Northern Liang's Imperial City, Regent King’s Residence.
Clad in armor, a treasured sword at his waist, Duan Hongzhuo rode back from the imperial palace.
The residence's steward had already gathered a group of servants to wait outside the main gates.
Seeing Duan Hongzhuo's horse approach at a slow pace, they immediately went forward to greet him.
"Prince, several ministers are waiting in the hall." The steward came to a stop behind Duan Hongzhuo.
"Then let them wait. I will see them shortly." Duan Hongzhuo handed the reins to the steward, then strode into the residence.
Several men sat together in a side hall of the residence, conversing in low voices.
"His Majesty actually challenged the Regent King to his face today. What do you all make of this?" The Minister of Personnel looked deeply troubled.
During the morning audience, the emperor, ordinarily so amiable and approachable, had pressed the Regent King with aggressive questions, his every word carrying an undertone of accusation. This had left those ministers who were usually close to the Regent King deeply uneasy.
That the emperor dared challenge the Regent King showed that he had already resolved to take the reins of government himself.
If that truly came to pass, a bloody storm would surely sweep through the court.
This realization left these ministers anxious, with nowhere to voice their fears. They had secretly arranged to meet and arrived at the Regent King’s Residence one after another.
They had never expected the Regent King to return even later than they did.
Having entered the residence, they could hardly leave before seeing him. Thus, despite their trepidation, the ministers remained in the hall, not taking a single step outside.
Only after a long wait did they see Duan Hongzhuo appear outside the side hall.
"We pay our