If you're made a fake emperor, why did you change the country's name?

"Your Majesty! The Imperial City Prefect has urgent business to discuss!"

The sharp announcement shattered the fading tranquility of the Golden Palace.

The ministers stopped in their tracks and all turned to look outside the hall.

A middle-aged man in official robes rushed in, his hat askew, his face covered in sweat, and he knelt down with a thud.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!"

The Imperial City Prefect's voice trembled violently, almost breaking into tears.

"explain."

Zhao Yu, sitting on the dragon throne, spoke in a voice that revealed neither joy nor anger.

The prefect kowtowed deeply before speaking in a trembling voice.

"Rumors are spreading throughout the city!"

"They say His Majesty...that His Majesty forcibly summoned the Lady of Zhennan to the palace last night, and...that he performed an act that violated human ethics!"

boom!

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

The entire Golden Palace erupted in chaos.

It should be noted that civil officials care most about the concept of "uprightness and integrity," so this news was undoubtedly a bombshell for them.

All the civil and military officials looked horrified, subconsciously exchanging glances, but quickly lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

Most of these officials were promoted by Zhao Yu and had heard of his ruthless methods.

In addition, they had done them a favor, so even if they were gossipy, they tolerated it.

But this scandal is too shocking.

Who is Lady Zhennan, the wife of the Prince of Zhennan?

According to seniority, she is His Majesty's maternal aunt!

This is no longer a simple romantic affair; it is a colossal scandal that could shake the very foundations of the nation.

Just as the atmosphere inside the hall became strange and was about to spiral out of control, a calm voice rang out.

"Your Majesty! I have something to say."

Prime Minister Wang Zhang stepped out from the ranks of civil officials, his face solemn.

"Speak," Zhao Yu said, wanting to see what Wang Zhang, whom he valued, had to say at this moment.

Wang Zhang bowed to the dragon throne, then turned to face the crowd.

"Fellow colleagues, please calm down."

He spoke loudly, his voice not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"There are many suspicious points in this matter."

"Firstly, the rumors spread throughout the city overnight, which is something that ordinary people could not have accomplished through mere word of mouth. There must be a mastermind behind this, and their intentions are despicable!"

Secondly, why specifically the wife of the Prince of Zhennan?

The Prince of Zhennan holds a large army and is known to all as the pillar of our Great Liang.

What is the purpose of spreading such rumors?

Their aim is nothing more than to sow discord between His Majesty and the Prince of Zhennan, to undermine the morale of our Great Liang army, and to destabilize the foundation of our court!

Wang Zhang's words struck like a heavy hammer blow to everyone's heart.

The officials, who were initially surprised and uncertain, gradually showed signs of realization, followed by anger.

Yup!

This is clearly an enemy plot!

"The Prime Minister is absolutely right!"

"It must be remnants of the rebel army causing trouble in the shadows!"

"We beg Your Majesty to issue an edict to thoroughly investigate this matter, find the mastermind behind it, and punish them with a thousand cuts!"

The sentiment is exciting.

Zhao Yu sat on the dragon throne, quietly watching everything below.

His gaze swept subtly over the several military officers.

Most people looked indignant, but one or two people showed a hint of unease on their faces as Wang and Zhang analyzed the pros and cons.

well.

The fish started to move.

"My beloved subjects, please calm down."

Zhao Yu finally spoke, his voice steady and carrying a calming power.

"I am already aware of this matter."

He paused, then continued.

"Last night, the Imperial Guards tracked down the assassins lurking in the capital, all the way to the vicinity of the Prince of Zhennan's residence. To prevent the assassins from escaping, I ordered the residence to be temporarily sealed off. However, my men acted rashly and mistakenly brought my aunt into the palace, thinking she was an accomplice of the assassins."

The hall fell silent instantly, and everyone pricked up their ears.

However, the misunderstanding was quickly cleared up.

Zhao Yu's tone was very calm, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"As for why Lady Zhennan did not return home overnight, it was because the Empress Dowager had not seen her for a long time and specially kept her in Cining Palace to reminisce and soothe her longing."

"If anyone does not believe this, they may send someone to ask the Empress Dowager for verification."

Empress Dowager!

The moment those two words were uttered, the last trace of doubt in everyone's hearts vanished.

"I see, we were overthinking it."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

A storm that could have overturned the imperial court was thus resolved with a light touch.

"Dismiss the court."

Zhao Yu waved his hand and got up to leave the dragon throne.

……

The Imperial Study.

The fragrance of sandalwood wafts through the air.

Just as Zhao Yu changed out of his dragon robe, Wang Zhang hurriedly followed him in.

"His Majesty."

He bowed deeply, his expression no longer displaying the composure he had shown in the imperial palace, but instead filled with deep worry.

"Your Majesty is guilty. I failed to resolve Your Majesty's worries in the palace just now."

"That's none of your business." Zhao Yu walked up to the huge map of the country. "You did a good job."

Wang Zhang raised his head and lowered his voice.

"Your Majesty, since the other party dared to take such a risky move, it's impossible that they would simply spread rumors. They must have a backup plan to prove this matter."

"For example, eyewitness testimony and physical evidence."

"Oh?"

Zhao Yu turned to Wang Zhang with interest and asked, "Do you believe that I did indeed have a relationship with that Sun woman?"

Wang Zhang immediately bowed.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. Since the person behind this was able to go to such great lengths, I believe he must have been prepared."

Zhao Yu smiled and waved his hand.

"Go on."

Wang Zhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued his analysis.

"The Lady of Zhennan will be a huge hidden danger."

If this matter is not handled properly, and the Prince of Zhennan harbors resentment, the Great Liang will be in danger!

Your Majesty believes this matter cannot be delayed; we must act swiftly and decisively!

Wang Zhang took a breath and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, this matter is not suitable for you to handle personally. It would be better to leave it to me, and I will certainly handle it cleanly and without leaving a trace, so as not to give anyone cause for criticism."

The so-called "dealing with" means making Himezuki disappear forever.

A dead person cannot speak.

Zhao Yu turned around and looked at his capable and decisive prime minister.

He shook his head.

"no."

Wang Zhang was taken aback.

"Your Majesty, you must not be so sentimental!"

"I am not a woman of compassion," Zhao Yu replied calmly. "You should have heard that I captured the assassin last night."

She was connected to the assassin, but she wasn't the mastermind.

Wang Zhang's eyes widened; he hadn't expected that the Lady of Zhennan would actually be that assassin.

But Wang and Zhang still bowed again:

"Even so, keeping her around will ultimately be a disaster."

"If she dies, what will I say to the Prince of Zhennan when he returns to the capital?" Zhao Yu retorted. "A living Lady of the Prince of Zhennan, whom I can control, is far more valuable than a dead corpse that will bring endless trouble."

Control?!

Wang Zhang's face stiffened; he hadn't expected His Majesty to be able to control an assassin who wanted to kill him.

"I have my own arrangements for this matter."

Wang Zhang looked at Zhao Yu, but he couldn't see the slightest bit of panic on the other's face.

That calm and confidence brought peace to his restless heart.

He got it.

His Majesty never took this so-called scandal to heart from the beginning.

Perhaps, this was all part of His Majesty's scheme.

"Your Majesty, I understand."

Wang and Zhang bowed deeply and took their leave.

Silence returned to the Imperial Study.

Zhao Yu stood alone in front of the map, his finger lightly tapping a location in the eastern suburbs of the capital.

Buddhist temple.

A cold smile curved at the corners of his lips.

"The blessing ceremony three days from now will be the time for you rats hiding in the shadows to jump out."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

It's Qiu Ping.

"Your Majesty! I have discovered something unusual at the Imperial Hospital!"