CHAPTER 1085: CHAPTER 597: UNMASKING! I REQUEST A MILITARY ORDER!

"Did you ask me?"

Zhao Douan’s voice mingled with the pale daylight streaming from outside the hall, clearly reverberating in the ears of the officials inside.

It was like a stone cast into the lake, sending ripples outwards.

The deathly still atmosphere was abruptly broken, and the people in the Golden Throne Hall, momentarily stunned by this unexpected display, finally came back to their senses.

Then, different expressions emerged on each face.

Foremost among them, Xu Wenyan, Xu Xueling, and other envoys felt a rising panic; their first subconscious thought was that this white-faced arresting officer’s appearance was arranged by the Empress.

For only then did it make logical sense that a mere arrest officer could make his way to them with a sword and speak recklessly.

Moreover, both the Commandery Princess of Yanshan and the Princely Heir of Hejian had been followed and tested by Zhao Douan in recent days...and these actions were naturally interpreted by them as reflecting the Empress’s intentions.

But upon hearing the words "Did you ask me?", the envoys’ panic turned to doubt.

For this did not sound like someone on a mission, but rather someone following his own will.

The officials inside the hall noticed this as well, with some turning to look at the Empress sitting high on the dragon throne.

Some furrowed their brows, puzzled.

Some were bewildered, not understanding the situation.

Some showed expressions of shock and anger, glaring intently at this presumptuous little arrest officer.

People like Yuann Li, Ma Yan, Sun Lianying, who knew the true identity of Zhao Douan, had deep and silent expressions, offering no opinions.

"Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?" Mr. Feng’s angry voice finally broke the silence, representing the Great Guest Minister of the Royal Mansion of Hejian. He ignored Zhao Douan, and turned angrily to glare at the Empress on the throne, speaking in a deep voice: "Or is it that Your Majesty has decided to abandon peace negotiations and declare war on us? Disregarding all face?"

An old minister beside Xu Xueling from the Yanshan Royal Mansion also showed a fearless attitude, facing the Empress, and sneered: "If Your Majesty is determined, for the sake of control, to sit by and watch chaos spread across the land, allowing barbarians to enter, then speak plainly, why send a mere soldier to voice such words? Wouldn’t it be a laughingstock in the eyes of the world?"

The envoys also regained their composure, though their hearts were tense and fearful, their faces showed anger and defiance.

They assumed the stance of "If you want war, then let there be war."

Uncertain whether this was an elaborate scheme by the Empress to intimidate them, they could only maintain a high posture.

Seeing this, even Xu Wenyan, who feigned foolishness, couldn’t afford to keep his pretense and knew he must speak up. His face stern, he stepped forward, looking up at Xu Zhenguan, resolute and decisive: "If Your Majesty wishes to kill, then kill. But I must remind you, if the peace negotiations fail, our Royal Mansion of Hejian will fight the court to the death."

Xu Xueling also came to her senses, angrily declaring: "Our Yanshan Royal Mansion will also battle to the end, refusing to yield!"

In an instant, the peace talks reached the brink of collapse like a stormy wave.

Seeing this, some of the silent ministers in the hall couldn’t hold back anymore. One nervously advised: "Esteemed ones, don’t misunderstand, the Empress cares for the people, this matter can still be discussed..."

Then, turning and bowing to the Empress, lamenting: "Your Majesty! The stakes in these peace talks are high, they must not be decided lightly, nor should you heed slander!"

Another loudly counseled: "Your Majesty, reconsider, this matter can still be negotiated..."

Then pointedly gesturing towards Zhao Douan, he angrily exclaimed: "What are you? What rank do you hold? Is it your place to speak in the imperial court hall?"

Another jumped out, directing his words at Zhao Douan, trembling with anger: "Brandishing a sword in court, spouting nonsense, do you seek rebellion?! Peace talks are a national priority, what qualifies you to interfere? Do you mean to say even the Empress’s decisions require your consent?!"

A chorus of reprimands!

At this moment, the "Peace Faction" in the court could no longer feign ignorance, for if left unchecked and the negotiations broke down, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Therefore, even if they took a step back, had this white-faced arrest officer indeed acted under the secret orders of the Empress, they still had to make a stand.

For a time, Zhao Douan seemed to be pointed at by a thousand fingers, much like a black reef facing the storm in a raging sea.

"Ha!"

Zhao Douan laughed, this laugh full of sarcasm and disdain, as if releasing a grudge that had been suffocated in his chest for many days.

Holding the sword in his right hand, he coldly scanned the faces accusing him with anger, reaching the peak of his aversion.

"No need to put on a show of probing, I am not here on anyone’s orders."

Zhao Douan’s voice was sonorous and forceful, providing a direct response.

This instead left more people stunned, thinking could it be that this man had gone mad? Just because he had done a few things in the capital and gained some reputation, he thought he could interfere in peace negotiations?

And those Peace Faction officials who had accused him had a glint in their eyes, realizing if not under imperial orders, then there was room for conciliation.

"Brazen fool!" an official from the Peace Negotiation Faction exclaimed in anger, pointing a finger at his face, "Without summons, how dare you commit such insubordination? Guards! Where are the imperial guards? Quickly seize this man!"

As the words fell, a large group of armored imperial guards indeed appeared outside the hall, but they did not approach, merely standing silently outside.

It seemed less like they were there to seize a traitor, and more like they were guarding the white-faced arresting officer ahead.

This scene left more people in shock.

Yet Zhao Douan also lost his patience, his gaze coldly fixing on the official, with a sneer revealed beneath his mask: "You, and you..."

He raised his right hand, pointing the bloodstained sword tip at those Peace Faction ministers.