Qin Yining remained expressionless, though she sneered coldly inside. She stepped forward and bowed, “In response to Your Majesty, this subject’s wife…”
Before she could finish, she was interrupted by a high, angry male voice.
A middle-aged censor angrily stepped forward, bowing as he said, “Your Majesty, this subject has something to say!”
Li Qitian seemed very surprised, frowning with displeasure, “Minister Gu, I am questioning someone. Isn’t it improper for you to suddenly interrupt Princess Zhongshun’s words?”
“Your Majesty, this subject knows my actions are too rude. But this subject is straightforward—seeing someone trying to bewitch Your Majesty with honeyed words while putting on the face of a virtuous, gentle lady from a distinguished family, this subject cannot help but speak!”
Censor Gu bowed and continued, “Please let this subject speak. If what this subject says is incorrect or false, this subject will submit to Your Majesty’s punishment!”
Li Qitian frowned as if caught in a dilemma. Seeing Censor Gu’s sincere devotion, he could only smile and say, “Very well, speak first then.”
“Yes!” Censor Gu excitedly bowed, then said with righteous indignation, “Your Majesty, as a censor, duty-bound, this subject must impeach Prince Zhongshun for ten great crimes!
“Killing innocents indiscriminately without mercy—his first crime;
“Arrogance and insulting elder ministers of Beiji—his second crime;
“Embezzling grain and military pay, causing misunderstandings between ruler and subject—his third crime;
“Forcibly seizing a subject’s daughter, disregarding Your Majesty’s wishes—his fourth crime;
“Leaving the capital without permission, attempting to monopolize treasure—his fifth crime;
“Embezzling disaster relief silver, ignoring people’s lives—his sixth crime;
“Greedily grasping power, envying colleagues’ talents—his seventh crime;
“Forming factions for personal gain, privately maintaining household troops with treasonous intent—his eighth crime;
“Unfilial and disrespectful, not honoring his legitimate mother, unworthy as a son—his ninth crime;
“Resisting imperial edicts, disrespecting the sovereign, fleeing to foreign countries—his crime is heinous!
“Such an arrogant person who acts perversely, is unfilial, disloyal, and unjust—his crimes are countless, truly beyond enumeration! This subject earnestly requests Your Majesty’s severe punishment!”
“This subject seconds the motion!”
“Your Majesty, this subject also seconds it!”
“Prince Zhongshun is unworthy as a subject—please Your Majesty punish him severely to uphold court discipline!”
…
As Censor Gu’s words fell, immediately over ten people stood up loudly echoing, and in their group excitement, if someone said Pang Xiao was a bandit who burned, killed, and pillaged without restraint, people might believe it.
Li Qitian sat upright in his seat, continuously frowning slightly, appearing unable to bear the shock yet forcing himself to remain calm.
But Pang Xiao, Qin Yining, Qin Huaiyuan, and Qin Xiuyuan said nothing, not defending themselves with a single word.
Instead, many from the noble faction saw through the scheme, guessing that the biggest reason the Emperor had arranged today’s confrontation was Pang Xiao’s achievements threatening the throne. They, like Pang Xiao, had all followed Li Qitian in conquering the realm to achieve today’s status. With Pang Xiao as the standard-bearer of their faction, if he fell, they might be next.
Therefore, many nobles stood up, arguing for Pang Xiao on the spot. These people had their own favored officials and colleagues from the same faction, who also seized the opportunity to stand up and argue with those censors.
Seeing the nobles join the battle, Li Qitian’s subordinates entered the fray.
Seeing the opposition gradually strengthening, more of Pang Xiao’s acquaintances came out to speak.
For a moment, the scene was as chaotic as a marketplace. When these ministers argued, they were even more fierce than street ruffians—their scholarly citations were more attacking and persuasive than crude curses.
Li Qitian’s frown deepened. He never expected that at this critical moment, so many people would still speak for Pang Xiao. It seemed Pang Xiao’s position in the hearts of court officials and common people was far beyond his understanding.
Li Qitian couldn’t help but secretly congratulate himself for acting early. If he had given Pang Xiao more time to develop and strengthen, his roots would have grown more stable, making it even harder to shake his foundation.
The two sides argued heatedly, both making their cases. This was the first time since the Great Zhou’s founding that such a large-scale debate had occurred in a grand court assembly.
Qin Yining listened with lowered head, growing somewhat nervous.
Censor Gu had become the scapegoat today, certainly acting on Li Qitian’s instructions. Li Qitian surely had follow-up moves.
Though Pang Xiao now served as Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall, he was a military general by origin with deep prestige in the army. Even among common people, he was mostly known for his reputation as the “War God Prince.” To deal with Pang Xiao, how could Li Qitian not arrange troops?
Currently guarding near the capital were the Capital Garrison, Divine Engine Battalion, and Three Thousand Battalion. Most notably, there was also the Huben Army stationed in the suburbs for farming.
Qin Yining’s heart suddenly jumped. She couldn’t help but use her peripheral vision to observe the ministers who had come to Zhenghe Hall today. During grand assemblies, all Beijing officials of fourth rank and above could participate.
But among these people, Ji Zeyu was missing!
Qin Yining’s pupils contracted sharply, though her face remained calm. She reminded herself not to panic or give others leverage, then looked more carefully, confirming that Ji Zeyu indeed hadn’t come today.
Qin Yining’s heart grew half cold.
If Ji Zeyu commanded the Huben Army and cooperated with the Capital Garrison, Three Thousand Battalion, and Divine Engine Battalion to encircle Pang Xiao, relying only on Pang Xiao’s fifty-plus Jinghu Guards would have absolutely no chance of victory.
As for the city defense troops of the Five Cities Military Commissioner, she had noticed when entering the city today that these people were more active than before.
It seemed that today Li Qitian had made complete preparations, planning to capture Pang Xiao in one stroke. And those connected to Pang Xiao…
Thinking this, Qin Yining suddenly took a deep breath, forcing herself to stop thinking.
First, Pang Xiao wasn’t a brainless, reckless person. Since he dared bring her to this “Hongmen Banquet” today, he must have made full preparations. He wasn’t the type to turn the other cheek when struck, nor was he someone who would ignore his family’s safety.
Second, for Li Qitian to succeed today, he would still need to pass the test of public opinion. As long as they grasped this well and read the wind direction correctly, there was room for maneuvering.
Pang Xiao was actually very worried about Qin Yining’s condition, fearing she might disturb the pregnancy in her shock and anxiety. But observing her performance, seeing that she remained composed—not feigning calmness but seemingly panicking briefly before gradually thinking things through—he felt very approving inside. Having such an understanding wife was truly his fortune.
At this point, both sides had reached the height of heated argument. Suddenly, many neutral ministers noticed that Li Qitian’s head eunuch, Li Guanwen, hurriedly walked to Li Qitian’s side with lowered head, whispering a few words.
Everyone couldn’t help but be curious. Li Guanwen hadn’t appeared during today’s court session, but now he suddenly came—what had happened?
Li Qitian, taking advantage of the heated argument below, quietly asked Li Guanwen, “Why hasn’t Ji Lan brought people yet?”
Li Guanwen’s face was almost wrinkled like a bitter gourd, with a constipated expression, stammering quietly, “Your Majesty, Prince Consort Ji said, said, there are unusual movements in the Huben Army camp. He cannot leave but must oversee the camp.”
Hearing this, Li Qitian gripped his hand so hard he nearly scattered the string of yellow jade beads he was playing with.
He showed no outward sign of this, quietly scolding, “What’s going on! Didn’t you inspect the Huben Army last time? Ji Zeyu’s control over the Huben Army is no less than Pang Xiao’s—how can there be unusual movements at the critical moment? Are there really unusual movements, or is he unwilling to come help me?”
Li Guanwen was too frightened to say a word. At this moment, speaking more would only lead to more errors.
Li Qitian glanced at the court officials and noticed many had begun paying attention to his direction. He quickly composed his expression, maintaining his appearance of being troubled by court matters, gritting his teeth as he said, “The current situation could erupt into great chaos at any moment—what about safety then? Overseeing, overseeing—I need his protection and he won’t come. Who is he overseeing for!”
Li Guanwen was scolded like a quail, wanting to quickly retreat and be invisible, yet unable to avoid delivering Ji Zeyu’s message. He could only say, “Prince Consort Ji said that if something happens, even if he sacrifices his life, he will definitely protect Your Majesty’s safety.”
“His life?” Li Qitian nearly cursed.
By the time Ji Zeyu came to sacrifice that life, he might already be killed by that traitor Pang Xiao.
Li Qitian was very angry. The planned impeachment by censors had proceeded, but there were problems with the military aspect. Knowing that Pang Xiao had deep roots among the people and a transcendent position in their hearts, without pincer attacks from inside and outside, success this time was almost impossible.
If they couldn’t deliver a fatal blow this time and gave him a chance to breathe, future matters would become increasingly difficult and dangerous.
Li Qitian quietly and harshly instructed Li Guanwen, “Go urge him again!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Li Guanwen wiped his sweat, not daring to show anything different, and quickly withdrew with rapid steps.
At this time, the court officials’ arguments became even more chaotic, with the two sides—those impeaching Pang Xiao and those explaining his actions—still deadlocked. The two sides even began mutual accusations, with many people’s hidden secrets about to be exposed.
Li Qitian had originally been feigning worry while actually appreciating these people’s attacks on Pang Xiao, feeling that every word hit his heart and brought him special satisfaction.
But now Li Qitian was truly worried.
If Pang Xiao became desperate and truly rebelled, with his martial skills, probably only Ji Zeyu in the entire capital could match him. Pang Xiao’s attacks were swift and ruthless—if they finally tore off all pretenses and he got close, Li Qitian feared he might die before Ji Zeyu could come to rescue him.
Just then, a young man dressed as a junior eunuch approached from the side.
Li Qitian’s pupils contracted as he had an ominous feeling.
This young man wasn’t an ordinary eunuch but a spy under his command, specializing in espionage and assassination. Usually they contacted secretly, but today, during such an occasion as the grand court assembly, he had changed into eunuch clothes and come openly. Li Qitian couldn’t help but suspect something had happened outside.
The young man approached, bowed, then whispered a few words in Li Qitian’s ear, immediately shocking Li Qitian into dropping his yellow jade bead string.