The Empress Dowager bypassed the Emperor and directly issued an order to the Ministry of Rites to appoint a concubine.

The emperor did not react at all.

Should he accept this hot potato of an imperial edict or not?

The Emperor has recently retreated to Xiaoyuan Garden in the West Garden, refusing to even attend the morning court sessions, and no longer residing in the palace...

Having spent many years navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, Liu Ji immediately feigned illness and requested leave to stay home, even ignoring the results of the recent palace examination, which had not yet been posted.

This matter hasn't caused a stir yet.

A major case quickly attracted the attention of the entire nation.

A major upheaval occurred in the officialdom of Liaodong.

From the governor of Liaodong to the grain clerk, they were all imprisoned in the Imperial Guard's prison and detained by the Northern Garrison Command.

His family members were ordered to go to his post to make restitution. The matter was only considered closed when his family members returned to their hometown, sold their property, and repaid the debts incurred during his tenure.

The sheer number of officials and the wide range of people involved in this matter are astonishing.

This was the first major case that Liu Jin personally handled after receiving authorization from the emperor, so he naturally took extra care in handling it.

There was widespread discontent both inside and outside the court.

The crowd was abuzz with discussion, cursing Liu Jin for abusing his power and acting without any restraint.

With the Eastern Depot and its guards at his disposal, how could Liu Jin tolerate the raging public opinion?

They immediately arrested several of the most vocal critics and threw them into the imperial prison.

One of them was a scholar who had just passed the imperial examination.

As a result, everyone dared not speak out against their anger, and dared not utter any rumors, only exchanging glances.

Many people couldn't help but sigh: "From this point on, the people of the world no longer knew that there was an emperor!"

Some even lamented: "The Great Liang Dynasty currently has two emperors. One is the seated emperor, the current emperor. The other is the standing emperor, the Grand Chancellor of the Directorate of Ceremonial."

The so-called "standing emperor" refers to "Liu Jin".

Upon hearing these rumors, Liu Jin broke out in a cold sweat.

The emperor only entrusted him with political affairs, but did not allow him to have any control over the military.

Military power was in the hands of Zhang Yong, a eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department.

Even the Eastern Depot was under Ma Yongcheng's control.

Ma Yongcheng, on the other hand, was directly under the emperor's command.

Liu Yu, the Minister of War, appeared to be close to Liu Jin, but in reality, he was merely using Liu Jin to relay messages to the emperor.

Liu Jin bore the infamy, but also enjoyed the unparalleled glory that power brought.

There are gains and losses.

The way others watched him, angry but unable to speak out, was truly captivating.

He also dared not risk his reputation by abandoning his post.

If Liu Jin doesn't do it, the Emperor will support someone else to do it.

At that time, Liu Jin will probably be sent to grow vegetables at Xiaoling Mausoleum in Nanjing.

The honors bestowed upon his parents by the emperor will likely be revoked.

Liu Jin returned to his private residence, opened a secret room, lit incense, and spoke in a low voice with an unfathomable gaze:

“Master, rest assured, your disciple has now reached the position you once held, and I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations.”

The memorial tablet bears the words "Respected Teacher Li Guang" in large gold lacquer.

...

Xiaoyuan, the practice room.

The two figures were locked in a fierce battle, neither gaining the upper hand.

Lu Xingjian threw Gu Ziyu to the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw.

Gu Ziyu landed on her feet first, then did a backflip and stood up again, pulling Lu Xingjian forward with the momentum.

Lu Xingjian was surprised that Gu Ziyu's kung fu had improved again, and he had to defend for several moves before he could regain his footing.

The two resumed their fight.

When both of them were lying on the ground, drenched in sweat, they had already exchanged hundreds of blows.

Lu Xingjian patted Gu Ziyu on the shoulder, his smile full of appreciation: "Ziyu is still the same as when he was a child."

They wouldn't deliberately make the landing simple.

The last time the two sparred, Lu Xingjian was still the Crown Prince, before Gu Ziyu went to the frontier for training.

He always gives his all and doesn't deliberately give way to Lu Xingjian.

Someone attempted to assassinate him, and Gu Ziyu immediately stepped in front of Lu Xingjian to block him.

The two were nominally ruler and subject, but in reality, they shared a brotherly bond.

Gu Ziyu wiped his sweat and smiled with relief.

Su Wanwan is now married.

Yesterday, when she returned to Xiyuan from the Su family, Gu Ziyu was ordered to lead men to guard her.

Su Wanwan didn't notice him, nor did she greet him.

He no longer rushed to her to greet her or fawn over her as he used to.

He felt he had let go.

The two changed clothes and sat down to drink.

Gu Ziyu mentioned the burning of grain and fodder at Luanyang Post Station in Yongping Prefecture, Beizhili, and the subsequent imprisonment of a group of officials, including the Ministry of Revenue official in charge of grain.

"As the saying goes, oppressive government is more ferocious than a tiger. By making such a big show of it, you've incurred the wrath of both heaven and the people. Aren't you afraid that something terrible might happen one day?"

Lu Xingjian narrowed his eyes, then raised his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"I'm too lazy to bother with these trivial matters these days."

"As you know, Wanwan was poisoned at her birthday banquet less than two months after marrying into the palace."

"If I continue to govern, I will become completely isolated."

"Nowadays, I'll just live the life of a wealthy and leisurely man, drinking a little wine every day and spending time with my wife. Life is quite pleasant."

Gu Ziyu, however, sensed a hint of helplessness in his words.

I felt a strange mix of emotions.

Power and beautiful women are things that almost all men strive for.

Now, because of Su Wanwan's poisoning, Lu Xingjian has actually handed over his power and surrendered to the civil and military officials.

This selfless sacrifice for love earned him a degree of admiration.

If it weren't for the two incidents of Wang Yanruo being made a concubine and Ma Ji still being in the palace, he would definitely have toasted him to his genuine nature.

Gu Ziyu simply said, "Wanwan is a good girl, don't let her down."

Lu Xingjian glanced at him, then smiled and asked, "How are things between you and Miss Wen now?"

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