After dealing with the Noble Families, Gan Tian walked to the window, gazing in the direction beyond the palace, and called out:
"Summon Prince Yuan—Qian Yuan—to the imperial palace."
Before long, a middle-aged man clad in a Prince's Python Robe strode swiftly into the imperial palace.
His features bore some resemblance to Gan Tian's, though his demeanor was somewhat more easygoing.
He was none other than Prince Qian Yuan, the current Emperor Gan's younger brother, who oversaw the Imperial Clan Court.
"Your younger brother pays his respects to Your Majesty." Qian Yuan bowed.
"There are no outsiders here, Imperial Brother. No need for such formalities."
Gan Tian gestured for him to rise. "I summoned you late at night because I have an important matter to entrust to you."
A trace of puzzlement flashed through Qian Yuan's eyes. "Please speak, Your Majesty."
"What do you think of the various Kings of Different Surname in the regions?" Gan Tian asked.
Qian Yuan's expression sharpened at once. "Your Majesty means... Prince Jing, Prince Wu, and the others?"
"Precisely." Gan Tian nodded. "Prince Jing and Prince Wu have been recruiting troops in the Southern Border and secretly colluding with other forces."
"...Surely Imperial Brother has not been unaware of these matters?"
Qian Yuan fell silent for a moment before saying, "Your Imperial Brother has heard some rumors. But they are, after all, descendants of the founding meritorious officials, and they hold military power in their hands. If they are dealt with rashly, I fear it may breed disaster."
"I never said I would deal with them immediately."
Gan Tian said indifferently, "But neither can we allow them to continue as they are."
"Imperial Brother oversees the Imperial Clan Court and has long had dealings with the imperial clan and the regional feudal kings. You