CHAPTER 1088: CHAPTER 598: FULL OF SCHEMES

Inside the Golden Throne Hall.

As the Empress stepped in, speaking those words, everyone realized that the matter of peace talks was conclusively settled.

The members of the envoy were utterly panicked, no longer maintaining their earlier calm demeanor.

Sweat beaded on Xu Wenyan’s forehead, while Xu Xueling was so stunned that she took several steps back, muttering:

"No... you don’t dare... how dare you..."

The peace talks collapsed.

Next would come a relentless confrontation. Those first in line to be sacrificed were undoubtedly them.

"Don’t dare?" Xu Zhenguan disdainfully glanced at the Commandery Princess of Yanshan, then at the Fat Prince, as if looking at two naive children, pitying them:

"Stop pretending to be foolish for too long, or you’ll truly become foolish. Ma Yan."

The Lord of the Imperial Court responded: "I am here!"

The Empress commanded: "Immediately imprison the entire envoy in the Imperial Prison, awaiting judgment."

After a brief pause, Xu Zhenguan then cast a somber look at the Peace Faction within the hall:

"In addition, interrogate this group from the envoy, to uncover who in the Capital secretly contacted them during this time. Do not let a single one escape."

Upon hearing this, the officials of the Peace Negotiation Faction became agitated; some turned pale, showing fear.

Others seemed unafraid, merely sighing.

Advocating for peace does not necessarily mean they are all parasites; many indeed considered the court’s odds of success.

During these two months of negotiations, the Imperial Court had been secretly investigating, already grasping many clues. Coupled with interrogation confessions, loyalty from betrayal could be distinguished.

As expected, those who secretly assisted the envoy would be implicated, leading another batch to fall in court.

Ma Yan immediately replied:

"I follow your command! Will carry it out at once!"

Swiftly, he turned, squinting his eyes, coldly laughing as he faced the Princely Heir, Commandery Princess, and others, gravely stating:

"Come, seize them!"

The imperial guards stationed outside the hall stormed in like wolves and tigers; with the Empress present, no one dared to resist, meekly surrendering.

"Furthermore, outside the Imperial City, at the station, there are also envoy guards..." Ma Yan added.

Yet Zhao Douan interrupted with a smiling expression: "No need."

He signaled with his eyes towards the blood-stained longsword on the ground... those at the Imperial City gate had already been killed by him, and the remnants at the station had been arranged to be captured by people from Lihua Hall.

Realizing this, the members of the envoy felt numb with fear, losing all strength to resist.

When being taken away, Xu Wenyan deeply glanced at Zhao Douan, gritting his teeth:

"You’re digging your own grave. To destroy the city in three months is a pipe dream. I’ll be waiting for the day your head falls."

Zhao Douan cast a glance at him, smirked:

"Rest assured, before I die, I will take everyone who opposes me along."

Inexplicably, many in court shivered...

The envoy was detained, and the Empress issued several decrees, including how to respond next, how to propagate this decision, how to bolster the people’s confidence... clearly already well-considered.

The officials each received the decrees, then dispersed hastily, to prepare for the difficult situation ahead.

...

After the officials gradually left, Sun Lianying also exited the hall with several eunuchs.

In the empty hall, only Zhao Douan and Xu Zhenguan remained, a duo of ruler and minister.

"Your Majesty, the phrase about jointly bearing responsibility earlier wasn’t necessary."

Zhao Douan looked at the Empress, his tone somewhat helpless.

Xu Zhenguan descended the steps, standing side by side with him, resembling twins looking at the White Jade Square outside the hall, she chuckled, with a witty smile:

"Dare you say you didn’t enjoy hearing it? Then should I retract it?"

Zhao Douan politely replied: "...Your Majesty’s words are precious, retracting them rashly may diminish the dignity of the royal family."

Xu Zhenguan pursed her lips:

Oh, men... Clearly savoring it in their hearts, yet pretending to be indifferent.

Zhao Douan awkwardly touched his nose, then seriously asked:

"Xuan Yin... truly entered the Western Regions?"

Xu Zhenguan affirmed: "Mhmm," stating:

"The Shadow Guard has yet to report back, but Prince Hejian dared to use this as leverage, it is likely true."

Zhao Douan gently sighed, though not surprised.

Xuan Yin entering the Western Regions was within the calculation of both ruler and minister; following the demise of Divine Dragon Temple, Xuan Yin would either move south to establish a second Main Altar of Divine Dragon Temple.

But these past few months have indicated otherwise.

Having eliminated this option, Xuan Yin’s choices are few; going to the Western Regions to leverage the power of the Western Regions Buddhism Ancestor Court for a counterattack is one possibility.

"Xuan Yin is not someone willing to be subordinate, and the Western Regions Dharma King is not either. I wonder what happened at the Ancestor Court, and how they’ve joined forces."

Zhao Douan frowned.

Xu Zhenguan was likewise puzzled:

"I haven’t sensed any changes in the celestial phenomena from the west, maybe Xuan Yin didn’t resort to martial strength, or perhaps both parties fought but concealed the heavenly secrets... the Western Regions, after all, are outside Yu Country, using some methods can hide Heavenly Human Level battles."

Zhao Douan nodded, suddenly recalling he has a "secret post" in the Western Regions... someone who pledged allegiance during the Buddhist Law debate, a Red Sect Master.

Nonetheless, Zhao Douan never quite trusted that old monk...

Additionally, in the Western Regions, there’s also a Da Jing Master who once attempted to assassinate him, another member on his list of grudges.

"The upcoming circumstances will undoubtedly be very challenging; the military manifesto you set is exceedingly stringent." Xu Zhenguan then frowned, dissatisfied with Zhao Douan’s decision.

The military manifesto had not been discussed beforehand; it was impromptu.

Zhao Douan smiled wryly:

"Though many common folks in the Capital support fighting to the end, the Capital doesn’t represent all.

Once the news of negotiation failure spreads, unrest in military morale and public sentiment across areas is inevitable, disturbances are unavoidable.

The best method I could think of is to leverage the prestige accumulated from my successive victories over the past half-year, announcing it to stabilize people’s hearts."