Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 379 Accountability

At this moment, the Hall of Supreme Harmony was already solemn and dignified. Civil and military officials lined up on both sides according to their rank, and there was not a sound. A heavy atmosphere permeated the air.

On the dragon throne, Shen Yuxi sat upright, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe. His face was majestic, and his eyes were sharp as an eagle as he surveyed the officials below. He exuded a sense of oppression from someone who had long held a high position.

Shen Yuxi's gaze fell on Shen Yanzhou, Shi Wanxia, ​​and Cui Zhihao, who had just entered the hall. He paused slightly, then said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, Minister Shi, Minister Cui, you have arrived. Please stand aside."

After bowing respectfully, the three stood at the end of the procession as instructed.

Shi Wanxia stood quietly to the side with her eyes lowered. She could clearly feel the almost suffocating low pressure in the hall and knew in her heart that today's morning court was destined to be anything but peaceful.

As expected, Shen Yuxi shifted his gaze from the three men back to the assembled officials, his tone suddenly turning stern: "Do you all know what momentous event occurred last night on the east and west main streets of the capital?"

The hall was completely silent; no one dared to answer.

Many court officials wore expressions of fear, clearly having already heard the news.

Shen Yuxi slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, his voice booming like thunder in the hall: "Spies from Yan Yue Kingdom! How dare you infiltrate my Cang Ling capital and set fire to the city in broad daylight, causing dozens of deaths and injuries on East Street."

And you?

A cold rebuke suddenly broke the silence. Shen Yuxi's voice was not loud, but it carried an icy chill that struck the hearts of the ministers.

"What are you doing!"

The suddenly raised question was like a thunderclap, making the beams and pillars in the hall seem to hum.

Shen Yuxi slammed his hand on the armrest, the dragon throne making a dull thud. He abruptly stood up, the hem of his bright yellow dragon robe sweeping across the edge of the throne, creating a sharp gust of wind.

"You take the court's salary, eat the people's offerings, and are kept in this court as good-for-nothings? Are you just here to sit idly by and do nothing?!"

His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept across faces that were filled with fear, confusion, or forced composure.

"They all boast of their loyalty to the emperor and their country in ordinary times, but when it comes to the crucial moment, they all become cowards!"

Terrified by this thunderous wrath, all the officials knelt down in unison, their heads pressed tightly against the cold gold bricks, not daring to even breathe.

Everyone knows that His Majesty is furious at this moment, and the slightest carelessness could backfire.

Shen Yuxi's gaze, sharp as an ice-cold knife, slowly fell upon the slightly plump old man in the crowd—Wang Huan, the Prefect of Jingzhao.

Wang Huan came from the Wang clan of Taiyuan, a prestigious family with a century-long history. He held considerable influence in the imperial court and often displayed a reserved arrogance even when facing the crown prince.

"Wang Huan!"

Shen Yuxi's voice suddenly turned to him, carrying undisguised sarcasm.

"As the Prefect of the Capital, you are in charge of the security of the capital, yet you allow treacherous people to run rampant right under the emperor's nose!"

"The Crown Prince was assassinated, the East Street was set on fire, the West Street was poisoned... Every single incident caused a great uproar, and the people were filled with fear, yet you couldn't even catch a glimpse of him!"

He took two steps forward, his dragon boots clattering on the gold bricks with a dull thud, each step seeming to pound on the hearts of his ministers.

"Does the prestige of the Wang family of Taiyuan give you such confidence that you treat the lives of the people of Cangling as worthless?"

"Or do you think that the stability of this capital is not as important as the reputation of your royal family?"

Shen Yuxi's voice was icy cold.

Wang Huan trembled, his forehead pressed against the ground, cold sweat instantly soaking the back of his court robes.

He opened his mouth, but found his throat so dry that he couldn't make a sound.

Yesterday's events happened too suddenly. The poisoning in West Street and the assassination attempt on the Eastern Palace occurred almost simultaneously. His constables were scattered and overwhelmed, trying to maintain order while also investigating clues. They were extremely busy but achieved very little.

Being questioned by the emperor in public, especially by the phrase "treating the lives of ordinary people as worthless," felt like a heavy blow to him.

Seeing that he remained silent, Shen Yuxi's anger intensified, and he swept his gaze across the entire court: "Listen up, all of you! The spies from Yan Yue Kingdom have already infiltrated the heart of Cang Ling!"

"They dared to assassinate the Crown Prince right under my nose, and dared to poison innocent people in the well. This is a provocation against my bottom line and a trampling of the prestige of Cangling!"

He suddenly raised his voice, which echoed throughout the hall with a chilling power: "If it weren't for the Crown Prince's composure and skillful command, and if it weren't for Lin Yiyu's swift reaction in sealing off all the poisonous wells and preventing more people from suffering, just imagine what Cangling would look like today?!"

"In the streets and alleys, ordinary people are dying violently; within the capital, the people are filled with fear! And what about you?"

Shen Yuxi snorted coldly and turned his gaze to the Minister of War: "Zhao Xun, the Ministry of War is in charge of the army and the defense of the capital. Yet you have allowed spies from the enemy country to infiltrate the city and caused such serious incidents as the assassination of the crown prince, arson, and poisoning. What do you have to say about this?"

Minister of War Zhao, his face also deathly pale, stepped forward and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I have failed in my duties and neglected my defenses. I deserve to die a thousand deaths. Please punish me!"

"He deserves death?"

Shen Yuxi laughed in anger, "If a mere 'deserves to die' could outweigh the lives of ordinary people and the dignity of Cang Ling, then being an official would be far too easy!"

His gaze then swept over the Minister of Revenue, "Fan Peng, the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of money and supplies. If spies are active in the city, there must be traces to be found. Are there no abnormalities in the flow of money and supplies? Your Ministry of Revenue has failed in its investigation and cannot shirk its responsibility!"

Minister of Revenue Fan also stepped forward to plead guilty: "Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, I failed in your duty and beg you to punish me."

In an instant, several high-ranking officials in the hall knelt down one after another to beg for forgiveness, and the atmosphere became extremely oppressive.

The other court officials were also silent and trembling, not daring to even breathe loudly, for fear of angering the emperor.

Shen Yuxi looked at the trembling ministers below, his anger subsided slightly, but his tone remained stern: "This matter must not be left unresolved! Pei Xuan, you have three days to thoroughly investigate all the details of the West Street poisoning case and bring all those involved to justice!"

"As for you, guards, throw Wang Huan into the dungeon and await your fate!"

"Zhao Xun, immediately send more men to strengthen the capital's defenses and strictly check all people entering the city. We must not allow any more suspicious persons to sneak in!"

"Fan Peng, you must be prepared to appease the people, allocate resources, treat the poisoned people, and make sure to stabilize public morale!"

"Your Majesty, we obey!" the ministers replied hastily, their voices filled with relief.

Shen Yuxi then calmed his breathing, his gaze sweeping across the hall before finally settling on Shen Yanzhou. His tone softened slightly: "Your Highness, you handled last night's events quite well. You remained calm in the face of danger, promptly organized manpower to control the situation, and sealed off the source of the poison. Your contribution is invaluable."

Shen Yanzhou stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subject dares not take credit; this is merely your duty."

"It was thanks to the Emperor's daily teachings and the cooperation of all the generals that we were able to control the situation in time."

Shen Yuxi nodded slightly, quite pleased with the Crown Prince's humility.

His gaze then turned to Shi Wanxia, ​​a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "Minister Shi, there were many wounded on East Street last night, and the situation was critical. You were able to take on the mission in a time of crisis, stay up all night to treat the wounded, and calm people's hearts in an orderly manner. This is truly commendable."

"An ordinary woman would have been terrified at the sight of such a bloody scene, but you remained calm and composed, which shows your extraordinary courage and concern for the people."

"I am very pleased."

Upon hearing this, Shi Wanxia immediately stepped forward, knelt down, and bowed, her voice calm and humble: "Your Majesty flatters me. I have only done my duty and dare not take credit for it."

"The successful treatment of the wounded last night was thanks to the Crown Prince, Lord Cui, and the many doctors and soldiers who worked together."

"Thanks to Your Majesty's divine might and His Highness the Crown Prince's skillful command, I dare not claim credit for it all."