After Zhao Zhen and Fan Zheng Guo's mediation, the long-delayed morning court was finally able to proceed as scheduled.
Chen Dong ultimately rejected all requests from the students, and went alone with Liu Zheng Yan, following behind Fan Zheng Guo towards the Da Qing Hall.
Although he had been in the Imperial Academy for so long, this was truly the first time he would be attending court to see the emperor.
"I really didn't expect that the first time I would attend court to see the emperor in my life would be under these circumstances?"
Following the procession of officials, Chen Dong said with great emotion when they arrived in front of the Da Qing Hall.
"It's alright, as long as I am here, nothing will happen. I believe it won't be long before you can return here on your own strength!"
Although he didn't know how Chen Dong managed it, Zhao Zhen was truly surprised by his charisma.
He had almost made up his mind that no matter what happened today, he had to keep this person by his side.
He knew his own situation best, and Zhao Zhen understood better than anyone that while he appeared to be in a glorious position now, he was already fraught with danger behind the scenes.
The Emperor had never intended to hand over the throne to him, so the greater his merits, the greater the danger.
The reason he returned to Bianliang City so resolutely was entirely because his faction was already established.
Once the rewards for quelling the rebellion were distributed, he would immediately become a strong contender for the throne.
The Emperor indeed disliked him, but when Han Mo had planned for him before, he had made it very clear that the Song Dynasty was different from other dynasties!
The succession to the throne, on one hand, did require listening to the Emperor's personal opinion, but on the other hand, the opinions of the officials were also very important!
He was already sufficient in martial arts. With the merits of quelling this rebellion, all the other princes were simply incomparable to him in martial arts.
As long as he could demonstrate sufficient political wisdom, coupled with the assistance of Zhong Shidao, Wang Xiang, Fan Zheng Guo, and Xu Churen, it would not be impossible to overthrow the Crown Prince!
The Song Dynasty was governed by both the emperor and the scholar-officials. If a Crown Prince could not display the abilities he should possess, losing his position as Crown Prince would only be a matter of time.
He was no longer the same person as before. With the Emperor's previous decree to ennoble his mother, he had long since become a legitimate imperial son like the Crown Prince.
In other words, in terms of bloodline and status, his status was the same as the Crown Prince's!
As for the matter of seniority, it was not an issue in the Song Dynasty, because from the day the Song Dynasty was founded, there had never been a requirement that the eldest son must inherit the throne.
If an imperial son was sufficiently outstanding, the status of the eldest son was indeed a bonus point, but if he merely had the status without substance, that bonus point would likely become a death warrant in the end!
"Your subjects salute Your Majesty!"
While Zhao Zhen was lost in thought, the group finally entered the great hall.
"Rise!"
After uttering three words expressionlessly, Zhao Ji looked directly at Zhang Bang Chang beside him.
Zhang Bang Chang had just raised his head when he immediately saw the emperor's sharp gaze.
He reacted almost immediately, realizing that the emperor was waiting for him to speak first.
After understanding this, Zhang Bang Chang couldn't help but tremble all over. As expected, Father still loved him!
"I heard that Prime Minister Cai passed away unfortunately last night. Prime Minister Zhang, you were close to him. What do you think about the funeral arrangements?"
After scanning the assembled officials, Zhao Ji selectively ignored Zhao Zhen and asked Zhang Bang Chang.
Upon hearing the emperor's words, Zhang Bang Chang quickly replied:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your subject believes that although Prime Minister Cai's matter is urgent, there is still a more urgent matter!"
"Oh? What matter?"
Even though he knew exactly what this fellow was going to say, Zhao Ji still pretended not to know anything.
"Replying to Your Majesty, your subject impeaches Prince Xin, the Grand Commissioner of the Six Routes of Southeast, as well as the Deputy Grand Commissioners of the Six Routes of Southeast, Wang Xiang and Zhong Shidao, for disrespecting their sovereign and returning to the capital without an imperial decree!"
After Zhang Bang Chang finished speaking, the entire great hall suddenly fell silent. Even Fan Zheng Guo hadn't expected that Zhang Bang Chang would directly impeach Zhao Zhen at this moment.
However, after a moment of shock, he immediately reacted. In fact, Zhang Bang Chang himself was in a difficult position.
His luck was truly terrible. After he defected to Zhao Zhen, he immediately turned and defected to Cai Jing. But whether it was because he was too unlucky or because his fate clashed with Cai Jing's.
They didn't even get through their honeymoon period before Cai Jing directly passed away, and Zhao Zhen, whom he had betrayed, was now soaring to great heights, having made a great contribution in quelling the rebellion, and returning to the Da Qing Hall with honors.
Earlier, outside, he had clearly stood on the opposite side of Zhang Bang Chang.
Wasn't it clear that once Zhao Zhen had stabilized his position, he would begin to settle accounts with him?
He either counterattacked now, or he would have to wait for death in silence. It seemed that Zhang Bang Chang had chosen the former.
"Prince Xin? Prince Xin has returned?"
Hearing him say this, Zhao Ji narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhao Zhen again.
"Your subject Zhao Zhen, greets Father Emperor!"
Hearing the emperor mention his name, Zhao Zhen confidently stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Zhao Ji.
"Your subject, Wang Xiang, Deputy Grand Commissioner of the Six Routes of Southeast, greets Your Majesty!"
"Your subject, Zhong Shidao, Deputy Grand Commissioner of the Six Routes of Southeast, greets Your Majesty!"
Since Zhao Zhen had come out, as his deputies, Zhong Shidao and Wang Xiang also stepped forward.
"When did you return? Don't you know the principle of not returning to the capital without an imperial decree?"
As soon as the three had completed their greetings, Zhao Ji asked again with a gloomy expression.
"Replying to Your Majesty, your subject has something to say!"
Just as Zhao Zhen was about to offer his defense, Fan Zheng Guo stepped forward.
"Prime Minister Fan can speak later. It is Your Majesty who is interrogating Prince Xin now!"
Although Fan Zheng Guo had never been known for his eloquence, at this critical juncture, Zhang Bang Chang truly did not want him to speak much.
"What I have to say is about this matter!"
After glancing at Zhang Bang Chang, Fan Zheng Guo said again with righteous indignation.
"Since that is the case, then you may speak!"
After looking at Fan Zheng Guo deeply, Zhao Ji then said.