Puppet Emperor, the Empress Wields All Power and Calls a Deer a Horse

Chapter 29 The Whole Imperial City! A River of Blood!

In the Great Zhou palace, inside the Cining Palace:

“I didn’t expect that the emperor actually managed to take control of the military power of the City Defense Force.”

“Prime Minister, today your son, Liu Yu, disappointed me greatly in the martial arts arena.”

The Empress Dowager’s expression was cold as she spoke in a detached tone.

Below the throne, Prime Minister Liu Wu humbly responded:

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”

“Today’s competition in the martial arts arena was lost because my son is incapable. I beg for Your Majesty’s punishment.”

“Enough!”

The Empress Dowager took a deep breath to calm herself, then waved her hand dismissively and said in a cold tone.

Prime Minister Liu Wu’s influence in the court was vast, with disciples and subordinates spread throughout the Great Zhou empire. His power was significant.

As the prime minister’s son, Liu Yu was naturally not someone she could openly punish, lest it stir discontent in the prime minister’s heart.

Clearly, her earlier words were just expressions of frustration.

“Since the emperor ascended to the throne, I have been humiliated in front of the court time and time again.”

“If this continues, one day, I will fall to the emperor’s hand.”

Thinking of how Gu Changsheng constantly opposed her, a cold glint flashed in the Empress Dowager’s eyes, revealing her killing intent.

Prime Minister Liu Wu’s eyelid twitched at her words, and he immediately understood her meaning.

It seemed that the Empress Dowager could no longer tolerate the emperor and was preparing to take action.

“The emperor is surrounded by numerous powerful experts, and there’s a peak-stage great expert protecting him.”

“If we want to eliminate the emperor, we need to plan carefully.” Prime Minister Liu Wu said with a solemn expression.

Though the emperor was young, his political maneuvering in the court, combined with the powerful figures surrounding him, made even the prime minister cautious.

Moreover, now that the emperor had gained control of the military forces of the City Defense Force, his power had grown substantially. No one could be sure just how many experts the emperor had under his command.

If they were to recklessly strike at Gu Changsheng, and fail, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Even if they did succeed in removing Gu Changsheng, the entire Great Zhou empire would descend into chaos. The other princes would certainly unite against the Empress Dowager.

At that point, regaining control of the court would not be easy for her.

Liu Wu expressed his concerns, which caused the Empress Dowager to frown. She knew all too well the chaos that would follow the emperor’s removal.

But she couldn’t shake the ominous feeling in her heart. If she let Gu Changsheng continue unchecked, she feared her own downfall at his hands.

After a brief moment of silence, a cold smile appeared on the Empress Dowager’s face as she got an interesting idea.

“Recently, chaos has broken out in Great Zhou. Cultivators are rebelling, and demons are running rampant, causing great suffering to the people.”

“Tomorrow, we’ll bring this matter up in court. Given the emperor’s temperament, he won’t sit idly by.”

At these words, Prime Minister Liu Wu’s eyes darkened as he considered her plan, then said knowingly:

“Your Majesty intends to leverage the chaos caused by these rebellious cultivators and demons to force the emperor into sending his forces to suppress them.”

“When his experts are away, we’ll strike and eliminate him, ensuring there are no loose ends.”

“Precisely.” Empress Dowager nodded, her expression icy.

“This time, I’ll personally oversee the plan. The emperor must be eliminated.”

Liu Wu’s eyes gleamed with cunning, and he chuckled softly.

“It seems the new emperor won’t escape death this time.”

He knew well that the chaos within Great Zhou wasn’t a mere coincidence. The Empress Dowager had likely orchestrated it.

With such a carefully laid trap, the emperor was bound to die.

Little did they know, while the Empress Dowager and the prime minister were scheming to eliminate Gu Changsheng, the emperor himself was also plotting a grand scheme of his own.

…

Within the grand Great Zhou palace, inside the imperial study:

Gu Changsheng, dressed in imperial robes, sat majestically on the dragon throne, reviewing official documents.

Suddenly, a figure cloaked entirely in black, with an aura as deep as the abyss, silently appeared before him. It was impossible to see the person’s face.

“Dark One, at your service, Your Majesty,” the figure said respectfully, bowing slightly before Gu Changsheng.

“No need for formalities,” Gu Changsheng responded with a calm demeanor, setting aside the document in his hand.

The figure was none other than Dark One, the leader of the three thousand Shadow Guards, a peak-stage great expert.

“Your Majesty, according to the Shadow Guards’ intelligence, the prime minister and the Empress Dowager were plotting something major in Cining Palace. After several hours of discussion, Prime Minister Liu Wu returned to his residence.”

“Furthermore, numerous rebellious cultivators and powerful demon sect members have been seen heading toward Qingzhou.”

“As for their exact objectives, the Shadow Guards have yet to uncover them. I await Your Majesty’s punishment.”

“Hmm.”

Gu Changsheng listened without showing any emotion. His face remained impassive, betraying no surprise.

For the Empress Dowager to conspire with Liu Wu at this time, her intentions were clear—she was targeting him.

At the same time, the movements of the rebellious cultivators and demon sect members in Great Zhou, all heading toward Qingzhou, undoubtedly involved the Empress Dowager’s machinations.

But no matter what she had in mind, Gu Changsheng would be prepared.

With both the Royal Shadow Guards and the three thousand Shadow Guards gathering intelligence, nothing in Great Zhou could escape his notice. Every minor disturbance was laid bare before him.

The Empress Dowager’s every move was under his watchful eyes.

“Since the Empress Dowager is planning to act against me, I won’t let her off so easily,” Gu Changsheng thought coldly.

“Notify the City Defense Force and Royal Shadow Guards. Tonight, we will act according to plan.”

As Gu Changsheng envisioned the events about to unfold, a cold smile crept onto his face.

“A moonless stormy night, it’s perfect for murder.”

“Tonight, the imperial city will be drenched in blood.”

…