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Minister Fan’s hand, which was wiping tears, stiffened and his expression returned to normal immediately.

He said with emotion, "His Majesty’s grace is boundless.

Just now, after seeing His Majesty, this old servant’s somewhat unwell body immediately felt much better, and I think there should be no great harm. "

"If so, I am relieved," the Emperor replied.

The two thus moved past the topic, with Minister Fan not engaging in any further weepy antics and the Emperor not pursuing the matter.

It was not that Minister Fan did not wish to, but rather he had his own small vulnerabilities caught first.

He clearly understood the implicit message from His Majesty: no one should meddle in others’ business, let’s not take things too seriously, and turn a blind eye. If matters were to be scrutinized, he would be the first unable to justify himself.

Because he had missed the morning court, a petition was submitted on his behalf, with the reason given that he was indisposed due to consecutive days of fatigue. He had reported his contributions and requested sick leave, but now he appeared here full of vim and vigor, which was indefensible...

The Emperor stopped paying attention to him and looked behind him, smiling slightly, "Has Beloved Minister Xue also arrived?"

Xue Ping and the others were just blocked by Minister Fan, none having as quick hands and feet as this old man, and they had not found the opportunity to speak despite being there for some time.

After being named, Xue Ping stepped forward several paces and bowed, "Your servant happened to pass by after finishing my work, saw the bustling scene, and heard the townspeople’s unanimous praise of Taiyuan Prefecture’s Jieyuan style, and out of curiosity, I came to join the excitement.

I just happened upon Minister Fan. Knowing His Majesty was here, I accompanied Minister Fan to pay respects. "

The rest of the ministers followed suit in paying their respects.

The Emperor’s gaze settled on Xue Ping and lingered for a while, making Xue Ping start to tense up.

Then the Emperor suddenly smiled, "Beloved Minister need not be so formal, please, all of you, rise."

With that, the pressure on Xue Ping eased instantly, and he sighed in relief internally, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yuchi Zhao’s intimidating presence grew day by day, unfathomable, and being under such scrutiny made him truly uneasy, as if everything about him had been seen through.

The Emperor seated himself at the table. By this time, the meal had been cleared away, replaced with a cup of clear tea.

"Please see to seating for Minister Fan and the rest of the beloved ministers."

"Yes," Zhang Qing responded and led the staff to bring over chairs.

The men exchanged glances. Apart from Minister Fan, the others all declined, not daring to sit.

The Emperor picked up a teacup and said indifferently, "Today, I am on an incognito visit, so there’s no need for such formalities. Please, be seated."

Only then did the ministers dare to take their seats and express thanks, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Once everyone was seated, the Emperor inquired about their duties and what they had seen that day.

After the conversation, Minister Fan began to compliment, saying the Emperor valued the principle of placing people in appropriate positions, did not shun toil by personally inspecting, and upheld the integrity of the imperial examinations.

With such a wise ruler, it was a blessing for the common people.

The others echoed in agreement, and even Xue Ping chimed in with a few words while inwardly sneering at how this old man’s words could twist things around, quickly turning the Emperor’s disregard for protocols into a concern for the imperial examinations.

The Emperor sipped his tea calmly and let his gaze drift out the window.

Outside the window, a blanket of withered yellow leaves fell from the tall trees outside the teahouse, drifting in the breeze and landing just before the Emperor’s table.

He set down his teacup, picked up the leaf and looked at it, "The fall of one autumn leaf is a celebration of the harvest."

Turning to Xue Ping, he said, "Beloved Minister Xue, autumn harvest and winter storage are of great importance. Whether the common people can have a good winter depends on this effort, as does the next year’s spring planting.

I need Beloved Minister Xue and the Ministry of Revenue to pay this special attention. "

Minister Fan could not help but exclaim, "Master Xue, this must be the busiest time for the Ministry of Revenue right now, isn’t it?"

His implication was clear: what was Xue Ping doing here, appearing so idle!

Do you also covet my disciple?!

At these words, Xue Ping suddenly felt tense, old Minister Fan...

He stood up from his seat and bowed to the Emperor:

"Your servant is filled with apprehension.

This is the duty of my colleagues and myself at the Ministry of Revenue and should not trouble Your Majesty.

I had someone dispatch the autumn harvest documents to each provincial capital earlier.

I know it is still not enough. I was preparing to gather my colleagues to discuss the matter of the autumn harvest and to draft a plan for Your Majesty to review and ensure everything is implemented, so the people can have a good year.

If Your Majesty has no other commands, your servant will take his leave to attend to this matter. "

He also gave a polite bow to Minister Fan, saying with a smile, "What Minister Fan said is very true.

I was indeed on my way from the Granary Administration to inspect the grain storage, and I stopped by on my way past to pay a visit, intending to return to the Ministry of Revenue Yamen after seeing His Majesty. "

The Emperor said warmly, "Beloved Minister Xue has always been dutiful and self-disciplined, which greatly comforts my heart. Go now, do not overexert yourself. You must not end up overworked like Minister Fan."

He then handed the leaf in his hand to Zhang Qing, signaling for it to be given to Xue Ping.

Minister Fan was completely composed, showing no sign of feeling targeted, stroking his beard and looking down with a shrewd glint in his eyes.

Xue Ping hurriedly accepted, taking the leaf with both hands and giving thanks, then respectfully performed his leave-taking bow and retreated.

As he left the teahouse, he resisted the urge to look up, still holding the leaf in his hand. Although the Emperor had not accused him in any word, he felt anxious and uneasy.

As the Minister of Revenue, having time to watch the excitement at this time but not to manage the most critical autumn harvest, what was this if not negligence?

Yet, he could not fathom whether the Emperor had brought it up casually or deliberately, unable to discern.

Over the years, the Emperor had grown increasingly inscrutable, making it truly difficult for him to understand, to guess what the Emperor’s attitude and view of him really were.

In any case, he had to get busy now. Since the Emperor had personally mentioned it, bringing it up for discussion, he had to take charge of it himself and could not simply inquire as casually as before.

After Xue Ping left, the teahouse quieted down.

Minister Fan stroked his beard in silence, the others dared not speak.

The Emperor glanced at the gathered men, "If my lords have no other affairs, you may take your leave."

The assembled men felt a wave of relief and hastily performed their bows before taking their leave.

Minister Fan remained composed and unhurried as the last to leave. At his age, he naturally did not fear small shoes from His Majesty. Besides, His Majesty was an enlightened ruler, so how could he resort to such pettiness? Xue Ping was an exceptional exception...

After Minister Fan had left, the Emperor couldn’t help but utter a jesting curse, "Cunning old man."

It was as if he had anticipated what the man was going to do; living for too many years turned a man wily.

Outside the Imperial Academy, in an unobtrusive corner of the main street.

Hu Miaomiao pondered for a moment after listening to the full report from her subordinate, "Private grudges need not be our concern, protecting His Majesty is of utmost importance. Keep a closer watch, and should you find any suspicious people, report immediately."

"Yes," replied a young man dressed in a plain, crossed-collar short garment, with an ordinary face, his expression impassive, as he turned to leave immediately.

Hu Miaomiao, with a smile, called out towards his retreating figure, "My lord, don’t forget to come back."

The young man, familiar with such scenes, showed no reaction, disappearing into the crowd without a ripple.

The commoners who heard this glanced at Hu Miaomiao strangely, thinking him to be a pimp. With his plump, fair-skinned appearance, reminiscent of a steamed bun, it seemed exactly like it.

Hu Miaomiao naturally ignored the gazes of others. He tucked his chubby hands away and looked again towards the teahouse. The carriage below had already hurriedly turned and left, and the person who had fallen from the building had been picked up by those in the carriage and whisked away.