As the saying goes, a tall tree catches the wind. Relying on his unique style of conduct, the Duke of Ying had made countless enemies in the imperial court. His current fall from the Emperor's favor was a result that many had foreseen and were happy to witness. Both Zhao Yan and Grand Secretary Cao also breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to briefly escape those suicidal memorials. Just reading them made their hearts race with anxiety; every single phrase felt like walking a tightrope over a cliff, where the slightest carelessness would lead to complete destruction.
Yet certain people were simply arrogant and self-important, attempting to use their past achievements to act however they pleased. Now that they had stumbled, they could hardly claim to be wronged.
Three days after the matter became a hot topic in court, very few people paid it any further attention. What everyone had been keeping their eyes on lately was the next batch of maritime trade. An endless stream of people approached Zhao Yan in private to fish for information. No matter where he went, someone would be lying in wait for him, and even when he went to the latrine, some particularly oblivious individuals would continue to badger him, leaving Zhao Yan completely defenseless against their persistence.
Chapter 662