"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned!"
The palace servants' voices echoed loudly in the main hall.
The ministers remained expressionless, and not one of them stepped forward.
An atmosphere of unity and antagonism permeated the air; the court officials were united, but opposed the emperor.
Linghu Lan smiled.
"Yesterday, I ordered that all rumors be reported. Do any of you ministers have anything to report?"
The ministers remained expressionless, eyes downcast, like wooden figures.
Jiang Wujiang's small face flushed with anger.
Although she was young, she understood that this was a contempt for imperial power.
She glanced at Linghu Lan and suddenly realized that without the Regent, her fate would have been even worse; she would have lost immediately in the power struggle with her ministers!
Linghu Lan's face remained calm, but a hint of pity flashed in her eyes.
You won't give up until you've reached the Yellow River, and you won't shed tears until you see the coffin. You're all great!
Since that's the case, don't blame me for unleashing a bloodbath!
"I think that none of you ministers have anything to report, since you have already reported most of it yesterday."
She waved.
Two palace maids carried in two baskets full of commemorative documents.
As the court officials looked at the two baskets of memorials, their calm expressions finally cracked, and they began to whisper among themselves.
"What's going on? Wasn't it agreed that we wouldn't submit any memorials?"
"I have no idea! Who's behind this?"
"Is the Regent trying to bluff us?"
"It's highly likely, so please don't fall for it!"
"That's right, I don't believe the Regent can really have any solid evidence!"
"Reporting based on hearsay is merely a pretext!"
"Exactly! Let's see!"
After a brief period of chaos, the crowd quieted down again at the suggestion of several important officials in the court.
Linghu Lan was completely heartbroken, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
She slowly walked down the steps and picked up a folded book from the basket.
After lifting the lid, he glanced at Minister Lin in the crowd and softly read:
"Minister Lin, you're in luck. This memorial is addressed to you. On the 25th day of the eighth month of the early years of Zhengyuan, an envoy from the Wushui Kingdom visited your residence, bringing ten ginseng roots, fifteen roe deer skins, five thousand taels of silver, and countless jewels. At the time, there was one clerk and three retainers from Minister Lin's residence present."
"Tsk tsk! Minister Lin, your relationship with the envoy from the Wushui Kingdom is quite close! Back then, the envoy from Wushui Kingdom presented only ten people to His Majesty and me. It seems that even His Majesty and I combined are not as important as Minister Lin in the eyes of the Wushui Kingdom envoy!"
Minister Lin nearly fainted in the crowd.
The Regent clearly stated the date, the people present, and the gifts, leaving her no room to deny it.
Countless thoughts raced through her mind in an instant, and a trace of regret arose. It was all her fault for being so focused on disciplining her own officials that she forgot to manage her retainers and clerks, who also wanted to climb the ranks!
She walked out cautiously and knelt on the ground, trembling.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty! I was unaware that the envoy from Wushui Kingdom was so disrespectful. If I had known, I certainly would not have dared to accept the envoy's gift! I implore Your Majesty to spare me this time, considering my diligence and conscientiousness!"
"Working diligently and without the slightest slack? Is that really the case?"
Minister Lin dared not speak, his heart clenching with anxiety.
The courtiers were completely silent, but their backs were slightly sweaty; the regent's words had a hidden meaning.
Linghu Lan picked up another memorial and said with a smile, "What a coincidence, it's from Minister Lin again!"
Minister Lin felt like he could faint right then and there.
What a coincidence!
This was clearly a deliberate attempt to frame her; the Regent had planned this whole thing long ago, and she had simply been careless.
No!
They were all careless.
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