While Lu Chen passionately expressed himself, he couldn’t help feeling pleased with his performance. By making a declaration and provocation at the same time, he believed he had completely offended Cangming Sacred King. If he didn’t remove this loyal Emperor supporter who dared to challenge the authority of the powerful courtier, Cangming Sacred King’s prestige might be at risk. Without enough prestige, the courtiers might begin to scorn him, making it difficult to control the court.

In order to ensure his unassailable authority, Cangming Sacred King would likely take action to remove Lu Chen from the court. After all, the Empress was just a puppet ruler, and Cangming Sacred King could easily manipulate and remove anyone he wanted.

However, while he basked in his own performance, the small hand hidden beneath the Empress’s sleeve suddenly clenched. Her previously calm breath grew somewhat heavy, and beneath her voluminous dragon robe, certain areas that were more developed than her peers started to move more noticeably.

Five days ago, when Lu Chen adamantly presented his plea to Empress Zhao under the threat of Lingtian Phoenix’s authority, an unusual sensation had risen from the depths of her heart. It swiftly spread throughout her body via her meridian system, leaving her with a strange and pleasant tingling sensation.

Her façade of extreme weakness had momentarily slipped, revealing a brief crack.

Beneath the twelve jade tassels on her crown, her gaze, fixed on Lu Chen, held a hint of softness.

Simultaneously, beneath Jiang Chengwan’s mask, a subtle and profound smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Was it that simple-minded people have simple blessings, or that those loyal and righteous were destined to be blessed?

This lad, even if his aptitude was limited and he couldn’t become a crucial statesman, he was bound to become the most trusted person of the Princess.

He was destined to rise to prominence in the future…

After all, it’s true that familiarity breeds fondness, and in the long run, one’s true nature will be revealed. Adding a touch of refinement could never match the value of offering help when it’s most needed.

Lu Chen’s unwavering dedication to the Emperor even in the direst circumstances, with only the Emperor and the court in his eyes, was proof enough of his loyalty.

Though already the Sacred King, Jiang Chengwan was, after all, of imperial lineage, and he had a natural affinity for loyal and righteous individuals. Witnessing the absolute devotion of his younger sister, Jiang Chengwan, to her cause, he subconsciously felt a tinge of jealousy.

If only he had encountered such an exceptional vassal during his days as a prince…

Thinking it over, it could only be attributed to destiny favoring Jiang Chengwan over him.

As for the courtiers below, their reactions to Lu Chen’s words were varied.

Courtiers like Li Zheng, Xie Hongyun, and Wang Zhi bore a mocking expression, obviously looking down on Lu Chen as an ignorant and blindly loyal individual.

Courtiers who hadn’t joined in actively supporting Jiang Chengwan, on the other hand, displayed expressions of intense internal struggle. Their initial hesitation was intensified, as they grappled with an inner conflict.

Yet more courtiers showed slight signs of emotion, unable to restrain themselves from turning their heads to look at Lu Chen, who steadfastly expressed loyalty to the Empress and berated the Three Law Departments and Cangming Sacred King.

Individuals like Lu Chen, who were unwaveringly loyal, could be called foolish or naive, and they might not understand the ways of seeking advantage and avoiding harm or the methods of officialdom. However, they couldn’t be accused of wrongdoing.