In front of the Prime Minister’s Mansion
The corpses of numerous Death Warriors from the Black-clothed Guards were scattered around the majestic mansion. Two figures appeared, moving unhurriedly, lightning flashing across the sky, and silhouettes instantly turned into charred corpses beneath the thunder light.
Prime Minister Li Yan had been keeping himself secluded, avoiding visitors, reluctant to get involved, waiting for news from Dong Shen Temple.
But now he had no choice but to step forward, behind him were many young men and women, along with family members, nervously gazing outside.
The next moment, the main gate exploded amidst a flash of lightning.
This scene made the faces of everyone in the courtyard change.
The two figures slowly walked towards them, Li Yan in the center looking grim, his face darkening as he positioned himself to protect his children.
Among the two figures, a handsome young man in a purple robe coldly gazed at Li Yan and chuckled lightly:
"Li Yan, Prime Minister Li?!"
His face was handsome, brimming with restrained brilliance and a blend of yin and yang; his eyes were long and narrow, yet surprisingly sharp.
Li Yan’s expression remained calm on the surface, though there was fear deep in his eyes:
"Who are you, and why do you dare intrude upon my Prime Minister’s Mansion?"
Liu Rui glanced at Prime Minister Li and suddenly laughed: "Prime Minister Li, the current Emperor collapsed before his great ambitions were fulfilled; such misfortune for Daqian. Yet, a nation cannot be without a ruler even for a day, we all believe the young Emperor is unfit to govern, the nation needs an established monarch, would Prime Minister Li agree!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yan’s face sank, his already dark complexion revealed a trace of anger, but he only glanced at the two without speaking.
Silently awaiting Liu Rui’s further comments.
Liu Rui did not indulge him; with a wave, a stream of light enveloped a young man behind him.
Tossing him aside, he spat out blood!
Witnessing this, the elderly woman beside Li Yan’s face changed.
"Rui’Er!"
Liu Rui smiled coldly, turning his gaze to Li Yan, pressing: "Prime Minister Li, do you agree?"
Li Yan glanced at the scene, his expression dark, then sneered coldly.
"Tell me your purpose, don’t use my family as a shield!"
Liu Rui chuckled softly at his words: "Prime Minister Li is truly straightforward; I believe King Zheng, as the former king’s legitimate son, has been wise and notable since youth, ruling a region as Vassal King, benefiting the area..."
She hadn’t finished speaking when Li Yan interrupted with a sneer.
"Notable and beneficial? I heard that the foolish king neglected affairs after going to the vassal territory, indulging in debauchery, abandoned to pleasures nightly, while pillaging the people for luxuries and beauties, causing grievances. Such a foolish king should be removed from his position and demoted to commoner. How dare he covet the throne..."
With each word, Li Yan grew angrier, continuing.
"Now the Emperor has passed, according to Daqian’s customs, a mature prince should inherit the ceremony, His Majesty Jingwu had several mature princes before his passing..."
He wanted to say more, but invisible cold air suddenly flew through the sky, turning everyone in the courtyard into ice sculptures in a flash.
Watching this scene, the Ziyuan Daoist slightly frowned, but Liu Rui laughed coldly.
"All stubborn fools; since it is so, I shall send them to meet Emperor Jingwu!"
Liu Rui, filled with killing intent, recalled the scene of countless Shu Kingdom officials being slaughtered in the past.
Back then, she was powerless; today she could make all of Daqian bleed!
The Ziyuan Daoist remained calm; he was sent by the Golden Radiance Saint Mother to assist Liu Rui, naturally following her lead.
"Saintess, where to next?"
"The Imperial Censor’s Mansion!"
Liu Rui laughed coldly: "I want to see how many officials of Daqian can bleed dry!"
...
At the Zhuang Family’s door, amid the peals of thunder, several Celestial Martial Artists of the Black-clothed Guard Office fell to Ziyuan Daoist’s finger; moments later, the entire Zhuang Family mansion was razed to the ground.
Liu Rui emerged, face chilling.
Compared to Li Yan, Imperial Censor Zhuang Ying had a more determined stance, even hurling abuses at her, which Liu Rui could not tolerate.
"Junior apprentice sister, the third house to visit is the Grand Commandant’s Mansion?"
Ziyuan Daoist turned to Liu Rui.
Liu Rui slightly shook her head.
"Third is Minister of Justice Wang Wan!"
Facing Ziyuan Daoist’s surprised expression, she replied calmly.
"Minister of Justice Wang Wan commands Daqian’s laws; though not highly esteemed among the Daqian Scholarly Forest, he is one of the Nine Ministers, wielding considerable influence, and shares lineage with Grandmaster Wang Huan. With his support, we might sway Grand Commandant Wang, paving the way for King Zheng’s succession!"
Her aim isn’t to slaughter all of Daqian’s civil and martial officials; it’s to control the court, so King Zheng is favored.
If all are killed, other princes might also stir restlessly.
"I see!"
Ziyuan Daoist was indifferent.
The pair were unaware another gaze had long been watching them in secret.
In the sky, Zhang Jian calmly watched the scene.
The life and death of Prime Minister Li Yan and Imperial Censor Zhuang Ying didn’t matter.
Prime Minister Li Yan and Imperial Censor Zhuang Ying were staunch royalists dedicated to the Imperial Family. Though he had slight connections with the Imperial Censor, if the Zhang Family showed any anomaly, they would turn; better let these officials retain a ’loyal to the nation’ reputation.
But Minister of Justice Wang Wan was different. He had long influenced some courtiers, becoming his political ally, also a supporter. A slight push in the future could make him a ’prominent official’ in the Zhang Family’s faction, leaving no room for others to intervene.
...
The Ministry of Justice was not far from Jade Capital Street, the changes at the Prime Minister’s Mansion had reached the Wang Family’s ears, causing some panic among them.
At this moment, thunderous roars suddenly erupted outside the Prince Mansion.
Accompanied by cries and screams.
"They’re here!"
Inside the hall, Wang Wan’s face turned pale, while beside him, Wang Xiao remained in mourning clothes.
This was the mourning attire worn during the national funeral, and he looked somewhat tense too.
"Let’s go, Xiao’Er, let’s meet these ’experts’ outside!"
Wang Wan knew waiting was futile; he patted his wife’s hand beside him, straightening his purple official robe, adjusting his official hat atop his head, slowly exiting the courtyard, the others following despite their fear.
In the courtyard, now there was a figure.
Seeing this figure, Wang Wan was astounded, but behind him, Wang Xiao’s eyes shone brightly.
"Teacher!"
Zhang Jian nodded at Wang Xiao’s excited expression, then gazed towards the entrance.
At this moment, the vermilion gate fell, and two figures stepped forward; Liu Rui and Ziyuan Daoist also saw Zhang Jian in the courtyard, their expressions instantly became solemn.
Liu Rui was the first to speak, her beautiful and noble countenance carrying a trace of sigh.
"Scholar Zhang, you shouldn’t have come here!"