Yes, the document Eunuch Zhao had submitted contained the confessions Duan Qin and Steward Chen had made, involving Prince Qi and Duan Yanxing's secret collusion.
Eunuch Zhao hurriedly said with utmost caution, "Please quell Your Majesty's anger. This may be slander. In a matter of such gravity, we cannot heed only one side's words."
"Moreover, both Duan Qin and Steward Chen said they were merely drinking tea and did not discuss any affairs of state."
"Did not discuss any affairs of state? Then how do you explain the words 'by Prince Qi's order'? What a vile son! Quite capable, quite capable indeed—he even managed to win over one of My most trusted generals?"
The Emperor panted and roared, but nearly twenty years on the throne still enabled him to force himself under control. He drew a heavy breath, sat down in his chair, and only after a long while summoned a guard. "You... go at once to the Imperial City Office. Have the man who arrested Duan Qin come to see Me!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The guard immediately accepted the order and left.
Before long, the eunuch from the Imperial City Office who had ordered Duan Qin and Steward Chen brought back from the teahouse hurried over. Upon entering, he fell to his knees and saluted the Emperor, who had resumed his seat.
"You were the one watching Duan Qin?" the Emperor asked from his seat.
The eunuch did not dare raise his head. Bowing low, he said, "In reply to Your Majesty, this servant was the one watching him!"
"Tell Me every detail of your findings. Do not conceal a single thing!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Naturally, this hastily summoned eunuch knew the intelligence he had gained from watching Duan Qin carried enormous consequences. Afraid of being made a scapegoat,