C110 Part1

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The Main Hall became silent as the Officials saw the Straw-Bag Prince stepping in.

'Why is the Crown Prince here? Didn't the Royal King summon us here to have a special task?'

Everyone suddenly returned to their senses and hurriedly saluted:

"These Officials pay homage to His Royal Highness."

"No need for courtesy."

Murong Ci held the high shelf and stood with her hands in hand.

"Your Royal Highness, the Royal King summoned us to the Palace and we've been waiting for more than an hour now.

When will the Royal King come?"

Most of the Officials who smoked Opium were not high-ranking Officials.

The Official with the highest Official position and grade there was Lord Zhou, the Minister of Ministry of Household, who asked respectfully.

Although the Palace people sent tea and iced fruit to cool off the heat, it was too long to wait for more than an hour.

She said in a high-pitch voice:

"The Royal King is busy with government affairs.

This Prince came here on his behalf."

Everyone looked at each other and talked in a low voice.

Lord Zhou asked with a smile:

"Since this is the case, Your Royal Highness, what are the orders for these lower Officials today?"

"In fact, there's no tasks for you. You have done your duty and done a lot for the Court.

The Royal King and I hereby commend you for spending a few days here to rest."

Murong Ci blinked coldly,

"After a few days, you will be able to return to the Capital..."

"What?"

The Officials looked at each other again.

Some were surprised,

some were at a loss,

some were vaguely angry,

and some were worried and uneasy.

Everyone was thinking the same thing:

it was naturally good to spend a few days of rest in the Palace without having to work, to cool off the heat, but it was also good to smoke Opium every day.

Therefore, someone said:

"This Official thanks Your Royal Highness and Prince Regent for their generosity and compassion, but we didn't bring anything with us.

It's better to let us go back to the city first and bring some replacement clothes."

Everyone agreed.

Murong Ci said coldly:

"The Palace has clothing for you to replace, and the Palace staff will serve you with all heart to satisfy your necessities."

Hearing this, no one had room for maneuver, and all they could think about was how they worked hard in order to be able to smoke Opium every night.

"Your Royal Highness, what is the purpose of imprisoning this Official and others here?"

Lord Zhou said angrily.

"This Official serves in the Ministry of Household.

The Ministry of Household has a lot of official duties waiting for me to do.

I cannot cool off here.

Also if I don't go back for many days, my family will be worried."

"Yes, yeah, isn't this imprisoning the Officials and others here?

What exactly is this?"

"Why are you imprisoned here?

You know the reason better than this Prince."

Murong Ci's eyes swept at everyone coldly.

"This lower Official really doesn't know, so please make it clear, Your Highness."

Lord Zhou suppressed his anger, and asked neither humble nor overbearing.

"If you don't cool off in the Palace for a few days, then you will be exiled to Northern Suburbs.

Your family will be imprisoned, and your whole life will be that of slaves and servants."

Her voice was abruptly stern, full of deterrence.

The Officials became silent and bowed their heads.

Lord Zhou felt that his secret could not be leaked, and said boldly:

"What does Your Highness mean?

What crime did this Official commit?"

Someone echoed:

"His Royal Highness had better make it clear!

These Officials are loyal to their duties and did not commit crimes."

Murong Ci raised her eyebrows coldly, and there was a cold and dangerous aura surrounding her,

"You have to take Opium every night to sleep.

Although this is not a criminal offence, it is also a violation of the law and the crime is not tolerable."

The Officials' hearts and souls were shaken, and they were in cold sweat.

It turned out that this was no secret.

"This Prince kindly asked you to quit your addiction in the Palace, but you weren't grateful, and questioned me.

Actually, this Prince is willing to let you go, but the Royal King will behead you in a public execution, and your relatives will also be implicated and exiled in Northern Suburbs."

She blinked coldly,

"Whether you want to die or want to quit the addiction, you choose for yourself."

"This......"

The Officials were speechless.

In order to save their lives and not to involve their relatives, they had to quit their addiction in the Palace.

Murong Ci added:

"As long as you successfully quit the addiction, this Prince will save you from death and you will not be held accountable.

You can take your relatives away from the Imperial Capital, and you will never be allowed to return to the Capital for three generations."

They knelt down and thanked her gratefully:

"Thank you for your grace."

The Imperial Court banned the use of Opium.

They knew the law and violated it regardless, and the crime was aggravated. His Royal Highness did not pursue it at the same time, so it was already their great fortune.

....

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END of CHAPTER 110 PART 1

.....................to be continued