「The next day.」
In the Ziwei Palace.
"Is the Senior official afraid of the Empress?"
Before the grand court assembly, Yu Ci, the Minister of Penalty, made his way to Prime Minister Gong Yangyi's side. He observed Gong Yangyi with his eyes closed, resting. His hands were overlapped on his abdomen, cradling the ritual baton, and he appeared calm and unruffled.
Thus, Yu Ci frowned and leaned towards Gong Yangyi. "A hen crowing at dawn leads to disaster. The fact that Your Majesty has not left the deep palace for twelve years… could it be that this demoness Empress has imprisoned His Majesty?"
"Such actions are condemned by all under Heaven!" Yu Ci tightly gripped Gong Yangyi's arm.
"If the Senior official is unwilling to second my proposal later…"
"Then merely observing from the sidelines will also suffice," he whispered softly.
