If it were only this, Zhu Yu might feel indignant at Emperor Jin’s "generous leniency," but wouldn’t be surprised, let alone shaken to the core.

Besides the handling of Zhao Bi by Emperor Jin, the secret letter also mentioned another matter.

Regarding Zhao Bi’s embezzlement of tribute, Emperor Jin could overlook it out of old sentiments. However, Zhao Bocai’s private recruitment of government soldiers, illegal manufacture of weapons, and seizure of land to hoard grain and troops, could not be so easily bypassed.

From the secret letter, Zhu Yu learned that when Emperor Jin initially dispatched troops to capture those government soldiers, they encountered fierce resistance from Zhao Bocai’s subordinates, turning the capture into a siege, thus significantly escalating the severity of the situation.

After the imperial guard returned from besieging Zhao Bocai and his followers, they reported on the government soldiers of the Zhao Family committing senseless killings outside.

This matter, originally quite severe, successfully provoked Emperor Jin’s wrath, ordering zero tolerance and strict punishment to serve as a warning.

Once all charges were thoroughly clarified, Zhao Bocai was unsurprisingly sentenced to execution according to the law, and Emperor Jin ordered him thrown into the death cell.

By then, Zhao Bi, who had been stripped of the title of Duke Yan, had not left the Capital and was still waiting for news of his eldest grandson.

The news of Zhao Bocai being thrown into the death cell spread to the Zhao Family, frightening Zhao Bi’s wife and eldest daughter-in-law into fainting on the spot.

Zhao Bi immediately submitted a petition requesting a final audience with the Holy Emperor, and then, before Emperor Jin, handed over the Death Exemption Token created for them, the meritorious subjects, when he first ascended the throne, banging his head bloody, imploring Emperor Jin to spare his eldest grandson’s life based on the initial agreement and the Death Exemption Token.

Emperor Jin ultimately agreed to his request, reclaiming the Death Exemption Token from Zhao Bi’s hand.

"What’s this Death Exemption Token all about?" Zhu Yu asked Lu Qing with some confusion.

"Back then, all those who supported the Holy Emperor’s ascent and repeatedly rendered meritorious service were granted a Death Exemption Token," Lu Qing told Zhu Yu. "The Holy Emperor agreed with them at that time that the Death Exemption Token, except for great crimes like treason or regicide that would annihilate nine generations, allowed its recipient to have two chances of exemption from death. If used for one’s immediate family, it could only be used once.

Once the opportunities are exhausted, the last Death Exemption Token would be reclaimed, equivalent to retrieving all past glory and confidence from one’s heart as well."

"Zhao Bocai recruited private soldiers, seized land, hoarded troops and grain; isn’t this considered treason?" Zhu Yu posed a question.

Lu Qing smiled, "It can be, and it can not be.

If determined as treason, it would just mean a word from the executioner, but firstly, that Death Exemption Token was still in Zhao Bi’s hand, as they say, ’the centipede dies but does not stiffen.’ Even if his title was stripped, the influence he accumulated over the years wouldn’t completely crumble in a few days.

If a complete break occurs, no one can tell what Zhao Bi might do afterwards.

Secondly, though few hold Death Exemption Tokens in the court, Zhao Bi isn’t alone.

The initial grant of Death Exemption Tokens by the Holy Emperor was a significant honor and mutual trust.

If Zhao Bi’s grandson erred, and Zhao Bi wanted to use the Death Exemption Token to save him, but the Holy Emperor refused without hesitation, how do you think others would view it? Would everyone really stand firm on loyalty and contemplate the issue from the loyal subject’s perspective?

The fear is that in private, inevitably some would feel that the Death Exemption Token was but an empty gesture from the Holy Emperor at that time, as useless as scrap metal in critical moments.

So, if some among them have some undisclosed misconduct, they may have had reservations, fearing to incur divine wrath might waste their treasured Death Exemption Token.

Seeing Duke Yan’s token as scrap metal, they might just resolve to fight desperately, thinking either way they can’t escape death.

Therefore, the Holy Emperor’s move seemed a concession towards Zhao Bi, but it was in fact a wise move that served two purposes.

He first, in consideration of old merits, didn’t harshly punish Zhao Bi, just stripped his title and allowed him to retire peacefully to his hometown, which anyone would praise as loyal and righteous.

This act was naturally for the benefit of other similarly meritorious old ministers in court, showing them what a nostalgic and sentimental king he was, giving them no reason but to remain fiercely loyal to him, serving until death?

Secondly, Zhao Bi’s Death Exemption Token was effective, showing the Holy Emperor’s credibility and moral fortitude, but when matters reach such a point, not only losing protection and confidence but also shaming ancestors, turning from revered meritorious subjects to ingrates.

This equates to a warning, making others with Death Exemption Tokens consider their actions, correcting if needed, and restraining self if unneeded."

Zhu Yu lowered his eyelids, his face displaying little emotion, appearing contemplative.

"What are you thinking?" After waiting a while and seeing Zhu Yu hadn’t spoken, Lu Qing asked, intrigued.

Zhu Yu sighed deeply, raised a hand to brush Lu Qing’s back, "I was just thinking, people say serving an emperor is like living with a tiger, and that one happens to be the most cunning tiger... his actions so meticulously thought out, full of schemes, over these years, you can neither defy him nor truly become a pawn in his hand, a puppet by his side...

You’ve had it really tough!

But it’s okay, without the title of Prince Xiaoyao, you can be more free.

From now on, whatever happens, big or small, good or bad, we face it together; regardless of the result, at least every single thing we do now is for ourselves, not jumping around in somebody else’s chessboard."

"Until the end, who is the pawn and who is the chess player remains uncertain." Lu Qing gazed into the distance and replied.

Zhu Yu turned to look at him, the setting sun casting a golden edge on Lu Qing’s resolute face, making his serene expression seem unfathomably profound.

After a few glances, Zhu Yu burst into laughter, nudging Lu Qing’s chest with an elbow, "There’s no one else here, laugh if you feel like it.

Back in the palace, Consort Zhao, incited by Zhao Bi, attempted against you several times, nearly costing your life.

In the years that followed, Zhao Bi targeted you in court, conspiring with his allies to isolate you, putting you in a difficult position.

If it weren’t for him seeing you as being wasted by Emperor Jin, there might have been more vile actions.

Now he’s utterly out of power, and to some extent, you’ve avenged yourself, and that’s definitely something to be happy about."