The Emperor Arrives

Outside the Imperial Prison of Dali Temple.

An unmarked carriage stood alone before the vermilion gates.

Several palace guards in plain clothes rested their hands on their sabers, their expressions wary.

Creak—

The heavy gates slowly swung open.

Wei Wenda followed close behind a figure, his back bowed.

The man walked so fast he nearly stumbled, all the composure and majesty he had arrived with gone.

"Your Majesty, mind the step."

The old eunuch hurried forward to help him.

The emperor brushed him aside.

By the dim light of the lanterns beside the gate, the old eunuch saw the emperor's face.

It was white as paper.

His eyes held both shock and disbelief.

"Quick!"

The emperor did not even wait for the mounting stool to be set in place before scrambling into the carriage.

"To Prince Jing's Residence!"

"Now! At once!"

The old eunuch's heart lurched.

He had served in the palace for most of his life and had never seen his master lose his composure like this.

What on earth had Lord Wei told him inside?

"What are you standing there for?!"

A furious shout rang out from the carriage.

"Yes... yes!"

The old eunuch dared not dwell on it. He scrambled onto the driver's seat.

"Hyah—!!!"

The carriage shot off like an arrow loosed from the string, shattering the silence before the Imperial Prison as it raced toward Chongren Ward.

Inside the carriage.

Wei Wenda's words exploded through the emperor's mind again and again like thunder.

"Your Majesty, I did not mean to deceive you."

"It's simply that the matter concerning Jiang Xun was too shocking to speak of."

A baby girl.

The Azure Bird Dragon-Patterned Pendant.

And that dazzling martial talent, as though bestowed by heaven itself.

At that moment, every clue fell into place.

Seventeen