My Antique Mirror Is A Portal To Another World - Chapter 417

Chapter 417: Yu Zhao’s Accusation
Seeing that Yu Zhao managed to win over those stubborn old ministers and generals with only a few words, Wen Qiaolun lost her patience and harshly said, “Enough with the useless argument! Is there any important matter to report? If not, then adjourn the morning court!”

When the ministers and generals from Wen Kang’s faction heard this, they exchanged looks. Then, the Minister of War stepped forward from his position and bowed to Yu Fu.

“Your Majesty, this subject has something to report.”

Recognizing him as one of her elder brother’s subordinates, Wen Qiaolun smiled and asked, “Minister Fu, what is it you wish to report?”

Fu Songren took out a memorial he had prepared beforehand from his sleeve and held it up with both hands.

“Empress Dowager, this is a military memorial submitted by General Ji and his subordinates, accusing Great General Feng of taking over Xiquan City with the intention of rebellion. Please take a look.”

As he said this, the chief eunuch descended the stairs and took the military memorial from him.

When Yu Zhao saw the chief eunuch give the military memorial to Wen Qiaolun instead of Yu Fu, he asked, “Chief Eunuch, did you not give it to the wrong person?”

Caught off guard by Yu Zhao’s sudden question, the chief eunuch was stunned and frozen in his place.

Because the Wen Clan had controlled the imperial court for years and treated Yu Fu as a puppet emperor, the chief eunuch had long been accustomed to handing all important documents to Wen Qiaolun, bypassing Yu Fu entirely.

Now that Yu Zhao questioned him directly, the chief eunuch did not know how to react or what to say.

Seeing the chief eunuch glance at Wen Kang for help, Yu Zhao narrowed his eyes and coldly asked, “Chief Eunuch, how dare you ignore His Majesty’s existence? Do you intend to rebel?!”

Startled and terrified by Yu Zhao’s accusation, the chief eunuch fell to his knees with a loud thud.

Kowtowing repeatedly toward Yu Fu, he pleaded in horror, “Your Majesty, this servant is innocent! This servant has never had any intention of ignoring Your Majesty or rebelling! This servant begs Your Majesty to investigate clearly!”

Annoyed by the noise and crying, Yu Fu’s expression darkened. He got down from the dragon throne and kicked the chief eunuch down the stairs.

With cruelty gleaming in his eyes, Yu Fu shouted angrily, “You are so annoying! Someone! Drag him out and beat him to death!”

The moment his words fell, the chief eunuch’s face turned pale. Before he could react, two imperial guards entered and dragged him out.

By the time he regained his senses, the imperial guards had already tied him to a long bench and began beating him with heavy wooden planks.

“Ah! Your Majesty, this servant is innocent! Your Majesty!” The chief eunuch screamed as he struggled to free himself.

Hearing his screams, Yu Fu ordered, “Block his mouth! He’s too noisy!”

Outside the Hall of Righteousness, the imperial guards obeyed and stuffed rags into the chief eunuch’s mouth.

As the sound of smacking blows echoed through the surroundings, Wen Qiaolun finally came back to her senses. She stared at Yu Zhao in fear and clenched her trembling hands.

‘This man is too dangerous. He actually used my son’s hands to kill my people! No… we have already lost today. I can’t continue fighting without preparation.’

With that thought, Wen Qiaolun suddenly stood up and hurriedly said, “Aijia is not feeling well. We shall continue this discussion tomorrow.”

Without even sparing Wen Kang a glance, Wen Qiaolun quickly left the Hall of Righteousness, as if fleeing from a dangerous beast.

Watching his useless younger sister run away with her tail tucked between her legs, Wen Kang was so enraged that smoke nearly burst from the top of his head.

‘Useless woman! We were almost successful, and she just ran away like a coward!’

While Wen Kang was cursing Wen Qiaolun in his heart, Yu Fu saw his mother leave and happily followed after her.

Seeing this, the ministers and generals knelt and said in unison, “Respectfully sending off the Emperor.”

Flicking his sleeve, Wen Kang glared at Yu Zhao before storming off furiously.

Witnessing everything, the other ministers and generals exchanged hesitant looks, then bowed to Yu Zhao before leaving the Hall of Righteousness.

Once only the older ministers and generals remained, Yu Zhao clasped his fists and said, “Thank you for your support just now, everyone.”

Qu Zhihuang shook his head and replied, “Your Highness, you are too polite. We only did what we believed was right.”

Nodding in agreement, an old general added, “The Imperial Chancellor speaks the truth. If Your Highness can attend court from now on, we will be able to restrain Prime Minister Wen’s power and influence.”

Listening to their words, Yu Zhao easily understood their intentions.

He smiled and said, “If this prince can help by doing so, then this prince will do his best to return to the imperial court. This prince only wishes to end the war and rebuild order in the Yu Empire.”

Hearing the answer they hoped for, the old ministers and generals let out a sigh of relief.

Clasping their hands, they bowed respectfully to Yu Zhao and said solemnly, “We will do our best to support Your Highness.”

Yu Zhao returned the courtesy. “Thank you, everyone.”

After the morning court ended, news of the Prince Regent’s return to the imperial court spread like wildfire across the imperial capital.

In less than two sichen after Yu Zhao’s public appearance, the Wen Clan had already lost more than thirty percent of their influence and power within the imperial court.

Those who had long waited for an opportunity to topple the Wen Clan began sending gifts and invitations to the Prince Regent’s Mansion. At the same time, those who had sided with the Wen Clan grew panicked and prepared to switch allegiances.

While everyone in the imperial court waited anxiously for Yu Zhao and Wen Kang’s next moves, Bai Hanyun was busy arranging the antiques she had taken from the Ji Clan’s Mansion.