Deadlock

These few words instantly ignited the powder keg!

This time, the uproar in the imperial court could no longer be suppressed. Many officials could not help but exclaim in low voices and whisper among themselves.

Although everyone knew it in their hearts, having Zhao Wuji state it so bluntly during the court assembly completely changed the nature of the matter!

Chen Busha had gone to welcome Luo Zhao!

Then it went without saying whose orders he was following when he mobilized the troops without authorization.

How was this merely a military general violating military discipline? This was clearly the Crown Princess secretly mobilizing the Emperor's personal army with treasonous intent! Such a motive was punishable by death!

All eyes, once again like tangible swords, viciously pierced toward Luo Zhao.

This time, the meaning in their gazes was even more complex—containing horror, pity, scrutiny, schadenfreude, and deep apprehension.

If this matter were proven true, Luo Zhao's position as the Crown Princess would likely collapse in an instant, and her very life might be in danger!

Upon hearing "Respectfully welcoming Her Highness back to the capital," Luo Zhao's body trembled uncontrollably once more.

Despite Gu Chengyin's instruction forcefully steadying her mind, the fatal accusation hidden in those words still struck her chest like a heavy hammer.

She knew the most dangerous moment had arrived.

Zhao Wuji was directly tying the crime of unauthorized troop mobilization to her!

Her hands, hidden within her wide sleeves, clenched tightly into fists. Her nails dug deeply into her palms, the stinging pain helping her maintain her last shred of clarity.

Her mind raced at an unprecedented speed, desperately trying to find a silver lining in this hopeless situation.

Deny that Chen Busha went to welcome her? No, too many soldiers of the Golden Feather Guard had likely already confessed, and since it was the truth, denying it would only make her look ridiculous and guilty.

Admit that she had ordered Chen Busha to go? That would be courting death.

Shift the blame to Chen Busha, claiming he misinterpreted her orders or acted on his own?

This might temporarily clear her name, but Chen Busha would certainly die. The loyalty of the thirty thousand Golden Feather Guards might also waver, and she would still be unable to completely wash away the suspicion.

More importantly, would her imperial father believe it? With the Second Prince and Zhao Wuji launching successive attacks, could there be her imperial father's tacit consent or even instigation behind it all?

Plans surfaced one by one, only to be rejected one after another.

Luo Zhao found herself seemingly trapped in a true dead end. No matter how she tried to prove her innocence, she would fall into the opponent's trap.

Could it be... she was really going to fall here? Fall to this sudden, yet incredibly vicious finishing blow?

A chill, accompanied by a profound sense of powerlessness and indignant anger, rose from the bottom of Luo Zhao's heart.

She raised her eyes, looking at her silent imperial father on the dragon throne, and then at the imposing Zhao Wuji.

Finally, from the corner of her eye, she seemed to catch sight of the equally silent figure standing behind her: Gu Chengyin.

Did he... still have a way out?

His instruction only told her to neither speak nor move, but what about after? The storm had already swept her into its center; how was she supposed to escape?

A deathly silence descended upon the imperial court once more, heavier than before.

Everyone held their breath with rapt attention, waiting for the Eldest Princess's response, or perhaps waiting for Emperor Luo's ruling.

The air was thick with the oppressive atmosphere of an approaching storm and imminent thunder.

Zhao Wuji stood tall with his chest out, like a hunter with victory in sight.

The Second Prince also seemed to regain a trace of vitality. He secretly raised his eyes, glaring at Luo Zhao with venomous delight.

Luo Zhao stood there, her black royal robes still majestic, yet they seemed to bear the weight of a thousand mountains.

The storm had completely surrounded her.

Right at this critical breaking point.

"This humble minister, Gu Chengyin, Director of the Imperial Household Department, has a matter to report!"

A clear voice, like ice water poured into boiling oil, abruptly shattered the suffocating stalemate.

Swish!

Countless gazes instantly shifted away from Luo Zhao, uniformly landing on the figure who had just stepped forward and was bowing in salute.

Gu Chengyin!

This young director who had been almost entirely ignored during the Second Prince's impeachment storm, yet suddenly stepped forward after Zhao Wuji launched his attack!

What was he trying to do? Defend the Eldest Princess? Did he have the qualifications and weight to do so? Or was he just seeking his own doom?

Luo Zhao's heart skipped a beat. It took nearly all her strength to control the urge to turn her head and look.

He stepped forward? At a time like this? What was he going to say?

The instruction telling her to neither speak nor move was still fresh in her mind, yet he had stepped forward himself?

Why hadn't he sent her a new instruction? Was this a new plan? Or...

Upon the dragon throne, Emperor Luo's gaze fell upon Gu Chengyin with a scrutinizing look.

He did not respond immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, looking at the chief eunuch, Lu Fang, who stood in attendance by his side.

Lu Fang immediately understood. He leaned in slightly and quickly whispered a few words in an extremely low voice that only the two of them could hear.

Emperor Luo listened, his face remaining expressionless, but an indescribable gleam swiftly flashed across his profound, ancient-well-like eyes.

Once Lu Fang finished his report, Emperor Luo looked back down and slowly spoke:

"Director Gu."

He paused. His tone was very plain, yet it sent a chill through the hearts of all the officials who were listening attentively.

"I have heard that you played an indispensable role in Zhao'er's return from the north."

This sentence seemed like a compliment, but it was fraught with profound meaning, even carrying a hint of probing and warning.

Indispensable role? What role? The merit of escorting her? Or something else?

Gu Chengyin's expression remained unchanged as he maintained his respectful posture and said loudly, "Your Majesty praises me too highly. Escorting Her Highness is this minister's duty. Her Highness is blessed with immense fortune and naturally protected by the heavens; this minister dares not claim any credit."

His answer was flawless. He acknowledged the remark while attributing the credit to heaven's protection, keeping his stance extremely low.

Emperor Luo gave him a deep look. After a moment, he finally spat out two words: "Permission granted."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Gu Chengyin straightened his posture. The moment he opened his mouth, his words exploded in the grand hall like thunder from the ninth heaven:

"This minister implores Your Majesty to punish Xue Tian, the Commander of the Golden Feather Guard, for his incompetence in managing his subordinates, dereliction of duty, and treason!"

What?!

Everyone was stunned, including Xue Tian himself, who had been watching from the sidelines the entire time. The expression on his face instantly froze, doubting whether he had misheard.

Gu Chengyin's voice continued to ring out, every word like a blade:

"The Golden Feather Guard is Your Majesty's personal army. Tasked with defending the capital and guarding the imperial palace, their duties are of utmost importance, and their military discipline is strict. As the commander leading the entire army, Xue Tian's responsibility is heavier than Mount Tai!"

His tone suddenly shifted, becoming sharp and fierce:

"However, what Vice Commander Zhao Wuji just said is truly appalling!"

"Chen Busha, Vice Commander of the Golden Feather Guard, was actually able to successfully mobilize thirty thousand elite soldiers without any orders, leave their defensive sector, and travel all the way to Luoshui Commandery! And it wasn't until yesterday, when Chen Busha led the army back, that they were discovered and intercepted!"

Gu Chengyin raised his voice slightly, carrying a tone of interrogation:

"I dare ask Commander Xue Tian—an army of thirty thousand is not three thousand or three hundred! Such a mobilization requires rations, armaments, official warrants, and inspections at checkpoints along the way!"

"Such a massive force left the Divine Capital, trekked a long distance, and was gone for several days! During this entire period, you were completely unaware? Were the checkpoints along the way practically useless? Could it be that your Golden Feather Guard is full of blind men?!"