Zhao Feng had just stepped out of the imperial study.
But a supervising palace matron blocked his way.
"By decree of the Empress Dowager, General of Huaiyuan Zhao Feng is summoned to an audience," the matron said.
Zhao Feng paused and glanced back. There was no movement inside the imperial study.
Li Cheng'en, standing at the entrance, also acted as though he had neither heard nor seen anything.
"As commanded. Sorry for the trouble, Matron. Please lead the way." Zhao Feng followed her through the corridors, leaving the imperial study and heading toward the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility.
Only after a long walk did they reach the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility. It was quiet and elegant, with incense curling through the warmly inviting hall, utterly unlike the solemn imperial study. A plain beaded curtain hung inside, with a figure seated behind it.
Zhao Feng bowed. "Your subject Zhao Feng pays his respects to Your Highness the Empress Dowager."
After a while, the Empress Dowager's gentle yet distant voice came from behind the curtain. "Rise, Minister Zhao." Dispensing with pleasantries, she went straight to the point. "I have heard of your many remarkable achievements. His Majesty also has high hopes for you and personally praised you as a pillar of Great Yan."
"His Majesty is too generous."
The Empress Dowager smiled faintly.
"I hear you were born a hunter, Minister Zhao?"
"That is correct."
"Having risen step by step from humble beginnings, you should understand all the more how hard-won this honor and standing are. One wrong step, and you will plunge into a bottomless abyss."
The Empress Dowager shifted her tone.
"Minister Zhao, I hope you will remember that whatever is too rigid breaks easily. You must learn to recognize the tides of the times."
The air in the Palace