At the sight of the newcomer, Wei Sizhong could not help feeling a secret pang of alarm.
The man was none other than Suotu, the First-Rank Sword-Bearing Guard who served at Chu Jinghui's side and the commander of the Imperial Guards.
This gave Wei Sizhong a very bad feeling about the Imperial Edict in Suotu's hand.
Still, he was an old minister who had weathered more than a decade of ups and downs at Chu Jinghui's side.
Only a flicker of astonishment passed through Wei Sizhong's eyes before he quickly regained his composure.
"So it is Guard Suotu who honors me with his presence. In my present state, I am rather inconvenienced. Please forgive me, Guard Suotu."
Suotu glanced at him and said flatly, "Wei Sizhong, receive the edict!"
Dragging his heavy manacles and shackles, Wei Sizhong sank to his knees with agonizing slowness. He lowered his head, and his graying hair fell loose, concealing his eyes.
Suotu shook out the Imperial Edict, unfurled it, and read aloud, "Wei Sizhong is hereby commanded to proceed at once to the Heavenly Wave Pavilion for an audience with His Majesty. By imperial decree!"
At the words "an audience with His Majesty," another trace of surprise crossed Wei Sizhong's face, but he quickly suppressed it.
He replied, "This old minister accepts the decree!"
Suotu rolled up the Imperial Edict again and said coldly, "Wei Sizhong, hurry up. Do not keep His Majesty waiting!"
Wei Sizhong rose shakily once more and slowly followed Suotu, dragging his cold shackles.
The Heavenly Wave Pavilion stood a few hundred paces north of the Celestial Prison.
Though it was only a few hundred paces, for Wei Sizhong in his present condition, the journey was nothing short of torture.
The immensely heavy chains clamped around his ankles made every