On the first day of the fourth lunar month, the Golden Throne Hall was illuminated by the flickering red glow of candles. Lu Jingyuan, dressed in his official robe embroidered with a five-clawed python, stood at the head of the civil officials' column, the Kirin Jade Pendant at his waist swaying gently with his breath. Behind him, Imperial Censor Zhang stroked his beard, Lord Shen gripped his memorial tightly, and Chu Yan kept his gaze fixed on the embroidered rank insignia on his boots—a *xiezhi* pattern personally stitched by Jiang Wan the previous night, symbolizing the ability to distinguish right from wrong.
"Speak if you have business; retire if you do not," the eunuch’s shrill voice pierced the silence.
Junior Vice Minister Zhou stepped forward, his voice carrying a deliberate composure: "Reporting to the Emperor, I wish to impeach General Zhenwei, Lu Jingyuan, for privately mobilizing the Garrison Army and disturbing the peace of the commoners..."
Chapter 165