Only when Grand Tutor Xiang Liren walked out through the palace gates did he notice Li Chenzhou behind him. He hastily stopped and lowered his head slightly, discreetly showing Li Chenzhou his respect. Fortunately, most of the officials had already left, and even those who had not were walking with their heads lowered, paying little attention to anyone else.
"Greetings, Grand Tutor," Li Chenzhou said.
"I have yet to congratulate you, Governor Li," Xiang Liren said quietly.
"Rank and fame are nothing but drifting clouds to me," Li Chenzhou replied calmly. "As long as Great Yong can regain its glory, what would it matter if I lived as a commoner?"
Xiang Liren sneered inwardly. Li Chenzhou, oh, Li Chenzhou. Even now, you still spout such sanctimonious words. How can anyone be so hypocritical? Though he despised the man's conduct, he said, "Your lofty integrity truly makes you a model for all officials, Governor Li."
"You flatter me, Grand Tutor," Li Chenzhou said. "In truth, you are the pillar of our nation and the model for all officials. Without you, the divine needle anchoring our turbulent seas, how could Great Yong have weathered this crisis? Fortunately, your torch-bright discernment recognized the late emperor's final edict and brought the truth to light before the world!"
Xiang Liren could only smile bitterly. The final edict Xue Lingjun had produced was the forgery. He knew the late emperor's writing style and handwriting intimately. Although the edict was a convincing imitation, it was an imitation nonetheless. He had his own inescapable reasons for going against his conscience and declaring it genuine.
"The Grand Empress Dowager's remains are missing," Xiang Liren said. "This is no trivial matter. You must assign more men to recover the Old Empress Dowager's body as soon as possible, Grand Commander."
Li