Chapter 107: Going Head-to-Head

Jingtianlie secretly summoned the martial energy within his body. At the peak of the Martial Emperor’s might, his oppressive aura caused the nearby generals to tremble involuntarily, while the civil officials retreated far away. Yet Long Chen withstood the pressure, his expression unchanged, and performed a formal bow according to protocol.

Jingtianlie was taken aback: this man could endure his overwhelming presence without a hint of fear in his eyes.

He had thought Long Chen was merely a scheming eunuch who despised the Empress and the princesses, but unexpectedly, he was so bold and had cultivated to the pinnacle of a Sovereign.

“Are you Long Cheng’en?” Jingtianlie’s face darkened, his tone grim.

Long Chen smiled lightly and said, “I am indeed Long Cheng’en, the Minister of Works and Minister of Revenue, appointed by His Majesty, and the Chief Steward of the Harem.”

Jingtianlie did not use any honorifics, yet Long Chen still addressed himself as “this official.” Others feared Jingtianlie, but how could Long Chen be afraid?

Years ago, the Long family army had clashed with the Red Flame army, and Jingtianlie had been beaten until he coughed up blood.

In Long Chen’s eyes, this tyrannical general before him was merely a defeated subordinate.

The civil and military ministers in court were also astonished. They hadn’t expected Long Chen to dare call himself “this official” in front of Jingtianlie.

Bai Qiulian, the Minister of War, who was waiting to see a spectacle, was equally surprised. Long Chen had openly confronted him in the Censorate before, and Bai Qiulian was powerless against him. Now, hoping to use Jingtianlie to deal with Long Chen, he found Long Chen was not afraid even of Jingtianlie. Bai Qiulian was greatly disappointed.

Jingtianlie had intended to give Long Chen a show of force, but unexpectedly, Long Chen refused to yield, leaving Jingtianlie somewhat embarrassed.

At this moment, all the ministers shared an unusual consensus in their hearts: this damned eunuch was truly fearless!

Jingtianlie snorted coldly and then turned to bow to the three princesses, “Greetings to the three princesses.”

The Empress Yu raised her hand slightly and nodded.

Empress Xingwan’s face twitched, and she also raised her head slightly in return.

Empress Luoxi, however, raised her hand coldly, and that was all.

Jingtianlie took his place at the head of the generals, standing at the front of their ranks, with Empress Luoxi standing second.

Just as everyone thought they could await the Empress’s court session, a stout man walked in from outside, dressed in court robes—it was Jingheng.

Jingheng’s entrance in official court attire shocked everyone.

He had been dismissed and stripped of rank by the Empress; now a civilian, he boldly strode into the hall wearing the former Minister of Revenue’s robes. What did this mean?

The ministers all had their own speculations but dared not voice them.

Empress Luoxi saw Jingheng dressed in court robes and was furious, about to curse loudly, but Long Chen quickly signaled her to restrain herself.

With gritted teeth and heavy breathing, Empress Luoxi forced herself not to look at Jingheng.

Empress Yu and Empress Xingwan also wore grim expressions, their hearts burning with indignation.

Jingtianlie, however, stood there as if nothing had happened.

Jingheng entered and greeted the ministers around him.

“Lord Liu, Lord Li, Lord Bai...”

The other ministers were flustered, unsure how to handle the situation, so they smiled awkwardly in return, not even wanting to engage in conversation.

At that moment, the Empress came out from the inner palace and took her seat on the phoenix throne, with Shadow Phoenix standing beside her.

“Court is in session!” Shadow Phoenix announced.

The ministers all bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

The Empress scanned the assembled ministers, her gaze sweeping from Jingtianlie to Long Chen, and finally to Jingheng.

Her eyes flickered slightly, but her expression remained unchanged, as if she had not seen Jingheng at all.

“Rise,” she commanded.

The ministers stood upright.

The Empress spoke, “The Great General guards Yufu Pass and has repelled the Western Xia invasions multiple times, achieving great merit.”

“Today, upon his return to court, I bestow upon him a thousand taels of gold and one hundred thousand taels of silver as a reward.”

Shadow Phoenix turned and signaled, and two palace maids brought out chests, placing them on the court floor.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Jingtianlie simply bowed in return.

The ministers congratulated him, but Jingtianlie only forced out a dry laugh.

Clearly, what Jingtianlie desired was not wealth.

“Send the reward to the General’s residence,” the Empress smiled slightly.

Shadow Phoenix immediately arranged for the chests to be carried out and delivered to the General’s residence.

Once that was done, the Empress said, “Very well, let us begin the court discussions. Does anyone have matters to report?”

The ministers stood silently, their eyes shifting only between Jingtianlie and Long Chen.

Minister of War Bai Qiulian glanced at Long Chen, then at Jingtianlie, before stepping forward and bowing. “Your Majesty, there has been progress in the case of General Shui Han’s death.”

Mentioning Shui Han’s case stirred unrest among the ministers.

The Empress inquired, “What is the status of the investigation?”

Bai Qiulian bowed again. “We have interrogated Long Cheng’en, but his statements are contradictory and incoherent, making him a major suspect.”

Empress Luoxi’s brows furrowed sharply, and she stepped forward to scold, “Bai Qiulian, what do you mean by ‘interrogation’ and ‘statements’? Watch your words!”

Long Chen merely cooperated with the questioning, yet Bai Qiulian’s choice of words—‘interrogation’ and ‘statements’—clearly treated Long Chen as a criminal, and all this before the Empress and the officials. It was outrageously disrespectful.

Censor Bai Anning also advised, “Minister Bai, do not recklessly accuse.”

Long Chen stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, that scoundrel Bai Qiulian speaks nonsense and is mentally unbalanced. There are many rumors about him outside, and his conduct is immoral. I believe this scoundrel’s presence in court harms our moral fabric. I request that he be beaten out of court with sticks.”

The conflict had already begun; Long Chen had no intention of backing down.

Bai Qiulian dared to provoke, so Long Chen retaliated fiercely.

The ministers were shocked. They all knew Bai Qiulian was Jingtianlie’s loyal pawn, yet Long Chen openly called him a scoundrel and even referenced Bai’s illicit relationship with Jingtianlie—directly challenging Jingtianlie! Such audacity!

Previously, many ministers looked down on Long Chen, thinking he was merely the Fourth Princess’s favorite. Now seeing his boldness, their respect grew.

Bai Qiulian trembled with anger and cursed, “You eunuch, who do you call insane? What do you mean by immoral?”

Long Chen sneered, “Old scoundrel, I say you’re insane, I say you’re immoral!”

The two ministers exchanged insults, and Empress Luoxi wanted to support Long Chen, but Empress Xingwan secretly kicked her foot, signaling her not to intervene.

“Enough! You are all ministers of the court, the six ministers—quarreling like this before the court is disgraceful!”

“The matter is still unresolved; Minister Bai, you must not recklessly slander.”

“The Censorate is the primary investigator. Let Censor Bai speak.”

The Empress appeared impartial, favoring neither side, but in reality, she leaned toward Long Chen.

Censor Bai Anning stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, I have questioned the Fourth Princess, Minister Long, General Zhang, and others, and also written to General Li Xiannan. From their statements, there are indeed doubts surrounding General Shui Han’s death.”

The ministers murmured, whispering among themselves.

Jingheng, standing at the back of the line, began sweating nervously. He feared Shui Han’s death was linked to treason.

In recent days, Jingtianlie had asked about Shui Han. Jingheng only claimed ignorance and denied involvement.

Jingtianlie also thought it unlikely his son had caused serious trouble, despite his shortcomings.

At this moment, Jingtianlie stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, we have shed blood on the battlefield, seeking neither glory nor riches, only justice.”

“General Shui Han served the country for over a decade. If she was truly murdered by traitors, we must give her justice so she may rest in peace.”

Minister of Justice Hu Chengfu, Minister of Rites Wang He, Minister of the Imperial Household Department Xu Zhong, and several other ministers also stepped forward and bowed. “We all agree with the Great General’s statement. We plead with Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate the case and restore General Shui Han’s honor.”

The Ministries of Justice, Personnel, and War were all under Jingtianlie’s influence, as was formerly the Ministry of Revenue.

Of the six ministries, Jingtianlie’s power penetrated four, no wonder he was so arrogant and domineering.

Yet Long Chen could not understand why the Empress, with such profound cultivation, was restrained by Jingtianlie.