Can one atone for one's crimes with meritorious deeds?

Duke Zhongwu's heart skipped a beat, feeling that these words sounded so familiar.

He caught a glimpse of the little baby in Emperor Chongjin's arms out of the corner of his eye, and when he looked at Huo Chengche, he saw the ambiguous smile on his lips. A sudden realization struck him—he instantly understood why those words seemed so familiar.

Wasn't it his good nephew who, with a beaming smile, gave him a chance to "make amends" yesterday?

The thought of his good nephew arranging such a good job for him made Duke Zhongwu feel as if he had a mouthful of blood stuck in his throat.

However, after thinking about it all night, the righteous and stern words of refusal he came up with, when he met Emperor Chongjin's imposing gaze, he opened his mouth again and again, but dared not utter a single word.

Emperor Chongjin frowned in displeasure as he observed the complex expressions on Duke Zhongwu's face. "What? Does Duke Zhongwu not wish to atone for his crimes with meritorious service? Do you have any objections to my words, my dear minister?"

"No, I dare not..." Tears streamed down Zhongwu Gong's face. Facing the displeased Emperor Chongjin, he finally gritted his teeth and said with a heroic expression, "Your Majesty, I have heard that there is a vacancy for the position of Lecturer in the Imperial Study. I request to fill this position. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request!"

Scholars and officials?

Emperor Chongjin raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He had a deep impression of this lecturer; he taught those half-grown brats whom cats and dogs disliked. They had already ruined three great Confucian scholars, and the entire Hanlin Academy couldn't find a single person willing to fill the position.

This old fox, who is always slippery and quicker than a rabbit, actually volunteered for this position.

Surprised, Emperor Chongjin glanced at his son below him and saw the sly smile on his lips, and immediately understood.

Oh, so what kind of leverage has his son gotten this time?

"Your Majesty...?" After the Duke of Zhongwu died a heroic death, he did not see Emperor Chongjin's guillotine fall for a long time. Looking up in surprise, he saw the doubt in Emperor Chongjin's eyes.

The Duke of Zhongwu's eyelids twitched immediately, and he sensed that something was wrong.

He quickly changed his mind, "Your Majesty, this humble subject drank two extra ounces of strong liquor this morning to bolster my courage. I was just talking nonsense while drunk, please don't..." Don't take it seriously!

Before he could finish speaking, Emperor Chongjin waved his hand to interrupt him, as if he hadn't heard what he said.

“Very well. Since you have this intention, how could I refuse? Then I will also hand over those children in the Imperial Study to you, Qin Aiqing.”

"No, no, Your Majesty..." As soon as Duke Zhongwu heard the words "also together," he immediately realized that he had misunderstood. What Emperor Chongjin meant by "to atone for one's crimes with merits" was not the same as what Huo Chengche had said yesterday!

It seems that Huo Chengche did not report yesterday's events to the Emperor.

However, Emperor Chongjin was worried about not having a suitable person to send this hot potato to!

Now that the Duke of Zhongwu has walked right into our path, will Emperor Chongjin refuse?

He looked at the Duke of Zhongwu, who was shamelessly trying to shirk his duties, with a cold laugh, and interrupted him, feigning emotion, "These are all pillars of the future of my Xiheng Kingdom! Only by entrusting them to you, my dear minister, can I feel at ease!"

Lord Zhongwu:...

Thus, Duke Zhongwu ended up taking on an extra, arduous task for himself.

Huo Chengche glanced at the Duke of Zhongwu's face, met the "fiery" gaze from his maternal uncle, and smiled gently, "Yes, I also believe in you, Uncle."

The Duke of Zhongwu knew from Huo Chengche's expression that Huo Chengche must have known beforehand and was deliberately watching him court death.

Duke Zhongwu was furious, but he quickly forgot about his anger.

"Yay! Uncle Fatty can play with Niannian and her older brothers and sisters from now on! Oh, and Fatty Tuantuan too! Just like yesterday at Uncle Fatty's house! By the way, Uncle Fatty, you must remember what you promised Niannian: Niannian can take Fatty Tuantuan to play in the Imperial Study!"