Li Qitian was cautious by nature and would not easily believe anyone’s one-sided words. But the timing on this memorial was too coincidental. Even if Li Qitian didn’t want to believe the Lu family would sell official positions, doubt lingered in his heart.

Others didn’t know, but when Lu Tingzhong went south under the pretense of inspecting public sentiment, he was actually monitoring Pang Xiao. Li Qitian had privately arranged other tasks for him as well.

If Lu Tingzhong had become an imperial commissioner through buying and selling official positions, the implications were too terrifying to contemplate.

Li Qitian felt deeply troubled and with a stroke of his brush, rejected the Personnel Ministry’s memorial.

Who knew that after rejecting this memorial once, it would be submitted again soon after.

Li Qitian rejected it again, and the Personnel Ministry continued submitting it, actually submitting memorials on this matter three times in a row.

By now Li Qitian’s expression was dark as he viciously added the Lu family to his mental ledger.

What a Lu Heng, daring to toy with me!

After the Qingming Festival, Pang Xiao’s health finally began to improve gradually. After more than a month of recuperation since returning to the capital, Prince Zhongshun finally attended court.

When Li Qitian saw Pang Xiao at court, standing among the civil officials, anger again rose in his heart. He suppressed his fury and symbolically inquired about his health with a few words.

The rumors outside about him “mistreating meritorious officials” had just begun to subside, and Li Qitian truly didn’t want to create more trouble. Therefore, regarding Pang Xiao’s position after returning to the capital, careful consideration was truly needed.

Li Qitian absent-mindedly listened to his ministers discussing affairs. He hadn’t yet decided where to assign Pang Xiao when Duke Changguo stepped forward again.

“Your Majesty, this minister impeaches Prince Zhongshun…”

Duke Changguo’s impeachment content was the same old routine. During this period, he would impeach once every few days, and each time Li Qitian would only say “under investigation.”

However, today Duke Changguo and the censorial officials seemed to have coordinated beforehand. Not only did they rapid-fire through all the previous accusations, but someone even declared loudly:

“Prince Zhongshun appears to be a loyal minister but is actually a treacherous villain. He disrespects Your Majesty and deliberately creates rumors among the people to slander Your Majesty. His heart is truly deserving of death!”

“Prince Zhongshun was ordered to guard the south. During that period, the south didn’t rebel – he merely completed his assigned duties. Yet he dares to claim credit and even incites popular sentiment to promote his achievements. This is nothing but deliberately pressuring Your Majesty to arrange higher official positions for him.”

“For the sake of his career, this person stops at nothing! In court affairs, he has made no contributions. In character, he is truly base and detestable. How can such a person deserve to remain in the capital? He must be made to reflect properly before being employed again.”

When these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

Many gazes focused on Pang Xiao.

Previously when Pang Xiao feigned illness and avoided court, any impeachments could only be left to them. Now that Pang Xiao was present, those who supported him felt anxious, wondering how Pang Xiao would defend himself. These ministers supporting Pang Xiao knew that Pang Xiao wasn’t a soft persimmon to be kneaded at will. Being falsely accused, he would naturally speak in his defense. They could finally vent their anger.

But who could have known that Pang Xiao would remain silent, respectfully lowering his head as if pleading guilty.

This greatly surprised everyone, including Li Qitian.

It also made the censorial officials even more excited, all offering suggestions on how to punish Pang Xiao.

Duke Changguo seemed injected with stimulants, speaking like an overturned cart of walnuts, not even pausing to breathe.

“This minister concurs. This old minister believes that Prince Zhongshun’s actions truly don’t deserve the words ‘loyal and obedient,’ failing Your Majesty’s grace. Why not have Prince Zhongshun reflect properly? Now that the realm is pacified, Huichuan County should also begin construction. This place is precisely lacking a chief supervisor. This minister believes Prince Zhongshun is qualified for this position – let Prince Zhongshun supervise the imperial mausoleum construction to atone for his crimes, and give him time to properly reflect on his guilt.”

The censorial officials’ eyes lit up, all voicing agreement.

Meanwhile, the ministers supporting Pang Xiao cursed Duke Changguo in their hearts. This old scoundrel was truly vicious – historically, imperial commissioners who supervised imperial mausoleum construction never ended well. Duke Changguo was pushing Pang Xiao toward a dead end!

Some couldn’t restrain themselves and stepped forward to rebut.

“Prince Zhongshun is a meritorious minister with outstanding abilities. Your Majesty surely intends to make important use of him. Having Prince Zhongshun handle imperial mausoleum construction – isn’t this using a cleaver to kill a chicken?”

The censorial officials naturally disagreed upon hearing this.

The scene became chaotic with ministers arguing irreconcilably. Only Pang Xiao, the person in question, remained quiet throughout.

Li Qitian’s mind was turning at this moment.

Actually, regarding the impeachment of Pang Xiao, he was truly troubled. All because initially he had harbored thoughts of watching a comedy, allowing Duke Changguo to lead people in making trouble. Not stopping it the first time, never clearing Pang Xiao’s name later, and afterward having no opportunity to exonerate Pang Xiao. Moreover, Li Qitian’s heart was still conflicted.

Regarding Pang Xiao’s appointment, Li Qitian had been worried. His intention was naturally not to give him another chance at power, but with the massive public opinion outside, if he didn’t give him a position, it would confirm the rumors of mistreating loyal ministers.

In this difficult situation, Duke Changguo’s suggestion to have Pang Xiao serve as the supervising commissioner for imperial mausoleum construction made Li Qitian’s eyes brighten.

It could keep Pang Xiao away from the center of power, allow him to catch Pang Xiao’s mistakes at any time, make him less troublesome before his eyes, and when announced publicly, having him build the imperial mausoleum showed special trust in Pang Xiao. For Pang Xiao, it was also an honor – truly killing two birds with one stone.

Thinking of this, Pang Xiao felt a weight lifted from his heart. His fingers happily tapped the armrest of the dragon throne.

The ministers below continued arguing enthusiastically. Li Qitian watched them like watching a monkey show.

His peripheral vision caught Lu Heng, and Li Qitian immediately had a new idea.

Daring to treat him like a monkey, buying and selling official positions to manipulate court personnel – Lu Heng should also receive some lesson.

“Ahem.” Li Qitian coughed lightly.

The loyal ministers were startled and immediately fell silent. The court immediately returned to quiet.

Li Qitian said: “Zhixi.”

“Your Majesty.” Pang Xiao bowed.

“The Huichuan County project has been stopped for a long time. I indeed need someone trustworthy to serve as this supervising commissioner. I entrust this task to you.”

The court ministers fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.

The military officers who had just been arguing fiercely with the censorial officials impeaching Pang Xiao were indignant, and some wanted to step forward to speak for Pang Xiao.

Who knew Pang Xiao would bow first, without objection, obediently and fearfully responding: “This minister obeys the decree. Thank Your Majesty for your great grace.”

Li Qitian smiled and nodded, then said: “Loyalty Bo.”

Lu Heng was lowering his head contemplating Li Qitian’s actions today when he was suddenly called and was stunned for a moment. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: “This minister is here.”

“I greatly value the Huichuan County project. Since Prince Zhongshun serves as chief supervisor, I’ll entrust the county magistrate position to you. You and Prince Zhongshun are both my trusted ministers. I’m sure you two can cooperate fully and work together to handle this matter well.”

Lu Heng was utterly shocked.

Since the Lu family secretly supported Li Qitian’s uprising over ten years ago, and with the Great Zhou dynasty established for eight years, the Lu family had always been a pillar, and he had gradually gained Li Qitian’s trust.

Lu Heng was confident that among the court nobles, no one could win the Emperor’s heart more than him.

But who could have thought that the Emperor would suddenly make him a small Huichuan County magistrate, doing the thankless task of building the imperial mausoleum?

You must know that countless people had already died consecutively in the Huichuan County magistrate position.

Lu Heng felt both anxious and indignant inside.

But seeing Pang Xiao from the corner of his eye – such a domineering figure now obedient as a kitten, agreeing without objection to serve as the supervisor for that wretched imperial mausoleum construction – showed how severe the current situation was.

He knew the Emperor had always been wary of Pang Xiao.

But if even someone like Pang Xiao obediently complied, yet he stepped forward to object, regardless of what considerations led the Emperor to issue this decree, he would only incur greater imperial displeasure.

After countless mental calculations, Lu Heng finally knelt and bowed: “This minister kowtows in gratitude for imperial grace. This minister will certainly do his utmost to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”

“Mm.” Li Qitian prolonged his response.

Due to these two men’s compliance, Li Qitian was in excellent spirits. Also fearing that today’s appointments might cause gossip behind his back, Li Qitian added: “Zhixi’s health hasn’t fully recovered, so there’s no rush to take office. You can set out after recovering. Henceforth, the imperial mausoleum affairs are entrusted to you two beloved ministers – you two can discuss and depart together.”

“Thank Your Majesty, this minister obeys the decree.” Pang Xiao crisply bowed in acknowledgment.

Li Qitian also showed consideration for Lu Heng: “Loyalty Bo is newly married – you may bring your family when taking office.”

“Yes, this minister thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”

Having accomplished this matter, Li Qitian felt even better, maintaining a smiling expression even after returning to the imperial study after court ended.

Setting aside how Pang Xiao and Lu Heng respectively went home to arrange their departures.

The news that Prince Zhongshun and Loyalty Bo would both depart to build the imperial mausoleum spread throughout court and country in the blink of an eye.

The common people’s discussions were one aspect – after all, they were far from power struggles and didn’t understand court affairs very well.

But those rolling around in court all witnessed this matter.

Among the Huben Army who greatly admired Pang Xiao, several main generals received this news and all showed indignant expressions.

“Who would have thought that after the Prince risked life and limb fighting so many battles for His Majesty, he’d end up with the fate of building an imperial mausoleum.”

“Damn it! What kind of official position is building an imperial mausoleum? Eh? Isn’t this using a cleaver to poke ants?”

“Most importantly, officials who build imperial mausoleums never seem to end well. This is pushing the Prince toward death!”

…

Everyone was indignant, but some more level-headed ones maintained clarity, persuading the enraged around them: “Enough, enough, everyone stop making noise. If this spreads and people hear it, it might bring trouble to the Prince. The Prince is wholeheartedly loyal to His Majesty and naturally accepted the decree happily. If we talk like this and someone with ulterior motives hears it, they might slander the Prince for being dissatisfied with His Majesty. Wouldn’t the Prince be even more wronged?”

“Although that’s true, His Majesty is too…”

“Stop talking! Shut up!”

They reminded each other, fearing trouble from loose lips. But even those who maintained rationality to scold others felt the same anger in their hearts.

Throughout history there had been the saying “when the cunning hare dies, the hunting dog is cooked.” The Great Zhou dynasty had just been established for how long? This ungrateful betrayal came too quickly!

Acting this way, how many would dare to wholeheartedly serve the one above?