"Heh... Long live!"
Xuan Yao slowly entered the hall, followed by Chi Yu, who carried a treasured sword.
The officials in court trembled, then became deeply uneasy.
"Xu Ze, your ambitions are quite grand! You actually took advantage of my absence to seize the throne. Who gave you the nerve?"
"And you treacherous ministers—I truly couldn't tell! Have you eaten too well, or have you long harbored rebellious intentions, hmm?"
With thuds, several officials fell to their knees in terror. "Y-Your Majesty, this humble servant was deceived by that brat Xu Ze. I beg Your Majesty to spare us, considering our years of diligent service in the Imperial Court."
"I beg Your Majesty to spare us."
"Hmph, spare you? The crime of usurping the throne warrants the execution of the Nine Clans."
"If you knew it was a capital crime, why did you conspire with that traitor? Sparing your lives would violate the law."
"Hahahaha..." Xu Ze suddenly burst into laughter from atop the throne.
"Hmph, what are you laughing at, traitor?"
"You fake Xuan Yao, stop running your mouth."
"F-Fake?"
The officials in court froze, then erupted into an uproar!
Chi Yu shook his head with a smile. "Heh, are you about to call a deer a horse now?"
Xu Ze suddenly shouted, "Come here!"
Rumble, rumble! Squad after squad of soldiers clad in blue armor rushed in from all around the palace hall.
"Seize those spies impersonating the Empress!"
"Yes!"
Clatter, clatter...
The soldiers surrounded Xuan Yao and Chi Yu.
"You..." Xuan Yao frowned tightly.
Chi Yu wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side, giving her a reassuring look.
Only then did Xu Ze notice the tall, handsome Chi Yu, and he frowned.
"Who are you?"
"Hahaha, a mere commoner calling herself an