In just half an hour, Wang Ziteng hurried to the Grand Secretariat offices.
"I kowtow before Your Majesty!"
He first knelt to the Retired Emperor, then prostrated himself before the emperor.
The Retired Emperor's face was livid. Pointing at him, he cursed:
"Success has gone to your head lately! That shameless scoundrel Cui Xiangwei openly deceived the throne, and you actually helped him select troops from the Capital Camp?"
Wang Ziteng lowered his head in silence.
He knew he would emerge unscathed. With the Retired Emperor's decree authorizing the troop deployment, all blame would fall on Grand Secretary Cui.
Catching sight of Grand Secretary Cui's wretched state from the corner of his eye, Wang Ziteng felt a jumble of emotions.
A grand secretary who had reached the pinnacle of official rank had been reduced to utter disgrace, stripped of every shred of dignity. That little bastard had gone far too far!
"Rise!"
The Retired Emperor fixed him with a furious glare and snapped:
"Submit a memorial impeaching yourself and reflect on your failings!"
"And another thing!"
"Cui Xiangwei deceived his superiors and subordinates alike, showing no regard for law or heaven. But you, Wang Ziteng, also failed to control the Capital Camp's commanders, allowing Pei Yu to run wild. Apologize to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Qi'an Office Guard Station at once!"
The assembled officials bowed their heads respectfully, offering not a word.
Once they learned that the deployment decree had come from the Retired Emperor, they knew there would be little spectacle to enjoy. Pursuing the matter further would undoubtedly slap the Retired Emperor in the face, implicitly condemning him as a muddleheaded, immoral ruler who had let Cui Xiangwei trick him into issuing a decree.
Emperor Jingde narrowed his eyes. Hearing that his imperial father had issued the decree