Just as Qi Yanzhen was wavering, a eunuch hurried in to report:
"Your Majesty, people from the Witch Tribe have arrived!"
Qi Yanzhen shot to his feet and asked:
"Where are they?"
"Right outside the Imperial Palace. They're demanding an audience with Your Majesty."
Qi Yanzhen's expression turned ugly.
Previously, the Witch Tribe's chief had written to ask whether he had seen Yuan Ling, the traitor to their tribe. He had lied and claimed he had not.
Now that people from the Witch Tribe had arrived, they must have discovered that Feiye was Yuan Ling.
The Witch Tribe was not to be trifled with. What was he supposed to do now?
Qi Yanzhen now understood all too well what it meant to hear enemy songs on every side!
Qi Yanzhen paced back and forth in the Imperial Study. Since the Witch Tribe already knew about Feiye, all he could do was stall for time.
Only after a long while did Qi Yanzhen tell the eunuch:
"Have the Ministry of Rites escort the Witch Tribe's people to the Post Station and settle them in first.
"They've had a long journey. Let them get some proper rest. Whatever business they have can wait until they've rested."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The eunuch left, but Qi Yanzhen could not calm down at all. He had no idea how things had reached this point.
He was now beset by trouble within and threats without. How was he supposed to resolve the crisis before him?
Qi Yanzhen had thought himself into a dizzy haze when, to his surprise, that eunuch returned:
"Your Majesty, the Witch Tribe's people refuse to leave the Palace Gate. They insist that we hand over Yuan Ling, the traitor to their tribe, and give the Witch Tribe an explanation."
In a rage,