3996

Chapter 3996: Bandits

"That boy is truly audacious!!" The Cangzhou Emperor was so furious he almost passed out, barely catching his breath.

"Your Majesty!" General Zhou's face was grim as he clasped his fists. "Please allow this subordinate to lead troops to the Fengyang City border."

The Cangzhou Emperor wearily pinched the corner of his eye, nodding. "Issue the order. Command Zhou Chao to lead 500,000 troops and proceed to Fengyang City first."

The Cangzhou Emperor suddenly began to cough violently, striking the table beside him. He turned to Laifu. "Is the Fourth Prince still at Lonely Mountain? Go summon him back."

"Report..." The imperial guards, led by the commander of the Imperial Forest Guard and the Governor of the Capital, rushed in. They barely waited for Laifu to announce them before hastily kneeling and saluting. "Reporting to Your Majesty, at dawn this morning, unknown bandits stormed into Prime Minister Liu's residence. They killed everyone they saw, leaving no chickens or dogs alive."

"By the time the Imperial Forest Guard arrived, all the bandits had vanished without a trace."

"However, all four gates of Fengdi City—east, west, north, and south—are now under the control of the Imperial Forest Guard troops."

The Cangzhou Emperor was startled, his complexion instantly changing.

Unknown bandits?

Storming Prime Minister Liu's residence? In broad daylight, within Fengdi City itself!

Are they truly that arrogant?

Could there be bandits this arrogant?

Who would believe such a story, who would find it normal?

The Cangzhou Emperor tightened his lips and said coldly, "What were the results of the investigation?"

Cold sweat beaded on the Imperial Forest Guard Commander's forehead. He exchanged a glance with the Governor of the Capital, wiped his sweat simultaneously, and whispered, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the investigation showed... they were bandits..."

"Bang!" Rong Yuan casually picked up a jade cup and smashed it at their feet, making everyone's faces turn slightly pale, and they sealed their lips.

"Bandits, bandits, bandits! Where did these bandits come from to be so audacious?"

"Do you yourselves believe what you're saying?"

The Governor of the Capital bowed respectfully, drenched in sweat. "Your—Your Majesty, please allow this humble subject and others, to—to make amends for our incompetence. We humbly request a few more days, Your Majesty. This humble subject and others will surely investigate this matter thoroughly."

As he spoke, a sharp wailing sound came from outside, drifting into the hall through the palace gate.

A young eunuch entered with a bitter face to report, "Empress Dowager is outside, crying and begging to see Your Majesty! We simply cannot stop her."

The Cangzhou Emperor's face darkened. "First, send the Empress back to her palace. I will go there later."

After the young eunuch left, the wailing outside grew louder, their clamor irritating the Cangzhou Emperor immensely.

He rubbed his temples, his voice weary. "Summon her in."

In just a moment, Empress Liu rushed in, her face ashen. She immediately prostrated herself on the ground, crying and wailing. "Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to mete out justice!"

"Prince Chen Rong Li is insane!"

"For his selfish desires, he destroyed my entire family! I beg Your Majesty to deliver justice for my entire Liu family!"

Prime Minister Zuo Wu Yong spoke faintly, "Empress, do you have any basis for these words?"

General Zhou Chao also nodded. "If there is no basis, it is best not to speak carelessly."

"Your Majesty!" Empress Liu threw herself before the Cangzhou Emperor, snot and tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty! Besides that boy Prince Chen, who else would commit such a heinous act against the Prime Minister's Residence in recent days?"

Empress Liu said with a face full of resentment, "Your Majesty! Your humble consort demands punishment for this villain and justice for our Liu family!"

"Your Majesty, nearly ten thousand displaced people have gathered at the city gate, loudly crying out for justice!"