Chapter 17

"What's with this look on you?" Li Chen looked at the mud on Guo Guo Po Yun's hands and boots and said casually.

"Aren't I under a three-day house arrest penalty from His Majesty? I was just idling at home planting some vegetables when I heard His Majesty's summons, so I ran right over," Guo Guo Po Yun replied, kneeling on the ground.

"Oh? Are you complaining to me?"

Don't think Li Chen couldn't hear it; this old fellow was just using the house arrest as an excuse.

As for whether he was really planting vegetables or just putting on a show, that was hard to say.

Hearing Li Chen's tone, Guo Guo Po Yun kowtowed again and said in fear and trepidation, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Why did Your Majesty summon your humble servant?"

Li Chen stroked his chin and said, "When the Crown Prince met with his accident, were you responsible for his protection?"

This sentence scared Guo Guo Po Yun into a cold sweat.

He thought to himself, which bastard wrote a memorial to His Majesty to slander me?

If this charge were really pinned on me, I'd have to go see the late Emperor immediately.

"Your Majesty, I am wronged! A week before the Crown Prince's accident, he had already ordered my secret guards to withdraw. I wouldn't dare say anything else, but if it were truly me protecting the Crown Prince, then I would have guarded him with my life. I have spent decades in the military, for the Li family—"

As he spoke, this old general began to drag up old accounts, listing all his hard work and toil.

Having 'worked' for the Li family for so many years, shedding blood and sweat, how could he possibly betray the Li family?

That was the Crown Prince's own order; as a subject, he could only obey. He was absolutely loyal!

"Alright, alright, I was just asking. You can go back first."

Li Chen was annoyed by hearing too much, so he interrupted him.

Just as Guo Guo Po Yun was about to leave, he was called back by Li Chen.

"Wait a moment."

"Does Your Majesty have further instructions?"

"Seven days of house arrest."

"."

Good grief, this Emperor really holds a grudge.

I just opened my mouth one too many times, and now I've got four more days.

So be it, so be it. He figured someone was likely fanning the flames regarding the Crown Prince's death, and he felt he shouldn't be the one to stick his neck out.

After thanking His Majesty for his grace, Guo Guo Po Yun left the Imperial Study in fear and trembling.

Where he had just knelt, there was still some soil left, proving he had indeed been there.

"These old fellows are truly crafty."

Li Chen muttered a sentence and went back to reviewing memorials.

However, the scene that just occurred had left Chu Ruoyan stunned.

In her eyes, the high-and-mighty Great General Guo Guo Po Yun, who existed like a god of war, was actually so afraid of this new Emperor, Li Chen.

If she told her father this, he probably wouldn't even believe her.

Because there were 'rumors' in the Imperial Capital that Li Chen was just a puppet Emperor, and his so-called 'strength' or anything else could not be verified.

As an ordinary noble family, how could they know so much?

Their news all came from the servants of court officials' families.

After all, it was word of mouth; who knew what it would turn into by the time it reached them.

But now, in Chu Ruoyan's view, she wouldn't dare say anything else, but Li Chen was definitely no puppet.

How could a puppet make an old official with such high prestige as Great General Guo Guo Po Yun so afraid?

Especially the innate kingly aura Li Chen displayed, which stirred up waves in her heart.

Not long after Great General Guo Guo Po Yun left, another heavyweight figure arrived at the Imperial Study.

Prince Jing'an, Li Longyu, of the May Tian Ce Dynasty, was the late Emperor's own younger brother and also Li Chen's uncle. Li Longyu hadn't attended court for a long time, and he didn't know why Li Chen had called him over.

If he hadn't heard that Li Chen was in the Sage Realm, he wouldn't have bothered to come.

This was giving face to the Sage Realm.

Although Prince Jing'an, Li Longyu, was advanced in age, his face remained handsome, and he was dressed in luxurious princely attire, with a jade pendant symbolizing his status hanging at his waist.

When he first entered the Imperial Study, his face still wore a hint of ease and unruliness, as if he were completely unaware of what was about to happen.

In a place like this, which was not the court, he didn't have to kneel and bow; a polite greeting would suffice.

Li Chen didn't say anything either, just tossed a memorial in front of him.

Li Longyu picked up the memorial, and the composure on his face slowly began to disappear.

Just then, Li Chen spoke: "Prince Jing'an, it's written here that you have recently indulged your subordinates in forcibly seizing fertile land. Don't tell me you didn't know about this?"

His tone was very flat, but his voice carried an unquestionable majesty.

Upon hearing this, Prince Jing'an was startled, but he still feigned composure on the surface, attempting to defuse this sudden crisis with a relaxed tone: "Your Majesty, I truly have not heard of this matter. Perhaps the people below acted on their own authority. I will certainly discipline them strictly upon my return."

!

This matter was indeed not done by Li Longyu; as an old prince in a high position, how would he manage such trivial matters?

It was most likely one of the descendants of his branch who had taken a fancy to some fertile land and used their power to seize it.

The late Emperor had explicitly forbidden such things, but some people still did it secretly, and Li Longyu hadn't taken it to heart.

Perhaps in his view, everyone was of the royal family, and wasn't the whole world ours?

We are family; since you told me not to do it, I'll give you face and go back to tell my subordinates not to do it, and we'll just let it go.

However, Li Chen narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a particularly casual tone: "I think that if your subordinates forcibly seize the people's fertile land, the people won't have land to grow food to eat. If they aren't full, they will rebel. You wouldn't even fail to see this, would you? Or are you doing it on purpose to teach me a lesson?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Jing'an, Li Longyu, felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

Li Chen had spoken to this extent, and Li Longyu realized that his 'nephew' was already angry.

This matter was small if considered small, but it could also be big.

Li Longyu's knees trembled, and he knelt on the ground involuntarily, his voice carrying a hint of terror and pleading: "Your Majesty, I truly did not know about this! I will certainly punish my subordinates strictly, return all the forcibly seized fertile land, and provide compensation to the persecuted farmers. Please show mercy, Your Majesty!"

This time he firmly said he didn't know, without the previous vague feeling of trying to muddle through.

"I can't be bothered to waste words with you. There are many things recently, so I will spare you once for now. I'll simply fine you one year's salary and have you complete what you promised within three days. I will find time to go see for myself. If I catch you acting in compliance but secretly defying, don't blame me for not considering our relationship. Get out now."

"I will go handle it immediately. Thank you, Your Majesty, for the grace to 'get out'. I will get out now."

After speaking, Li Longyu ran out like he was flying.

That feeling was one of deep fear of being caught by Li Chen with more evidence.

Upon returning, he must investigate strictly. Recently, His Majesty might be 'improving his performance', so he should let his descendants restrain themselves and just do their jobs well.

If another prince were Emperor, Li Longyu really wouldn't have to be so afraid, nor would he give face; he could even use his status as an uncle to pressure him.

But this one is, first, unfamiliar, and second, in the Sage Realm.

That's not a question of giving face or not; if someone wants to kill him, isn't it just a matter of moving a hand?

"One is better at acting than the other."

Muttering another sentence, Li Chen continued to review memorials.

However, the scene that just happened had left Chu Ruoyan stunned beyond words. She didn't expect Li Chen to dare to punish even his own uncle, and without leaving any face, or even any room for negotiation.

It seems this new Emperor is truly not as unbearable as the rumors say, and is even exceptionally outstanding.

Perhaps for the May Tian Ce Dynasty to have such an Emperor is the blessing of all the people.

This is the most intuitive feeling as a citizen of the May Tian Ce Dynasty.

Chu Ruoyan wants to know more and more just how outstanding this Emperor is!

(End of chapter)