Chapter 125: Crisis at Sea-Town

"Your Majesty, how could Zhenhai County be overrun by sea bandits?"

After reading the urgent report, the Empress handed it to Yingfeng.

Previously, the people of Zhenhai had submitted a petition claiming that local officials were negligent and even colluding with the sea bandits to plunder the populace. The Empress had dispatched investigators at that time, only to be told that the bandits had already retreated and that the local officials were innocent of any collusion.

Yet now, the Governor of Qianjiang Prefecture had sent an urgent report stating that Zhenhai County had been captured by sea bandits, tens of thousands of civilians had been slaughtered, and the city had been completely looted.

*Bang!*

The Empress slammed her palm onto the desk, shattering it to pieces.

"I sent the Vice Minister of Justice to investigate last time, and he dared to deceive the Throne!"

The imperial envoy sent previously was Wu Wenjing, the Vice Minister of Justice, who had returned and reported that there were no issues in Zhenhai County. It was clear that the scoundrel had taken bribes from the local officials.

Yingfeng asked, "Your Majesty, shall I dispatch troops to Zhenhai County immediately?"

The Empress checked the time and said, "It is late. We shall deliberate at tomorrow’s morning court. For now, throw Vice Minister of Justice Wu Wenjing into prison!"

Yingfeng immediately dispatched the Shadow Guards out of the palace to make the arrest.

...

In Qiuxing Palace.

Long Chen stretched his limbs as he rose from bed, only to find the room empty.

"Sleeping alone for a change; no wonder the quality of my sleep was so good."

Usually, Zhang Qian would at least be there to accompany him, and on busier nights, four people would be keeping watch, but last night, he had been entirely alone.

Opening the door, he saw Zhang Qian practicing her spear skills in the courtyard, while Xiangning brought warm water for his morning wash.

"Is Qianqian working this hard?"

Long Chen finished washing his face and handed the towel to Xiangning.

"Sister Qianqian said that since you encountered danger yesterday and she couldn't help, she needs to train harder to improve her cultivation."

When Jing Tianlie had made his move yesterday, Zhang Qian realized she was of no help to Long Chen at all; her role as a guard had been utterly useless. When she first arrived last year, her cultivation was higher than Long Chen's, but now that he had surpassed her, she felt like a burden.

Seeing Long Chen wake up, Zhang Qian withdrew her spear.

"There is no need to push yourself so hard. You protected me before, but from now on, I will protect you."

Zhang Qian was wearing thin garments, soaked through with sweat, creating a subtle, alluring silhouette.

"Then what use am I? I’m just holding you back!"

"You are useful—you can accompany me at night and apply ointment for me." Long Chen laughed roguishly.

Zhang Qian’s face flushed red, and she returned to her room to fetch clothes for a bath.

Seeing her blush, Xiangning asked, "Master, what is this about applying ointment? Is it a new game? I want to play too."

Long Chen looked at Xiangning’s figure and shook his head. "This ointment-applying game is only for Qianqian to play. You are still too young."

Xiangning looked down at herself and said, "I can't help it. You haven't helped me reshape myself for several days, Master."

Long Chen was about to tease her further when Qingyue came over from the neighboring room and called out, "Master, it is time for the morning court, and the Princess has asked for you to accompany her."

Long Chen immediately returned to his room to put on his court attire and stepped out of Qiuxing Palace, where Di Luoxi was waiting in the corridor.

The weather was growing warmer; the winter snow was gradually melting, and yellow-green buds were sprouting on the branches.

"Spring is here." Di Luoxi was in a great mood.

"Is the Princess feeling spring fever? This humble servant could help you relieve it a little." Long Chen said with a grin.

Di Luoxi reached out to pinch him, catching Long Chen off guard. "What are you doing, Princess? In broad daylight!"

Di Luoxi retorted with disdain, "If I have spring fever, what is it to you? You want to relieve me—do you even have the means!"

Long Chen chuckled, "I will, in due time."

The two entered the Daming Palace together. Di Yuwei and Di Xingwan had already arrived, as had the Minister of Personnel Baili Bing, the Minister of Rites Wang He, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Xu Zhong, and the Minister of Justice Hu Chengfu.

Other officials arrived one after another. Jing Tianlie walked in wearing his official robes, his expression solemn, and stood at the head of the military officials. In the past, officials would bow and scrape before Jing Tianlie, but today was different; they merely offered a polite smile before standing with stern, composed faces.

Long Chen stood in his designated spot, ignoring Jing Tianlie, who in turn ignored him.

Once all the officials were present, the Empress emerged from the inner court and sat upon the Phoenix Throne.

"Let the court begin." The Empress’s voice was majestic as she surveyed the hall.

Jing Tianlie kept his head lowered, as did those who had previously been his sycophants.

"State your business if you have any," the Empress commanded.

Censor Bai Anning of the Censorate stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."

The Empress nodded slightly. Every minister in the court looked toward Bai Anning, knowing what was coming; the hall fell so silent that a pin drop could be heard.

"Speak," the Empress said.

"I have interrogated the former Minister of War, Bai Qiulian, throughout the night regarding her harboring of private troops and embezzlement. The evidence is conclusive, and Bai Qiulian has confessed and signed her testimony. However, the case is complex and involves others in the court. Should I conduct a deep and thorough investigation?"

The eyes of the ministers shifted involuntarily toward Jing Tianlie. Bai Qiulian herself had no troops; those private soldiers must have been provided to Jing Tianlie.

The Empress did not immediately respond, instead asking Jing Tianlie, "Grand General, do you think we should dig deeper?"

Jing Tianlie felt his heart tighten. He bowed and said, "This is a matter for the Imperial Court to decide. I dare not speak out of turn."

Di Luoxi chuckled inwardly: *Finally, he’s acting humble. He was so arrogant last time!*

The Empress turned to the other officials. "What do you all think?"

The ministers lowered their heads in silence.

Di Luoxi stepped forward. "We must dig. Dig it all out. Harboring private troops is an act of treason. Such rebels should be executed to the last man!"

The Empress pondered for a moment before saying, "Let it be. Bai Qiulian, as Minister of War, was involved with the military. If she were to falsely accuse the Grand General’s estate of treason, the truth might become obscured."

This statement left the court in dead silence; they knew the Empress was striking a warning blow at Jing Tianlie.

Jing Tianlie kept his head lowered, remaining silent.

Censor Bai Anning bowed. "I obey your command."

"Furthermore, the witness who testified yesterday, Shen Hong, could not withstand the interrogation and died in the prison. I am guilty, Your Majesty; please punish me."

The Empress said coldly, "Shen Hong was guilty of colluding with the enemy and treason; his death is deserved. Tear his corpse apart and feed it to the dogs."

Long Chen knew that Shen Hong had been released; with the Empress ordering the body to be fed to dogs, no evidence would remain for anyone to find.

"I obey your command," Censor Bai Anning said, retreating back into the ranks.

"Is there anything else?" The Empress looked at the Minister of Justice, Hu Chengfu, who immediately lowered his head.

He had gone to the Ministry of Justice that morning and found that Vice Minister Wu Wenjing was missing. Upon checking with the family, he learned that Wu Wenjing had been arrested in the dead of night.

"Minister Hu, I previously tasked your Ministry of Justice with verifying the reports of sea bandit disturbances in Zhenhai County. Your Ministry replied that all was well, yet the Governor of Qianjiang Prefecture sent an urgent report last night stating that Zhenhai County has been overrun. What is the meaning of this!" the Empress demanded sharply.

A stir went through the court. The officials were aware of the sea bandits in the east, but they had not expected Zhenhai County to be captured.

Hu Chengfu stepped out and bowed. "Your Majesty, please examine the facts. This is a case of Vice Minister Wu Wenjing deceiving his superiors and concealing the truth. I, too, was misled by him."

Yingfeng presented a scroll of documents, which the Empress accepted and threw at Hu Chengfu. She said coldly, "The confession of Vice Minister of Justice Wu Wenjing states that it was you who accepted bribes from the gentry of Zhenhai County to conceal the enemy’s movements!"

Hu Chengfu collapsed to his knees, crying out, "I am wronged, Your Majesty!"