What was going on?
The Emperor had just seemed ready to rebuke Prince Qi and Prince Shu. Why had he changed his mind in such a short time?
Ma Shunde did not know why this sudden change had occurred. He did not dare ask now and could only acknowledge the order. Rising, he did not leave immediately, waiting to see whether the Emperor had anything else to say.
Sure enough, after pondering for a while, the Emperor added, "Also, Huo True Person has an assignment to carry out and may need personnel. Give him your cooperation."
"Yes." Ma Shunde bowed again in acknowledgment.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. Could it be that the Emperor favored and trusted Huo Wuyong, and was entrusting him with some secret matter of great importance?
Yet when he glanced at Huo Wuyong from the corner of Yu's eye, the man looked gloomy and showed little delight.
After the two left the main hall and stepped outside, an autumn gust cleared Ma Shunde's somewhat muddled head. He looked again at Huo True Person. They were still on the high steps, with eunuchs and guards all around, so it was inconvenient to say anything at once. His thoughts twisted and turned a hundred times over.
As they walked together, they encountered several officials hurrying along. Seeing Ma Shunde, the chief eunuch who held considerable standing before the Emperor, they were far more courteous than before.
Ma Shunde did not care whether these men cursed him inwardly. Watching these Presented Scholars who had become officials forced to lower their heads before him filled him with satisfaction.
Huo Wuyong, on the other hand, maintained the same dead-man's face whether before the Emperor, before Ma Shunde, or before these officials.
Remembering how Huo Wuyong had mistrusted him in the