Gou Dan and Cheng'er both tried to persuade Xie Fugui to give up the idea, but Xie Fugui wouldn't listen at all.

Xie Fugui pointed at Gou Dan and Cheng'er and said, "You two little rascals, no matter how eloquently you explain it, I won't believe you."

His wife and his children and grandchildren were all tricked away by those two little devils' sweet talk. He wouldn't listen to those two rascals; they just hadn't had enough fun and didn't want to go back.

snort!

You've swindled my wife, children, and grandchildren, and you still want to keep playing around outside? No way!

Xie Fugui threw the stick into the ditch beside him. "Come on, come back with me to pack your things. I'm telling you, neither of you are going to run away. If you two try, I'll have the magistrate send men to arrest you."

Gou Dan could definitely run away if he wanted to. However, to avoid any unforeseen complications, he should accompany Old Master Xie back to Beijing. He'd already been dealing with Old Master Xie for over three months; another month wouldn't hurt.

Gou Dan, carrying Wei Cheng'er, followed Xie Fugui home and asked, "Grandpa Xie, why are you suddenly going to the capital?"

Xie Fugui glared at Gou Dan. "Isn't this all your fault? Hurry up and run, or I'll kick you."

The next day, Xie Fugui set off with Gou Dan, Wei Cheng'er, and the newly bought old woman. Before departing, he also had the county magistrate send two letters to the capital by express courier.

As for the house and land, Xie Fugui entrusted them to that old friend who said he was too thin-skinned.

Gou Dan winked at Wei Cheng'er as he watched Xie Fugui ask the county magistrate to do this and that for him. Meaning: It seems our efforts these past few months haven't been in vain.

Wei Cheng'er's lips curled up. It's so good to be able to help Brother Gou Dan.

More than half a month later, Grandpa Tian and Grandma Tian received Xie Fugui's letter.

The brother and sister both laughed after reading it.

Grandma Tian looked at Grandpa Tian. "Brother, your trick really works."

"Hahahaha...Did he curse you in the letter? If he did, your brother will get revenge for you when he gets back."

"No, besides saying that they had already set off, they said a lot of bad things about Wang Youzhi."

"Ha ha ha ha……"

"Big brother, is he angry with you?"

"No. I'm his brother-in-law. If he dares to argue with me, I'll break his legs."

"So what did he say to you?"

"She also said a lot of bad things about Wang Youzhi. She said that Wang Youzhi looks respectable on the surface, but he is actually very bad. She said that if I were to marry you off to Wang Youzhi, I would be harming you."

Wang Youzhi: "..." What did I do to deserve this?

Meanwhile, Sisi also received a letter from Gou Dan. Sisi was a little depressed. Her father-in-law was now looking forward to Gou Dan's return every day, because once Gou Dan came back, he could abdicate and go out to enjoy himself.

That evening, Sisi gave Ning Yirong a good beating.

Ning Yirong is in heaven one moment and hell the next.

On the other side, as soon as the emperor learned that his beloved grandson was coming back, he immediately summoned the head of the Imperial Hospital and the palace maid in charge of the empress's makeup.

The next day, after breakfast, the emperor summoned several senior officials.

When the senior officials arrived, they saw the emperor lying on his couch, his face as white as snow. The officials were terrified.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Could His Majesty have been assassinated?

But that shouldn't be the case.

If anyone's going to be assassinated, it should be the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, not the Emperor. Why assassinate the Emperor? He's just a puppet; all the important decisions are made by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

Could it be that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess can't wait any longer?

The old ministers ran toward the emperor while their minds wandered.

Seeing them approaching, the Emperor quickly said, "Please don't come any closer. I'm ill, and I don't want to pass my illness on to you. You're not young anymore; it's time for you to enjoy your retirement. Cough cough..."

To make it more realistic, the emperor coughed twice. "I intend to pass the throne to the crown prince. You may all abdicate with me."

The old ministers: "..." What?! You want to abdicate? Were you forced to? If you were forced, give us a look, we'll understand.

"Ahem..." The Emperor coughed twice more, feigning surprise. "Aren't you all surprised? I ask you, why did you work so hard when you were young?"

The old ministers: "..." Your Majesty, we are not in the mood to reminisce about the past. Why don't you give us a look first to let us know if you were forced into this situation?

Seeing that they remained silent, the Emperor continued, "Of course, it's so that we can live comfortably as old men at home when we get old. But look at you now, how old are you, still getting up early and working late to attend court?"

The old ministers: "..." We are willing. No, Your Majesty, are you... being forced? You should at least give us a hint.

The Emperor was a little annoyed that they still hadn't reacted. "Hey! What are you all standing there for? I'm going to retire at home and enjoy my old age. You should all go home and enjoy your grandchildren too."

The old ministers: "..." The emperor is getting anxious. Does the emperor think they haven't realized he was forced into this?

The head of the Imperial Medical Academy, who had been standing silently by, saw that the emperor was getting anxious and immediately said, "Your Excellencies, His Majesty was injured in battle in his early years and cannot continue to exert himself."

The old ministers all looked towards the head of the Imperial Medical Academy. The implication was: Are you kidding me? His Majesty was full of energy yesterday, and now he can't handle any more work?

The head of the Imperial Medical Academy understood these veteran officials perfectly. He had just heard the Emperor say he intended to abdicate, and he didn't believe he could cooperate. How many emperors throughout history had refused to relinquish power until their death?

The head of the Imperial Medical Academy looked at the senior officials and said, "My lords, although His Majesty is ill, he is in good spirits. His Majesty has long wanted to take his grandsons to Jiangnan for a trip, but he has been burdened by state affairs."

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