Charged with Guilt I

After talking with some of the men in the hall about not so random matters, Ying SheGu tales place beside the throne once the Emperor gest announced into the hall... One last glace goes toward the two men under the surname of Hu, they exchange a serious stare and nods toward him.

"I should have prepared the soil well enough to allow the seeds to bloom as wanted" he thinks while looking at the young boy approaching the throne. He seats down and Ying SheGu immediately calls for the maids to bring the tea forth... A bit of drug have been previously mixed in with the tea leaves, enough to cloud the drinker's mind without them feeling too much of a change.

-Let's begin... What's the fist matter of today? I heard some important reports have arrived- he asks while ungraciously taking his first sip. An old man steps forward, twisting his hands he opens his mouth -Mostly war reports, Your Majesty. The main topics of today regard matters such as the soldiers' supplies, the conquered or lost lands, requests for official promotions and... Some accusation that needs your cleaver judgment- the nervous man gulps down, afraid of what's to come since the counselor already warned him about the subject of those accusations.

The monarch leans back in the throne -How boring! I'm pretty sure you all can handle that while talking with eachother... I'll just stamp my sigil once you're done- he mumbles while emptying his cup and asking for more tea.

-Then let's start with the first topic for today- says SheGu and heads to grab the papers, laying them out on a table... He reached some hand to grab an easier topic, wanting to leave the topic of ChangLai for once the Emperor will be too high to understand properly

-Wait- says the boy and the counselor stops midway -What did you say about accusations? I would enjoy sentencing someone to death as for now- some of the men in the hall gulp down -Ah well, a soldier have been accused of betrayal but since there are not facts to prove that... The General in charge asks for our help in solving the matter- replies Ying SheGu calmly

The other one rolls his eyes -Why even write to me if there are no proofs? Warn that idiot of a general to not bother me for such things, if he's not competent enough to keep his men in check them we might as well release him from his job!- he says clearly pissed -And I even had to take time from my busy schedule to come and listen to all that ah!-

"That's literally what the job of an Emperor is..." Thinks the counselor -Should I write them a reply accordingly to the words you just spoke? If that is your final sentence- he smiles -Since I'm already here I might as well listen to this before issuing a verdict... Let's go with that one then!-

The hand of the counselor twitches sightly before changing his course and reaching for the parchment -As you desire- he says and scrolls down the paper... As the words begins to enter the ears of the ruler, his face seems to liven up with his long lost interest for court's gatherings.

He empties three more cups before the reading comes to an end...

The more the ministers hear and the more the hall is in an uproar, some don't believe their ears while others deny everything written in the report with inaudible mutters.

-Ah!!!- exults the Emperor -I see that at least one General is willing to do their job under my command! Awesome, perfect!- he rejoices -Well then, let's just sentence her to death and finally free us from such a plague. We all had our doubts on her since the incident with my brother afterall-

The hall falls in a deep silence at his words and he rises an eyebrow unamused -What? You other have something to say?! Are you going against The Emperor's words?!- he brawls.

Normally after saying that, the ministers and Nobles present would just shut up and let it go... Because normally one more death would benefit one or another of them, they have been hiding behind the emperor's foolishness to kill off potential rivals for their own path to power or radom civilians that annoyed them.

Some of them even moved false criminal accusations over important peoples for personal reasons as stupid as "he asked my daughter's hand", "he stepped on my foot", "he has higher votes than my son in the royal Academy" and so on...

But they all know this isn't the time to move accusations.

They know that touching that woman won't benefit them at all, not after she have been capable of dethroning a member of the royal family itself!

Most of them have only heard rumors about her powers and are afraid of the consequences if she was to ever set foot in between them, maybe even killing everyone if she felt threatened... And nobody would to stop her.

-Your Majesty...- steps forward the first man -I think we should examine this case carefully- the Emperor stands up -Uh?! Repeat please-

Another man comes forward -Your Majesty, we all think we shouldn't be fast to give out sentences- the boy frowns and more men start speaking up -Your Majesty, please listen to us!-

He begins turning red with rage -Shut up, shut you up, everyone silence!- he shouts toward the begging crowd and turns around in anger -You- he grabs the letter from his counselor -What do you propose we do then?!-

SheGu gently nods and begins speaking -Your Majesty is a wise ruler and as one it would be indeed wise to calmly analyze the matter at hand... At least you will manage to quite down the men behind you by doing so, I'll help you to sort out the meaning of the letter sentence by sentence if you find it too burdensome to do alone-

-Mhn mhm, yes. I'm better than my father, doing this will prove them that I am the most fitting for the throne! Wouldn't it?- he asks with a pleased smirk -It certainly will, your Majesty- smiles his counselor, having earned one more victory for himself after bending the emperor to his own will.

The boy straighten his back and turns to face the hall -Very well then! We shall examine this matter today. Counselor Ying, start by reading the letter once more without interruptions-.

...

The emperor listens quietly to the whole reading, the hall await his words with anxiety... Those against her hopeful for the emperor to trick her into fault and those who favour her wishing for the accuses to be out aside.

After a few sighs the boy focuses his eyes again on the hall and rises his head previously laid on an hand -Well, it looks clear to me what the verdict is...- the men on both sides sucks their breath in almost asking for the boy to speak faster -... She's guilty and must be thrown out of the Army if not the Nation itself-