CHAPTER 574: CHAPTER 558: THE IMPORTANT TASK OF RENOVATING QIANKUN PALACE (EXTRA)

As soon as these words were uttered, the faces of the officials below Second Grade turned awkward, truly embarrassed by feeling a notch below in rank.

"Keke, Luoluo, come forward and check on the lords." At Lin Yi’s command, Keke and Luoluo obediently stepped forward and sniffed carefully at the higher-ranking officials time and again.

It was hard to imagine that there could be such well-behaved dogs in the world, and Fourth Prince was extremely envious.

"Officer Lin, from where do these divine pets hail, so understanding of humans? Excuse my boldness, but at what price per dog? I would also like to keep one."

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow, knowing that these were specially trained police dogs, and not even for a million taels would he wish to have a third one appear in You Country.

So, he quietly leaned into the Fourth Prince’s ear and whispered.

"Cough, cough, Fourth Prince, these I obtained from a plea at Lingyin Temple. Divine pets also require karma, not something that can be bought with mere silver."

"I see that the divine dogs at your residence are pretty good, impressive and imposing, able to guard your home and enhance the fortunes of your mansion’s feng shui."

"Fourth Prince must not be greedy, otherwise, the deities might become angry."

Speaking of deities, Fourth Prince immediately admitted defeat and dared not covet Keke and Luoluo any longer.

Thinking of his own dogs at home, which even the most lowly servants despised, Fourth Prince cherished them immensely, pampering them with good food and care.

Yet, thinking of Keke and Luoluo, he saw their noble and mighty appearance, their dignity and divine aura, their agility, and their understanding of human nature.

Without comparison, there would be no harm, but Fourth Prince’s heart was filled with dissatisfaction.

Nevertheless, all Fourth Prince could do was stare at Keke and Luoluo more, praying that his own divine dogs would protect him.

There were only about twenty higher-ranking officials above Second Grade, with Fourth Prince and Eighth Prince walking side by side at the very front.

With every step they took, Keke and Luoluo followed seriously, sniffing with their sensitive noses.

"Ow ow!"

Keke stopped Fourth Prince, while Luoluo stopped the Minister of Revenue, both of them biting at the jade pendants hanging at their waists.

Because these jade pendants were where Lin Yi had previously installed the invisible listening devices, containing small metal pieces that Keke and Luoluo had detected.

This made Lin Yi somewhat embarrassed; he certainly couldn’t reveal his earlier trickery.

"Keke, Luoluo, these jade pendants were personally given by His Majesty to the ministers as a reward, and it’s not a problem."

"Those ministers who carry their jade pendants with them are good officials, always mindful of His Majesty’s gracious favor."

With this said, Keke and Luoluo’s eyes swiveled, and they ran happily to the side of the young Emperor, with Luoluo even excitedly jumping onto the Dragon Couch, neatly sitting next to the young Emperor.

Equally excited was Fourth Prince, as he brushed up his robes like a breath of spring and strode with a grand demeanor toward the Imperial Study Room.

"We greet Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless peace and health!"

"Rise, my loving officials!"

The young Emperor, sitting half-seated behind the screen on the Dragon Couch, covered his lower abdomen with a blanket.

Hearing the powerful resonance in His Majesty’s voice, Sixth Prince couldn’t help but compliment.

"Truly, the divine favor of the heavens is upon our You Country. I wish for His Majesty to take great care of his health."

Sixth Prince dared not say more, for the Emperor’s illness this time was no ordinary sickness, but rather due to an assassination attempt.

Talking too much could lead to slip-ups, and although he did not partake in the regicidal attempt, he could not avoid being listed as a suspect by those with intentions.

However, in the young Emperor’s heart, it was already clear who the culprit was. At this critical moment, the fact that Sixth Prince dared to speak up first showed his innocence.

"Thank you for your concern, Sixth Imperial Uncle. My health is not a great concern. This time, I am much obliged to Divine Doctor Zhang for his rescue."

"Divine Doctor Zhang? He’s also in the Imperial Palace?"

Hearing the name of Divine Doctor Zhang, Fourth Prince was indescribably excited.

To solve the issue of heirs in Fourth Prince Mansion, Fourth Prince had not hesitated to spend large sums of silver searching for Divine Doctor Zhang.

Alas, even after searching for more than half a year, the Divine Doctor Zhang proved elusive as the dragon that shows its head but hides its tail.

The young Emperor absentmindedly stroked Luoluo’s fur as he spoke.

"Summon Divine Doctor Zhang to enter; I have important matters to announce."

"By Your Majesty’s command, summon Divine Doctor Zhang!" Lin Yi’s voice bellowed towards the door of the Imperial Study Room, yet he dared not stray too far from the young Emperor.

Lin Yi, acting as the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice, had already arranged for Judge Zhong to investigate the scene of Your Majesty’s recent danger.

"Your Majesty, this matter is no trivial one, as it concerns the safety of our great You Country. This old servant suggests that for the next few days, you remain in the Imperial Study Room to recover and assign more capable guards to protect you closely."

General Mu was extremely anxious.

Upon learning of Your Majesty’s peril, he had rushed to the Imperial Palace, dropping his chopsticks without a second thought.

If something untoward were to befall Your Majesty, his precious daughter would become the Empress of a fallen nation—a thought alone that filled him with gloom.

The fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince only needed to nod in agreement with General Mu’s suggestion.

The young Emperor was not unaware of his royal father-in-law’s worries. Now that the Right Martial Guard had been dispatched, Lin Yi and Ying Yi were enough as his Personal Guards.

"Thank you for your concern, General Mu. I shall not attend court for the next few days. If my ministers have matters to report, they may come find me in the Imperial Study Room."

Now, the Imperial Study Room was the safest place in the whole Imperial Palace. The young Emperor also feared that if he set foot outside, he might fall into another pit dug by the old eunuch.

Out of the blue, someone plotted regicide, which took the Fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince by surprise.

The two Princes exchanged glances, each speculating whether the other might be responsible.

In terms of power, background, and motive, among all the nobles and officials, both Princes were possible culprits, but neither dared to make the first move.

They both knew that any direct confrontation with Your Majesty would surely result in their power being undercut, creating an opportunity for the other.

Thus, neither wished to strike first; both wanted to be the one to reap the benefits.

Through the gauze curtain, the young Emperor contemplated, if he were truly unable to rise today, whom would these officials support as the next ruler?

He vividly recalled how his late father, amidst countless difficulties in Qiankun Palace, had insisted on bequeathing the realm to him, while the Princes watched covetously.

Qiankun Palace was a place filled with memories he shared with his father as a child. How could the Eighth Imperial Uncle be so merciless as to seek his life there?

"Fourth Imperial Uncle, Sixth Imperial Uncle, the Ministry of Justice shall handle this case in its entirety."

"However, regarding repairs to Qiankun Palace, I would like the two of you to assist. After all, you are more familiar with it than any other minister."

"I miss the late Emperor, so after the Qiqiao Festival, I plan to move back to Qiankun Palace."

Previously, the young Emperor had decided to refurbish Qiankun Palace quietly, but now it seemed his silence had given the old eunuch an opportunity to tamper with the books in the Political Discussion Room.

However, henceforth, with the two Princes in charge, if anything were to happen, they would not be able to shirk responsibility.

Thus, it would not be easy for anyone wishing to frame the Fourth Prince or the Sixth Prince.

After all, both Princes were cunning and shrewd to the extreme.

"Your servants obey Your Majesty’s command!"

The two Princes exchanged glances, both pleased at the prospect of making a profit from the refurbishment.

No sooner had the refurbishment been discussed than a shrill, young voice came from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, Divine Doctor Zhang has arrived!"

The young Emperor had never met Divine Doctor Zhang in person and couldn’t help but instruct Lin Yi to draw back the curtain.

"Announce! Someone, fetch my Upper Sword!"

...End of Chapter...

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