"Is there anyone else?" Princess Qing He swept her beautiful eyes over the many ministers, a hint of disappointment in her gaze.
Matsuno Usiyoshi then slowly walked to her side, positioning himself slightly behind her. His precise and meticulous actions indicated a prior connection with Princess Qing He, suggesting he was even her subordinate!
"Matsuno, you traitor!!"
"Baka yaro!!"
After the shock, the cabinet ministers roared in anger, like wounded beasts. The Chief Cabinet Secretary, the second highest official in the nation, the man they trusted and who had advised them, was actually a spy. At this moment, their pride had suffered a severe blow. There was also a touch of fear; by what means could this seemingly pure and beautiful woman command the loyalty of the second highest official in the land?
Facing their furious accusations, Matsuno Usiyoshi, standing behind Princess Qing He, remained composed. "He who understands the times is a wise man!" In this tumultuous era, what real power did the second highest official of Country R hold? At this moment, he suddenly felt that his colleagues, the nation's top officials, had a rather limited perspective.
"Qing He, I never imagined you harbored such great ambition!"
"Heh heh! You think that with the support of this traitor Matsuno, you can become Prime Minister? You are far too naive!"
"Impossible! Our Country R has never had a female Prime Minister, and it never will!"
The ministers immediately voiced their opposition. Ni-Sōshō Kōyoi, with sharp eyes, stared intently at Matsuno Usiyoshi for a moment before looking sternly at Princess Qing He. Inadvertently, he seemed to understand the source of Princess Qing He's confidence.
Raising his hand to quell the ministers' clamorous shouts, he asked with a grim expression, "Is… is this the wish of His Highness the Prince?"
The wish of Prince Houying? The ministers, who had been full of rage, suddenly changed their expressions. So, she had the Prince's support? No wonder she was so arrogant! But hadn't that man promised not to interfere in the nation's political affairs?
The ministers stared intently at Princess Qing He's innocent smile, trying to discern something, but they were disappointed. This woman's depth was no less than her ambition!
Therefore, their gazes shifted to the Chief Cabinet Secretary behind her. Seeing his forced smile and the hint of excitement in his expression, they seemed to confirm something, and their hearts sank to the abyss!
"Yes!" Princess Qing He nodded affirmatively, plunging the ministers into greater despair.
Prime Minister Kōyoi's face also changed. "I wish to see His Highness the Prince." With that, he did not wish to linger and turned to leave. To become Prime Minister of Country R, one needed the support of the populace, and most importantly, the support of the mainstream family conglomerates. If it were a fair competition, he would not have placed Princess Qing He in his sights at all. But now, with Prince Houying, the "Guardian God of the Nation," entering the fray, all the rules had to change.
He hadn't expected that the existence of Bai Ye, which they had considered their worst-case scenario, was nothing compared to the current situation! And the person who had triggered it was this inconspicuous woman!
"His Highness the Prince does not wish to see you," Princess Qing He said with a charming smile. It was a lie when she said the Prince supported her becoming Prime Minister; Prince Houying truly did not wish to concern himself with these matters, but the latter part of her statement was true. However, in her understanding, Bai Ye and Prince Houying were of the same caliber!
"Hmph!"
Prime Minister Kōyoi cast a cold glance, ignored them, and continued to leave. However, as the cabinet ministers in front pulled open the doors, a group of fully armed soldiers stood at the entrance, their murderous intent blocking the way.
A coup? The cabinet ministers' faces changed again, and they took a deep breath. At this moment, they finally realized that things were far more serious than they had initially thought or seen!
"Your Highness the Princess? What is the meaning of this?"
"Matsuno, you have great audacity!"
While shouting accusations, the ministers subtly took out their specially made communication devices, attempting to contact their security personnel and government security departments. However, all their special communicators were unable to connect with the outside world!
Matsuno Usiyoshi stood with his hands behind his back, looking down and smiling, "Hahaha… Save your energy, Your Highness the Princess already knew you wouldn't cooperate! The entire Imperial Palace has already been controlled by us, all communication signals have been severed. Now, not even a fly can enter or leave this palace!"
Seeing Matsuno's smug demeanor, the cabinet ministers were filled with rage, gnashing their teeth.
"Baka yaro! Matsuno, you traitor! May you die a horrible death!"
"You think by trapping us here, you can control the cabinet? Impossible! We have many families behind us! As soon as we don't return tonight, our families will know of your scheme!"
"You'd best release us now, or we'll fight to the death!"
...
Matsuno Usiyoshi shook his head with a sigh. "Due to an emergency, when the Prime Minister is unable to manage the government, I, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, will take over all affairs. The other cabinet ministers and families will also support Your Highness the Princess. Under the general trend, even if your families find out, what can they do? It would be considered good if they didn't abandon you and replaced the clan leader instead!"
"Moreover, even now, you still haven't recognized the power of those esteemed individuals. Before them, any power or scheme is merely a trivial trick unworthy of notice! The world has changed..."
The ministers listened to Matsuno Usiyoshi's words, their eyes widening in astonishment. Kōyoi's face was extremely grim; a surge of anger felt like old blood in his chest, wanting to be expelled but unable to. They understood what Matsuno was saying, but at this moment, they truly felt an immense discomfort and difficulty in accepting it! They had dedicated nearly a lifetime of effort to reach their current positions!
"Prime Minister, please stay here and rest for the time being!" Princess Qing He bowed politely to them and then walked straight outside.
"Your Highness the Princess, please wait..." Seeing that Princess Qing He had no intention of further negotiation and was simply leaving, the ministers became anxious. Do we have no value at all?
Matsuno slowly followed, turning back with a smile. "Actually, in the original plan, you were not included in the scope of those we intended to win over..."
Looking at Matsuno Usiyoshi's meaningful smile, the cabinet ministers felt an ominous premonition and became even more anxious.
"Matsuno, don't go, I am willing to support Your Highness the Princess..."
"I am also willing to support Your Highness the Princess, and my entire clan will support you!!"
...
However, no matter how they called out, Matsuno Usiyoshi walked out of the room.
In the early morning, Country R held a cabinet meeting without the Prime Minister's leadership.
The next day, in the morning.
After the 'efforts' of Country R's firefighters throughout the night, the fire at the 'Shrine' was finally extinguished. When firefighters, police, and citizens saw the ruins of the 'Shrine,' the scorched earth was covered in cracks, devoid of any life. In the center, there was a massive crater nearly a hundred meters in diameter, bottomless and terrifying.
Everyone's mind was filled with questions. What exactly happened here last night?
By noon, with extensive media coverage, coupled with the fact that the government of Country R had yet to issue any explanation and was not controlling the media, the entire Country R, and even most other countries, learned of the 'disappearance of the Shrine.'
Some people took to the streets to protest, while others gathered at the doors of government offices to demonstrate...
On this day, from the highest echelons of the government to the common citizens of Country R, everyone was in turmoil!
At noon, at a certain major hotel in downtown Tokyo.
Bai Ye received good news shortly after waking up.
"Mr. Bai, you have obtained the live broadcast permission in Country R!"
The message came from Princess Qing He, and the account she used was that of a member of Country R's cabinet.
A slight smile curved Bai Ye's lips. This woman was quite fast!