Chapter 41#
The next morning’s regular court session began as dawn’s first light broke and morning dew still lingered.#
Emperor Shunyuan arrived slightly later than usual. In the Wuying Hall, the assembled civil and military officials stood in orderly ranks, entirely devoid of their usual casual murmurs. The only sound was the crisp ringing of palace bells hanging beneath the eaves of the imperial hall, lending an air of impending storm and chilling tension.
Only after the morning bell had tolled three times did Emperor Shunyuan finally drag his weary body onto the dragon throne. Liu Quan stood tall and announced loudly, and the officials performed the grand ritual of three kowtows and nine prostrations.
No sooner had the ritual ended, before the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial could call for officials to step forward and present their memorials, Tang Guangzhi of the Ministry of Personnel had already taken a step forward.
His face was somber and stern as he declared in a clear voice, “Gu Weizhi arrived in the capital yesterday with witnesses. Due to the busy affairs surrounding welcoming the Grand General’s triumphant return, matters were delayed until now. Last night, I, along with the Prefect of the Capital, conducted an urgent interrogation of the witnesses, obtained three sheets of signed confessions, all with fingerprints affixed. I respectfully present them for Your Majesty’s perusal!”
With that, he raised his wrist, holding up three sheets of yellow paper bearing dried ink marks.
“Minister Tang!” A furious roar rang out as Luo Mingpu stepped forward with glaring eyes, his tone indignant. “Witnesses should first be tried by the Ministry of Justice, then reviewed by the Court of Censors, before being presented to His Majesty. What justification do you have for overstepping your authority!”
Tang Guangzhi remained expressionless, offering a cold, sharp smile. “Minister Luo, your words are mistaken. The witnesses are currently held in the capital, and the Capital Prefecture has the authority to conduct trials. If the Ministry of Justice harbors any doubts, they can summon the witnesses into the court today to confront the Imperial Father-in-law face to face!”
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Father-in-law broke out in a cold sweat, his face turning pale as death, and his legs trembled uncontrollably. Nearing seventy years of age, with graying hair, he wobbled as if he might depart from this world at any moment.
Gone was his usual arrogant demeanor. He hastily raised his ceremonial tablet, shuffled out of the ranks, and spoke in a hoarse voice, “Tang… Tang Guangzhi! This old minister knows nothing of any witnesses. This is a conspiracy by villains to frame me, aimed at slandering the Cao family. In truth, it is directed at His Highness the Crown Prince! Your Majesty, please see clearly!”
Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Shen Zhen intended to step forward and support him, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a warning glare from Gong Zhiyuan.
In the end, he shrank his neck and hesitated back to his original position.
Tang Guangzhi sneered. “This matter may not be something His Lordship the Imperial Father-in-law can simply deny. The account book left by Cao Fangzheng has already been delivered to His Majesty’s desk. It’s clearly written there—the three million taels of deficit were handed over to you!”
“Account book? What account book?” The Imperial Father-in-law looked utterly bewildered, stubbornly playing dumb. “Cao Fangzheng was negligent in managing the river embankments. This old minister admittedly failed to discipline his son strictly, but that account book must be fabricated!”
Gong Zhiyuan shook his head and sighed inwardly, his brows knit into ridges like a mountain range.
At this point, he could only hope that the Imperial Father-in-law would have the courage to cut off a limb to save the whole, taking all the blame upon himself. Perhaps then, he could still protect the Crown Prince.
Bu Zhangyi strode forward boldly, his voice booming, “Very well! Since His Lordship speaks so confidently, I request that the witnesses be immediately summoned into the court for confrontation. Let us see how the three million taels of the Ministry of Revenue vanished into thin air!”
“Your Majesty, I also have a memorial to submit!” Minister of Works Shang Zhiqin followed closely. “My previously submitted memorial already detailed that Cao Fangzheng’s construction of the embankment followed advice from someone, using less than two million taels to complete the project. This time, the officials of the Ministry of Works accompanied Minister Gu to conduct on-site inspections and found that this method indeed saved time and effort. However, Cao Fangzheng never reported this matter. The Ministry of Works still approved the project based on old blueprints and submitted the budget estimate to the Ministry of Revenue. Those two vastly different sets of embankment construction blueprints serve as ironclad evidence.”
With these successive heavy blows, the Imperial Father-in-law trembled like a sieve. The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense. The Prince Xian faction pressed their attack relentlessly, determined to use this corruption case to topple the Cao faction and force the emperor to depose the crown prince.
Emperor Shunyuan sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze heavy as he swept across the excited officials below. Their faces displayed either righteous indignation or deep concern, but beneath the surface, all concealed a craving for the position of heir apparent and the power it entailed.
“First, present the confessions.” Emperor Shunyuan remained impassive.
Liu Quan dared not delay. He hurried down the steps, took the confessions from Tang Guangzhi’s hands, lowered his head and averted his eyes, and delivered them to the emperor.
Emperor Shunyuan unfolded the confessions, scanning the writing on the paper. The more he read, the darker his expression grew, veins bulging. After finishing all three pages, he could not restrain himself from slamming the imperial desk in fury.
Ink splattered, leaving large and small black stains on the bright yellow paper.
The Imperial Father-in-law seemed to have his bones suddenly removed. His legs gave way, and with a “thud,” he collapsed onto the blue bricks, his entire body limp as mud, babbling incoherent pleas, “Your… Your Majesty…”
Emperor Shunyuan slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were ice-cold and merciless. “There’s no need to summon witnesses. I’ve already received enough memorials from you. If I read more, I’m afraid every dirty secret under heaven would be linked to the Cao family.”
He knew that the Cao faction, this great parasite dwelling in the imperial court, had to be eradicated. But these officials, using the guise of eliminating traitors to engage in factional struggles for the position of heir apparent, were also utterly despicable!
As for whether to depose the crown prince and how to announce it to the world, he had not yet decided, nor did he intend to make a hasty decision today.
“Transmit my decree.” Emperor Shunyuan’s chest heaved, his gaze growing more somber. “Imperial Father-in-law Cao Youwei, National Uncle Cao Fangxi, Cao Fangde, and all members of the Cao faction implicated in the confessions are to be immediately arrested and imprisoned. Their homes will be confiscated on a later date, and they will be executed!”
The sovereign’s intent to kill sent tremors throughout the court.
The Imperial Father-in-law’s mind went blank with a buzzing sound, completely losing consciousness. Like a limp scarecrow, he was dragged out of the Wuying Hall by the imperial guards, only mouthing the word “mercy.”
The Crown Prince’s body shook with fear, his fat quivering, and he nearly fell backward onto Shen Ting, who stood behind him.
Shen Ting quickly propped him up, pushing him upright, but a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes.
Seeing that the Cao faction had fallen, Prince Xian immediately gave Bu Zhangyi a signal.
Bu Zhangyi understood and continued, “Your Majesty is wise. The criminal Cao Youwei’s death is not enough to warrant pity. However, I believe we should trace the three million taels further to see what corrupt and illegal activities they funded, and whether there was an instigator behind Cao Youwei.”
Emperor Shunyuan narrowed his eyes. “Who do you refer to as the instigator?”
Bu Zhangyi’s heart tightened, and he hesitated for a moment.
His original intention was to use this opportunity to implicate the Crown Prince, but the emperor’s gaze was too sharp, making him uncertain of how far to go.
At this moment, Prince Xian put on a look of deep concern for the nation, speaking with great anguish, “Father, the Imperial Father-in-law is, after all, the Crown Prince’s maternal grandfather. Recently, rumors have been circulating in the capital, hinting that the Crown Prince is involved in this matter. Your son believes that only by thoroughly investigating the whereabouts of the three million taels can the Crown Prince’s innocence be proven, and also prevent further gossip that might tarnish Your Majesty’s sacred reputation.”
The Crown Prince nearly fainted. He pointed at Prince Xian’s nose, hopping and shouting in fury, “You lie! Where did these rumors come from? Who dares to implicate me? You are clearly abusing public power for private gain and exaggerating matters!”
Prince Xian immediately adopted an expression of utter grievance, as if he would tear out his heart to prove his sincerity. “We have been brothers for many years. How can Your Highness think of me this way? I am wholeheartedly loyal to the nation and concerned for Your Highness, the Crown Prince. Could it be that Your Highness truly intends to shield the Cao family and ruin your own future?”
“I, I… I have not! Stop trying to frame me!” Shen Zhen was so furious his face turned red, his speech becoming incoherent.
Seeing the Crown Prince at a disadvantage, Gong Zhiyuan quickly stepped in to mediate. “Your Majesty, today marks the triumphant return of the Grand General, a celebration for the entire nation. The evening banquet is imminent. Although this matter is urgent, perhaps it can be deferred for discussion to avoid dampening Your Majesty’s spirits.”
Bu Zhangyi immediately retorted, “Cleansing the court of accumulated abuses is a great undertaking benefiting the nation and its people. How could it dampen Your Majesty’s mood?”
Gong Zhiyuan glared at him. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re really after. His Majesty’s health is not well. Have you ever shown any concern!”
“I don’t understand that remark.” Bu Zhangyi stood his ground. “I harbor a heart of loyalty and service to the nation. Even if I am a bit eager, it is for the sake of His Majesty’s eternal reputation. I wonder what the Grand Secretary’s true intention is in obstructing matters at every turn!”
The two engaged in a war of words, neither yielding.
Emperor Shunyuan listened with his eyes closed for a while. It was unclear whether he was taking any of it in. Only when the noise below subsided slightly did he speak, “It’s all for my sake, all for the nation. Good, very good. You are all loyal ministers. Then proceed with the investigation. Let’s see what those three million taels were actually used for.”
Upon hearing this, Luo Mingpu quickly knelt. “Your servant, the Ministry of Justice, will spare no effort to provide Your Majesty with an explanation!”
Before Emperor Shunyuan could grant his permission, Tang Guangzhi also knelt. “Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance, involving imperial relatives and funds for disaster relief. Relying solely on the Ministry of Justice might be inappropriate. It should be jointly tried by the Three Judicial Departments.”
The confrontation between the two sides had reached a critical point.
Emperor Shunyuan picked up the three sheets of yellow paper, casting a sidelong glance at the Crown Prince and Prince Xian.
“Then let it be the joint trial by the Three Judicial Departments. You need not attend tonight’s victory banquet. Go to the Court of Censors and try the case.”
With that, he stood up, flicked his sleeves, and turned toward the rear hall.
Liu Quan supported him as he announced loudly, “The court is adjourned!”
Xue Chongnian felt nothing but misery. It seemed the black hat of the Court of Censors was constantly dangling precariously over his head.
Last time, he had nearly offended colleagues from all eight departments at once, ruining his official career. This time, the surface issue was the trial of the Imperial Father-in-law for corruption, but the underlying target was clearly the Crown Prince.
This wasn’t a trial at all; it was him handing His Majesty the vermilion brush to depose the crown prince!
As soon as he left the Wuying Hall, Xue Chongnian abandoned all decorum, taking large strides to catch up with Wen Zhuo. He pulled him into a secluded corner and bowed three times in succession. “Please, Minister Wen, save me! Show me a clear path!”
Wen Zhuo gave a wry smile. “What’s wrong, Grand Master Xue?”
Xue Chongnian’s face crumpled like a bitter gourd. He glanced left and right, lowering his voice to a deathly whisper, “At this point, I can no longer worry about offending anyone. I trust Minister Wen, so I’ll speak plainly. In this joint trial by the Three Judicial Departments, there are at least a dozen implicated officials. These men have held high positions for so long, accustomed to comfort—how will they endure the torture of the Court of Censors? If even one of them breaks under pressure and implicates His Highness the Crown Prince… If His Majesty intends to depose the crown prince, so be it. But if he does not yet have that intention, and the Crown Prince one day ascends the throne, will this head of mine still be secure?”
Wen Zhuo feigned sudden understanding, raising his eyebrows high. “So Grand Master Xue is worried about this.”
Xue Chongnian sighed heavily. “Minister Wen is resourceful. Please help me think of a way out.”
Wen Zhuo hadn’t expected Xue to trust him this much, even daring to share such confidential matters. He smiled. “If Grand Master Xue trusts me, then just conduct the trial as it should be conducted.”
Xue Chongnian’s heart leaped. He found it hard to believe. “Minister Wen means…”
Wen Zhuo said, “His Majesty’s hesitation at this moment is not because he cannot bear to part with the Crown Prince. Prince Xian has long had a reputation for virtue, commanding considerable prestige both in court and among the people. By using the Cao faction case to push the Crown Prince to this brink, legitimately shaking the foundation of the Eastern Palace—doesn’t that alone make His Majesty wary? If the Crown Prince is deposed, tomorrow Bu Zhangyi and Tang Guangzhi will mobilize the officials to petition for Prince Xian’s appointment as crown prince. Then His Majesty will once again find himself in a dilemma.”
Xue Chongnian stood frozen in place, mouth agape, for a long while. But his thoughts raced as if struck by sudden enlightenment, instantly clear.
His Majesty was not sparing the Crown Prince because he still had hope for him, but because he did not want Prince Xian to take advantage of the situation and gain power beyond his control.
In other words, neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Xian was currently the candidate for heir apparent in His Majesty’s heart.
If that were the case, he need not worry about offending the Crown Prince.
The boulder in Xue Chongnian’s heart crashed to the ground. The worry on his face vanished. He bowed deeply to Wen Zhuo once more, his voice filled with emotion. “Thank you, Minister Wen, for enlightening me. I now know what to do!”
With that, he straightened his back and walked away beaming.
Gong Zhiyuan walked heavily into his residence. The butler came forward to bow and greet him, but he paid no attention.
He knew they were at a critical juncture of life and death, yet he was utterly at a loss.
Earlier, the Crown Prince had invited them to the Wenhua Hall to discuss strategy, but listening to the Crown Prince’s panicked repetition of “What shall we do?” had only annoyed him. He just wanted some quiet.
After much thought, he concluded that only the Grand Tutor Liu Changbai could be called upon once more.
Liu Changbai was highly respected. If he were willing to risk his life to defend the Crown Prince, even if His Majesty was furious, he would show some face.
Seeing his master absent-minded, the butler had to raise his voice. “Master! A maidservant from the Vice Minister’s residence says she has urgent news to report!”
Gong Zhiyuan finally snapped back to attention. He cleared his mind, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “Xie Langyang?”
A moment later, the maidservant was brought to the study.
Her face was grave. Lowering her voice, she reported to Gong Zhiyuan everything she had overheard outside Vice Minister Xie’s room.
“What did you say?” Gong Zhiyuan shot to his feet, his eyes full of shock. “Is this true?”
The maidservant nodded. “Vice Minister Xie personally told his daughter. He said he could identify the characteristics of the Mo family members and told her not to disclose it to anyone.”
“Ha!” Gong Zhiyuan let out a low laugh, tinged with disbelief. Then, ecstasy surged in like a tide. He clapped his hands and laughed, his voice shaking the roof tiles. “Heaven truly aids me!”
He suddenly grabbed the butler’s lapels and ordered urgently, “Quick! Go to the Divine Timber Factory immediately and confirm if this person exists. Be careful not to alert the enemy!”
The butler dared not delay. He turned and rushed out of the gate like a gust of wind.
An hour later, the butler burst into the study, drenched in sweat. “Master, the person does exist. He goes by the alias Li Ping and claims to have been introduced by General Jun Dingyuan. Moreover, Prince Xian’s faction is still unaware of this!”
“Excellent, excellent!” Gong Zhiyuan was momentarily so excited he didn’t know what to do. He paced the room in circles a few times, the previously severed threads of thought now completely reconnected, countless schemes surging in his mind like a fountain.
He stopped abruptly, his expression sinister. “The Three Judicial Departments have not yet begun their trial. Go immediately to see Minister Luo Mingpu. Tell him to quickly send a message to the Imperial Father-in-law. During the court trial, he is to publicly expose and denounce Jun Dingyuan to atone for his crimes!”
The butler was about to leave when Gong Zhiyuan called him back. “Also, send someone to invite Grand Tutor Liu to tonight’s victory banquet. Jun Dingyuan is covered in military glory; ordinary people cannot impeach him. The Grand Tutor is erudite and deeply experienced—he is the most suitable person to lead the impeachment!”
After giving these instructions, Gong Zhiyuan, without changing his clothes or wiping his sweat, hurried into the palace to see the Crown Prince.
In the Wenhua Hall, the Crown Prince was collapsed on the floor, stomping his feet and weeping, “It’s over, it’s all over! The eldest has won! What am I to do!”
Gong Zhiyuan took a deep breath, bent his old back, and strained to pull the Crown Prince up. “Your Highness! Your Highness! We are not yet at the end of the road. Please pull yourself together!”
Shen Zhen’s face was swollen like a pig’s head as he sobbed, “Does the Grand Secretary have any other good ideas?”
“Embezzling three million taels of disaster relief funds may seem earth-shattering, but compared to Jun Dingyuan harboring fugitives from the Mo sect, what is it?” Gong Zhiyuan said ruthlessly.
“Fugitives… fugitives?”
Gong Zhiyuan smiled confidently. “In the past, the Mo sect’s Lingyin Cult privately manufactured weapons, violating the law, and was sentenced to execution of the entire clan. Jun Dingyuan actually hid one of those fugitives and brought him back to the capital, stashing him in the Divine Timber Factory, attempting to deceive the world.”
“Divine Timber Factory?” The amount of information was too much for the Crown Prince to follow.
Gong Zhiyuan was in high spirits, a vicious glint in his eyes as he rattled on, “Even better, the Divine Timber Factory falls under the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Works leans toward Prince Xian. If Jun Dingyuan hid someone there, His Majesty will inevitably suspect that Jun Dingyuan and Prince Xian are on close terms. By then, this case will no longer be a simple corruption case.”
“The Grand Secretary means this can implicate Prince Xian as well?” The Crown Prince wiped his nose with the back of his hand, his puffy eyes gleaming.
“Jun Dingyuan commands hundreds of thousands of elite troops, his reputation thundering across the southern border. If he supports Prince Xian, how could His Majesty not be wary?” Gong Zhiyuan couldn’t help but admire his own thorough planning. Such a brilliant strategy, likely only he could devise.
“As long as the Imperial Father-in-law reports this during the trial, and the Grand Tutor impeaches Jun Dingyuan, hinting that Prince Xian conspired with Jun Dingyuan to hide fugitives with the intent to seize the Eastern Palace, then His Majesty will have to investigate the fugitives and be wary of Prince Xian. In such a situation, you, Your Highness, who oppose Prince Xian, will naturally emerge from danger unscathed.”
“The time for our counterattack has come!” Gong Zhiyuan spoke with absolute certainty.
By dusk, the Fengtian Hall was brightly lit with lanterns and decorations.
The vermilion ridges under the eaves were hung with lanterns and red silk. Pine oil burned vigorously in the gilded lamps, the orange light like scattered stars, illuminating the hall as bright as day.
Eunuchs and palace maids bustled about, their feet barely touching the ground. Occasionally, someone would collide and fall, but they would scramble up quickly and continue their tasks.
The three chief eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial personally oversaw the arrangements, and by the time twilight faded, the Fengtian Hall was perfectly set.
Orange cushions were placed behind long tables, laden with a dazzling array of delicacies. Fruits glistened with dew, silver flasks exuded the fragrance of wine, and the music and dance from the Music Bureau evoked the bustling splendor of a bygone era.
Civil and military officials filed in one by one. Amid the rustling, Jun Dingyuan, dressed in a white robe with a jade belt, had removed his armor and donned a silver crown, the murderous aura between his brows dissipated. He truly cut the figure of a spirited young man from a noble family.
He took his seat at the head of the officials, calm and unhurried, already established as the foremost military commander of the Great Qian Empire.
Words of praise filled the hall. Several retired officials near the Marquis of Yongning quietly congratulated him, their tones full of envy. “The Marquis of Yongning is truly blessed to have such a son, who does not disgrace his ancestors.”
The Marquis of Yongning smiled and responded modestly, “Thank you, thank you.”
Jun Dingyuan had over a dozen subordinate officers, all of common birth, who had been granted the imperial favor to attend the banquet in the Fengtian Hall. They were so excited their faces were red, and they didn’t know where to put their hands and feet. Only after Jun Dingyuan let out a low cough did they settle down.
Emperor Shunyuan had rested in the harem throughout the afternoon, the stifling anger in his chest gradually dissipating, and a rare flush appeared on his face.
His gaze swept across the hall and finally landed on Jun Dingyuan. “Today’s banquet is held first to celebrate the merits of Huaishen and the other generals, and second to join all my beloved ministers in celebrating the peace and security of the nation. In ancient times, Emperor Wu of Han had Wei Qing and Huo Qubing galloping across battlefields to defend the realm. Today, I have Jun Dingyuan, who has pacified border troubles and protected the rivers and mountains of Great Qian. Henceforth, I need not envy the ancients!”
As his words fell, the hall resounded with applause and shouts of “Your Majesty is wise! The general is mighty!”
On the table was another identical plate of grapes. Shen Zheng picked one up casually, appearing nonchalant, and openly put it into his mouth.
The more grand the palace banquet, the more tedious the procedures. By the end, the sumptuous dishes had gone cold, and few could eat much.
His gaze passed through the shifting crowd and landed on Wen Zhuo across the way. Wen Zhuo had his head bowed, his fingers fiddling furtively within his wide sleeves, as if hiding something.
Shen Zheng couldn’t help but curl his lips, eager to see what little cat had hidden in his sleeve this time.
Shen Chen suddenly interrupted his reverie without a hint of tact. “Fifth Brother, are you still eating these grapes?”
Shen Zheng glanced at him sideways. Seeing that perpetual innocent, sweet smile on his face, he felt like punching him.
Shen Chen pressed on, lowering his voice. “Fifth Brother, I really miss that divine hand of yours. I wonder if I’ll get to see it again today.”
“I will, of course I will.” Shen Zheng leaned on his elbow against the table, twisted off a grape, and smiled. “Just watch later.”
Shen Chen thought to himself, Putting on airs.
The banquet was ostensibly a scene of peace and prosperity, but underneath, currents were churning.
Members of Prince Xian’s faction sat in their seats, but their hearts had already flown to the Court of Censors. They wondered how the joint trial by the Three Judicial Departments was going. Would Cao Youwei buckle under torture and implicate the Crown Prince?
If the Crown Prince were deposed, Prince Xian would be the natural choice. With such future prospects at stake, who could truly drink in peace?
On the other side, Gong Zhiyuan frequently exchanged glances with the Crown Prince, Liu Changbai, and Liu Chenming.
Presumably, by now, Luo Mingpu had already captured that Mo family member at the Divine Timber Factory.
All the plans were in place. They only had to wait until the hour of Hai for the sharp sword to be drawn and the world turned upside down.
Gong Zhiyuan sneered and drained his cup in one gulp.
How could Jun Dingyuan have known that tonight’s victory banquet would become his very own “Hongmen Banquet”?
Shen Chen, having taunted Shen Zheng, stole a look at the expressions of Gong Zhiyuan and the Crown Prince. True enough, they no longer looked ashen-faced as they had that morning.
Today, he would play the part of the bystander, the spectator, letting the Crown Prince, Prince Xian, and Shen Zheng tear each other to bloody shreds. Meanwhile, he would emerge unscathed and reap the benefits.
After three rounds of wine, several rounds of song, dance, and acrobatics, a civil official, dead drunk, suddenly stood up to toast the emperor. But his foot slipped, and he fell flat on his face in a most comical pose.
The hall erupted in laughter. Even Emperor Shunyuan, who had been wearing a grim expression, couldn’t help but laugh.
He laughed lightly, then casually turned his head and happened to catch Consort Liang lowering her eyes and smiling faintly.
Emperor Shunyuan was slightly startled.
Consort Liang had always been stubborn, unbending, rarely revealing such a maidenly demeanor. Perhaps because it was so rare, it seemed especially precious.
When she had entered the palace at nineteen, she had been so spirited, like a wild goose from the northern deserts, unconstrained and full of vitality. But time was merciless. Now, faint wrinkles could be seen at the corners of her eyes.
Emperor Shunyuan’s heart softened, and a wave of guilt washed over him.
Feeling guilty, he wanted to make amends. A thought stirred in his mind. He set his cup down on the table, his expression suddenly turning serious. “I am in high spirits today. The Jun family has rendered great service to Great Qian repeatedly. I have not forgotten. I shall bestow—”
Before the emperor could finish, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall. Luo Mingpu appeared, his official robe fluttering, travel-worn and windblown, striding in large steps, followed closely by the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, who was rushing to keep up, and the panic-stricken Chief Minister of the Court of Censors, Xue Chongnian.
Luo Mingpu threw back his robe and knelt, speaking loudly, “Your Majesty, I have urgent matters to report. This matter is of grave importance and must be presented before Your Majesty!”
The festive atmosphere in the hall instantly froze. All the officials were taken aback.
The smile on Emperor Shunyuan’s face gradually faded, his gaze turning cold and heavy again.
He suppressed his displeasure and said with restraint, “Speak of it tomorrow.”
Luo Mingpu did not back down, crawling forward two steps urgently. “Your Majesty, it concerns fugitives from the Mo sect. I dare not delay!”
All the officials gasped in unison, exchanging bewildered looks.
Seeing Prince Xian’s confusion, Gong Zhiyuan straightened his back imperceptibly. Nearby, Grand Tutor Liu cleared his throat and slowly stroked his beard.
“Fugitives?” Emperor Shunyuan stared at Luo Mingpu but no longer stopped him from speaking.
Liu Quan, who had been standing by in attendance, secretly cast a sidelong glance at Jun Dingyuan.
Jun Dingyuan’s cheeks were flushed with a hint of intoxication from the wine. He held his cup aloft, his brows slightly raised, as if he was still in the mood to watch the excitement, completely oblivious.
Luo Mingpu’s voice carried a note of grief but was resolute. “Yes. I, along with Right Censor-in-Chief Jiang Fengxi and Chief Minister Xue Chongnian of the Court of Censors, would like to impeach General Jun Dingyuan for harboring fugitives from the Mo sect—a crime deserving of death.”
The Fengtian Hall fell into dead silence, as desolate as a graveyard in the wilderness. Even the crickets outside seemed to tremble into silence.
Emperor Shunyuan sat upright on the imperial throne, the nine-clawed dragon pattern flickering in the lamplight. His eyes were fixed firmly on Luo Mingpu below the steps, without a word.
Wen Zhuo finally tired of playing with whatever was in his sleeve. A barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Two fingers emerged from the vermilion silk sleeve, pinching a single black Go stone that glinted with a dull light.