The situation at the Imperial Court was shrouded in mystery.
At a pointless routine court session convened by the six regents, several Imperial Princes angrily denounced Chunyang Palace's ten great crimes. The Crown Prince, whom these princes targeted at every turn, and his followers argued their case with reason, but the majority overwhelmed the minority. One minister after another spoke in righteous indignation, as though each had personally suffered Chunyang Palace's merciless oppression. Even students from the Imperial Academy had signed a petition of ten thousand people and knelt outside the palace gates to beseech the Son of Heaven.
The entire scheme had been arranged in a single night. It had to be said that these people were truly formidable in their methods.
One minister after another rose to speak in outrage.
"Chunyang Palace's businesses within Chang'an have never paid taxes! They are the worst offenders in tax evasion!"
"My grandson was merely wandering the streets when those detestable Daoists broke his leg! This is utterly outrageous! It infuriates me to death!"
"More than that—many commoners personally witnessed those Daoists killing people in the streets. They are truly vile."
"Heaven and earth's righteous qi, the will of the people—how can we allow them to continue acting lawlessly?"
"..."
Apart from a few faint voices of opposition, the Imperial Court was almost entirely one-sided. Those ministers who had not chosen a side and remained neutral realized that matters had already veered off course. The princes' struggle had now spread to the very foundations of rule. If this continued, would disaster not be inevitable?
Several ministers who sensed something was wrong exchanged glances, then, contrary to their usual silence, stepped forward to speak.
"Cough, cough... I have recently caught a chill. I respectfully ask the regents to permit me to return home