Prince Dai's Residence
As dawn broke and the sky brightened, a group of people was summoned to the open space before the main courtyard. They arrived in a disorderly stream according to their assigned order, only to find estate guards standing there one after another, sabers at their waists and expressions blank.
The early winter wind carried a faint chill as it swept over them, making the group shudder. Most of those called here had already guessed what this was about. After all, they knew perfectly well what they had done yesterday.
Even Zhao Ba, who had leaped about most joyfully, had already been seized. They had heard wave after wave of miserable screams, until even the sound vanished. This was terribly bad. If Zhao Ba had met such an end, what would become of the rest of them?
At that thought, no one said a word, their hearts pounding wildly. Before long, Su Ziji arrived with Wild Daoist, Wen Xunpeng, Hui Dao, and the others.
The hundred-odd people had already been uneasy. At the sight of him, the entire place fell silent at once. They merely offered a collective An. "Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, gentlemen!"
"Rise." Su Ziji's smile was sincere as he swept his gaze over them. "The Princess Consort has given birth to an heir. I feel that you have all worked hard, so I have rewarded you with silver, food, and wine. Surely you do not find the gift too meager?"
They exchanged looks. One bolder person said, "Your Highness has always treated us generously. Our monthly wages and rewards exceed those of other Prince's Residences. We already feel undeserving of such favor. Who could possibly think it insufficient?"
Su Ziji nodded, seeming very pleased. Smiling, he said, "I have seen every instance in which you