The master and disciple spoke in hushed tones, reminiscing about the past as if recalling cherished memories. Yet, they both understood that Princess Yongning would never return. Now, she was the esteemed Imperial Daughter of the Blue Moon, the next Empress, her status beyond measure. She would protect the people and subjects of the Blue Moon, not them!
They might even become her enemies, for Yusheng and the Blue Moon had already forged a deep enmity.
“Fu'an, do you believe it was truly General Xiao who was killed by His Highness the Prince of Qin?”
“Your servant thinks it impossible!” Fu'an declared without hesitation. “While His Highness the Prince of Qin is indeed cold-blooded, he is by no means a despicable villain.”
“Do you know the Prince of Qin this well, to defend him so readily?” Eunuch Wan asked with a chuckle. Those who had lived in the palace for a long time were adept at gauging the wind and making adjustments, but that did not mean they lacked principles or bottom lines. Blind flattery was merely a means to survive better within the confines of this deep palace.
“Master, your servant is not defending His Highness the Prince of Qin, but rather, your servant believes Princess Yongning was deceived.”
Eunuch Wan sighed, “Fu’an, you are still too naive.”
“Master, your servant does not understand.”
Eunuch Wan took a handkerchief and wiped the Emperor’s mouth. “Do you truly believe Princess Yongning was deceived?”
“Was she not?”
“She is the most intelligent girl I have ever met,” Eunuch Wan said in a low voice. “Even among men, few could match her. The daughter of a general, she thrived in the palace, outmaneuvering princes and princesses, yet remained unharmed. Do you think this was solely due to her father, the Great General?”
Fu'an asked curiously, “Was it not?”
Eunuch Wan shook his head. “Of course not. In the palace, she garnered far more support than you can imagine. Just like you, you like her because she never treated us like servants. She would bring us gifts, bring us food. In this palace, countless people have benefited from her kindness, just as you have. Every movement within the imperial palace was under her watchful eye, even though she is not here now.”
Fu'an swallowed hard. “Master, you… don’t frighten me.”
“Master is not frightening you. It’s not just Princess Yongning; the various princes and princesses all have their informants and inside contacts in the palace. Princess Yongning simply operated differently. One can only hope that General Xiao’s death is unrelated to the royal family, otherwise, Princess Yongning would certainly not let it go unanswered.”
Three days passed, and there was still no news of the divine physician. Eunuch Wan understood that there was no divine physician, and no one would come to treat the Emperor. Their only option was to await rescue!
The court ministers, due to the Emperor’s prolonged absence, began to grow uneasy. Meanwhile, the ministers who supported the Prince of Chu held their heads high, as if they had become meritorious officials, on the verge of achieving great honor and advancing their careers.
“The wind is rising,” Xiao Qin said softly, standing on the city wall and watching the bustling crowds of people below.
“Is it an east wind?” someone beside him asked with a smile.
“Whether it is an east wind or not, I do not know, but the east wind she awaits should be arriving soon.”
The two exchanged smiles. Yes, the east wind she awaited was arriving soon. The Prince of Chu had always harbored ambitions, but he had hidden them well. But a wolf is a wolf; no matter how well it conceals its tail, it cannot change its nature of eating meat.
“Is she doing alright over there?”
“What do you think?”
“My concern is perhaps unnecessary. It should be said, how are the people over there faring with her present?”
The two laughed again. Xiao Man’s temperament, while appearing reckless and disregarding consequences, was such that every action she took had its purpose. She was a natural strategist, which was why they were willing to follow her without regret.
“Protect yourself well.”
“Don’t worry, I know,” Xiao Qin said slowly. “I know how to protect myself. As for you, be careful not to expose yourself. Those around the Prince of Qin are not to be trifled with.”
“Understood. You too.”
The two parted ways, descending the city wall from different directions and heading towards their separate destinations. Xiao Qin passed through the lively marketplace, heading towards the Prince of Chu’s residence. The Prince of Chu could no longer wait and was eager to ascend the throne and become Emperor as soon as possible. If they delayed any longer, the Prince of Qin would receive the news and return.
At the Prince of Chu’s residence, the Prince of Chu gazed at the custom-made dragon robe hanging on a stand, his eyes filled with joy. He reached out and stroked the vividly embroidered five-clawed dragon on the robe, which seemed ready to fly out at any moment.
Upon his return, Xiao Qin saw the Prince of Chu lost in thought before the completed dragon robe. He immediately stepped forward, “Your Highness, why don’t you try it on?”
“Try it?”
Xiao Qin took the dragon robe from the hanger. “Of course, you must try it. If it doesn’t fit, there is still time to make alterations. After all, you will soon ascend the throne; you cannot wear an ill-fitting dragon robe on that momentous occasion.”
Xiao Qin helped the Prince of Chu put on the dragon robe. Looking at the Prince of Chu, who appeared heroic and majestic in the robe, he praised with admiration, “As expected, it was tailor-made for Your Highness; it fits perfectly.”
The Prince of Chu beamed with a smile. “My Lord, how do you find my attire?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, it is most excellent.”
Xiao Qin’s address as “Your Majesty” made the Prince of Chu’s smile even brighter. He looked with satisfaction at the golden dragon robe he was wearing and asked with a knowing smile, “My Lord, is everything prepared?”
“Of course, everything is ready; we are only waiting for the east wind,” Xiao Qin said gently. “Now, all that remains is the abdication decree.”
“The abdication decree, I will obtain it as soon as possible.”
“However, His Majesty is currently in a coma, and obtaining the abdication decree will likely not be easy. By now, the Prince of Qin should have received the news. If we delay any further, it will be detrimental to us,” Xiao Qin said unhurriedly. “We must make plans swiftly.”
“Although my father is in a coma, do not forget that Wan Quan is still here,” the Prince of Chu said slowly. “Wan Quan has served by my father’s side for over forty years, and my father trusts him implicitly. He must know where the Imperial Seal is hidden.”
“Then, this humble one congratulates Your Majesty on your imminent success.”
The Prince of Chu’s smile deepened. He circled in front of Xiao Qin. He knew Wan Quan quite well; those who had lived in the inner palace for a long time feared death more than anything, and he had his methods of making Wan Quan yield.
However, the Prince of Chu’s thoughts were beautiful. It wasn't until he had ransacked the Chengqian Palace from top to bottom and held a sword to Wan Quan’s throat that he could not make Wan Quan reveal the whereabouts of the Imperial Seal.
“Eunuch Wan, where is the Imperial Seal?” the Prince of Chu asked, suppressing his rage with all his might, trying to maintain a pleasant demeanor.
“Your servant knows not,” Eunuch Wan replied docilely. “The Imperial Seal has always been kept by His Majesty.”
“Eunuch Wan, my patience is limited,” the Prince of Chu gritted out. “You have served by my father’s side for so many years; it is impossible that you do not know where he kept the Imperial Seal! Tell me, where is the Imperial Seal?”