His decades of experience taught him that no one in the world remains unchanged or stays the same from beginning to end.

“No, that won’t happen,” Ji Xuan said, her expression turning serious. “I believe in them.”

The reason why aristocratic families can do this is mainly due to centuries of favor and privilege; others do not have this kind of confidence.

Nothing lasts forever, and apart from established families, no one has the confidence to remain prosperous forever.

"I was just saying it offhand," Qi Yong said, not surprised by his master's answer. "Although the position of the Lady Protector of the Nation is prestigious, her foundation is shallow. Without a hundred years of accumulation, she will not amount to anything."

Qi Yong spoke calmly. In his eyes, the Huang family was no different from himself; they were all promoted by their master.

Without a master to rely on, one is nothing.

Qi Yong hadn't dared to think this way before. As Ji Xuan's health improved and his dependence on the Huang family decreased, Qi Yong's audacity grew.

“That’s not the case,” Ji Xuan couldn’t help but shake his head. “The biggest mistake of the aristocratic families is not that they are powerful, but that they are arrogant and complacent, which is difficult to change. They hinder my decrees and the progress of the Great Zhou. It’s not that I can’t tolerate the aristocratic families growing too powerful, nor am I worried that they will overshadow the emperor. It’s just that I cannot tolerate these parasites that erode the country.”

He is the emperor, the ruler of the country, and the whole world belongs to him. He certainly cannot be jealous of someone who is too outstanding.

For him, the more capable people there are, the greater the benefits to the Great Zhou Dynasty will be.

If someone could overthrow the Ji family because of their outstanding abilities, it would only prove that the Ji family was too incompetent and unpopular, and deserved their fate.

"Your Majesty's words are profound; this humble servant is enlightened."

These words surprised Qi Yong.

Although I don't quite agree with it, I admire my master's magnanimity. This kind of demeanor is what a ruler of a country should have.

"Let's keep going, Liu An must be getting impatient."

"yes!"

Liu An was indeed very anxious.

The emperor had hinted that he would come when he left court, but after waiting for so long, he still hadn't seen him, and he was so anxious that he kept pacing back and forth in the hall.

Upon hearing the servant's report of a guest, he rushed out without hesitation, carefully examining Ji Xuan from head to toe. Only after confirming that Ji Xuan was unharmed and unwell did he breathe a sigh of relief. "Your Majesty, has something happened?"

He was truly terrified that something might happen to Ji Xuan, and that he would become a sinner for all time.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yong explained, "My master passed by Juquanlou, thought of an old friend, went in to sit for a while, and took the opportunity to teach a fool a lesson."

"A blind fool?" Liu An frowned. "Is there anyone in the capital who dares to offend the Emperor?"

"Does Grand Secretary Liu know Cui Peng from the Cui family?"

“It’s him,” Liu An frowned. “Juquanlou has already closed down. What was he doing there?”

"They're just taking advantage of the situation," Qi Yong said dismissively. "The relationship between the Lady Protector of the Nation and Juquanlou is no secret. Many people have their eyes on Juquanlou, but no one dares to be the first to act. They're all waiting for their chance."

Logically speaking, even spoiled brats from aristocratic families should know what they're talking about. How could the Cui family raise such a brainless person?

Upon hearing this, Liu An remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Everything can be saved, except for stupidity."

Although I said that, I was actually quite surprised.

He had always known that aristocratic families were arrogant, but because he did not have a good relationship with his own family, the scions of aristocratic families would not dare to offend the Grand Secretary no matter how arrogant they were. He did not have a deep impression of them and never thought that these people would plot against other people's shops in broad daylight without any attempt to hide it.

Cui Peng is just a spoiled brat, yet he dares to be so domineering; this shows just how the Cui family behaves.

"Let's not talk about these things anymore; they're just trivial matters," Ji Xuan interrupted their conversation. "Minister Liu, have you done what I instructed you to do?"

“It’s all done,” Liu An said, becoming serious as he got down to business. “We have gathered evidence of whether it’s spreading rumors or plotting a rebellion, and we’ve even had people lying in wait at each house, ready to act at any time.”

"Did those people notice anything?"

"The old minister acted very cautiously, and the imperial guards disguised themselves as ordinary citizens to keep watch, without alerting the enemy."

Have they made a move?

"Besides spreading all sorts of rumors, they also incited the people to cause trouble, secretly won over officials, and actively placed their own people in various places..." After thinking for a moment, Liu An summarized in one sentence, "Except for not personally participating in the rebellion, they did everything that was forbidden."

In particular, the hoarding of grain with ill intentions is a taboo that has been violated by the entire world.

Ji Xuan was not surprised. He knew these things earlier than Liu An. He also knew that the reason these people were so bold was because they had bribed Qin Chun, the commander of the Thousand Character Battalion, and thought that with 100,000 troops to rely on, the court would be hesitant to act against them.

When I first heard the news, I was indeed a little uneasy, but now I have made full preparations. Even if the Thousand Character Camp really rebels, I am not afraid. I am only worried that I am not prepared enough and that I will not eliminate the threat completely, and that some of them will escape.

"It's good that we didn't wrong them," Ji Xuan's voice suddenly turned cold. "At midnight today, we'll act according to the signal."

After enduring this for so long, it's time to reap the rewards.

"Tonight?" Liu An was surprised.

"Surprised?" Ji Xuan raised an eyebrow. "I thought Minister Liu had been eagerly waiting for this for a long time."

"No, it's just a bit sudden," Liu An said, bowing respectfully. "However, His Majesty has made his decision, and this old minister only needs to obey orders."

Actually, I have many thoughts in my mind, but I dare not show them.

It's their duty to interfere in daily government affairs, but if they keep nagging at times like this, they're really being inconsiderate.

A subject is a subject. In the end, the emperor is the one who is in charge. They are just servants who can assist the monarch, but cannot overstep their bounds.

Ji Xuan was very pleased with Liu An's tact. Upon hearing this, she smiled and said, "Minister Liu is a pillar of the state, so he is naturally different from others. In the future, you can speak frankly without any reservations."

"Your Majesty, I obey your command and thank you for your trust."

After leaving the Liu family residence, Qi Yong said with a smile, "Of the three Grand Secretaries, Grand Secretary Liu is the most sensible."

"Liu An learned to read other people's expressions from a young age, which made him adept at understanding human relationships. It was a trade-off, though."

“Not only that,” Qi Yong said quietly, “Grand Secretary Liu’s personal motives are not as strong as the other two. He can understand His Majesty’s feelings and will naturally not make things difficult for you.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan stopped in her tracks and carefully examined Qi Yong. "Did the sun rise in the west today? Why would you speak up for Liu An?"

Although Ji Xuan had never taken Qi Yong's slander to heart, it was hard not to remember it after hearing it so many times.

His previous assessment of Liu An was that he was worldly-wise and cunning, but this is completely different from his current assessment.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yong awkwardly touched his nose. "Things are different now. Back then, the three Grand Secretaries colluded and worked together to cause trouble for you, Master. Naturally, I couldn't stand it."

Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan curled the corners of her lips and said, "Don't do that again. You may be loyal, but they will only think you are framing a loyal subject."

"I don't care about any of that," Qi Yong sneered. "As long as I live, I will not allow anyone to bully you."