"Which minister's family owned that shop originally?" But when Emperor Huizong heard that Wang Han's shop was located opposite the brothel where Li Shishi lived, he was stunned. After thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and asked the old eunuch beside him.
"This old servant is unaware. No minister presented this shop when the gift-giving was discussed," the old eunuch honestly replied. Since Zhong Shidao and his companion were plotting against Emperor Huizong, how could they not be wary of his investigation? The deed was not only presented jointly by two individuals, but it was also secretly given; the steward didn't even read it aloud that day, only discovering it later during the sorting process.
"Hmph! I know who it is without you telling me." Emperor Huizong snorted coldly, already having a guess in his mind. Who else could it be but those ministers who disapproved of his visits to Li Shishi? Unfortunately, he didn't know exactly who they were, and he couldn't possibly retaliate against them all.
"Headache." Emperor Huizong rubbed his head, groaning. Just as Wang Han, Zhong Shidao, and Su Yuanjing had predicted, Emperor Huizong was truly struggling to decide this matter. Or rather, if Wang Han had truly fallen for Li Shishi, the outcome was already predetermined. After all, the biggest problem was that Li Shishi came from a brothel. Regardless of whether Wang Han ultimately fell for Li Shishi, Emperor Huizong couldn't let Wang Han know about his affair with her, otherwise he would be seen as a debauched and tyrannical ruler. Some ministers would likely start spouting all sorts of exaggerated rumors.
If Wang Han takes a liking to Li Shishi, then it would be better if he withdrew. If he didn't, he would not only be seen as a debauched and tyrannical ruler, but also as a foolish and indecisive emperor who couldn't make the right choice, even though he was truly reluctant to let her go. Such an important person, someone whose fate was tied to the Song Dynasty, would likely be driven away by his own actions, leaving him with the infamy of a foolish emperor for all time, a name that his descendants would remember for a lifetime.
"Go and summon Gao Qiu to the palace immediately," Emperor Huizong of Song instructed the eunuch after racking his brains for a long time without finding a good solution. Perhaps that old fox Gao Qiu would have a way.
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