What Zhao Huan didn't tell Zhao Chun was that he deliberately left Han Li aside and deliberately allowed Chen Yang and others to cause trouble in the Hall of State Affairs.

Clearly, Chen Yang was well aware of this matter.

Regardless of whether Han Lixian truly had any connection with the Han family in the capital, as a relative of the imperial family, once involved, it would be impossible for him to extricate himself quickly and smoothly.

Even if they are innocent, they will still be skinned alive or unable to sleep for months.

This was a little trick the emperor used to intimidate his relatives.

It can only be understood intuitively, not explained in words.

Being an emperor isn't like in a time-travel romance drama, where you play the charade of unwavering loyalty and absolute trust with a woman from a poor family.

It's even less likely that I would become sworn brothers with someone and speak frankly and without reservation.

The emperor was truly a lonely figure.

Neither Empress Zhu Lian nor Imperial Noble Consort Han Chenchen could possibly gain the Emperor's complete trust.

Zhao Huan would never miss an opportunity to curb the arrogance of the maternal relatives.

This is determined by the nature of imperial power.

Of course, a final decision still needs to be made.

This is really too easy.

Politics is flexible because people are flexible.

The Imperial Guards of the capital city searched the city and caught someone imitating Han Duo's letter-writing style.

This person confessed to everything.

Thus, a thick investigation report was sent to Li Gang, Liu Yanzong, the Council of State Affairs, and the Emperor.

The investigation revealed that, consistent with Han Duo's confession, someone had indeed fabricated the evidence, and the mastermind behind it was Li Bin, the prefect of Shenzhou.

Li Bin was from Youzhou and became a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) during the Xuanhe era.

Back then, Youzhou was still in the hands of the Liao people. Li Bin pursued Han Lixian's sister but was rejected because the Han family looked down on him for his poor background.

Later, Youzhou was recovered by the Song Dynasty, and Li Bin surrendered to the Song Dynasty. Over the next ten years, he achieved some political success.

Last year, the prefect of Shenzhou was imprisoned. This time, he took a lot of money and revealed details of how he framed Han Lixian while in the Shenzhou prison.

"Prefect Li, rest in peace. Someone promised to take good care of your family."

Li Bin kowtowed: "Thank you, sir. I, Li, am grateful."

After this incident, the ministers of the Council of State quieted down a bit.

Upon seeing the newspaper, Zhao Chen summoned Zhao Shen and said, "Didn't we do this? How did it become Li Bin's doing?"

Zhao Shen said, "Because someone wants to protect the Han family."

"Who's so bold as to forge this?!"

Zhao Shen was speechless for a moment, thinking to himself: Brother, we are also faking it, are you going to expose them?

Don't play this "thief crying 'stop thief'" trick; you'll only get yourself into trouble later.

"Duke Chong, please calm down. This is just a small lesson for the Han family. After all, Consort Han is an Imperial Noble Consort, and it is impossible to bring down the Han family through this incident."

"What should we do then?" Zhao Chen was a little anxious. He had heard that in the past two years, the emperor had spent all his free time with Zhao Chun.

His sense of crisis grew stronger.

“Actually, we’ve already achieved our goal. After this, that meddlesome guy from the Inspectorate will keep a close eye on Han Lixian.” Zhao Shen looked like he had everything under control. “I don’t believe the Han family hasn’t done anything shameful.”

Zhao Chen nodded: "What you say makes sense. Liu Yanzong has always been a scapegoat, so Han Lixian probably won't have a good time in the future."

In April, cherry blossoms bloom in Hyeonju, and lawns begin to sprout.

Sima Junru was dressed in black, carrying a long, slender sword, and wearing a straight-cut hat.

He dismounted and sat down at a tea stall by the roadside.

Before long, Zhao Shen arrived.

Sima Junru said calmly, "Sit down."

Zhao Shen was slightly startled and carefully examined the man.

This person gives the impression of being like an abyss, with no bottom in sight.

It is as steady as a mountain, seemingly unmoved even if the sky collapses and the earth cracks.

What's most strange is that he occasionally exudes a chilling aura, like a sharp blade.

"My name is Zhao Shen. May I ask your esteemed name?"

“You don’t need to know my name,” Sima Junru said. “Someone asked me to pass on a message to you.”

"What did you say?"

"I'll stay in Akishino for two years and then go back to Tokyo to study."

Zhao Shen was startled; he suddenly knew the identity of the person who had come.

All I knew was who the person sitting opposite me was delivering a message to.

She also learned that her scheme to frame the Han family had been discovered.

"I have received your message and will follow your instructions."

"No one has taught you."

"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have sent you all this way to deliver this message."

Sima Junru smiled slightly: "You're quite clever, no wonder you're so valued."

Zhao Shen stood up, bowed, and said, "I will certainly not disappoint you."

Sima Junru did not stay long.

Watching the departing figure, Zhao Shen fell into deep thought.

I was far too presumptuous. How could the emperor not have guessed such a petty trick?

It seems the emperor doesn't intend to blame him.

After all, deterring the maternal relatives was something the emperor truly desired.

Zhao Shen was deeply moved. The emperor not only did not blame him, but also sent someone to convey a message, which showed that the emperor truly believed that he was a talented person.

The emperor sent him back to Tokyo to study because he didn't want his intelligence to be used only for political maneuvering; he wanted him to learn something truly valuable.

Han Lixian stayed in Tokyo for more than a month, and he didn't get a good night's sleep during that time.

Today, upon receiving news of the emperor's summons, he excitedly entered the palace.

"This humble subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"What crime has the Emperor's father-in-law committed? Quickly, you may dispense with the formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"These days, the Emperor's father-in-law has suffered."

"A guilty official awaiting punishment."

"The truth has come out, so the Emperor's father-in-law need not take it to heart anymore."

Don't take it to heart?

Are you kidding me!

Han Lixian was still terrified; the ministers in the court wished they could get rid of him as soon as possible.

This time, if it weren't for someone protecting him, he probably wouldn't be standing in the palace right now, but kneeling outside the Five Dynasties Gate.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."

"You are the Imperial Noble Consort's father, if I don't trust you, who will I trust!"

"I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty."

Next, the two chatted about Youzhou and the Han family's development in the north.

It includes mining, manufacturing, and food production.

Han Lixian answered each question politely.

"Come, Father-in-law, come with me to dine."

“What ability do I, a sinner, possess?”

"No need to refuse, today the Imperial Noble Consort is cooking herself."

Han Li followed Zhao Huan all the way.

His heart had long since collapsed and been rebuilt.

Their gratitude to the emperor was so great that it could not be filled even by the entire world.

This is the typical tactic of giving someone a hard knock on the iron rod, then offering them a piece of candy.

After this incident, the Han family will inevitably become much more low-key and restrained in the north.

For Zhao Huan, eliminating the Han family in Shangjing also served as a deterrent to the Han family in Youzhou.

This is truly killing two birds with one stone.

Why would he blame Zhao Shen?