Two sticks of incense later, Cao Zhengchun led Zhang Rang forward.

As soon as he entered, Zhang Rang knelt down and saluted nervously, looking humble and innocent.

"This servant greets the Majesty, may the Majesty be well."

"I'm asking you, what's the matter with the emperor arranging a marriage for Princess Wannian?" He suppressed her anger and asked coldly from a superior position.

"Your Majesty, I am wronged."

Zhang Rang burst into tears, like an actor.

Seeing Zhang Rang's expression, He, who was already distraught, flew into a rage: "I haven't even asked a single question, and you're already accusing me of something? Where do you even begin to explain?"

"Your Majesty, Jian Shuo went to the Jiade Hall to meet with the Emperor yesterday and discussed his plan to kill Lord He Jin."

Zhang Rang raised his head and secretly glanced at He's expression.

Seeing that she looked unhappy at this moment, his heart sank and he cried even harder.

"Your Majesty, this was all Jian Shuo's idea. I was never aware of it and never participated in it. It was only when Jian Shuo mentioned it yesterday that I learned about it."

"I asked you to talk about the Emperor's arranged marriage, not about how to kill my brother." He slammed the table and shouted, "Talk about the Emperor's arranged marriage."

"Your Majesty, the Emperor's granting of marriage is related to this matter."

Zhang Rang cried miserably.

"Jian Shuo and the Emperor planned to lure Lord He into the palace and kill him, seize his military power, liquidate the He family, and then issue an edict to allow Liu Xie to succeed him. Liu Xie is only the son of a concubine, not the eldest son, so it would be illicit for him to succeed him. I have tried to persuade Your Majesty, but He refused to listen and vowed to draft a will to allow Liu Xie to succeed him..."

"Let's talk business. I asked you to talk about the granted marriage, not Liu Xie. If you say anything else, I will kill you." He gritted her teeth. If Zhang Rang talked nonsense again, she would definitely kill him.

"My Lady, please calm down."

Zhang Rang stopped being frightened.

"Jian Shuo's plot to kill Lord He was exposed. Lord He held great power, and Marquis Shi's succession to the throne was irreversible. The Emperor knew that he was seriously ill and unable to change the situation, so he decided to entrust his son to his care.

The Emperor asked Jian Shuo what to do with Princess Wannian. Jian Shuo advised the Emperor to marry Princess Wannian to Xiao Hange. The Emperor frankly stated that in his absence, he had placed his hopes on Xiao Hange to rival Lord He. He could not allow Lord He and the Empress to dominate the court. "Every word I have said is true, Your Majesty, please understand."

After saying this, Zhang Rang cried and kowtowed again, looking so miserable that Lin Han almost believed it.

If a statement is nine parts true and one part false, it is difficult to tell the truth from the false.

However, Lin Han secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Zhang Rang did not reveal the emperor's secret order, probably because he wanted to leave a way out in case Liu Xie really came to power in the future.

In any case, Lin Han breathed a sigh of relief.

He's expression became much better after learning that Lin Han had not lied.

"Your Majesty, I was truly unaware of Jian Shuo's conspiracy with the Emperor to kill Lord He. I hope Your Majesty will understand and help me. I am a loyal supporter of Your Majesty and Marquis Shi. Jian Shuo's plan is bound to fail. Your Majesty, please save me."

"Shut up."

He was upset by what Zhang Rang said and started to shout at him to stop.

"I know about your affairs. When the matter is resolved, I will protect you in front of my brother."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty. I will serve you in the future even if it means death. When Marquis Shi ascends the throne, I will assist him wholeheartedly." Zhang Rang kowtowed in surprise and retreated with tears in his eyes.

There were three people left in the hall, and He's complexion looked much better.

"This Jian Shuo, knowing your identity, yet still dares to flatter you openly, what a bastard. General Xiao, go kill him."

Upon hearing this, Lin Han's eyes fixed and he glanced at Cao Zhengchun.

The latter understood and immediately said, "Your Majesty, Jian Shuo cannot be killed for the time being."

"Why can't I kill him?"

"Your Majesty, the Emperor is gravely ill, but not yet dead. This is a time of great turmoil, and the people of Luoyang, both inside and outside, are in a state of panic. Although Jian Shuo has been sidelined by us, he still holds the title of Senior Colonel and is a trusted minister to the Emperor. If General Xiao were to go and kill him, he would risk exposing his true identity."

If this matter is traced back to the Empress, it would be considered a mutiny, which is a taboo. Marquis Shi's ascension to the throne is not legitimate and he is despised by scholars and famous people all over the world. At that time, even if the Emperor allows Marquis Dong to take the throne, the civil and military officials and even the people of the world will not have any doubts.

Your Majesty, Lord Shi's succession to the throne is a foregone conclusion. Once Lord Shi ascends the throne and the dust settles, we can make other plans. We must be cautious in this matter. The overall situation is the most important thing."

Cao Zhengchun used all his life's knowledge, and found that persuasion was more tiring than killing.

He thought for a moment and nodded, waving her hand to let Cao Zhengchun leave.

"I am exhausted and just now I was mad. I will leave you here to treat me. You can leave now. I will leave Jian Shuo to you for another day."

"yes."

Cao Zhengchun left, leaving Lin Han and He in the room.

"Have you calmed down, Your Majesty?" Lin Han asked.

"I have wronged you. Jian Shuo deserves death."

"Your Majesty, Jian Shuo is only trying to please me, which is a good thing. Furthermore, the Emperor doesn't know that I work for you. This operation just happens to reveal the Emperor's plan. Now that Lord He is in the open and I am in the dark, we both support you, and Marquis Shi's succession to the throne is no longer a threat."

"Yes, Jian Shuo has done something that has backfired." He smiled in relief, feeling much better. She said, "General Xiao, I was just furious and feel unwell. Please come and treat me."

"I am willing to serve."

…

The atmosphere in Luoyang was strange and undercurrents were surging.

The palace was eerily quiet.

Lin Han received news that He Jin summoned all the ministers to discuss countermeasures because Jian Shuo's plan to kill him was exposed and he had been staying in the Hundred County Mansion.

The two sides did not dare to make any big moves, but remained calm instead.

Lin Han used this time to inspect the Imperial Guards and replaced all the important positions.

April 11, the sixth year of Zhongping.

Lin Han followed Jian Shuo to the Jiade Hall. The atmosphere was extremely solemn.

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