My father, Gao Huan, is an invincible prince!

Chapter 72. A Second Visit to the Emperor, Requesting Assistance on Various Matters.

After watching Duan Shao walk away, Gao Cheng did not linger any longer. He returned to the inner room of the study, opened the hidden compartment in the wall, took out two sandalwood boxes, and opened them to examine them.

Upon seeing that all six imperial seals and the imperial jade seal were intact, he closed the box and called out loudly, "Taozhi, come to see me."

Liu Taozhi entered in response, knelt on one knee, cupped her hands, and asked, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

Gao Cheng casually instructed, "Prepare the carriage immediately and come with me to the palace."

"only!"

Liu Taozhi stood up in response and turned to do it.

Before long, the carriage was ready and drove out of the Governor's Mansion.

This time, Gao Cheng made no attempt to conceal himself; his entire retinue was fully prepared, and a grand procession of carriages and horses headed straight for the palace.

When the palace guards saw the prince's procession, they dared not question or stop him and let him pass directly.

Thus, the imperial carriage proceeded smoothly into the palace until it reached the Chongguang Hall, where it stopped and ordered an eunuch to enter the hall to announce the request for an audience.

At that time, inside the Chongguang Hall, Yuan Shanjian sat silently facing a game of chess with no end in sight.

Upon hearing the eunuch's report that Gao Cheng had entered the Forbidden City with his entourage, Gao Cheng was instantly consumed by rage and overturned the chessboard on the table with a single slap.

The chess pieces rolled all over the ground, yet he was still not satisfied. He clenched his fist and cursed under his breath, "You scoundrels! How dare you be so arrogant, completely lacking in the proper etiquette between ruler and subject?"

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs standing in the hall were so frightened that they all knelt down, not daring to utter a sound.

After cursing for a while, Yuan Shanjian took a few deep breaths, and his anger gradually turned into weakness.

He gazed at the empty hall and at his own empty imperial robes, feeling a deep sense of sorrow.

He was shocked, he was angry, he was unwilling.

But... circumstances are beyond our control.

Now, inside and outside Ye City, there is only Gao Cheng's power. This emperor is nothing but a clay idol.

If he angers Gao Cheng, the fate of the deposed Emperor Yuan Lang will serve as a cautionary tale for him.

Despite his immense resentment and anger, he could only order the eunuchs to tidy up the scattered chess pieces.

He immediately slumped into his seat and said to the eunuch who had brought the news, "Summon him in."

The eunuch dared not delay and hurriedly turned and left the main hall, announcing in a shrill voice, "Summon Prince Gao Cheng of Bohai to the hall!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng, who was outside the hall, immediately straightened his clothes and strode into the hall.

Upon reaching the Emperor's presence, Gao Cheng bowed deeply to Yuan Shanjian behind the Emperor's desk and proclaimed in a clear voice, "Your subject Gao Cheng greets Your Majesty."

Yuan Shanjian looked at the way he bowed and felt a mix of emotions.

This young man, who was only a few years older than him, was clearly a subject, yet he always gave him a sense of oppressive power, as if he were the master of this great hall.

However, when Gao Cheng was face to face, he dared not show his dissatisfaction again. He could only suppress the resentment in his eyes and force a smile: "Your Highness, please rise and take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Gao Cheng rose in response and sat calmly in the side seat.

Seeing that he had already taken his seat, Yuan Shan feigned composure and asked, "May I ask what brings the Crown Prince to the palace today?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng did not mince words and immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I have come to the palace today to discuss the return of the imperial seal."

Having said that, he took out two wooden boxes from his bosom and presented them with both hands.

However, upon hearing Gao Cheng's purpose, Yuan Shan couldn't help but show a hint of disbelief in his eyes, almost as if he had misheard.

Gao Cheng seemed oblivious to the situation. After presenting the wooden box, he said loudly, "I borrowed the Emperor's seal temporarily because of state affairs. Now that everything has settled, I should return it intact. I hope Your Majesty will forgive the delay."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shanjian hurriedly ordered the eunuch to present the document. He then opened it for inspection and only believed that Gao Cheng had indeed come to return the jade seals when he saw that none of the eight jade seals were missing.

For a moment, I was somewhat surprised, not expecting that Gao Cheng would actually return it.

However, this surprise only lasted for a moment before returning to normal.

After all, he knew very well that even if the imperial seal were returned, it would be nothing more than a pretty decoration to him.

If it's returned today, Gao Cheng can still come and get it tomorrow if he needs it.

Thinking of this, he immediately closed the box and said calmly to Gao Cheng, "Your Highness is too kind. Your Highness has worked diligently for the country, and it is only right that you temporarily lend the imperial seal. How dare I punish you?"

Gao Cheng smiled and didn't dwell on the topic. Instead, he changed the subject and said, "Furthermore, I have two other matters to ask Your Majesty for your consideration and permission."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shanjian's heart tightened, but he could only nod and say, "Your Highness, please speak freely. If it is within my power, I will certainly grant it."

Gao Cheng didn't keep them in suspense and went straight to the point: "Your Majesty, although I have entered the court to assist in governing by royal decree, there is a saying that if the name is not correct, the words will not be proper, and if the words are not proper, things will not be accomplished."

"Therefore, my request is, firstly, that Your Majesty should hold a grand court assembly on the fifteenth of June, issue a decree to the world, appoint me to court to assist in governing, and grant me the titles of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Grand General of the Capital Region, to oversee all affairs of Yedu."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shan's face froze, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over his head.

Gao Cheng's words sounded nice, saying he was "in charge of all affairs," but in reality, he was clearly trying to force him to hand over all power.

He looked at Gao Cheng, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something.

But when the words were about to come out, he found that he had no way to refuse. As a puppet emperor, what other choice did he have but to agree?

In the end, he could only force himself to nod and say with difficulty, "You... are permitted."

Seeing that he had agreed, Gao Cheng continued, "Secondly, Sun Teng, Sima Ziru, Gao Yue, Gao Longzhi, and others have entrenched themselves in the court, committing numerous evils over the years. They are insatiably greedy and corrupt, harming the country and the people, and their crimes are unforgivable. The charges against them that I possess are irrefutable and irrefutable. I humbly request Your Majesty to issue an edict on the day of the grand court session to clearly punish them and restore order to the country."

These words shocked Yuan Shanjian even more, leaving him deeply uneasy.

Although he had secretly hoped that those powerful officials would fall before Gao Cheng arrived, when the moment actually came, he felt only fear.

After all, no matter how much those powerful ministers abused their power, they were still just ministers, and they couldn't be all that bad. But if it were Gao Cheng, it might not be the same.

As the saying goes, "When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves," and "Those of the same kind grieve for each other." If Gao Cheng can deal with Sun Teng and his ilk today, he can deal with the Yuan clan tomorrow...

Thinking of this, even though he was terrified, he could only steel himself and advise, "Your Highness, while the Four Nobles are indeed guilty of grave crimes, they have also rendered some service to the country. If..."

Unexpectedly, before he could finish speaking, Gao Cheng's face turned cold, and he interrupted him sharply: "Your Majesty, my actions are for the sake of the country, eliminating traitors, not for personal gain. If Your Majesty continues to harbor doubts, I fear it will cause loyal ministers to disintegrate and the court and the people to lose heart!"

Upon hearing the threatening tone in Gao Cheng's words, Yuan Shanjian trembled, and a fine layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

A moment later, he seemed to see countless swordsmen and axemen outside the hall, ready to rush in and hack him to death at Gao Cheng's command.

Overwhelmed with fear, he could no longer hold back and hurriedly nodded: "What the Crown Prince says is absolutely right... I... I grant your permission."

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng nodded in satisfaction: "Your Majesty is wise. In that case, I shall wait outside the palace for your decree."

Yuan Shanjian's eyes were filled with resentment and humiliation, but he could only nod in agreement, forcing a bitter smile to save face.

After finishing their business, Gao Cheng said no more and immediately got up to take his leave.

As he rose, he suddenly remembered his elder sister, who resided in the Empress's palace, and asked again, "Your Majesty, I wonder if the Empress has any free time in the palace today? I have been preoccupied with various affairs and have not had the opportunity to visit her. Now that I have an audience with Your Majesty, I should go and pay my respects."

When Yuan Shan heard that Gao Cheng was going to visit the Empress, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief, as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

As long as Gao Cheng doesn't continue to pressure him to visit the Empress, it's fine. So he quickly nodded and said, "The Empress is in the palace. If the Crown Prince wishes to go, I will send a eunuch to guide him."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng immediately clasped his hands in thanks.

Yuan Shan nodded slightly and said nothing more. He then summoned a palace attendant and ordered him to lead Gao Cheng to the inner palace.