153. Recommend Talented People

"Repeat it again—it's not that I didn't hear it clearly; I just want to confirm it one more time."

Zhao Douan had gone through this process before; he remembered the last time, it was in this very pavilion that Yuan Li had occupied his current seat.

Back then, he could only stand aside, serving them tea and water.

But this time, he was the one sitting here.

"At your command," he replied calmly, repeating the words verbatim.

This time, the Empress confirmed it.

She pursed her lips, instinctively suppressing all external emotions due to the instinctive nature of an emperor.

But the array of surprises that sprang up in her heart couldn't be faked.

"The eunuch who returned to the palace just now did not mention this matter."

She steadied her spirit, reached into the chess box, and retrieved the dropped chess piece, clenching it in her palm.

It seemed to provide her some sense of control.

Zhao Douan then said,