After the morning court ended, everyone dispersed immediately, with almost every two officials whispering and discussing what had just happened. However, just as Fan Shao was about to leave, the emperor suddenly ordered, "Chancellor Fan, please stay here!"

  Fan Shao nodded to his friend Liu Bao, then returned, clasped his hands together, and stood before the throne. "Your Majesty, I have arrived."

  The main hall doors closed immediately, leaving only Fan Shao, Luo Chen, and the Emperor inside.

  "You must be quite surprised by this sudden promotion, right?" The young and confident emperor smirked, picked up a few grapes from the table in front of his throne, and began to eat them casually.

  Fan Shao replied truthfully, "Your Majesty, I dare not lie. I am indeed surprised, but I will never question Your Majesty's judgment."

  The emperor, with a grape still in his mouth, immediately burst into laughter! He continued, "It's alright, if you feel the task is too heavy, just say so!"

  Fan Shao simply bowed silently, his hands still clasped together.

  "Do you know why I chose you to be chancellor?" the emperor suddenly asked.

  "Your Majesty, I don’t have courage to tell you."

  The emperor chuckled again.

  At that moment, Fan Shao realized the emperor's demeanor had changed drastically!

  In the court, the emperor was usually seen as a clumsy and incompetent monarch, a young prince who had somehow ascended the throne. But now, the emperor's aura has become somewhat subdued…

  Appointing a mid-ranking official without factional affiliation as chancellor was no easy task. If it wasn't a hasty decision, it was a well-thought-out and meticulously planned move!

  Now that Fan Shao has thought deeply about it, his face changed as he thinks there’s a deeper motive behind his promotion…

  As the emperor picked grapes, he said, "As you all know, termites have infiltrated the palace. Those old monsters claim to be loyal to the royal family, but they're nothing more than sect disciples shining their master's shoes. They even killed my father!" With that, he slammed his fist on the table! “As the emperor of this country, I have a responsibility to eradicate these insects from the palace! But…”

  The emperor sighed. "...I am powerless. I need someone to help restore the dynasty's glory, and you, Chancellor Fan, are the most suitable one!"

  The emperor rose from his throne, slowly descended the platform, and continued, "You don’t know, but for years I’ve been observing you. You are a renowned and loyal official, wholeheartedly upholding justice. More importantly, you and I are both young mortals! Finding someone like you in the court is as rare as finding a needle in a haystack!"

  Those words truly shocked Fan Shao! He was well aware of the treacherous power struggles among the various factions and sects within the imperial court, but he never imagined that he himself would be the one to unravel these mysteries, let alone being observed carefully by the emperor!

  This made him even more worried, because he now fully understood that the emperor had high hopes for him. Another heavy mountain of burden fell on his shoulders!

  “Your Majesty, thank you for your boundless kindness and wisdom. I dare not question your judgment, but I am inexperienced in this matter. This humble servant begs Your Majesty for guidance.” Fan Shao bowed, his tone still carrying a hint of nervousness.

  The emperor chuckled again, stroking his chin. “Indeed! Of course you should consult me for this, for I am the most experienced in this area!”

  However, the emperor sighed. “However, lingering here too long this morning will arouse suspicion. Your formal inauguration will have to wait until Chen hour. At that time, I will issue my instructions! You may leave now.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now.” Fan Shao bowed, took a few steps back, and turned to walk out of the main hall.

  Fan Shao walked out of the main hall and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. The entire morning in court, his appointment as Grand Chancellor, had been a suffocating ordeal… Now, Fan Shao only needed to await his official inauguration; no other action was to be taken rashly.

  On the steps outside the main hall, Liu Bao looked worried. As soon as he saw Fan Shao descend the steps, he immediately clasped his hands together and bowed, saying, "Chancellor Fan, greetings."

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  Fan Shao took Liu Bao's hand and said, "Director Liu, we are like brothers, there's no need for such formalities."

  Liu Bao's expression changed drastically, and he became even more worried!

  “Chancellor Fan! I truly don’t know whether to congratulate you on your promotion or mourn your passing in advance! Those greedy sects will surely be eyeing you now, coveting your position!!”

  Fan Shao, supporting Liu Bao's left shoulder, said, "I'm fine, really! I’m fine..." Before he could finish, Fan Shao noticed a group of officials in the distance staring at him menacingly. They were dressed in red robes, the most conspicuous being Kun Changsheng, the Minister of Works, in purple robes—we'd seen him at the last meeting!

  Fan Shao glanced to his right and saw several attendants at him, who immediately looked away when he noticed. He tried to direct his gaze towards the roof, but it seemed as if he saw sparrows whispering amongst themselves!

  The moment the imperial edict was issued, Fan Shao was immediately enveloped in suspicion. He is now the chancellor, at least in reality after officially taking office! He has countless officials vying for his position... He must proceed with extreme caution, especially before the inauguration at Chen hour!

  Fan Shao realized his precarious situation and sighed. At that moment, a group of officials suddenly appeared, bowing respectfully with their hands clasped together. Judging from their slightly distinguished clothes, they were all military officers!

  The leader bowed respectfully to Fan Shao. Judging from the tigers embroidered on his red robe, he held a high military rank, but he looked very young, with a slightly pale complexion and a tall and robust build... He was recognized at a glance—it was none other than the famous Northern Army Military Governor Li Yaozu!

  "I, Li Yaozu, Governor of the Northern Army, have come to pay my respects and offer my congratulations to Chancellor Fan."

  Fan Shao returned the gesture with both hands. He was naturally a little nervous, because this person had a prominent reputation in the court and a higher status than him before! However, the moment Fan Shao expressed his gratitude, he immediately sensed a hint of malice on Li Yaozu's seemingly innocent face...

  It was as if Li Yaozu harbored deep malice towards him!

  The two stared at each other for a long time, their eyes meeting, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense… Even Liu Bao seemed very confused! However, just as the atmosphere reached its climax, another group of officials suddenly appeared and also clasped their hands.

  The leader of this group of officials was none other than Yuan Yi, the Dean of the Imperial Academy, who had previously defended Fan Shao and refuted Kun Changsheng's denials!

  After Yuan Yi and the other civil officials arrived, Li Yaozu bowed slightly and said, "Chancellor Fan, I have other matters to attend to. I wish you a pleasant journey." With that, Li Yaozu left with his entourage of military officials.

  It seems Fan Shao's guess wasn't unfounded… As Li Yaozu left, a bright red butterfly flew from his sleeve, soaring high above Fan Shao and the others, unnoticed by anyone! Li Yaozu confidently smiled and turned to leave, while the butterfly continued to hover among the crowd…

  "Dean Yuan Yi of the Imperial Academy has come to congratulate Chancellor Fan on his promotion. May Chancellor Fan fulfill his duties smoothly and live up to His Majesty's trust!" Yuan Yi clasped his hands together, and everyone immediately said in unison, "Congratulations, Chancellor Fan!"

  Fan Shao smiled nervously. He was, of course, grateful to Yuan Yi for rescuing him from the clutches of an old monster like Kun Changsheng previously at the main hall. Fan Shao reluctantly said, "Thank you, Dean Yuan, thank you so much. If it weren't for your help, I'm afraid I really wouldn't have dared to confront Minister Kun!"

  Yuan Yi smiled kindly, "Chancellor Fan, it's nothing. We all know what kind of person Minister Kun is, and we know how to deal with him."

  The two exchanged a smile, their tone relaxed and friendly. A chief scholar and a renowned minister joining forces… Fan Shao felt that with Yuan Yi's help, court affairs could proceed smoothly for the time being. Of course, he also understood that one couldn't trust everyone completely, so for now, he only wanted to maintain a polite relationship with Yuan Yi.

  As the two were chatting and laughing, Yuan Yi saw Li Yaozu and his entourage from afar, and his expression suddenly changed. Fan Shao immediately noticed the change in Yuan Yi's mood and asked, "Dean Yuan, what's wrong?"

  Yuan Yi didn't answer, but only stared sharply at Li Yaozu and his group.

  "Dean Yuan?" Fan Shao asked again.

  Yuan Yi paused, then turned to Fan Shao and asked, "Is this the first time you've met Governor Li Yaozu?"

  "Yes," Fan Shao nodded.

  "There's something strange about him and his men. He's a highly respected general, deeply loved by the people, but the court is suspicious of him. He certainly didn't come to offer congratulations… Chancellor Fan, don't believe him." Yuan Yi sighed, a hint of worry on his face.

  "Thank you for your advice, Dean Yuan. I will remain cautious." Fan Shao nodded.

  Yuan Yi clasped his hands together and said, "Chancellor Fan, very well. I still have official business to attend to. I wish you the best today and continued service to the country."

  Fan Shao clasped his hands together. After Yuan Yi and his group left, Kun Changsheng and his group exchanged a few quiet words at a distance before dispersing as well. This worried Fan Shao somewhat…

  He glanced at the sundial clock and remembered—it was almost Chen hour, and he had to attend the formal inauguration ceremony and receive the emperor's instructions! "Director Liu, I have to go. The inauguration ceremony is about to begin." Fan Shao said.

  Liu Bao quickly shook his head: "No! You can't go alone. You don't know how many of those bastards are following you now! I'll go call the palace guards right now—"

  "No, no, don't do that!" Fan Shao quickly interrupted Liu Bao, sighing. "If you're so worried, then come with me!"

  Fan Shao turned and left, while Liu Bao stood there for a second or two, seemingly deep in thought. He suddenly snapped out of his daze and shouted, "Hey! Wait for me!"