Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The two imperial inspectors, forced to share a roof with Shen Jiangliu, did not suffer for long. They were soon summoned by the emperor to report on their duties, while Shen Jiangliu, the central figure in the incident, was relegated to the end of the list.

Shen Jiangliu guessed that his presumptuous act of killing the Ning'an Provincial Governor had displeased His Majesty, which was why His Majesty summoned the censor who had gone to Ning'an to investigate him before summoning him, intending to give him a warning.

On the fifth day after Shen Jiangliu returned to the capital, His Majesty finally summoned him.

Shen Jiangliu followed the eunuch who came to summon him, passing through many palace gates and waiting outside the Qianzheng Hall. He heard the hall door creak open.

Looking up, a handsome young man with a fair complexion, dressed in a moon-white robe, walked out of the hall. He was sixteen or seventeen years old, with a beautiful face and eyes as clear as spring water.

When the handsome young man looked at him, his gaze lingered for a brief second before quickly looking away, gesturing for him to enter. His tone was unfamiliar, carrying a subtle hint of displeasure, "His Majesty has summoned you. Lord Shen, please come in."

They serve His Majesty closely, and their ages are about the same.

Shen Jiangliu guessed the man's identity almost instantly. He looked down and saw the badge on the man's waist that indicated his status as a companion.

A sense of doubt arose in Shen Jiangliu's heart. He hadn't even said a word yet, so why did this junior brother, whom he had never met before, already seem somewhat hostile towards him?

Despite his doubts, he could only suppress them for the time being. His Majesty's summons could not be delayed. Shen Jiangliu hurriedly nodded to him and stepped through the palace gate.

As Shen Jiangliu brushed past him, he heard a low voice remind him, "His Majesty is still furious about your killing of the Ning'an Provincial Governor. Be careful in your dealings with the Emperor."

Shen Jiangliu was surprised that his junior brother, who harbored some inexplicable hostility towards him, would remind him. He glanced at him in surprise and nodded.

Even if his junior brother didn't remind him, he knew in his heart that no one in a position of authority would be happy to have their authority challenged, especially one who was young but already held great power.

When he killed the Provincial Governor of Ning'an, he was already prepared to be punished.

He stepped into the hall.

Bian Yushu watched Shen Jiangliu's retreating figure as he entered the Qianzheng Hall, clutching her chest, her heart pounding as if it would jump out of her chest.

He practiced those two sentences and a slightly hostile expression in front of the mirror for several days before he finally got His Majesty to nod in approval and pass the test. Fortunately, there were no mishaps.

When Lord Shen looked over, he was almost scared to death, afraid that he would be speechless after hearing something he said. Fortunately, he just nodded.

Oh well, at least he came in handy and didn't cause His Majesty any trouble.

……

Inside the Qianzheng Hall, Shen Jiangliu lowered his eyes and bowed to the figure on the throne, saying, "Your subject Shen Jiangliu greets Your Majesty."

The emperor on the throne did not call him to rise, and Shen Jiangliu felt a scrutinizing gaze fall on his back.

This is a big problem.

This troublesome person insulted me as an orphan, causing me to be slapped several times and hit with three vines by that poison master Jiang Jibai.

This troublesome situation has caused me trouble. The Ning'an Provincial Governor, whose case was complete and ready to be sent to the Meridian Gate for the sacrificial ceremony, has been executed prematurely.

This troublesome man is an official in the court and a key figure in eradicating the malignant tumor in Ning'an. He needs to make an appearance in court discussions and cannot be fooled like he was with the poison master by simply setting up a screen to get by.

Even a slight mishap could expose the identity I've painstakingly maintained with the poison master.

Qin Ji looked at the person kneeling respectfully below him and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Or we could just send him directly to the imperial prison and have him beheaded on an auspicious day.

Shen Jiangliu's forehead touched the cold floor tiles, and he remained in the kowtow position without moving, even though His Majesty did not call him to rise.

The emperor was young and powerful. In less than two years of ruling in his own right, he had already firmly grasped power and could decide a person's life or death with a single word.

The fact that he was not called to rise for so long was a warning from His Majesty to him for killing the Provincial Governor of Ning'an.

Cold sweat trickled down his back. Just when Shen Jiangliu thought the emperor would make him kneel for eternity, a young yet authoritative voice came from the throne, "Minister Shen has done a good job. Please take a seat."

A single sentence set the tone for the summons, and the stagnant atmosphere began to flow, as if the scrutinizing and disapproving gazes from behind were merely Shen Jiangliu's illusions.

Fu Lu immediately brought over a stool, and with a beaming smile, helped Shen Jiangliu up and asked him to sit down. "Lord Shen, His Majesty has been talking about you for a long time, saying that you have the ability to control floods, saving countless people from the floods and saving many lives. You are a pillar of the country."

The chief eunuch, the emperor's other mouth, if the previous scrutiny was the emperor's reprimand, then the chief eunuch's words were an act of grace.

The young emperor had clearly mastered the art of using both kindness and severity, and was as cunning as rumored.

Over the years, Shen Jiangliu's official rank has been declining. He is unwilling to tolerate things he doesn't like or people he doesn't like, and he can't hold back his words, offending countless people.

But he also knew that he had to hold it in no matter who he was in front of, so he promptly knelt down to express his gratitude, saying, "What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve such high regard from Your Majesty?"

The emperor, who was high above all others, stepped down from his throne and personally helped him up.

Shen Jiangliu lowered his eyes, and all he could see was the golden embroidered pattern of waves and river teeth winding upwards from the hem of his robe.

The matter of the reprimand seemed to have passed without a trace. The Emperor's voice deepened, carrying a hint of solemnity, "Minister Shen, the long dike of Ning'an is as fragile as paper. Under the torrential rains of the past few months, you disregarded your own life and personal gain, and protected millions of my people. I should be thanking you."

He clearly harbored resentment over the emperor's overstepping his bounds by killing a high-ranking official of the second rank, yet the emperor still humbled himself and offered a sincere thank you, all for the sake of the people's peace and tranquility. It's hard not to be moved by this gesture.

Your Majesty is not yet eighteen years old, but with this temperament and these methods, you already have the makings of a good ruler.

"I dare not accept such an honor."

"From the time you were appointed Imperial Envoy to your return to the capital, there were thirteen assassination attempts, each step fraught with danger. Although I did not personally experience the hardships involved, I can still get a glimpse of them. You deserve this thank you."

Qin Ji thought to himself, "Thirteen assassination attempts. If you shut your stinking mouth, maybe you could save a few. You've exhausted all my ingredients."

He remembers clearly how many assassination attempts he survived. After hearing such a heartfelt speech, who wouldn't be confused?

This makes me want to rush forward and risk my life for him, even if it means sacrificing my life.

Amidst a multitude of emotions, Shen Jiangliu bowed once more, saying, "Without submitting a memorial or reaching a consensus, I killed the Provincial Governor of Ning'an; I deserve to die a thousand deaths!"

It is good to know.

Qin Ji thought to himself.