Chapter 222

Name：After Marrying a Vegetative Princess, I Went Crazy With Joy! Author：
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Chapter 222

The courtyard teemed with bodies, and countless torches illuminated the black-armored soldiers, standing silently and still. The atmosphere was exceptionally oppressive. Lu Chengqing felt an enormous weight burdened him, and he struggled to look at Su Li before speaking.

“Prince Yongle, I don’t understand what you’re insinuating. I have nothing to say if you’re determined to accuse the Lu Clan falsely.” Lu Chengqing clenched his teeth and continued, “The three of us might meet our end today. But if you persist stubbornly, how can you quash the criticism from the public? You don’t even have the authority to challenge my Lu Clan and many other influential families to death!”

In this dire situation, Lu Chengqing abandoned thoughts of his life and death. He knew well of Su Li’s unwavering resolve. Su Li had invaded the premises and begun killing without hesitation, and it seemed that today’s outcome might not be in their favor. In this dire situation, his only option was to put himself on the verge of death, hoping for a slim chance of survival.

“Lu Clan... After tonight, the Lu Clan will cease to exist in this realm,” Su Li chuckled. After hearing these words, Lu Chengqing’s eyes widened in shock. Even now, he couldn’t grasp the audacity of Su Li targeting the Lu Clan.

The Fanyang Lu Clan had a lineage that spanned a millennium. A family of their stature would typically experience gradual decline, but they had always managed to hold their ground despite countless wars and upheavals. Their influence was deeply intertwined with the imperial court so that any move could trigger a chain reaction. Su Li intended to eradicate the Lu Clan. Even emperors tread carefully when dealing with matters concerning such influential families. What gave Su Li the confidence to believe he could accomplish such a feat? Lu Chengqing’s thoughts were tumultuous as he anxiously considered his options.

In the palace, Li Er stood before the grand hall entrance, gazing up at the inky night sky. He couldn’t understand why he had acted so swiftly and decisively against the Lu Clan. That was because he fundamentally didn’t understand. He didn’t understand the nature of Su Li or Li Er’s perspective on him. Su Li was the kind of person who could defy any worldly authority without hesitation, acting solely on his own will. As an emperor, even Li Er had to yield to Su Li’s determination. The influence of the Five Aristocratic Families and the Seven Noble Houses paled compared to Su Li’s will.

After a long while, Li Er sighed, realizing that he had issued the edict out of necessity. Su Li had already upset the balance, and if he mobilized his forces, using the most explosive methods to eradicate the Lu Clan, the Emperor’s authority would be completely undermined. Li Er’s move was a desperate attempt to salvage some dignity, a choice between two evils, with the lesser being the eradication of the Lu Clan.

No one understood better than Li Er what Su Li meant for the Tang Dynasty. As an emperor, he was accustomed to weighing pros and cons and making decisions based on exchanging interests. When observing Su Li’s actions, Li Er couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and envy. He wished he could act without restraint, to do as he pleased, but he couldn’t. Su Li didn’t need to consider consequences because he could bear them, which was the aspect that Li Er envied the most.

At this moment, Li Er’s emotions were mixed with gratitude, and a touch of envy, yet a faint worry lingered deep within him. His emotions were incredibly complex. His only hope was that Su Li had already planned for the aftermath, for the fall of the Fanyang Lu Clan was no small matter. The real troubles were just beginning after their demise.

The thought of the morning court session weighed heavily on Li Er’s mind. The destruction of the Lu Clan would be the most significant upheaval in the history of the Tang Dynasty, surpassing any external wars in terms of its impact on the political landscape. Courtly conflicts like these were enigmatic, cruel, and bloody. How would Su Li respond?

As he aged, Li Er lost the fearless courage of his youth, and matters of profit and loss no longer consumed his mind. Whenever he thought of Su Li, he couldn’t help but sigh at how old he had become. Li Er turned his gaze towards Wannian County, his expression complex. After a long while, he sighed deeply. “Tonight, Changan is destined to be sleepless...”