Guo Zhenwei suffered a humiliating rebuff at the palace gates and was even booed by quite a few military officers.
Realizing that waiting there any longer would get him nowhere, he returned to the Grand General's Residence.
When Guo Poyun learned the news, he grew deeply agitated.
As the foremost military officer, he certainly had the standing to request an audience with Li Chen. The problem was that he was under house arrest. If he went out now, given Li Chen's temper, his confinement would surely be extended.
The emperor already disliked his disregard for imperial commands. How could he possibly give him another chance?
If the emperor really did, what would the other officials think?
After pacing back and forth in the courtyard for ages, Guo Poyun told Guo Zhenwei, "Go to the Chancellor's residence at once."
Guo Zhenwei asked in confusion, "What for? We're hardly acquainted with the Chancellor."
"Ah, you don't understand. At this point, he's the only one who can see His Majesty and actually get His Majesty to listen."
"I understand, Father. I'll go right away."
Guo Zhenwei was being used like an errand boy, running all over the place.
Meanwhile, inside the palace's Imperial Study.
Pang Jin, a supervising official from the Ministry of Justice, and Imperial Censorate Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhang Ancang were kneeling before Li Chen.
Both men had only been permitted to enter the Imperial Study because Li Chen had summoned them.
Of the two, the most apprehensive was Pang Jin, the supervising official from the Ministry of Justice-or, as he could now be called, Minister of Justice Pang Jin.
Pang Jin stood tall and straight, with a capable bearing and a face as resolute as iron. An unyielding heroic spirit shone between his brows.
His presence was steady and powerful, as