Wen Chenghuan dropped to his knees again with a thud. "Long live our emperor, long may he reign! With Great Kang in its present state, only Your Majesty can come forward and take charge!"
Although Zhou Ruiyuan held no hope whatsoever for the old emperor's return to power, circumstances were stronger than any man. In the present situation, unless he bowed his head and went with the current, not only his own life but those of his entire family might be lost. Zhou Ruiyuan echoed, "The Grand Tutor is right. Only with Your Majesty presiding over affairs can the ministers be convinced in both heart and mind, and the people of Great Kang feel secure."
Long Xuan'en looked at the two men and chuckled, then began coughing violently again.
Zhou Ruiyuan and Wen Chenghuan were uneasy, yet the same thought occurred to them both: the old emperor's health must be failing. Already a guttering candle in the wind in his twilight years, he had endured such tremendous upheavals. Even if he harbored ambitions of wielding power and reclaiming the throne, he probably lacked the strength.
Qiqi gently patted Long Xuan'en's back, helping him catch his breath.
"My heart is willing, but my strength no longer suffices," Long Xuan'en said. "Fortunately, I still have ministers like you."
Both men relaxed inwardly at these words. It seemed the old emperor truly had no intention of exterminating them.
How could Long Xuan'en not know what these two had done after his abdication? But he was no fool. After this calamity, he had suddenly gained a profound understanding and seen Great Kang's present situation clearly. If he unleashed a torrent of vengeance for past wrongs after his restoration, every minister would fear for his own safety, and Great Kang might well be finished. Long