"Minister Zhōu, you walk with the speed of a snail. You’re even slower than an old man like me." Grand Secretary Xie was the last to emerge from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, yet his spirits remained entirely unaffected. He often looked with envy upon Grand Secretary Li, a man of his own age who had resigned and returned to his hometown to enjoy family life the moment the Emperor ascended the throne. Lately, he too had begun to entertain the thought of retirement; he was old, his energy was waning, and he felt incapable of handling these affairs as he once had. It would be better to step aside and let someone more capable take his place as Grand Secretary.
Doing so might also leave a favorable impression on the Emperor; he would be off the court, but his son remained, and this could be seen as paving the way for him.
Caught between the two, Minister Zhōu could only try to signal to the others with his eyes. It was truly a case of "speak of the devil." He watched as both Grand Secretary Cao and Grand Secretary Wú turned their gazes toward him in unison.
Chapter 645