Seeing him getting angry, Huo Lin's face remained fearless, his eyes turning bloodshot as he tightly clenched his fists. He said, "If Father Emperor insists on killing Lou Ling, then your humble child shall accompany him and find some peace."

Ever since the decree announcing her "marriage" to the general's manor was issued, it became the subject of idle chatter among the court officials after their meals.

There were also some people whom he had beaten up before, who saw this marriage as a joke and did not know how pleased they were behind his back.

This left Huo Lin furious to the extreme, but also feeling powerless.

Just because of this absurd decree, originating from his father, his own father.

"Damn it!" Huo Xuan couldn't contain his anger upon hearing this, and stood up to point at him, cursing vehemently.

"How did my Huo family give birth to such a thing like you? You're always fussing over a mere play actor, causing a whole whirlwind in the city. And now you're spouting such nonsense..."

He was furious and even forgot to refer to himself as "we." He then harshly kicked Huo Lin in the foot, his whole body trembling with anger.

Huolin remained motionless, kneeling on the ground with his eyes downcast. His tone was still resolute as he uttered, "If he dies, I won't live either."

Looking at his face, Huo Xuan felt dizzy and disoriented. He shouted loudly towards the door, "Bring someone here and drag the Sixth Prince to the pond in front of the palace. His mind is muddled, and it seems that we need to help him regain clarity."

Liu Yun, who was waiting outside the door, heard these words and quietly thought to himself, "This is not good." He quickly waved his hand and called over the young eunuch beside him.

Please hurry to the Xianning Palace to request an audience with the Empress Dowager. Then, inform her that... inform her that Prince Liu has defied the Emperor and is about to be dragged into the pond to be punished.

After the young eunuch listened with lowered brows and eyes, he responded with a soft "yes" before hastily departing.

Watching him walk away, Liu Yun looked at the snowfall before him, secretly thinking that if this weather were to be thrown into a pond, how many would survive? Only in the depths of his heart did he pray that the emperor would show some mercy.

A few guards, upon hearing the command, stepped into the palace gates and captured Huo Lin, forcefully dragging him out.

And yet, Huo Lin remained silent, without a hint of submission, and even clamored for Huo Xuan to release Lou Ling.

Liu Yun watched from the side with a headache, thinking that this Sixth Prince was quite skilled at speaking in a gentle manner. Perhaps the Emperor could still change his mind. However, even until he was dragged away, Huo Lin did not utter a word of plea.

Huo Xuan was infuriated and slumped beside the desk, his eyes partially closed, pressing his brow. Seeing the situation, Liu Yun immediately stepped forward, "Your Majesty... Prince Liu, he..."

"If you plead for him, then go roll into the pond with him."

Liu Yun's words were not even spoken yet, but he was frightened and trembled, immediately too afraid to say anything more. He only hoped for the Empress Dowager to arrive quickly, so that nothing bad would happen to Huo Linmo.

Huo Lin was dragged all the way to the side of the pond by the guards. The surrounding area was covered in ice and snow, and he was not wearing a coat. His face was pale from being frozen, and his palm, which had been pierced by shards of a teacup, was still bleeding.

Even the guards who were accustomed to seeing bloody scenes couldn't bear it in their hearts: "Sixth Prince, if it becomes too unbearable...just let your subordinates know..."

Huolin glanced at the young guard, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Feel free to make your move."

The guards, upon seeing the situation, could only grit their teeth and approach, grabbing hold of his collar at the back of his neck, and pressing him down into the pond.

The bone-chilling water rushed into Huo Lin's nostrils and filled his mouth, causing a strong suffocating sensation. His vision darkened, and he almost passed out on the spot.

But he remained silent, defiance flickering in his bloodshot eyes.

Even though his entire body was soaked in ice-cold water, with a pale face void of any color, and his strong arms hanging down, he clenched his teeth tightly, refusing to utter a single word of plea.

At this very moment, a shrill voice from Liu Yun suddenly came from in front of the palace gate, saying, "The Empress Dowager has arrived--"

As soon as the words fell, two palace maids could be seen slowly supporting the Empress Dowager as she approached.

"It's such a tragedy... On such a chilling day, do you want someone to throw him into the pond, hoping for his death?"

Empress Dowager Li Yong, although over fifty years old, appeared to be only in her forties due to her high position and well-maintained health.

Paired with her unangered apricot eyes, she appears even younger.

At this moment, she was pointing and crying out in anguish at the current emperor, her own son.

"If you want him to die, why not throw me into that pond too! At least it would be a relief!"

"Your Majesty, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?"

If we talk about who can control Emperor Yi Yuan in this world, it would be his mother, Empress Li Yong.

Seeing the dying and lifeless state of the Empress Dowager at this moment, Huo Xuan also felt somewhat timid in his heart, afraid that it might enrage her to the point of harm.

As Ho Lin, who showed no signs of remorse, could be expected, his fury began to rise within him.

"Your Majesty, you are not aware of it, but Huo Lin is incorrigible. He indulges himself in the pursuit of pleasure and frequents brothels and pleasure quarters. But now, unexpectedly, he had the audacity to defy me for the sake of an actor. The insolent things he said in front of me just now, if you were to hear them, even you would be so furious as to turn your back in anger."

Li Yong simply didn't want to listen to his explanation at all. He was only worried about the Crown Prince, who was suffering outside.

Just as she was about to berate Huo Xuan to stop, Liu Yun's report suddenly came from outside.

"The Empress Dowager... Your Majesty! It's... it's not good... something's wrong with the Sixth Prince... he... he fainted!"