Imperial Palace
It was deep into the night. The Emperor had just finished reviewing memorials when a whim struck him, and he intended to summon some young, low-ranking consort to attend him in the hall.
He had only just ordered a eunuch to bring over the consorts' name tablets when, before he could choose anyone, Eunuch Zhao came hurrying in from outside. His face was slick with sweat, glistening greasy beneath the candlelight.
At the sight, the Emperor grew somewhat impatient.
"Withdraw first!" He waved away the eunuch holding the tablets, then looked down from on high at Eunuch Zhao, who had knelt to pay his respects.
"You came to see Me in such a hurry. What has happened now?"
"Even if June is hot, surely you should not be sweating this much?"
Had this old thing, after serving at his side for so long, forgotten his place? Had he even forgotten such basic etiquette?
But as the thought flashed through his mind, the Emperor dismissed it. No! Since this old bastard rushed here to see Me, something serious must have happened!
Eunuch Zhao, kneeling before him, kept his head bowed low, yet did not immediately speak.
Something was wrong here!
Eunuch Zhao was an old servant who had long attended him. If it were a trivial matter, he would not have rushed before him only to say nothing!
"What is it? Has something major happened again?" Alarm rose in the Emperor's heart as he spoke flatly.
"This servant dares not speak of it," Eunuch Zhao said with his head lowered.
"You old servant, I pardon you. Speak!" The Emperor frowned.
"This servant still dares not speak of it." Eunuch Zhao kept his head lowered, but raised a written confession high above his head.
Seeing that even now this old