Two imperial guards rushed over and dragged out Imperial Physician Hua Zhong, who lay on the floor, his fate unknown. Emperor Chen's anger had yet to abate. He spat viciously. "You worthless cur! To think I placed such trust in you!"
Watching this, Ding Feiyong could not help feeling suspicious.
He had known Zhao Chang-the former Second Prince and now Emperor Chen-for many years and understood him well. The man was a master of scheming, concealed his emotions, and usually left himself room to maneuver.
Yet today, before Hua Zhong could finish speaking, he had kicked him to death. This clearly ran counter to his usual temperament. What could have caused it?
Ding Feiyong betrayed nothing on his face. He slowly escorted Emperor Chen and the assembled ministers outside, then bowed in thanks.
Emperor Chen climbed into his imperial carriage, then seemed to recall something. Turning to Ding Feiyong, he said, "My loyal minister, Minister Ding and the Former Emperor were once the closest of friends. Minister Ding was loyal to the imperial family, bending his back to the task and exhausting himself in its service. His achievements benefited the realm. I... intend to honor him with rites befitting royalty and order the Ministry of Works to build his tomb beside the imperial mausoleum. Feiyong, what do you think?"
Envy appeared on the faces of all the ministers accompanying him.
Rites befitting royalty, and burial beside the imperial mausoleum-since ancient times, such an honor had been reserved for ministers whom the emperor valued most, or who had rendered unparalleled service.
"When my father was alive, he often reminded me that our ancestral graves lay far away in the Shu Region, and that not a day or night passed without his thinking of them. He asked me to bury him at