The thunder rumbled, accompanied by flashes of lightning, as the rain grew heavier and the sky darkened.
Just as the hearts of the court officials grew as heavy as the sky, footsteps finally echoed. Duke Dingguo felt a momentary relief, but as the figure gradually came into view, the ease on his face vanished abruptly before it could settle.
"By the Emperor's decree, Imperial Guard Commander Fu Gang has been ordered to thoroughly investigate the remnants of the Chaoli faction. His Majesty is slightly unwell and should not be exposed to drafts. All ministers are dismissed."
Duke Dingguo stood up, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized the eunuch delivering the decree. "This eunuch seems unfamiliar."
Eunuch Chang subconsciously clenched his fist before releasing it—a gesture noticed by Duke Anguo, who had been watching him closely. "This humble servant was recently summoned by His Majesty to serve at his side. Since Duke Dingguo seldom attends court, it is not surprising that you have not seen me before."
"Is that so." Duke Dingguo nodded slightly. "However, I have doubts regarding the matter of the imperial lineage. This is of grave importance and cannot be delayed. I request Eunuch Chang to relay my message. If His Majesty should not be exposed to drafts, this old minister will go to pay his respects."
"This..."
"Hmm?" Duke Dingguo raised his bushy eyebrows, dragging out the single syllable with a rising and falling tone.
Eunuch Chang took a step back, bowing in a flustered manner. "This humble servant will go to relay the message at once."
As the footsteps faded into the distance, Duke Dingguo let out a soft snort. "So unsteady—far inferior to Lai Fu."
Duke Anguo cupped his hands in agreement. "Duke Dingguo speaks rightly."
Ignoring him, Duke Dingguo tucked his hands into his sleeves, closed his eyes, and waited quietly. The others exchanged uncertain glances. The Fourth Prince signaled to someone, who then spoke up: "Should we not heed His Majesty's decree and leave?"
By convention, it was indeed so. With the Emperor's decree issued, they had no reason to remain. One official cupped his hands toward the assembly. "I have urgent matters to attend to at my office and will take my leave first."
Once someone took the lead, others gradually began to depart. Yet, the Emperor still had not appeared. With only an unfamiliar eunuch, whom they did not fully trust, delivering such a message, most officials remained unsettled, lingering without leaving.
The Third Prince glanced between the Fourth and Sixth Princes, then turned and left with his hands behind his back.
The Fourth Prince approached Little Six. "Shall we leave together?"
Xiao Liu'er's expression remained unchanged. "The rain is too heavy. I will wait here a while longer before leaving."
"Spring rain seldom stops quickly. I have extra rain gear—you may use it."
"Thank you, Fourth Imperial Brother, but I am in no hurry."
The Fourth Prince chuckled and nodded. "I know you are concerned about Father. Very well, wait here then. I will seek an audience with Mother to see if I can enter. Rest assured, if I learn any news about Father, I will inform you."
"Thank you, Fourth Imperial Brother."
After this display of fraternal courtesy, both turned away, their smiles fading. Little Six carefully recalled every word and action of his Fourth Imperial Brother, while the Fourth Prince frowned. Could there truly be remnants of the Chaoli faction in the palace? Or was this someone's fabrication? Regardless, he must enter the palace at once.
Another half-hour passed before Eunuch Chang returned. "Lord Minister of the Imperial Clan, I have relayed your message. His Majesty says he does not wish to deal with such matters at this time. The affairs of the ancestral temple shall be entirely under your authority."
"I must trouble Eunuch Chang to make another trip. This matter involves the imperial princes—this old minister cannot decide alone and must seek His Majesty's instruction."
Eunuch Chang glanced at him, then bowed and withdrew.Night had fallen, and palace servants entered to light the lamps.
The number of people in the side hall had dwindled further, leaving mostly those connected to Duke Anguo, Duke Dingguo, or the Sixth Prince. Among this group, Wei Congwen of the Wei Family stood out conspicuously.
As if sensing the gazes upon him, Wei Jing adjusted his sleeves and walked toward the door. The Sixth Prince was standing close to the entrance, and as Wei passed by, he cupped his hands in salute.
Little Six was momentarily taken aback but quickly reacted, reaching out to support his hand. "The steps are slightly damp from the rain, Lord Wei, do be careful."
"This old official dare not presume," Wei Congwen said, though his actions showed no such hesitation, allowing himself to be helped over the threshold before withdrawing his hand and bowing. "Your Highness is most benevolent."
Little Six respectfully gestured for him to proceed, and they parted ways with the distance appropriate for members of opposing factions. Yet Little Six's gesture of support warmed the hearts of the older ministers present—though they hadn't been the ones assisted, it at least demonstrated the Sixth Prince's respect for elders.
However, the officials' concern soon returned to the situation in the palace, their attention shifting quickly. Little Six watched those nearby from the corner of his eye, his left hand casually brushing against his waistband.
No one spoke; only the sound of rain could be heard.
Hearts were heavy with speculation about the circumstances deep within the palace, considerations of where to position themselves, and worries about the future of Daqing.
"If only the Heir were here."
Someone's murmured words voiced everyone's thoughts. Indeed, had the Heir been present, neither the palace gates nor the situation would have escalated to this point.
Footsteps sounded again. After just a moment's listening, Duke Dingguo closed his eyes—a single set of footsteps couldn't belong to the Emperor.
"Duke Dingguo, His Majesty says he will see no one today. This matter will be discussed later." Eunuch Chang kept his head bowed, as if afraid of being detained as a messenger again. Even as the word "discussed" left his lips, he was already retreating.
Duke Dingguo paid him no mind. After a moment of silence, he addressed the crowd, "Everyone should return."
Duke Anguo grew anxious, "But His Majesty—"
"What will you do? Stake the lives of hundreds in your Duke Anguo residence to defy the imperial decree?"
The hall fell completely silent.
The Sixth Prince cleared his throat lightly. "Duke Dingguo speaks wisely. Everyone should return."
Though the prince was young, his status commanded respect. The officials cupped their hands and departed one by one, with Little Six leaving last.
In the corridor, he gazed fixedly toward the northern depths of the palace for a long while before finally leaving. He wasn't concerned about his father's condition—he only wanted to know if his grandmother was safe.
Once in his carriage, Little Six retrieved a neatly folded note from his waistband. When Wei Congwen had saluted earlier, he had deliberately turned his palm toward him, revealing the note. Little Six had taken it when offering support. Though he didn't know Wei's intentions and understood the risk given their opposing positions, his master had once said that when situations reach an impasse, one should trust their intuition. At that moment, he had felt that Wei Congwen must have something to tell him.
The note contained only an address, without a single extra word.
The west side of the city?
Little Six lifted the carriage curtain. "To the Heir Apparent Residence."
Hua Zhi wasn't surprised by his arrival—that he had managed to wait this long already counted as obedience.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you? Nian Qiu, prepare a meal."
"Yes."Despite the lingering dangers, Little Six felt a sense of relief washing over him both physically and mentally. He handed over the note and recounted in detail how Wei Congwen had passed it to him at that critical moment.
Hua Zhi nodded, "It was a bit risky, but given our current unfavorable situation, taking a chance isn't entirely unwarranted."
After reading the address on the note, Hua Zhi called Chen Qing in and instructed, "Investigate this, but do not act rashly."
"Understood."
PS: Arrived in Hangzhou.
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