"I understand."

Jiang Chen said lightly, "I have my own thoughts on this matter. Don't mention it again."

Jiang Chen's tone was obviously displeased.

The ministers, who were already unwilling to get involved in this matter, shut their mouths and stopped speaking after hearing this.

Those ministers who wanted to brown-nose realized they were barking up the wrong tree and quickly shut up in embarrassment.

Zhou Huanmao, however, felt a surge of anxiety in his heart.

The people from the Tang Prince's faction had made it very clear that Jiang Chen had few weaknesses, and they had to seize them.

Beauty was the biggest and most obvious weakness.

Zhou Huanmao decided to try again, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter is the most important thing at the moment and cannot be delayed any longer."

Jiang Chen had been on the throne for several years and was already twenty-six years old.

In this era, if someone in the common populace was twenty-six and still had no children, it would definitely be fodder for gossip among the neighbors.

Either the man was impotent, or the woman was infertile.

It was only because Jiang Chen was the emperor of Great Wei that no one dared to openly discuss it.

Zhou Huanmao's words were naturally not a problem among the common people.

Even if a censor said these words, it wouldn't be a big deal.

But he was, after all, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Jiang Chen's face darkened. "I said not to mention it again. Didn't you hear me?"

Cold sweat broke out on Zhou Huanmao's forehead, but he was still unwilling to give up.

This was a crucial part of the change of dynasty. Moreover, if he failed to complete the two tasks that the Tang Prince had given him, he was afraid that the Tang Prince would no longer trust him.

He had to succeed!

Zhou Huanmao knelt on the ground with a thud. "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

This action immediately attracted the attention of the other ministers.

Seeing Zhou Huanmao's resolute expression, the ministers felt somewhat ashamed.

They had thought that Zhou Huanmao was trying to please His Majesty, but they did not expect that he was truly thinking for His Majesty's sake.

They had underestimated Zhou Huanmao's vision!

Especially the censors, their faces burned with shame.

This was supposed to be the job of the censors!

Thinking of this, Censor-in-chief Ma Ren stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I also beg you to reconsider!"

With the Censor-in-chief leading the way, the censors all knelt down. "Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"

Seeing the censors kneeling, the other ministers were no longer calm.

If they did not offer their advice, would history say that they did not dare to speak frankly?

With this thought in mind, the ministers all knelt down and shouted, "Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"

Looking at the ministers kneeling all over the floor, the anger in Jiang Chen's eyes was replaced by contemplation.

He began to suspect Zhou Huanmao's motives.

Before today, he thought that the auspicious omen incident was Zhou Huanmao trying to win his favor.

But now it seemed that this was not the case.

Because if Zhou Huanmao was really just trying to please him, then he would not have insisted on mentioning this matter after he had clearly expressed his displeasure.

Even less would he have coerced the entire court to force his hand.

So Zhou Huanmao's purpose was definitely not to please him.

What could it be?

Jiang Chen pondered.

Could it be that after realizing he was being marginalized, he wanted to strive to become a remonstrating minister?

But apart from these two matters, he had not shown any significant performance in other matters, and was even like a transparent person, just like he had been some time ago.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen felt very strange. These two forms of Zhou Huanmao seemed like two different people.

Schizophrenia was impossible.

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes. Then there was only one other possibility.

Zhou Huanmao was being instructed by someone!

Jiang Chen's gaze immediately fell on Zhao Liting, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, but he quickly looked away.

The entire court knew that Zhao Liting and Zhou Huanmao were not on good terms. It shouldn't be him.

Jiang Chen looked at the other ministers and vice ministers, eliminating them one by one.

Apart from these ministers, it was impossible for anyone else in the court to make Zhou Huanmao do anything.

A person's name instantly appeared in Jiang Chen's mind.

Jiang Sheng!

Jiang Sheng was a prince, of noble status, and qualified to instruct Zhou Huanmao.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen was shocked.

He remembered that during the auspicious omen incident, Zhou Huanmao had suggested that he personally go to welcome the auspicious omen.

Could it be that Zhou Huanmao's purpose was to get him out of the palace?

Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

He had to test it again.

"My loyal subjects, I know your loyalty."

Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "But you also know that my standards are very high. I don't like many of the young women sent to me. It would only be a waste of their time and effort."

The ministers had no objection to Jiang Chen's high standards.

This was a recognized fact.

Just as most of the ministers were preparing to stop while they were ahead, Zhou Huanmao suddenly said, "Your Majesty, the Great Wei is currently in good order everywhere. If Your Majesty is worried about wasting people's money, why doesn't Your Majesty personally go to various places to choose young women?"

As soon as these words came out, a sharp light flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

He was already certain that Zhou Huanmao's purpose was indeed to get him out of the palace.

In an instant, Jiang Chen thought of the other party's purpose.

They wanted to find an opportunity to assassinate him!

Jiang Chen sneered inwardly. It seemed that the other party was indeed in a hurry and had begun to create opportunities for assassination.

Good, I'll play with you!

"What Lord Zhou said makes some sense."

Jiang Chen put on a thoughtful expression.

The other ministers were shocked when they heard this.

The assassination attempt in Shangdu last time had scared them half to death.

How long had it been? Was he going out of the palace again?

"Your Majesty, you can't!"

Zhao Liting, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, immediately stood up to object. "The mastermind behind the assassination in Shangdu has not yet been found. The enemy is in the dark and Your Majesty is in the open. It is too dangerous to leave the palace at this time!"

Xu Changqing, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, also said, "Your Majesty, Lord Zhao is right. Leaving the palace at this time will give the enemy an opportunity!"

After Xu Changqing finished speaking, the other ministers also echoed him, all opposing Jiang Chen's departure from the palace.

Some ministers saw that the words to persuade Jiang Chen had been said by other ministers, so they began to attack Zhou Huanmao.

"Lord Zhou, what is your intention in asking His Majesty to leave the palace at this time? Are you in league with those rebels?"

"His Majesty is a wise monarch, Lord Zhou, you are acting like a villain!"

...

Hearing the ministers' accusations, Zhou Huanmao couldn't help but panic.

Although these were just random reasons for the ministers to attack, some of the words were actually true.

Jiang Chen's gaze had been fixed on Zhou Huanmao the entire time.

Seeing Zhou Huanmao's nervous expression, he became even more certain of his guess.

Zhou Huanmao's purpose was to get him out of the palace!

After confirming this guess, Jiang Chen heavily slammed the dragon desk.

"Enough!"

The hall was instantly silent, and everyone was afraid to breathe.

Jiang Chen's roar had frightened them.

"I have decided to leave the palace to choose young women. There is no need to say any more!" Jiang Chen said decisively.