After finally making it to Duoluo Hall and taking quite a few spirit pills, Xu Hongsheng had only just managed to recover.
Before long, a decree arrived from the palace, summoning him to explain the situation.
The commotion had been earth-shattering. Even Palace Master Yuan Zhongwen, who had stopped concerning himself with affairs, had been roused by it.
The Big Dipper Palace, perched high in the Ninth Heaven, was as cold and ethereal as a celestial palace on the moon.
Xu Hongsheng stood on a floating black stone cliff among the clouds. A voice came from the Ninth Heaven. "Hongsheng, have I truly stopped managing affairs, or do you think you're capable now, free to do whatever you please?"
Xu Hongsheng bowed to the ground. "Palace Master, please hear me out..."
He had barely begun when the voice from above interrupted him. "I really ought to retire. All I want is a little peace and quiet. If you won't even grant me that, then I'll have to take it that you're drawing your sword against me."
Xu Hongsheng prostrated himself and did not rise. "Hongsheng wouldn't dare. Once this matter is settled, everything within and beyond the palace will be calm again."
"That would be best. You may go."
Xu Hongsheng returned to Duoluo Hall and let out a long breath.
His move had been a dangerous gamble. Fang Zhongping had analyzed every angle for him.
As Xu Hongsheng saw it, there was no way his actions could escape the notice of Palace Master Yuan Zhongwen, who seemed to care about nothing.
After all, the scheme to kill Chen Fanghai and frame Xue Xiang was bound to have holes in it, no matter how it was carried out.
At its root, there was no motive for Xue Xiang to kill