Volume 1: Regent's Stormy Weather 030 Please Punish the King (2)

  The grand Hall of Diligent Governance was silent and still, with no sound even of a breath being heard. The hundred officials held their breaths and focused their attention on the scene before them.

  Time slowly passed, about half an incense stick's time, yet the Regent King had not spoken a word, still sitting coldly on one side of the dragon throne, as if no one was there, staring at the expressions of the officials in the great hall.

  Feng Yu's delicate face seemed calm and unruffled, but in reality, the sinister glint in his eyes betrayed his current discontent. His small hands, hidden within his dragon robe, were clenched into fists. He had to endure this now, without showing even a hint of weakness, or else the plans he and his mother had been making for two years would all be for naught.

  Standing at the forefront, the two prime ministers on both sides, Left Prime Minister Lan Cang appears to be much more calm and composed. He also hasn't seen his own son for two years, and during these two years, he didn't even dare send someone to ask about his situation, fearing that it would provoke the Regent King. Now, seeing Lan Jing Shu, he has another plan in mind. He enters the grand hall, not as usual.

  On the right, Xing Yan felt that the Emperor had lost face at this moment. These two were just the Regent King's male concubines, and they actually dared to ignore the Emperor's orders. His eyes flashed with a hint of cruelty, and he raised his head, just in time to meet Feng Ao Tian's cold and harsh gaze. He hastily lowered his head, covering the sharp light in his eyes, not daring to be presumptuous.

  The Left Imperial Censor, who was directly killed by Feng Ao Tian, had not been carried out. The palace was filled with the smell of blood that could not be dispersed. This was the taste of death, foreshadowing that today they would not easily step out of the imperial palace.

  The moment of incense had passed, Feng Ao Tian turned around and looked at the little emperor sitting on the dragon chair with a calm expression, not revealing any signs of anger or displeasure. Instead, he smiled warmly at her and said, "Your Majesty has allowed you two to stand up, so please rise."

  "Yes." Mu Hanjin and Lan Xuan responded in unison, standing up straight and bowing their heads.

  One was as elegant as jade, the other was warm and refined, they stood respectfully in the center of the grand hall, as if dispelling some of the gloom and bloody smell within the hall with their extraordinary demeanor.

  "Your Majesty, the positions of the left and right imperial historians are currently vacant. I recommend that these two individuals take up the posts, what do you think?" Feng Ao Tian turned his gaze, his slender fingers grasping the warm jade he often carried with him, speaking in a nonchalant tone without seeking permission, but rather stating it as fact.

  Feng Yuqi also turned around, with a humble smile hanging on his face, gazing at Feng Ao Tian, and smiled in response, "This matter will be decided by the Regent King."

  "This king has been away from the capital for several months, and the security in the capital is much worse than before. The Prefect of the Imperial Capital, tell me, how many cases of homicide have occurred in these few months?" Feng Ao Tian said with a low tone.

  Lord Li, the Governor of Beijing, broke out in a cold sweat. Now that he had been summoned, his legs suddenly went soft and with a "thud" he knelt on the ground. How could the Regent possibly care about the security situation in the capital at this time?

  "...In the past two months, there have been thirty cases of homicide and eighty cases of theft...". The prefect of Beijing reported all the cases that had occurred in the past few months to the regent king in minute detail, fearing that he might miss something.

  "Take a closer look at these memorials." Feng Ao Tian lightly waved his hand, and ten copies of the memorial were slapped in front of the Jingzhao Yin. "These cases are limited to one month for you to crack, otherwise, I will chop you into minced meat to feed the dogs."

  "Yes, yes, I will definitely exert myself to investigate and solve it." The governor of Jingzhao hastily knocked his head and said.

  Feng Ao Tian suddenly called out the officials involved in the case one by one, and slapped the memorial he had annotated with Mu Hanjin overnight onto their faces or bodies, causing everyone in the grand hall to tremble with fear. Those who were hit by the memorial suffered injuries ranging from minor skin abrasions to death.

  "Blue Crystal Book, I order you to rush to Lianghuai tomorrow and crack the case of official salt robbery as soon as possible. If you can't crack it, you don't have to come back alive." Feng Ao Tian said sternly.

  "Yes, your humble servant obeys." Lan Jing naturally knew the importance of this official salt case. The case was very complicated and involved many people. Now, he went there and it would be a drop in the bucket if he could crack the case. If he couldn't crack it, then he would have no regrets even if he died.

  "Mu Hanjin, the Chucha Yuan currently has many old cases pending. You will take charge of handling them one by one. From now on, any memorials submitted to me must be personally reviewed and annotated by you." Feng Ao Tian looked at Mu Hanjin, then glanced at Left Minister Lan Xuan and Right Minister Xing Yan, "The two ministers were derelict in their duties during my absence from the capital, each will be fined one year's salary and confined for three months to reflect on their mistakes."

  "Your Majesty, I obey your command."

  Xing Yan was displeased in his heart, as could be expected. The Regent's move was clearly intended to strip him of his powers and completely hand over the reins of state power to Mu Hanjin. He couldn't help but feel shocked - had the Regent discovered something?

  Just now, because of exchanging glances with her, I still feel a chill. Therefore, I also dare not think too much, and hastily replied, "I obey your orders!"

  Mo Hanjin did not expect Feng Ao Tian to entrust him with such a heavy responsibility. He recalled the moment on the imperial carriage when she grasped his hand tightly, and the words in her eyes made him hesitate - should he help or not?

  "Mu Hanjin, have you forgotten what I said?" Feng Ao Tian raised his eyes, which were also cold and stern, with a hint of warning.

  Mo Han's eyes slightly narrowed, and the bite mark on his shoulder suddenly throbbed in pain. He hastily knelt down, "Your humble servant obeys your command."

  "The memorials annotated by me, you must complete within the time limit set by me. Otherwise, I don't mind seeing more blood." Feng Ao Tian said, slightly turning his gaze to look at the young emperor, "Your Majesty, do you have anything else to say?"

  Feng Yin Qi's heart was filled with astonishment at Feng Ao Tian's actions in the early morning, and she raised her eyes to meet his cold gaze. She quickly hid the surprise in her eyes and nodded, saying, "I have no other decrees."

  "Then let's withdraw from the court." Feng Ao Tian said, and got up by herself. When the officials were paying their respects, she took Mu Hanjin and Lan Xuan Shu and left the Diligent Government Hall.

  Three people suddenly sat in the imperial carriage, Mu Hanjin raised his eyes and met Feng Ao Tian's cold gaze. He knew he had just been dazed in the great hall at such a critical moment for her. He obediently untied his belt, took off his snow-white outer robe, revealing his smooth shoulders, and said softly, "Please punish me, Your Majesty."

  Digression

  Sorry for the late update, I'll try to update twice tomorrow and more often in the future. I hope you can enjoy it every day with 20,000 words updated daily. Thank you for always staying with me and supporting me, it feels great! Wishing you all a happy new year!