The commander of the Ironclad Guard was one of the hyenas His Majesty kept, naturally adept at reading the imperial will. His words sounded lofty and righteous, and before long, someone echoed him.
"Commander Huang, are you afraid? This matter concerns your Ironclad Guard. If he is handed over to you, he will likely die in your Ironclad Guard's black prison by tomorrow."
"You—"
"Enough, enough. What are you arguing over? He is only a scholar. Since he is blind, comfort him properly. As for the culprit, My dear minister may investigate on his own. Since it concerns the Ironclad Guard, Commander Huang may assist from the side. What do you two think?"
The two accepted the order, and the deathly early court session soon drew to a close.
Meanwhile, not long after Old Master Lu returned home, he fell ill—so ill he could scarcely leave his bed. The Lu Household summoned an imperial physician overnight and even submitted a memorial to the palace. Empress Lu had originally been reciting scriptures in the Buddhist hall. Upon hearing that her father was critically ill, she snapped her prayer beads in her hand. After much deliberation, she still decided to leave the palace and see him.
There was no snow tonight, yet the cold remained biting. Empress Lu possessed a dignified grace. Though she was no longer young, one could still glimpse the peerless beauty of her youth. Wrapped in a cloak, she arrived at the Lu Residence under the escort of her confidants and soon saw her father.
"Father, you..."
"If I had not feigned illness, would you have come to see this old man? Your Majesty the Empress, must you truly kill them all?"
Empress Lu's heart clenched. She immediately understood. "So it was you who saved him. No wonder