The three entered the Night Guard compound and strolled toward Chunfeng Residence, chatting as they went.
"The capital has been so lively lately. You wouldn't know, shut away in the Fate Arts Teahouse, but the two of us explored all of Everlasting Street and heard plenty of rumors," Yu Ping said.
"You mean you ate your way through Everlasting Street, right? Tell me what you heard."
"I have to say, people living right under the Imperial City's walls really have nerve. They talk about the succession struggle with noses and eyes attached, as if they'd seen it themselves. Things like how His Majesty was born in the Land of Shu, which lies in the west and belongs to metal, so naturally metal generates water, and the Prince of Chu has a water fate, so naturally he'll ascend the throne..."
"His Majesty was born in the Land of Shu? Now I remember. The late emperor spent a while touring the realm-about half a year. Some of his consorts accompanied him, including the empress dowager. What else?"
"Mostly complaints. Complaining that Daren Song has filled the Divine Capital with smoke and foul fumes. But some people argued that it wasn't Daren Song's fault, that times were bad, and without him, the Divine Capital would be even more doomed..."
The three passed through the Moon-Embracing Gate and followed the path of multicolored pebbles. After a few steps, Li Qingxian suddenly stopped.
Yu Ping continued talking. "They say those Inner Factory eunuchs are each more vicious than the last. They use every sort of method to crack your bones and suck out the marrow... Why did we stop?"
Yu Ping looked up and saw several officials approaching them from the entrance to Chunfeng Residence.
The Night Guard officials froze for a moment, then their