Shock rippled through the hall, and the assembled officials held their breath.
Qian Yong straightened his robes and took a deep breath. "Your Majesty, I submit a formal impeachment against the Directorate of Ceremonial, led by Wei Zhongxiang. They have colluded with seditious factions, framed loyal ministers, and stockpiled illicit armor and weaponry. They are plotting treason."
The ministers' expressions were inscrutable; many felt Qian Yong was merely inviting humiliation. Everyone knew that the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial were the Emperor's own protégés. To impeach them so blatantly in the throne room was to show no respect for the Emperor himself.
Previous memorials impeaching Wei Zhongxiang had piled up like mountains, yet not one had ever reached the Emperor's eyes. When had the Emperor ever punished the Directorate of Ceremonial? He had simply allowed these eunuchs to run rampant and do as they pleased. In the eyes of the officials, the Emperor of Dazhen was a completely incompetent ruler.
Wei Zhongxiang stood below the steps, his back hunched and his body swaying slightly. His murky, aged eyes were fixed on Qian Yong, filled with such hatred he looked ready to swallow him whole. He had already pledged his loyalty to the Empress, yet this reckless, dim-witted Qian Yong was still trying to lock horns with his Directorate! Had he known the Empress was so unreliable, he never would have committed the folly of attempting regicide on behalf of her and her brother.
On the dragon throne, Zhao Zheng kept his crown tassels lowered, his gaze sharp as a torch. He raised a brow slightly and asked indifferently, "Does the General have proof? The Directorate of Ceremonial has served me for twelve years; they are loyal to the core!"
Hearing this, Wei Zhongxiang’s old face flushed, and he felt a sense of profound shame.
Qian Yong appeared prepared. His voice rang out like a bell: "Bring the evidence forward for His Majesty to inspect!"
Moments later, several attendants carried a number of chests into the hall. When opened, the chests were found to be filled with privately forged weapons and armor, entirely devoid of any official marks.
Qian Yong gripped his ivory tablet and bowed. "Your Majesty, these illicit weapons and armors were all recovered from a secret passage in Wei Zhongxiang's private residence."
The civil and military officials crowded around to inspect the contents of the chests, crying out in alarm.
"Forging weapons and armor in private—according to the laws of Dazhen, this is a crime punishable by the execution of one's entire clan!"
"The Directorate of Ceremonial has been deceiving their superiors and shielding their subordinates to commit such an act of treason!"
"These eunuchs harbor wicked intentions. Their treachery is beyond the pale!"
Zhao Zheng did not speak, but a single piercing glance was enough to strike terror into the hearts of the eunuchs. Led by Wei Zhongxiang, they threw themselves to their knees, tears and snot streaming down their faces.
"Your servant is wronged!"
"This servant is wronged!"
"I beg Your Majesty to investigate the truth!"
Wei Zhongxiang had expected that since last night's regicide attempt had failed, the Emperor would be in a thundering rage. Instead, the Emperor’s unnatural, lake-like calm was even more terrifying. He knelt on the floor, kowtowing incessantly. "This old servant is loyal to Your Majesty and would never commit such an act of treason! Someone must be framing me. I implore Your Majesty to investigate!"
The eunuchs of the Directorate were like fish on a chopping block, their lives hanging on a single thought from Zhao Zheng. Zhao Zheng certainly wanted to eradicate Wei Zhongxiang immediately to prevent future trouble, but he had to consider the influence of the real Emperor.
He caught Cao Zhengchun surreptitiously signaling him not to pass judgment on the Directorate. This was clearly the will of the Emperor of Dazhen! Zhao Zheng remained silent, waiting to see how the situation would unfold. In his heart, the eunuchs had to die, but it did not have to be by his own hand.
The Emperor's silence was a massive headache for the ministers. It meant the impeachment had failed! The Emperor was once again indulging the eunuchs in their reckless behavior.
Seeing the situation freeze, Zhang Juyang stepped forward, resolute and unyielding. "Your Majesty, I too wish to impeach the Chief of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Wei Zhongxiang, for forming cliques, seizing fertile land, and building a private residence more opulent than the imperial palace. His intention to commit treason is manifest!"
In truth, Zhang Juyang and Qian Yong had always been at odds, a consequence of the power struggle between the Empress and Consort Zhang. However, on the issue of the eunuch faction, they were in rare agreement. Seeing the Prime Minister, Zhang Juyang, step forward to impeach Wei Zhongxiang, the gathered officials knelt and echoed his sentiment.
"I concur!"
Wei Zhongxiang felt his heart lurch and his back break out in a cold sweat. *What is wrong with these old fools today? Ever since the Emperor arrived for morning court, why are they all jumping out to impeach me?*
Zhao Zheng sneered inwardly. *Wei Zhongxiang, you old dog, who can possibly save you now?*
Just as Zhao Zheng prepared to let the situation take its course, Cao Zhengchun spoke up. "Considering that Eunuch Wei worked himself to the bone to share Your Majesty's burdens during your illness, he may be spared the death penalty for now, but he cannot escape his crimes. Let him be taken to the dungeon and tried at a later date."
Wei Zhongxiang wiped the sweat from his brow, a heavy weight lifting from his heart. *I’ve saved my life! As long as the Emperor hasn't passed a final sentence, there is still room to maneuver.*
Soon after, several imperial guards dragged Wei Zhongxiang and his associates away to the Imperial Prison. The ministers knelt in the hall, all wearing expressions of bewilderment. Was that really it? Had they just toppled the eunuch faction? Zhang Juyang and Qian Yong, however, knew better: the "trial at a later date" was merely a cover for the Emperor's protection. The struggle against the eunuchs would be long and arduous.
As the ministers slowly rose, Cao Zhengchun signaled desperately for Zhao Zheng to adjourn the court. However, Zhao Zheng was extremely dissatisfied with Cao Zhengchun’s unauthorized interference. He was sitting on the dragon throne now—how could he let himself be led by the nose?
"Minister Qian just said that the Directorate of Ceremonial has been framing loyal ministers. I find that highly plausible!" Zhao Zheng declared. "I have heard that Li Wei, the father of Noble Consort Li, was imprisoned precisely because he was framed by the Directorate! My decree: release Li Wei and his entire family, and restore them to their former posts!"
A gasp swept through the court! Li Wei had been sent to the Imperial Prison for insulting the Emperor to his face before all the officials. How could the Emperor, who they knew to be narrow-minded and petty, release him so easily? Could it be, as the palace rumors suggested, that the Emperor had a falling out with Consort Zhang, allowing Noble Consort Li to seize the opportunity to regain favor in the harem?
Rage burned in Cao Zhengchun's eyes. His worst fear had come to pass. This imposter was far too restless—what exactly was he planning to do? The court was already in chaos, and Cao Zhengchun had no choice but to stir the waters further.
Before Zhao Zheng could dismiss the court, Cao Zhengchun stepped forward, bowing. "Your Majesty, I have something to report as well."
Zhao Zheng frowned slightly. "Proceed."
"Last night, Your Majesty was assassinated. I failed to protect you properly; I beg for your punishment."
By preemptively confessing, Cao Zhengchun revealed the fact of the assassination attempt. The court was plunged into another wave of shock.
"Who could be so bold as to attempt to assassinate Your Majesty?" Zhang Juyang asked in a deep voice. Beside him, Qian Yong felt a pang of guilt and kept silent.
Zhao Zheng glared at Cao Zhengchun. He knew this was intentional—a warning not to keep using this incident as leverage against him! Zhao Zheng drummed his fingers on the armrest of the throne and squinted at Gao Li.
Gao Li understood immediately. He stepped forward and said, "My lords, have no fear. The assassins who targeted His Majesty in the Imperial Study last night have already been executed!"
A pain struck Cao Zhengchun’s heart; he still could not accept that his godson had died so pointlessly.
Zhao Zheng sat on the dragon throne and spoke slowly: "I was fortunate to have Gao Li protect me, or I would not be here today. My decree: starting today, Gao Li shall take charge of the Directorate of Imperial Horses!"