allonlinenovel Chapter 486
Chapter 486
The golden palace was solemn and dignified, yet a sense of oppressive tension lingered beneath the surface. The carved dragons and painted beams, illuminated by candlelight, cast dappled shadows, as if silently awaiting what was about to unfold.
The emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat regally on the supreme dragon throne, a smug expression on his face, preparing to announce the fabricated charges against the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. He slightly raised his chin, his eyes gleaming with an undeniable light, as if victory was already in his grasp.
Just then, the hall door creaked open, and a series of rapid, powerful footsteps echoed through the hall. The Empress Dowager, with her imposing figure and commanding presence, strode into the hall with Dongfang Wan'er by her side. Everyone turned to look, and the previously quiet hall instantly stirred with a small commotion.
The moment the emperor saw the Empress Dowager, the smugness on his face froze instantly, and his complexion turned deathly pale, as if he had seen a ghost. He subconsciously sat up straight, his hands gripping the armrests of the dragon throne tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
The Empress Dowager's expression was cold and stern, her eyes filled with anger and authority. She walked straight to the center of the hall, clutching a stack of evidence tightly in her hand, then slammed it heavily onto the table with a loud "bang." The sound echoed in the empty hall, sending a shiver down everyone's spine. The Empress Dowager roared, "Emperor, look at this! You have actually framed loyal officials for your own selfish gain!" Her voice was high-pitched and powerful, filled with rebuke and dissatisfaction for the Emperor's actions.
The emperor was startled, but he still tried to remain calm and make his voice sound steady: "Mother, this may be evidence deliberately fabricated by someone." He tried to exonerate himself, but a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.
The Empress Dowager sneered, her laughter filled with mockery: "Hmph, I have already sent people to investigate, and the evidence is absolutely true. With your actions, where do you place the laws of the court, and where do you place the people of the world!" Every word of the Empress Dowager's was like a heavy hammer, striking the Emperor's heart.
The emperor was speechless, and a fine layer of cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat dry and unable to utter a single word. At that moment, he was filled with regret and panic, yet he was utterly helpless.
Seeing this, Dongfang Wan'er stepped forward, her posture upright, her voice clear and firm: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has been loyal to the country for many years, fighting in the north and south to guard the borders, and has never committed any rebellious acts. I hope Your Majesty will investigate!" Her words were resounding and echoed in the hall, drawing approving glances from many ministers.
Those ministers who had initially sided with the emperor and wanted to take advantage of his misfortune, seeing the sudden reversal of the situation, secretly pondered their options. They knew the Empress Dowager's authority and methods, and now that the emperor seemed to be in the wrong, they all switched sides. An elderly minister was the first to step forward, shaking his head and sighing, "Your Majesty, this matter truly should be handled with caution. To so easily convict the Duke of Zhenguo's family risks chilling the hearts of loyal ministers throughout the land." Immediately afterward, other ministers also spoke up, criticizing the emperor's reckless actions as unbecoming of a ruler.
The emperor looked around and saw that the ministers who had once obeyed him were now standing against him. A strong sense of isolation and helplessness welled up in his heart. He clenched his fists, and the anger and resentment in his heart almost consumed him, but at this moment he was powerless to refute them.
Under pressure from the crowd, the emperor had no choice but to grit his teeth and sheepishly withdraw the charges against the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. His voice was low and helpless, as if it were being squeezed out from between his teeth.
The crisis at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was thus averted, and the entire residence erupted in jubilation. Dongfang Wan'er, for her wit and courage during the ordeal, received praise from the Empress Dowager. Looking at Dongfang Wan'er, the Empress Dowager's eyes were full of admiration: "Wan'er, thanks to you this time, you have saved a loyal minister for the court; this is truly a great achievement."
The emperor, utterly humiliated in this turmoil, returned to his palace and furiously swept everything off the table. His resentment towards Dongfang Wan'er and the Empress Dowager deepened, and he secretly vowed to regain his lost face. A new contest seemed to be brewing in the darkness, and the entire court was shrouded in an unknown gloom, creating a sense of unease.
A few days later, the relatively peaceful court was shattered by a series of hurried footsteps. A messenger soldier, drenched in sweat, stumbled into the hall, knelt down with a thud, and held aloft an urgent letter sealed with sealing wax. His voice trembled as he cried out, "Your Majesty, urgent report from the border!"
This shout instantly made the atmosphere in the hall heavy. The emperor, who had been leisurely sitting on the dragon throne, saw his smile vanish upon hearing this, replaced by a feigned expression of surprise, though inwardly he was secretly delighted, feeling that the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
He hurriedly took the letter, quickly unfolded it, and his face instantly darkened. He exclaimed, "The enemy is advancing with overwhelming force, and our border troops are suffering repeated defeats! This is outrageous!" In reality, he had already devised his next plan. Without hesitation, he immediately issued an imperial edict, loudly proclaiming, "The Duke of Zhenguo is a valiant general of our dynasty; no one but him is fit for this expedition! I hereby order the Duke of Zhenguo to immediately lead the army into battle, without fail!"
After issuing the decree, the emperor, taking advantage of everyone's inattention, secretly summoned the accompanying military doctor to his side. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes as he whispered a few words to the doctor, subtly hinting that the doctor should do something bad in secret. His words were full of scheming against the Duke of Zhenguo.
Upon receiving the imperial edict, the Duke of Zhenguo dared not slacken in the slightest. He knew the border war was urgent, concerning the safety of the nation and the survival of the people. Although he suspected it might be a conspiracy by the emperor, he prioritized the overall situation and uttered not a single complaint. Back at his residence, he immediately began to reorganize his troops, personally selecting elite soldiers and inspecting weapons and equipment, keeping himself extremely busy. He personally examined every weapon to ensure it was sharp and usable; he carefully scrutinized every warhorse to ensure it was in good condition.
With everything prepared, the Duke of Zhenguo donned his armor, mounted a swift black horse, and led his vast army to the front lines. The fluttering banners and the orderly marching displayed the majesty and imposing presence of the Duke of Zhenguo's army.