Gu Yanxi helped the person sit far away, and Lai Fu immediately called for people to clean up quickly.
"Have someone bring some light meals." Thinking of the sour and crispy appetizers he had eaten at the Hua family, Gu Yanxi decided he would later ask for some to bring into the palace. Given the Emperor's current health and his recent cessation of the Golden Elixir, he likely had no appetite for anything.
Shaoyao looked up, "Yan Ge, I need to stay in the palace for a few days."
"Alright, you can stay in the side hall. I'll ask Grandmother to assign two people to accompany you."
Shaoyao didn't care about these arrangements. She placed the Imperial Hospital's diagnosis logs and dietary records side by side, flipped to the same date, and then continued turning the pages simultaneously.
Gu Yanxi did not disturb her. Instead, he knelt before the Emperor and made his request, "Your subject must..."
Before he could finish, the Emperor stretched out his hand, palm open. What was this...?
"The Tiger Seal is entrusted to you. All troops in the capital are under your command." Grabbing his nephew's hand, the Emperor placed the Tiger Seal in his palm, gently closed his fingers over it, and patted his hand. "Use it well. Your uncle's life and safety are in your hands."
Gu Yanxi bit the tip of his tongue. "Yes, your subject... will definitely protect Your Majesty."
For the sake of your trust, I am willing to sacrifice everything, even if it means being crushed to pieces!
Taking a deep breath, Gu Yanxi stood up, put on his mask, and walked out the door. Raising the Tiger Seal in his hand, he declared, "Everyone, heed my orders."
The Imperial Guard Commander gasped in shock—had the Emperor actually given the Tiger Seal to someone else?
Though his mind was in turmoil, his movements were swift. Resting his hand on his sword hilt, he knelt on one knee. "Fu Gang awaits your command."
The hidden agents of the Seven Constellation Bureau and the Emperor's personal guards emerged one by one from the shadows, kneeling to receive their orders.
"All personnel in the three main palaces, six side halls, and twelve courtyards must return to their posts and are forbidden to move about freely. Anyone caught violating this order will be treated as a spy!" Gu Yanxi's gaze swept over the visible palace rooftops in the distance. "This applies to all imperial consorts, princes, and princesses currently in the palace."
"Yes."
"Fu Gang, personally go to the residences of the four princes. Order them to close their gates and await the Emperor's summons. Until then, they are not to leave their residences even half a step."
Fu Gang had served as Imperial Guard Commander for four years, but this was the first time he witnessed the authority of the Seven Constellation Bureau's leader. Right at the entrance of the imperial study, under the Emperor's watchful eye, he dared to issue such commands, regardless of whether they concerned imperial consorts or princes!
Was this overstepping? Of course, it was. If it were anyone else, ten lives wouldn't be enough to atone for such audacity!
But this man was the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau. No matter how resentful the princes or consorts might be, they had no choice but to endure it.
In the Great Qing Dynasty, the Seven Constellation Bureau had always held a position second only to the Emperor, commanding the obedience of millions. It enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust, and the bureau's leader had never disappointed him.
Fu Gang's appointment as Imperial Guard Commander was no ordinary matter. On his first day in office, his father had summoned him to the study. Without advising him on what to watch out for or how to behave, his father had emphasized the importance of the Seven Constellation Bureau and given him a stern warning: "Treat the words of the Seven Constellation Bureau's leader as if they were the Emperor's own!"
That was why, at this moment, Fu Gang responded with unwavering clarity.
Gu Yanxi continued his deployment. "Order the Northern Camp to take over city defense and strictly investigate all suspicious individuals. The Eastern and Western Camps are to set up outside the city, ready for dispatch at any time. The Central Camp will guard the imperial palace."
Fu Gang looked up sharply. If the Central Camp was taking over the palace, what would become of the Imperial Guards? But the next words truly shocked him.
"The Southern Camp will guard the princes' residences."Though called guards, they were more like jailers! Fu Gang’s palms were slick with sweat as he swallowed the question about the Imperial Guard’s whereabouts.
"The Imperial Guard will follow me to make arrests."
Fu Gang paused briefly before acknowledging the order.
Gu Yanxi glanced at him, satisfied with his response. The Imperial Guard was essentially a brigade of young nobles—though their skills were genuine, for they served as the Emperor’s final line of defense.
Each guard represented a family, whether currently influential or formerly prominent. Among those he intended to target this time, some might be their kin or old acquaintances. He could not afford to leave such men within the palace walls.
Moreover, he needed to determine whether any of them were involved in the current affair. Since he was cleansing the ranks, he would do it thoroughly. An opportunity like this was rare and would not be repeated—nor would he allow it to happen again.
"Lai Fu."
Lai Fu stood respectfully with his hands at his sides. "Your servant is here."
"Go personally to see the Empress Dowager. Apologize on my behalf and request that she oversee the rear palace."
"Your servant obeys."
"Xiao Wu."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Mobilize the entire First Division to guard the Emperor closely. Anyone who approaches without permission is to be executed on the spot." Gu Yanxi’s aura was frigid with killing intent. "Remember—anyone."
"Your subordinate obeys."
Gu Yanxi raised a hand to pull up his hood. Though the sun shone brightly, he felt chilled to the bone.
Such was the life-and-death struggle within the imperial palace—where every soul was a rival, and bonds of kinship meant nothing.
The Tiger Seal dug sharply into his palm, a painful reminder of the imperial authority that could command the world with a single order. While others clamored for such power, he yearned only to escape—to sit across from the one he loved in a modest courtyard, sharing a pot of tea and a book for an entire afternoon.
"Commence the operation." The interrogation chamber of the Seven Constellation Bureau had long remained unused; it was time for blood to flow.
"Yes." Fu Gang immediately went to assemble the Imperial Guard. When he had gone some distance, he glanced back at the masked figure standing with hands clasped behind his back, his cloak whipping in the wind. Even from afar, the man seemed forged of cold, unyielding resolve.
The capital was about to be drenched in blood.
But so what? In the 170 years since the founding of the Daqing Dynasty, turmoil had never touched the Seven Constellation Bureau—and this time would be no different.
In the Empress Dowager’s Palace of Blessings and Longevity, Lai Fu knelt and relayed the Heir’s words verbatim.
The Empress Dowager listened in silence, asking no follow-up questions. "This humble one understands. Inform the Heir that the palace will not fall into chaos."
"Your servant obeys." Lai Fu bowed once more. "If you have no further instructions, I shall take my leave."
"Go."
Once he had departed, Yu Xiang’s expression shifted. "Your Majesty, this…"
"The first time Yanxi erupted like this was after his mother’s passing, when Shaoyao nearly didn’t survive. For my sake, he restrained himself. The second time was when those distrustful schemers sent women to his chambers—for the Emperor’s sake, he endured again. That he can unleash his fury now is a good thing."
The Empress Dowager twisted the jade ring on her pinky finger, her eyes icy. "Given the earlier uproar, even drawing Shaoyao into the palace, this matter likely involves the Emperor. If some are eager to die, why should I stop them?"Yu Xiang was the young maid the Empress Dowager had brought with her from her maiden home. Even when she could have been released for marriage, she chose not to leave, remaining by the Empress Dowager's side for decades. Deeply trusted by the Empress Dowager, she naturally knew many secrets. Lowering her voice, she said, "This servant believes it seems to involve imperial consorts and princes. Once this matter is dealt with..."
"Those who should be deposed will be deposed; those who deserve death shall die. They brought it upon themselves—no one else is to blame," the Empress Dowager rose. "Help me change attire."
PS: I've come to realize that Kongkong has a die-hard fan who adores him deeply. She enjoys commenting and replying to others' comments, but she has a natural talent for sarcasm—even her affection for Kongkong is occasionally tinged with mockery. Yet this does not obscure her genuine fondness for him. Any ladies relating to this description?
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