A storm was still coming in the end.
No matter what the Great Liang Dynasty thought about the assassination of the Saintess of the Myriad Heaven Palace, they had to take a stance in the end. Therefore, since that day, the entire Divine Capital had been bustling with activity, and all Three Judicial Chief Ministries, including the Court of Judicial Review, had stopped all work at hand, and focused all their attention on this case.
The Left Guard and Right Guard of the Divine Capital, especially the Left Guard, as direct participants in the assassination case, they did not have a good time these days. The commander, Song Lian, had already entered the palace several times. Although the emperor had not shown too much anger each time he entered the palace, Song Lian could feel the suppressed mood in the Imperial Study.
Was His Majesty also enduring it?
After the morning court ended, the officials left the imperial city quietly and orderly, most of them without any emotions on their faces. However, the officials of the Three Judicial Chief Ministries could not help but show a pained expression. It had been half a month since the Saintess suffered an assassination attempt. They had arrested some people and tried some cases, but they had never got the final answer. Therefore, when the emperor mentioned this matter again during today's court meeting, he seemed rather dissatisfied. Several leaders of the respective offices were punished with half a year's salary deduction. This was naturally not a big deal for them.
Their pain had a different meaning.
Vice Minister Li who became the Minister of Penalty because of the case several months ago, he walked out of the hall with a pained expression. Glancing at the Minister of Censors from the Court of Censors who similarly had an ugly expression, Minister Li muttered to himself, "My official hat was just picked up from the ground, it wouldn't be a big deal if I lost it. But if we can't solve this case, it won't be as simple as losing my hat."
At present, the emperor's punishment was still light, but it did not mean that it would always be the case. One must know that the emperor ascended to the throne with the identity of Prince Fan. Putting aside the number of times His Majesty showed his courage as a military man during the process of leading his troops and capturing the Divine Capital, even after entering the Divine King, the several ruthless purges were enough to prove that although His Majesty appeared gentle on the surface, he was actually a man who carried things out resolutely.
The word "indecisive" had never been associated with His Majesty the Emperor.
Officials who had been in office earlier and experienced the era of the deposed emperor naturally witnessed the Divine Capital on that night too. That was a Divine Capital that was immersed in blood.
The Minister of Censors had been an official for many years, but he was a scholar deep in his bones. He was not interested in involving himself in the politics of the court. Therefore, this Minister of Censors had spent most of his time in the Court of Censors' domain and rarely concerned himself with other matters. Now, upon hearing Minister Li's muttering, the Minister of Censors did not want to engage in conversation and quickened his pace, passing by this Minister Li and walking far away.
There was a figure in a blood-red official robe in front of them. This Chief Judicial Officer, Han Pu, had no officials around his vicinity who dared to get close. Who knew how many people were filled with fear towards this Chief Judicial Officer.
The Minister of Censors hurried over to Han Pu's side and whispered, "Lord Han."
Han Pu turned his head and glanced at the Minister of Censors. With a slightly pale complexion, he nodded slightly. He had some undisclosed ties with him.
The Minister of Censors went straight to the point, "Has the Court of Judicial Review found any clues?"
Although the Three Judicial Chief Ministries and the Left and Right Guards were all working hard to investigate the case, everyone knew that it ultimately depended on the Court of Judicial Review.
Han Pu shook his head slowly and remained silent.
The Minister of Censors thought for a moment and lowered his voice, "What about those families? Any movement?"
Despite the turmoil in the court and the doubts of the ministers, in reality, everyone knew that the mastermind behind the assassination in the Divine Capital must have been some cultivation sect in the foreign lands. And to support the activities of these cultivation sects in the Divine Capital, it naturally needed a great aristocratic family's support.
There were many aristocratic families in the Great Liang Dynasty, especially in the Divine Capital. Apart from the Wei and Xie families, there were many other large and small aristocratic families who maintained contact with the foreign cultivators, either openly or secretly.
"After investigating for so long, the direction is still not clear. Even if we uncover the foreign cultivators, what can we do? Is His Majesty really going to take action?" "Other than the foreign cultivators, is His Majesty the Emperor also going to investigate whether those impoverished families were involved in this case?"
The Minister of Censors looked at Han Pu with some worry between his eyebrows.
The Great Liang Dynasty had already established its empire for over 200 years, but those impoverished families were still active in the world.
Yes, they were the remnants of the previous dynasty, the descendants of the previous dynasty's imperial clan and high-ranking officials. Even though more than two hundred years had passed and the Great Liang Dynasty's emperor had changed several times, they were still active, constantly plotting to embroil the Great Liang Dynasty in chaos and restore their former country.
The many aristocratic families in the Divine Capital had been established for thousands of years. Not only have they experienced the present Great Liang Dynasty, they had naturally experienced the previous dynasty too, and even more ancient dynasties.
It was unclear whether they have any connection to the previous dynasty.
Han Pu frowned and said, "They have caused quite the commotion over the years, but nothing as big as now. They usually don't choose to involve foreign cultivators either. After all, that won't anger just the imperial court alone. If they want to restore their country, the best way is to contact the foreign lands and get their support."
So over the years, these so-called impoverished families had been doing two things: causing trouble in the Great Liang Dynasty, as well as operating in the foreign lands. They wanted to gain the support of those foreign cultivators.
The Minister of Censors lamented, "His Majesty's intentions are not clear and the court officials are trying to guess His Majesty's thoughts, that's what really makes it difficult. The situation is grim and it's hard to see clearly."
Han Pu smiled and said, "His Majesty is a wise ruler, and he knows every major event under the heavens. It's just that he likes to mess with us, these subjects."
The Minister of Censors said, "His Majesty was Prince Fan, he was originally a military man. Over the years, he has suppressed his nature and tried to show his gentle side. It's been hard on His Majesty."
The Great Liang Dynasty was open-minded, but it was rare to joke about the emperor's affairs, let alone that they were in the imperial city.
Han Pu smiled and said softly, "Minister of Censors, chatting with you has quelled my anger today."
The Minister of Censors smiled and said, "Lord Han, your anger mustn't be dispelled just yet. This official has some tea at home, why don't I send it to the Court of Judicial Review later to help Your Excellency extinguish your fires of anger?"
Han Pu sighed and said, "Lord Minister of Censors, it's really a waste that you aren't serving as the Chief Minister of the Cabinet."
"Lord Han mustn't say that. If Lord Secretary knows about it and pins it on this official, I'm afraid that I won't be safe even in the Court of Censors."
The Minister of Censors narrowed his eyes. Although he said this, there was no fear between his eyebrows.
Han Pu said, "What a sly old fox."
……
……
The officials dispersed from the court meeting, but Song Lian was summoned into the imperial palace again.
This Commander of the Left Guard followed Eunuch Li around the palace, feeling a bit uneasy.
Li Heng walked slowly. Seemingly knowing Song Lian's thoughts, he smiled and said, "Commander Song, don't worry too much. It isn't His Majesty who summoned you into the palace today, it's Her Majesty the Empress."
Upon hearing this, Song Lian became even more nervous. He looked at Li Heng and asked, "Eunuch Li, why did the Empress summon me?"
Having served as an official in court for many years, Song Lian had only seen the Empress a few times at major events. Furthermore, she was always in the company of His Majesty. He had never met the Empress privately before.
As a military man, Song Lian naturally admired the Empress' father, who was the former Great General of the North. That respect naturally transferred to the Empress too.
But he had never imagined that he would one day be summoned by the Empress for a private meeting.
Seeing Song Lian's nervousness, Li Heng comforted him in a soft voice, "Commander Song, there's really no need to be so nervous. Although His Majesty has been pressuring hard these days, isn't it also due to the pressure on him? Her Majesty isn't summoning you for that matter. She just wants to ask Commander Song a few questions."
Song Lian breathed a sigh of relief and proved, "What does Her Majesty want to know?"
Hearing this, Li Heng did not answer. He just glanced at Song Lian.
Song Lian quickly realized his mistake and said in a low voice, "This official's tongue has slipped."
Li Heng shook his head.
Afterward, Song Lian did not say a word as they walked through a small part of the imperial city, arriving in front of a palace that was considered not too remote.
The empress was already waiting for Song Lian in the main hall.
"Song Lian, Commander of the Divine Capital's Left Guard, pays respects to Your Majesty, the Empress."
Song Lian hurriedly bows. He held a great deal of respect for the empress.
The empress said softly, "Please rise."
Her voice was a little weak, and her complexion was rather pale, suggesting that her health was not as healthy as before.
"Commander Song, I've summoned you to the palace just to chat with you about some minor matters. You don't have to worry too much."
As she spoke, the empress stood up and walked forward. Song Lian understood and quickly followed her.
"I seem to remember that Commander Song has served under my father's command."
Her Majesty the Empress suddenly spoke, her voice flat.
Song Lian nodded and replied, "When the Great General was alive, this subject served in the Northern Frontier for Great Liang."
Although that former Great General had many other titles, Song Lian and the other military personnel who followed him would only address him as "Great General".
"Most of my father's old subordinates are still in the Northern Frontier. It isn't easy for me to see you here in the Divine Capital too."
Her Majesty the Empress smiled slightly and said, "I went a bit off topic."
Song Lian lowered his head. How could he dare to say anything?
"I know that you all have been under considerable pressure with the assassination of the saintess. I'll invite that young lady into the palace in a few days and pacify her. I'll also smooth things over with His Majesty. Don't need to be too worried, Commander Song."
Hearing this, Song Lian hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is too gracious."
He had indeed been racking his head over this matter these past few days, but he had nowhere to vent.
The empress smiled and said, "These things are not my concern, what I want to ask you is something normal too. It's about that deputy commander of yours. How do you feel about him after your interactions?"
Song Lian was taken aback. He did not know how to respond, so he bit the bullet and said, "I wonder what aspects Your Majesty is inquiring about?"
The empress said calmly, "Of course it's everything."
"If we're talking about Commander Chen, he's naturally a young talent with a meticulous mind. He's brave and level-headed, and he can endure hardship too. His talent is superb, if he's sent to the Northern Frontier to toughen up for a few years, he might become a pillar of our Great Liang in the future."
Song Lian spoke seriously. The more he spoke, the more enthusiastic he felt.
The empress frowned, "Sending him to the north at the drop of a hat. It's not like you don't know how dangerous that place is. How old is this child? Must you throw him to that harsh and cold land?"
Song Lian did not expect that Her Majesty's response would actually be so direct. He was a little absentminded as he said, "This subject has misspoke."
The empress' pale face looked rosier. Perhaps it was because she was too agitated before. After calming down a little, she said, "Continue."
