They panicked.
For a moment, all the ministers panicked.
Which of those present did not hold a high office?
Using their positions to amass wealth and plant their own men was as easy as reaching out a hand.
Deng Shigao swallowed hard, cold sweat continually trickling down his forehead.
Last year, to cover a deficit, he had secretly swapped out the Northern Region's military grain supplies, causing three border soldiers to die of cold and hunger;
Wang Yong clenched the silk handkerchief inside his sleeve. It bore a list of the "thank-you gifts" Jiangnan's salt merchants had given him, and the figures on it were enough to have his property confiscated and his entire clan executed.
With such great power in their hands, whose dealings were free of stains?
Who dared claim to be completely innocent?
"Her Majesty is going to... purge the court."
Someone slumped to the floor, his voice trembling.
The leader of the Fire Phoenix Guard said nothing more, turning to close the door.
Clunk!
The instant the heavy bronze lock clicked shut, the hall erupted into an uproar.
"What do we do? I only just accepted gold from the Bureau of Weaving last month!"
"My son abducted a commoner girl, and Lord Wang helped me bury the matter!"
Everyone talked over one another. Only Wang Yong closed his eyes in thought.
A moment later, he opened them and said gravely, "Why panic? I burned the ledgers in my study long ago, and the witnesses have been sent off to the Southern Border. They won't find any solid evidence."
Then he looked at Deng Shigao. "You didn't leave any evidence of your dealings either, did you?"
Deng Shigao shook his head as well, lowering his voice. "I had my trusted men replace the grain ledgers long