Volume Three, Chapter Five

The little eunuch blinked, looking as if he understood only half of it. Then he saw Zhu Bafu raise her hand toward them in a gesture.

"Why aren't you thanking Your Majesty for his mercy?"

This time, they understood. Lord Zhu was not trying to harm them—she was trying to protect them while safeguarding herself. The two immediately dropped to their knees and knocked their heads against the floor in thanks. "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace."

"Get out." Zhao Huangpu looked away without comment, silently accepting Zhu Bafu's ingratiating plea. When he looked back, he unexpectedly found her about to leave the study with the Imperial Guards and the little eunuchs. A surge of anger flared in his chest. He took two steps down the jade stairs for every three, reached out, grabbed her slender wrist, and pulled her back to his side. "Who told you that you could leave with them? You're staying here."

The little eunuch did not dare linger. He closed the palace doors, leaving only the two of them inside.

Zhu Bafu courteously moved a little farther away, only to be glared at by him with a displeased frown.

"If you wanted to plead for them, why didn't you just say so?" Did she think she understood him that well?

"...This humble one did not know whether Your Majesty truly intended to behead them. Your Majesty's imperial authority is formidable, and this humble one did not dare contradict you."

"Hah. I'm rather used to having my proposals rejected." He glanced at the scattered documents covering the floor. Prime Minister Father had never feared his still-wet-behind-the-ears imperial authority. What he was not used to was her preserving his dignity. "They say a loyal minister should die remonstrating. What would happen if Zhu Boy disagreed with my