96: Come, let’s fight at Xuanwu Gate!

Another two hours passed.

Only then did these officials gather in Qianqing Palace.

All the old ministers from the imperial court had already gone to the border; those gathered here were all female generals and female officials.

Wu Yue sat on the bed with a dark expression.

"I ordered Shangguan Waner to call you all to gather in Qianqing Palace three... four hours ago. Why are you only arriving now? Do you not have Your Majesty, this Emperor, in your eyes?"

The Empress was furious.

The officials prostrated themselves.

"We did not receive any information. It was only when we went to court today and did not see Your Majesty that we inquired with the palace maids and learned that Your Majesty summoned us last night."

Everyone's statements were remarkably consistent.

They all pointed their fingers at Shangguan Waner.

What?!

Shangguan Waner was stunned for a moment, then suddenly stood up, trembling as she pointed at them.

"You... you, I clearly went to inform you all last night! Yes, and my subordinate officials also went to your residences and knocked on your doors all night. Several of you didn't open your doors, and some even called their servants to drive them away..."

Her voice carried a slight tremor.

And a powerful surge of anger was suppressed in her chest.

She never expected these people to be so shameless, blaming her for their own faults.

"Bring the people in!"

Wu Yue's face was cold as she ordered Shangguan Waner's subordinate officials to be brought in.

Once everyone was present.

Wu Yue questioned them.

"Last night, did you follow Shangguan Waner's orders to go to the residences of the court ministers and convey My decree?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Then, they all knelt down, begging for forgiveness: "We did not know Your Majesty had a decree. We deserve ten thousand deaths!"

Zhongshu Ling (Grand Secretary) was the first to attack, "Shangguan Waner, what more do you have to say? You failed to inform your subordinate officials of His Majesty's decree, preventing them from conveying the message to Qianqing Palace, which resulted in us being unable to arrive at Qianqing Palace in time to await His Majesty's command. Instead of reflecting on your own mistakes, you try to shift the blame, you are simply unworthy of being a court official!"

The Censor-in-Chief followed up: "Shangguan Waner, you showed disrespect in carrying out the decree. According to the current laws, you should be taken to the marketplace and cut in half at the waist, as a warning to others!"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the officials echoed in unison.

"Your Majesty, we request severe punishment to serve as a warning!"

"You... you..."

Seeing the murderous look in Empress Wu Yue's eyes, Shangguan Waner panicked.

Wu Yue was not a soft-hearted person.

After ascending to power, the number of lives she had taken was countless.

Now, she genuinely wanted to kill her.

Shangguan Waner hurriedly rushed to her subordinate officials, grabbed one, and shook her shoulders repeatedly.

"Xuemei, I have always treated you like my own sister! You cannot conspire with them to frame me! Quickly, defend me and clear my name!"

She did not answer Shangguan Waner, but instead looked timidly at Zhongshu Ling (Grand Secretary), who cast a fierce glare at her.

She paused, then said, "Your Majesty, your humble servant requests Your Majesty to severely punish Shangguan Waner for her disrespect in carrying out the decree..."

"Xuemei, you..."

Shangguan Waner saw the exchange of glances between the two of them. They had already colluded, intending to put her to death.

"Your Majesty! I am innocent..."

"Drag her out and cut her in half at the waist!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Did you not hear My words? Drag her out and cut her in half at the waist!"

Empress Wu Yue was already irritated by the border war, and coupled with being stood up all night, she was now unwilling to listen to anything.

She immediately ordered Shangguan Waner to be dragged out and cut in half at the waist in the marketplace.

Shangguan Waner felt a bit unsteady, retreating several steps before falling onto the ground.

Knowing that she was sure to die today, she no longer acted timidly, pointing at Wu Yue and cursing, "Tyrannical and muddle-headed ruler! You will face retribution! I can see your end, and I will wait for you below!"

Several female generals stepped forward, seized Shangguan Waner, and were about to drag her away.

Wu Yue, however, called out to them.

"Wait!"

"Your Majesty?" Everyone was startled. Could it be that she had a change of heart and was going to release Shangguan Waner?

"How dare she insult Me? Turn her into a Human Pig! I want her to wish for death but not be able to die, and to wish for life but not be able to live!"

The Empress's words sent shivers down everyone's spines.

How venomous, how ruthless...

What if this ruthless Empress, in a bad mood one day, turned them into Human Pigs too?

Perhaps... kill her and take her place?

Such a thought arose in everyone's minds, and it grew increasingly stronger.

Wu Yue looked at their wolf-like gazes, and an unbidden chill ran down her spine.

Just then.

"Bang!"

The main door was pushed open from outside.

A female official stumbled in, shouting to Wu Yue, "The rebels... those rebels are bringing the city with them and attacking!"

"What?!"

Wu Yue stood up abruptly, "The rebels are attacking with the city?"

The female official nodded repeatedly, "Yes... yes, they are bringing the city with them and attacking!"

Wu Yue frowned deeply.

"You can't even speak clearly."

"What do you mean, 'rebels are attacking with the city'?"

"I think you should be sent to school to study properly, learn to read and write, and then return to your post."

After scolding the messenger official.

She then ordered the generals present to go out and meet the enemy.

"Now, with a great enemy before us, as female generals personally promoted by Me, you should show no less courage than men and contribute to the Great Wu!"

"Understood!"

Inside Qianqing Palace, the female generals exited one by one.

They had only been out for ten breaths of time.

These female generals returned to Qianqing Palace one by one, rushed to Wu Yue, kicked her over, and held swords to her.

"Slay the demon empress, restore the Li Tang!"

"Slay the demon empress, restore the Li Tang!"

In the hall, everyone looked at these female generals.

Just moments ago, they had expressed their desire to contribute to the Great Wu, and now they had returned, kicked over the Empress, and were shouting about restoring the Li Tang dynasty.

Less than ten breaths of time had passed.

How could such a drastic change occur?

What on earth did they encounter outside?

"Whoosh~"

Outside, the fierce wind howled.

The main door of Qianqing Palace was blown open by the strong wind.

Through the doorway, everyone saw a city, a city floating in the sky.

It covered the sky and obscured the sun, vast and boundless.

At the same time, a voice resounded throughout heaven and earth.

"Old demon empress, get out here for this lord! Same old rules, Xuanwu Gate duel, whoever chickens out is a grandson."

"......"

Inside Qianqing Palace, everyone fell silent.

Xuanwu Gate duel?

You brought the Southern Heavenly Gate with you, and you're still thinking about a Xuanwu Gate duel!

Duel? Who can duel against a living King of Hell like you!

Everyone looked at Empress Wu Yue, who was kicked to the ground, and then at the Zhongshu Ling (Grand Secretary) leading them.

"Now what?"

"What else can we do? One takes responsibility for one's actions. Put armor on this demon empress and send her to Xuanwu Gate."

Zhongshu Ling (Grand Secretary) said indifferently.

"You... what are you doing? Are you rebelling? Guards! Guards! I will kill you all, kill you all!"

Seeing everyone approaching with menacing looks, Wu Yue was terrified. She had never seen such a scene before.

"You still think you're the Emperor?"

"It's questionable whether you'll even return from Xuanwu Gate. You still want to kill us?"

"The military power is in our hands, your shouting is useless!"

"Go on your way peacefully! We will manage this Great Wu empire well for you!"

"......."

Following the order, everyone stepped forward, stripped off the Empress's clothes, and put on heavy armor.

Then, grabbing her hair, they dragged her alive from Qianqing Palace to Xuanwu Gate.