After hearing the announcement, all the officials arranged themselves in four rows according to their ranks.
The Grand Governor, Prime Minister and First Chancellor were at the front of the rows whiles Gu Shang stood there at the very forefront.
The officials held their name plaques below their chest, before filling into the Hall Of Might after Gu Shang entered.
When they entered, the four rows divided as the court officials went on the right side, whiles the military officials went to the left side of the hall.
They all went on their knees and bowed, "Greetings to your imperial highness, May you live for 10,000 years!''
At the edge of the hall, a platform was raised which led to the throne, before one could get to the throne they would have to climb nine step before they reached the throne.
On the last step a golden throne shaped in the form of a dragon sat there, the throne seemed like a golden dragon coiling itself.
On that throne a handsome middle aged man sat on it. He was wearing golden imperial robes which had dragon patterns on it, he wore a golden crown which had a red ruby in the middle.
That man was of course the emperor, right now all his attention was on Gu Shang.
Gu Shang had not bowed to him like the other officials, but was rather approaching the throne and climbing the steps rather slowly as the two men locked gazes.
Gu Shang kept ascending to the throne until he reached the eight step.
Gu Shang stopped when he reached the eight step, he was now just a step away from reaching the throne the emperor was sitting on.
He glanced at the emperor and gave him a slight bow to show respect, before standing on the right side of the eight step.
All the officials held their breathes as they awaited to see the emperor's reaction.
The throne was specifically made nine steps above the ground to symbolize the authority of the emperor, it was to show that the emperor was nine steps above them in status which meant a huge gap.
Gu Shang on the other hand was the Grand General of the empire which was only a rank below the emperor and eight ranks above a first rank official, so he being on the eight step was the right place for him,
But they didn't know if the emperor could stomach that. Gu Shang literally had more power than the emperor, they knew that they wouldn't be too happy if they were in the emperor's shoe.
"Looks like you have finally decided to show up in court, I was beginning to think you would never come since you didn't answer my summon'' The emperor said in a nonchalant voice.
"I wasn't feeling well, that's why I couldn't make it this past few weeks, please forgive me your majesty" Gu Shang said impassively.
Veins couldn't help but pop up on the forehead of the emperor. How could he answer so impassively, he was definitely lying but shouldn't he put in more effort.
The emperor calmed himself down and raised his right hand, "Rise my subjects?"
"We thank you for your boundless grace, your majesty!!" The court officials said before rising up.
The Grand Governor took a step forward and raised his name plague above his chest before bowing.
"Prince Of The North, now that you are in the imperial court, there are somethings you have to answer" The Grand Governor made his intention clear.
Time stopped in the imperial court as everyone held their breath, they didn't dare to do so loudly.
But wait, why did the scene seem so familiar to them?
Those who were present at the day Gu Shang first arrived in the capital couldn't help but shudder. That's right, this incident was looking similar to that one, the day of the blood bath, the day blood flowed on the streets of the capital and manors burnts to ashes, nobles became slaves on that day.
They all turned their attention to see Gu Shang narrowed eyes, some of them couldn't help but hiccup.
Damn the Grand Governor, was he trying to commit suicide, then why was he dragging them along? What did they ever do to him to deserve this?
This might look like nothing to do with them, but that was how it started that day, most of the noble houses that perished that day weren't even involved, but Gu Shang found a way to charge their previous crimes and use it as an excuse to deal with them.
All the noble houses here had some dirt on them, or might have accepted some few bribes here and there at a point in time, so of course they were worried.
"Haaar, this again?" Gu Shang asked with an eyebrow raised.
Some of the officials almost fainted after hearing Gu Shang's tone.
Luckily for them, they had people to hold them from falling.
"Pardon me your highness, I've heard about what happened on your arrival, those officials indeed deserved to die for questioning you without having the power to do so" The Grand Governor stated boldly.
"So you do agree that they deserve to die, but what authority do you also have to question me?" Gu Shang tone turned icy.
"Your highness forgive me for being blunt with you, but even the emperor sometimes have to answer to the people and the court on certain descesions, and you as well needs to be question to maintain a balance of power in the court.
You have to be held accountable for your decisions, unless you consider yourself to be above the emperor, that is.." The Grand Governor said without backing down.
"Then what authority do you have to make me accountable for my decisions? As long as am concerned non of you here have the power to question me, only the emperor has, so tell me... do you think you are the emperor? Gu Shang shot back.
"I wouldn't dare to say that am just a loyal subject of the emperor, but.... He's given me the authority to do so in his name" The grand Governor responded.
"The Grand Governor shall proceed with my authority fully vested in him by me!" The emperor suddenly announced.
Gu Shang couldn't help but look at the emperor like he was looking at a fool. The emperor on the other hand was feeling smug about himself.
The emperor truly believed that with the Grand Governor at his side now, dealing with Gu Shang would be possible.
If they played their cards well, today just might be the day.....