"Alright, you may leave. I need to rest."

Liu Hong ignored Zhang Rang and turned to walk towards the back hall.

Watching the emperor's figure disappear into the darkness, Zhang Rang finally breathed a sigh of relief. He then tiptoed to the palace gate, ready to await the emperor's summons at any moment.

Recalling what had just happened, Zhang Rang felt a wave of fear wash over him.

Although the emperor had been speaking kindly and smiling the whole time, Zhang Rang sensed a terrifying feeling behind that kind smile, as if he were facing a dark abyss.

The emperor's authority is like a prison; since ancient times, the power of eunuchs has been preserved only by relying on the emperor's trust. Eunuchs can oppose anyone, but they must never oppose the emperor.

“Your Highness, even though you have done me a great favor, the Emperor is simply too terrifying. You and I are no match for him. I’m sorry.”

In a mere instant, Zhang Rang made his decision. No matter how powerful Wang Fu was, how could he possibly defeat the emperor?

Furthermore, Zhang Rang was well aware of the current situation: the emperor needed him to deceive Wang Fu and the others, while Wang Fu and the others also needed him to obtain information about the emperor.

Zhang Rang suddenly felt that as long as he operated properly from the center, he seemed to be invincible no matter what he did.

The following day, Liu Hong secretly summoned Lü Qiang, who was also a court attendant.

Although Zhang Rang didn't know what the emperor said to Lü Qiang, the strange smile Lü Qiang gave when he left made him feel something was off.

Zhang Rang knew Lü Qiang; he had always been an outlier in their group, upright and just, never vying for power, and on good terms with scholars.

Cao Jie and Wang Fu had tried to win him over, but never succeeded. Cao Jie was also very low-key. Even this man was impressed by the emperor, which made Zhang Rang even more determined to follow the emperor.

Back at his residence, Lü Qiang abandoned his usual low profile and began to aggressively recruit honest eunuchs or those who had been oppressed by Wang Fu and others.

At this time, the palace eunuchs had split into two factions. One faction was led by Wang Fu, Hou Lan and others, while the other faction was led by Lü Qiang. The two sides began to confront each other, and with Zhang Rang stirring things up, Wang Fu's idea of ​​taking control of the palace was never realized.

Outside the Southern Palace, inside Wang Fu's residence, prominent figures such as Cao Jie, Xiang Rang, and Hou Lan were all gathered. Since returning to the palace with the emperor, Cao Jie had become much more low-key. Wang Fu had tried to discuss matters with him many times, but Cao Jie refused each time, which made Wang Fu very dissatisfied, but he did not want to directly turn against him.

"The reason I have summoned you all here today is because it concerns our very lives and livelihoods."

Now Dou Wu and Chen Fan control the court, and they have always wished to get rid of us as soon as possible. If we cannot find a way to win back the Emperor's favor and allow them to do as they please, I fear we will all die without a burial place!

Wang Fu glanced around at everyone in the room, a hint of malice in his eyes. They had always been at a disadvantage compared to Dou Wu and Chen Fan, and now, with Lü Qiang constantly opposing them in the palace, their already difficult days had become even worse.

“What the prince said is correct. The emperor has lived in Hejian since childhood and often came into contact with scholars. He was inevitably misled by them, which is why he has distanced himself from us.”

Now that we are not favored by the Emperor, you all had better restrain your families and ensure that you do not cause any more trouble, lest those scholars seize upon this as a pretext to launch an attack!

Cao Jie nodded solemnly, then glared fiercely at the crowd.

"If anyone causes any trouble, angers His Majesty, and implicates us, then even without the Emperor's word, I, Cao, will be the first to kill him!"

"What Lord Cao said is true..."

Among these people, Cao Jie and Wang Fu were the most powerful. Upon hearing this, everyone nodded cautiously in agreement.

Wang Fu frowned. Although he was somewhat annoyed that Cao Jie had stolen his thunder, upon closer reflection, he realized that his group was already walking on thin ice. If they were to start fighting amongst themselves again, they would likely be trampled down in no time.

Looking at the people in the room, Cao Jie sneered inwardly. He did not tell the people present about his secret meeting with the emperor. Now that the new emperor had just been established, how could he take the throne without stepping on them?

After discussing some matters, everyone dispersed, each with their own thoughts.