In the Imperial Palace, the Emperor awoke with a start.

Wang Zhen hurriedly walked over quietly. He dared not light the lamps indiscriminately, bending down to softly ask, "Your Majesty, do you need to get up at night?"

The Emperor did not wish to get up at night; he was merely feeling a strange panic in his heart.

But such concerns could not be shared with the eunuchs.

Even though Wang Zhen was the Emperor's closest attendant and also the most powerful chief eunuch in the entire Great Li Dynasty.

The Emperor just lowered his voice and asked, "Where…where is Master Wen?"

Even in Wen Daoyuan's absence, the Emperor still addressed him as Master Wen.

The Emperor was extremely attentive to certain details.

Wang Zhen hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, the Mountain Master Wen naturally returned to Ziwei Academy. Currently… he is probably still within the academy."

The Emperor frowned, "He hasn't gone to seek Master Xuan Ming?"

"Your Majesty, there is no trace of the Mountain Master Wen near the mountain gate of the Qingxu Daoist Palace."

Wang Zhen answered as he discreetly observed the Emperor's expression, maintaining a smile, and humbly added:

"However, the Mountain Master Wen's cultivation is profound, and if he wishes to see someone, he may not necessarily show himself.

Your Majesty, I am ashamed."

The Emperor's expression did not ease.

Wang Zhen found it very strange; he was somewhat unable to fathom whether the Emperor hoped Wen Daoyuan would act impulsively to achieve the grand challenge of diverting the southern waters northward in one stroke?

Or did he wish Wen Daoyuan to be dissuaded by his previous refusals, thereby abandoning the idea and settling down to scholarly pursuits?

By common reasoning, Wang Zhen originally thought the Emperor's intentions were the former.

After all, how could the Emperor not desire achievements that last for ages?

He was unwilling to bear the risks, but if someone was willing to clear the path for him, allowing him to reap the rewards in the end, why would he refuse?

At first, that's exactly what Wang Zhen thought.

Even if the Emperor feigned indifference before him, stating various reasons like "I have my difficulties," how could Wang Zhen, who was no fool, believe him?

He did not believe it, but he forced himself to believe—

Wang Zhen always tried to understand the Emperor's intentions, thinking he had seen through the Emperor.

But who would have thought, the Emperor's current behavior seemed not so.

This was very illogical.

A sense of inexplicable dread gradually arose from Wang Zhen's spine.

He had countless speculations but dared not affirm a single one.

He could only be exceedingly vigilant in secret, carefully waiting for the Emperor's next reaction.

The Emperor frowned and asked again, "Master Wen also hasn't gone to seek Master Li?"

The Master Li he spoke of was the other Great Scholar of the present Great Li Dynasty, Li Yanqing!

Li Yanqing was ninety-two this year and was already quite elderly.

Aside from holding an honorary position as Grand Tutor, he no longer concerned himself with mundane affairs.

However, as a Great Scholar, Li Yanqing still wielded immense influence over the entire Great Li Dynasty.

Even though Wen Daoyuan was also a Great Scholar, he often had to show deference as a junior before Li Yanqing.

The Emperor could often summon Wen Daoyuan to the palace for teachings, but did not dare to summon Li Yanqing arbitrarily.

Even if summoned, Li Yanqing usually could not be bothered to respond.

If in a good mood, he might reply, "My body is old and weak, unfit to meet the ruler."

That counted as courtesy.

Of course, the Emperor was not a masochist, and generally would not provoke a soft rebuff without reason.

But if Wen Daoyuan went to visit, Li Yanqing often showed a different attitude.

Li Yanqing greatly liked Wen Daoyuan and was not inclined to refuse him.

Mentioning Li Yanqing, the Emperor furrowed his brow slightly.

Wang Zhen's back almost broke into a cold sweat, and he lowered his back further, softly and cautiously saying, "Your Majesty, it seems the Mountain Master Wen also did not go to seek the Grand Tutor Li.

After returning to Ziwei Academy, the academy's gates remained tightly closed.

From the outside, there seemed to be some movement inside.

Moreover, it seems that Mountain Master Wen summoned a few of his disciples back."

With these words from Wang Zhen, it appeared the Emperor exhaled gently again.

As if to himself, he murmured, "So, Wen Daoyuan gathered his disciples but did not seek Master Xuan Ming or Master Li.

Wen Daoyuan…Master Wen is still influenced by that article, but fortunately, he hasn't acted too impulsively.

Indeed, such a grand endeavor, even if Master Wen were determined to proceed, would require thorough preparation.

Even if not foolproof, at least it shouldn't be rushed…alas."

Upon saying this, the Emperor sighed once more.

His tone seemed to lament that Wen Daoyuan was not impulsive enough.

Wang Zhen, always closely following the Emperor, was well aware of his every gesture and demeanor.

In recent years, as the Emperor gradually stopped attending court, Wang Zhen had observed all the subtle changes within and recorded them in his mind.

He believed that he had gained considerable understanding.

However, at this very moment, observing the Emperor's capricious attitude, Wang Zhen was at a loss again.

He realized that he must have missed something extremely crucial.

Terrified and baffled, Wang Zhen was racking his brains when suddenly he heard the Emperor say, "Grand Companion, go... personally summon Minister Liu to the palace; I have urgent matters...

No, send your adopted son instead to summon Liu Shao!

You stay within the palace.

Grand Companion, I can't do without you."

Such a statement, "I can't do without you," ought to have delighted Wang Zhen.

Yet, inexplicably, he could not feel any joy at this moment.

How strange, truly remarkable.

The power of eunuchs is almost entirely dependent on the Emperor.

Hadn't the Emperor executed enough pen-wielding eunuchs in the past?

He had purged eunuchs and suppressed eunuch factions!

Yet in recent years, the Emperor had raised Wang Zhen, reestablishing a eunuch faction.

Evidently, eunuch factions are at the Emperor's will—abolished or retained as he desires.

As the Emperor's closest companion, Wang Zhen could not have reached his current position without recognizing this.

Wang Zhen acknowledged the Emperor's instructions, turned and retreated outside the room, summoned his young pupil, and instructed him to summon Liu Shao from the Prime Minister's residence.

What? The Emperor actually referred to Liu Shao as Liu Shao?

Evidently, eunuch factions are at the Emperor's will—abolished or retained as he desires.

As the Emperor's closest companion, Wang Zhen could not have reached his current position without recognizing this.

Wang Zhen acknowledged the Emperor's instructions, turned and retreated outside the room, summoned his young pupil, and instructed him to summon Liu Shao from the Prime Minister's residence.

What? The Emperor actually referred to Liu Shao as Liu Shao? Evidently, eunuch factions are at the Emperor's will—abolished or retained as he desires.

As the Emperor's closest companion, Wang Zhen could not have reached his current position without recognizing this.

Wang Zhen acknowledged the Emperor's instructions, turned and retreated outside the room, summoned his young pupil, and instructed him to summon Liu Shao from the Prime Minister's residence.

What? The Emperor actually referred to Liu Shao as Liu Shao?

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