Prince Liang Jian strode through the palace corridors with barely contained fury.
Something was wrong. Deeply, profoundly wrong.
Prime Minister Li was too confident. Too self-assured for a man accused of treason. Either he was a phenomenally skilled actor, or he genuinely believed he would escape these charges.
Which means he has protection. Someone powerful enough to shield him from consequences.
But who?
His mind circled the usual suspects. Officials who might benefit from Prime Minister Li's continued influence. Military commanders with loyalties to the Li family. Perhaps even…..
His grandmother.
The thought made him stop mid-stride.
The Empress Dowager had been suspiciously silent during the hearing. She hadn't spoken a single word, she had just sat on her throne with that serene smile, watching everything unfold like a theater performance.
