Tang Yu wiped the tears from his face, kowtowed in thanks once more, then turned and left.
While Tang Yu entered the palace this time, Sui Hongji—who was paying the closest attention to the matter—was playing chess with an adviser in his residence.
To him, making this move was a checkmate.
If Tang Yu accepted, he would become the imperial son-in-law and vacate the Commander's post, no longer posing a threat to him.
If Tang Yu refused, the consequences were easy to imagine. His imperial father's indulgence toward his sister was plain for all to see.
The moment Tang Yu left the palace, he received the news.
Tang Yu had refused the proposal to become the imperial son-in-law?
"Refusing to become the imperial son-in-law would have been one thing, but he even publicly threatened Father Emperor with resignation? How did that kid walk out alive?"
Sui Hongji was deeply puzzled. The initial intelligence had not been very detailed, so that was all he knew.
Fortunately, after waiting a while, follow-up intelligence arrived, leaving Sui Hongji completely dumbfounded.
That Tang fellow actually wanted to resign? Just so he could return and repay his master's kindness?
What disappointed him most was that Father Emperor had neither accepted his resignation nor become angry over his refusal to become the imperial son-in-law. Instead, he had granted him a year's leave?
"That bastard got through on literary talent?"
Sui Hongji could not help swearing. Tang Yu had actually managed to get away unscathed—something Sui Hongji had never expected.
But when he thought of the year he could make use of, Sui Hongji narrowed his eyes and swiftly summoned his trusted men to make arrangements.
After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's second-in-command was his man.
Once Tang Yu left, a year would be enough for him