Li Xinyue nodded, her face flushed, thinking that of course, they wouldn't change in front of him, that would be too embarrassing.
Chu Chen didn't think much of it and continued, "Your Highness, these people are really doing this. They suspect me of fabricating the news."
Upon hearing this, Li Xinyue couldn't help but pause, then scoffed, "Impossible. You are in Shuangyue City, and every move you make is watched. How could they possibly suspect you of doing such a thing? It must be fake."
Chu Chen remained silent. Li Xinyue was taken aback, then her face filled with alarm. "Chu Chen, you're not going to say that this matter actually has something to do with you, are you?"
Chu Chen gave a wry smile, "Your Highness, you hesitate so easily? But it's understandable."
Li Xinyue rolled her eyes at him, "How is that hesitation? You weren't speaking, so I was just confused."
Chu Chen nodded, "These people are too clever for their own good. They sent people to investigate the front lines, and I deliberately had those soldiers pretend to be defeated. I didn't expect these people to actually believe it."
Li Xinyue nodded and pondered for a moment, "Then what do you think they will do?"
Chu Chen snorted, "Aren't they already planning to impeach me? Tomorrow, I will gather troops and executioners. If they don't resort to force, then so be it."
"Then you can push them back. As long as you don't agree, they can't make much of a fuss."
Li Xinyue nodded, then said with some worry, "But what if they resort to force? Are we really going to have bloodshed in the court?"
"If they use force, then of course, we must apprehend them first. Your Highness, you are currently regent, which is equivalent to His Majesty being present in court."
"If they dare to bring troops into the court without your permission, it's tantamount to them plotting rebellion. If we apprehend them, no one can say much."
Li Xinyue nodded, then said with some difficulty, "But people have mouths, and it's hard to guarantee they won't gossip."
"With the Empress Mother not in court, if we do this, might we face criticism?"
"If we can avoid conflict, it's best to maintain harmony."
Li Xinyue was still thinking very naively and simply. As long as there were no intense disputes, the world would be at peace.
Chu Chen, however, said with a wry smile, "Your Highness, you are overthinking. Even if you don't want to argue, others will definitely make a move. This is politics, a life-and-death struggle."
Li Xinyue stuck out her tongue and smiled, "Then tell me, what should we do?"
Chu Chen coldly sneered, "Anything that threatens the court must be resolutely purged. We cannot show any leniency."
"However, before the main army arrives, we can keep their heads for now. Once the army arrives and the truth is revealed, it will be time to kill them to establish authority."
"Before we kill them, we can thoroughly investigate them and gather more evidence of their crimes."
"I don't believe these people, who are so audacious and reckless, haven't done anything else."
Li Xinyue nodded. Chu Chen's reasoning was sound, and she basically believed him.
"Then let's proceed as you say. I'm tired, so I'll rest now."
Li Xinyue had originally imagined the court to be harmonious and prosperous, the best it could be. Now, it seemed that this idea was somewhat naive.
After bidding farewell to Li Xinyue, Chu Chen returned from the palace.
These matters were actually nothing to Chu Chen.
Court intrigue was a common occurrence.
However, these people's attempts to strike him down for power had truly ignited Chu Chen's anger.
If these people behaved themselves tomorrow, so be it.
But if they dared to be disobedient, Chu Chen would definitely not miss the opportunity to teach them a lesson!
Perhaps not many people would step forward tomorrow, but a large group of people were definitely involved behind the scenes.
Dealing with these people would be like killing a chicken to scare the monkeys.
Chu Chen returned to his bedroom, lost in thought, and found that the Empress had not yet slept. Her expression seemed somewhat strange, which made him curious.
After a moment of thought, Chu Chen couldn't help but smile, "Your Majesty, are you perhaps worried that I won't be able to handle these people?"
The Empress glanced at him but didn't respond. Chu Chen chuckled awkwardly and continued, "Your Majesty, these people merely want to take advantage of the false news of the army's defeat and Your Majesty's prolonged absence to eliminate me."
"As long as I hold onto the military power, they won't be able to achieve much."
The Empress still showed no reaction, her face looking somewhat flushed, as if she were ill.
Chu Chen could only smile wryly, "Your Majesty, please rest well. I will go to sleep now."
The Empress, however, spoke, "Come up here."
As she spoke, the Empress patted the bed beside her, which was quite suggestive.
Chu Chen was stunned, as if he had misheard.
"Your Majesty, what is... what is happening?"
The Empress snorted, "If I tell you to come over, then come over."
Chu Chen was momentarily dazed and walked to the Empress's bed, sitting down and looking at her.
"Regarding what happened last time, have you spoken of it to anyone else?"
The Empress asked faintly.
Chu Chen quickly shook his head and waved his hands, "Of course not. Your Majesty, please rest assured, how could I possibly spread such a thing to others?"
The Empress nodded and directly pulled Chu Chen into her embrace.
Chu Chen was truly bewildered now. What did the Empress want?
In the past, the Empress had never been intimate, and in fact, she had extremely detested men.
Why this time, was the Empress like she had awakened?
"Last time you did that, it was because you helped me. I should repay you."
Chu Chen was slightly startled, feeling that something embarrassing might happen.
"Your Majesty, I was acting on impulse at the time and had no intention of disrespecting Your Majesty. Please forgive me."
The Empress snorted, "You've already done it, so why are you so nervous? I'm not blaming you."
"As I said, I want to repay your kindness, understand?"
Saying this, the Empress pounced on him, looking so domineering, full of a conquering aura.
Chu Chen instinctively wanted to get up and flee, but the Empress directly pinned his arms and then pressed his acupuncture points.
Now, Chu Chen was completely unable to move, left to the Empress's mercy.
"Chu Chen, I don't mind, so what are you still reluctant about?"
Chu Chen looked resigned to his fate. Although he had some thoughts about the Empress, being treated like this by her made him quite unhappy. At the very least, shouldn't he be on top?
Once the Empress was in the mood, she released Chu Chen's acupuncture points.