Watching the emperor's gloomy expression, Lin Ling Su couldn't help but smile faintly.
He and Cai Jing were indeed irreconcilable, but his relationship with Wang Fu wasn't much better.
When this fellow was still an Imperial Censor, he had more than once memorialized, wanting to eradicate Lin Ling Su's influence.
Although all these memorials were intercepted by Liang Shi Cheng, Lin Ling Su was still aware of the matter.
It was just that at that time, Lin Ling Su was busy contending with Cai Jing and naturally had no time to bother with such a minor figure.
He probably never expected that such an inconspicuous little thing would, in just a few years, be promoted from a mere Imperial Censor to the empire's Grand Chancellor.
Unlike those civil officials, he was, after all, just a Daoist priest, or a quack, to put it bluntly.
In his mind, there was no such thing as patriotism or righteousness. All he cared about was whether his own interests could be guaranteed.
Given this fellow's usual attitude towards them, coupled with Wang Fu's arrogant and overbearing demeanor over the years, if he were to truly become the legitimate Chancellor, Lin Ling Su would likely be the next person he would seek to eliminate.
Therefore, the moment Han Mo found Lin Ling Su, he agreed without hesitation.
After all, this matter was truly a trivial one for him.
To put on a show of supernatural abilities in front of the emperor and then achieve his own goals – could there be a more worthwhile deal in the world?
After toiling for over an hour, Lin Ling Su was drenched in sweat from head to toe.
His meticulously combed hair was now disheveled and spread out behind him. Regardless of whether this endeavor was effective or not, this appearance alone was enough to make the emperor feel grateful.
"How is the master?"
Zhao Ji quickly asked.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble Daoist's cultivation is shallow. Even with Your Majesty's Human Emperor aura assisting, I can only temporarily postpone it. To permanently avert disaster, I fear I will need the strength of others!"
Lin Ling Su panted as he spoke.
"With your magical power, you still need the strength of others? Who possesses such ability?"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. The strange star rising from the northeast is a harbinger of slaughter, and I am not skilled in this art. Therefore, I can only repel it, but not completely eliminate it! To completely destroy it, we need to find the combined efforts of Your Majesty's celestial generals!"
Lin Ling Su fabricated this story while catching his breath.
"Then, how long can you guarantee peace this time?"
Whether others believed it or not, Zhao Ji certainly did. After pondering for a moment, he immediately asked again.
"At least for two years, I can guarantee no harm! If it were any longer, I wouldn't dare to say!"
After speaking, Lin Ling Su slumped onto the ground, his entire body exuding exhaustion.
"Since that is the case, we shall discuss this matter later. True Master, you should return and rest first. Someone escort the master back!"
Since there were still two years, Zhao Ji clasped his hands in greeting towards Lin Ling Su and said.
"This humble Daoist takes his leave!"
Since his task was completed, Lin Ling Su was naturally happy to be free at this moment.
"Your Majesty, shall we return together?"
Seeing the Daoist priests preparing to withdraw, the young eunuch beside Zhao Ji quickly stepped forward and asked.
"No rush. Send someone to Shenxiao Palace and tell them to come here to greet us. Let's go sit at Prime Minister Wang's residence. We might as well see what our Prime Minister Wang is up to!"
Zhao Ji sneered and then led the way towards Wang Fu's residence.
Upon hearing that the emperor had arrived, the old butler of the Wang family broke out in a cold sweat.
He knew exactly where Wang Fu had gone. In recent years, almost every other day around this time, Wang Fu would visit Liang Shi Cheng.
Although the timing of each visit was not fixed, it was at least for around two hours each time.
The emperor personally visiting, yet Wang Fu not being in the manor, was a grave act of disrespect!
"Where is Prime Minister Wang? Why is he not here to welcome me? Does he perhaps not welcome my arrival?"
Zhao Ji said condescendingly, looking at Wang Fu's obsequious son.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, my father has gone out for a gathering with friends and has already sent someone to fetch him!"
"Since that is the case, then let it be. Guards, prepare to return to the palace!"
Zhao Ji sneered and turned to leave.
Long after the emperor had departed, Wang Fu finally returned to his manor.
"You say His Majesty visited?"
After hearing the old butler's words, Wang Fu was also bewildered.
"Yes, he only left not long ago! My lord, do you wish to pursue him and ask?"
The old butler quickly said.
"Forget it, if he's gone, he's gone!"
Wang Fu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not chase after him.
As a Prime Minister, one naturally had the dignity of a Prime Minister!
Although he was not yet a Prime Minister, he still had to maintain his integrity!
The emperor had left, and Wang Fu himself did not take it to heart. After all, the emperor had come too hastily!
The sun had already set, and he just needed to find an excuse to gloss over it.
Amidst everyone's anxious anticipation, the Grand Court Assembly was finally about to begin.
If there were no exceptions, today would just be a formality.
Therefore, even Tong Guan did not hold much hope. Although he looked down on Wang Fu, he did not want Wang Fu to ascend directly to power.
However, he truly had no hand in the affairs of the civil officials.
Although Cai You's strength had increased greatly recently, he was still a long way from becoming a Chancellor.
"Prime Minister Wang has arrived!"
"Did Prime Minister sleep well last night?"
"Prime Minister Wang, shouldn't you be hosting a celebratory banquet at your residence today?"
As Tong Guan was lost in thought, Wang Fu finally arrived.
The moment he alighted from his carriage, the civil officials immediately swarmed around him.
"What is this!"
Cai You sneered and glanced at him dismissively before turning away.
"This Prime Minister Wang certainly puts on quite a show. It would be interesting if this honor were to fall upon someone else today!"
Tong Guan said with a smile, looking at Cai You's contemptuous gaze.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Cai You immediately gave him a deep look.
However, as there were many people present, he still said nothing.
After exchanging a knowing glance, the two of them said no more.
"The palace gate has opened!"
As the palace gate opened, a group of officials immediately stopped their conversation and proceeded in an orderly fashion towards the Great Hall of Celebration...
Today was the Grand Court Assembly, which naturally required more time than usual.
"My dear ministers, are there any other matters to report?"
After half an hour, the urgent official duties that needed to be handled had finally been reported. Zhao Ji asked with a smile.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the 'Biographies of Emperor Zhezong' that this humble minister compiled has been completed. I humbly request Your Majesty's instruction!"
As Yu Shen spoke, he quickly handed the brocade box he was holding to the young eunuch standing nearby.
"Minister Yu has worked hard!"
Zhao Ji took it and flipped through it a few times, his face showing a satisfied expression.
"Guards, issue an edict: For Minister Yu's meritorious service in compiling the Biographies of Emperor Zhezong, he is promoted to Left Palatine Assistant and Minister of the Menxia, enfeoffed as Grand Tutor!"
After Zhao Ji finished speaking, the entire court fell silent.
What was this?
Left Palatine Assistant and Minister of the Menxia?
Wasn't that the Grand Minister?
This meant Yu Shen had succeeded the Grand Minister!