Quagmire

Right Prime Minister Ren didn't waste any time tearing into Zhang Xiu once he stepped into the large hall that was used to entertain guests.

"Where is he?" the man thundered, with not a hint of his crafted benevolence in sight.

Ordinarily, Zhang Xiu would have paid him due respect, especially since it wasn't every day one could step into the right prime minister's estate with a personal invitation. But today, he was too shaken to care. The events of the morning court had turned their entire scheme on its head and now, instead of trying to figure out how to bring their enemies down, they now had to scramble to cover their tracks and cut their losses.