The imperial palace was majestic, with nine layers of palaces stretching endlessly, and the glazed tiles sparkling under the light.

Yangxin Hall.

Emperor Ying Qian sat on the dragon throne, exuding an aura of majesty.

There weren’t many high-ranking officials in the hall. It was just Duke Zhongyong, Minister Yang, Gu Fuju, and the three princes.

Duke Zhongyong always looked down on Minister Yang, standing far away from him.

Gu Fuju was granted a seat, his expression deep and thoughtful.

Ying Zhi, Ying Cheng, and Ying Yin stood together.

Ying Zhi stood tall and straight; it was his first time participating in a policy discussion since his leg injury, and he felt somewhat refreshed and proud.

Ying Cheng, since being granted marriage and receiving favor from Emperor Ying Qian, wasn’t timid but was still anxious.

In contrast, Ying Yin, although dissatisfied in his heart, acted graciously, neither deliberately standing out nor being overlooked.

The atmosphere in the hall was not pleasant; Emperor Ying Qian remained silent, listening to Minister Yang’s long speeches for the nation and the people, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Until Wei Zhao entered the hall.

Emperor Ying Qian stood up to greet him personally.

"Gui Zhi, you’ve finally come."

He walked quickly, even dismissing the palace eunuch behind Wei Zhao, and personally went to push the wheelchair.

"How is your health? You seem to have lost more weight."

"Come to think of it, I haven’t seen you in many days either."

Wei Zhao tried to get up, his hand pressing on the handle, but he was too weak.

"I wouldn’t dare trouble you..."

Emperor Ying Qian freed a hand to press on Wei Zhao’s shoulder, letting him remain at ease.

"Among these younger ones, you’re the one I value most, Gui Zhi, no need to stand on ceremony."

Duke Zhongyong glanced at Emperor Ying Qian, then at the seated Gu Fuju, feeling that Gu Fuju was disappointing.

Ying Zhi felt envious to death.

Ying Yin was thoughtful, with a smile on his lips.

Ying Cheng tried to make himself less noticeable.

Though Minister Yang was older than Wei Zhao, he came over to cup his hands in a salute: "General."

Wei Zhao glanced at him, surprised.

"Mr. Yang looks quite aged."

"Is it because the affairs of the court are too taxing? Though you give your all, you must take care of yourself."

He was very tactful.

Duke Zhongyong snorted with laughter: "I also think you’re a bit bald."

"Though Mr. Yang has only recently returned to the capital, he was preoccupied with national affairs even during mourning. No sooner did he return than he reformed the Six Ministries and now repeatedly proposes building canals and dams."

Minister Yang: ?

He was angry inside but didn’t show it on his face.

"You both flatter me too much. I truly serve to relieve the emperor’s worries. Everyone knows the Holy Emperor cares deeply about the people’s livelihood, his benevolence covering all."

This fawning, Emperor Ying Qian quite enjoyed.

He smiled slightly, instructed the palace staff to serve tea and refreshments to Wei Zhao, and then returned to sit on the dragon throne.

"The construction indeed cannot be delayed. In recent years, the water conservancy projects have indeed resulted in fewer floods than before."

"Only when the people are at peace can the right path be maintained."

He paused in his speech.

"But building every year adds quite the burden."

He turned as usual: "Gui Zhi, what do you think?"

Truly treating him as a moneybag.

Wei Zhao used to be too lazy to bother.

There were always leaks, however small.

What leaked out from him was a lot for others.

Wei Zhao didn’t care whether the dams were of poor quality and needed rebuilding every few years.

He wished that in military affairs, Emperor Ying Qian couldn’t do anything to him, while in agricultural and water conservancy projects, Da Jin couldn’t do without him.

At such times, money often became the least valuable thing.

But now things were different.

"What the Holy Emperor says is true."

Wei Zhao: "As long as it is for the good of Da Jin, I have always had no objections, but..."

Wei Zhao occasionally let out light coughs, which spiraled into an uncontrollable fit.

It seemed he couldn’t catch his breath, his face turning pale from the discomfort.

Gu Fuju slightly furrowed his brows.

Before Duke Zhongyong could approach, Ying Yin beat him to it, patting Wei Zhao’s back and handing over the tea nearby.

"Have a sip to soothe your throat, Gui Zhi."

Wei Zhao took a few sips and found a moment of relief, weakly saying: "Thank you, Fifth Prince."

Ying Yin: "Why the formality with me?"

Emperor Ying Qian showed concern, instructing Mr. Tu behind him: "Go, urge the Imperial Kitchen about the loquat syrup."

"Right away, your majesty."

Mr. Tu chuckled: "Everyone knows you care for the General, so orders were given to the Imperial Kitchen early in the day. How would they dare delay? Presumably, it’s already on its way."

A lot of pretentious, nauseating people.

Nauseating others, anyone can do it.

Wei Zhao waited for Mr. Tu to retreat before continuing.

"My health is just like that."

"For years, maintaining the Wei Family Army without knowing how to generate wealth, the family’s heritage is nearly exhausted... "

Wei Zhao: "There are still the Wei Family Army to support, and now with my health failing, I depend on rare herbs for every meal. I’m afraid the Holy Emperor will laugh, but I’m really financially strapped."

"To be honest, my visit today was also to shamelessly ask you for this year’s military funds."

"But water conservancy and people’s livelihood are important matters!"

Wei Zhao: "I am duty-bound."

"Skipping a few doses of medicine, as long as I don’t die, I can scrape some funds together."

These words made Emperor Ying Qian’s gaze sharpen significantly, with a hint of scrutiny.

Wei Zhao had never spoken so boldly to him before.

Should these words spread, who knows how others would view him as an emperor!

Minister Yang, being his confidant, stepped forward.

"General Wei, all of Shangjing knows, your wife’s jewelry is never repeated, each piece worth a fortune."

Wei Zhao smiled, not replying.

"With a clink."

Gu Fuju set his teacup down.

Mr. Tu entered at this moment, a young eunuch behind him carrying loquat syrup.

Gu Fuju leaned forward slightly, exuding pressure: "My family’s young lady suffered hardships in the early years; wearing some jewelry now, does it make Mr. Yang envious?"

The young eunuch’s hand trembled as he served the loquat syrup upon hearing this, nearly dropping the bowl.

Mr. Tu scolded: "How dare you handle things like this!"

The young eunuch, frightened, quickly knelt: "In my foolishness, I was lost in thought about the rumors outside, and hence lost my composure."

Duke Zhongyong: "What rumors have you heard that caused such a misstep?"

"Just..."

The young eunuch hesitated to speak, but under Duke Zhongyong’s intense gaze, stiffened and continued.

"It’s just... Miss Yang insulted General’s wife on the street, saying she dresses in rags, worse than a beggar, lacks upbringing, is disgraceful, and might as well... might as well be dead."

Hearing this, Wei Zhao’s face darkened abruptly.

Gu Fuju stared intensely at Minister Yang, suddenly standing and kneeling before Emperor Ying Qian.

"Holy Emperor!"

"I lost my beloved daughter, separated for many years, and it’s already heartbreaking. Yang Changzheng has children around his knees, making others envious. His daughter is pampered. Aside from anything else, her birthday banquet is grandly held every year, while my daughter has endured hardships, truly testing my heart."

"Now that my daughter has returned, she still suffers humiliation. As a high-ranking court official, I’m incapable, still unable to protect her."

"My daughter wears jewelry, which the Yang Family resents, eager to label her extravagant. Yet in Miss Yang’s eyes, that jewelry is mere junk."

"I didn’t even know the Yang Family was this obscenely wealthy. I fear they must have more riches than the national treasury!"

He knew the fire back then was orchestrated by Emperor Ying Qian’s orders.

Emperor Ying Qian was also aware that Gu Fuju knew. The complete eradication of the Zhou Family was the Emperor’s explanation for Gu Fuju.

It had seemed resolved, but no one expected it to be brought up again.