It was probably The Old Emperor making his entrance. Evan Foster looked up curiously, trying to sneak a peek, but couldn’t see anything—just a bustling crowd all around, and all he could see in front of him were people’s backsides.

　　Evan Foster instinctively—

　　【What a perky butt. So being an official isn’t just about looks, but also about butts?】

　　Seven or eight coughs suddenly sounded from both sides of the solemn imperial path, as if people had choked on their own saliva, abrupt and out of place.

　　“……”

　　On the golden platform, after a moment of silence, the eunuch relayed The Old Emperor’s decree: “The capital has turned chilly these days. All my trusted officials, take care of your health and don’t catch cold.”

　　This was followed by a chorus of thanks and kneeling, expressing gratitude for The Old Emperor’s concern.

　　Evan Foster skillfully followed along with the others, and skillfully thought to himself: 【Wasn’t it rumored that The Old Emperor has a bad temper and is moody? Those coughs just now must have been a breach of etiquette in front of the emperor, but he didn’t even mind. Seems like he’s got a pretty good temper.】

　　Turning his head, Evan Foster saw someone nearby wiping sweat nonstop, and was stunned.

　　【Wait… is The Old Emperor really that scary?】

　　It’s the dead of winter—scared into sweating?

　　The man wiping sweat looked like he was about to cry. And not just him—Evan Foster noticed that the people around him were either sweating on their foreheads in the freezing cold, or trembling slightly. The most dramatic was the guy on his right, whose tears were streaming down, looking like he was doomed and about to be used as a scapegoat by those in power.

　　Evan Foster: ?

　　Just then, the guy with the streaming tears whispered, “Mr. Foster…”

　　Evan Foster forced a smile and lowered his voice: “Brother, what is it?”

　　The man sniffled: “I think… Your Majesty is in his prime, not a trace of old age… don’t you think so?”

　　Evan Foster: ??

　　Evan Foster kept smiling: “Yes. I think so too.”

　　【Why bring this up all of a sudden? Are there Jinyiwei spies nearby? Is he trying to show loyalty through them?】

　　【But really, these people who can make it to court are something else—can lie with their eyes wide open. The Old Emperor is sixty-three this year, probably has plenty of white hair and wrinkles, and yet they can say with a straight face that there’s not a trace of old age…】

　　As his thoughts wandered, Evan Foster quickly snapped back to attention. Looking closely, the man had already covered his face and was bowing to the ground, the back of his hand pressed to his forehead, so it was impossible to tell if he was still crying.

　　Another strange silence fell over the golden platform.

　　After a couple of breaths, the eunuch announced, “The ceremony is complete—”

　　“Rise—”

　　All the officials rose.

　　But the way they got up… it was as if everyone couldn’t wait, moving with desperate urgency.

　　The Old Emperor began discussing state affairs with the officials.

　　—Though it was called “all officials,” in reality only second-rank and above were qualified to speak with the Emperor on such occasions.

　　One matter after another was arranged, and policies affecting the fate of the people were born right here at the imperial gate—some approved, some rejected…

　　They were the ones shaping this country. They were the ones ruling over all the people.

　　And he could only stand among the vast crowd, listening to the proceedings, waiting for the documents that would be handed to him later, which, with barely any trace of warmth left, would be sent out across the land.

　　Thinking of this, Evan Foster felt a wave of emotion.

　　【I wonder when I’ll get to be a big shot, to rule the country and its people.】

　　【I have to work hard!】

　　【I have to strive!】

　　Evan Foster looked up at the bright blue sky, thinking of getting up at three in the morning and the wind he’d braved…

　　【Hmm…】

　　【Forget it. Someone as useless as me should just lie flat. I wonder when The Old Emperor will end court. I’m so hungry. Need to find something to kill time…】

　　【Let’s go check out some gossip—】

　　Evan Foster excitedly opened the system, not noticing the terrified looks from others.

　　【Wow, His Majesty just got himself a sixteen-year-old concubine yesterday! Like a pear blossom pressing down on a crabapple! Still going strong in old age! And he was tossing in the sheets all night and didn’t sleep, yet his voice is still so powerful and energetic! Impressive!】

　　【And this concubine used to be Crown Grandson’s mistress, wow wow wow! Crown Grandson even knows how to do waist-grabbing, red-eyed literature!】

　　【Wow wow wow wow! Crown Grandson barged into his grandfather’s harem… hiss—took advantage of The Old Emperor being at court to get it on! Hurry up, hurry up! Why isn’t there a video…】

　　【Eh? Why did it go silent?】

　　Evan Foster cautiously looked up, sneaking glances around.

　　【What happened? Why is everyone kneeling? Where’s the Emperor?】

　　The Emperor had gone to the harem to catch them in the act.

　　The courtiers silently added in their hearts—

　　Ruled by you: (

Chapter 2: Shocking! Noble Lady Qin is already pregnant with Crown Grandson’s child!

　　“Ah… Your Highness… don’t do this…”

　　“Annie, my Annie, I’ve wronged you, I can’t live without you, please come back to me.”

　　“It’s not possible, Your Highness, I’ve already entered the palace, I’m now Your Majesty’s concubine. If Your Majesty finds out about us… don’t… we can’t…”

　　“Annie, you smell so good… can Imperial Grandfather satisfy you? He’s old!”

　　From inside the rock garden came voices that would make anyone blush and their heart race.

　　Outside the rock garden, The Old Emperor’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot. A group of eunuchs followed behind him, cold sweat pouring down their foreheads, not daring to make a sound, pretending to be dead.

　　“Drag them out!”