It was already the third watch, yet candles still burned in Xuanwei Palace. Long Yelin, emperor of Great Kang, had not gone to sleep. An old eunuch stood beside him with his hands lowered respectfully: Quan Dean, the Seal-Holding Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.
"Why don't you sit?" Long Yelin's voice sounded weak and listless.
Quan Dean replied respectfully, "There is no place for a servant to sit in Your Majesty's presence."
These words seemed to touch Long Yelin. He could not help sighing. "After everything that has happened, you are still the one most loyal to me."
Quan Dean said, "This old servant would gladly have his liver and brains dashed upon the ground for Your Majesty."
Long Yelin sighed again, his eyes fixed on the palace lantern's flickering candlelight. He murmured, "He actually dared defy my decree."
Quan Dean said, "He has already left the palace and has yet to return."
Long Yelin asked, "Has he begun to suspect me?"
Quan Dean answered softly, "That should be impossible."
"Why didn't you send men after him and seize this chance to catch him in one net?" Long Yelin suddenly grew agitated.
Quan Dean said, "What happened tonight was truly suspicious. With his martial prowess and internal power, he should never have been wounded so severely. Had we sent men in pursuit, we might well have fallen into his trap, and our entire plan would have been exposed."
Long Yelin said, "A chance missed will never come again."
Quan Dean said, "He is not so easily dealt with. He probably rushed out of the palace because he sensed something was amiss and feared we would strike while he was weakened. Our greatest advantage now is that he does not know the poison in Your Majesty's body has been completely