After Yang Qiu and the other two left, thinking of the people outside the Nangong Palace, Dou Miao turned to Chen Fan and the others and said in a deep voice, "Grand Tutor, Minister of Works, Grand Commandant, Minister of Agriculture, Grand Herald!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Those people outside the Southern Palace are all loyal ministers and righteous men of the Emperor. A few of you go out and explain to them, and don't let them cause any trouble!! So as not to bring any trouble to the Emperor....!"

"promise!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan, Hu Guang, Li Ying, Yuan Feng, and Yang Ci bowed to Dou Miao and then turned to leave.

Outside the South Palace, more than 10,000 young people had gathered, each craning their necks to look inside, waiting for news from within the palace.

Before long, three figures appeared in everyone's sight. They were Yang Qiu, Xun Shuang, and Song Feng, who had come out first.

"That must be Mr. Ciming...?"

"Has he been in the palace the whole time...?"

"Given Mr. Ciming's character, he would certainly not do anything to harm His Majesty...!"

Whispers arose from the crowd, and the students at the front immediately recognized Xun Shuang.

"Ciming, what's the situation inside the palace?"

Upon seeing Xun Shuang and the other two emerge, Zheng Xuan hurriedly went to greet them and inquire about the situation.

"What you've heard is nothing but a rumor. Everything is perfectly safe in the palace, so please rest assured... We've come out here to arrest those who spread these rumors!"

After explaining to Zheng Xuan and everyone present, Xun Shuang and the other two hurriedly left.

"rumor....?"

Watching Xun Shuang and the others leave, Zheng Xuan and the others couldn't help but exchange glances. Everyone was secretly wondering what these people who spread rumors were up to.

Before long, Chen Fan, Hu Guang, Yuan Feng, Li Ying, and Yang Ci, all influential figures in the court, came out one after another.

The crowd felt much more at ease upon seeing the arrival of the Grand Duke and the Three Dukes. With them in the palace, it wouldn't be so easy for the Empress Dowager to launch a coup.

Chen Fan and the others were shocked to see the densely packed group of young men wielding weapons outside the South Palace.

While feeling gratified, the group also felt a sense of lingering fear. Such a group of passionate young people could become a powerful tool in the emperor's hands, but they could also be easily exploited by those with ulterior motives, leading to great disaster.

"Greetings, Grand Tutor, gentlemen...!"

When Chen Fan and his companions approached, everyone immediately bowed in greeting.

What are you doing here...?

Chen Fan looked at the group of young people in front of him with a stern face, his words carrying a hint of questioning.

Zheng Xuan said somewhat guiltily, "Reporting to the Grand Tutor... we are here to protect His Majesty...!"

Chen Fan immediately glared at the crowd and angrily rebuked them: "Protect the Emperor...? Protect what? His Majesty is perfectly fine. He has his own Imperial Guards, Northern Army, Imperial Guard Battalion, and Tiger Guard. Does he need you to protect him...?"

"Look at you all! How dare you! Without His Majesty's decree, you actually dare to surround the palace with weapons? What are you trying to do? Protect the Emperor or force him to abdicate?"

"We're here because we heard His Majesty is in a coma, and the Empress Dowager..."

"Yes, we..."

Chen Fan's reprimand had no effect; on the contrary, many people still stared at him defiantly, not for any other reason than that they felt Chen Fan had questioned their loyalty.

"shut up....!"

Chen Fan looked around at everyone with a disappointed expression, "You are all talents of our Great Han, deeply cared for and relied upon by His Majesty, and regarded by His Majesty as the future backbone and pillars of the Great Han."

Your willingness to come and protect me is commendable, but to act so impulsively and without discernment based on a mere rumor is unacceptable. How can you possibly assist Your Majesty in the future?

Furthermore, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty are like mother and son. If you were to actually clash with the palace guards, would His Majesty side with you or with the Empress Dowager? Are you trying to force His Majesty to commit an act of filial impiety?

"We dare not...!"

Chen Fan's words left everyone speechless, and they all lowered their heads in shame.

They proclaimed themselves loyal to the emperor, but after the initial fervor subsided, they realized they had indeed done wrong while remaining loyal, and that they had been manipulated by rumors.

Thinking of this, everyone present felt a deep resentment towards those who spread rumors with ulterior motives.

Seeing that everyone's agitated emotions had been calmed down, Chen Fan and the others couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Zheng Xuan, who was standing to the side, asked, "May I ask, Grand Tutor, how is His Majesty doing now?"

The others also looked up, their faces showing concern as they looked at Chen Fan.

Chen Fan shook his head and sighed softly, "His Majesty is overworked and remains unconscious..."

"How could this happen?! His Majesty is so young, how could this be...!!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xuan and the others looked towards the palace in disbelief. Just how much pressure could there be to cause a child under thirteen years old to fall ill from overwork?

"Alas, it's all our fault as officials for failing to share His Majesty's burdens, causing him to be preoccupied with every little detail, working tirelessly day and night! At such a young age, he is already constantly worried and overworked, which is why..."

Hu Guang sighed with a sorrowful expression, and two lines of tears slid down his cheeks.

He had longed for this all his life, and finally a wise and powerful young emperor appeared. The emperor's actions did not disappoint him. However, at this moment, he wished that the emperor could be like an ordinary boy, carefree and happy, instead of being so worried and frowning all day long.

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