Chapter 1137: The Whole Hall Shocked!【2】

Within the crowd, it was not only Yuan Ji who had discovered Duan Yu.

It was simply because the black tiger beneath Duan Yu was far too conspicuous; the moment it appeared on the plaza outside the Sima Gate, it was fixed by numerous gazes.

The newly appointed Minister of Works, Cui Lie, stood within the crowd, surrounded by dozens of officials.

Upon hearing a reminder from those beside him, Cui Lie's gaze fell upon Duan Yu, and subsequently, his footsteps unconsciously began to retreat into the concealment of the crowd.

His eyes also became evasive.

Previously, having accepted benefits from the Liangzhou noble clans, Cui Lie had enumerated over a dozen criminal charges against Duan Yu.

Who could have guessed that Duan Yu's death was faked?

Hiding in the crowd, Cui Lie only took one look at Duan Yu before wishing he could bury himself within the throng.

On the other side, upon seeing that Duan Yu had arrived, Yuan Ji whispered to Yuan Kui.

"Uncle, Duan Yu has come."

Also within the crowd, Yuan Kui, dressed in vermilion court robes, holding a tablet, and wearing a high mountain cap, turned his head to look at Duan Yu.

The news of Zhang Feng being apprehended by the Office of the Commandant of Justice yesterday had reached Yuan Kui's ears that very afternoon.

However, Yuan Kui was not panicked by this.

It was true that he had sent the jade pill.

But the jade pill indeed contained no poison.

Moreover, he had only gifted the jade pill to Dong Zhuo; he had not instructed Dong Zhuo to present it to Liu Hong.

No matter how one looked at it, this matter could not be linked to him.

This was the brilliance of borrowing a knife to kill; even if the matter came to light, it still could not be traced back to oneself.

Yet, watching Duan Yu—who once had to rely on Dong Zhuo's recommendation to stand firm—now having risen to power in just two years, Yuan Kui still felt a sense of melancholy.

"All things are impermanent."

Yuan Kui sighed.

"Marquis of Ji!"

"Greetings, Marquis of Ji."

"Marquis of Ji."

Duan Yu, having dismounted from the black tiger, walked all the way toward the Sima Gate.

The surrounding people, whether out of etiquette or awe, all greeted Duan Yu and cleared a straight path for him.

Duan Yu responded to the greeting crowd with a smile for each.

Two years ago, when he first entered the palace, he had to stand at the very back of the crowd.

Today, two years later, as he stepped into the Sima Gate, there was no longer any obstruction in front of him.

Waiting in the front row before the Sima Gate were the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers.

Grand Marshal Zhang Wen, Minister of Works Cui Lie, Minister of Education Ma Ridi, Commandant of Justice Guo Hong, Minister of the Imperial Stud Yuan Ji, Guard General Yang Biao... including the current Grand Tutor Yuan Kui, all stood at the very front.

"Marquis of Ji."

Upon seeing Duan Yu, Guo Hong was the first to step forward, cupping his hands in a salute to greet him.

This scene did not surprise the few people nearby.

Guo Hong had previously shown clear bias toward Duan Yu when handling the case of Wang Yun's son, Wang Gai.

Subsequently, Guo Hong was dismissed from his post.

And after Duan Yu entered Luoyang, the first thing he did was go to the Office of the Commandant of Justice, and the very next day, he and Guo Hong together arrested Zhang Feng.

Almost anyone could see that Guo Hong thought very highly of Duan Yu.

All his actions were also a show of favor toward Duan Yu.

But to everyone's surprise, Yang Biao, who held the position of Minister of the Guards, actually took a step forward of his own accord and greeted Duan Yu.

"Marquis of Ji."

Yang Biao cupped his hands and bowed slightly to Duan Yu.

Hm?

Duan Yu was slightly stunned.

Even Yuan Kui, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes.

What was Yang Biao playing at?

Duan Yu did not quite understand.

One must know that when Yang Ci was still alive, he had initially caused him no shortage of trouble.

That Huangfu Song was promoted by Yang Ci to be the Administrator of Beidi Commandery.

It was equivalent to driving a nail into Liangzhou.

Glancing at Yang Biao, Duan Yu chose to return the salute.

The Hongnong Yang clan, although not as powerful as the Runan Yuan clan.

Was still absolutely top-tier within the circle of Guanzhong noble clans.

They held absolute power of discourse within the Guanzhong noble clan group.

Such an overt show of favor, regardless of Yang Biao's reasons, was something Duan Yu naturally could not refuse.

"Lord Yang, please accept my condolences; I am deeply sorry for failing to pay my respects to Lord Yang," Duan Yu replied.

Yang Biao nodded slightly, then offered no further response.

"Lord Duan."

Yuan Kui's voice rang out, his eyes smiling as he cupped his hands toward Duan Yu: "Lord Duan is becoming increasingly high-spirited."

Duan Yu smiled, shook his head, and replied: "Not at all, rather, Grand Tutor Yuan is becoming increasingly vigorous in his old age."

"Not at all," Yuan Kui said with a smile: "It is a good thing for Lord Duan to achieve fame at a young age, why be so modest?"

"Heh, becoming increasingly cunning is not necessarily a bad thing either," Duan Yu retorted tit-for-tat: "I am also in awe of Grand Tutor Yuan's superb methods."

"Oh?" Yuan Kui raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly: "What is Lord Duan talking about? Why does this old man not quite understand?"

As Duan Yu and Yuan Kui spoke, everyone around them listened intently.

And they were analyzing the meaning behind their conversation.

Although the words were only a few brief sentences.

Those nearby could hear that this was the two of them warning and mocking each other.

Yuan Kui was warning Duan Yu not to be too arrogant for achieving fame at a young age.

While Duan Yu was cursing Yuan Kui, implying that an old man who refuses to die is a thief.

Yuan Kui narrowed his eyes, which looked like those of an old fox, as he watched Duan Yu.

And Duan Yu had the corners of his mouth slightly raised, looking down at Yuan Kui from a position of superiority.

Everyone around held their breath.

With Yang Ci dead, Yuan Kui was now the most senior and highest-ranking member of the previous generation in the imperial court.

Figures like Yang Biao, Cui Lie, and Guo Hong belonged to the middle generation.

While Duan Yu was of the youth generation, the same new generation as Yuan Ji, Yuan Shu, and others.

He also represented the strongest of the new generation.

And the conflict between the two, the conflict between Duan Yu and the Yuan clan, was destined to be a clash between the strongest representative of the new generation and the old generation, and even the most top-tier noble clan of the Great Han.

Just as the two were speaking, the late-arriving Grand General He Jin also arrived before the Sima Gate.

And with He Jin's arrival, the time for the morning court had arrived.

"The auspicious time has arrived, officials, attend the morning court!"

Accompanied by the Forbidden Army opening the Sima Gate, the shrill voice of the eunuch announcing the court also rang out.

The officials began to enter the Sima Gate in order of their rank.

Before long, officials of one thousand shi and above were all standing in the Jiade Hall.

And Liu Hong, who had originally sat on the dragon throne, had been replaced by the current Crown Prince, Liu Xie.

Empress Dowager Dong, dressed in black phoenix robes and wearing a phoenix crown, knelt to the side of Liu Xie. ===== CHAPTER 1139 =====