Imperial City, inside the palace.
Duan Ziqian stared darkly at Jiang Zhizhou, who knelt before him.
"Do the rumors circulating outside have anything to do with you?"
Jiang Zhizhou remained composed. "Your Majesty, I do not know what matter you mean."
Duan Ziqian said bitterly, "The Left Chancellor's daughter and that... absurd! Utter nonsense!"
How could he bring himself to speak of something so filthy?
Jiang Zhizhou said, "Your Majesty, if it is utter nonsense, why concern yourself with it?"
Duan Ziqian abruptly turned and fixed his eyes on him. "You think so too?"
Jiang Zhizhou bowed low. "Your Majesty, I believe this affair is meant to unsettle you and throw the court into disorder. Such intentions deserve death! You need only ignore it, and the rumors will collapse without a blow!"
If I remain unmoved, heaven and earth will hold steady.
Duan Ziqian advanced toward Jiang Zhizhou and said, enunciating every word, "If this is true, what am I to do?"
Am I supposed to swallow my broken teeth along with the blood?
"I dare not speak recklessly," Jiang Zhizhou said, bowing again.
"Speak! I absolve you of any offense!" Duan Ziqian felt a suffocating pressure in his chest.
For the ruler of a nation to find himself in such an embarrassing predicament was infuriating indeed.
Jiang Zhizhou sighed inwardly, but quickly gathered his thoughts and said slowly, "Your Majesty, why not set this matter aside for the time being?"
Yang Qing had suggested this strategy before he entered the palace. To Jiang Zhizhou, it was an excellent plan.
"Set it aside? This affair has stirred a storm throughout the city. If I ignore it now, won't I become the laughingstock of the whole realm?"
How could shrinking back from trouble be the conduct of a wise sovereign?
"Not