“Criminal minister Edward Harris, who exactly ordered you to assassinate the Emperor?” Brian Bolton couldn’t stand listening to this old man insult me any longer. With a knee strike, he knocked him to the ground, and the sharp blade at his waist was already gleaming at his neck.

“Pah! And what are you supposed to be?” Edward Harris glared with his old eyes, then stared fiercely at me: “If you’re going to kill me, do it quickly. Just consider it my Edward Harris’s old eyes failing me.”

Brian Bolton was about to hit him again, but I stopped him. With someone this old, I couldn’t bear to let the beating continue. So I made a gesture to kill.

Brian Bolton understood, and with a light swing of his blade, Edward Harris’s head flew off.

I suppressed the urge to vomit, turned to the two kneeling eunuchs, and spoke gently: “You two have always been loyal to me. What did you see today?”

“R-replying to Your Majesty. This servant saw nothing today.” Little Drew and Little Sam were trembling all over, clearly terrified.

“Hmph, what’s wrong with your eyes?” I snorted coldly again: “It was clearly Chancellor Harris who disagreed with me, got dizzy and lost his mind, and actually dared to throw a plate at me. The loyal and protective first-rank guard Brian Bolton had no choice but to kill him.”

“Yes, yes. This servant saw Chancellor Harris suddenly go mad and try to kill Your Majesty.” The two young eunuchs were quick-witted and followed my lead.

“Little Drew, I’m injured.” I wiped the blood from my forehead and said softly, “Aren’t you going to call the imperial physician?”

“This servant, this servant will go right away.” Little Drew scrambled up and dashed out of the dining hall in a panic. His expression was just what you’d expect from a eunuch anxious after the Emperor is hurt.

“Little Sam, go summon all the accompanying ministers to the council hall.” I turned and instructed Little Sam.

After the two eunuchs left, Brian Bolton quickly arranged the crime scene. He came up to me and said, “Your Majesty, about those two young eunuchs, should we…”

“We can’t kill them now, or it’ll give people something to talk about.” I paced back and forth, then said, “Have someone keep an eye on them. If there’s any sign of trouble, kill them without mercy.”

“Understood.” Brian Bolton replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, you are seriously injured. Allow me to escort you back to your chambers.”

The maid Claire was quick-witted too, and together with Grace, supported me on either side.

Chapter 3: The Unscrupulous Deal (Part 2)

Brian Bolton made a big show of it, calling in two full squads of imperial guards, escorting me back to my chambers with great fanfare. Little Drew was also extremely quick; two imperial physicians rushed into the chambers almost at the same time as I did.

The two physicians, seeing the blood streaming down my head, were so shocked they nearly lost their souls. Their hands trembled as they hurriedly treated my wound. As expected of imperial physicians—the best doctors in ancient China—their wound treatment was skillful and practiced. In no time, the wound was taken care of. In fact, I wasn’t seriously hurt; it just looked scary.

Brian Bolton hurried in from outside the chambers and respectfully reported, “Your Majesty, the Minister of Rites and the other ministers are all waiting outside the hall, seeking an audience. Should I let them in?”

“Summon them.” I said indifferently, stopping Claire from wiping the blood off my face.

Soon, the leading minister from yesterday entered, followed by a large group of officials, all looking tense.

“Your humble servant, Minister of Rites Charles Taylor, pays respects to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor.” Minister of Rites Charles Taylor looked flustered, but his steps were steady and firm.

“Rise, all of you.” I waved my hand weakly, signaling Claire to continue wiping the blood from my face.

The ministers, seeing my face covered in blood, were all startled and prostrated themselves again, not daring to get up, crying out that they deserved to die.

Sigh, this bunch and their routines really get on my nerves. Outwardly, they’re begging for forgiveness, but in reality, they’re just shirking responsibility. But right now, I can’t touch them. Killing a Grand Preceptor is already enough trouble for me.

“Hmph, who knows what you’re all thinking?” I snorted heavily, with a hint of anger: “For all I know, you’re all just waiting for me to die.”

At once, the old officials began wailing and crying, swearing their loyalty to me.

“I know all of you are loyal to me and to the empire.” I pretended to rub my head, feigning dizziness: “I was just angered by Rogue Harris and took it out on you. Hmph, Rogue Harris really went too far, always meddling in my affairs. What does he take me for? And when we disagreed, he even went crazy and attacked me. Let this be a warning to you all: I won’t meddle in your private affairs, and you shouldn’t meddle in mine. Of course, don’t go too far with your own affairs either.”

The cunning old ministers naturally understood that the matter with Chancellor Harris was just a warning to the others. But my last few words made it clear: I just want to enjoy myself, so don’t interfere with me. In exchange, I won’t bother with their shady dealings in private. As long as they don’t make too much trouble, I can’t be bothered to care. After all, this throne isn’t really mine.