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[*Cining Palace refers to Palace of Compassion and Tranquility where imperial wives and concubines of Emperors used to live].

The Empress Dowager sat upright in the main seat. Thinking about the events that had just unfolded in the court, her face turned as cold as ice, and a surge of anger rose uncontrollably within her.

Below the throne, dozens of the Empress Dowager’s faction members gathered together, exchanging glances but remaining silent.

They clearly understood why the Empress Dowager was upset!

Earlier in the court.

The new emperor, Gu Changsheng, had proven himself to be deeply scheming and strategically wise, managing to outmaneuver even the Empress Dowager.

Even Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, had been executed by the new emperor.

In this power struggle within the court, the Empress Dowager had suffered a crushing defeat.

“It seems I have always underestimated the new emperor.”

“Do you think the new emperor can be controlled by me?”

After a long silence, the Empress Dowager’s face regained its composure, but her eyes flashed with cold light as she scanned the dozens of ministers present, her voice low and grave.

As soon as she spoke, a middle-aged official with a dark expression, dressed in a black robe, stepped forward and coldly said:

“The Ninth Prince, in the eyes of both the civil and military officials of the court and even the late emperor, was always regarded as a useless prince, barely noticeable.”

“However, today, the Ninth Prince ascended the throne and declared himself emperor. His performance in the court, along with the revealed presence of the Royal Shadow Guards, proves otherwise.”

“I am certain the new emperor has been hiding his true talents all these eighteen years, deceiving everyone in the court.”

Pausing for a moment, the black-robed official’s expression turned even colder as he continued with murderous intent:

“The new emperor is unfathomable and ambitious; he will not willingly be manipulated.”

“I propose that to prevent any long-term complications, we strike first and eliminate the new emperor to remove all future threats.”

As soon as these words fell, the faces of the dozens of ministers present changed dramatically. They looked at the black-robed official in horror.

The Right Minister’s courage was too great!

He was actually suggesting directly eliminating the emperor.

This black-robed middle-aged official speaking was none other than Liu Wu, the Right Minister of the Great Zhou, whose strength was profound and immeasurable.

His protégés and loyal followers were spread throughout the court.

The Empress Dowager’s overwhelming power in court could not have been achieved without the contributions of the Right Minister.

Upon hearing the Right Minister’s proposal, the Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, then shook her head:

“The late emperor left a will, passing the throne to the Ninth Prince of the Great Zhou.”

“The new emperor, upon ascending the throne, dared to act so boldly, even executing the Minister of Revenue in court. He must have some cards left to play, left by the late emperor.”

“Until we fully understand the new emperor’s hidden resources, we cannot act rashly.”

Hearing these words, the faces of the dozens of ministers turned grave, each quietly reflecting.

The late emperor, Gu Qiangu, had been a profound and peerless figure. If he had passed the throne to Gu Changsheng, it was certain that he would have left him some advantages to control the Great Zhou.

In today’s court, the appearance of the four Royal Shadow Guards commanders, all of whom were peak-level King realms, was proof of this.

These powerful figures came from the Great Zhou, yet none of the officials had ever heard of them.

It was likely that the Royal Shadow Guards were the hidden cards the late emperor left for Gu Changsheng.

The crucial question is:

How many hidden cards had the late emperor left for Gu Changsheng?

If they were to strike to kill Gu Changsheng, who knew if he had any powerful figures protecting him?

Eliminating the emperor is not an easy task.

“What should we do now, Empress Dowager?”

A minister, his face showing fear, couldn’t help but stand up and ask in a low voice.

“Useless fool, why panic!”

The Empress Dowager’s face showed mild anger, and she coldly snorted at the minister, speaking with confidence. “Though the new emperor has shown some skill, the strongest of his forces are only peak-level King realms, which are nothing to me.”

Upon hearing this, the minister felt a wave of relief and quickly regained his composure.

Indeed, the Royal Shadow Guards under the new emperor’s command are not strong enough to challenge the Empress Dowager.

The reason they feared Gu Changsheng so much was the concern over the hidden cards left for him by the late emperor, making them hesitant to act rashly.

The Empress Dowager’s eyes darkened, lost in thought.

Eliminating Gu Changsheng would not benefit my control over the Great Zhou Dynasty.

I need a puppet emperor in the open so that the holy ancestor of the Great Zhou royal family would not intervene.

Therefore, now is not the time to eliminate Gu Changsheng.

Suddenly, a middle-aged eunuch dressed in a blue robe rushed in, his expression anxious, as he reported to the Empress Dowager in a panic:

“Your Grace, something terrible has happened!”

“The emperor has issued an edict to execute the entire Li family. The Royal Shadow Guards have already been dispatched to carry it out.”

“How dare he!”

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s face turned furious, her eyes flashing with cold light as she spoke in a frigid tone.

Instantly, the hall fell into a dead silence.

The dozens of ministers present, including the Right Minister, were shocked by the new emperor’s ruthlessness.

Not only had he removed Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, in court, but he was also wiping out the entire Li family.

“Empress Dowager, Li Yang was guilty of deceiving the emperor. According to the laws of the Great Zhou, the punishment for such a crime is the execution of his entire clan.”

“We have no reason to interfere in this matter, which makes things difficult.”

The Right Minister, Liu Wu, frowned, his face heavy with concern.

If they were to intervene to save the Li family, they would be violating the laws of the Great Zhou.

They had no standing in this situation, no grounds to oppose the new emperor.

“I must intervene in this matter.”

“You understand why, Right Minister.”

The Empress Dowager’s voice was cold, echoing through the hall.

The Right Minister, Liu Wu, was quick to grasp the gravity of the situation.

Though Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, was dead, the family behind him had to be protected by the Empress Dowager.

Otherwise, if the new emperor were allowed to eliminate the Li family, it would severely damage the Empress Dowager’s prestige.

If word spread, what would the court officials think?

That the Empress Dowager couldn’t even protect the family of her trusted minister?

It would suggest she was no match for the new emperor.

The civil and military officials would start having doubts and second thoughts.

“If the Empress Dowager intends to act, then we must act decisively, using overwhelming force to make the new emperor submit.”

Liu Wu pondered for a moment, then smirked coldly, saying with mockery:

“The strongest force under the new emperor’s command is only peak-level King realms.”

“So we will send more powerful forces to stop the Royal Shadow Guards, and in doing so, we can also test whether the new emperor has any hidden cards.”

He paused, then sneered in contempt:

“If the new emperor can counter powerful forces, we will tread carefully in the future.

“If he cannot, then the new emperor is no threat.”

“Brilliant plan, Right Minister. Truly, you are wise beyond measure.”

The Empress Dowager’s charming face curled into a deep, meaningful smile, sending chills through the room.

Now, she was eagerly looking forward to seeing whether Gu Changsheng had any hidden cards left.

If they could use this opportunity to probe Gu Changsheng’s true strength, then even if the Li family were executed, it would be worth it for the Empress Dowager.