"Commoner, I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

Zhang Zifang was the first to react, retracting his gaze and bowing deeply.

Following his lead, the others also snapped out of their daze and followed suit.

Jiang Chen appreciated these vibrant scholars and adopted a much gentler attitude than usual.

He waved his hand reassuringly, "Rise, all of you. This is not the Golden Hall, and I have not summoned you here to discuss state affairs. There is no need to be so formal."

"I have already prepared seats in advance. Please, be seated."

With that, Jiang Chen turned to the side and said, "Feng Jin, bring out the refreshments prepared by the Noble Consort Shu. I want to chat with them for a while."

"Yes, this old servant will see to it immediately."

Jiang Chen's amiable demeanor caught the attention of Zhang Zifang and the other scholars.

This bloodthirsty tyrant who kills without blinking an eye is actually so gentle? Could he be plotting something?

But they were penniless and had nothing to be coveted!

The scholars exchanged subtle glances, each seeing the same confusion in the other's eyes. They hesitated, unsure of what to do, and remained standing in place, filled with apprehension.

Jiang Chen had been observing their movements and felt a sense of helplessness at their bewildered expressions.

Rumors are truly harmful!

Now that the court has been purged, the next step should be to restore his image, otherwise, he will truly be stuck with the label of a tyrant!

Jiang Chen put on a friendly demeanor and said in a clear voice, "Why is no one sitting? Do you find the chairs in my Diligence Hall too old and unappealing?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the scholars' expressions immediately tightened, and they quickly took their seats.

They could tell that the emperor was joking, but the rumors of the 'tyrant's unpredictable temper' were too deeply ingrained in their minds. They were genuinely afraid that this seemingly gentle person would suddenly turn hostile.

"Hmm? What's going on?"

Jiang Chen frowned, looking at the empty seat at the end. "I remember that the Prime Minister's list had twenty-seven names. Why are there only twenty-six present?"

"Why has the Imperial Capital scholar Jia Yao not come to pay his respects?"

Feng Jin leaned in and whispered, "Your Majesty, Jia Yao is related to a traitor and is currently being held in the Ministry of Justice, undergoing investigation."

Jiang Chen's expression remained unchanged, but his frown deepened. "Hmm, I understand. You may step back."

Nearby, Zhang Zifang, who had overheard the conversation, could no longer sit still.

A look of hesitation flashed across his eyes, which quickly turned into determination. He stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Master Jia Yao is definitely not a traitor!"

"This commoner can vouch for this with his life. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and not to wrongly accuse an innocent man."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. "Zhang Zifang, even the ministers and officials in the court do not dare to get involved with matters of traitors. Where do you, a mere commoner, get the courage to wade into these troubled waters?"

"Is Jia Yao very close to you?"

The emperor's calm attitude eased Zhang Zifang's heart.

He cupped his fist and said loudly, "I dare not hide it from Your Majesty. This commoner and Master Jia are only nodding acquaintances. We are not well acquainted."

"However, this commoner has read many of his articles and can see the integrity and kindness in his words. Therefore, this commoner is certain that he would never be involved with traitors."

"Oh, really?"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, deliberately putting on a cold expression. "Zhang Zifang, has my attitude towards you been too gentle, leading you to misunderstand me?"

"To actually plead for a stranger who is involved with traitors in front of so many people, right before my eyes."

"Are you not afraid that I will be enraged and chop off your head?"

Zhang Zifang's handsome and refined face showed no fear. He said firmly, "Returning to Your Majesty, this commoner is not afraid!"

"Not afraid? Are you really not afraid of death?" Jiang Chen asked with interest.

Zhang Zifang's expression was calm. "Your Majesty, this commoner is naturally afraid of death, but the reason why this commoner dares to speak so boldly is because this commoner believes in his own judgment and believes that Your Majesty would never kill for such trivial matters."

Jiang Chen met his confident gaze, feeling somewhat intrigued. "The outside world says that I am a bloodthirsty tyrant. How can you be so sure that I will not have murderous intentions towards you?"

Zhang Zifang did not waver in the slightest. "Because this commoner does not believe those rumors from the outside world!"

"Although this commoner has only met Your Majesty twice, Your Majesty's demeanor and knowledge are far beyond ordinary people. It is the only time this commoner has ever seen such a thing."

"This commoner does not believe that an emperor like you, who is courteous to scholars and understands the hardships of the people, is a tyrant."

Hearing these words, Jiang Chen's expression became strange.

If someone else were to say these words of praise, Jiang Chen would be sure to label them as bootlickers.

However, Zhang Zifang's eyes were too pure and sincere, making it impossible for one to harbor any doubts.

Jiang Chen scrutinized him for a moment, tentatively taking these words to heart, and changed the topic, "Alright, then explain to me why you would want to help a stranger like Jia Yao?"

Zhang Zifang's attitude was candid. "Your Majesty, although this subject is only a nodding acquaintance with Master Jia, this subject has read his poems and articles and can be certain that he would not collude with traitors."

"Since he is an innocent person, this subject cannot stand idly by. This is the reason why this subject is trying to defend him."

Jiang Chen was stunned for a moment, somewhat incredulous. "It's that simple?"

Zhang Zifang nodded, his eyes sincere. "It's that simple!"

As if seeing the suspicion in Jiang Chen's eyes, Zhang Zifang added, "Your Majesty, a gentleman knows what to do and what not to do."

"If this subject had not come to the palace to pay respects today and knew nothing about Master Jia Yao's situation, this subject would not have deliberately stood up for him."

"But since this subject has encountered this matter, this subject will not go against his own principles. If an innocent person is truly wrongly accused, then wouldn't this subject's many years of studying the classics have been for nothing?"

Looking at the upright scholar before him, Jiang Chen was silent for a moment before saying,

"Zhang Zifang, I now know why Prime Minister Pei praises you so highly."

After saying that, Jiang Chen changed the subject, "Also, I heard that this Jia Yao is a talented man on par with you. Is this true?"

Zhang Zifang revealed a look of appreciation. "Returning to Your Majesty, although Master Jia Yao and I each have our own strengths, his talent is indeed no less than this subject's."

Jiang Chen nodded. "Good, then I will meet this Jia Yao."

"I cherish talent, and if he really can compare to you, I will naturally restore his innocence."

After saying that, he turned to the side and instructed, "Xu Mu, take my decree and bring that Jia Yao out of the Ministry of Justice's prison."

"Yes!" Xu Mu accepted the order and left.

A hint of gratitude surfaced in Zhang Zifang's eyes, and he bowed deeply. "This commoner thanks Your Majesty for your consideration!"

Jiang Chen did not take it to heart, raised his hand to have him sit down, and looked at everyone, asking, "You all participated in the Huai River Poetry Gathering?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this commoner was there."

"That's good. Since you are all participants in the poetry gathering, you must have all requested to become my disciples at the end, right?"

"Now, are you willing to formally become my disciples?"

A hint of slyness flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes as he looked at the scholars, his eyes full of calculation.

However, the scholars, who had been overwhelmed by the 'pie in the sky', did not have time to pay attention to these details.

Their eyes widened as they looked at the emperor at the head of the table, their faces filled with shock!

A disciple of the Emperor?

Such an incredible honor...