Sure enough, on the afternoon of the very next day, the emperor summoned Lu Haixian again.
This time, Lu Haixian appeared much more composed as he returned to the Imperial Study, but that was only on the surface. Inwardly, he was thinking about what Yu Ziye had told him yesterday.
After following the eunuch to the entrance of the Imperial Study, Lu Haixian intended to wait outside for a while, but the eunuch smiled and said directly,
"Lord Lu, His Majesty said you may go straight in. Please!"
"Very well!"
Suppressing his unease, Lu Haixian straightened his robes and headwear before entering the Imperial Study. This time, the emperor raised his head at the sound of footsteps, and a smile appeared on his face when he saw Lu Haixian.
"My dear Minister Lu, you've arrived?"
Lu Haixian looked alarmed and hurried forward to pay his respects.
"I am sorry to have kept Your Majesty waiting. I deserve ten thousand deaths!"
"Now, now, you only have one life. Even if you die, you can only die once! Hahahahaha!"
Yet that jest made Lu Haixian's heart give a sudden jolt. Coupled with Yu Ziye's words yesterday, it awakened the political instincts that had grown dull over the years.
"Your Majesty is right. Your Majesty is right!"
Seeing Lu Haixian's fearful deference, the emperor smiled and stepped out from behind his desk to stand before the old minister.
"There is no need for such ceremony, Minister Lu. Your Four Seas and Mountains Record is truly an extraordinary book. I have scarcely been able to put it down lately!"
"Thank you for Your Majesty's gracious favor. I am overwhelmed."
The emperor walked over to the Writing Couch, then turned and beckoned to Lu Haixian.
"Minister Lu, come, come. Tell me, how did you conceive