Who Cares

As the four words settled, a deathly silence filled the hall.

Everything was now set in stone.

Kneeling on the ground, Xiao Jie's body went completely limp the moment he heard those four words.

He stared blankly ahead, already seeing the future.

And the impending purge of the entire Xiao clan behind him.

It would not just be these Xiao clan officials in the imperial court.

Outside the Divine Capital, across the cities and counties of the thirteen commanderies, there were countless lower-ranking Xiao descendants, relatives by marriage, and old friends who had never even set foot in the court.

They knew nothing of the storm that had struck the court today. Perhaps they were still striving for the clan's glory, still dreaming of rising to greatness using the Xiao clan's name.

But what awaited them next would be a thorough and absolute reckoning.

It was foreseeable that within three days, the first batch of Xiao officials would be stripped of their posts and investigated.

Within half a month, a batch of heads would roll.

Within three months, the Lanling Xiao clan, which had entrenched itself in the Great Luo court for decades with proteges and former subordinates spread across the world, would completely become a thing of the past.

Xiao Jie closed his eyes. Two streams of muddy tears rolled down his cheeks and dripped onto the golden floor tiles without a sound.

The Xiao clan officials kneeling behind him were equally ashen-faced.

They knew their impending fate even better than Xiao Jie did.

All the wealth, glory, power, and status they had gained over the years by clinging to the Xiao clan would vanish like a bubble.

Their wives, concubines, children, and servants would all be implicated.

Yet they did not resist, did not argue, and did not even utter a single word begging for mercy.

Because everyone knew that this was the best possible outcome.

Yes, the best.

Because Xiao Song was still here.

Because the greatest pillar of the Xiao clan had not fallen.

Even if he had lost his authority, even if he was confined to his home to reflect on his mistakes.

As long as this old Chief Minister was still alive.

The Xiao clan would not be completely uprooted.

The core descendants of the Xiao clan, the industries that had long transitioned behind the scenes, and the network of connections buried across the two capitals and thirteen commanderies could all be preserved.

People like Cui Shifan, Hu Juzheng, and Yuan Zhengqing would exercise restraint out of respect for Xiao Song and would not push things to the absolute brink.

After all, no one knew if Xiao Song might one day regain his power.

Even Emperor Luo himself needed Xiao Song alive.

As long as there was no issue with Xiao Song, then naturally there was no issue with Emperor Luo, who had let him serve as Chief Minister for decades.

Emperor Luo would remain that unparalleled, sagacious ruler who had merely been temporarily deceived by a treacherous official.

The fall of the Xiao clan not only did no harm to Emperor Luo, but rather added a bit more majesty to his thunderous methods.

This was the true imperial court.

There was no absolute good or evil, no pure right or wrong, only the weighing and exchanging of interests.

Xiao Jie was abandoned, the Xiao clan was purged, Xiao Song was protected, Emperor Luo's majesty grew even stronger, new nobles like Cui Shifan rose to power, and the national treasury was replenished...

All parties got what they wanted.

Or rather, they got what they could accept.

As for those who were sacrificed, purged, exiled, or had their homes confiscated...

Who cared?

The deathly silence in the hall lasted for about ten breaths.

Then, Emperor Luo on the dragon throne slowly opened his mouth to call a name:

Cui Shifan.

Cui Shifan immediately stepped forward, bowing and cupping his hands, his movements meticulous:

This old minister is here.

This matter is of grave importance. Emperor Luo's gaze swept over Xiao Jie, who was slumped on the ground, and then over those ashen-faced Xiao clan officials. You will temporarily take over Xiao Song's position as Chief Minister and take full charge of the thorough investigation of this case.

You must ensure the truth comes to light. Do not wrong a single good person.

And do not let a single bad person go.

Cui Shifan bowed deeply:

I receive your decree.

His voice was steady, devoid of any excitement or trepidation, as if what he was accepting was not the position of Chief Minister, second only to one and above ten thousand, but rather an ordinary errand.

But everyone knew.

From this moment on, the power structure of the Great Luo court had changed.

The era of Xiao Song had ended.

The era of Cui Shifan had begun.

Emperor Luo did not pause, continuing to call out names:

Hu Juzheng, Yuan Zhengqing.

The two stepped forward and bowed simultaneously:

Your minister is here.

Your minister is here.

The two of you will assist Cui Shifan and be responsible for the thorough investigation of this case.

Emperor Luo said flatly, Arrest those who should be arrested, interrogate those who should be interrogated, and sentence those who should be sentenced.

Within three days, give me a preliminary result.

We receive your decree!

Hu Juzheng and Yuan Zhengqing replied in unison, their voices sonorous and powerful.

With the three of them standing together, anyone looking at this lineup knew that Emperor Luo was serious this time and intended to thoroughly purge the Xiao clan.

Meanwhile, Xiao Song remained standing in his original spot, bowing slightly, as if all of this had nothing to do with him.

Emperor Luo took one last sweeping glance at the civil and military officials, then said:

Today's morning court will end here for now.

Once the Grand Secretariat has sorted out this case and drafted a protocol, we will discuss it further.

Dismissed.

As his voice fell, Lyu Fang immediately took a step forward and shouted in a high-pitched voice:

Court is dismissed!

The sound waves echoed throughout the grand hall.

On the dragon throne, Emperor Luo had already stood up cleanly and decisively. Without sparing another glance at the people in the hall, he turned and walked toward the rear hall.

In the span of a few breaths, his figure disappeared behind the heavy curtains.

He left crisply and neatly.

With Emperor Luo's departure, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly relaxed.

But immediately following that was an even more subtle silence.

The civil and military officials began to exit in an orderly manner, filing out according to their ranks, from front to back, from left to right.

No one spoke, and no one even dared to breathe loudly. Everyone kept their heads down, their footsteps hurried, afraid of stirring up any trouble during this sensitive time.

But observant individuals noticed something.

A few people did not move.

Crown Prince Luo Zhao still stood by the side of the jade steps.

Second Prince Luo Yanchen had no expression on his face; he merely watched Xiao Jie, who was slumped on the ground, quietly.

The new Chief Minister Cui Shifan stood together with Hu Juzheng and Yuan Zhengqing. They were conversing in low voices about something, their expressions solemn.

And Xiao Song also stood in his original spot, as if he were waiting for something.

Only Gu Chengyin was quietly shifting his footsteps toward the hall doors.

His movements were very light and very slow.

A look of earnest candor still hung on his face, but his eyes were already darting around, searching for the best retreat route.

You must be joking, why wouldn't he slip away at a time like this?

The people left behind were obviously going to the warm pavilion for a small-scale, top-level meeting.

To discuss how to deal with the aftermath, how to distribute the benefits, and how to arrange the follow-up.

Even though he had made a great contribution today, when it was time to avoid suspicion, one still had to avoid it.

Gu Chengyin quietly edged near the hall doors, looking as though he was about to blend into the crowd of departing officials.

Junior Preceptor Gu.

A voice, as cold and clear as an icy spring, sounded behind him.

Gu Chengyin's footsteps halted.

He slowly turned around, his face already replaced with a respectful and humble expression, and looked toward the source of the voice.

Luo Zhao was looking at him quietly.

Those phoenix eyes remained calm and unrippled, but Gu Chengyin astutely sensed that beneath this calm, something rather ominous seemed to be hiding.

Your Highness, Gu Chengyin bowed in greeting.

Luo Zhao said flatly, You will come along with me.

Gu Chengyin was taken aback. Pointing at himself, he asked, Do I have to go too?

Luo Zhao glanced at him. You are my Junior Preceptor. Why wouldn't you go?

Gu Chengyin opened his mouth, seeming as though he wanted to say something more, but he ultimately swallowed his words and bowed in compliance:

Your minister obeys.

Then, he obediently stood where he was, no longer attempting to slip away.

However, his mind had already begun to race with rapid calculations.

Soon, the sound of footsteps echoed from the direction of the rear hall.

Lyu Fang appeared in the hall once again, bowing to the few people who were still standing as he spoke:

"Everyone, His Majesty requests your presence."