The Empress remarried, and I retaliated by wiping out the court.

Qin Xianda was completely stunned by the scolding.

As one of the nine powerful ministers of the Great Yan, he usually does not concern himself with state affairs, but everyone knows that he holds a large army and no one dares to disrespect him.

This was the first time Qin Xianda had been verbally abused like this, and the veins on his forehead throbbed, his breathing became rapid.

"Outrageous! Even the late emperor wouldn't dare humiliate me like this. Aren't you afraid of alienating the people? Aren't you afraid of being condemned by everyone?"

"Point at your grandma's head!"

Ye Wudao grabbed the memorial from the table and smashed it towards Qin Xianda's head, cursing angrily:

"When the enemy attacks, you not only don't help, but you also cause trouble. Does someone like you deserve to be a subject? You might as well find a pillar and kill yourself!"

"you!!!"

The corner of the memorial hit Qin Xianda in the face. He cried out in pain, covered his face, and gasped for breath.

"His Majesty!"

Li Juzheng stepped forward, looked directly at Ye Wudao, and said, "The Marquis of Dingyuan meant well. Your Majesty may have acted decisively, but has Your Majesty considered how to deal with the Regent's army?"

"If the throne is usurped because of this matter, and the Ye family's eight-hundred-year-old royal legacy is destroyed, how will Your Majesty face your ancestors?"

Li Juzheng said coldly, "This old minister admits that Your Majesty is far superior to ordinary people in matters of court intrigue."

"But the imperial court is ultimately just the imperial court. When tens of thousands of iron cavalry are at the city gates, imperial edicts cannot suppress swords, and literary works cannot stop spears. Even if His Majesty has extraordinary talent, he cannot defeat a million armored soldiers."

The same issue, addressed from different angles by Qin Xianda and Li Juzheng, produced vastly different results, clearly demonstrating the difference in their abilities.

Li Juzheng, that old fox, was good at playing the soft game. If you scolded him, he would treat it like a mosquito bite, feeling no pain or itch.

Ye Wudao did not berate Li Juzheng in the same way he had Qin Xianda; instead, he calmly looked at him.

"So, according to Grand Secretary Li, if I encounter rebellious ministers in the future, I should all compromise and yield for the sake of the so-called greater good?"

Ye Wudao was well aware of the current situation.

But he desperately needed a victory!

To restore imperial power!

Restore the emperor's majesty!

The current imperial power is like a tiger that is terminally ill; everyone knows that the tiger is sick and weak, and can be easily bullied.

This battle with the Regent is an opportunity to show our teeth and claws.

Once General Yuan arrives, he can attack the enemy from both sides, intimidating the villains and giving the imperial power a chance to breathe.

If we lose, we will expose our weaknesses and invite attacks from all sides.

Only by winning, and winning beautifully, will all those who looked down on him completely stop their contemptuous gaze.

Li Juzheng cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, do as much as you are capable of."

Ye Wudao sneered, staring at Li Juzheng, and said, "But I believe that there is no one under heaven whom I cannot touch! There is no one whom I cannot kill!"

These words were meant to send a warning, and Li Juzheng, considering Ye Wudao's recent actions, couldn't help but think:

Could it be that Ye Wudao really has a backup plan?

But who doesn't know that Ye Wudao has only been on the throne for three months, and apart from the Eastern Depot's guards, he has no troops at all. How can he possibly resist the 30,000 Imperial Guards?

Qin Xianda, standing to the side, pursed his lips, guessing at Ye Wudao's backup plan.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't think of any way Ye Wudao could turn the tables.

Just as everyone was at a stalemate, a high-pitched announcement rang out throughout the imperial study:

"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"

Qin Xianda's eyes lit up. Empress Dowager Jiang was Ye Wudao's birth mother and was closest to the faction of powerful ministers. With her intervention, Ye Wudao would have no choice but to comply.

Soon, a woman in a bright yellow phoenix robe with golden phoenixes around her shoulders slowly entered the imperial study.

"Greetings, Empress Dowager!"

The officials all bowed in greeting.

Empress Dowager Jiang glanced at everyone, and finally fixed her gaze on Ye Wudao.

"Your Majesty, I have heard about it. It was just a moment of anger; why escalate it to the point of war?"

"The Regent commands the army, and nine powerful ministers hold sway over the court. You're young and impetuous; what harm is there in yielding a little?"

"Later, come with me to the Prince Zhenguo's mansion to apologize to the Regent, and this matter will be over."

The imperial study fell silent, and everyone looked at Ye Wudao.

Ye Wudao was a transmigrator. Although he inherited the original owner's memories, he had no affection for his biological mother.

There is no other reason.

Three months ago, nine powerful ministers launched a palace coup, resulting in the tragic death of the late emperor. This empress dowager was a traitor who led the coup. Without her stabbing in the back, the late emperor would never have been defeated so quickly.

If it weren't for blood ties, Ye Wudao would have killed her long ago.

Ye Wudao remained calm and said:

"Mother, if I bow my head today, they will climb over my head to rise in the future. My mind is made up, there is no need for further discussion!"

Empress Dowager Jiang's eyebrows stood on end.

"How dare you! I am your mother, and filial piety has always been the foremost virtue. Do you not even listen to me?"

Ye Wudao's gaze remained calm.

"It is precisely because you are my mother that I show you respect. Otherwise, do you think you would still be standing here?"

"You, how dare you defy me!"

Empress Dowager Jiang's chest heaved violently with anger.

"Even your father couldn't defeat them, do you think you're more capable than him? You're gambling with the entire Ye family's empire!"

Ye Wudao sneered, "Don't you have any self-awareness about why my father couldn't defeat them? Do I need to remind you what you did back then?!"

"presumptuous!"

Empress Dowager Jiang was so angry that her old face twisted in anger.

From beginning to end, Ye Wudao didn't give her any face at all!

He didn't treat her like his own mother at all!

Qin Xianda stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "Your Majesty, stop this nonsense! I'll put it this way today: Your Majesty either chooses to confront the Regent head-on, or the Ye family's empire will be destroyed!"

"Or, let this old minister personally escort His Majesty to the Prince's residence. A simple kowtow and apology to the Regent will resolve the matter."

At this point, Qin Xianda revealed his true ambition and fangs.

He wanted Ye Wudao to bow his head and deflate his arrogance.

If Ye Wudao bows his head this time, he can forget about raising his head in the imperial court from now on.

He, as an intermediary, could gain the greatest influence and even replace the regent, becoming a pillar of the court.

Kill two birds with one stone!

Ye Wudao laughed in extreme anger, his eyes icy cold.

"Kneel? You want me to kneel?"

"Qin Xianda, you've lived for decades, have you simply wasted your life?"

"The fundamental principles of ruler and subject, and the hierarchy of superiors and inferiors."

"Since ancient times, it has always been the case that subjects kneel to their rulers, never the other way around. Even a three-year-old child understands this principle, yet you, the dignified Marquis of Dingyuan, are you less than a three-year-old?"

"Such treasonous words! Do you think I dare not execute your entire clan?"

Ye Wudao's words left Qin Xianda utterly humiliated.

His face was grim, and he glared at Ye Wudao, speaking slowly:

"So, according to Your Majesty's words, a clash with the Regent would result in their utter destruction, and the Ye family's empire would be ruined in an instant. Is this what Your Majesty desires?"

Ye Wudao retorted without any politeness, "The fate of the Ye family's empire is none of your business! Besides, don't think I don't know your despicable thoughts; you wish the Ye family would die!"

Ye Wudao's words terrified Qin Xianda!

Even the late emperor only dared to compromise with a few powerful ministers, yet Ye Wudao dared to openly declare this in public.

That's enough.

Ye Wudao flicked his hand and said coldly:

"My mind is made up today. There's no need for further persuasion. If you're any cowards, go talk to the Regent. Don't try to pester me here; it's disgusting. Get out!"

That's all.

He tossed his dragon robe aside and strode out of the hall.

Only the assembled officials remained, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Qin Xianda looked at Li Juzheng: "Since Your Majesty is so determined to die, then this old minister wishes him a good reincarnation! Humph!"

He flicked his sleeve and followed.

Fang Xiaozhi and other court officials could only look to Li Juzheng with pleading eyes.

Li Juzheng sighed deeply and said:

"Now, the only option is to have that person step in..."