Zhao Zhan, however, smiled and said, "If I wanted to rebel, I wouldn't be here."
The Empress Dowager looked at Xiao Luofeng and asked, "General Xiao, what do you have to say?"
Xiao Luofeng said with a serious expression, "Your Majesty is young and inexperienced, and the Prince is burdened with many affairs. The country cannot be without a prime minister for a single day. I beg the Empress Dowager to prioritize the affairs of the country and release the prime minister."
The Empress Dowager said, "A prime minister who hires assassins to kill meritorious officials is not important to the empire."
Zhao Zhan said, "Empress Dowager, everything must be based on evidence."
I knew it was time for me to step forward, so without any hesitation, I decisively stepped forward and said, "I have the evidence, which has been filed in the Ministry of Justice, and a copy has been sent to the Censorate. Your Highness may wish to take a look."
"presumptuous!"
Xiao Luofeng quickly said, "Xiao Bing, don't meddle!"
I looked at my uncle and said, "I don't understand. I am the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Investigating cases and catching criminals is my duty. Why does the General say that I am meddling?"
Zhao Zhan sneered and said, "Lord Xiao, you have quite the airs of an official!"
I stared into Zhao Zhan's eyes and said, "That's not even one ten-thousandth of the sage king's majesty."
"Very well! Today I'll show you my might!"
Zhao Zhan raised his hand and said sternly, "Take them all!"
Heng Wenhao immediately brandished his sword and roared, "Who dares?!"
After Zhao Chengyun went on his travels, Zhao Zhan gradually removed Heng Wenhao from his position, turning him back into Yuan Yun's bodyguard.
Heng Wenhao was quite happy about it. Firstly, A Tao had gone with Zhao Hu, and Yuan Yun was short of people around her. Secondly, he and Xia Qi had a child, so they were happy to live a leisurely life at home.
These young armored soldiers all knew Heng Wenhao's formidable reputation. He was a fierce warrior who had fought alongside the Emperor Emeritus. When he was enraged, the force he unleashed forced the soldiers back, and the aura emanating from his blade was terrifying. For a moment, no one could catch up with him.
Zhao Zhan remained calm and said, "So what if you're a good fighter? Look outside."
Zhao Zhan clapped his hands, and suddenly hundreds of crossbowmen appeared in the courtyard, scaring the dogs lying on the ground into fleeing.
Zhao Zhan said coldly, "It's fine if you don't resist, but if you do, I'll shoot you. If the arrows and crossbows accidentally injure the Empress Dowager, that will be your responsibility."
"You!" Heng Wenhao glared angrily at Zhao Zhan, then moved even closer to Yuan Yun.
Xiao Luofeng said in a low voice, "Your Highness, why didn't you consult me before arranging the crossbowmen?"
Zhao Zhan said, "General, I am protecting your reputation!"
"We must never harm the Empress Dowager."
"Then we'll see how they perform."
Zhao Zhan raised his hand towards the Empress Dowager and said, "Empress Dowager, it's not too late to release Yan Zheng now, otherwise you'll have to move out of here."
"Why doesn't the Protector of the Nation kill your own nephew and become emperor himself?" At this moment, two men and a woman strode in.
Upon seeing the three men, the armored soldiers were so frightened that they retreated to the sides, making way for them.
The man at the head was none other than Zhao Yan, the Azure Dragon General. To his left and behind was his wife, Yang Huanyun, and the other was a young man.
Zhao Cheng's second son, Zhao Changxin.
Upon hearing Zhao Yan's voice, Zhao Zhan's expression changed slightly, and he quickly smiled and said, "Third Brother, what brings you here!"
Zhao Yan said, "If I hadn't come, I'm afraid I would have had to call you Your Majesty from now on."
Although Zhao Zhan feared Zhao Yan's martial prowess, he did not have the same mental pressure that Zhao Cheng had exerted on him. He said confidently, "I am here to help the Empress Dowager, as her relatives are causing chaos in the government."
"snort!"
Zhao Yan glanced at the armored soldiers on his left and right and the crossbowmen behind him, and said, "I don't understand politics, nor do I want to. I only know that I will beat up anyone who dares to touch the Empress Dowager!"
Zhao Zhan said, "Third Brother, how can matters of state be treated like child's play?"
Zhao Changxin interjected, "Fourth Uncle, isn't it already quite childish to break into the Empress Dowager's palace with armored soldiers and crossbowmen?"
Zhao Zhan shouted, "You have no right to speak!"
Zhao Changxin replied, "How about I go and invite my elder brother over? He is the emperor, after all; he should have a say, right?"
After Zhao Changxin finished speaking, he walked out. His personality was completely different from Zhao Changli's. He was never forgiving, whether he was right or wrong, and his temper was even a bit fiery.
"Stop him!" Zhao Zhan shouted.
"Who dares?!" Zhao Yan swiftly drew the sword of one of his armored soldiers, shielding Zhao Changxin, and shouted sternly, "Zhao Zhan, are you leaving or not? Do you want to force me to commit murder and spill blood in the Empress Dowager's palace?!"
"Third brother, listen to me..."
"roll!!!"
Zhao Zhan was stunned by Zhao Yan and hesitated for a moment before turning around.
"Walk!"
After the soldiers withdrew, Yang Huanyun immediately went over to support Yuan Yun and asked with concern, "Empress Dowager, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." The Empress Dowager waved her hand, looked at the sky outside, and cursed, "I don't hate Zhao Zhan, I only hate that heartless Zhao Cheng!"
After that day, Zhao Zhan became much quieter and didn't mention Yan Zheng again.
Yan Zheng did not confess, so the Empress Dowager kept him imprisoned and had Zhao Changxin and several senior officials share the duties of the prime minister. However, the Empress Dowager did not make things difficult for Yan Zheng and provided him with good food and drink in prison.
The court officials all thought that the matter was over and done with, that the Empress Dowager had achieved her goal of seizing power from the prime minister, and that she would find a pretext to release Yan Zheng in due time.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Zhan did not remain silent, but instead plotted an even bigger move.
He invited the King of Dongdu.
The King of Dongdu is Zhao Yang, and Mu Zhaojun came with him.
After Zhao Huan passed away, Mu Zhaojun became a figurehead, and everyone, whether it was the wise king, the empress dowager, the emperor, or the Azure Dragon General, had to obediently kneel and pay homage.
Zhao Huan's favorite son is Zhao Cheng, who is most like him, while Mu Zhaojun's most beloved son is Zhao Yang, the foolish one.
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