All civil and military officials received an urgent summons to the palace.
At the palace gate.
"Your Highness King Heng, do you know the urgent matter for which the palace has summoned us?" Some court officials with guilty consciences whispered to King Heng.
"This prince does not know either. Perhaps His Majesty the Emperor wishes to handle court affairs."
Meanwhile, officials aligned with the Crown Prince's faction all entered the palace with their heads bowed, eyes fixed on their own noses and hearts. It certainly wouldn't be bad news.
If it were bad news, His Highness the Crown Prince would already be jumping up and down in the Zichen Hall by now.
Especially Cheng Guang, who looked utterly smug, making King Heng's teeth itch with irritation. How did a person with such an appearance climb to the position of a nation's Prime Minister?
One hour later, everyone had gradually arrived at the Zichen Hall.
Yet, Emperor Yuanyou's figure was conspicuously absent.
"His Majesty is with an esteemed guest. Please wait, all of you," Wu Qi announced, holding a horsetail whisk, then signaled to the young eunuchs standing by. Each young eunuch was holding a chair.
Soon, a chair was placed behind Shen Mingwen.
Then behind Gu Zheng, Ye Shijie, Cheng Guang...
Gradually, everyone realized something was amiss. Only the court officials of the Crown Prince's faction had chairs!
Those who had spoken against the Crown Prince could only stand foolishly in place.
They stood like that for over an hour.
The legs of the standing officials were trembling, and they struggled to maintain their composure.
"General Gu, this chair is making my back ache a bit. Do you feel the same?" Cheng Guang asked with a smile, causing the standing officials to shudder.
Deliberate. That scoundrel Cheng Guang was absolutely doing it on purpose.
"A little," Gu Zheng surprisingly took up Cheng Guang's remark, even stretching his back. "Probably standing is more comfortable."
This tone of feigned envy made King Heng, who was standing, turn livid.
His resentment towards Emperor Yuanyou had reached its peak. To think he would use such an undignified method to punish them.
"My, why is everyone standing?"
Song Yu arrived late, wearing an expression of feigned surprise. "Wu Qi, why hasn't a seat been provided for King Heng?"
"Your Highness, this is all His Majesty's intention."
"Oh—"
Song Yu deliberately drew out the syllable, then leisurely made his way towards the inner chamber.
Satisfied.
It seems the Qingyun Sect has no shortage of methods for dealing with people.
......
"Master Qingshan, this is my good-for-nothing son."
Hearing Emperor Yuanyou's voice, Song Yu immediately wiped the playful smile from his face. He stepped forward swiftly and solemnly, bowing respectfully to Master Qingshan.
Emperor Yuanyou, standing to the side, felt a sour taste in his heart. This rascal was rarely this well-behaved in front of him.
Meanwhile, the old man slowly rose with the support of those beside him. "Over these years, thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince, for taking care of Ah Huan."
He had heard Ah Huan recount her experiences over the years, so he felt grateful towards the man before him.
"It was... it was only right."
Emperor Yuanyou, watching Song Yu stammering before him, snorted coldly.
This old sect master hadn't even thanked him!
"Ah Huan has a kind heart. If you show her three parts kindness, she wishes to repay you with seven." The old man looked steadily at Song Yu. "Regarding this matter, I do not blame you."
I do not blame you, so I will administer the punishment to those in the hall on your behalf.
Then, the old man glanced at the sky outside and spoke to Qingling, "The time has come."
Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu both shivered simultaneously. Was another spectacle about to unfold?
A quarter of an hour later.
A young eunuch hurried into the hall, walking up to one of the standing officials. "My lord, your wife has been found guilty of privately lending money at usurious interest. Upon verification, not only your wife, but your elderly mother has also been engaging in this explicitly forbidden practice. They have been imprisoned."
Shocked by the terrible news, the official swayed on his feet, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Another quarter of an hour later.
The familiar young eunuch entered the hall again, this time approaching a different official. "My lord, your youngest son, while intoxicated, recklessly discussed court affairs and even incited others at his table to disrespect the Crown Prince. This is a grave offense. He has also been imprisoned."
Thereafter, every quarter of an hour, one of the standing officials would receive devastating news from home.
Those who hadn't yet received bad news were all on edge, some even collapsing to the ground.
But the punishment was far from over.
The households of these individuals were thoroughly investigated. Even the crimes of some collateral branches of their clans were brought to light. The one behind this was clearly aiming to end their official careers.
Finally, when the young eunuch brought yet another piece of bad news, King Heng could no longer bear it and stopped him:
"Might we inquire when we can see His Majesty? Could you convey a message for this prince?"
By now, King Heng's back was soaked with sweat, and his voice sounded weak.
"Your Highness King Heng, this servant is merely a messenger."
Upon hearing this, King Heng nearly slumped in defeat, lowering his head. This feeling of being slowly cut by a blunt knife was truly agonizing...
......
On the other side.
The expressions on Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu's faces shifted from initial calmness to later astonishment.
So this is how the Qingyun Sect operates!
A lesson learned!
Those fools in the hall still didn't know who was behind their punishment.
Meanwhile, the old man sipped his tea in small, confident gulps, as if holding all the cards.
This was just the beginning.
Their Qingyun Sect excelled at gathering information. Failure to tell the truth meant a beating.
"Might I ask, when will your young Lord Shen return?"
Qingling asked with a smile. "Now we're just waiting for him."
"You intend to..." Song Yu realized something and suppressed the urge to applaud in admiration.
"Since the punishment has begun, it must be carried out fully before it ends."
Qingling revealed a seemingly benign yet murderously intent smile. "How could we possibly leave out your King Heng?"
"This prince will send someone to urge him immediately."
Meanwhile, at the Eastern Palace.
Liu Xi was like a restless melon-field rodent, constantly running back and forth between the Zichen Hall and the Eastern Palace, recounting the thrilling events unfolding in the Zichen Hall to Song Shihuan.
"The Qingyun Sect is backing the Princess! This is the way to vent our anger properly!"
Baoxia exhaled heavily, as if expelling all the pent-up frustration accumulated recently. "This will teach those court officials who overestimate themselves and dare to criticize the Princess."
Even the usually steady Yingchun laughed aloud, her face clearly lit with relief.
The corners of Song Shihuan's mouth lifted, her eyebrows tinged with joy. Her current backers were probably unique in all the world.
This feeling... was truly wonderful.
The people in the Zichen Hall waited for nearly another hour, until those seated had started on their fifth cup of tea, when movement was heard outside again.
By now, among those standing, only King Heng had not received any bad news.
Everyone couldn't help but look at King Heng. Even he could hear the violent pounding of his own heart.
But this time, it was not the previous young eunuch who entered.
It was Shen Qingping, who had returned, covered in the chill of distant travels and dust from the journey.
"King Heng, it's been a while."
