"Yin is rebelling?" The news exploded like thunder in the court. Whispers spread like wildfire.
Xue Liulan glanced sideways. Even Guo Shangzhong looked surprised, though he hid it quickly.
"Your Majesty, this is urgent," General Lin stepped forward. "Yin is powerful. If we don't crush this rebellion now, the war will drag us down."
"General Lin implies the Imperial Court is weaker than a vassal state?" Another minister countered. "This is treason. I request General Lin be punished!"
Xue Liulan leaned back lazily. "Eunuch Guo, you served the late Emperor. What do you think?"
Guo Shangzhong bowed. "Since Minister Li has captured Xiao Suyi, the matter is simple."
"Oh? How so?" Xue Liulan's eyes were cold, though his face remained impassive.
"Everyone knows the current Duke of Yin, Xiao Zhenyi, owes his position to Gongzi Suyi. He values his brother. If we hold Suyi hostage, Zhenyi will not dare to act recklessly, lest he be branded an ungrateful fratricide."
The court murmured in agreement. Hostage diplomacy. Simple and effective.
"Eunuch Guo is wise," the Minister of the Clan Court declared.
Xue Liulan looked at Li Yan. "And you, Minister Li?"
"I agree with Eunuch Guo."
Xue Liulan's brow twitched. Is he asleep? If you agree, how do we play this out?
"You agree?" Xue Liulan repeated. "Then I am relieved."
Li Yan met his gaze calmly. "However, if Your Majesty wishes for a peaceful resolution, Eunuch Guo's plan is flawed."
Ah, Li Yan. Xue Liulan smiled inwardly. Always dragging it out.
"Gongzi Suyi is one of the Four Princes. His connections are vast. Your Majesty must have heard of this?"
"I have." Xue Liulan turned to Guo Shangzhong. "And you?"
"This old slave knows. They are dragons among men." Guo Shangzhong's praise was devoid of warmth.
"So, imprisoning him is unwise," Li Yan continued. "It will anger the other vassal states. Suyi is also popular among the common people. If we incite public anger, we face enemies within and without."
"Are you saying Suyi is more popular than the Emperor?" The Minister of the Clan Court shouted.
Li Yan paused. He couldn't say yes, but denying it would ruin his argument.
"Indeed." Xue Liulan laughed, standing up and walking down the steps to face Li Yan. "Isn't that right, Minister Li?"
Li Yan looked up, confused but resolute. He's using me as a shield. He sighed inwardly.
"Speak freely." Xue Liulan looked past him, checking the sun. It's time. The Fifteen and Windless should have found the Turkic assassins by now.
Li Yan laughed loudly. "Yes. In my opinion, Xiao Suyi is more popular than the Imperial Family."
"Insolence!"
"Minister Li is mad!" Yan Lingfu rushed to support him.
Li Yan shook him off, striding toward Guo Shangzhong. "The people's hearts have been corrupted by this traitor!"
Yan Lingfu stared. Xue Liulan just smiled, watching the sun, indulgent.
Let them vent. The turtle is in the jar.
"Since the late Emperor's time, Guo Shangzhong has plotted to usurp power! He conspired with Consort Deng to murder Empress Murong Zhaoxin! He seized control of the inner palace! He planted his lackeys in the court! You, you, and you!" Li Yan pointed at the ministers who had demanded the investigation into Prince Cheng's death. "You fear him, so you grovel and oppress the people!"
"And he colluded with the Turks, leaking Wuchuan's defenses, causing General Murong's defeat and nearly killing the Prince of Yuling!" Li Yan's voice thundered.
Silence. Guo Shangzhong watched them calmly, still the spectator.
Xue Liulan turned to him. "Your Turkic elites are dead, Guo Shangzhong. I intended to wipe you out. I did not stop there."
Guo Shangzhong's calm mask finally cracked. "I underestimated you."
"If a Xue descendant is reduced to a eunuch's puppet, I would rather see the dynasty fall."
"Good. Very good." Guo Shangzhong's fist clenched. He moved, faster than thought, lunging for Xue Liulan.
"Move!" Xue Liulan shoved Li Yan aside and met the palm strike.
Bam.
Xue Liulan's arm went numb. Both men stumbled back. Guo Shangzhong grabbed the railing to steady himself. Xue Liulan clutched his chest, blood churning.
His kung fu has improved.
"Xue Liulan! It was you at Prince Cheng's manor!" Guo Shangzhong laughed shrilly.
Xue Liulan froze. He realized the mistake. But it was too late.
"I will be the last one standing. Don't worry, I'll write your biography after the dynasty falls. Hahaha!" Guo Shangzhong laughed, walking slowly toward the exit.
The ministers were stunned. The cowardly Emperor was a martial arts master?
"Traitor! You will not leave this hall!" The Fifteen appeared at the door, masked and deadly.
Xue Liulan stood frozen, face pale. He replayed Guo Shangzhong's words. What did he mean? What did I miss? Why is he so confident?
"Your Majesty?" Li Yan whispered.
Xue Liulan sucked in a breath. A terrifying thought paralyzed him.
"Let him go." His voice was a whisper.
"Your Majesty! Letting the tiger return to the mountain will bring endless trouble!" Li Yan cried.
"Let him go!" Xue Liulan roared, looking up with red, savage eyes. "We have time."