On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Zhang Jianzhi was a remnant of the previous dynasty, known for his integrity and uprightness, and had many disciples; he was indeed a very influential figure. It seemed most appropriate for him to step forward.

Murong Yan looked down at Cui Mingyuan, who had a "recommendation of virtuous men for the country" expression on his face, and a murderous intent began to rise in her heart.

Zhang Jianzhi?

This person has integrity, but he is also a pedantic Confucian scholar who is most particular about "legal tradition" and "etiquette".

After the Kong family was wiped out, he did not speak out publicly, but according to a secret report from "Night Owl," he sighed deeply when he met with friends in private, saying that "the punishments of the dynasty are too cruel and have offended the harmony of heaven."

This man had a long-standing relationship with the Cui family. Sending Zhang Jianzhi to Jiangnan was tantamount to sending someone from the Cui family.

That old fox, he's really shrewd!

Murong Yan did not answer immediately; she slowly stood up from the phoenix chair.

The moment she stood up—her movements carried the awe-inspiring and resolute air of someone about to unleash thunderous might after being "checkmated" by a subject!

The long, dark gold brocade train, stretching five zhang (approximately 10 meters) across the steps, was suddenly agitated by her movement as she stood up!

The luxurious brocade brushed against the smooth, cold, gold-brick floor carved with phoenix patterns, producing a clear and sharp "whoosh" sound that was particularly jarring in the otherwise silent hall!

As the trailing train billowed up, it revealed the "Golden Floor" lining, intricately woven with gold threads. Under the illumination of countless giant candles in the hall, it shimmered with a brilliant golden light as intense and warning as molten lava stirred up from the abyss!

The phoenix pattern covering the entire nightgown and its train instantly exuded an absolute imperial majesty that saw through all conspiracies and tricks and brooked no challenge!

That light was filled with a chilling disregard for disloyalty, a contempt for potential betrayal, and a powerful sense of oppression that threatened to tear off the mask of hypocrisy and deliver a crushing blow!

Noble and glorious, it transforms at this moment into a silent yet chilling light of judgment that will terrify all those with ulterior motives!

The hem of her skirt fell, concealing the chilling golden light and the silent warning.

Murong Yan stood atop the high steps, looking down at Cui Mingyuan with a faint, cold smile on her face.

“Minister Cui,” her voice was not loud, but it was like icicles in the cold winter, each word striking Cui Mingyuan’s heart, “You are indeed very thoughtful for me and for this Great Qian.”

Cui Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head!

He sensed something unusual in the Empress's seemingly calm tone. He didn't know where he had slipped up, but the feeling of being completely seen through sent chills down his spine.

"To share Your Majesty's burdens is my duty," he replied, bowing respectfully as he forced himself to remain calm.

"What a fine display of dutifulness!" Murong Yan suddenly sneered, her voice rising abruptly to a crescendo, like a phoenix's cry echoing through the heavens, reverberating throughout the hall.

"Let me ask you! The soldiers on the northern frontier are fighting bloody battles, and the people of Chang'an are tightening their belts. What are they fighting for? It's to protect their homes and defend their country! And you, with the nation at the brink of war, instead of thinking about how to appease the rear and unite the people, you're thinking of requisitioning grain from the fertile Jiangnan region? Jiangnan is more than a thousand miles away from the northern frontier. How will the requisitioned grain be transported? How much will it cost along the way? Have you even considered these costs?"

"You keep claiming to be sharing the nation's burdens, but in reality, you want to use the pretext of requisitioning grain to stir up trouble in Jiangnan and disrupt our rear! What are your intentions in recommending Zhang Jianzhi, a corrupt scholar from the previous dynasty who is dissatisfied with the court's handling of the Kong family's rebellious faction? Do you want him to take this opportunity to contact the gentry in Jiangnan, criticize the government, and shake the foundations of the nation?!"

Every word Murong Yan uttered was like a red-hot branding iron, fiercely searing Cui Mingyuan!

A deathly silence fell over the main hall. All the officials were stunned; they had never seen the Empress reprimand a second-rank official so harshly and mercilessly in court!

Cui Mingyuan's face turned ashen, his legs buckled, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud, trembling like a leaf.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I...I am innocent! I had no such intention! My loyalty to the court is as clear as day!"

"Injustice?" Murong Yan's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a murderous intent. "Guards!"

Two golden-armored guards strode in from outside the hall, their hands on their sword hilts, their voices booming: "Present!"

"Drag Cui Mingyuan, the Vice Minister of Rites, away! Order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to immediately search and confiscate the Cui residence! Search it inch by inch! I want to see just how many loyal and devoted men this century-old family has hidden, and how many sinister intentions they harbor!"

Murong Yan's command, like a thunderbolt from the heavens, instantly resounded in the deathly silent Taiji Hall!

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!" Cui Mingyuan panicked completely. He never imagined that his plan, which he thought was flawless and could be used for both offense and defense, would result in such a devastating blow!

Before he could even defend himself, two tall, golden-armored guards dragged him out of the Taiji Hall like a dead dog, one on each arm.

His neat second-rank official robes left disheveled marks on the polished gold-brick floor, and his desperate cries faded into the distance until they disappeared.

Inside the main hall, the officials were silent as cicadas in winter, kneeling on the ground with their heads bowed low, not daring to even breathe.

They were all completely stunned by the Empress's sudden, ruthless, and decisive actions.

No one expected that the Empress, who was usually dignified but still relatively gentle, would be so enraged.

Those officials who were close to the Cui family or who also harbored reservations about the Kong family were terrified. They felt a chill run down their spines, fearing that the cold voice would call their names at any moment.

Murong Yan stood atop the high steps, coldly looking down at the kneeling officials below. Her dark gold phoenix-embroidered dress shimmered with a cold and majestic luster in the candlelight. She did not speak immediately, but allowed the suffocating silence and fear to spread and fester in the hall.

This is the effect she wants.

Kill the chicken and the monkey!

With the war in the northern frontier underway, she could not tolerate any instability in the rear. Cui Mingyuan's sudden appearance today provided her with an excellent opportunity to send a warning shot.

She wanted to use the blood of the Cui family to warn all those with ulterior motives: in the face of national war, any act that dares to obstruct or challenge imperial power will be ruthlessly crushed!

After a long while, so long that the kneeling officials felt their knees go numb and their court robes soaked with cold sweat, Murong Yan finally spoke slowly. Her voice had returned to calm, yet it still carried an undeniable air of authority:

"All of you, rise."

"Thank you... thank you, Your Majesty." The officials stood up shakily, but still dared not raise their heads.

"I hope you all will take today's events as a warning." Murong Yan's gaze slowly swept across the entire room. "When the country is in peril, what I need are loyal ministers who are of one mind with me and who will face the national crisis together, not traitors who are two-faced and have ulterior motives! I know in my heart who is loyal and who is treacherous."

She paused, her tone softening, taking on a reassuring quality:

"Of course, I also know that the vast majority of you present here are the pillars of my Great Qian. As long as you are dedicated to public service and fulfill your duties, I will never mistreat any meritorious official. The war in the northern frontier still needs your strong support from the rear. Everyone, please perform your duties and leave the court."

"Your Majesty, we... obey the decree! We respectfully see you off!"

The officials, as if granted a pardon, knelt down again, their voices trembling with relief.

Murong Yan didn't look at them again. She turned around and, surrounded by the messy yet magnificent trailing dark gold train, walked down the imperial steps and left the Taiji Hall directly.

Only after her figure completely disappeared through the palace gates did the officials inside dare to slowly straighten up, exchanging lingering, fearful glances. The entire Taiji Hall seemed to have weathered a silent storm.

Back at Qifeng Pavilion, Murong Yan waved to dismiss all the palace servants. Only when she stepped into her own private space did her tense body relax slightly, and a look of extreme exhaustion appeared on her face.