"Strange. Why would His Majesty give me this assignment?"
As Ma Shunde emerged from the great hall, several palace maids hastily bowed to him. He strode straight past without so much as a nod, his expression calm, though inwardly he felt as if a kitten were scratching away inside him. He was deeply curious and uneasy.
At first, when the emperor summoned him, he had felt rather pleased with himself, especially when he saw that brute Zhao.
So what if he had returned? I was still someone His Majesty trusted.
But once he entered the hall, although the emperor did indeed have a task for him, it was something Ma Shunde had never imagined before going in. Even now, he still felt somewhat dazed.
"His Majesty said someone reported that the Spring Examinations questions might have been leaked, and ordered me to investigate."
Ma Shunde had stolen a glance at the emperor's expression when he said those words. Even now, his legs still felt a little weak. That chilling darkness left him shaken.
Why would His Majesty give me this assignment? Surely this was something for a censor or a specially appointed court official.
Even if not a minister, some supervisory agency should handle it.
Our dynasty did not forbid eunuchs from handling certain affairs, but a eunuch investigating leaked Spring Examinations questions-surely this was a first?
This was not actually a matter for the Imperial City Office. But reasonable or not, it was the emperor's command. He only needed to remember that and carry it out diligently.
"Sir!"
As he made his way out, not only palace maids and eunuchs but guards as well bowed to him, filling Ma Shunde with satisfaction.
Power!
He was increasingly aware of the delights power brought. He had to take this assignment seriously.