The Mi Dynasty's Imperial Court.
Mi Ying sat upright upon the imperial throne, while Gu Xingzhi stood calmly to one side, holding a paper fan.
Below, the ministers stood in silence, yet none of them performed the formal salute between ruler and subjects. Their gazes were all fixed on a white-haired old minister at the head of the assembly.
The white-haired old minister looked arrogant and contemptuous, showing Mi Ying on the throne not the slightest respect.
Such circumstances had long become commonplace. Though Mi Ying disliked it, she could do nothing about it.
To the ministers, she was merely a puppet. It was only a matter of time before she abdicated.
As usual, a eunuch stepped forward and called out, "If there is business, present it at once. If not, court is dismissed!"
As soon as his words fell, the powerful minister at the head of the assembly stepped forward and spoke.
"This minister has a matter to report!"
Though he merely spoke, he stood ramrod straight, showing Mi Ying above him not the slightest respect.
Mi Ying had wanted to angrily rebuke him, but Gu Xingzhi stopped her with a look, and she swallowed her anger.
"Speak your matter!" she shouted at the powerful minister, suppressing her rage.
"Your Majesty, this minister impeaches Zhang Ze, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, for knowingly breaking the law and lining his own pockets."
After speaking, he took a memorial of accusation from his sleeve and handed it to the eunuch.
The eunuch accepted it and passed it into Mi Ying's hands.
Mi Ying glanced over it, and her brows furrowed even tighter. She cast a look at the powerful minister still standing below with arrogant pride and once more restrained her anger.
She handed the memorial of accusation to