When Zhou Shuren reached the government hall, only the Emperor was there, while Eunuch Liu waited outside. Zhou Shuren could feel the hopeful look from Eunuch Liu, a notion that made him uneasy and all the more apprehensive.
Eunuch Liu stood motionless at the entrance of the hall. Although it was somewhat cold outside, he preferred waiting there rather than being inside the hall where fear and alarm might strike him.
Zhou Shuren was about to bow in greeting when the Emperor, hearing his footsteps, raised his hand to signal that it wasn't necessary. "Sit. I summoned you here today merely to have a chat," said the Emperor.
Zhou Shuren, "...Thank you, Emperor."
It would be better if he had been summoned for a specific matter. He truly disliked being the Emperor's confidant, for it was too dangerous. He didn't want to delve into the Emperor's inner thoughts and preferred to observe him from a distance.