The King of Huyi’s face flushed with anger.

He said, “I don’t have much time left. I must eliminate all those threats before I die. Otherwise, those traitorous officials from the previous dynasty will swarm in like locusts. So before they can stage a rebellion, I must kill them swiftly and decisively.”

His words carried a vicious edge.

Li Qiao’s expression remained calm. “Yes, this subject will certainly work hard to handle it.”

“Remember, not a single one can be spared.”

“Yes!”

“Quickly, and there must be no mistakes or omissions.”

“Yes!” Li Qiao accepted the command.

The King of Huyi coughed several more times in succession.

Blood stained his handkerchief.

Seeing this, Li Qiao said with concern, “This subject will summon the Imperial Physician.”

The King of Huyi stopped him. “No need. I know my own body.”

“But…”

“You should go handle the urgent matters first.”

“Yes!” Li Qiao cupped his hands in salute, but hesitated for quite a while.

The King of Huyi looked at him. “Is there something else?”

“Your Majesty, actually the greatest threat should be the Marquis of Nanguo!”

The Marquis of Nanguo!

When this person was mentioned, the King of Huyi’s gaze deepened.

It had been a very, very long time since he had heard those three words!

Li Qiao continued, “The Marquis of Nanguo is the older brother of the Late Empress. If we’re talking about someone most likely to rebel, it should be him. So this subject feels…”

Before he could finish speaking, the King of Huyi had already raised his hand to interrupt him.

Li Qiao was puzzled.

The King of Huyi said with certainty, “Although the Marquis of Nanguo was the National Uncle back then, after the Late King died, his position as National Uncle became essentially meaningless! I didn’t take his life back then, but instead enfeoffed him as Marquis of Nanguo, merely to stabilize the people’s hearts! Moreover, over these years, he hasn’t interfered in court affairs again, and has remained in Gaoding all along. His every move is watched and monitored—he simply can’t pull off any tricks, let alone contact former dynasty officials to gather troops and stage a rebellion. I’ve even heard that he’s turned to commerce and is a proper, legitimate merchant. So to me, he poses no threat at all!”

Back when the King of Huyi led his people to usurp the throne, the Late King was burned to death in his own traveling palace, and the Late Empress also disappeared without a trace. The King of Huyi worried that if he went on a killing spree, it would provoke the dissatisfaction of Huyi’s common people, which would then affect his own enthronement.

So he chose a policy of benevolence!

He dismissed all those officials from the previous dynasty who were unwilling to pledge allegiance to him, one by one, and banished them from Gaoding.

That National Uncle was also dismissed, and the King of Huyi enfeoffed him as Marquis of Nanguo!

However, this marquis title was essentially meaningless, with no real power.

The Marquis of Nanguo also understood the underlying dynamics, so he concealed his edge. While bearing the title of marquis, he never interfered in court affairs, and instead turned to commerce.

So to the King of Huyi, the Marquis of Nanguo was a person of no threat whatsoever!

Not even worth mentioning!

Moreover, the Marquis of Nanguo’s residence was located right in Gaoding, under the King of Huyi’s very nose. If he harbored any rebellious intentions, they would have been detected long ago!

This was also why the King of Huyi said he “posed no threat.”

But in fact, Li Qiao held a completely different view from the King of Huyi.

He believed that those who appeared most harmless in broad daylight were actually the most threatening!

But since the King of Huyi had spoken thus, he could only refrain from bringing it up again.

The King of Huyi simply instructed him, “Continue investigating the former dynasty’s officials. Once you detect any rebellious intentions, kill them all.”

“Yes!”

“Remember, this matter must not be known to anyone, not even your father, the Marquis of Pingyang.”

“This subject obeys.”

After all, executing former dynasty officials was a major matter. Once it leaked out, the consequences would be unthinkable!

…

At this moment, at the Marquis of Nanguo’s residence.

This residence was already quite old, but looked very solid.

It could also be considered magnificent.

The interior building area was also very large!

In the back courtyard garden, a child barely two years old was running around in the yard.

His steps were not very steady, his body swaying unsteadily, as if he might fall at any moment.

The child’s flushed cheeks wore a pure, innocent smile.

He was like a blade of grass growing toward the sunlight in winter.

Full of vitality.

Behind the child, a wet nurse and several maids were carefully protecting him.

The wet nurse called out, “Young Master, slow down! Don’t fall.”

“I want to chase the birds,” came the child’s tender voice.

He gazed at a flock of birds flying across the sky, chasing after them with little steps.

His hands reached upward from time to time, trying to grab the birds and pull them down, completely unaware of the distance and height.

“If Young Master likes birds, I’ll have someone send a few over tomorrow.”

“No, I want the birds in the sky.”

He continued chasing!

Until the birds disappeared from sight.

Only then did the child stop.

“They’re gone, the birds are gone.” He was very dejected.

His little mouth pouted.

He stamped his feet lightly in place.

His little appearance was adorable.

The wet nurse caught up and crouched before him, wrapping his clothes more tightly around him and saying, “Young Master, the weather is cold. Let’s hurry back inside.”

“No, Nanny, I want to chase the birds.”

“But the birds have already flown away.”

“Why?”

“Because they need to go where they’re supposed to go.”

“Why?”

“Because the birds need to return home.”

“Why?”

“…”

The wet nurse couldn’t answer for a moment.

Children are like this, always with so many “whys.”

At this moment, a figure could be seen approaching from the distance.

It was the Marquis of Nanguo!

The wet nurse and maids all bowed in greeting.

“Your Lordship.”

The Marquis of Nanguo responded with a grunt.

When the child saw him, a smile immediately appeared at the corners of his mouth, and his small body rushed forward, wrapping his arms around the Marquis of Nanguo’s thigh.

He called out affectionately and happily, “Father.”

The Marquis of Nanguo showed an indulgent smile, crouched down, and reached out to pat his son’s head.

He asked gently, “Has A’Mo been good?”

“Yes!”

His voice rang out loudly.

“Then Father will take you to the street to play tomorrow.”

“Really?” A’Mo blinked his bright, watery eyes.

The Marquis of Nanguo said, “Of course. Father promised you that if A’Mo obediently listens at the residence, Father will take you out to play.”

“Good, go play, go play…” A’Mo danced with joy.

He threw himself into the Marquis of Nanguo’s embrace.

The Marquis of Nanguo then lifted him high in the air.

Clearly he doted on this son of his very much.

After all, this was a son gained in old age!

A’Mo wrapped his arms around his father’s neck and planted a big kiss on his cheek with his little mouth.

The Marquis of Nanguo couldn’t have been happier!

And just at this moment—

Someone approached from the distance.

Seeing this scene, they didn’t come closer, but stopped in the distance.

When the Marquis of Nanguo saw that person, his expression darkened slightly, but it was fleeting!

He then instructed the wet nurse, “Take A’Mo away first.”

“Yes.”

The Marquis of Nanguo also said to A’Mo, “You obediently go back with Nanny first. Father will come find you shortly.”

“Okay.”

A’Mo agreed.

He threw himself into the wet nurse’s arms and was carried away.

The visitor only approached after A’Mo had been taken away. And this person was none other than Lian Que!