Lu Taobao was so frightened that half his soul seemed to have fled. After calming down, under duress, he could only order people to tie them up.
Then, the four of them were separated and taken into the Forbidden City in different carriages.
If they had all been in the same carriage, Lu Taobao would have rescued his family and killed all those who had threatened him. He would not have cared about the consequences of harming his loved ones.
However, the captors seemed to be wary of him and did not put them all in one carriage, which foiled Lu Taobao's plan.
After entering the Forbidden City, they were each confined until they were brought in just now.
Upon hearing Lu Taobao say he was captured this morning, Yi Zixie and Sima Han breathed a sigh of relief.
They had not been captured for a full day. Although it was certain they had suffered, it was not a major issue. Lu Taobao, despite his frail appearance, was surprisingly robust.
However, Lu Taobao's parents were ordinary people, and his grandmother was nearing sixty. A moment's carelessness might lead to her demise.
This was indeed a cause for great worry.
After Lu Taobao finished recounting the events, he quickly went to his parents and grandmother. After inquiring with concern and learning that they had only sustained minor injuries, he felt relieved.
Yet, he secretly swore that he would not let those who had injured them off the hook.
He would also not let the mastermind behind this incident go.
As he thought this, a fierce glint in Lu Taobao's eyes deepened.
Yi Zixie, having heard the full account, patted Lu Taobao's shoulder. "We will discuss your family's situation when we return, and we will definitely devise a proper solution."
These words were not just meant to comfort; Yi Zixie genuinely intended to do so.
An incident like this today could easily lead to a second, and then a third.
While one couldn't be vigilant against thieves all the time, given the circumstances, they had to find a way to guard against it.
Sima Hao and Sima Zhu sat quietly without speaking.
Sima Hao was excited and eager because of the events that were about to unfold. This could very well be the first step in his reclaiming his power.
Once this step was taken, the subsequent steps would be much easier.
As he thought this, a sharp glint flickered in Sima Hao's eyes.
Unaware that his excitement had been so evident, Sima Hao, who had forgotten to mask his emotions, had not realized that Sima Zhu had noticed.
Furthermore, it had deeply imprinted itself in Sima Zhu's mind.
If previously Sima Zhu had only thought Sima Hao was refusing to age and wanted to meddle in everything, now he understood that Sima Hao harbored much greater ambitions.
Having served as emperor for several years, he had developed a certain skill in observing people.
With a scornful laugh in his heart, Sima Zhu paid no further attention to Sima Hao.
Let the old man continue to dream.
Did he really believe that these people would help him sincerely?
Even if he were ultimately brought down by Yi Zixie, the one who would benefit would certainly not be this old man.
Despite thinking this, Sima Zhu had no intention of being removed from power.
He had not had enough of being emperor yet.
And as for that little beauty today, she was merely a subordinate of his. How could he allow someone to take her from him?
It must be said, Sima Zhu was comparable to a pig.
With a knife at his throat, he was still thinking about food.
Perhaps the only difference between him and a pig was that what he wanted to eat was not pig slop, but beautiful women.
At the same time, in the homes of several court officials outside the Forbidden City, young eunuchs were urgently conveying messages. Afterward, some people, accompanied by the eunuchs, boarded carriages or rode horses directly towards the Forbidden City.
It must be said that Jiang Yubao, having lived half his life, was adept at handling such matters.
Knowing that going alone would be too slow and would delay things, and considering that "the longer the night, the more dreams," which was his guiding principle, he found his trusted eunuchs to go out and invite people.
He himself, however, went to Prince Duan's mansion to find Zheng Xiang.
As Sima Hao's confidant, he naturally knew that Zheng Xiang had always been a supporter of Sima Hao. At such a crucial moment, he naturally had to summon Zheng Xiang. Not only to involve Zheng Xiang, but also to have Zheng Xiang prepare manpower to guard against any unforeseen circumstances.
Although Yi Zixie was playing the villain in the palace, having already fallen out with the Emperor, he knew that the Emperor had developed some tricks over the years.
He feared that the Emperor, upon realizing the situation was unfavorable, might apologize to Yi Zixie and make assurances.
Although Yi Zixie had appeared furious just now, who knew if he might soften his heart as he grew older?
While mentally dissecting Yi Zixie, Jiang Yubao and Zheng Xiang boarded a carriage back to the palace.
Upon reaching the gate of the Forbidden City, they encountered several court officials who had also just arrived.
They hurried forward, bowed respectfully, and offered warm greetings, their actions flowing seamlessly.
These court officials were all astute. After the Grand Emperor abdicated, they had automatically distanced themselves from them, all for their own good.
However, Jiang Yubao's evident closeness today, and the veiled hints he conveyed, allowed them to guess much of what was happening.
Although they did not know the specifics, for them, this was a good thing.
After all, there was still a considerable difference between the Emperor and the Grand Emperor.
If possible, they would have preferred the Grand Emperor to rule.
Given his age, it would have been easier to deceive him. Even if they couldn't deceive him, with the Grand Emperor's temperament, as long as they didn't go too far, he would turn a blind eye.
This was not to say that the Emperor was particularly just and incorruptible.
It was precisely because the Emperor was too fond of extravagance that their lives became increasingly difficult.
As the court officials recalled these matters, they all silently shed a tear of sorrow.
Although their minds were racing with thoughts, their footsteps did not slow down one bit.
They followed Jiang Yubao to the Grand Emperor's palace. Upon entering, they discovered that there were surprisingly many people in the hall.
Each of the court officials dared not look around casually. Upon seeing Sima Hao and Sima Zhu seated at the head of the table, they immediately bowed in greeting.
After they straightened up, they dared to stealthily observe the others in the hall.
The other four were inconsequential; they did not recognize them at all. Judging by their attire and demeanor, they wondered what kind of merchant from some remote corner had managed to enter the palace to see the Emperor, which was indeed strange.
The two men seated there, however, astonished the assembled court officials to the point that their mouths hung open.
This... this...
"Is that the Grand Tutor and the Fifth Prince?"
Some not only showed surprise on their faces but also voiced their inner astonishment.
As this statement was uttered, the gazes directed at Yi Zixie and Sima Han became even more complex.
Putting aside the others, the Grand Tutor had not changed one bit after all these years.
This alone earned the admiration of many towards Yi Zixie.
As expected of the Grand Tutor, his abilities were indeed extraordinary.
Coupled with the news they had heard about Yi Zixie and Sima Han during the disaster relief efforts, their presence here was no longer surprising.
It was common knowledge throughout the capital that Sima Han and Yi Zixie had returned to the Imperial Capital. They, the officials, were even more aware of it, with some having sent gifts to the Siyang House during the New Year.
However, the reason for their surprise was that they had not seen the two of them for such a long time.
Meeting people after years of separation, especially before a shrewd merchant, and having heard of this person's deeds, the emotions would naturally surge.
Sima Hao and Sima Zhu clearly observed the reactions of the court officials.
It was precisely because of this that their expressions varied.
Sima Hao was delighted. He had not been mistaken; even after years of absence, the Grand Tutor's influence had not diminished.
Sima Zhu, on the other hand, felt panicked. He had truly not expected this situation.
He had originally thought that since the Grand Tutor had been gone for so long, even if he had done many things in the past, they were now old news after so many years. Even if someone remembered, what could be done?
But who would have thought that after this first meeting, people would react this way?
If they met more often in the future, who would listen to his words as Emperor?
It was not without reason that Sima Zhu thought this. Having such an influential and capable person by his side was indeed unsettling.
Seeing that the court officials had already begun to engage in pleasantries with Yi Zixie, Sima Zhu could no longer contain himself.
He was the Emperor, yet these people were ignoring him?
Filled with both anger and fear, Sima Zhu directly erupted.
"What are you all doing? This is not a marketplace, nor is it your backyard. Making such a commotion, what is the proper decorum?"
This outburst stunned the court officials, and their faces became somewhat embarrassed.
In their momentary excitement, they had forgotten where they were.
However, Yi Zixie remained indifferent to Sima Zhu's roar. "Everyone, please do not worry. After we conclude our important matters, I will invite you all to dine."
After speaking, Yi Zixie specifically glanced at Sima Zhu.
As expected, Sima Zhu's face darkened by three shades from anger.
The court officials, witnessing Sima Zhu's outburst, were all bewildered, not understanding why the Emperor had suddenly changed so drastically.
Could it be that the Grand Tutor was as handsome as ever, and in comparison, he was simply consumed by jealousy?
Although this reason was somewhat laughable, after comparing Sima Zhu and Yi Zixie, they felt it was quite plausible.
Just, what was it they had just heard?
The Grand Tutor said he would invite them to dine after the important matters were concluded?
Was this not their imagination?
The court officials collectively turned to look at Yi Zixie, wanting to see if his words were merely polite or simply an offhand remark.
However, they saw Yi Zixie's lips curl slightly, revealing a hint of a charming, albeit slightly wicked, smile. "What, are you all unwilling to grace my invitation?"
The assembled officials paused, then quickly shook their heads.
Who would dare refuse the Grand Tutor's invitation?
Even if the Grand Tutor were not angry, they would be drowned by the public's condemnation.
What kind of person was the Grand Tutor?
He was a god-like existence. If he was willing to host a banquet, who would dare to object?
Not only would they accept the invitation, but even if they weren't invited, they would find a way to sneak in, just to have a glimpse.
Of course, this possibility was virtually negligible.
Some were still uncertain, so, seeing that Yi Zixie was clearly not joking, one cautiously asked, "Then where will the Grand Tutor be hosting the banquet?"
As this person spoke, the thoughts of all the court officials turned to Yi Zixie.
Yi Zixie, knowing what they were thinking, smiled and said, "It will be at my residence. Afterward, you will all accompany me back."
Upon hearing this, the court officials first breathed a sigh of relief.
The location had already been decided, so it seemed they were not being teased.
However, the Grand Tutor said it would be at his home?
This caused the expressions of the court officials to become somewhat... peculiar.
Seeing this, Yi Zixie was not at all upset.
Indeed, he had always been mysterious. Not only had he never invited people to his home for meals, but even those who sought to visit were unable to enter his gates.