Pei Yan was buried in state affairs; he couldn't just up and leave whenever he pleased.
Before going to Jiangnan to see Mei Wanying and Ling, he had to take care of all his political duties.
He also had to plan a hundred steps ahead for every one he took, resolving any potential issues in advance.
Pei Yan was already devoted to matters of state, but in his eagerness to see Mei Wanying and Ling in Jiangnan, he now burned the midnight oil processing official documents every night.
He rested for only two hours each night.
His diligence made the ministers below him nervous, fearing that the Emperor would find fault with any misstep they made.
And what about past events? They wondered if the Emperor would dredge up old scores.
Would he strip them of their positions?
This emperor was different from the last. He possessed formidable methods, held the military firmly in his grasp, and though he hadn't been on the throne for long, his position was incredibly secure.
