Ma Shunde felt a slight sense of relief, while the emperor looked pensive.
Seeming to recall that Qian Wei had immediately beaten Wang Jinzhong to death with staves to prevent him from speaking out of turn in public, the emperor let out a deep breath and sighed, "Qian Wei still has some capability after all."
At the very least, being able to execute Wang Jinzhong on the spot—based on this point alone, he could sweep away Qian Wei's previous display of weakness.
This man was still loyal to him.
Prostrate on the floor, Ma Shunde dared not make a sound, yet a sudden swell of jealousy arose within his heart.
At that moment, a eunuch entered from outside, hurried to the emperor's side, and whispered, "Your Majesty, Qian Wei has already arrived outside the palace gates. He claims the case has been thoroughly investigated and specifically requests an audience to report to you."
"Let him enter." The emperor was heavy with thoughts. By now the sky had grown much gloomier, with heavy thunder rumbling one after another. Having already learned what had happened, he still felt unreconciled, believing that if the matter ended just like this, it would truly be all labor for naught and a missed opportunity.
Yet things had reached this point, and he could only let it drop. Enduring his irritation, the emperor ordered Qian Wei to be called in.
Qian Wei, who had been waiting outside the grand hall, watched as the eunuch who had just gone in to report came back out.
"Lord Qian, His Majesty is waiting for you inside. Please enter the hall without delay!"
Qian Wei nodded in gratitude and strode inside. As soon as he entered, he caught sight of the emperor's familiar figure pacing about within the hall, and hastily