Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Another Sinister Plot? The Shock of the Zhou Ministers!

The man’s voice echoed through the hall.

Expressions shifted, growing strange on the faces of those present.

They turned towards the entrance and saw him—dressed in a python robe and wearing a golden crown, his pale face and sunken eyes stood out against the regal attire.

Xu Jingzong, Wei Yuanzhong, and the other ministers exchanged uncertain glances.

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Wu Zhao’s gaze remained calm as she addressed him.

“Prince Wu, why have you returned?”

The man was none other than Wu Yuanshuang, one of her half-brothers.

Though he held the title of Prince Wu, he had been sent to a remote area due to his unruly behaviour, and their late father had never favoured him.

Wu Yuanshuang gave a slight smile and replied,

“Your Majesty, have you forgotten? In a month, it will be the anniversary of our father’s passing. Naturally, I must return to pay my respects.”

Yang Yi’s brow furrowed as he observed the man. He recalled that the Empress had two half-brothers—Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang—both of whom had been granted titles and exiled, rarely making appearances.

Yet, one had resurfaced at such a critical moment.

Wu Zhao’s voice remained even.

“Of course, I haven’t forgotten.”

Wu Yuanshuang nodded, his demeanor suddenly becoming serious.

“Your Majesty, on my way here, I heard troubling news—the Qing army is approaching our borders. Our Great Zhou stands on the brink of disaster.”

Wu Zhao’s expression remained unreadable.

“Oh? Do you have a solution?”

Wu Yuanshuang’s face grew stern.

“It was Yang Yi who provoked Qianlong, and the Qing Emperor has specifically named him. In my humble opinion, we should hand over Yang Yi and apologize to the Qing Dynasty. Perhaps we can avoid this calamity.”

He glanced around the hall.

“Lords, don’t you agree? Given our current situation, isn’t Yang Yi the obvious criminal?”

Yang Yi’s eyes narrowed as he watched Wu Yuanshuang

The hall fell into an uncomfortable silence.

It was undeniable—Qianlong’s sudden aggression was sparked by Yang Yi’s relentless slander. If not for Yang Yi’s sharp words, perhaps the Qing Emperor wouldn’t have mobilized his entire army in a fit of rage.

Yang Yi chuckled inwardly.

What had he ever done to offend Prince Wu?

Just as the silence became unbearable, Wu Zhao’s cold voice broke through.

“Enough.”

“No matter the circumstances, I will never hand over Minister Yang.”

“Qianlong insulted our Great Zhou, and Minister Yang has laboured tirelessly for the nation. How could he be considered a criminal?”

Wu Yuanshuang was visibly flustered, stammering for a moment before responding,

“I’m only thinking of the kingdom’s welfare, Your Majesty. Besides, what other way is there to resist the Qing army’s 400,000 troops?”

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances. Though Wu Yuanshuang’s words were harsh, there was some logic to them.

The Qing cavalry was not a force to be taken lightly.

Wu Zhao frowned slightly, her sharp eyes scanning the room.

“Does anyone have a good strategy?”

The ministers lowered their heads, the overwhelming might of the Qing army looming large in their minds. Any plan they proposed felt like a desperate gamble.

Wu Zhao felt a wave of disappointment wash over her as she glanced at Yang Yi.

Yet, as always, his expression remained serene, completely unaffected by Wu Yuanshuang’s accusations.

Clinging to a thread of hope, Wu Zhao turned her full attention to him.

“Minister Yang, do you have a plan to repel the enemy?”

All eyes shifted to Yang Yi, their gazes a mixture of hope, doubt, and even disdain.

Yang Yi smiled faintly and bowed.

“Your Majesty, I do not have a plan to repel the enemy…”

A murmur rippled through the room, tinged with disappointment.

Wu Yuanshuang sneered openly. He never believed that this ‘strategist’ would be able to pull off anything impressive, especially now.

Wu Zhao’s own disappointment was evident, though she gave a slight nod.

“It’s fine if there is no plan. Our Great Zhou will…”

Before she could finish, Yang Yi continued,

“But, Your Majesty, while I do not have a plan to repel the enemy, I do have a plan to destroy them.”

The hall erupted into silence, shocked gasps escaping from some of the ministers.

A plan to destroy the enemy?

Xu Jingzong and the other officials exchanged startled looks, feeling chills race down their spines. There was a world of difference between repelling an enemy and annihilating them!

Wu Yuanshuang’s face twisted in disbelief. He eyed Yang Yi with suspicion and a growing dislike.

How could their forces, no matter how skilled, hope to annihilate the Qing Dynasty’s elite cavalry?

“I think you’ve lost your mind,” Wu Yuanshuang spat, his tone sharp.

“You’re the one who provoked the Qing Dynasty, dragging our Great Zhou into this mess, and now you dare to boast about annihilation?”

“Enough!”

The Empress’s icy command sliced through the air.

Wu Yuanshuang’s face stiffened. He hadn’t anticipated such a harsh reprimand. His frustration bubbled, but under Wu Zhao’s piercing gaze, he kept silent.

He had no choice but to back down, though he grumbled quietly,

“Arrogant fool…”

Wu Zhao’s gaze softened slightly as she addressed Yang Yi again.

“Minister Yang, please, share your strategy.”

The tension in the hall shifted as everyone focused on Yang Yi, some daring to hope that perhaps, just maybe, he had a solution.

Yang Yi stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Your Majesty, my plan requires three days…”

“Three days?”

Xu Jingzong murmured, confusion clouding his features.

Wu Yuanshuang scoffed loudly.

“Three days? Are you stalling for time to make your escape?”

Yang Yi smiled coolly.

“Even if Prince Wu were to run, I wouldn’t.”

The muscles in Wu Yuanshuang’s jaw twitched, his temper flaring, but before he could respond, Wu Zhao interjected.

“I trust Minister Yang,” she declared, her voice resolute.

The room fell silent again. Wu Yuanshuang could only bite his tongue, furious that his sister had sided with this so-called strategist once more.

But he was curious to see what miraculous plan this ‘pretty boy’ would devise in three days.

The court session soon ended, and Yang Yi quietly departed the palace, slipping into a secret location within the Imperial City.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side…