Ximen Yao helped the person on the ground, knowing Murong Yingxue's thoughts. It was a pity that her master had never cared for her. If she insisted, she would only bring suffering upon herself. Why bother?
In the court of Dong Qin, ever since Prime Minister Sima Qingyun and Grand Scholar Wen Zong were startled, they had been recuperating in their residences for two consecutive days.
At the morning court today, both of them voluntarily submitted memorials requesting to retire from public life.
Following closely behind, Minister of Justice Ye Siyuan and Grand Tutor Ye also submitted disheartened memorials, wishing to resign from their positions, to no longer concern themselves with state affairs, and to live in peace and quiet.
Upon this development, the Emperor rejoiced, never expecting his plan to succeed halfway.
However, before his joy could fully settle, the court was thrown into turmoil as half of the officials stood up to object to Sima Qingyun and the others retiring.
It was widely known that Prime Minister Sima was resourceful and capable of governing the nation. Although he hadn't achieved great feats, he was a diligent official, loyal to the court and the common people.
If Prime Minister Sima and Grand Scholar Wen were to resign, they requested the Emperor to dismiss them simultaneously, and they would willingly return to their hometowns.
Regarding the assassination attempt, everyone harbored suspicions but dared not discuss them openly.
If Prime Minister Sima, Grand Scholar Wen, and the Minister of Justice were to leave, their own positions would likely be precarious, which was why the officials objected.
Shangguan Yao never dreamed that such a thing would happen, his expression instantly turning extremely grim.
His pair of glazed eyes were filled with a sinister gloom, yet he could not show it in the slightest. This was because the officials in the court were observing, and any slightest disturbance could lead to eternal damnation.
In the end, the Emperor issued an imperial decree stating that the memorials from Prime Minister Sima Qingyun, Grand Scholar Wen, Minister of Justice Ye Siyuan, and Grand Tutor Ye were not approved. They could recuperate in their residences and return to court for discussions when their health improved. This matter was thus settled.
Shangguan Yao was so enraged that he threw a furious tantrum in the Imperial Study, terrifying the eunuchs and palace maids into utter silence.
These inner attendants and servants had no knowledge of court affairs, and they couldn't understand why the Emperor was so furious.
When the news reached Changxin Palace, the Empress Dowager's eyes flickered. There was no significant commotion; this situation was something she had long anticipated.
The Emperor needed to learn a lesson, to understand that haste makes waste.
He had already dismissed Yun Mo and transferred him to the border. Many were disheartened by this. Now, to deal with Sima Qingyun would naturally cause further upheaval.
That night.
The sky was adorned with a brilliant moon and densely packed stars. The deep blue night sky resembled boundless brocade, shimmering with golden light.
A simple carriage drove out of the Imperial Palace. Seated inside was the current Emperor Shangguan Yao, along with his trusted guard Song Yuan and two other guards.
In the shadows, Mingyue and Mingri, two personal bodyguards, accompanied them. The entourage left the Imperial Palace and headed straight for Prime Minister Sima's mansion.
Inside the carriage, Emperor Shangguan Yao's complexion was gloomy. A glazed lantern hung in front of the carriage, casting a dim, yellowish light that illuminated his handsome features in a dark, indecipherable manner.
His dark pupils were filled with ferocity. Thinking about what happened in court that morning, the anger in his heart surged, and a cold sneer played on his lips.
He hadn't expected Sima Qingyun to be much different from Yun Mo. At least he hadn't found any leverage against Yun Mo, but now he had found it against Sima Qingyun. The people of Shenlong Palace saved him. xxs1
They must have had some prior dealings, otherwise, why would those bloodthirsty killers save him?
Sima Qingyun, I want to see if you are truly made of iron and have no cracks. If I find the slightest stain of deceit, you will await execution.
He wondered if, should Sima Qingyun truly be executed, those who vowed to leave the court would truly sever all ties to wealth and fame.
Shangguan Yao's gaze flickered, and a chill enveloped the carriage. Song Yuan, sitting on the other side, dared not utter a word.
The Emperor wanted to leave the palace, and he would follow without hesitation. However, recently, the Emperor had been doing everything to avoid Prince Shangguan, which puzzled him. The Emperor had always been close to the Prince; what was happening now?
"Song Yuan, how far is it to Sima's mansion?"
Shangguan Yao leaned against the soft couch on one side. The outside of the carriage was simple, but the interior was elegantly furnished, with a soft couch by the side, adorned with a quilt, and a high table in the middle, displaying writing instruments, inkstones, and some ancient artifacts.
Song Yuan lifted the curtain and looked outside, then bowed his head and reported, "Not far."
Outside the carriage, there was a hubbub of activity. Bright lights shone through the curtain, and the fragrance of rouge was exceptionally strong.
Shangguan Yao remained motionless, holding no great interest in being amidst the bustling marketplace. His entire focus was on the person he was about to meet.
Sima Qingyun, he wondered if he could uncover any clues from this old fox. Regardless of whether he could uncover any secrets, the Prime Minister had been frightened, and as the Emperor, it was his duty to appease his ministers.
The carriage sped on and soon arrived at the Prime Minister's mansion.
In front of the Prime Minister's mansion, several guards were sitting on the steps, chatting. Upon seeing a carriage approach, they nimbly stood up, their expressions solemn.
A few days prior, the Prime Minister had been attacked, so the guards at Sima's mansion were extremely vigilant, fearing another attack by formidable assassins.
The two guards driving the carriage alighted and respectfully reported from outside the carriage, "Lord Song, we have arrived."
"Yes."
Song Yuan alighted from the carriage, raised his token, and the guards at the Prime Minister's mansion immediately lowered their heads in trepidation, daring not say more. The newcomer was a first-rank guard from the palace, whom they dared not offend.
The surroundings were silent. Song Yuan stepped forward, lifted the carriage curtain, and reached out to help Shangguan Yao down. Several figures headed directly towards the Prime Minister's mansion, with guards leading the way. The others remained in place. Only after the figures had gone far did they speak with curiosity.
"Just Lord Song, and that person... he looks somewhat familiar? Rather familiar?"
These were the Prime Minister's guards, and they had some impression of the Emperor, so they felt this person looked somewhat like the Emperor.
However, due to the tall trees by the roadside blocking the moonlight, they could not see clearly, and thus could not be sure if the person was the Emperor. But since the person had already gone inside, there was no point in overthinking it.
In the Prime Minister's study.
Sima Qingyun was sitting in the study with a frown, reading a book. However, he hadn't turned a page for a long time. Upon closer inspection, his eyes were unfocused, staring vaguely at something.
At this moment, a light knock sounded from outside the door, startling him. The book in his hand dropped onto the desk, and the lamp suddenly flickered, eerily strange.
"Who is it?"
Sima Qingyun suppressed the unease in his heart and called out softly to the outside.
Before the guard could reply, Song Yuan pushed the door open forcefully and entered. Upon seeing someone from the palace, Sima Qingyun hurriedly stood up and clasped his fists, saying, "May I ask when Lord Song has graced us with his presence so late at night?"