"Levi Sherman once admonished his children that the only thing capable of tearing the Empire apart was public opinion. When the populace wished to leave, the Empire would cease to exist.

"So, that means he's definitely fine."

"But the Old Emperor of the Empire is an inept ruler, he truly is!"

Emilia, exasperated, beat her chest and stomped her feet:

"An inept ruler is capable of anything; right now, he might be hanging, being whipped with a little whip!"

Edwan remarked,

"Uh, is it the kind of little whip I'm thinking of?"

"What?" Emilia asked, perplexed, "Isn't it just a flogging?"

"Oh, right, right," Edwan squinted and smiled, "If you believe your elder brother, the 'little Emperor,' has even a tiny bit of insight, then rest assured and wait here. Approximately... let me calculate the time on Emperor Star... in about seven or eight hours, you'll witness a grand award ceremony."

"An award ceremony?"

Edwan adjusted his retinal protection glasses and calmly said,

"I can't predict the specifics either, but this incident needs an ending.

"When public opinion grows weary of praising the Emperor, and when people's enthusiasm for the term 'big fool' fades, this incident should come to a close.

"I speculate that His Majesty the Emperor will reclaim most of the White Ghost's authority, then grant him some intimidating-sounding but actually useless noble titles, and then give him a prosperous fief, temporarily sending him away from Emperor Star.

"If that's the case..."

Edwan chuckled, "Then I might roughly understand who orchestrated this incident from behind the scenes."

"Who?" Emilia blinked.

Edwan rubbed the tip of his nose, "That's confidential... by the way, if you have time, go visit Uncle Haton, Yang Ming's uncle, the energy tycoon, who is one of the pillars of Wind."

"Mysterious," Emilia rolled her eyes, "I'm going back to class!"

"Remember! Do nothing!"

"Got it!"

Edwan chuckled twice, continuing to lower his head, focusing on the projection document.

Yet another day of being a model worker.

...

Yang Ming took a long nap inside the cell.

When he was awakened by a knock on the door, he got up and called out, "Enter," Han Yin and Han Xiang, carrying two sets of clothes, dejectedly walked into the cell.

"What's up?"

Yang Ming cheerfully asked,

"My parents were rescued; why do you two look so down?"

They had worked together for over a year, and although these two subordinates were not very competent in Yang Ming's eyes, their relationship had grown quite close.

Han Yin sighed quietly and briefly recounted the previous events.

They were removed from the Antenna Organization.

This was actually to protect them by several aunts, because if they were to return to the Imperial Palace, the Emperor might vent his anger on seeing them.

Currently, anything related to the White Ghost within the Imperial Palace was being swiftly cleared.

Yang Ming couldn't help but laugh, "Then you two just keep working with me. I'll still pay you as usual, and you can continue passing on some information back to the Antenna Organization."

"Why are you being so nice to us?" Han Yin threw a gown onto Yang Ming, "Though dismissed, this maid has principles and won't casually become your mistress!"

"Look," Yang Ming spread his hands, "did I say anything? You're interpreting a gentleman's stomach with a petty mind."

Han Xiang wondered, "What is a gentleman?"

"It's a man who follows the rules, is polite, principled, reasonable, and knowledgeable," Yang Ming pointed to himself.

"Then you are nothing like a gentleman," Han Yin snorted, "Hurry up and change your clothes. A large group of people is waiting outside; members from the Elder Court and the Military Department have arrived to award you and promote your military rank. His Majesty also has decrees and rewards to bestow."

Yang Ming asked, "Live broadcast?"

"Of course."

"Go get me an Empire military uniform," said Yang Ming, "I want the camouflage of the carrier assault team."

Han Xiang immediately nodded and ran off.

Han Yin muttered quietly, "From now on, my sister and I will rely on each other. If I find out that you lay a finger on her, watch out for me..."

"Can you beat me?" Yang Ming countered.

"I..."

"Just live your life honestly, am I that desperate?"

Yang Ming laughed, "Change how you address me. Don't just call me 'you, you, you,' call me 'boss!'"

"Boss? What a vulgar title!"

Yang Ming was too lazy to argue with her and began unbuttoning his collar.

Han Yin came over on her own initiative to help Yang Ming take off his shirt, naturally fulfilling the duties of a maid.

More than ten minutes later.

Dressed in uniform, Yang Ming exited the main cabin of the Noble Court ship, arriving on the forward deck covered by a transparent shield.

The forward deck was festively decorated; hundreds of soldiers formed an outer wall, and dozens of media reporters sat neatly in rows.

In front of Yang Ming, a dozen ceremonial ladies held trays, while the acting chief elder of the Elder Court and two authoritative figures from the Imperial Military Department stood there smilingly, nodding slightly at Yang Ming.

Han Yin and Han Xiang stopped, allowing Yang Ming to enter the spotlight alone.

Applause erupted all around, as Yang Ming's 'bitter' expression managed a slight smile, reluctantly mustering some energy.

He could already see the items on those trays.

Honorary titles, military merits and ranks, noble medals, military decorations, fiefs on the Administrative Star, Empire Coin rewards, private fleet assembly permissions...

Although the rewards were abundant, it also meant that Yang Ming's journey on Emperor Star was coming to an end.

Yang Ming suddenly felt like laughing.

The face-saving Old Emperor, after being slapped by him, still had to say, 'thank you.'

Well, this surely would be a noteworthy anecdote in the unofficial history of the Empire.

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