Zu An felt his mind go blank. For the emperor to seek him out at such a time… It couldn’t be for anything good.

He didn’t press Eunuch Wen further on what the emperor could want. He was already grateful that he had told him about this, and it was not right for him to trouble this man any further.

Besides, he probably wasn’t privy to the emperor’s true thoughts.

The two of them arrived at the imperial study, and Eunuch Wen went ahead to announce his arrival. He quickly came back out and told Zu An, “His Majesty invites Lord Zu inside.”

After saying this, he gave him a meaningful look, wishing him the best of luck. Zu An chuckled bitterly. There was nothing to do but to brace himself and enter.

When he entered the imperial study, the bronze mirror was gone. Instead, the emperor himself was sitting at a desk, reading a report.

The emperor showed no reaction when Zu An entered. It was as though he was made of empty air.

Zu An stood to the side and bowed. “This subject pays...