"Suotu, Guard Suotu, what wind has blown you my way?"
Hearing Bu Er announce the visitor, Yang Qing sat up in bed with Jiang Zhizhou's help and smiled at the figure hurrying inside.
"Lord Yang, you jest. Surely you already know why I have come. Why ask when you know the answer?"
Yang Qing did not answer. He merely pointed toward a nearby chair. "Guard Suotu, please sit!"
Suotu settled into the chair with casual ease and looked at Yang Qing. "Lord Yang, we serve the same master. Please do not take this to heart..."
"You worry too much, Guard Suotu. I harbor no such thoughts. His Majesty is an enlightened ruler, after all. He has his own measure of how each matter should be handled..."
"But in my view, His Majesty has handled this matter unfairly. Had you not exhausted your mind and strength, Lord Yang, who would have known of Wei Sizhong's wolfish ambitions?"
"If that traitor Wei had truly profited from his schemes, how great a loss would our Western Chu have suffered?"
The more Suotu spoke, the more agitated he became, and his voice unwittingly grew considerably louder.
Yang Qing hurriedly waved a hand, signaling him to stop. "Guard Suotu, I appreciate your goodwill. But His Majesty has already reached a verdict on Wei Sizhong's case, and neither you nor I can change the outcome. Be careful—disaster can spring from the mouth."
At Yang Qing's words, Suotu realized he had spoken out of turn, and a chill immediately crept down his back.
He gave Yang Qing an apologetic smile. "Thank you for the reminder, Lord Yang. I was rash."
After collecting himself, Suotu continued, "With your intelligence, Lord Yang, surely you have already guessed my purpose in coming?"
"Of course," Yang Qing replied.
"Then, Lord Yang,