The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 1047 - 581: Turning a Dead Game Alive, the Tides of Offense and Defense Reversed

"Thinking positively, with Commander Zhao leading the army south, even at worst, we should be able to reclaim half of the Huai River, shouldn’t we?"

The officials dressed in robes gathered in twos and threes, whispering among themselves, their hearts weighed down like heavy stones.

Afraid of receiving terrible news from outside the capital.

"Mr. Yuan? Do you know what has happened?" An observant person noticed Yuann Li approaching and quickly asked.

The Big Qingyi shook his head, also unaware.

Instead, the deputy of the Privy Council, who followed closely behind, seemed to know a bit, but remained silent.

"The Grandmaster is here too!"

After a while, from the direction of Xiuwen Pavilion, the elderly Grandmaster Dong Xuan was supported by Han Zhou out of the carriage and approached.

Prompting all officials to pay their respects.

"Come on, everyone should be here. Do not be noisy. Any questions will be addressed after meeting Her Majesty." Grandmaster Dong spoke with authority, and the officials stopped discussing.

They proceeded toward the Golden Throne Hall.

If it was a usual summon, they would meet in a side hall; this time being summoned in the afternoon to the Golden Throne Hall indicated it was not a small matter.

The ministers entered the hall, where the old eunuch Sun Lianying held a horsetail whisk to maintain order.

The officials waited quietly for a while, then a shrill voice came from outside: "Her Majesty has arrived!"

The officials formed two lines, turned, and looked. They saw the central door of the Golden Throne Hall, where the afternoon sunlight that bypassed the threshold shone on the floor of the hall.

Creating large halos of light.

Outside the hall, the guards stood on both sides, and two figures, one in front of the other, walked in.

Leading, surprisingly, was the Empress of Yu Country in her everyday attire, her skirt trailing the ground, full of imperial dignity.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!" The officials saluted, and then many were surprised to see someone wearing a white mask followed the Empress into the hall.

Lihua Hall White-faced Arresting Officer?

A subordinate of Commander Zhao?

Many were momentarily startled, all vividly remembering that the last autumn’s news from the front lines was brought back by this mysterious arresting officer.

Afterward, this White-faced Arresting Officer disappeared for days, now suddenly appearing again, undoubtedly confirming certain assumptions.

Zhao Douan walked straight, without deviating his gaze, until he reached beneath the dragon throne. Only then did he stop, under Sun Lianying’s peculiar gaze, mingling with the old eunuch with playful gestures.

Xu Zhenguan stepped forward, sat on the dragon throne, overlooking the ministers, raised his hand to exempt them from courtesy, and then his cool voice echoed: "This afternoon, summoning everyone is for two matters. Firstly, the latest war report from the front lines states that Jingchuan City has returned to the court, Huai’an Prince Mansion has also pledged allegiance, and Mu Prince Xu Jingtang is missing..."

Without pleasantries, without useless talk.

The Empress opened her mouth with a bombshell announcement, instantly as if a giant stone was thrown into a calm lake.

Suddenly, the Golden Throne Hall became noisy.

Everyone was invigorated, showing joy!

Even though everyone had predicted this outcome, now that the dust settled, it truly allowed them to relax.

Immediately, one by one, the ministers began to offer congratulations, loudly celebrating.

Since the war began, always frowning and losing hair, the Minister of Revenue was almost moved to tears of joy, being an official in charge of the treasury, faced with a cavity-filled National Treasury and continuous military expenditures, hearing this good news, how could he not be delighted?

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! This victory in regaining the Huai River Western Front, the court’s crisis has largely been resolved. As long as the situation is stabilized, after enduring this winter, we will surely catch our breath next year." Grandmaster Dong exhaled deeply and laughed.

"Not only so, the news of Huai’an Prince’s defection spread will surely create a rift in the Eight Princes alliance. It might also affect the Anping and Iron Pass situations." The Minister of Rites promptly stated.

The Minister of War hesitated and said, "Victory must be encouraging, but I fear that upon learning this news, Prince Jing’s side may take action. If he advances westward and Xu Jingtang attacks from Yunfu, it may not be defendable."

With his voice opening up, the military ministers faction in the hall all spoke, expressing that although it’s a major victory, hidden concerns remain and cannot be ignored.

Only Yuann Li suddenly looked at the Empress and said, "Your Majesty just mentioned, Xu Jingtang is missing? Did he flee back to Yunfu?"

Ministers, including Ma Yan, unexpectedly looked at him.

Just now, listening to the military situation, most people instinctively understood Xu Jingtang’s disappearance as his fleeing from the Huai River.

But being pointed out at this moment, they began to savor the peculiar wording.

Withdrawal would be withdrawal; why use ’missing’?

Xu Zhenguan sat on the dragon throne, a faint, almost imperceptible smile at his mouth, encompassing all ministers’ reactions in his eyes. At this moment, his crimson lips lightly parted: "Mr. Yuan, sharp indeed. Now, it’s time to announce the second war report."

Without need for her reminder, Zhao Douan, who had been "exchanging flirtatious looks" with Sun Lianying, proactively stepped out.

Feeling the concentrated gazes on his white mask, Zhao Douan took a deep breath, and without tiring, repeated the previously reported words:

"The frontline secret report, rebel Xu Jingtang, was killed within Yunfu territory by Commander Zhao! His death is confirmed, and the body will arrive in the capital soon."

Silence.

The air in the Golden Throne Hall seemed to have been sucked out, falling into a vacuum-like momentarily losing sound.

As if many moments passed, or just a split second.

"Ah!" Someone’s exclamation shattered the silent atmosphere.

The ministers all showed astonished expressions.

Xu Jingtang is dead?!

Died within Yunfu territory?

Killed by Commander Zhao?!

To regain Jingchuan City was within their expectations, but Xu Jingtang’s death entirely exceeded their forecasts.

In everyone’s anticipation, even if Zhao Shixiong surrendered, with Xu Jingtang’s accumulated influence over the years, as long as he promptly returned to his base, he would remain a grave threat.

The expectation was merely to repel.

But you tell me, not only did they reclaim the territory, but also killed him?!