The next day, at the first light of dawn, the Golden Palace was already filled with officials, and the atmosphere was solemn.
On the dragon throne, Xiao Che wore a black dragon robe, his face still pale with a sickly pallor, his eyes lowered indifferently, as if he cared nothing for anything in the hall.
Ever since that palace banquet, he has remained in this state, increasingly resembling a puppet who has been sidelined, a monarch who is preoccupied with "family affairs" and has no interest in governing.
Beneath the throne, Regent Xiao Yuan, dressed in a prince's python robe, stood at the head of all the officials, his posture upright like a pine tree, with an undisguised smugness on his face.
These past few days, he had been living in the lap of luxury. The emperor and empress had fallen out, and the harem was in turmoil, which freed him from any hindrance in his actions at court. Those who had once wavered in their neutrality had now seen the situation clearly and were all siding with him. He could feel that the supreme dragon throne was drawing ever closer to him.
Today, he is about to take another crucial step forward.
After the routine agenda of the court assembly was completed, Xiao Yuan stepped forward, holding a jade tablet, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present. Recently, news has come from the northern border that the barbarian tribes seem to be making unusual movements. Although they have not yet become a major threat, we still need to take precautions as soon as possible. I believe that 20,000 elite troops should be drawn from the capital's main camp and immediately dispatched to the northern border to strengthen border defenses and deter the villains."
These words immediately sparked a buzz of discussion in the imperial court.
Several veteran officials of the royalist faction exchanged worried glances, their expressions subtly shifting. The capital's defenses were paramount, and the Regent's actions, ostensibly aimed at strengthening border defenses, were in reality a weakening of the capital's defenses, revealing his treacherous intentions.
An imperial censor was about to step forward to object, but was silenced by a cold glare from Xiao Yuan. His eyes were as sinister as an eagle's, full of warning.
Xiao Yuan looked around and, seeing that no one dared to object, nodded in satisfaction and continued, "General Shen Ce, the commander of the capital's military camp, is exceptionally loyal and brave, and his military discipline is strict. Entrusting this matter to him will surely ensure its success. I humbly request Your Majesty to issue an imperial decree."
His words were eloquent and impeccable. He believed that as soon as the emperor issued his decree, his trusted general Shen Ce, far away in the military camp, would immediately comply. At that time, the capital's defenses would be weakened, allowing him to more calmly plan the grand scheme for the emperor's birthday celebration.
He looked up at Xiao Che on the dragon throne, waiting for him to utter a weak "yes" as usual.
Xiao Che slowly raised his eyelids, his pale face expressionless, as if he was about to speak.
At this critical moment, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall. A palace guard, holding a military report, shouted loudly, "Report! Urgent military report from the capital's main camp, delivered from 800 li away!"
"Hmm?" Xiao Yuan frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing through his mind. Of all times, why now of all times? However, he didn't pay much attention, assuming it was just a routine military document delivered by Shen Ce.
Soon, the military report, rolled into a tube and adorned with red feathers, was passed through layers of officials and finally presented to Xiao Che respectfully by the Grand Eunuch Deshun.
Xiao Che slowly untied the rope and unfolded the military report. All eyes of the court officials were focused on him.
Xiao Yuan still wore a confident smile. He had even thought about how to "go with the flow" and make his proposal to mobilize troops sound more reasonable.
However, on the dragon throne, after reading the military report, Xiao Che's usually calm face suddenly revealed a playful, ambiguous smile. He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the officials, and looked at Xiao Yuan with interest, slowly speaking:
"Uncle, it seems that General Shen has a different opinion on your proposal."
Xiao Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition arose spontaneously.
Before he could ask a question, Xiao Che handed the military report in his hand to De Shun and said loudly, "De Shun, read it to the Regent and all my ministers."
"yes."
De Shun cleared his throat, unfolded the military report, and read it aloud in his unique, high-pitched yet clear voice:
"Commander Shen Ce of the Capital Garrison respectfully requests Your Majesty's well-being. I have heard that His Highness the Regent intends to mobilize troops north (I already knew this), and I am deeply apprehensive. The capital is the foundation of the nation, and the 100,000 soldiers of the Capital Garrison are duty-bound to protect the capital and safeguard the Emperor. This is the very foundation of the nation and cannot be moved lightly! Minor troubles in the north can be dealt with by the border troops; why should the foundation of the nation be shaken? I earnestly request Your Majesty to reconsider and reject this proposal!"
De Shun's voice echoed in the Golden Palace, each word like a resounding slap across Regent Xiao Yuan's face!
"Buzz—!"
The entire imperial court erupted in chaos!
Everyone was stunned!
Shen Ce? The Shen Ce who was hailed as the Regent's "right-hand man"? He actually... he actually publicly rejected the Regent's proposal? And he said it so righteously, every word of which stood on the Emperor's side!
Is this...is the sun rising in the west?
Xiao Yuan's smile froze completely. He was struck dumb, frozen on the spot, his eyes filled with disbelief, astonishment, and rage. He stared intently at the military report in De Shun's hand, wishing he could tear two holes through it.
Impossible! This is absolutely impossible! Shen Ce was the person he trusted most, his most loyal dog! How could he... how could he dare to betray him?!
This military report was like a poisoned blade, stabbing him in the heart from behind at the height of his pride, completely disrupting all his plans and rhythm. He felt like a clown on stage, who had just thought he was in control, only to have his most trusted partner publicly humiliate him, leaving him utterly disgraced and utterly humiliated!
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and he couldn't utter a single word. He could feel the gazes coming from all directions, filled with surprise, speculation, and even schadenfreude.
However, this slap was just the beginning.
Before Xiao Yuan could recover from the huge shock, someone he didn't expect suddenly stepped out of the line.
He was a mid-level official in the Ministry of War, surnamed Wang. He was usually taciturn in court and was a recognized member of the Regent's faction, always following Xiao Yuan's lead.
The Minister Wang, holding a jade tablet, bowed deeply to the dragon throne and said loudly, "Your Majesty! I second General Shen Ce's request! The defense of the capital must not be moved lightly!"
These words are like adding fuel to the fire!
If Shen Ce's "betrayal" was a distant thunderclap, then this Vice Minister Wang's "defection" was a lightning bolt right before our eyes!
Xiao Yuan's pupils contracted sharply. He stared in astonishment at the Vice Minister Wang, his eyes filled with chilling murderous intent. He couldn't understand why this dog, who was usually so subservient to him, dared to jump out and bite him today!
But this Vice Minister Wang seemed not to notice his gaze, straightened his back, and continued speaking in an unprecedentedly impassioned tone:
"Your Majesty! Not only do I second General Shen Ce's proposal, but I also want to impeach him today! I want to impeach Minister of War Li for embezzling military pay from the capital's military camp and enriching himself! This has caused instability in the army! If it weren't for General Shen's effective military management, there would probably have been a mutiny long ago! How is such behavior any different from treason? I beg Your Majesty to issue an order for a thorough investigation!"
"boom--!"
The Golden Palace was in complete uproar!
Minister of War Li is the Regent's most trusted confidant! Impeaching him is tantamount to declaring war on the Regent!
Minister Li, whose name was called out, trembled with fright. He quickly stepped forward, pointed at Vice Minister Wang, and shouted angrily, "You...you're spouting nonsense!"
"Whether it's slander or not, an investigation will tell!" Vice Minister Wang retorted without fear.
Xiao Che sat on the dragon throne, coldly watching the sudden scene below, the playful smile on his lips growing even deeper.
Regent Xiao Yuan stood frozen in place. He stared in astonishment at the Minister Wang, who had once been so obsequious to him but now seemed like a completely different person. For the first time, a chilling coldness slowly rose from the depths of his heart.
He suddenly realized that things... seemed to be slipping out of his control.
His camp, the power structure he thought was unbreakable, seems to be collapsing from a place he never expected!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com