After the failed attempt to pretend to be dead, the sickly child was favored by the treacherous mini

When Xia Hong was alone in the palace not long ago, he could not have only been thinking about Imperial Noble Consort Chen. He was thinking more about the outcome and success of today's event.

It would not be right to say that Xia Hong lost today.

After all, Xia Hong had achieved all of his original goals. In fact, because of these events, no one in the court dared to remonstrate with Zhong Yuanyuan when she was made the Imperial Noble Consort, which really saved Xia Hong a lot of trouble.

But it would not be right to say that Xia Hong won today.

Xia Cheng's uncontrolled mouth, Li Yuan's heart that escaped his control, and the hearts of people that Xia Ling began to win over by stepping on Li Yuan's death were all enough to make Xia Hong feel even more out of control.

Xia Che and Chen Luo, who had felt so out of control the last time, are already dead.

As for Xia Ling, he could still kill anyone he wanted.

The reason for not killing them now is just to maintain a balance of power and to allow the forces in the court to consume each other.

Xia Hong wanted to blame Shen Jinmo for not keeping Xia Cheng's mouth shut, allowing Xia Cheng to say Li Yuan's name in the Golden Palace.

Xia Hong also wanted to blame Shen Jinmo for not warning Li Yuan, causing Li Yuan to choose to use his own life to pave the way for Xia Ling, which in turn made him, the king, a target of gossip.

When Zhong Yuanyuan did not appear in the hall, Xia Hong made up his mind to put all his resentment on Shen Jinmo.

Because Shen Jinmo was a dog that he could summon and dismiss at will.

It is a dog who can only smile and thank his grace no matter how much injustice he has to endure or how much blame he has to bear, even if he is beaten to death by him.

Turning his head to look at Shen Jinmo who was walking forward with his head down, Xia Hong's hand, which was originally hanging naturally, suddenly clenched into a fist because of this look.

The muscles from fists to shoulders were tense, and the fitted official robe became a little tight because of this change.

Shen Jinmo's heart was not as calm as his expression showed.

This was the first time that Shen Jinmo had made a mistake in all the time he had been working for him.

These omissions did not affect the overall situation.

But these mistakes made Xia Hong unhappy.

A favorite minister like Shen Jinmo, who has no background at all and can only rely on Xia Hong's favor to stand in the court, Xia Hong's dissatisfaction caused by his mistakes is like a scimitar that can take his fate at any time.

Even if Xia Hong didn't kill him, as long as Xia Hong firmly said that he gave up on Shen Jinmo, those who had been bullied by Shen Jinmo could kill Shen Jinmo with just a spit.

Shen Jinmo's current reaction also proves that Shen Jinmo is clear about his current situation.

Obviously, Shen Jinmo's reaction pleased Xia Hong somewhat, and also made Xia Hong willing to think about the reason why today's victory was not satisfying.

Shen Jinmo once advised him to try the case in person in the Golden Palace, because even a desperate dog will jump over the wall, let alone Xia Cheng who was forced into a poor alley.

But Xia Hong was eager to show off to all the civil and military officials in the court the spoils he had obtained after more than ten years of hard work: Zhong Yuanyuan and Xia Yu.

He really wanted to let all the civil and military officials in the court know that he had now surpassed the late emperor.

Shen Jinmo also advised him to kill Sui Er in advance.

Because once people fall in love, the intensity of their emotions will temporarily overwhelm their rationality, and at that time, there is a possibility that people will abandon their rationality.

But Xia Hong doesn't believe that love can outweigh the desire to survive.

After all, didn’t Shen Jinmo, who was in front of him, also ask Xie Nanxing to make way for his power?

At the moment of rejecting Shen Jinmo's suggestion, Xia Hong, the father, even wanted to use Sui Er's defection to teach his disobedient eldest son a lesson:

Power is always more useful than love.

If Xia Hong had followed Shen Jinmo's instructions from the beginning, he would have won a great victory today.

However, things have come to this point, and Xia Hong, as the king of a country, cannot be wrong.

Even if he was wrong, it should be attributed to Shen Jinmo not trying his best to persuade him to take the more suitable path.

Sui Er's death suddenly came to mind, and Xia Ling began to suspect that Shen Jinmo would betray him one day because of Xie Nanxing.

Suddenly, Xia Hong began to realize that he had given Shen Jinmo too much love, trust, and power.

There were so many that even Xia Hong himself felt uneasy.

With this thought in mind, Xia Hong looked up at Shen Jinmo again.

He began to wonder if Shen Jinmo had a hand in Xia Cheng's madness and Li Yuan's rebellion?

His thoughts were going in an increasingly crazy direction. Xia Hong took a handkerchief and wiped the snowflakes off his face. The minty scent that Zhong Yuanyuan usually used on the handkerchief brought Xia Hong back to his senses suddenly.

Wrong, it’s naturally all Shen Jinmo’s fault.

However, Xia Hong is not a ruthless monarch. Even if Shen Jinmo is wrong, Xia Hong is willing to give him another chance.

After all, Shen Jinmo's knife, which was sharpened by Xia Hong himself, will accompany Xia Hong to the end of his life.

Without Shen Jinmo, Xia Hong would not be able to enjoy the power to do whatever he wants without having to bear the eternal curse of the people in the future.

"In another month, Wang Heng will get married to Nan Xing."

"Yes."

Shen Leng responded with one word, without explanation or rebuttal.

Because Shen Jinmo was a subject, he could not refute, and he had no way to refute.

It was enough to let Xia Hong know that Shen Jinmo understood the doubts that Xia Hong had in the silence.

"The end of the year is approaching. You have been busy for me all year. You should put aside the matters of the Imperial Guard Division and my side. Now I will give you a vacation. You can go back to the Xie Mansion and prepare for your wedding."

"When you have settled this family affair, come and work for me."

The power he once possessed vanished into thin air with Xia Hong's casual words.

Shen Jinmo paused for a moment, then knelt down and kowtowed towards where Xia Hong was.

"I thank the Emperor for your kindness."

"It's snowing hard, go home early."

He casually sent a eunuch to escort Shen Jinmo out of the palace. Eunuch Lin walked up to Xia Hong and personally held an umbrella for him.

The heart of a king is fickle. At this moment, Eunuch Lin was somewhat fortunate. His kindness to Shen Jinmo was only shown in secret, and Shen Jinmo had never revealed their private friendship in front of others.

Otherwise, based on what happened today, Eunuch Lin would also have to bear the consequences.

"Xiao Linzi, do you think I should go to Wang Heng's wedding?"

How could Eunuch Lin, a servant, be the master of Xia Hong?

But Eunuch Lin knew the conclusion he was about to say.

"Although I am a rootless servant, this country will always rely on descendants for its inheritance. After all, men marrying other men is not in line with the principles of the Tao."

"Yes." He sighed heavily, "But I really like Wang Heng too much, and I asked the Ministry of Rites to make it a grand ceremony, but I definitely can't go."

The excuse has been given. Whether he can break the impasse and get close to Xia Hong again on his own depends on whether Shen Jinmo is as sensible as ever.

"The slave obeys the order."

Eunuch Lin agreed with a smile, and he naturally knew what he was going to do next.

Xia Hong wanted to use the words of the civil and military officials in the court and the hands of the nobles in the capital to give Shen Jinmo a good beating.

He wanted Shen Jinmo to remember clearly who his master was.

We must also keep the rationality in Shen Jinmo's mind forever and not let him go astray because of momentary emotions.