Celestial Harmony Palace
(Morning assembly)
As the grand hall echoed with the murmurs of court officials, Emperor Xu Tianguan remained impassive, his sharp gaze sweeping over the gathered ministers. The tension in the room was thick, each official acutely aware of the fate that had just befallen one of their own.
Lord Xu Zixuan stepped forward, his voice steady as he addressed the Emperor. "Your Majesty, justice has been served. However, I fear this is merely a piece of a much larger scheme."
Emperor Xu Tianguan's expression did not waver. "You believe there are others involved?"
Xu Zixuan bowed slightly. "The smuggling operation could not have been orchestrated by Minister Huang Jingde alone. There are whispers that other officials turned a blind eye or directly profited from these illicit dealings."