"Targeting Wei Sizhong? Northern Liang reacted faster than I expected."
Yang Qing said calmly, "It seems the north still places great value on Wei Sizhong."
"Young master, how should we respond?"
Bu Er prompted him.
"Since they insist on protecting him, we'll make sure they lose the lady and their troops besides."
With that, Yang Qing slowly rose. "Help me bathe and change. I'm going to seek an audience with His Majesty."
"You're going to see His Majesty at this hour?"
Bu Er glanced at the sky outside. "It's almost dark. They'll probably be locking the gates of the Imperial City soon."
"There's heavy rain coming today. We still have an hour before the gates are locked."
Yang Qing headed inside as he spoke. "Success or failure hinges on this one move. We mustn't let the opportunity slip."
At those words, Bu Er immediately collected himself. He summoned the household servants to bring hot water, personally helped Yang Qing bathe, then assisted him in putting on his court robes.
Afterward, he drove the carriage himself, taking Yang Qing into the palace.
The Imperial Study, inside the Imperial City.
Chu Jinghui had finished reviewing all the memorials on his imperial desk and was about to set down his brush when Eunuch Zhang came to report, "Your Majesty, Lord Yang has entered the palace to request an audience."
"Yang Chengming? Have his injuries healed? It has indeed been some time since I last saw him. Show him in!"
"As you command!"
Eunuch Zhang backed out with his body bowed. A short while later, Chu Jinghui saw Yang Qing approaching slowly in formal attire.
"Your subject bows before Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"
The moment Yang Qing saw Chu Jinghui, he