After the late emperor's death, according to ancestral rules, Xiao Huaijin's sleeping quarters should be moved from the East Palace to the Chongwu Hall after he ascends the throne.

However, Xiao Huaijin chose to continue living in Feihua Palace and completely sealed off Chongwu Palace.

Pei Zhixuan guessed that Xiao Huaijin probably didn't want to live in the place where Emperor Zhaowu had stayed.

After the young eunuch led Pei Zhixuan into the main hall, he closed the door with a creak.

The hall immediately became much darker, and amidst the wisps of smoke from the incense burner, Pei Zhixuan saw the new Emperor of Dayong sitting behind the dragon-headed desk.

Xiao Huaijin sat in a high position, looking down at Pei Zhixuan. His imposing aura was awe-inspiring, and his expression was unfathomable.

Pei Zhixuan took a deep breath, knelt down, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Rise, my dear minister." Xiao Huaijin raised his hand and said calmly, "You did well today."

Xiao Huaijin originally intended to get rid of Lin Ziyu, which is why he specifically mentioned Lin Ziyu's granddaughter in court.

But to his surprise, what Yao Zhan was supposed to say was actually said by Pei Zhixuan.

Moreover, every word was precious, and every sentence hit Lin Ziyu's weak points.

Xiao Huaijin had to admit that Pei Zhixuan understood his thoughts.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty," Pei Zhixuan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly. He looked at Xiao Huaijin and said, "Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Revenue have always maintained close relations. Should we also thoroughly investigate him as well?"

Xiao Huaijin put down the memorial in his hand and asked in a deep voice, "Does Lord Pei also think we should investigate?"

"As an Imperial Censor of the Censorate, I am in a position to perform my duties, and naturally I believe that we should bring all those corrupt officials to justice," Pei Zhixuan said, bowing deeply.

"Very well! I grant you permission to investigate!"

Xiao Huaijin smiled and said, "The more silver an official embezzles, the heavier the punishment should be. You and Zheng Ze, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, should first investigate the Minister of Justice, and then work from top to bottom to bring all the corrupt officials to justice."

He turned the jade thumb ring in his hand and said calmly, "According to the Dayong Law, those who embezzle or accept bribes should be skinned alive and their skin displayed to the public."

“Your Majesty, strict laws and decrees cannot curb the greed of people’s hearts, nor can they sweep away all the corrupt officials under heaven,” Pei Zhixuan replied, raising his eyes.

A hint of amusement flashed in Xiao Huaijin's eyes. He said "Oh," raised an eyebrow at the tall, upright man, and asked, "Then, Lord Pei, what do you think should be done?"

"In my humble opinion, the best way to encourage integrity is to offer high salaries. Once salaries are high, officials will naturally not try to find ways to obtain money from other sources."

After Pei Zhixuan finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment, and then he heard Xiao Huaijin chuckle softly.

"Lord Pei, the world is currently besieged by the Northern Hu in the north, the Western Chu and Quanrong in the west, and the Southern Yue in the south. The war between these three sides has just ended, but we do not know if they will continue to stir up trouble in the future. You also know that the Dayong Dynasty is not very strong at present and can barely suppress the enemy with the military force. Today, I am asking all officials to hand over money in order to strengthen the army."

“Lord Pei, with the national treasury in deficit, how can there be surplus silver to support officials’ salaries? Moreover, if people’s hearts are greedy, how can they stop embezzling just because their salaries have increased?” Xiao Huaijin asked lazily, resting his chin on his hand.

Pei Zhixuan fell silent. He hadn't expected Xiao Huaijin to be so much more thoughtful than him. He clenched his fist tightly and lowered his eyes, saying, "I am ashamed, I did not think of this."

Xiao Huaijin glanced at him and casually replied, "What is there to be ashamed of? Lord Pei, like me, hopes for peace and tranquility in the world. Lord Pei, although we are ruler and subject, I hope you will speak frankly."

"I have just ascended the throne, and there are some things I have not done well enough. I hope that you, my dear minister, can point them out and correct me. There is no need to hide anything from me."

Xiao Huaijin leaned back, his handsome face losing its previous gentle and lazy demeanor, and instead gaining a more majestic imperial aura.

Pei Zhixuan's lips curled down slightly, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "Can I really speak frankly to Your Majesty?"

“Of course,” Xiao Huaijin replied readily.

Pei Zhixuan's eyes were unreadable. He raised his head and slowly opened his lips to ask, "Your Majesty, what is the relationship between you and the daughter of Chancellor Shen?"

Upon hearing this, Nanfeng, who was serving the writing brush and ink, immediately changed his expression and hurriedly rebuked, "Lord Pei, please do not be disrespectful in front of the Emperor!"

Xiao Huaijin was taken aback at first, but then waved his hand without changing his expression and said, "Nanfeng, you may step back first. I have private matters to discuss with Lord Pei."

Nanfeng lowered her eyelashes, cupped her hands in a salute, and said, "Yes."

After saying this, he left the hall, leaving only Xiao Huaijin and Pei Zhixuan inside.

Xiao Huaijin rose from behind his desk, walked to Pei Zhixuan with his hands behind his back, and casually asked, "Why does Lord Pei ask this? What do you think my relationship with her is?"

Pei Zhixuan's hands were hidden in his sleeves, his knuckles already white from clenching them. Just as he was about to speak, Xiao Huaijin's voice came from in front of him.

"I and Shen Yunjiao are mutually in love."

Pei Zhixuan suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with shock, anger, and sadness.

What shocked and angered me was that Shen Yunjiao had fallen for someone else so quickly.

Sadly, they had actually been secretly having an affair and had exchanged gifts privately.

"Your Majesty," Pei Zhixuan said, his eyes filled with a dark aura, his throat burning as if on fire.

“Shen Yunjiao is not the kind of woman who is casual. Your Majesty, could you please be lenient and let her go? There are so many beauties in the world. I believe Your Majesty will find one who suits your taste better.”

Pei Zhixuan's previously calm expression finally cracked, and he spoke these words quickly and somewhat hastily.

Looking at Pei Zhixuan's pained and restrained expression, Xiao Huaijin laughed with utter contempt.

"Lord Pei seems to have misjudged the current situation. I will not hold it against you because of your meritorious service in protecting the emperor a few days ago. In the future, you must be careful with your words and actions."

"I don't want to hear you say those words again."

Xiao Huaijin's eyes instantly turned cold. He didn't want to say anything more to the other party, so he turned around and sat back on the dragon throne in front of the desk.

Pei Zhixuan's pupils trembled slightly. He raised his voice and said, "Your Majesty, you are the ruler of a nation. For the sake of the Great Yong Dynasty, you are destined to have a large harem and many descendants. But Shen Yunjiao, what she seeks is a partner who is devoted to her. If Your Majesty loves her, why not let her go sooner, so that she will not be harmed—"

“Pei Zhixuan,” Xiao Huaijin interrupted him coldly, “the one who hurt her was you, not me.”

"I love her, so naturally I will be devoted to her, protect her, give her fine clothes and food, and bestow upon her wealth and honor. These are things that you once disdained to do and were unable to do, I will do them one by one."

"Pei Zhixuan, it's you who should let go." Xiao Huaijin's handsome face held a hint of coldness and mockery.

Pei Zhixuan stood there, stunned, unsure how to react.

Xiao Huaijin's words were like a cold wind, mercilessly whipping his face and heart.

Yes, the one who truly has no right to protect Shen Yunjiao is himself.