Hearing the emperor's roar, Zu'an couldn't help but feel a little amused instead of afraid, because he had had the same thought before, but instead of a vegetable market, he had imagined a public toilet.
It's ridiculous that the emperor dared to scold others. Although the palace guards were indeed led by the nose this time, it was because the enemy was too strong. The world's number one assassin organization, Youyinglou, and the elites of the Demonic Sect all came out, and even the Grandmasters were dispatched. But the emperor, the strongest person in the palace, did not show up. What could these guards do?
So what has he been doing all this time?
Zuan hesitated whether to report it or not, thinking that reporting it at this time might bring bad luck.
As a result, the eunuch outside the imperial study said to him, "His Majesty just said that when the Eleventh Prince arrives, he can go straight in."
Zu'an was overjoyed: "Thank you very much, sir."
He cautiously entered and was astonished to find that there was no emperor in the imperial study, but only a huge mirror with the emperor's image reflected in it. It was very similar to the video mirror he had used when he video-called Chu Chuyan, except that this one was much larger.
He was startled, wondering what was going on. He quickly looked to the side, only to see that the others showed no unusual expression, as if they already knew.
He secretly observed that Zhu Xie Chixin was an old acquaintance. Usually, he was arrogant and domineering outside, looking down on everyone. But now he stood obediently to the side like a quail, with no presence at all, and his attitude was as respectful as could be.
The other person the emperor pointed at and scolded was also an old acquaintance, General Liu Yao.
He was bowing his head and pleading guilty repeatedly, showing no trace of the arrogant demeanor he had displayed in Bright Moon City.
Although he was the Empress's uncle and nominally should be the Emperor's elder, he dared not show any respect for his elder in front of the Emperor.
To be honest, he was quite frustrated. Although General Wei was theoretically the highest commander of the Imperial Guards in the palace, he usually lived in his residence. The specific matters of the palace defense were jointly managed by the Left and Right Guards Generals, the Guerrilla General, the Valiant Cavalry General, the Embroidered-Robe Envoy of Zhu Xie Chixin, and a small number of Imperial Guards under the Guanglu Xun.
He left work on time to enjoy himself. When the assassination attempt occurred in the palace at night, he was still drinking and having fun at home, so he didn't have time to react.
Zuan's gaze shifted to the side, where he saw powerful figures from the palace: Right Guard General Guo Zhi and Guerrilla General Zhao Yuan, whom he had met before at the East Palace.
Hmm, I just fought another bearded man not long ago. He was chasing Qiu Honglei when I used my Flaming Blade to stop him for a moment. That man should be General Cheng Xiong of the Left Guard.
I didn't see General Xiaoji; I don't know where he went.
There was also a gaunt-looking old man whose bronze skin made his thin body appear to possess an inexplicable explosive power.
He had previously received an illustrated book from Shang Liuyu at the academy, which introduced the official robes of important court officials. These robes looked somewhat like those of the Guanglu Xun (a high-ranking official).
Could he be the newly appointed Grand Master of Ceremonies, Murong Tong, the grandfather of that little girl Murong Qinghe?
No wonder that little girl Murong Qinghe has a wheat-colored complexion; could it be a family trait?
Compared to the others' submissive demeanor, Murong Tong stood there with his back much straighter. He was in charge of the emperor's personal guards, but now that the emperor's cultivation was unparalleled, the duties of the personal guards were practically meaningless. Moreover, he had originally been promoted in name only but demoted to this leisurely department, so the assassination attempt today could not be blamed on him.
Hmph, it's all that brat Zuan's fault! He made me suffer here with these guys!
Anger from Murong Tong +723!
Seeing the anger level in the background, Zu An was startled, thinking that Murong Tong had recognized him. However, upon closer inspection, he realized that Murong Tong was not looking in his direction, so he was probably upset about being transferred from the Sili Commandery.
After the emperor finished his rant, he seemed to calm down a lot and then said, "Everyone present will be demoted one rank, have their salary reduced for three years, and temporarily assume their original positions and responsibilities, waiting to redeem themselves through meritorious service."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The group bowed and expressed their gratitude. For people of their rank, the salary was negligible, and this punishment was a lenient one.
Only Zuan looked frustrated. "I haven't received a single salary as the Gold Medal Envoy, and now I'm going to be fined for three years?"
Unlike those guys who have other sources of income, I end up having to risk my life for the emperor to complete his missions, and then being taken advantage of for three years for nothing.
Even the production team's donkeys wouldn't dare be used like that!
Unfortunately, having just witnessed the emperor's actions, he was still too sullen to dare to step forward and risk trouble, despite his inward complaints.
Seeing everyone's reaction, the emperor nodded in satisfaction and then said, "Cheng Xiong, you are now in charge of capturing the assassins in the Empress's palace assassination attempt, and at the same time, finding out the origins of those assassins!"
"Guo Zhi, you are in charge of investigating the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince's palace and eliminating all the escaped assassins."
"Liu Yao, Zhao Yuan, you are in charge of a thorough search of the capital. Arrest any suspicious persons on the spot, and kill anyone who resists!"
"Yes!" The group of people readily accepted the order.
Zu An secretly rejoiced that Qiao Xueying had made a decisive decision to leave today. Otherwise, if she had delayed for even half a day, she and her clansmen might not have been able to leave tomorrow. She had endured so many years of hardship in the capital to successfully rescue her clansmen, and it would have been too tragic if all her efforts had been in vain.
In comparison, he was more worried about Qiu Honglei. It was already dark, and the four gates of the capital were tightly closed. She had no way to leave the capital and he didn't know if she could escape the search by Liu Yao and Zhao Yuan.
At this moment, everyone else received their orders and left, leaving only Zu An and Zhu Xie Chixin in the Imperial Study.
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