After finishing his speech, County Magistrate Xia let out a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Finally, he kowtowed deeply.
"Emperor, your humble official has failed Your Majesty and the Imperial Court. Your humble official is inept!"
Zhao Junyao chuckled coldly.
"You are indeed inept!"
He had turned several healthy children into thin, sallow figures. Was he... truly incapable of providing even for his own children?
Without bidding him rise, Zhao Junyao directly issued an order.
"For this matter, I give you three days. If you still haven't found out anything, I will strip you of your official hat!"
Hearing this, County Magistrate Xia trembled so much that even his layers of fat shook, and he quickly agreed.
"Yes... yes!"
Zhao Junyao waved his hand dismissively.
"Rise!"
County Magistrate Xia then shakily stood up.
…
Having dealt with official business, what followed was a private matter.
