"Besides, it's already a waste if the clothes are not used..."
After finding a good excuse for herself, Ye Zi'e took a deep breath, forced herself to suppress the sha, and crawled towards the two people.
"Households Commander Li, don't be afraid, I'm here to save you!"
"W-who asked for your help?!"
"We're all sisters, there's no need to be polite. Mr. Chen, if you want to electrocute soone, electrocute !"
"..."
...
...
Tiandu City.
In the Golden Throne Hall, the ministers lined up in sequence, standing solemnly on both sides, the atmosphere incredibly tense.
The incident that happened in the palace a few days ago had already spread among the court ministers—
The entire Qianji Palace was destroyed by an unknown force, turned into ruins, and is currently undergoing ergency repairs, while the Emperor was forced to temporarily relocate to the fasting palace!
Although the Internal Affairs Office claid externally that it was a dragon flip, everyone knew clearly that the Emperor's sleeping quarters are the most well-guarded area of the entire Imperial Palace, with layers of protection including the Heavenly Shadow Guards and arrays, so how could it be damaged by an earthquake?
Moreover, all other palace quarters remained unhard, only Qianji Palace collapsed—could the earthquake be selective?
For a ti, rumors of soone plotting regicide and usurpation were rampant.
Neither Her Majesty the Empress nor top court officials like Lv Huaiyu discussed it, further fueling suspicion and making the court atmosphere increasingly bizarre.
"If there is any matter, start the audience. If not, court is dismissed," Eunuch Jin said loudly.
The Six Ministers exchanged glances, and Yan Peizhi took the lead, cupping his hands and saying, "This minister heard that Her Majesty the Empress was unwell recently and could not attend the morning court. Is she feeling better now?"
"Lord Yan is considerate. This Empress rely caught a slight cold and is now recovered," ca the Empress's calm voice from behind the bamboo curtain. At this mont, she was lazily leaning on the Phoenix Throne, with her left hand supporting her chin, playing with a gilded butterfly pearl hairpin, looking utterly bored.
Just returning from the Southern Border and having to attend a morning eting, what a bother...
Really want to date the little thief...
"Then this minister is relieved. May Her Majesty, who rises early and retires late, take care of her phoenix body." Yan Peizhi offered a few words of flattery before shifting the topic to cautiously ask, "The sudden land fissure the other day caused severe tremors in the Imperial City, damaging His Majesty's sleeping quarters... May I boldly inquire, is His Majesty's sacred body well?"
The ministers bowed their heads, each with a different expression.
The most important thing right now is to confirm whether the Emperor had an accident!
After all, Emperor Wu Lie has long stayed secluded in the deep palace, never appearing in public; only a few close attendants know about his condition... To put it bluntly: if soone intentionally conceals it, even if he has passed away, no one might know!
"His Majesty..."
The Empress hadn't finished speaking when a sharp voice suddenly ca from outside the hall:
"The Emperor is arriving—"
?!
It was as if thunder exploded, and the air fell dead silent!
Eunuch Jin's pupils contracted to pinpoints, swiftly raising his head to look towards the hall door—
He saw a line of gold-armored guards file in, lining up on both sides. Monts later, a tall figure slowly stepped into the hall.
Clad in a bright yellow court robe, embroidered with twelve emblematic patterns including the sun, moon, and stars. On the chest, a black five-clawed dragon spanned, with two amber-like jade stones adorning its eyes, appearing lifelike.
His head bore a pure gold Imperial Crown with nine hanging strands, casting a shadow over the upper half of his face from the bridge of his nose upwards.
Due to his skeletal fra, the Dragon Robe seed sowhat loose, yet his every gesture exuded an intense aura of authority, making it impossible for anyone to look directly!
The Crown Prince, dressed in a black imperial robe, followed closely behind, his young face showing traces of confusion and bewildernt.
"Wu Lie..."
"Why is he here?"
The Empress straightened up, a frown setting between her brows, her slender fingers instinctively clenching the golden hairpin so tightly that blood seed to drain from her fingertips.
"Your Majesty, take it slowly."
An elderly eunuch, wearing a dark blue satin robe, approached, trying to support him, but Emperor Wu Lie refused.
Step, step, step—
Emperor Wu Lie moved slowly, ascending the golden steps one by one.
Everyone held their breath, all eyes fixed on that figure.
Finally reaching the high platform, Emperor Wu Lie appeared slightly out of breath, as if these twenty-plus steps had exhausted him.
Once his breathing steadied, he turned to look at the bamboo curtain on the east side, a smile appearing on his hollow cheeks, his voice hoarse as he said, "I have been bedridden for years, unable to manage state affairs, thanks to the Empress for sharing my burdens..."
The Empress looked expressionless, her tone indifferent, "Your Majesty overpraises."
Emperor Wu Lie paid no mind to her cold attitude, turning to sit on the Dragon Throne while the Crown Prince stood respectfully behind.
Only now did the ministers realize this wasn't an illusion!
Crash—
The ministers were shocked and hurriedly bowed, loudly proclaiming, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"
"You may rise," Emperor Wu Lie said coolly.
The ministers stood up, Yan Peizhi rolled his eyes, quickly said, "I just inquired with Her Majesty the Empress about Your Majesty's condition, worried that falling debris from Qianji Palace might have hard your dragon body. Now seeing Your Majesty well, I can finally be at ease!"
The others, not wanting to be outdone, promptly chid in:
"Since Your Majesty fell ill, all of court and country have been concerned. Now that you have recovered, it is the fortune of all beings!"
"This dragon flip is clearly a good on, demonstrating Your Majesty's great fortune and destiny!"
"We congratulate Your Majesty, congrats to the whole world!"
The Emperor's personal attendance at the court eting carried an overwhelming amount of implicit information!
Even the Eastern Palace Empress, who issued decrees to the ministers, just temporarily represented Imperial Power; if the Emperor shakes off his ailnt and reasserts control over state affairs, it ans the entire power structure will be reford and reorganized, nullifying the advantages gained in previous political struggles!
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