Chapter 502: 39 s Sacred Heart

Chapter 502: 39 chapters Sacred Heart

On the street, Li Fei and Luo Shi from Zhi Ge Pavilion walked side by side.

As a cabinet minister and a 16th-level official, Luo Shi naturally had a dedicated car for transportation. However, he had received a sudden piece of news and had rushed over as quickly as possible, without a vehicle, which is why he had to walk back to the headquarters of Zhi Ge Pavilion with Li Fei.

Along the way, Luo Shi sized up Li Fei, noting that Li Fei remained calm and composed from start to finish, which he could not help but find astonishing.

Did even the boldest of people carry such courage?

Li Fei noticed Luo Shi’s gaze and thought amusingly,

“If he knew the last message I transmitted to the Eldest Prince, he probably wouldn’t dare walk with me.”

He was not worried that the Eldest Prince would reveal that message.

After all, having lost to him today was embarrassing enough for the Eldest Prince; he certainly wouldn’t slap his own face.

Besides, even if it was truly revealed, others would have to believe it for it to matter.

As for the possibility of the Eldest Prince telling the Emperor, Li Fei was even less concerned.

If the Eldest Prince maintained even a sliver of interest in the throne, he wouldn’t go complaining, as that would only serve to further convince the Emperor of the Eldest Prince’s incompetence…

Of course, even without that final remark, Li Fei’s actions today were already audacious enough.

And while he spoke the truth, he also did so intentionally to probe the reaction from above.

…

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

The Emperor and Grand Secretary Ye Ze’an were playing chess in the study following the court assembly.

The Da Lan Dynasty currently employed a diarchic system of governance, meaning the Emperor and Cabinet Ministers jointly ruled.

In public, the Emperor retained the highest status and power, possessing a veto power over all Cabinet resolutions.

This meant that if the Emperor wished, he could stop the Cabinet from accomplishing anything!

But likewise, without the cooperation of the Cabinet, the Emperor too could accomplish very little.

Both parties were in a mutually dependent yet restraining relationship.

Grand Secretary Ye Ze’an had been with the current Emperor since the year he ascended to the throne.

For as many years as the current Emperor had been on the throne, Ye Ze’an had held the position of Grand Secretary.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that at least one-third of the cabinet ministers would applaud whatever he said!

Because of this powerful influence, some political enemies bitterly referred to Ye Ze’an as the ‘Second Emperor’.

However, such malicious words never shook Ye Ze’an’s position as Grand Secretary.

Looking across the court, he alone held the privilege to play chess with the Emperor.

“Your Majesty,”

a eunuch on duty outside the Imperial Study Room suddenly called out softly.

“Come in.”

The Emperor was holding a chess piece, staring at the board in thought.

At this moment, he lacked the powerful and almost tangible presence he had in the True Blue Hall.

Ye Ze’an, naturally heterochromic, sat upright across from him.

The attending eunuch bowed as he entered the study, never lifting his gaze as he approached the wooden table where the two were playing chess:

“Your Majesty, news has just arrived from outside the palace; the Eldest Prince and newly appointed imperial envoy Li Fei publicly competed in martial arts on Niu Sha Street…”

The eunuch recounted the events of Li Fei’s duel with the Eldest Prince, including the words Li Fei had shouted publicly and the final kick he delivered.

After listening to his account, neither the Emperor’s nor Ye Ze’an’s expression changed.

The Emperor’s eyes still fixed on the chess board, he casually asked,

“Is the Crown Prince pleading for Li Fei to obtain a Secret Manual from the Royal Book Collection Pavilion?”

The eunuch replied, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is requesting a part from ‘Vajra Eight Parts.'”

“Issue my edict, grant Li Fei access to the Royal Book Collection Pavilion, where he may freely choose two Secret Manuals.”

The Emperor casually increased the number of Secret Manuals from one to two and allowed Li Fei to choose them himself.

“By Your Command.”

The eunuch exited the Imperial Study Room.

After he left, the Emperor finally moved the chess piece in his hand:

“What do you think, Grand Secretary?”

It was unclear whether he was asking about the chess move or the situation.

Ye Ze’an studied the chess board intently and finally spoke after a moment:

“This move of Your Majesty is beyond my expectations.”

“Oh?”

The Emperor smiled, looking up at Ye Ze’an, “Then, what do you think are my chances of winning this game?”

Ye Ze’an shook his head, “It’s too early in the game to tell.”

“You know,” the Emperor chuckled, “The cabinet has many ministers skilled in chess, but do you know why I enjoy playing with you the most?”

He continued before Ye Ze’an could respond,

“Because those people dare not win against me; they always try so hard to lose to me just appropriately, yet they can’t hide it from me. Playing chess with them is truly dull.”

He then smiled and pointed at Ye Ze’an,

“Only you never yield an inch to me on this chess board, and your skills match mine exactly, making it most interesting to play with you!”

Upon hearing this, Ye Ze’an immediately stood from his seat and bowed to the Emperor:

“I am filled with trepidation.”

“Hey, why such formality all of a sudden?”

The Emperor waved his hand, “Sit, let’s continue the game. I truly enjoy playing chess with you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Ye Ze’an sat down again, still sitting upright, his expression unchanged.

He thought for a while, then picked up a chess piece and placed it on the board.

The Emperor glanced down and, seeing the man who had just claimed to be ‘trepidatious’, noticed there was not the slightest concession in his play.

Caught off guard, the Emperor looked up at Ye Ze’an, laughing first.

Soon after, Ye Ze’an also smiled, a rare occurrence.

Laughter echoed through the Imperial Study Room, shared between sovereign and minister.