As the morning court session was drawing to a close, Li Yanfu suddenly stepped forth and said:
"Your Majesty, Junior Guardian Zhao has been away from the capital for some time. When will he return?"
Upon these words, the expression of the officials subtly changed, and Yuann Li, an old rival, glanced sideways at this persistent elder.
Behind the beaded curtain of the dragon throne, Xu Zhenguan's bright eyes also revealed a cold, chilling light.
With gray hair and beard and a face full of wrinkles, Li Yanfu seemed oblivious to the many gazes. Not receiving a response from the Empress, he continued:
"During the Grand Banquet Ceremony at the end of the year, Junior Guardian Zhao had publicly made a military pledge to capture Zhuang Xiaocheng and bring him to justice within three months. Now it's already over two months...
This old minister doesn't mean to make things difficult for Junior Guardian Zhao, but the matter of the rebel leader is a significant interference that cannot be taken lightly. This old minister is also worried that Junior Guardian Zhao, having gone and not returned for so long, has sent no letters back. Could something untoward have happened..."
"Prime Minister, choose your words carefully!"
On the dragon throne, the dignified and graceful Empress interrupted him coldly:
"The capture of rebels is a top-secret matter. How can letters be sent that might leak information? Since it is not yet March, the Prime Minister should focus on his duties and not ask questions he shouldn't be asking."
These words were quite blunt.
Li Yanfu immediately bowed deeply, saying: "This old minister... understands."
Xu Zhenguan, displeased, stood up, flicking her sleeves: "If there are no other matters, then retreat..."
The two words for ending the court session were just about to be uttered.
Suddenly, a long "urgent report" sound came from outside the Golden Throne Hall.
Even with the hall doors closed, it was audible.
The officials were taken aback, and Xu Zhenguan also frowned.
If it weren't for something urgent, palace attendants would never report news during the morning court.
"Go and see," the Empress instructed the female chancellor standing beside her.
Mo Chou acknowledged with a "yes," and immediately descended the steps, quickly heading out from the side door. After a short while, Mo Chou returned, saying:
"Your Majesty, it's an urgent military report from the Coastal Road!"
Coastal Road? An urgent military report?
Xu Zhenguan's expression slightly changed, and she promptly said: "Present it!"
The hall doors opened slowly, and an armored imperial guard entered the hall, kneeling on one knee, not daring to raise his head:
"Your Majesty, the Deputy General Yuan Ji and Prefect Luan Cheng of the Coastal Road military headquarters have sent back an urgent report to the capital, involving Junior Guardian Zhao's capture of the rebel leader!"
Xu Zhenguan's eyes lit up, and she instinctively took a few steps forward, a hint of joy in her eyes, glancing obscurely at Li Yanfu below, who was visibly stunned, seemingly not expecting such a coincidence.
Just after asking, there was a result.
And since an urgent report was sent across a thousand miles, there must have been some gain.
The officials were slightly restless, all casting curious glances.
Xu Zhenguan's smile surfaced, and though she should have personally read it first, recalling Li Yanfu's complaint just now, a sense of mischievousness rose in her heart, so she said:
"What is the content of the urgent report? Read it publicly for everyone to hear."
The imperial guard replied, tearing open the sealed envelope, taking out the contents, quickly glancing through, visibly startled, but not daring to raise his head. He had no choice but to brace himself and say:
"Prefect Luan Cheng of the Coastal Road, Deputy General Yuan Ji report to Your Majesty."
"Junior Guardian Zhao entered Feng City, ascertained that the Purple Rob Taoist Lu Zhengchun... was beheaded... used as bait, launched a surprise attack on the rebel headquarters..."
"...The mountain of Forbidden Mountain Villa collapsed, the rebel leader Zhuang Xiaocheng, suspected with Junior Guardian Zhao and his subordinates, fell off a cliff... bodies not found..."
"...Later, fragments of bodies and objects were excavated... along with the capture of over a hundred rebels, being escorted to the capital, arriving in a few days..."
The Golden Throne Hall suddenly fell into a deathly silence.
The report began without issue, but when the part about Zhao Douan and Zhuang Xiaocheng falling off the cliff, buried under the collapsed mountain, with only fragmented remains found, was heard,
the entire court was as if under an immobilization spell, everyone stunned.
Yuann Li's lips parted slightly, seemingly not hearing it clearly.
Grandmaster Dong appeared lost, his eyes unfocused.
Li Yanfu's eyes widened slowly, pupils narrowed, equally shocked by the news.
"Zhao Douan... is dead? Perished with Zhuang Xiaocheng? Buried beneath the cliff?"
At the hall entrance, near the imperial guard, Mo Chou also froze, her mind buzzing, a strong sense of unreality and absurdity arising in her heart.
That detestable fellow... dead? Just like that?
Suddenly, Mo Chou had a foreboding feeling, abruptly looked up, her gaze fixed at the end of the officials, before the dragon chair on the high platform.
The figure in the dragon robe.
Visibly, Xu Zhenguan stiffened completely, the face behind the beaded curtain quickly turned deathly pale, as if drained of spirit.
This mighty Heavenly Human Realm figure suddenly... staggered...
Failed to stand firm!
Xu Zhenguan stepped back several paces, feeling dizzy, the world spinning, utterly weak, instinctively gripping the dragon throne's armrest, a tear almost instinctively, unconsciously fell from her eye socket.
Subsequently, the Empress of Great Yu with her last bit of reason, strove to suppress her chaotic emotions, uttered two words:
"Dismiss... dismiss court."
The officials dispersed from court.
As all civil and military officials hurriedly, with expressions either worried, angry, empty, or secretly joyful, walked out of the palace, the news of Zhao Douan perishing alongside Zhuang Xiaocheng spread like wildfire within the bureaucratic circles.
Inside the Governor Hall, Ma Yan didn't attend court today, as per his usual habit, sitting in the hall, reviewing reports from various departments.
Suddenly, a figure swiftly ran over from outside the hall, it was Zhou Cang, who had dealt with Zhao Douan before.
Zhou Cang was panting, his expression grave, running in three strides across two steps, nearly tripping over the threshold.
"Lord! Lord! Something grave has happened!"
Ma Yan heard the shout through the door, put down the paper and pen in his hand, puzzled to see Zhou Cang barge in without even knocking on the door.