I am a commoner, but I will lead the empress to unify the world

The next morning, Empress Yan Fuyao, who had a good sleep, got up from bed and listened to Gongsun Wan'er's report on the situation while she was helped by the palace maids to wash.

After Gongsun Wan'er finished speaking, she continued in a low voice,

"I don't know how the interrogation went. He wouldn't let me in to listen to the trial."

"Not letting you in? That's interesting."

The empress wiped her hands, sat in front of the dressing table, faced the bronze mirror, and asked the palace maid to put on makeup for her.

"How many people were outside the palace gates asking to see me last night?"

"A lot, but they're not crying or shouting. They're just waiting outside the palace gates, waiting for you to see them."

"No need to meet, just go to the morning court."

"Do we need to inform Shen Changgong?"

"No, he will come by himself."

The empress stood up and walked outside.

"Today's court is destined to be very lively."

The palace gates opened and the court officials filed in, entering the Golden Palace. There was a lot of noise and chaos, with people saying all sorts of things.

The three dukes stood in the front, and behind them were two major factions.

Standing on the left was Prince Rong's group. They were all filled with righteous indignation and denounced Shen Changgong. They were discussing how to file a complaint together later, put pressure on the empress, and kill Shen Changgong.

Standing on the right were Prince Gong's faction, who were watching coldly and even wanted to laugh.

The Duke of Yingguo was a capable subordinate of Prince Rong. His downfall was like losing an arm for Prince Rong.

"Your Majesty is here!"

Following the eunuch's shout, Yan Fuyao, wearing a bright red dragon robe, entered from the side door and sat on the dragon throne.

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

"Everyone is safe."

After all the ministers stood up, Duke Liang immediately stood up from behind Prince Rong, bowed, and then said indignantly,

"Your Majesty, I have something to report! I wish to impeach the newly appointed Grand Commandant of the Security Forces, Shen Changgong!"

The empress leaned on the backrest of the dragon throne, slightly sideways, with one hand resting on her cheek, her eyes full of domineering and lazy look.

The empress exudes a domineering aura.

"Oh? It's the Duke of Liang, my husband. What happened to you?"

"Your Majesty, he's not a vassal, he's... he's too domineering! Yesterday evening, the Duke of Ying just ate a bowl of jelly, and he was captured by the captain. He also killed all the guards and tortured them in the government office.

In the middle of the night, Shen Changgong led his troops to raid the Duke of Yingguo's house and arrested his entire family.

This man was rampant and lawless in the capital, arresting and killing people at will, breaking into the Duke's mansion, forcibly arresting people and putting them in jail, and plundering other people's property. He was no different from a robber!

This is a rebellion, Your Majesty!

I implore Your Majesty to execute Shen Changgong on the spot, to set things right, to reassure the people, and to restore peace and order to Great Yan!"

After he finished speaking, the group of people behind Prince Rong knelt down and shouted for the Empress to chop off Shen Changgong's head.

The empress sneered and said,

"Duke Liang is truly good at avoiding the main point. But as far as I know, it was the Duke of Yingguo's son who killed someone in the street and was taken away by the security forces. Duke Yingguo led his troops to attack the security forces with the intention of treason, so the Grand Commandant arrested him."

The empress is not someone who is unable to take responsibility. Shen Changgong helps her with things, and she cannot pretend that she knows nothing and put all the pressure on Shen Changgong.

The empress did a good job in this regard.

Duke Liang was surprised.

"Your Majesty, you can't just listen to Shen Changgong's one-sided words!"

"Then can I listen to your one-sided story? Did you see the murder with your own eyes? Or did you see the arrest and house raiding with your own eyes?

I don't believe what Shen Changgong, who experienced it firsthand, said. So why should I believe what you said based on hearsay?"

The empress spoke calmly but with great dominance. Although court officials would put pressure on her on many important issues, she had to compromise.

But now that she has decided to take action, she will no longer give in to the powerful.

"Come here, summon Shen Changgong into the palace for a confrontation. I want to see what exactly is going on."

The eunuch at the door shouted loudly,

"Command the Grand Commandant to see you!"

There were footsteps at the door, and Shen Changgong, dressed in an official robe, walked in slowly, followed by several guards, carrying a large box.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Shen Changgong bowed, his face was haggard and he had dark circles under his eyes, after all, he hadn't slept all night.

"Captain, the Duke of Liang accuses you of taking human life lightly, killing innocent people, and arbitrarily arresting people and ransacking their homes. What do you say?"

Shen Changgong glanced at Duke Liang and said calmly,

"That's normal. The rebels' accomplices will definitely speak on their side. They can't possibly speak on the side of a loyal person like me."

Hearing this, Duke Liang's eyes widened instantly, pointing at Shen Changgong and angrily scolding,

"Shen Changgong, please stop slandering me. I am a loyal and good man from Great Yan. How could I possibly be an accomplice of the rebels? And when did the Duke of Ying become a rebel?"

Shen Changgong smiled and said,

"Oh? When did I ever say the traitor was the Duke of Ying? The moment I mentioned the traitor, you thought of the Duke of Ying. Are you making an excuse or confessing?"

"What? You...you're using sophistry and perverse logic! I'm asking you, the Duke of Ying just ate a bowl of jelly yesterday, why did you arrest him and even kill his guards in the street?

For a mere bowl of jelly, you caused such a huge incident and bloodshed. Your crimes are too numerous to list!"

Duke Liang scolded angrily.

"Since Duke Liang knew that he was arrested for eating jelly, why didn't he know about the incident in which the jelly shop owner was beaten and killed?

Is it selective forgetfulness, or is it just avoiding the important issues?"

"I don't know what you are talking about. Who saw the Prince of England kill someone?"

"Who saw it?"

Shen Changgong was so angry that he laughed, and said in a fierce voice,

"Thousands of people in the market saw it, and my security forces saw it too. Duke Liang, do you think my security forces are blind?

Or does it mean that all the murders in the world do not exist as long as you, Duke Liang, have not seen them with your own eyes?

"Every time a murderer kills someone, you, Duke Liang, must witness it with your own eyes?"

Shen Changgong's retort left Duke Liang speechless. He then continued,

"The prince of England ate two bowls of noodles but only paid for one. When the shop owner asked him for the money, he allowed his men to brutally kill him.

Our security forces have the power and duty to maintain law and order and apprehend criminals. We went to stop them, but his followers drew their swords on us.

The servants wanted to kill the government troops, which is already treason. My security forces suppressed the rebellion and brought the mastermind back for trial. What's wrong with that?

During the interrogation of the mastermind, the Prince of Ying confessed all the crimes committed by his family, including forcibly buying shops, annexing land, abducting women, taking human lives, stealing dragon robes and jade seals, and attempting to rebel.

The matter is urgent. What's wrong with me going to the Duke of Ying's mansion to collect evidence and apprehend the criminal?!

The Duke of Ying led a thousand private soldiers to attack the security army camp. This is already a crime of treason. I will suppress and arrest him.

What's wrong with that?!"