"Alright, this servant will not tell His Majesty." Eunuch Yuan was somewhat relieved, as the young prince was His Majesty's own brother. If such sisterly affection could continue, she would be happy to see it.
After all, His Majesty was too lonely by himself.
"Eunuch Yuan must keep her promise," Xue Zixuan urged again.
Eunuch Yuan smiled and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, this servant is tight-lipped."
Xue Zixuan nodded and left.
Half an hour later, Xue Zining returned to Zhaoyuan Palace. She looked thoughtfully at the slight traces of disturbance on the bed. Just then, Eunuch Yuan entered with tea, and she asked, "Eunuch Yuan, has anyone been here?"
Eunuch Yuan faltered, thinking of her promise, and replied, "No, Your Majesty. What is it?"
Xue Zining shook her head, "It's nothing. Eunuch Yuan, you may go and rest!"
Eunuch Yuan withdrew.
Xue Zining pulled open the hidden panel beneath the bed. A single token lay there, the Gu Family Token.
At the imperial court the next morning, Xue Zining saw some unfamiliar faces among the officials below.
"Prime Minister, Lord Zhou the Grand Judge, and Lord Zhu the Grand Judge, why are they not here?" Xue Zining asked indifferently, looking at Hua Yunjin, who had been keeping his gaze lowered.
Hua Yunjin seemed unusual today.
As Hua Yunjin was about to step forward, Regent Xue Wenjie had already spoken first, saying, "Your Majesty, you may not know, Lord Zhou submitted his resignation yesterday and is returning to his hometown."
Xue Zining was stunned. She looked at Xue Wenjie and asked, "Why was this not reported to me?"
She was unaware of this?
Upon hearing this, Xue Wenjie's lips curved upwards slightly, and he said slowly, "Your Majesty, as the assisting minister, such trivial matters do not need to trouble Your Majesty."
Trivial matters? How could this be a trivial matter?
Xue Zining looked up at Xue Wenjie. Xue Wenjie met her gaze, his eyes filled with mockery and disdain.
Xue Wenjie was doing this deliberately.
Yesterday, she had just injured one of his important generals, and today, he replaced Lord Zhou, the Grand Judge.
She took a deep breath. At this moment, she could not afford to lose composure, or she would truly be defeated.
"Regent, although you were appointed as an assisting minister by the late emperor, these matters should still be reported to me in the future. After all, it is I who sits here."
Having said that, she looked up at Xue Wenjie. Xue Wenjie sneered at her, as if saying she overestimated herself.
So what if she overestimated herself? So what if she was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot? One day, she would make that overestimation bear fruit and become strong.
Xue Wenjie casually clasped his hands and said, "This subject will pay attention in the future."
Xue Zining smiled, "Regent, it's not that you will pay attention in the future, but that this is the last time."
Xue Wenjie's gaze turned cold. He looked at her, his expression now icy.
He saw the young girl return his smile, a smile as confident as light.
It made him uncomfortable.
It was only because he was not in that position, being controlled by others. That position... he narrowed his eyes. He was determined to have it.
After the court session, Xue Zining retracted her somewhat stiff smile, her heart sinking to the lowest point. The Grand Judge had been replaced, so what about Lord Zhou...
She dared not think too deeply. She remembered what Lord Zhou had told her years ago.
He had said, "Your Majesty, with your old servant here, the Grand Judge is in your hands. Although this old servant is old, his loyalty is unwavering."
Now, Lord Zhou was likely in great peril.
"Your Majesty, did you summon this subject?"
Xue Zining withdrew her thoughts, looked at the person who approached, and said, "Yunjin, what exactly is going on? Lord Zhou, the Grand Judge, he..."
Hua Yunjin replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Lord Zhou is currently in this subject's residence and is safe. Your Majesty can visit him whenever you wish."
Xue Zining breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good. This subject thought..."
She thought Lord Zhou had met with misfortune.
"Your Majesty, this subject arrived just in time," Hua Yunjin said softly after a moment of silence.
Xue Zining's body stiffened, "Lord Zhou, he..."
"When I arrived, Lord Zhou's entire family was surrounded by assassins. It was Feng Yin who saved Lord Zhou's family."
Hua Yunjin said it with ease. He did not mention that if it were not for the Feng Yin given to him by the Empress, the men he brought would likely not have been able to save Lord Zhou.
Xue Zining was slightly stunned and became furious, "He... he actually committed such blatant violence? Does he still have any regard for the law?"
Hua Yunjin paused. Xue Zining also paused after speaking. The law?
Was it useful for Xue Wenjie?
The answer was obvious: no.
"It seems we need to speed things up. We cannot let him continue to persecute loyal officials," Xue Zining said, word by word.
This time, Hua Yunjin did not stop her. "Your Majesty, we indeed should speed things up."
"I recall there is an annual palace banquet next month. On that day, I plan to make my move," Xue Zining said coldly.
"This subject will ensure everything is prepared flawlessly," Hua Yunjin bowed.
Xue Zining nodded and asked, "How is the contact with Wu Lian coming along?"
Hua Yunjin nodded, "Your Majesty, rest assured, everything is progressing steadily."
"That's good. Wu Lian will be a very important figure that day."
"Your Majesty, Young Master Yan requests an audience!" Xue Yan's voice called from outside the hall.
"Yunjin, you may leave for now," Xue Zining said.
Hua Yunjin looked up. He noticed the Empress's gaze drifting towards the outside of the hall, and his heart trembled slightly. He heard himself say, "Your Majesty, Yan Zhao is not simple. You must be very careful."
Xue Zining withdrew her gaze and nodded, "Rest assured, I am always extremely cautious with him."
Hua Yunjin opened his mouth, then swallowed the words he wanted to say, "This subject takes his leave!"
Stepping out of the hall, that slender figure stood there.
Clad in a snow-jade brocade robe, it set off his exceptionally handsome face and distinguished demeanor. Every movement exuded unparalleled elegance.
No woman could escape the allure of his outstanding appearance.
Hua Yunjin felt his heart tremble, and an inexpressible feeling surfaced. A sweet, metallic taste rose in his throat.
"Prime Minister." Yan Zhao, seeing the person emerging from the hall, raised his eyebrows slightly and stepped forward to bow.
"Young Master Yan," Hua Yunjin replied coldly.
After the bow, Yan Zhao walked inside. Hua Yunjin's voice drifted from behind him, "Put away your intentions. If I find out you harbor ill will towards His Majesty, I will not let you off."
Yan Zhao frowned upon hearing this. Was he being warned?
Hua Yunjin heard Yan Zhao's lips curve upwards. Even this slightly mocking smile was enough to make one marvel.
His refined and handsome face held a hint of coolness, and his voice was equally cool, "Prime Minister, have you forgotten one fact? I was originally brought in by the Regent. Do you not have an assessment of the Regent in your heart?"
"You..."
Yan Zhao continued, "Is it not utterly ridiculous to tell an enemy that you are kind and soft-hearted?"
Hua Yunjin's entire being radiated a biting chill. "Young Master Yan, are you intending to be an enemy of this minister?"
"Prime Minister, you worry too much. It is not that I am your enemy, but..." Yan Zhao shook his head and turned to walk into the hall.