The royal court buzzed with tension as Zheng Liang stood before the ministers. His sharp gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Minister Yang Luoyang, whose face showed indifference but his eyes held a mysterious glint.
"Esteemed ministers," Zheng Liang began, his voice cutting through the murmurs, "You must be curious about why we've called this assembly today."
Zheng Liang's eyes narrowed as he continued, "This gathering serves to remind everyone of the vows and duties of officials serving the empire and its people."
He paused, letting the silence build. "Also, we're here to address a grave matter that threatens the very foundation of our empire."
The tension in the room grew. Ministers exchanged worried glances, while others leaned forward, eager to hear more. Yang Luoyang's face remained calm through it all, that enigmatic glint still in his eyes.