At the early court session, the Emperor grounded the Crown Prince and flew into a rage—news of the incident spread quickly. Everyone had been waiting for the Emperor to abdicate, and this sudden turn of events caught them all off guard.
At the Ministry of Revenue, Xiao Qing, the Chief of Staff, had practically become a mascot of the Ministry. This was not a case of Zhou Shuren scheming for power; rather, Xiao Qing had handed it over to him.
When Xiao Qing returned, he didn't speak; he just stared at Zhou Shuren.
Zhou Shuren, "...My lord, why are you looking at me like that? Have I done something wrong?"
Xiao Qing, touching his teacup, "No, you're doing very well."
"Does my lord wish to grant me a few days of rest?"
Xiao Qing, "...You wish."
Zhou Shuren just replied "Oh," knowing that Xiao Qing had sensed something but couldn't say it, oh no!
