The Emperor Pledged His Full Support, and the Beauty Ranking's Finest Secretly Gave Her Heart
Evening fell.
The eunuch bearing the imperial summons arrived at the Yamen.
"Thousand-Household Commander Jia, His Majesty has summoned you to dine with him."
Jia Huan followed him to the Forbidden City.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Emperor Jingde sat on the Imperial Throne, quietly reviewing memorials.
Jia Huan walked slowly into the hall, bowed, and saluted.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy good health."
Emperor Jingde set down his memorial and smiled, gesturing for him to rise.
"I am well."
"Come, dine with me."
He stepped into a side hall, with Jia Huan following close behind.
A rosewood table nearly twenty feet long held more than a hundred dishes, encompassing every delicacy of mountain and sea.
Four palace experts stood beside it, their auras as deep as abysses and imposing as mountains.
"Sit." After taking his seat, Emperor Jingde first asked with concern:
"Have your injuries healed?"
Jia Huan answered respectfully:
"Your Majesty, your servant is no longer in any serious danger."
"Good!" Emperor Jingde nodded with a smile, then brought up the corruption case from two hours earlier, speaking earnestly:
"With the old gentleman guaranteeing his protection, and having acted on his own authority to execute Song Xiong, it would be difficult to remove Wang Ziteng on charges of shielding and condoning wrongdoing alone. Forcing the matter would inevitably cause unrest. After all, the Capital Camp is right at Desheng Gate. Once trouble breaks out, it will spiral beyond control!"
Jia Huan listened attentively, not forgetting to voice his agreement:
"Your Majesty is wise."
He had discovered the emperor's fatal weakness.
Decisive in minor matters, hesitant when faced with major ones.
No wonder the Retired Emperor still had so many devoted followers despite being seventy or eighty years old.
He had even cast aside his imperial