The carriage stopped inside the Fu Imperial Gates in the early morning. Xiao Zhan got down from the horse and opened the carriage's door.
Sheng Li rested his foot on the footplate and got down, followed by Jian Guozhi.
"Bring that messenger," Sheng Li ordered Xiao Zhan and walked towards the main palace. The soldiers bowed their heads upon seeing the Emperor.
The First Prince and General Xiao followed the Emperor, who was walking exceptionally faster than usual.
The messenger had shackles on his hands and feet. He was surrounded by the six soldiers. He knew it was his end and regretted listening to Empress Dowager.
General Wang, who was on the main palace grounds, was shocked to see Sheng Li. He ran to the Emperor and bowed his head before him, who had halted at his place. Wang Hao looked at the captive and then at the Emperor.
"How is His Majesty?" Wang Hao asked Sheng Li with a worried look.
"I am well. Bring Empress Dowager to the court. Also, inform the ministers to show their presence in the court," Sheng Li commanded Wang Hao, who bowed and left.
"Brother Sheng, should you not rest first?" Jian Guozhi suggested Sheng Li.
"No. First, I need to throw out the dirt from the palace," Sheng Li affirmed and went to the imperial court. Jian Guozhi found out that Sheng Li was angrier than he thought.
They reached the imperial court, where Sheng Li rested on the Dragon throne. His palm rested on his knee and he fixed his gaze at the door, waiting for Deng Hui to enter. He knew that Deng Hui would do her best to escape this.
Rong Zemin and Nianzu entered the Imperial Court. They greeted the Emperor and the First Prince before asking about Sheng Li's health.
"I am better now. Brother Nianzu today I will make the toughest decision of my life. Hopefully, you will understand me," Sheng Li said.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I also want the Emperor not to tremble from the decision he will make," Nianzu affirmed. Sheng Li nodded and thanked him for listening to him. They looked at the captive, who was on his knees in the center of the imperial court while Sheng Li's eyes waited for Deng Hui to enter.
"Is His Majesty well? His Majesty's face doesn't look good," Rong Zemin whispered near Jian Guozhi's ear.
"The wound is deep and it's painful," Jian Guozhi replied. "The tiredness from the lack of sleep could be another reason," he briefed the Third Prince, who nodded.
The Court Ministers started to arrive and after greeting the Emperor took their respective positions.
"Your Majesty, the return was surprising," the Prime Minister said.<
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"Even I had not expected that I would return this early," Sheng Li answered. "You all must be wondering why I asked every minister to gather so early. The reason is that the matter in Changying is solved. However, with that something unusual happened," he addressed them.
"Your Majesty, who was behind the uprisings in Changying?" the Minister of Law asked in his humble voice.
"Governor Mingze. He has been arrested and is punished for the wrong he did. The official statement will be given by the First Prince." Sheng Li looked at Jian Guozhi, who bowed before him.
"What is the matter, Your Majesty? His Majesty said that something unusual happened when he was in Changying," the Prime Minister said curiously.
"The Emperor was attacked in Changying. The news had already spread in the capital when we tried our best not to reveal it," Jian Guozhi answered on behalf of Sheng Li.
"Was it Mingze?" Another Minister queried.
"No. Someone from the royal family," Sheng Li answered and saw Wang Hao at the entrance. Behind him, Deng Hui entered the court. Wang Hao stood aside while everyone looked at Deng Hui with confusion.
Deng Hui being the eldest did not greet the Emperor. She narrowly gazed at the captive and wondered if he was the messenger that Wushi had hired. The ministers bowed upon seeing her.
"Your Majesty, why am I being called to the court?" Deng Hui asked.
"Empress Dowager, did you order your man to kill me?" Sheng Li questioned Deng Hui.
"I am afraid, but what His Majesty is saying," Deng Hui refused to have any involvement behind the attack.
"I am clear enough, Empress Dowager," Sheng Li said in a loud and threatening voice. "Admit that you sent an assassin to kill me," he shouted at her.
Nianzu looked at his mother in disgust. He could not believe that she still did not admit the crimes she had committed. It was disgraceful for him.
"Your Majesty, please show the evidence that I sent an assassin," Deng Hui challenged him.
"The captive in your life is the whole evidence," Sheng Li stated and glanced at the captive, who admitted in front of everyone that he was told to inform about the Emperor's condition after he was shot. Later, he was told that he was instructed to give the poison to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, what if it is your way to ruin my reputation! I never met this messenger. On what basis can he say that Empress Dowager was behind it?" Deng Hui questioned Sheng Li, who clenched his fingers.
"The Court Ministers know well how the Emperor wants this throne to himself. That's why he didn't let any of his elder brothers take it. By birth, the First Prince had t
he right to the throne, yet the Fifth Prince claimed it. Moreover, the Emperor finds his power will get weaker if I am alive. That is why His Majesty blamed an innocent person for no reason," Deng Hui pronounced while addressing the court ministers.
"Empress Dowager is deviating from the truth. Why is she bringing the matter of the throne!?" Jian Guozhi intervened in the conversation.
"The Emperor, without any proof, trying to malign my image. His Majesty wants to centralize the power to himself. That's why I brought the matter of the throne. I was summoned just because this captive on the Emperor's instructions lied about me," Deng Hui asserted while glaring into the eyes of Sheng Li.