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墨書 Inktalez
Enduring the anger, Gentle waited for Xuande Emperor to finish his tirade before defending himself. "Your Majesty, I did indeed have people watching over the situation and arranged for quite a few individuals. I'm not sure where the problem arose. Perhaps I should ask who exactly was assigned to guard?"
"It was your Imperial Guards," the Emperor replied without much thought, immediately realizing where the issue lay. Although the Imperial Guards served him, more than half of them were offspring of Court Officials.
"How could they possibly keep watch over their own relatives?" Gentle continued, "You must know the connections involved here. Yet you still arranged it this way—could it be that you have already betrayed me in secret?"
Gentle protested his innocence. "Your Majesty, please see clearly; I am aware of these connections, but there was truly no one else to send. With so many Dragon Guards suddenly gone, there were gaps in palace security. Every guard had to extend their watch time just to barely cover the situation."
"Today's guards were chosen after I eliminated those related to court officials," he added. "After all, guards who interact daily would have developed feelings for each other."
With a look of shame, Gentle said, "Your Majesty, it was my oversight. However, given the current situation, we might as well pretend nothing has happened."
Xuande Emperor felt uneasy. He feared that they might already be on alert; otherwise, how could it be that not a single one remained? Most likely, news had leaked out. But Gentle insisted, "I only told you!"
"I failed in my duties; I ask for your punishment," he continued.
Gentle wasn't truly afraid of Xuande Emperor's sudden whims; at present, few were willing to act against him. Thanks to Empress Dowager's protection and his clean background, Gentle held a relatively high rank. Even if someone were willing to side with Xuande Emperor, he would surely distrust them and suspect ulterior motives.
After Gentle pleaded for forgiveness, Xuande Emperor relented with a thunderous warning and instructed him to summon his Ministers.
Gentle left but returned alone after making a round. Xuande Emperor felt that something was off about Gentle tonight and frowned. "Where are they? Why haven't you brought them here?"
"The officials are waiting outside the palace gates; I've already sent someone to summon them," Gentle replied. "I feared Your Majesty would be anxious waiting, so I came first."
"How could they be outside the palace gates?"
Gentle clarified for Xuande Emperor, "I just went to inquire with the guards stationed at the palace entrance. The incident originated with Sang Qingxiao."
Xuande Emperor's eyes filled with murderous intent as he gritted his teeth. "How is it her again!"
Gentle continued explaining, "I was laying groundwork regarding the arson incident by spreading some unfavorable rumors about the Sang Family among the populace. Upon hearing this, Sang Qingxiao became furious and took decisive action—she copied evidence that could overturn the Sang Family's case and just moments ago unleashed her spell across the entire city."
It was a night of rest, yet due to her commotion, Jingjing City was brightly lit, with many people gathered outside her Small Tavern. Sang Qingxiao answered the citizens' questions one by one, openly expressing her dissatisfaction with the speed of the investigation.
The court officials had also received messages from outside the palace, fearing that the situation might spiral out of control, and hurried to manage it.
With so many officials out, how could you not have received word in advance? If you had known earlier, you could have chosen another day to set the fire. Gentle, you have wasted my plans!
Gentle replied aggrievedly, Your Majesty, it is not just the court officials who are here for the spectacle; the palace guards also took the opportunity to leave under the pretext of protecting the ministers.
I know that most of the guards are second-rate Great Ancestors, incapable of handling even a simple task. It is truly a sign of weakness in palace security; I cannot summon more capable hands. I am at a loss.
Are you shifting the responsibility onto me?!
I dare not! I am merely expressing my grievances for Your Majesty and feeling sorry for you. Sang Qingxiao is pressing hard; this matter cannot be delayed any longer. Your plan to set the fire has failed, and we need to make early preparations.
Xuande Emperor could not bear to hear the word "failure" and roared in anger, I do not need anyone feeling sorry for me! Least of all you! What do you think you are?! A useless fool!
I had everything calculated perfectly; if we burned both the evidence and the people involved, we could frame the Sang Family and eliminate those in Court who supported them. Yet it all fell apart because of your incompetence!
The more Xuande Emperor thought about it, the angrier he became. He raised his foot as if to kick, but Gentle was not about to kneel there and take it; he dodged out of the way.
You eunuch! How dare you hide!
Gentle looked anxious and shouted, Your Majesty! Look behind you!
Xuande Emperor did not listen. Taking advantage of this moment, Gentle managed to extract more unsavory thoughts from him before enticing Xuande Emperor to turn around.
Once he turned around, Xuande Emperor froze in place, staring at the neatly arranged court officials not far behind him, unsure how to react.
Shi Yun stepped forward and asked, Your Majesty truly intends to burn us?
The incredulous, reproachful, and disgusted gazes from the officials nearly overwhelmed Xuande Emperor. Embarrassed and furious, he retorted, How dare you eavesdrop on my conversation! How long have you been here?
When Your Majesty called for us, we rushed over quickly and heard quite a bit. We did not expect that maintaining our distance would still allow us to hear your roar.
I—I—
Mingze also questioned him, With so many officials dead in Court, even if Your Majesty has prepared candidates to fill their positions, it will still take considerable time for them to adapt.
Are you not afraid that this will cause chaos in Court and attract foreign enemies, plunging all of Great Jing into war?
Several ministers stood up as well. Your Majesty, my death is trivial; if Great Jing suffers because of our misfortune and I end up underground, how can I face my ancestors?
If a ruler demands his subjects die, they must comply; but it cannot be such a humiliating death!
Is my life not worth anything?! If Your Majesty does not want me involved with the Sang Family matter, then demote me! I have been loyal for over twenty years; in the end, I suffer because of your selfishness. I refuse to accept this!
Your Majesty, do you truly care more for your own interests than for the entire Great Jing?
One official after another spoke up, and the Xuande Emperor, filled with shame and anger, exclaimed, "Great Jing! How can you still have the face to mention Great Jing? Since the Sang Family arrived, they have directly threatened the royal Qin Family's position. Without the Qin Family, what will become of Great Jing? Yet here you are, pretending to be oblivious while diligently working to clear the Sang Family's name these past few days.
Though my body may be failing, my mind is still sharp. It is clear that you are plotting to betray the royal family, yet you still have the audacity to question me. In the past, would you have had the courage to do this? You are clearly considering a new master and no longer regard me as significant, freely speaking words of reproach. Ha! It is secondary that you infuriate me; I fear that today’s palace coup is merely a way for you to pledge allegiance to the Sang Family.
Your Majesty! Shi Yun shouted angrily. If there are wrongful cases, they must be investigated. The Great Ancestor established the Mingyuan Drum not as mere decoration; now that its sound echoes throughout the city because of the Sang Family's cries for justice, should we simply ignore it? The court officials are merely doing their duty; what wrong have they committed to provoke your wrath?
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