Imperial Censor Shen had no selfish motives, and his words were echoed by the other ministers.

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that proposal!"

Before long, a large number of people in the court agreed with Imperial Censor Shen's proposal.

Xiao Jingzhao was well aware of the ulterior motives of his ministers; even if his own daughter didn't have a suitable zodiac sign, there were likely others in his family.

Even an emperor cannot act arbitrarily; a feeling of being roasted over a fire rises in his heart.

After a moment of silence, he stood up and parted his thin lips slightly: "Granted!"

When the ministers saw him turn away in a huff, all their eyes turned to Imperial Censor Shen.

Imperial Censor Shen: "Why are you all looking at me?"

"Your Excellency is loyal to the Emperor and is a role model for me. I admire you the most."

His colleagues bowed to Imperial Censor Shen.

"It is only right and proper for a subject to share the emperor's burdens while receiving his salary, and it is the duty of a subject to speak out for justice. I dare not accept such praise," Imperial Censor Shen said humbly, bowing in return.

The new emperor ascended the throne and summoned him back from his post in the countryside.

He swore before the ancestors of the Shen family that he would never form cliques or become a person who holds a position without doing any work, and that he would be loyal to the emperor to the death.

Throughout the morning court session, only Lin Xiangzhi stood to one side without uttering a word.

Others might not be able to understand Xiao Jingzhao's expression, but he could see it very clearly.

The emperor suffered a setback at today's morning court session.

Seeing the ministers flattering each other and leaving, he paused and walked towards the imperial study.

...

"Take it away, I have no appetite."

"Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance. Please have at least a bowl of bird's nest porridge!"

When Lin Xiangzhi arrived outside the Imperial Study, he heard Eunuch Ma inside urging him to eat.

The eunuch Wang Fugui outside the door looked at Lin Xiangzhi as if he had seen a savior.

"Lord Lin, you've come at the right time. Quickly go and persuade the Emperor that he didn't have a midnight snack last night, and if he doesn't have breakfast today, how can his body withstand it?"

“Yes, it’s really unbearable. Fu Gui is loyal to his master, which is good. He didn’t call you wrong today. Here’s a reward for you.” Lin Xiangzhi said, tossing a golden melon seed to Wang Fu Gui.

Wang Fugui quickly accepted the gift with both hands, his face beaming with a bright smile. "Thank you, Lord Lin."

Everyone says that Lord Lin is the God of Wealth of Wanling Kingdom, and it's true, he's incredibly generous.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Are you free today?" Xiao Jingzhao asked Lin Xiangzhi as usual when he saw Lin Xiangzhi come in with a grin.

"How could I possibly be idle? I just noticed that Your Majesty was in a bad mood. I was worried about Your Majesty's health, so I came here on purpose. Your Majesty, please don't be ungrateful for my kindness."

As he spoke, Lin Xiangzhi turned to look at the imperial meal on the table.

Braised venison with bamboo shoots, stir-fried pickled cabbage with mushrooms, stewed bird's nest, jade tofu, auspicious pancakes, red bean crispy cakes, crystal steamed dumplings, and a plate of stir-fried vegetables.

Lin Xiangzhi swallowed hard.

"Your Majesty, breakfast is quite sumptuous, why don't you eat it? Isn't that a waste?"

Eunuch Ma bowed slightly to Prime Minister Lin, saying, "What Lord Lin says is absolutely right. His Majesty works tirelessly day and night; his health is of utmost importance."

After saying that, he winked at Lin Xiangzhi, meaning that he should help persuade him to eat.

Lin Xiangzhi waved his hand, "Leave this to me, Eunuch Ma, you can go and do other things."

Grandpa Ma left, considerately closing the door behind him.

"Speak, what are you planning to do now? You've given you the power to appoint and dismiss your subordinates, surely no one will still shirk their responsibilities?"

Lin Xiangzhi waved his hands repeatedly, "No, that's not true. I came because I was genuinely worried about the Emperor's happiness."

Xiao Jingzhao glanced at Lin Xiangzhi, "You've got good eyesight. You haven't had breakfast yet, have you?"

"His Majesty is truly wise; he could tell at a glance that the Prime Minister was genuinely hungry."

Xiao Jingzhao raised his hand, and the two of them walked towards the dining table in perfect unison.

"Here's some bird's nest porridge for you."

Xiao Jingzhao placed the bird's nest porridge and venison in front of Lin Xiangzhi.

"Your Majesty, I am in poor health and need some nourishment. Please do not stand on ceremony."

Lin Xiangzhi picked up the bird's nest porridge and downed half of it in one gulp.

Xiao Jingzhao: "..." This person is really hungry.

After finishing a bowl of bird's nest soup, Prime Minister Lin said slowly, "Your Majesty, did you end up shooting yourself in the foot this morning at court?"

"Cough cough!"

"What can I do? I can't possibly explain my past with Yue Niang to the entire court. Recently, several ministers have already come to Cining Palace to offer their advice."

The position of Empress in the central palace is vacant, and everyone is watching. I only sought help from Master Huiyuan because I had no other options.”

Xiao Jingzhao put down his chopsticks and continued, "Master Huiyuan is truly a divine being. He knows far more than we do. No one has ever revealed Sui Sui's affairs to him, yet he knows everything. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a demigod."

Lin Xiangzhi had long heard of Master Huiyuan's extraordinary abilities.

With no one else in the room, the two began to address each other casually again.

Lin Xiangzhi said, "Jingzhao, I understand your feelings for Miss Jiang. She once endured hardship and gave birth to a prince for you. You feel guilty and want to give her a proper status."

"No, you don't understand. She is no ordinary woman. She is kind, resilient, and independent. She is like a flame flower on a snow-capped peak, bright and beautiful yet immune to all poisons. I am truly in love with her."

"You, you've been poisoned by her."

Lin Xiangzhi stared wide-eyed at Xiao Jingzhao with disbelief.

Is this still the same Xiao Jingzhao who is indifferent to women and lacks romantic understanding?

He used to never give a second glance to women, but now he gets so excited praising Miss Jiang.

Xiao Jingzhao lowered his phoenix eyes slightly and sighed softly, "Xiangzhi, you don't understand what it feels like to have someone in your heart. She appears in your mind all the time, even intruding into your dreams, sharing your bed, and then disappearing into thin air."

Lin Xiangzhi: "..." I feel the same way.

"Your Majesty, if Miss Jiang has no feelings for you, then this is unrequited love on your part."

Xiao Jingzhao: "..." He would make her fall in love with him.

Lin Xiangzhi had a fairly good understanding of Jiang Shuyue's situation.

Lin Xiangzhi thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, Miss Jiang is not the kind of woman who would submit to a single imperial decree. The ministers can't just ignore it either. Let's brush off the notice beforehand. When the day of the selection of concubines comes, you can appoint a few concubines at will, but leave the position of empress to Miss Jiang."

“I will not hold a selection of concubines. She has said that she will not share a husband with another woman.”

"Your Majesty, you're something else! Do you remember what happened when I was twelve? Back then, I found it annoying to have too many women in the harem, and my father gave me a good beating."

When talking about what happened back then, Lin Xiangzhi's eyebrows danced with excitement.

Xiao Jingzhao raised his eyebrows slightly, "Of course I remember. You played tricks on your father's concubine and even put a rat snake in her room. The concubine was so frightened that she demanded a contract of indenture from your father and insisted on leaving. Your father thought it was your mother who instigated it, and the two of them almost fell out over this."

"Back then, I found it really annoying to see the women in the backyard constantly vying for my father's favor, but my dad seemed to enjoy it."

Lin Xiangzhi glanced at Xiao Jingzhao and said, "I will not take any concubines in the future."

“Your Majesty is different. You are the ruler of a country. To have children, you need to have three palaces and six courtyards. All the ministers are watching. It is very difficult to have one person for life.”

Xiao Jingzhao glared at him. "Are you here to help me come up with a solution, or to cause me trouble?"