A dark cloud drifted over the sky above the Imperial Palace, casting a huge shadow at the feet of Xu Shouli and his ministers, shrouding them in darkness.

The ministers' moods, like the darkness itself, were utterly subdued.

Dian Chen placed his hands on his double axes, keeping a step's distance from the guards and ministers.

This distance allows the officials and guards to act at top speed.

Xu Shouli sensed Dian Chen's murderous aura and knew that if necessary, he would dare to take action against them, the ministers.

He Yin angrily said, "We just want to see the Emperor, what is Lord Dian doing?"

Dian Chen stood motionless in place without uttering a word, his expression fierce.

"you……"

Xu Shouli tugged at He Yin and said, "There's no need to argue with him. Let's just wait."

At this moment, Wen Hu, carrying a golden sword, walked over from a distance, glanced at Xu Shouli and the others with surprise, and asked, "Lord Qingdong, what is the meaning of this?"

Xu Shouli nodded to Wen Hu as a greeting, and said, "We will wait for His Majesty to take a nap this afternoon."

Wen Hu looked at Dian Chen and asked, "Is His Majesty sleeping?"

Dian Chen replied, "Yes."

"Oh, I'll go in and take a look." Dian Chen immediately stepped aside to let Wen Hu in. Wen Hu paused for a moment and said, "Lord Qingdong, please wait a moment. I'll tell His Majesty after he wakes up."

With that, Wen Hu strode up the steps.

Seeing this, He Yin's face darkened even more. She stood up and shouted, "Why can he go in, but we can't?"

Dianchen said, "Marquis Shaxian is a sword-wielding official in the Central Secretariat. His Majesty has given orders that he can go anywhere from the Imperial Palace."

"This is outrageous!" He Yin exclaimed angrily, "Both the Marquis of Qingdong and I are ministers of the Central Secretariat!"

Dian Chen clasped his hands and said, "I am His Majesty's personal guard and only act according to His Majesty's orders. Please, Minister He, do not make things difficult for me."

He Yin questioned, "What is His Majesty's decree? Didn't Wei You just give you the order?!"

Dianchen said, "When His Majesty was in the inner palace, Minister Wei conveyed His Majesty's decree to me, and this is also His Majesty's decree."

"This is utterly absurd!!" He Yin raised her fist and said, "Is the empire really being controlled by a villain like Wei You?"

"Minister He, say less," Xu Shouli said, grabbing He Yin's wrist. "At this moment, we need to stay calm so we can see things more clearly."

He Yin snorted coldly at the palace behind Dian Chen before sitting down.

Inside the Imperial Palace, Wen Hu had Jin Hu report to the Emperor before quickly walking inside.

Yuan Xiuzheng sat on the carousel with his hair disheveled. He hugged the horse's head, his face resting on the horse's neck, looking half asleep and half awake.

Several eunuchs gently pushed the handles, making the carousel turn slowly.

The other wooden horses were occupied by handsome young men, all of whom were disheveled and had dazed eyes.

Wei You followed closely beside Yuan Xiu as the wooden horse turned, gently fanning him with a goose feather fan.

Yuan Xiu squinted and asked, "Who's here?"

Wei You said, "Your Majesty, it is the Marquis of Sha County who has arrived."

"Oh, help me up." Yuan Xiu swayed as he straightened up, raising his hands, and Wei You quickly went to support him.

Seeing this, before the eunuchs could react, Wen Hu quickly stepped forward, supporting Yuan Xiu's arm, and together with Wei You, helped him sit down on the rattan chair.

While helping Yuan Xiu to the rattan chair, Wen Hu secretly took a close look at Yuan Xiu's face and saw that Yuan Xiu had dark circles under his eyes, a pale face, purple lips, and seemed very weak.

He realized that Yuan Xiu had not only not rested well during this period, but also showed signs of taking elixirs.

"water……"

Upon hearing this, Wei You quickly got water for Yuan Xiu. After drinking a few sips of water, Yuan Xiu felt better and then parted the long hair that was covering his face from both sides, opened his eyes and looked at Wen Hu.

"Marquis of Sha County hasn't come for a long time. What brings you here to see me this time?"

Wen Hu knelt down on one knee, keeping a slightly lower height than Yuan Xiu, and said, "His Majesty is resting quietly in his palace, and I should not disturb him, but there are some things I must say now."

"What big thing happened?" Yuan Xiu yawned. Although Wen Hu's words gave him a chance to speak, he still looked indifferent.

Wen Hu said, "Zhao Cheng is cooperating with the Murong family to develop business in Jingbei County under the name of the Eastern Chamber of Commerce..."

Yuan Xiu interrupted Wen Hu, saying, "I know about this matter."

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, and let me finish!" Wen Hu's attitude was firm. He continued, "After the business in Jingbei Commandery was also taken over by Zhao Cheng, his business now spans the eastern part of Dajing and the northern part of Nanzhou. In addition, he also runs supermarkets and money shops. In the long run, he will become richer than a country!"

Yuan Xiu said, "There's no need to make such a fuss. No matter how well Zhao Cheng's business is doing, he will still give me a share of what's due."

Wen Hu asked, "If I may be so bold as to ask, has he increased His Majesty's share?"

"he……"

Yuan Xiu suddenly froze, sat up with his tired body, stared intently at Wen Hu, and asked, "What do you mean by that, Marquis of Sha County?"

Wen Hu said earnestly, "I can't explain the specific benefits of supermarkets and money shops to His Majesty, but after Zhao Cheng extensively established supermarkets and money shops in eastern Dajing, his profits will at least triple. Since it was agreed that His Majesty would receive a share, has His Majesty's share actually tripled?"

Yuan Xiu asked, "Are you saying that Zhao Cheng lied to me?"

Wen Hu said, "What I care more about is why Zhao Cheng would deceive His Majesty! What is he trying to do?"

Yuan Xiu narrowed his eyes. Although he still looked tired, a murderous intent had appeared in his eyes.

Wen Hu knew that the suspicious and ruthless emperor had returned.

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