As he watched Yang Qing leave, Wei Sizhong's pallor gave way to composure.
He glanced around, then gave a soft cough.
At the sound, a jailer hurried over.
"Wei Sizhong, behave yourself. His Majesty has already given his orders. Just stay quietly in your cell."
"Perhaps one day His Majesty will remember your former loyalty and grant you a dignified death."
The jailer cursed at Wei Sizhong as he leaned against the cell door.
"What exactly is happening outside?"
Wei Sizhong also drew closer and spoke to him in a low voice.
"My lord chancellor, things look very bad. What are your instructions?"
Wei Sizhong considered briefly, then said, "Find a way to bring my household's steward here."
"Rest assured, my lord chancellor. I'll see it done."
With that, the jailer swiftly left Wei Sizhong's cell.
Wei Sizhong turned and slowly walked back to the pile of straw, then sat down with perfect composure.
It was as though the man who had blanched in horror upon receiving the Imperial Edict had been someone else entirely.
That night, the other jailers guarding Wei Sizhong were busy eating and drinking, occasionally casting a glance in his direction.
"People really never know when they have enough."
"They gain power that reaches the heavens and still want more. If you want to know where that leads, just look at our lord chancellor's predicament."
"Keep your voice down. Knowing His Majesty's temperament, he might turn a big matter into a small one, then a small one into nothing at all after a while."
At that, they could not help casting a few glances toward Wei Sizhong.
His eyes were half closed as he sat upright on the straw, motionless, as though he had heard nothing.
The jailers looked away and were about to continue when