The Grand Secretariat yamen sank into a prolonged silence.
The high ministers followed his gaze.
The Retired Emperor likewise stared at the powerful eunuch of the Inner Court.
Jia Huan said calmly:
"Eunuch Xia, it is time to lay bare your atrocities."
A kindly smile rested on Xia Shouzhong's deeply furrowed face as he asked gently:
"You treacherous wretch, besides slandering me, whom else do you wish to implicate before you die?"
Almost instantly, the Retired Emperor flew into a rage, looking down at Jia Huan with profound scorn.
Could he not meet his death like a true ruthless overlord?
Here at the heart of power, beneath the historians' recording brushes, he had become a mad dog that bit everyone in sight. Was he not afraid of the whole world pointing accusing fingers at his back?
The Chief Grand Secretary looked grave as he turned respectfully toward the Retired Emperor.
He signaled that the Retired Emperor could leave first, without listening any further to a madman's venom.
"Your Majesty, have the edict drafted at once!" urged the Censor-in-Chief, one of the Nine Ministers, in a low voice.
The place from which decrees issued to the entire realm could not allow a dying man to keep spouting nonsense in his final struggles!
The dignity of the imperial family and the court's honor were being utterly ravaged by this lawless fiend!
The other senior ministers were all livid. Even the powerful eunuchs loyal to the Retired Emperor found it absurdly laughable.
Who was Xia Shouzhong?
The Helmsman of the Imperial Horse Directorate!
More importantly, he was the Director of the Six Palaces!
The entire harem of the Forbidden City fell under his jurisdiction. He could decide the fates of the court consorts, and behind every consort stood powerful aristocratic families.
If he