But from a public perspective, he had witnessed Prince Rong's wanton slaughter of innocent people, and was ultimately executed by His Majesty for plotting a conspiracy. Naturally, he should sever all ties with such a traitor.

In fact, before Prince Rong died, Deng Tianyou had already stopped associating with this person because of their political differences.

This is also the reason why he is still valued by His Majesty after Prince Rong's death.

But why, why didn't this person die?

Why is he here?

"Strange, you didn't guess this possibility before coming here?" Qin Zhao asked with a smile when he saw him losing his composure.

Deng Tianyou did not answer.

His gaze fell back on the poem, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "Why did you give this poem to me?"

"You've already excused yourself from the Luming Feast today due to illness. If you've avoided this one encounter, you don't have to meet me. At least, no one will know your identity before you arrive in Beijing." Deng Tianyou paused, then continued, "But you chose to use this poem."

He could have avoided meeting Deng Tianyou, so why did he deliberately use this poem to lure Deng Tianyou to see him?

"Why did you bring me here?" Deng Tianyou asked coldly.

"Of course, it's because I want to see you." Qin Zhao said frankly, "You have been an official in the capital for many years, and I haven't been back to the capital for a long time. You are a useful person to me. I need you, it's that simple."

"You're going back to Beijing?"

Qin Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "Do you think I'm just taking the exam for fun?"

"Deng Tianyou, I thought you knew me well enough." Qin Zhao said, "I never do meaningless things."

Deng Tianyou's face turned pale and he looked away: "But I don't know if what I know is the real you."

He was selected as the top scholar at the age of 20, the youngest person to do so since the founding of the dynasty. Prince Rong held him in high esteem, and he once considered him his ideal. However, as his reign grew longer, their political views gradually diverged, ultimately leading to their fallout.

Looking back now, Deng Tianyou had no idea whether the person he knew was the other person’s true face.

"No rush, we still have time. We can have a cup of tea and talk slowly." Qin Zhao's attitude remained calm.

"No need, just say it directly." Deng Tianyou didn't waste any time with him. "Why did you call me here?"

On the desk sat the tea that Ah Qi had just brewed. Qin Zhao took a sip and then broached another topic: "Do you remember how this poem came about?"

"At the Luming Banquet after you passed the imperial examination, I knew you came from a poor family, so I asked you why you wanted to take the imperial examination. I thought it was to improve your situation, but you said no."

"You said you were doing this for the peace of your country and the well-being of the people."

"You were afraid I'd think you were boasting, so you composed a poem on the spot, expressing your resolve. You said if you ever went against the words of the poem, I'd take your life. Do you remember my response?"

Deng Tianyou closed his eyes and recalled what the other party had said.

"You are courageous and have integrity. You are worthy of being a talent that this king values!" The man was dressed in gorgeous clothes and should have been superior, but he did not put on airs in front of the young Deng Tianyou at the time.

After listening to his poem, the other party even came down from the main seat and brought him a glass of wine: "I will always remember what you said today and your poem. God bless you, don't let me down."

Until now, recalling the scene of that year, Deng Tianyou still gets excited. The appreciation in the man's eyes is not fake. Deng Tianyou is willing to believe that, at least at that time, the man and his ambition are the same.

But what happened later?