Please Punish Me, Your Majesty

"Your Majesty, this humble servant has an urgent matter to report."

Wan Youqing stood alone outside Qianqing Palace.

As Commander of the Palace Guards, Wan Youqing oversaw the imperial guards on duty, palace security and gates, troop formations and ceremonial guards, and managed all affairs of the Palace Guard Division. He was the leader of the Imperial Guard.

He held no small position within Great Wei's imperial court.

When the Little Eunuch guarding the entrance saw Wan Youqing hurry over, he did not dare slack off. "Commander, please wait a moment. This servant will go in and announce you."

With that, the Little Eunuch hurried into Qianqing Palace.

At this time, the Seal-holding Eunuch Feng Dabao had not yet left and was keeping watch outside the bedchamber.

The Little Eunuch stepped forward and respectfully said, "Eunuch Feng, Lord Commander is outside seeking an audience with His Majesty. He says he has an important matter to report."

Feng Dabao frowned.

His Majesty had already retired for the night. Why had someone come to trouble him at such an hour?

"Did Lord Commander say what it was about?" Feng Dabao asked casually.

"No."

"Let him come in first."

"Yes!"

Having received his orders, the Little Eunuch hurried out at a trot. Reaching Wan Youqing, who was still waiting outside, he said, "Lord Commander, Eunuch Feng is inside. Please enter first."

Commander Wan Youqing nodded and strode toward Qianqing Palace.

After entering Qianqing Palace, Wan Youqing saw Feng Dabao standing guard outside the bedchamber.

Feng Dabao was a martial artist of the Innate Realm. Having been castrated, he possessed a Leakless Body, his vital essence abundant and complete.

He could go without sleep day and night and still remain bright-eyed and vigorous the next day.

Recently, the palace had been far from safe. Feng Dabao had simply remained at the Jian'an Emperor's side, taking on part of the responsibility for his protection.

Wan Youqing clasped his fists in greeting. "Eunuch Feng, I have an urgent matter to report. I must trouble you to inform His Majesty."

Eunuch Feng calmly raised a hand to stop him. "Wait a moment. His Majesty is occupied with an important matter."

"My matter is exceedingly urgent. It cannot—"

Just as Wan Youqing was explaining, he heard rustling noises coming from within the bedchamber.

It sounded as though someone was undressing.

Wan Youqing froze, suddenly realizing something. He could not help lowering his head.

The Jian'an Emperor was sowing his seed tonight, and Wan Youqing had happened to stumble upon it.

For a moment, he did not know what to say.

Very soon, a young and beautiful woman was carried out of the bedchamber by four Eunuchs, wrapped in a quilt.

Only after no further sounds came from within the bedchamber did Feng Dabao call out, "Your Majesty, Wan Youqing, Commander of the Palace Guards and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards, seeks an audience regarding an urgent matter."

From within the bedchamber, the Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu spoke with obvious displeasure. "Beloved Minister Wan, what matter brings you to see Us so late at night?"

Wan Youqing clasped his fists and solemnly said, "This subordinate official has failed in his duty. Tonight, both General of the Right Imperial Guards Dai Gongzheng and Night Watch General Miao Muwang encountered Assassins and were unfortunately killed."

"Where is the culprit?"

Whether it was an illusion or not, Wan Youqing suddenly felt that the Jian'an Emperor inside the bedchamber was like a volcano on the verge of eruption, desperately restraining his emotions.

The atmosphere abruptly became somewhat oppressive.

Wan Youqing said bluntly, "Dead!"

Having spent years navigating officialdom, Wan Youqing stated only the fact and concealed the entire course of events, offering no further explanation.

He had been at fault in this matter to begin with. If responsibility were pursued, it would be his Subordinates' dereliction of duty, and he would bear the blame for lax command.

The more he explained, the more problems there would be.

Hearing this result, the Jian'an Emperor's tone visibly eased, though he spoke coldly. "Did you find out anything?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, we have discovered that the Assassin who infiltrated the palace was sent by Han Country's Netherworld. He was an Assassin with a string designation, stronger than the previous two Assassins. After this subordinate official's investigation, it has been confirmed that his target tonight was the Fifth Prince."

"The Fifth?" Hearing this conclusion, Zhao Yongxu's expression within the bedchamber flickered with surprise. Clearly, he had not expected anyone to attempt the assassination of his unfavored fifth son.

Wan Youqing said, "The Fifth Prince usually keeps a low profile in the palace and does not have many powerful experts guarding him, which is why the Assassin set his sights on him. This subordinate official has now reinforced the guards around the East Fifth Residence."

As the emperor of Great Wei, Zhao Yongxu was no fool. Connecting the events before and after, he understood the purpose behind Han Country's repeated dispatch of Assassins.

Countless martial artists guarded the palace halls. To anyone, it was a dragon's pool and tiger's den.

If Assassins skilled in disguise and transformation could infiltrate and successfully kill an important member of the Imperial Family, they could build momentum for their allied army before the war officially began and raise Han Country's soldiers' morale.

Han Country was small and weak. It could only take the dangerous path along the sword's edge and resort to such tricks.

As the weakest link, Zhao Hongming, the Fifth Prince, was indeed likely to become their target.

"Has the Imperial City Division discovered how these Assassins entered Daliang?"

Feng Dabao said in terror, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. The Imperial City Division is still investigating."

Bang!

The sound of a teacup being violently smashed suddenly came from the bedchamber.

"How long has it been, and they are still investigating?" the Jian'an Emperor said furiously. "You do not know where the Assassins came from, how they entered Daliang, or how they entered the palace. Tell Us, then, how are We supposed to forgive you?"

"With today, this is already the third time. Are the Imperial City Division and the Palace Guard Division all nothing but wine sacks and rice bags?"

Feng Dabao truly had suffering he could not put into words.

The Imperial City Division currently had to keep watch over the martial artists who had slipped into Daliang because of the God-Demon Weapon, while also investigating the Assassins.

Where could they find so much manpower?

But he could not say that before Zhao Yongxu. Otherwise, it would seem like he was making excuses and shirking responsibility. He earnestly accepted the blame. "Please punish me, Your Majesty."

Wan Youqing followed suit. "Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"Problems have arisen in the palace time and again. The two of you, who oversee the Imperial City Division and the Palace Guard Division, cannot escape blame. Neither of you will avoid punishment."

The Jian'an Emperor said, "The Assassins have infiltrated the palace repeatedly. Perhaps someone is collaborating with them from within. Investigate carefully. Also, assign more Night Watch Guards to the princes and Imperial Princesses. Ensure their safety at all costs."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Both Feng Dabao and Wan Youqing secretly breathed sighs of relief. Wan Youqing in particular felt that he had escaped a calamity.

For the moment, he had kept the matter of the "Innate Realm Assassin" concealed and had not reported it.

It was merely speculation, not a settled conclusion, so he could mention it or leave it unsaid.

Only, he would face even greater pressure from now on.

Should another mistake occur in this regard, he feared there would be no way to smooth things over.

As though recalling something, the Jian'an Emperor said, "We heard that Minister Chen's Daughter and the Fifth Prince have been getting along rather happily lately?"

The Seal-holding Eunuch Feng Dabao said, "There is indeed such a matter."

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Yongxu said, "We grant Minister Chen's Daughter a token, allowing her to enter the palace at any time and stay overnight within the palace as well."

In Zhao Yongxu's eyes, the Fifth Prince himself was unimportant, but his status as a member of the Imperial Family was extremely important.

At this critical juncture, they could not allow Han, Chu, and the other countries to exploit an opening.

Otherwise, even a minor matter could be enough to affect the greater situation.

Minister Chen's Daughter possessed profound cultivation. Arranging for her to enter the palace might prove useful at a critical moment.

On the other hand, separating the Minister of Works from the others would prevent him from forming a faction with them, making it easier to maintain balance within the court in the future.

"As you command, Your Majesty." Feng Dabao lowered his head and acknowledged the order.