King Jie seed very confident in his success, so confident that there must be so unknown hidden plan.
Without understanding what this hidden plan is, the Emperor felt uneasy.
He inford a few ministers to hear their opinions. Bringing such a vague and incomplete matter to the court could cause panic or be exploited by those with ulterior motives, which would not be good.
Thus, the Emperor exercised caution upon caution.
"What King Jie relies on is nothing but the Emperor’s tolerance. The so-called ’remove a weed by its roots,’ if King Jie loses his life, what success is there to speak of?" The Grand Tutor was the first to speak.
The Grand Tutor was the Emperor’s ntor, having supported him up to now, and held significant weight in the Emperor’s mind.
The Emperor would heed so of his words, but when it ca to King Jie’s life or death, the Emperor could not listen.
Killing King Jie is easy, but to remove him by the roots, one must first know where the roots are.
"I believe that King Jie is rely in his death throes, speaking absurd words to confuse the masses," another minister said.
Pei Ji’an and Xiao Shiqing both remained silent for the mont. Seeing their silence, the Emperor actively inquired, "Minister Pei, Minister Xiao, how do you view this matter?"
Pei Ji’an glanced at Xiao Shiqing, who also looked over. No matter what grievances existed between them, they wouldn’t act on emotions when handling official matters.
With a re look, it was clear who would speak first. Pei Ji’an stepped forward, "Your Majesty, King Jie is connected to many. He wouldn’t make reckless statents just to save his life. I believe it’s more prudent to slowly investigate his underlying motives."
Xiao Shiqing also added, "Regardless of whatever King Jie’s motives are, his current statents have too obvious a provocative purpose. I believe it would be better to remain calm and poised."
The Emperor, upon hearing, found their points reasonable. No wonder these were two ministers he valued, as their words always hit the mark for him.
"In that case, I will assign you to investigate King Jie’s underlying motives. Whatever ans you employ, you must uncover the truth, whether real or false. I want a clear outco."
"Yes."
"Yes."
With the official business concluded, the Emperor was about to dismiss them when Pei Ji’an spoke up again, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."
"What is it?" The Emperor, sowhat fatigued, rubbed his brow. Many desire to sit on this throne, but those who actually do are not necessarily at ease.
Pei Ji’an withdrew a morial from his sleeve and handed it to the eunuch beside him, who then passed it to the Emperor.
"A morial, what important morial could it be, that you didn’t present it in the morning court but bring it out now? Are you doing this to unsettle deliberately?" the Emperor remarked, slightly annoyed.
Pei Ji’an chuckled apologetically, "It’s rely so minor insights, not worth presenting in court to make a spectacle."
The Emperor snorted twice but still took the morial and opened it. To his surprise, it had five, six, seven, or eight pages. What minor insights could fill so many pages? He glared at Pei Ji’an, who maintained a calm deanor, revealing nothing.
The Emperor persevered in reading further, and as he read on, he couldn’t contain his surprise, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.
Others present found it unbelievable. What morial could captivate the Emperor to such an extent?
Their eyes shifted between Heir Pei and the Emperor.
Pei Ji’an feigned ignorance of others’ gazes, waiting calmly for the Emperor’s response.
Who knows how long it took? In any case, while the Emperor read the morial, no one dared to speak, waiting quietly till he finished. Eventually, laughter erupted in the Imperial Study Room.
"Hahahaha." The Emperor laughed as he looked at the morial, "What a splendid idea! Did you co up with this proposal?"
Pei Ji’an bowed, "Your Majesty, this idea is not mine."
The Emperor was greatly surprised, "Then whose idea is it? Who could have such high wisdom?"
Pei Ji’an replied, "Your Majesty, the person who suggested this does not dare to guarantee its effectiveness. If Your Majesty finds it feasible, why not try it first, and if it proves successful, we can discuss further?"
The Emperor nodded, "I didn’t expect you to have such a talented person by your side, and also so humble."
Seeing this, the Grand Tutor couldn’t help but ask, "What is it that brings such joy to Your Majesty?"
The Emperor handed the morial to the Grand Tutor, "Take a look, Grand Tutor, and you’ll understand."
The Grand Tutor took it, initially not thinking much, but upon finishing, his hand trembled slightly while holding it.
It was indeed a headache to deal with the annual refugee issues he had.
Soon after, the morial passed from one person to another among the others.
"A charitable foundation, a board of shareholders, an auction, hahaha, interesting, intriguing!" The Emperor habitually opened his folding fan, elegantly fanning himself, only to find the weather cooling, making the breeze chilly, prompting him to abruptly shut it.
The nearby eunuch saw and nearly couldn’t hold back his laughter.
No wonder the Emperor was impressive; he noticed even this small detail, casting a sideways glance at the eunuch, who imdiately knelt in fear, apologizing.
The Emperor lightly snorted. If he was in a bad mood from reading morials, even this minor offhand would have punished the eunuch severely, but today’s morial pleased him, so he let it slide.
Once everyone had read the morial, they were all impressed by its ideas.
"Your Majesty, it’s worth a try; the benefits outweigh the drawbacks," the Grand Tutor was the first to speak again.
"I second," another minister agreed.
Xiao Shiqing also concurred.
The Emperor laughed again, "The first step is always the hardest. The specifics of implentation need to be discussed at length. If done well, the benefits indeed outweigh the drawbacks."
Of course, Pei Ji’an saw the shortcomings, as did the Emperor, and others weren’t fools either.
But one cannot halt action just because of so drawbacks; what on earth cos without drawbacks?
As they left the Imperial Study Room, Pei Ji’an and Xiao Shiqing fell behind the Grand Tutor and another minister.
Pei Ji’an walked ahead of Xiao Shiqing, but Xiao Shiqing quickly caught up to walk alongside.
"What does Prince Xiao an by this?" Pei Ji’an was beaming with happiness these days, enjoying life, and apart from official business, he preferred not to stand too close to Xiao Shiqing.
Afraid his good days might be disturbed.
It wasn’t that Heir Pei doubted his own confidence, it’s just that so people’s persistent entanglents were annoying.
"How is she doing?" Xiao Shiqing asked, while looking ahead, not at him.
Pei Ji’an almost thought he misheard, but he knew he hadn’t, so Xiao Shiqing must be insane.
"What a question from Prince Xiao. She is, of course, doing well. No, whether she’s well or not, what does it have to do with you? She’s my wife now. Doesn’t Prince Xiao find such a question inappropriate and overreaching?"
Warned by Pei Ji’an, Xiao Shiqing’s face remained expressionless as ever, "Treat her well. If I find you’ve wronged her, I won’t let you off."
With that, he strode forward, widening the gap between them.
Pei Ji’an truly felt tongue-tied.
To say a few words to annoy soone and then leave leisurely? He really wanted to catch up and curse his ancestors, but the upbringing of a well-bred young man kept him restrained.
There was no need to lower his standards for soone who didn’t understand.
Now a family man, maturity and stability were the hallmarks of a good man—sothing an unmarried man like Xiao Shiqing wouldn’t understand.
Why imitate a childish tactic to irritate others? Immature!
However, not even Heir Pei’s impeccable manners could suppress the tempestuous emotions within.
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