“I must eradicate Qin Yi and his cronies!” Qin Yu said indignantly before going to bed.
The events of that morning made Qin Yu angrier the more she thought about them.
Qin Yi had moved so fast that he had already extended his claws toward Luo Shangyu.
“I have already ordered a thorough investigation into that man’s identity,” Luo Shangyu said, “His name is Zhao Zhuang, a Level 9 Pseudo-god. He is extremely powerful.”
Qin Yu was stunned to hear this.
She had not expected Qin Yi to have such a powerful person by his side.
The strength of a Level 9 Pseudo-god was not something two Level 7 Quasi-gods like Luo Shangyu and Yin An could contend with.
The gap between each level was exponential.
“Don’t worry,” Luo Shangyu comforted her, “I have already ordered the Lingyan Pavilion to set up magic restrictions within the Imperial Palace. Only you and I can use magic.”
“Furthermore, only authorized magic circles and magic tools can function, so the Imperial Palace is absolutely safe.”
‘That is good,’ Qin Yu thought, letting out a long sigh of relief.
The Lingyan Pavilion was a specialized agency of the Chengji Empire that supported powerful mages.
With their help, Qin Yu’s safety would be guaranteed.
This way, she could go on a clearing spree and uproot every one of Qin Yi’s cronies.
“Go to sleep now. Stop overthinking things.” Luo Shangyu reached out and turned off the lights in the room.
***
The next day, at the morning court assembly.
Qin Yu sat on the wide dragon throne with her eyes closed.
She silently counted her breaths; this was her way to steady her mind.
In front of her lay the list of Qin Yi’s cronies written by Guo Qing.
The people on the list ranged from high-ranking third-rank officials down to low-ranking ninth-rank officials.
The scope was much wider than Qin Yu had anticipated.
However, half of the people had already confessed their mistakes to her by the time she returned to the East Palace, which Qin Yu could understand.
After all, everyone earned a salary of only a few copper coins a day.
It was understandable that they would be intimidated by Qin Yi’s power.
The ones Qin Yu truly wanted to eradicate were the die-hards who still insisted on following Qin Yi.
After the bell for the assembly rang, the officials filed into the hall, each with a solemn expression.
Qin Yi simply claimed illness and did not attend.
Yesterday, on the way to the parade ground, although those involved had not said a word about the closing of the city gates, everyone had seen the soldiers blocking Qin Yu’s carriage.
As the one overseeing the state, Qin Yu’s status was equal to that of the Emperor.
Blocking her carriage was an incredibly serious offense.
Since the officials of the Chengji Empire had not yet given an official explanation, the public was full of speculation.
The civil and military officials had heard the rumors.
Though they did not know the full truth, they had a general idea of what had happened.
Therefore, everyone guessed that today’s assembly would be anything but ordinary.
Qin Yu scanned the officials.
They stood in place, shrinking back, fearing her gaze would land on them.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the ranks.
Qin Yu looked over to see an old man clutching his chest, coughing violently.
Before long, there was a loud “thud” as he collapsed to the floor, having literally fainted from fear.
Qin Yu was startled, only then realizing how much pressure she was exerting on everyone.
Once the imperial physicians had carried the old man out of the hall, Qin Yu spoke to the crowd, “There is no need for panic. The assembly will proceed according to the normal process.”
The crowd seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief, and the assembly continued as scheduled.
After the heads of the Six Ministries finished their reports, Qin Yu said coldly, “A few days ago, when His Majesty was unwell, Qin Yi brought troops into the capital. Many court officials were in close contact with him!”
The officials remained silent.
They had long guessed this day would come, which was why they had confessed to her the moment she returned to the palace.
Now, Qin Yu was finally beginning the final reckoning.
“Xu Feng, as the Director of the Department of State Affairs, you were in close contact with Qin Yi. What is the meaning of this?”
Since she was cleaning house, Qin Yu did not hold back, pointing directly at Xu Feng as she questioned him.
As the Director of the Department of State Affairs, Xu Feng held a high status equivalent to a Prime Minister, standing at the head of all officials.
“Your Highness, this lowly servant wouldn’t dare,” Xu Feng said with a panicked expression.
Qin Yu looked at him and sneered in her heart, ‘Is this Xu Feng still pretending?’
“Oh, is that so?” Qin Yu asked, “Then why did Guo Qing say you plotted with Qin Yi to assassinate the Emperor and usurp the throne?”
Xu Feng’s expression shifted for only a fleeting moment, but both Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu caught the detail.
This Xu Feng really was a problem!
Previously, Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu were worried that Guo Qing had simply reported random names to avoid death.
However, they were now certain that Guo Qing had been almost entirely honest about Qin Yi’s partisans.
“Crown Prince, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to slander an old official?”
Qin Yu didn’t bother wasting words with him.
She waved her hand and commanded, “Bring the truth serum and force him to drink it!”
A man walked into the hall, holding a small bottle of clear potion.
Xu Feng’s face instantly turned ashen.
He took a half-step back, bumping into the official behind him, nearly losing his footing.
Under the influence of the truth serum, Xu Feng knew that his collusion with Qin Yi and his attempt to overthrow the government could not be hidden!
“Your Highness, punishment does not extend to the great officers! Punishing a minister in court like this — you are being too reckless!” Seeing that his crimes were about to be exposed, Xu Feng hardened his heart and decided to snap.
Xu Feng stepped forward, and the guards inside the hall gathered around him.
These guards were originally Qin Yi’s personal troops.
With Qin Yi absent, they naturally listened to Xu Feng, the number two figure in the faction.
Xu Feng led the guards as they approached Qin Yu, “Your Highness, you see…”
Qin Yu sat motionless on the dragon throne.
She had anticipated that Xu Feng might oppose her, but she hadn’t expected the confrontation to be this intense.
Xu Feng grabbed a spear from a nearby guard and was about to move toward Qin Yu to force her to abdicate when the palace doors were suddenly burst open.
Outside, Qin Yu’s personal troops poured into the hall, surrounding Xu Feng and his guards.
“Surrender,” Qin Yu said, “At least then I can guarantee that your family will not die.”
Xu Feng froze, his hand holding the spear trembling slightly.
The Yulin Army soldiers did not care about his hesitation; their only goal was to ensure Qin Yu’s safety.
Seeing that Xu Feng still held a weapon, they were not polite.
The battle lasted only a few short minutes.
Xu Feng was captured alive, and all of the guards under him were killed.
Qin Yu shook her head and asked, “Xu Feng, why must you make the blood flow like a river in this court?”
Xu Feng was pinned to the ground, unable to utter a single word.
“Drag him away and execute nine generations of his clan.” Qin Yu showed no mercy to a traitor like Xu Feng.
Xu Feng was dragged out of the hall, leaving the floor stained with the blood of the recent struggle.
The smell of blood was pungent, and many officials were so nauseated by the scent that they could not stop gagging.
Qin Yu struck while the iron was hot, ordering the rest of Qin Yi’s cronies to be seized as well.
With this, Qin Yi’s influence was uprooted.
The only thing he could rely on now was his tens of thousands of personal troops.
Qin Yu nodded in satisfaction before announcing the adjournment of the court.
The civil and military officials left Weiyang Hall trembling, fearing that staying inside for even a moment longer might lead to their deaths.
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