Instantly, the atmosphere within the hall grew tense.
Every official shuddered, and those of the fifth and sixth ranks in the corners could not help but stretch out their necks to peer toward the front of the throne.
Even Liang Yuyin shivered as well, lifting his head in astonishment, but standing at the very rear, he could not see the expressions of those ranked ahead.
The emperor, seated upon the dragon throne, saw the censor step out and asked,
"Who wishes to memorialize?"
"Your servant Liu Xin, Assistant Censor-in-Chief of the Court of Censors, has a memorial."
According to the system of Great Zheng, the Court of Censors comprised Censor Chancellors (Principal Third Rank), Chief Censors (Principal Fourth Rank), Assistant Censors-in-Chief (Principal Fifth Rank), and Investigating Censors (Principal Sixth Rank), who were tasked with investigating and impeaching the hundreds of offices, serving as the ears, eyes, wind, and discipline of the state.
"Liu Xin," the emperor said mildly. "What is your memorial, and whom do you wish to impeach?"
Under ordinary circumstances, the aged emperor was the master of all-under-heaven and would never panic simply because a minor Assistant Censor-in-Chief leaped forward.
Yet a major matter had already been encountered.
With a secret spanning many years leaked and causing a nationwide uproar, the emperor's heart skipped a beat as he looked at Liu Xin stepping forward.
He wished in his heart to refuse permission, but at this moment, without any cause, even an emperor whose word was law had no way to deny a hearing before the ministers.
The aged emperor wore a blank expression, his gaze fixed with an unreadable mix of fury and pleasure; this stare, falling upon anyone, was enough to make their soul tremble.
Liu Xin was a slightly plump official in his thirties. Raising his