The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

The silence in the side hall lasted for about three breaths.

The frozen smile on Lin Chu's face visibly melted away, becoming even gentler than before, carrying just the right amount of surprise and reproach: "What are you saying, sir? Have I somehow neglected you, causing you to distance yourself from me?"

She rose and personally stepped forward to help Su Che up, her tone sincere: "Sir, you are my trusted advisor and a pillar of the nation. Now that everything is in need of rebuilding, it is precisely the time when we need capable people. How can you speak of resigning? If you are tired, I will grant you a three-month leave, no, half a year! Just take good care of yourself. And please, never mention resigning again."

Her hand touched Su Che's arm, warm with body heat and trembling slightly.

Su Che straightened up, avoiding her touch, his expression still calm, even tinged with a hint of weariness: "Your Majesty's favor is overwhelming. However, my mind is made up to leave, not out of affectation. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and everything is renewed, requiring the breaking down of the old and the establishment of the new. I am but an old official, my talents exhausted. If I remain in court, I fear I will hinder the new policies and prevent future talents from advancing. I beg Your Majesty to grant me this small personal request and allow me... to return."

His words were impeccable and sincere, showing consideration for "His Majesty," "the new policies," and "future talents," while placing himself in a humble, outdated, and obsolete position.

But to Lin Chu, every word pierced his heart.

She knew Su Che too well. This man was as wise as the sea and as hard as iron; once he made a decision, he almost never changed it. If he insisted on leaving, forcing him to stay would only backfire.

More importantly, is his resignation at this moment a sign of genuine exhaustion, or... a sign that he has sensed something?

Lin Chu's heart sank suddenly. His sharp gaze swept across Su Che's face, trying to find even the slightest flaw in that calm and expressionless countenance.

No.

There was only exhaustion, only composure, only a kind of indifference bordering on despondency.

Am I just overthinking things? Or is he simply retiring after achieving his goal?

No, that's not right. Su Che isn't that kind of person. If he were ambitious, he wouldn't have just helped her rise to power in the first place; if he were indifferent, he wouldn't have stayed with her until today.

Gao Tianci, standing to the side, rolled his eyes, then suddenly laughed and tried to smooth things over: "Your Majesty, Mr. Su has worked hard and made great contributions; it's only natural that he wants to rest now. However, resigning from his post... seems a bit too serious. In my humble opinion, a compromise would be better. Mr. Su can rest for now, but this honorary title can remain in his name until he has recovered enough to serve Your Majesty. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

His words, seemingly meant to reconcile, were actually malicious. Holding a nominal title meant being stripped of all real power, becoming a figurehead with no real authority. Moreover, when he would "recover his strength" and return? That was naturally up to him, or rather, up to Lin Chu and Gao Tianci.

Lin Chu's eyes lit up slightly, sensing this was a way out. He immediately looked at Su Che, his tone pleading: "General Gao is quite right. Sir, please put my mind at ease, okay? I'll keep this official position for you. You can rest assured and recuperate. General Gao and the other ministers will take care of the trivial matters of the court."

She emphasized the words "General Gao and his ministers" a little more.

Su Che sneered inwardly. They're already so eager to arrange for someone to "share their burdens"?

He remained silent for a moment, and just when Lin Chu thought he was going to refuse again and her heart was in her throat, he slowly sighed, as if he had no choice, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness is so great, if I were to refuse again, I would be ungrateful. Therefore, I will respectfully follow Your Majesty's arrangements."

Lin Chu breathed a sigh of relief, a genuine smile spreading across his face. He stepped forward, seemingly wanting to take Su Che's hand again, but Su Che had already taken a half step back and bowed once more.

Her hand fell to empty air, her fingertips twitching slightly, but her smile remained unchanged: "It's good that you've agreed, sir. Today is the Fengtai Banquet, and all the officials are present. You must attend, sir, so that I... may properly offer you a few cups as a token of my gratitude."

"My lord, I obey your order."

……

The Phoenix Terrace Hall was brightly lit, and the sounds of string and wind instruments were melodious.

Inside the vast palace, hundreds of tables were arranged in an orderly fashion, with delicacies and fine wines served in a flowing stream. Civil and military officials sat according to their rank, clinking glasses and exchanging laughter and chatter. Everyone's face was filled with excitement and anticipation for the establishment of a new dynasty and the rewarding of merits.

Su Che's seat was arranged as the first seat on the left below the imperial steps. This position had always been reserved for the prime minister or the most trusted and meritorious officials. At this moment, his presence here attracted the attention of most of the people in the hall.

There was envy, jealousy, awe, and also speculation hidden beneath the smile.

The first seat on the right belonged to Gao Tianci. He was chatting and laughing loudly with several military officers around him, full of vigor and confidence. Occasionally, he would glance at Su Che with an undisguised sense of superiority.

As the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, Zhao Jianing was in charge of guarding the banquet tonight. He stood with his hand on his sword in the shadows inside the palace gate, his eyes like an eagle's, scanning the entire room. Occasionally, his eyes met Su Che's, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Pang Xiaopan sat in the back row of the civil officials, appearing somewhat absent-minded, frequently glancing in Su Che's direction, raising and lowering her wine cup.

Su Che seemed oblivious to all the gazes directed at him, simply kneeling quietly, eyes downcast, occasionally picking up the sake in front of him and taking a small sip. The sake was imperial brew, mellow on the palate, yet carrying a hint of a taste both familiar and repulsive from his past life.

The banquet was halfway through, and the atmosphere was in full swing.

Lin Chu raised his cup on the high throne, and the hall fell silent instantly.

"My beloved ministers," her voice was clear and resonant, carrying the majesty of an emperor, "that I can sit here today, and that the Tianming Empire enjoys its current stability, is entirely due to the concerted efforts and loyal assistance of all of you. With this first cup of wine, I offer my respects to Heaven, Earth, and our ancestors, praying for the protection and peace of our Tianming Empire!"

Everyone responded in unison, raised their glasses, and drank together.

"This second cup of wine," Lin Chu's gaze swept across the crowd, lingering particularly on Su Che and Gao Tianci, "is a toast to all the meritorious officials present! Without your selfless dedication, this grand ceremony would not be possible today!"

Another round of shouts of gratitude followed, and the cups of wine were emptied.

"And this third cup of wine..." Lin Chu put down the wine cup, and the chief eunuch immediately stepped forward and unfolded a bright yellow imperial edict.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats, knowing that the main event was about to begin.

The eunuch's shrill voice echoed throughout the hall:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: In celebration of your ascension to the throne, those who have rendered meritorious service shall be rewarded. Therefore…"

A long list of names and rewards was read out. Official titles and ranks were bestowed, along with gold, silver, land, and mansions, extending to their descendants. Each time a name was read, someone stepped forward, knelt, and expressed their gratitude, beaming with joy.

Gao Tianci's name was highlighted.

"...General Gao Tianci, the Tiger General, is unparalleled in loyalty and bravery, and possesses extraordinary strategic skills. His contributions in suppressing rebellions, devising strategies, and defending the capital are immense. He is hereby granted the title of 'Duke of the State,' a hereditary title, and is also appointed Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. He is bestowed with a certificate of merit and an iron certificate, a reward of ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of brocade, and two imperial estates in the suburbs of the capital..."