CHAPTER 1084: CHAPTER 596: ENTERING THE PALACE WITH SWORD (PART 2)

As the Grandmaster led the charge, Yuann Li in the crowd also spoke coldly, "Previously, Prince Hejian and Yanshan King took the initiative to propose negotiations, which was thought to be in good faith. Now it seems, it’s extremely disappointing."

The Deputy Secretariat Envoy, representing the military camp, also expressed his stance. He stepped forward, bowed to the Empress, and loudly said, "Your Majesty, it is unprecedented for hostilities to resume during negotiations. These two rebels moved troops during negotiations; it shows no sincerity! I ask to execute these rebels to set an example!"

"Your Majesty..."

"These traitors harbor malicious intent... We cannot agree."

For a moment, the court was furious, with officials stepping out to angrily denounce the actions of the rebels.

However, if one observes carefully, there is also a significant number of ministers remaining silent. This represents another voice advocating for peace.

In fact, the matter of ceding territory for peace had been discussed many times in previous small court meetings. Many ministers believe that if we don’t agree, we might face war next year, which could be dangerous. It would be better to pretend to agree for now, and once we secure a decisive victory, we could find a way to renege.

In other words, the pro-war and pro-peace factions have privately quarreled too many times.

Today’s court meeting is just the first time these issues have been openly discussed.

However, even though many officials are for peace, at least on this occasion, they absolutely cannot publicly support the emissary group.

At least... not before the Empress clearly expresses her attitude.

As for what kind of decision the Empress would make? In truth, all ministers are uncertain.

Because until now, even though the Empress has been closely watching the negotiation process, she has never expressed any opinion.

It seems that until the last moment, a decision will not be given.

"Your Majesty," as the wave of anger from the ministers began to wane, Mr. Feng, the Great Guest Minister of Prince Hejian’s Royal Mansion, stepped forward and took control of the negotiation pace: "And my lords, there’s no need to get angry just yet."

He appeared calm, exuding an aura of confidence, and even had a slight smile on his face. He spoke with eloquence: "I know Your Majesty and all of you are displeased. However, I have the latest intelligence here that I would like to read to Your Majesty."

Intelligence?

At this moment, the ministers were stunned, and the hall suddenly quieted down.

It was unexpected that he had prepared for this.

Xu Zhenguan sat high on the dragon throne, overlooking the scene, his eyes gazing through the pearl curtain, he spoke calmly: "Permission granted."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Mr. Feng gracefully saluted, then took an envelope from his sleeve. He had already unsealed it, and he pulled out a piece of paper from it, unfolding it and reading aloud under everyone’s scrutiny: "To Prince, changes have occurred at the Buddhist Ancestor Court of the Western Regions, Divine Dragon Temple’s abbot Xuan Yin, along with Bian Ji, have entered the Ancestor Court, suspected to be in alliance with the Dharma King, issuing a decree, secretly circulating among the Western Regions countries, flying the banner of Heavenly Hunting and Destruction of Buddha Revenge, they are planning a large-scale invasion..."

Boom!

Mr. Feng’s light words rolled over the hall like thunder.

Almost everyone changed their expressions.

Xuan Yin re-entering the Western Regions after decades? He’s actually allied with the Dharma King? How was this done?

How can one mountain accommodate two tigers?

No... This isn’t the key, the key lies in the attitude of the Buddhist Ancestor Court.

Before this, the court had also received unsettling news from the Western Regions, but it was not clear to what extent the Western Regions intended to act. The biggest guess was that the Western Regions might take advantage of the chaos to reap some benefits, occupying some border territories.

The scattered Western Regions countries were not enough to be a rival to Yu Country.

But if the Buddhist Ancestor Court issued a decree, and clearly flew the revenge banner for the "Heavenly Hunting and Destruction of Buddha" six hundred years ago, it would mean a formal invasion beyond mere skirmishes or border occupations!

And a large-scale invasion could completely crush the court, leading to its fall due to enemies on both sides.

Even more unsettling is:

If Xuan Yin and the Dharma King have allied, Buddhism’s power would become unprecedentedly strong. By then, even if the Empress possesses Heavenly Human cultivation, she might not be able to defend the Capital.

Almost instinctively, someone questioned the authenticity of this intelligence, but soon realized that such matters couldn’t be forged.

Prince Hejian had operated in Xiping Road for years, with many informants in the Western Regions, so getting the news first was not surprising.

But if such a major event occurred, soon enough, the court would also come to know.

"This..."

"Western Regions launching a full-scale war..."

"Buddhism is converging East and West...?"

At this moment, even the strongest pro-war hardliners couldn’t help but waver.

"Your Majesty," now, the elder representing Yanshan King’s Mansion for negotiations stepped up, speaking calmly: "With Buddhism converging East and West, the Western Regions countries will be united. Since they’ve raised the revenge banner, it won’t be a mere skirmish. And once they launch a large-scale invasion, I fear Great Yu will truly be in peril like a cracked egg... In such a situation, if our military authority is removed, how can we resist?"

What does this have to do with your Yanshan King’s Mansion... You’re clearly repeating my words... Mr. Feng muttered to himself, stepping forward with a smile: "Precisely. If we relinquish military authority, it would be akin to binding ourselves. And since Your Majesty and the princes are all royal relatives, we should stand united against external enemies. If Your Majesty insists on fratricide at this juncture, I fear..."

Xu Wenyan and Xu Xueling exchanged a look, knowing the time had come, and they also spoke in unison: "We ask Your Majesty to make a decision."

Forcing the throne!

Blatantly forcing the throne!

Anyone could see that, at this moment, the emissary group was using the Western Regions Buddhism to force the throne.

If the Empress stubbornly refused, the internal conflits would lead to an exceptionally dire situation next year.

If the Empress nodded in agreement, it could swiftly stabilize Xiping and Yanshan, making it more difficult for Western Regions Buddhism to invade.

But... it would also be equivalent to granting fiefdoms.

This is also why they dared to keep pressing on endlessly.

Aren’t you the female emperor? Don’t you want to emulate the Grand Ancestor Emperor and achieve great deeds?

What would you do if, during your reign, the dynasty is invaded by external enemies?

A gentleman can be deceived by principles.

As vassal kings, they do not need to consider the "big picture," but the Empress must.

Xu Wenyan and Xu Xueling’s lips curled up, watching the already chaotic Golden Throne Hall, looking at the Empress on the dragon throne, who remained silent without a word, and they almost wanted to laugh.

In their view, they have already cornered the Empress.

Next, they merely need to provide an excuse, or even without one, the Empress would agree to their demands.

The victory ultimately belongs to them.

Yet, amidst the chaos, Xu Zhenguan still didn’t speak. Her gaze even drifted away from the ministers, looking slightly upwards towards the tightly shut hall doors.

As if lost in thought.

Would the Empress be absent-minded at this moment?

First Yuann Li, Dong Xuan, Ma Yan, and others had a feeling that something was wrong.

Then...

Xu Wenyan, Xu Xueling, and others inexplicably felt a sense of unease.

Some began to shift their gaze towards the tightly closed hall doors, and those standing nearby faintly heard some noises from outside in surprise.

Were there sounds of fighting...? No, how could there be fighting sounds under the Empress’s control in the current Imperial Palace?

Suddenly.

Without any warning, the tightly closed hall doors were suddenly pushed open!

A gust of cold wind swept in!

"Squeak—"

This unexpected scene abruptly suppressed the commotion in the hall, and countless eyes turned simultaneously towards it.

Then they froze.

A figure slowly walked in, under the sudden influx of grim daylight, wearing a pitch-black cloak and a white mask.

In his right hand, he held a drawn sword, with fresh blood trickling down the blood groove, drop by drop onto the floor.

Forming a continuous line.

Who dares to carry a sword into the hall?!

"Is it you!?"

Someone exclaimed in surprise, recognizing the recently appointed Master of Lihua Hall, who has gained fame in recent months in the Capital.

But what followed was more shock and confusion.

How could a mere Master, a Tributor, dare to carry a sword into the hall? Who gave him such courage? Has he gone insane? And... whose blood is on that sword?

In a sea of astonishment.

Zhao Douan swept a cold glance over everyone, his gaze finally fixing on Xu Wenyan and Xu Xueling’s faces.

He smiled slightly, his voice even colder than the depths of a winter’s month: "Forcing the throne? Did you ask me?"

——

PS: My mistake, I hit a writer’s block, this segment was particularly difficult to write...