The Dowager Empress's voice rang out.
"Though the sovereign has not yet assumed personal rule and I hold the authority to decide matters alone, I have rarely exercised it, unwilling to contend with my beloved ministers for power. However, since this matter concerns whether Lord Swordbrow remains or leaves, I have no choice but to speak. Lord Swordbrow is the leader of the civil officials, a hero of the military, like a pillar holding up the heavens for the Jing Kingdom. Should Lord Swordbrow depart, the Jing Kingdom will surely fall into turmoil..."
But Fang Yun suddenly interrupted the Dowager Empress. "Your Majesty is mistaken. The most turbulent time in the Jing Kingdom's past century was when the Barbarian Race marched south. Without Lord Swordbrow, this prime minister still led the people of the Jing Kingdom in following Sage Chen's incarnation and repelling the invading enemy."
"How outrageous! With Lord Swordbrow still here, you already dare interrupt the Dowager Empress. If Lord Swordbrow leaves, will you not tear open the roof of the Golden Throne Hall?" Sheng Boyuan denounced Fang Yun directly, his anger shooting skyward.
Fang Yun said calmly, "I believe the Dowager Empress's words are unreasonable, so naturally I may offer counsel at any time. Just as you interrupted me, yet I did not fly into a rage from humiliation. Dowager Empress, please continue."
Everyone saw the silhouette behind the curtain stir faintly, as though she had taken a deep breath.
Many officials immediately felt the grief of the rabbit dead and the fox sorrowful. Back when Liu Shan held overwhelming power over court and country, the Dowager Empress had been just like this, and most officials had also dared to rage but not speak. Who could have expected that after only a few good years, that old