Chapter 13: The Weight of Bought Loyalties
The morning sun was still climbing when Li Feng walked toward the Grand Court Hall, still clad in the ominous black robes that had paralyzed the bureaucracy yesterday.
The Divine Emperor Xuan Tian floated beside him, kicking his heels lazily against the air.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Ready for today's spectacle, little Emperor? Remember, you are walking into a swamp. A deep, muddy swamp where everything looks like a perfectly fine walking stick until you lean on it."
Li Feng (mental): "I get it. Everything is a trap. Just give me one clear piece of advice, old ghost."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Clear advice is for novices. My advice today is this: The loudest statement is usually the cheapest lie. Don't try to stop the noise. Watch who pays for the silence."
He winked. "Have fun!" and vanished right before the doors opened.
Li Feng (mental): "Watch who pays for the silence... I'm going to strangle him later."
The Accusation
The Grand Court Hall was unusually quiet that morning. Not the ceremonial silence of respect, but the kind that came when men already knew blood would be spilled, even if no sword was drawn.
The Emperor sat upon the throne, posture composed, gaze steady. He looked heavier today, as though the historical weight of the throne itself had begun to recognize him.
Behind the ranks of ministers, standing slightly apart, the Second Prince Li Ren rested his hands behind his back.
He said nothing. But his eyes moved.
One by one, they passed over five men standing near the central aisle—men who had once sworn loyalty to the Empress Dowager.
The Second Prince's gaze lingered on them just a heartbeat longer than necessary. That was all the pressure they needed.
The eldest of the five ministers swallowed hard, then stepped forward.
"Your Majesty," he said, bowing deeply, his voice steady only by force. "This humble minister… petitions the court."
The Emperor's eyes lifted slowly. "Speak."
The minister's gaze flickered toward the Empress Dowager Liu Yan's seat behind the veil, then he clenched his fists and continued.
"In recent months, irregularities have been discovered within the Southern Dam Project and the military provisions under Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's oversight."
The Dowager's fingers tightened around the armrest behind the curtain.
Another minister stepped forward—slower this time. Younger. His voice wavered.
"This servant corroborates the findings. Funds allocated for flood prevention were delayed. Grain transport records show discrepancies."
Each accusation was methodical, clinical. Like nails driven one by one into a coffin. None shouted; they sounded profoundly ashamed.
From the corner of the hall, the Second Prince finally moved. He took a single step forward. No declaration. No accusation. Just his presence.
The fifth minister—once the Dowager's most trusted—hesitated the longest. Sweat traced the line of his temple. He bowed deeply, lower than the rest.
"This minister… requests that the court conduct a formal review of Her Majesty's administrative authority, for the sake of imperial integrity."
The words landed. Silence swallowed the hall whole.
Behind the veil, the Empress Dowager felt the world tilt in utter disbelief. These were men she had protected.
The Limited Reprieve
The Emperor remained still. He studied the five ministers long enough that their shoulders began to tremble. The loudest statement is usually the cheapest lie, Li Feng recalled. Their "statement" was their betrayal; the "cost" was already paid by Li Ren. He would not give Li Ren the satisfaction of a panicked imperial reaction.
Li Feng's gaze shifted to the Second Prince. Their eyes met. Li Ren inclined his head, respectful and dutiful, as though he had nothing to do with what had just unfolded.
Li Feng understood. This was a carefully thrown net.
Li Feng:
"Ministers," he said at last, his voice calm, unhurried. "These accusations—do you bring proof?"
The eldest minister's throat bobbed. "We submit accounting records and testimonies, Your Majesty."
Li Feng nodded once. "Court customs dictate that the Empress Dowager cannot be interrogated without cause sufficient to shake imperial stability."
Relief flashed across the Dowager's face.
Li Feng continued. "However, irregularities involving public welfare cannot be ignored. Therefore—a limited administrative review shall be conducted. No interrogation. No confinement. No public condemnation."
The five ministers exhaled as one. The Second Prince's lips curved faintly. The Dowager had received reprieve, not salvation.
Li Feng's gaze hardened.
Li Feng:
"Let it be known that accusations bought with coin rot faster than those born of conviction."
A chill ran through the hall. The five ministers lowered their heads even further, realizing the Emperor had seen the price tag on their loyalty.
Somewhere deep within the court, the ancient Grand Deputy Chancellor, Lord Zhang, closed his eyes briefly. The Dragon sees the ledger.
The Emperor leaned back, expression unreadable. He did not see the Empress Dowager's silent tears.
But high above, unseen by all, the Heavenly Emperor watched with quiet interest.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Ah. He let the knot sit, but stained the rope. That's a clever interpretation. The first crack always comes from within."
And the court session continued, as if something irreversible had not just begun.
Li Feng has secured intelligence (Hua Rong) and survived the Dowager's public humiliation. His next move must be to secure physical control