Relentless Thunder, the Taishang Emperor’s Reputation in Ruins

Unfortunately, the Taishang Emperor's former dominance means nothing in the hands of Prince Nolan—he doesn't even bother to acknowledge him.

Now, the Taishang Emperor is nothing but a tiger with its fangs pulled. Not only Prince Nolan, even Elder Dowager Hsieh wouldn't take him seriously anymore.

The Taishang Emperor is truly finished. His situation now isn't even as good as Prince Jason, who was placed under house arrest. Judging by Prince Nolan's attitude, his end will likely be far worse than Jason's.

As soon as Prince Nolan returned to the Capital, he ordered Warren Yu and Felix Fuller to investigate the Taishang Emperor's case. Everyone involved in the attempted restoration was executed—no exceptions. Even when accused of tyranny by the court, Prince Nolan showed no mercy, completely shutting down any hope of the Taishang Emperor's comeback.

The Taishang Emperor's chief confidant, Felix Fuller, escaped disaster by prioritizing Eastlyn's stability at the critical moment. Prince Nolan publicly praised him. Though he wasn't promoted, his mistakes weren't pursued either.

The officials who survived alongside Felix Fuller were deeply impressed by his foresight, silently resolving to follow his lead from now on.

Felix Fuller may lack a bit of backbone, but he makes up for it with vision. When it counts, he's reliable—following him is a safe bet.

In truth, only Prince Nolan and Felix Fuller understood: the real reason Felix was praised was because he handled Lady Min's disappearance perfectly, sparing Prince Nolan from public disgrace.

The Taishang Emperor knows nothing of the outside world. Once he was locked in the palace, he's blind to everything. No matter how the world turns, it has nothing to do with him now. All he can do is show weakness to Prince Nolan, hoping for mercy—at least a dignified exit.

If Vincent Su hadn't met disaster, maybe Prince Nolan would have let bygones be bygones for the sake of brotherhood. But now?

"I want to see you utterly ruined." Prince Nolan hadn't been seated long before he stood up again, ignoring the searing pain in his body. He tossed this sentence over his shoulder as he strode out, leaving the Taishang Emperor alone, dazed and slumped in his chair, unable to recover for a long time...

Prince Nolan wasn't just making empty threats. To destroy the Taishang Emperor's reputation, he had barely slept these days, preparing everything for the next day's grand court assembly.

At the next day's grand court, William Wang Jinling announced the Taishang Emperor's ten major crimes on behalf of the Emperor. The most striking: patricide, matricide, and fratricide...

One charge after another, each backed by evidence. The imperial physicians who diagnosed the late emperor, his pulse records, the medicines he used... Even the smallest overlooked details were uncovered. All the evidence pointed to the Taishang Emperor.

William read each charge aloud. How much was true and how much was fabricated? That depended on each person's judgment—no one could believe it all, but no one could dismiss it entirely either.

The Taishang Emperor's methods of seizing the throne were never honorable. He did kill his brothers, but patricide? Hardly necessary. At that time, the late emperor was already old; the Taishang Emperor could have simply waited him out.

But now, the ones standing in the palace and making decisions are Prince Nolan and the victors. History is written by the winners—if Prince Nolan says the Taishang Emperor killed the late emperor, then that's how it will be recorded. If he says the Taishang Emperor slaughtered his own kin, then that's what people will believe.

Even when Prince Nolan declared that the Taishang Emperor colluded with Ghost Hall to abduct the Grand Empress Dowager, and that she had already met a tragic end, no one doubted it. The Grand Empress Dowager had been missing for over a month, with no news—clearly she'd come to harm. Even if not, she was unlikely to ever return.

All these charges were expected by the crowd. Only when William read out the accusation that the Taishang Emperor had tried to forcibly seize his younger brother's throne did everyone freeze in shock.

What was going on?

At that time, the Taishang Emperor was the late emperor’s only surviving adult prince and the designated successor. How could he have been accused of scheming to seize the throne?

Just as everyone was puzzled, a eunuch’s sharp voice rang out: "Prince Samuel Zhai requests an audience."

Prince Samuel Zhai, once a veteran who helped the late emperor win the realm, had his princely title stripped by the Taishang Emperor. For him to appear now surely had something to do with Prince Nolan.

Sure enough, Prince Nolan wasn’t surprised at all and immediately summoned Prince Samuel Zhai into the hall.

Prince Samuel Zhai was dressed in full regalia, wearing the formal robes of a prince. He carried a wooden casket, walked to the center of the hall, and didn’t kneel—instead, he raised the box high and declared in a strong voice: "Here is the late emperor’s final edict. Ministers, hear the decree."

Except for Prince Nolan and William Wang Jinling, the entire court was stunned. Only when Prince Nolan took the lead and knelt did the others follow, each shouting, "Long live the Emperor!"

Prince Samuel Zhai glanced at Prince Nolan—who, even kneeling, was proud and upright—then sighed almost inaudibly, composed himself, and read out the imperial edict word for word.

He did what he had to do, seeking a future for that foolish boy Dongming. As for everything else, it wasn’t his concern.

The edict Prince Samuel Zhai read was the late emperor’s final decree: Ninth Royal Uncle was to inherit the throne, while his elder brother—the current Taishang Emperor—would serve as regent. Before Ninth Royal Uncle came of age, the Taishang Emperor would govern; after his capping ceremony, power would be returned to Ninth Royal Uncle.

In other words, the designated heir was Ninth Royal Uncle, not the Taishang Emperor. The Taishang Emperor stole his younger brother’s throne.

"Is the edict real?"

"That can't be possible, can it?"

...

As soon as Prince Samuel Zhai finished reading, Prince Nolan rose to accept the decree. The ministers began whispering among themselves, lost in confusion. Seeing this, Felix Fuller kicked General Warren Yu when no one was looking.

General Warren Yu jumped, glared fiercely at Felix Fuller, and snapped, "What are you doing?"

The whole court was talking, but they were whispering. General Warren Yu’s outburst was so abrupt that the ministers all fell silent and turned to look at him.

Only then did General Warren Yu realize he’d messed up. He broke out in a cold sweat and was about to kneel and beg forgiveness when Prince Nolan coldly asked, "Lord Yu, what are you thinking?"

"I was wondering if the late emperor’s edict was real," General Warren Yu answered honestly, voicing the question in his heart. The moment he finished, he knew he was in trouble—he’d actually said what everyone was thinking...

Every minister wanted to ask whether the edict was genuine, but no one dared to speak up—except for the blunt General Warren Yu, who blurted it out at exactly the wrong moment.

He really is just a rough battlefield type—how could he ask so directly? Even if you have doubts, you should be more tactful.

The ministers secretly looked down on General Warren Yu, bowing their heads in silent agreement and pretending not to hear him, while all of them strained to catch the answer.

With General Warren Yu foolishly asking aloud, none of them had to risk being the sacrificial bird. Only William Wang Jinling and Felix Fuller smiled—of course, only Warren Yu would be clueless enough to ask, and that way no one would suspect their camp.