Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 659 Generous Rewards
Beijing.

The edge of the sky was already turning a pale white.

At this moment of transition between day and night, as dawn breaks, the entire capital city presents a peculiar atmosphere.

It seemed as if a sudden silence had fallen, yet also as if a turbulent undercurrent of activity was brewing.

The silence was due to the gradual subsiding of the sounds of fighting, explosions, and shouts that had lasted all night.

Constables from the Six Doors, agents from the Investigation Bureau, and soldiers of the Northern Imperial Guard who had regrouped began to appear on the main streets, forcefully maintaining basic order, suppressing petty thieves who took advantage of the chaos, and clearing barricades and ruins.

Even the Shenwu Army outside the city walls received orders to set up camp in place and did not actually launch an attack on the city.

The excitement stemmed from the fact that those powerful figures, noble families, and high-ranking officials who had remained silent or secretly gambled during last night's turmoil, hidden deep within their mansions, were now stirring up trouble like insects awakening after the rain.

Secret messengers shuttled back and forth between the mansions, conveying information and compromises; one after another, ornately decorated but inconspicuous carriages quietly drove toward the side gate of the palace.

The representatives they elected, some eager, some nervous, and some reserved, requested an audience with the two key figures of the new dynasty—Prince Zhao Yu of Huaiyang and Empress Mu Congshuang.

Secret talks, negotiations, transactions, compromises... were conducted round after round in the palace chambers as dawn broke.

finally.

When the first ray of golden sunlight finally pierced through the clouds, completely dispelling the darkness and bathing the city, which had endured so much suffering, in its warm glow...

All the major issues concerning the distribution of power and the future landscape have finally been largely settled through the interplay and tacit understanding among various forces.

It was as if the storm of blood and fire that swept through the city last night had truly faded away with the darkness, and the curtain of a new era was slowly being drawn back.

Inside the palace, after the initial chaos and tension, a solemn and dignified calm was quickly and forcibly restored.

The pale faces of the palace servants, the lingering fear in their eyes, and the bloodstains on some of the palace walls that had not yet been completely wiped clean silently told the story of the terrifying ordeal that had just occurred.

In front of the palace.

The current prime minister, Li Qingru, had already taken off his official robes and put on coarse hemp mourning clothes. He led the civil and military officials, who were also dressed in mourning clothes and had sorrowful faces, and knelt down outside the palace in a dark mass.

Meanwhile, all the concubines, female officials, and palace maids in the inner palace had already gathered here. Their hair was disheveled, they wore no makeup, and they were sobbing softly, creating a scene of sorrow and despair.

In a suffocating silence, the chief eunuch Wang Jin stood at the entrance of the palace, facing the crowd.

His face was somber, and there seemed to be tear stains at the corners of his eyes. With his unique, slightly high-pitched yet extremely penetrating voice, he gathered his strength and proclaimed loudly, his voice echoing through the empty palace gardens:
"A distinguished guest, carried by the dragon!!!"

The announcement was like a signal, and instantly, heart-wrenching, earth-shattering cries erupted outside the palace!
"His Majesty--!"

"Waaaaah... Your Majesty!"

The civil and military officials prostrated themselves on the ground and wept bitterly, their cries rising and falling.

Many people are genuinely grieving the passing of the late emperor and the loss of their ruler.

But more often than not, their eyes, hidden beneath tears, brimmed with deep anxiety and calculation about their own future and the future of the empire.

The concubines seemed to have all their strength drained away, collapsing to the ground instantly. Pearl earrings rolled off their ears, mingling with their tears, gleaming coldly and fragilely in the rising sun.

The ladies-in-waiting of the Imperial Palace Bureau carried plain white silk that had been prepared beforehand, moving quickly yet quietly among the fabrics, swiftly covering all the bright colors.

The vermilion palace walls and the carved beams and painted corridors were almost overnight covered by layers of pale white curtains.

Even the mythical beasts on the eaves, symbolizing imperial power, were carefully tied with half-foot-wide white silk ribbons, fluttering silently in the morning breeze.

Prime Minister Li Qingru knelt at the very front of the steps, his white beard stained with dust and tears.

He wept uncontrollably, his body trembling.

however.

After a heart-wrenching cry that expressed the grief of a subject, he abruptly wiped away his tears with his sleeve, instantly erasing all traces of sorrow from his face, which were replaced by the solemnity, seriousness, and decisiveness befitting an imperial prime minister.

He raised his head, his voice still slightly hoarse, yet exceptionally clear:

"A country cannot be without a ruler for a day!"

"Now that the Emperor has passed away, the whole country is grieving, but no heir has been appointed, and the imperial regalia is left vacant! Foreign enemies are invading and repeatedly violating our borders; internally, villains are causing trouble, and the people are filled with fear!"

"At this critical juncture, among the imperial clan in the capital, only Prince Zhao Yu of Huaiyang, a descendant of the founding emperor, is renowned throughout the land for his benevolence and filial piety, and is qualified to inherit the throne!"

"This old minister, with tears streaming down his face, begs Your Highness to prioritize the well-being of the nation and the people, to immediately follow the will of Heaven and the will of the people, to ascend the throne, to stabilize the court, to appease the people, and to restore the prestige of our Great Qian Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials immediately echoed in unison and shouted loudly.

The calls grew louder and louder, all urging Zhao Yu to ascend the throne.

According to etiquette, Zhao Yu naturally needed to decline repeatedly, indicating that he was of shallow virtue and talent and unfit for the important task.

The officials repeatedly pleaded with the prince, saying that the country was in grave danger and no one but the prince could save it.

finally.

Empress Dowager Mu Congshuang personally stepped forward.

Dressed in mourning clothes, with red and swollen eyes, she was still dignified and spoke earnestly, conveying the grief of a widow and the responsibility of an empress as she gently advised Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu then sighed helplessly, explaining that he was of limited talent and knowledge and was only temporarily occupying the throne, awaiting a wise man.

If in the future there is a member of the imperial clan who is both virtuous and talented, he will surely step down and yield the position to a more worthy person, and will never covet power.

Thus, surrounded by officials, Zhao Yu entered the side hall, donned the heavy and noble twelve-symbol robe, and put on the twelve-tassel crown.

Amidst the solemn sounds of bells, drums, and ceremonial music, Zhao Yu formally ascended the throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, receiving the homage of all officials, signifying the beginning of a stable and peaceful new dynasty.

Immediately after the coronation ceremony concluded, the new emperor, Zhao Yu, issued a series of imperial edicts, rapidly consolidating power and stabilizing the situation like a high-speed machine:
First, the Grand Eunuch Wang Jin was appointed to be in full charge of the late emperor's funeral arrangements, ensuring the highest level of mourning and honor.

Second, the emperor honored Mu Congshuang as Empress Dowager and moved her to Cining Palace; he also generously rewarded the Mu family, bestowing titles and official positions upon more than ten members of the Mu family in one go, making the Mu family's power and influence unparalleled in an instant.

Third, the Xuanyuan Sect was honored. Vice Sect Leader Yan Tingfeng was appointed Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, concurrently serving as Junior Guardian; Elder Yu Zhuoqun was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards.

IV. Rewards and Conferments on the Southern Imperial Guards. Liang Jin was exceptionally promoted to Commander of the Imperial Guards and concurrently Deputy Commander of the Southern Imperial Guards, granted a first-rank military position, bestowed with a qilin robe, and allowed to carry a sword before the Emperor, wielding immense power within the Forbidden City.

Fifth, the appointment and reward of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. Wang Jin was granted the title of Minister of Works, and the position of Grand Secretary was established for Wang Jin to participate in confidential matters, concurrently serving as the commander of the Northern Imperial Guards (the original commander, Tong Shan, was transferred); Zhao Bao was promoted to Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial and concurrently served as the second-in-command of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, becoming the most powerful eunuch under Wang Jin; Wan Shanglou was promoted to Attendant Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, holding a prominent position.

VI. Appease the Divine Martial Army. Promote Liu Xu, the commander of the Divine Martial Army, to the rank of Xuanwei General, reward him with gold, silver, and provisions, and order him to lead his troops to garrison key areas around the capital.

VII. Rewarding Qingyi Tower. Meng Xinghun was granted the title of Marquis of Zhenxi and concurrently Protector-General of the Western Desert, acknowledging his special status in the Western Desert and bestowing upon him numerous rewards.

8. Diplomacy: Send envoys to negotiate a peace and ceasefire with the Black Dragon Empire to temporarily alleviate border troubles.

9. The people of the land shall observe three years of mourning for the late emperor, and banquets, weddings and other celebrations shall be prohibited.

10. A general amnesty is granted to the entire realm (except for the ten heinous crimes), to demonstrate the benevolence of the new ruler.

11. The Imperial Police are ordered to conduct a city-wide manhunt for rebels and those who take advantage of the chaos, with the authority to execute them first and report later, and to stabilize the order in the capital as quickly as possible.

……

These imperial edicts were issued swiftly and delivered to all directions by fast messengers.

The tension in the capital city, which had been running high, finally began to ease, and the situation was brought under control at a visible speed.

The streets seemed to have transformed overnight.

The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture led his men to post an obituary at Zhengyang Gate. The phrase "The late Emperor did not live long" written in cinnabar was circled in chalk, and the crowd that gathered around immediately knelt down.

The silk shop owner worked through the night to remove the red silk and replace it with plain silk from the imperial treasury. The tailors worked with lightning speed to make mourning clothes, not daring to slack off for a moment.

Students from the Imperial Academy and retired officials would spontaneously gather outside the Meridian Gate, holding incense and candles and weeping. Some even cried until they fainted and were carried aside by the Imperial Guards to rest.

Ordinary families would put away their red jackets and green skirts and replace them with mourning clothes made of coarse linen.

Those from poor families who couldn't afford hemp cloth would sew white cloth trim onto their clothes and cuffs; wealthy families would wear mourning clothes made of raw hemp cloth and wrap their hair in white cloth.

All entertainment activities were suspended. The brothels and theaters closed their doors, the gongs and drums of the opera troupes were put away in wooden boxes, the storytellers put away their clappers, and even the noise of children playing in the streets and alleys was much quieter. Parents would sternly warn their children, "When the emperor travels, you must not make a fuss."

All the taverns in the West Market were closed, and butcher shops posted notices saying "Sales suspended during the national mourning period." Only the stalls selling paper money were crowded with people, and the paper dragon and phoenix carriages sold out as soon as the stalls opened.

Officials' sedan chairs had to have white banners tied to the top, while ordinary people's carriages had a bundle of white hemp hanging from the shaft; even when walking, people would tie a white sash around their waist as a sign of mourning.

On the main thoroughfare of the capital, the colorful sedan chairs and decorated carriages that used to shuttle back and forth have all disappeared. Only horse-drawn carriages carrying funeral supplies slowly pass by, and the sound of their wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs is particularly clear on the quiet streets.

Most of the once bustling temple fairs and markets have been canceled, and the few remaining ones have been significantly reduced in size. The goods on the stalls are mostly funeral supplies, such as paper money, paper offerings, incense, and candles. The stall owners greet customers with blank expressions, and no one shouts out their wares.

The agents of the intelligence agency disguised themselves as peddlers, gathering information in teahouses and taverns, and arresting anyone spreading disrespectful remarks.

Suddenly, additional imperial guards were deployed to the imperial mausoleum construction site on the outskirts of the city, and the craftsmen were required to complete the underground palace repairs within 100 days, with the sound of chiseling stones continuing day and night.

The grain ships at the canal wharf were delayed in setting sail, and the escorting officers received a secret order to strictly inspect the passing ships. It was said that a confidant of a prince was trying to send a secret letter to the capital.

The moat reflected the white banners fluttering atop the city walls, resembling a silver funeral ribbon that wrapped around the imperial capital as it welcomed its new master.

Overnight, the entire capital city seemed to have been completely transformed.

The death of an emperor requires the entire nation to mourn and all people to grieve; this is the weight of imperial power.

On the walls of the imperial city.

Liang Jin stood alone, leaning against the railing.

He had already changed out of his Imperial Guard uniform.

At this moment, he was wearing a bright yellow silk brocade robe, which was a royal-bestowed Qilin robe, symbolizing his lofty status as the commander of the first-rank imperial guards.

The front of the brocade robe is embroidered with a lifelike golden unicorn standing on auspicious clouds. The unicorn is an auspicious beast, symbolizing nobility, good fortune, and martial prowess. The bottom of the robe is embroidered with turbulent waves and cliffs, symbolizing the eternal stability of the country. He bears the heavy responsibility of protecting this country and the emperor.

A black leather belt was tied around his waist, inlaid with silver rivets and sapphires the size of pigeon eggs. In the center of the belt was a fierce tiger head buckle made of pure gold, with rubies inlaid in the tiger's eyes, making it look fierce and intimidating.

He wore a brocade eagle-head crown on his head, with sharp and agile eagle heads on both sides. It was not only the symbol of the left and right guard battalions, but also a symbol that the commander must be as vigilant as an eagle and see through everything.

A strong wind billowed his robes and crown as he looked down at the city, which had been covered in white overnight. His gaze was deep, and he murmured to himself:
"After all this turmoil... from now on, this city should finally be able to enjoy peace."

He made an indisputable contribution to the rise of the new emperor during this dramatic change of imperial power.

Therefore, the returns are astonishing.

He not only rose to become the commander of the imperial guards, but also became a true close advisor to the emperor and a trusted confidant.

He directly replaced Hong Wei's position, becoming the deputy commander of the Southern Imperial Army, joining the core high-ranking ranks of the imperial army and wielding real power.

Now, within this deep palace and forbidden garden, he has almost the highest access privileges, and can go anywhere except for a very few private royal forbidden areas.

Even within the imperial harem, he was entitled to enter on official business.

Even more astonishingly, he was granted numerous privileges, including the ability to meet the emperor at any time without removing his sword or official boots!

Such honors and power are enough to demonstrate his status and the emperor's trust, and are worthy of the dangers he took and the efforts he made last night.

Liang Jin stood quietly on the wall for a long time, until the setting sun dyed the clouds on the horizon into a magnificent brocade.

He let out a long sigh, as if expelling all the tension and exhaustion of the past few days:

"It's time to take a break."

What he ultimately longed for was a peaceful and carefree life.

Recently, he has been working tirelessly and cautiously to assist Zhao Yu in his struggle for the throne. Now that the situation is settled, it is time to enjoy the hard-won results and peace.

He raised his head, gazing at the brilliant sunset on the horizon, and murmured:

"Tomorrow is destined to be a good day."

Immediately, Liang Jin turned around and walked down the city wall.

The imperial guards at the Meridian Gate, seeing him approach, immediately bowed hastily, their voices tinged with awe and a barely perceptible embarrassment.

"Greetings...Greetings, Commander Liang!"

Although they were bowing respectfully, the complex emotions in their eyes were difficult to completely conceal.

Just last night, the two sides were on the verge of a fight to the death here.

In the blink of an eye, the other party had become one of their direct superiors!

This dramatic turn of events was so sudden that all the Imperial Guard soldiers felt as if they were in a dream and found it difficult to adapt.

Liang Jin didn't care about this. He simply nodded slightly and calmly passed through the Meridian Gate, leaving the palace.

Outside the palace, preparations had been made in advance.

A troop of elite and valiant soldiers were waiting, leading a magnificent, tall horse.

A squad leader stepped forward and respectfully reported:
"My lord, your official sedan chair is still being made according to regulations, so you will have to ride a horse back to your residence today."

With Liang Jin's current official rank of first grade, the imperial court has assigned him twelve personal guards in accordance with regulations.

The soldiers in front of him were his personal guards, responsible for protecting him 24 hours a day, and ready to be dispatched at any time.

All expenses were borne by the imperial court.

Of course, given Liang Jin's skills, the protection of these soldiers was actually of little use.

But their very existence is a symbol of status and position.

Their well-trained demeanor, uniform uniforms, and excellent equipment served as an implicit declaration, instantly conveying Liang Jin's distinguished status to everyone who saw him, thus prompting them to automatically back away and avoid unnecessary trouble.

If Liang Jin becomes wealthy in the future, he can recruit his own private retainers, bodyguards, and attendants.

Extravagance was rampant among the upper echelons of the Great Qian Dynasty. It was common for high-ranking officials to be accompanied by thousands of people when they traveled.

Liang Jin had just been promoted and hadn't had time to recruit followers yet. He only had twelve guards provided by the imperial court, which already seemed very meager. "Return to the manor."

Liang Jin mounted his horse with agile movements.

He gave the reins a shake, and the horse slowly began to move.

Twelve guards immediately escorted him from the front and back, clearing a path for him. Although the procession was not large, it had its own imposing aura.

The effects were immediate along the way.

When the people saw this group of people, they hurriedly made way for them, bowing their heads and not daring to look directly at them.

Even if an official's carriage or sedan chair came into view, he would hurriedly order his servants to step aside and let Liang Jin go first.

The journey was smooth and unimpeded, and Liang Jin soon returned to his residence.

however.

The scene outside the mansion made him raise an eyebrow slightly.

A large crowd had gathered on the street in front of the gate!
In this world, there will always be people who are well-informed and adept at maneuvering.

Among these people, some were dressed in fine silks and satins, with large bellies, and were wealthy merchants; others wore square headscarves and scholar's robes, and were members of the gentry and famous; still others wore various official robes, of neither high nor low rank, and were officials of various levels.

They held precious jade artifacts in their hands, clutched thick gift lists, or had servants carry heavy trunks. Their faces were filled with humble, enthusiastic, and even obsequious smiles as they craned their necks to look towards the gate of the mansion.

Upon seeing Liang Jin return on horseback, the crowd instantly stirred and surged forward like a tide, only to be firmly blocked by the defensive line formed by his personal guards.

They rushed to bow and scrape before Liang Jin, each offering their own explanation:

"Commander Liang! I am the owner of Baochang Trading Company in the south of the city. I have prepared a small gift to congratulate you on your promotion!"

"Lord Liang! I am an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites. I have long admired your esteemed reputation. Tonight, I have prepared a humble banquet at Zuixianlou Restaurant, and I earnestly hope that you will grace me with your presence!"

"My lord! I have come across a precious sword from a previous dynasty, capable of cutting hair in two. Only a hero like you is worthy of such a divine weapon, so I have come to present it to you for your appraisal!"

"Brother Liang! I have a young daughter at the age of sixteen, beautiful and virtuous. I've heard that you are still unmarried. Would you mind if she were to marry her..."

……

Liang Jin sat upright on his horse, his face calm, calmly observing the pandering scene of all kinds of people before him.

I just find the world interesting and the human heart wondrous.

After he had listened for a while, he gently raised his hand.

The guards understood and immediately and forcefully parted the crowd, clearing a path straight to the gate of the mansion.

Liang Jin rode his horse slowly through, ignoring the surrounding noise, and went straight into the mansion gate.

The guards quickly secured the gate, expressionlessly blocking any visitors who tried to enter.

Liang Jingang stepped into the living room.

But there stood five members of the Zhao family, looking rather uneasy.

They all looked anxious and conflicted. When Liang entered, they seemed even more at a loss, their lips moving as if they wanted to say something but dared not speak.

"What's the matter?"

Liang Jin asked the question in a calm voice.

This question seemed to awaken everyone.

Zhao Xingzhi trembled and hurriedly led Zhao Wangshi, Zhao Yiqiu, Zhao Yueqing, and Zhao Yiyi to kneel down in front of Liang Jin, their foreheads almost touching the cold floor.

"Our humble family pays respects to Lord Liang!"

Congratulations on your promotion, sir!

"These past few days...we...we were blind and caused you countless troubles, and we have offended you in many ways. Please...please forgive us, sir!"

The Zhao family members were extremely humble, their respectful expressions revealing an undisguised deep fear!
Yes, fear!
Once, Liang Jin was just an ordinary Imperial Guard soldier. Zhao Xingzhi and his wife treated him warmly and regarded him as a potential son-in-law. His elder sister Zhao Yiqiu and second sister Zhao Yueqing could even criticize Liang Jin, showing slight contempt and disdain.

Afterwards, Liang Jin was promoted to the position of Banner Chief, becoming a minor official. The Zhao family became exceptionally polite to Liang Jin, and while they were delighted, they even began to worry that Liang Jin would look down on the Zhao family for their humble social status.

Now, Liang Jin is a high-ranking official of the first rank! This has created an insurmountable chasm between them and their commoner family, a difference as vast as clouds and mud!
Faced with this enormous power disparity, they no longer dared to hope for any favors or promotions; all that remained was the most primal fear.

They feared that Liang Jin would hold a grudge against them for their past neglect and verbal offenses.

With Liang Jin's current power, crushing their entire family would be easier than crushing an ant.

In front of such an important figure, they unconsciously lowered their breathing, not daring to exhale.

Liang Jin looked at the Zhao family members kneeling on the ground, smiled slightly, and tried to ease the tension:

"We're all family, why be so formal?"

"Please get up quickly."

As he spoke, he walked to the main seat, sat down, picked up the teacup offered by the maid, blew on it to cool it down, and took a sip.

However, when he put down his teacup, he found that the Zhao family members were still kneeling motionless in the same spot.

Not a single person dared to get up!

This surprised Liang Jin slightly.

He put down his teacup, stood up, walked to the Zhao family, squatted down, and looked them in the eye.

The Zhao family members dared not meet his gaze; they all lowered their heads in fear, almost burying them in the ground.

Uncle? Aunt?

Liang Jin asked in confusion.

Zhao Xingzhi trembled and hurriedly answered, his voice trembling:

"There is a proper order of rank and hierarchy, and a distinction between superiors and inferiors. I am but a humble person... Although I am not well-educated, I am still aware of etiquette."

“I have offended you greatly in the past, speaking rudely to you… This humble subject… This humble subject kneels as a form of apology!”

Although Zhao Wangshi did not speak, her tightly clasped hands and pale face showed that she was of one mind with her husband.

Liang Jin shook his head helplessly, his gaze turning to his tall, slender elder sister, Zhao Yiqiu, who was kneeling to the side.

"Sister Yiqiu?"

Zhao Yiqiu's full, delicate body trembled violently. Her beautiful and charming face was now filled with fear and unease. She hurriedly crawled forward, her forehead touching the ground.
"My lord! I was blind and ignorant in the past, and my words offended you! Please forgive me! I dare not rise!"

Liang Jin then looked at Zhao Yueqing, the second sister who was kneeling beside Zhao Yiqiu.

Before he could even speak, Zhao Yueqing's pretty face turned ashen white, and her slender waist trembled uncontrollably, as if it might break at any moment.

She also suddenly prostrated herself on the ground, expressing her reverence in the most humble way:

"I...I'm the same! I was wrong! I should kneel! I should apologize to the adults! Please punish me!"

Her shapely body pressed tightly against the cold ground, humbly submitting.

Liang Jin looked at them and fell silent.

He suddenly understood.

Liang Jin was still Liang Jin, but what they feared and knelt before at this moment was no longer him as a person, but the immense power and prestigious official position he represented.

The feudal era's ingrained hierarchy has long been deeply ingrained in their minds.

His gaze finally fell on Zhao Yiyi, who was kneeling at the back but kept secretly looking up at him.

He reached out his hand to her, a gentle smile on his face, completely different from before:
“Yi, I know you are different from them.”

Zhao Yiyi is indeed different.

Although she was also kneeling, her pair of dark, bright eyes secretly followed Liang Jin, her gaze filled with tension and trepidation.

But more than anything, it was a cautious observation and a barely perceptible expectation.

When she saw Liang Jin's familiar, warm smile and his outstretched hand, the gloom on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a bright and reassuring smile. Without hesitation, she placed her small hand in Liang Jin's warm palm and stood up with his help.

"Brother Liang, I..."

She looked at Liang Jin, her eyes sparkling, with a thousand words to say but not knowing where to begin.

Liang Jin smiled and ruffled her hair, the gesture natural and affectionate.

"Silly girl, our relationship won't change just because I become an official."

"The way things were before will remain the same in the future."

Upon hearing this, the last trace of unease in Zhao Yiyi's eyes vanished completely. A happy and shy smile appeared on her lips as she nodded vigorously.

Liang Jin pointed to the Zhao family members still kneeling on the ground and said to Zhao Yiyi:
“They’re terrified right now. Please help me talk to them and tell them they really don’t need to do this anymore, kneeling down all the time.”

“I, Liang Jin, am not a vengeful person. I have never taken those little things from the past to heart. Let them put their minds at ease, live here in peace, and don’t worry about bothering me or being afraid of me.”

Liang Jin's time is precious, and he doesn't have time to personally counsel these people.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yiyi nodded vigorously once again.

Liang Jin patted her on the shoulder with satisfaction, handing over the situation in the living room to her to handle.

Then he turned around and walked towards the backyard.

His keen senses had already detected that guests had arrived in the backyard.

really.

When he passed through the moon gate and arrived at the quiet courtyard, he saw Zhao Bao already standing there with his hands behind his back, waiting.

Now, Zhao Bao has also put on a brand-new official robe that represents his status as the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

The dark blue official robe did not have a traditional rank badge on the chest, but was embroidered with a "square knot pattern with intertwined branches": two overlapping rhombuses, or "square knots", were embroidered with silver thread, symbolizing "the exchange of documents and the accuracy of approvals". The edges of the rhombuses were wrapped with light gold intertwined branches, which extended to both sides of the robe. At the end of each branch was a tiny "red seal" pattern, which subtly reflected his core power of "approving documents on behalf of the emperor".

His face was rosy, and he looked smug, a stark contrast to his gloomy and tense demeanor yesterday.

He naturally had the qualifications to be successful; he was the youngest Grand Eunuch since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty.

When Zhao Bao saw Liang Jin approaching, he immediately went to greet him.

The two looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.

Their hands were clasped tightly together, and they shook them vigorously.

"Jin-ge! We did it! We really did it!"

Zhao Bao's voice trembled slightly with excitement, and a tear even glistened in his eye:
"From this day forward, you and I, brothers, will no longer be the lowest of ants in this deep palace, trampled upon by everyone!"

"We finally...we finally got up!"

He was not only excited about gaining the power he had always dreamed of, but also genuinely happy that Liang Jin could also rise to a high position.

Their hard work, planning, and life-or-death struggles over this period have finally yielded the richest rewards.

Liang Jin returned the handshake firmly and said with emotion:

"Now we can finally catch our breath and prepare for our new life."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bao's smile widened, even tinged with a hint of smugness:
"Brother Jin, I was just about to tell you that!"

"You're not the only one with a big house!"

"I... have already acquired that abandoned mansion of Ma Rang, the former Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, located near the capital!"

Liang Jin was slightly surprised to hear this.

He remembered that he had indeed asked Zhao Bao to take a look at that house before, but Zhao Bao's status at that time was not high enough to make it possible.

Zhao Bao continued excitedly, his eyes shining:
"I'll find the best craftsmen and renovate that house inside and out! Then, Brother Jin, you can move in, and we brothers can live together!"

"That house is right at the back gate of the imperial city. It will be so convenient for us to go to the palace to work! That location is much better than yours!"

Looking at Zhao Bao's excited appearance, Liang Jin seemed to see the future scene of brothers living side by side and taking care of each other. He couldn't help but be infected by his emotions and felt much more at ease.

But something is missing.

Liang Jin had an idea—the only thing missing was Su Lian!

Zhao Bao and Liang Jin immediately exchanged a glance, and at that moment, they both understood what the other meant.

The two immediately burst into laughter.

Given their current status and power, it would be incredibly easy for them to bring a lowly palace maid like Su Lian out of the palace.

Zhao Bao glanced at the already dark sky and sighed:

"Tomorrow!"

"I'll go to the palace and bring Xiaolian out first thing tomorrow morning."

"Our dream is about to come true! We...we're about to have a home!"

Liang Jin took a deep breath; he had been waiting for this day for a long time...

(End of this chapter)