gao Yong: “And you—you were the accomplice who kidnapped and harmed me! Lord Jiang, Gao Yong must also be thoroughly investigated.”

Jiang Yuelin nodded: “What the Ninth Prince says is correct. Everyone involved must be investigated.”

Gao Yong finally realized something was wrong.

Everything that had happened today was meticulously orchestrated by Zhao Lingchen.

Each step linked to the next, layer upon layer: starting with the Imperial Concubine, then Zhao Jingtian’s apparent resurrection, and finally framing both Zhao Jingyan and himself with charges of attempted murder.

They were willing to go to any lengths to prevent Zhao Jingyan from ascending the throne.

If they allowed the Court of Justice to investigate freely, wouldn’t that make the Third Prince faction seem utterly incompetent?

He was the most powerful Prime Minister of the Dachong dynasty; his sister was the most esteemed Imperial Concubine; his nephew was the most capable Third Prince.

By right, the throne should belong to the Gao bloodline.

If Zhao Lingchen cooperated with them to place Zhao Jingyan on the throne, Gao Yong would have let it slide.

But today, she had overestimated herself and pressured them persistently. That was no longer possible.

Gao Yong’s intent to kill had already arisen.

Anyone present in the Council Hall—except the Third Prince faction—would leave with no survivors.

At this point, there was no need for Gao Yong to continue pretending.

He laughed wildly, slapping Zhao Jingyan on the shoulder: “Jingyan, do you see? Everything that happened today was aimed at us.”

Of course, Zhao Jingyan knew.

He had already lost his patience, his bones creaking under the pressure.

Did they really think that presenting one piece of evidence after another, along with so-called victims, could bring him down?

Dream on!

He would never allow them to succeed.

At this final stage of the game, both sides had made multiple preparations, so Zhao Jingyan felt completely secure.

At that moment, Gao Yong patted his shoulder—a prearranged signal between them.

It meant Gao Yong was about to act.

Zhao Jingyan immediately responded: “Uncle, I’ll follow your orders in everything.”

Gao Yong nodded, smiling.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he held his head high and chest out, looking at Zhao Lingchen: “Princess, I have always respected you. As a woman, you are smarter and more decisive than most men. But ultimately, a woman cannot surpass a man. Wielding blades, manipulating power, and seizing authority are not suitable for women. Women should support their husbands and raise children.”

“Oh, I forgot—you don’t have a husband. Then again, with your domineering nature, who would dare marry you? Hahaha, hahaha…”

His arrogant laughter echoed through the Council Hall. Zhao Jingheng clenched his fists in anger but was held back by his guards.

Someone whispered softly into Zhao Jingheng’s ear: “Your Highness, remain calm. The Princess has instructed us to ensure your safety.”

He was the new emperor Zhao Lingchen had placed high hopes in; his safety was even more important than Zhao Lingchen herself.

Seated on the high platform, Zhao Lingchen remained unmoved by Gao Yong’s mockery.

She rested her chin on her hand, her eyes cold: “Gao Yong, are you preparing to rebel?”

“I am not rebelling, but correcting chaos. By blocking Jingyan’s path, you are blocking the fortune of the Dachong dynasty. In my view, the ones attempting rebellion are you.”

Diverting the threat—a tactic frequently used in imperial politics across generations—was one of the most common methods in court intrigues.

Because it had never failed, it continued to be imitated by successors.

Whoever could survive to laugh last would hold the power to write history.

And Gao Yong intended to be that historian.

As for how today’s “Council Hall Incident” would be recorded in the annals—it would all depend on Gao Yong’s words.

What was dead could be claimed alive; what was black could be claimed white.

So, he was not afraid at all.

Zhao Lingchen finally stood up.

She glanced imperiously at everyone in the hall: “Ministers, you’ve all witnessed the ambitions and crimes of Zhao Jingyan and the Gao family. Not only did they poison the young heir, they even tried to freeze the Ninth Prince to death. Their crimes are utterly heinous.”

“Today you have seen their wrongdoing. If Zhao Jingyan ascends the throne one day, the first thing he will do is silence everyone who knows the truth.”

The ministers in the Council Hall all turned pale.

Considering the Gao family’s violent temper and their narrow-mindedness that could not tolerate the slightest slight, they believed Zhao Lingchen’s words.

Just as everyone trembled with fear, Gao Yong arrogantly said, “It seems the Princess truly understands me. You really are smarter than most women. But in the end, you are no match for a man.”

“My patience has reached its limit. I won’t play with you anymore.”

Gao Yong clapped his hands five times and shouted sharply: “Attack!”

At his gesture, the imperial guards in the hall drew their swords simultaneously.

At the same time, the palace bodyguards also drew their blades.

Outnumbered three to one, it seemed the imperial guards were at a disadvantage, but Gao Yong was not worried in the slightest.

“Princess, you don’t think I only brought this few men, do you?”

Zhao Lingchen reined in the coldness in her eyes and let out a light laugh: “Of course not. There are still a thousand imperial guards stationed throughout the palace. Fifty at Longzong Gate, a hundred at the Noon Gate, fifty at Chengtian Gate, fifty at Dian Gate, a hundred at Shenwu Gate. The remaining six hundred and fifty are near the Council Hall, ready to follow your orders at any time.”

Gao Yong’s face went pale.

“Prime Minister Gao, did I lie?”

Zhao Lingchen rarely smiled, but now she did, her peach-blossom eyes curving beautifully.

Her dazzlingly beautiful face somehow made Gao Yong feel as if he were facing a demon.

“You… how did you know?”

“Because, besides the guards in the Council Hall, all the other imperial guards have already been controlled by my people.”

Gao Yong staggered, retreating several steps: “Impossible… impossible…”

Zhao Lingchen’s smile disappeared, and she looked down at him with supreme dignity: “Gao Yong, will you ever underestimate a woman again? You are a defeated general.”

“Attack!”

At her command, the palace bodyguards immediately moved.

Soon all the imperial guards were captured, and neither Gao Yong nor Zhao Jingyan managed to escape.

“Zhao Lingchen, a nation cannot go a day without a ruler. Our Dachong Dynasty cannot choose a fool as emperor.”

Gao Yong grabbed the injured leg of Zhao Jingtian, trying to provoke Zhao Lingchen.

But Zhao Lingchen merely nodded lightly: “Prime Minister Gao is correct. The Ninth Prince in his current state is indeed unfit to ascend the throne. But rest assured, I have another candidate for the new emperor.”

Zhao Lingchen’s calm demeanor gave Gao Yong a faint suspicion.

Could it be that the prince she intended to promote was never Zhao Jingtian?

Once that thought formed, all the previously overlooked details began to fall into place.

Who had accompanied Zhao Lingchen to the Council Hall three days ago?

Gao Yong suddenly looked up toward the person firmly guarded not far away.

The Tenth Prince—Zhao Jingheng.

It was him!

Impossible… impossible… At which point had things gone wrong? Why had Zhao Lingchen chosen Zhao Jingheng?

Gao Yong racked his brains but could not figure it out.

“Master Jiang, lock Zhao Jingyan and Gao Yong in the Dali Temple prison and review the case on another day.”

“Yes.”