On the way back, the two stopped by the Imperial Palace to report to the Supreme Emperor.
The Supreme Emperor had already learned from the lieutenant general about Prime Minister Xun’s execution, but it was only after confirming again with Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian that he finally believed the downfall of this "generation’s paramount minister" who had nearly stolen his empire.
The sword that had hung over his head for many years was finally taken down at this moment.
As he let out a long sigh, he suddenly felt that he had aged considerably.
The ministers had already left.
The spacious East Hall was left with only Fu Dequan by his side.
Fu Gonggong had acpanied the Supreme Emperor through countless trials and tribulations, even staying by his side during his confinement in the monastery.
How could Fu Gonggong not understand what the Supreme Emperor was thinking?
The execution of the traitorous minister had closed one Chapter, but for the Great Zhou’s empire, the crisis was far from over.
Meng Qianqian, who had hardly slept a wink the night before and had just fought a battle outside the city gates, felt a wave of drowsiness hit her the moment she entered the warm East Hall. Without realizing it, she dozed off with her head on the table.
Seeing her carefree demeanor, the Supreme Emperor’s solemn expression lightened, and he couldn’t help but laugh: "This girl can fall asleep anywhere. Since when has my Zhaoming Palace bee her napping spot?"
With his laugh, the weight in Fu Gonggong’s heart was lifted.
Ah, it had to be the Young Madam Lu.
Fu Gonggong chuckled and said, "Once the Young Madam Lu steps into the Zhaoming Palace, it’s as though she’s returned to her own home and feels pletely at ease."
"At ease? I’d say brazen."
Although his words seemed critical, there was a rare trace of indulgence in the Supreme Emperor’s expression.
The Supreme Emperor was always strict with his sons, gentler with his daughters, but the only one truly spoiled beyond measure had been Princess Wanping.
To Fu Gonggong, the way the Supreme Emperor looked at Young Madam Lu today wasn’t much different from how he looked at Princess Wanping.
What could they do? Young Madam Lu was the old matriarch’s treasured darling, and Young Madam Lu herself was also outstanding—managing to amuse the Supreme Emperor even in her sleep.
The Supreme Emperor gave Fu Gonggong a meaningful glance.
Fu Gonggong understood immediately and retrieved the Supreme Emperor’s cloak.
Just as he was about to place it on her, Lu Yuan said sternly, "She is my wife. I ask the Supreme Emperor to uphold proper decorum."
The Supreme Emperor grabbed the horsetail whisk from Fu Gonggong and gave Lu Yuan a sharp whack with it.
This was a slap that Lu Yuan totally deserved.
The Supreme Emperor doted on Meng Qianqian as though she were his own granddaughter, while this insolent brat dared to impose propriety on the Supreme Emperor? Truly deserving of a punishment!
"You, e take a walk with me."
The Supreme Emperor said to Lu Yuan in a low tone.
Grumbling inwardly, Lu Yuan reluctantly followed the Supreme Emperor out of the East Hall.
Fu Gonggong draped a cloak over Meng Qianqian and instructed the Palace Attendants to bring over two charcoal braziers to place by her side.
"What? Worried something might happen to her in Zhaoming Palace?"
The Supreme Emperor, seeing Lu Yuan’s constant glances back as he walked, was tempted to give him another whack.
But then he glanced down. A dignified Supreme Emperor holding a eunuch’s horsetail whisk—what kind of image was that? He decisively tossed the whisk back to Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan caught the whisk effortlessly and gave a casual flick.
The Supreme Emperor couldn’t help but be reminded of the careless and slightly roguish Miao King. The two of them carried the exact same air. How had he never noticed before that this young man was quite the scoundrel?
The Supreme Emperor snorted coldly, "Now that you’ve toppled the Prime Minister, you’re too lazy to even pretend anymore?"
He thought Lu Yuan would at least respond with some polite words, but unexpectedly, Lu Yuan candidly admitted, "Mmhm."
The Supreme Emperor: "..."
With a serious tone, the Supreme Emperor said, "Don’t think that with Xun Xiuyuan dead, you can rest easy. How to pacify the border army, how to handle his private army, and how to suppress the ten lords—every single issue will be no easier than dealing with Xun Xiuyuan."
Lu Yuan replied nonchalantly, "When the carriage reaches the foot of the mountain, there will always be a road."
"What road?"
The Supreme Emperor asked irritably.
Lu Yuan said, "The Shang Family twins have already been rescued from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. With them, we can naturally pacify the border army."
The Supreme Emperor continued, "What about Xun Xiuyuan’s private army? Even though he’s dead, his former subordinates might rally under the banner of avenging him and join forces with the ten lords to stage a rebellion."
Lu Yuan said seriously, "The private army is indeed a tough issue. I’ll think of a plan when I return—either integrate them into our forces or eliminate them pletely. We can’t give them any chance to stage a rebellion!"
A rebellion?
Impossible.
They didn’t even have military pay, so how could they start a rebellion?
Loyalty and integrity?
If they had those virtues, would they have bee Xun Xiuyuan’s private army in the first place?
Of course, there was no way Lu Yuan would say this out loud. Revealing it would mean surrendering the military pay.
And just as his household was about to have three more mouths to feed, giving up the gold would definitely leave them strapped for resources.
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