The majestic Forbidden City loomed.
As he climbed the white marble steps, Jia Huan suddenly stopped and said with a smile:
"For Her Majesty the Empress to summon an outside official to Fengyi Palace violates court protocol."
"As a Pacification Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I have all the more reason to uphold propriety in everything."
The python-robed eunuch had no answer and hurried away.
Jia Huan's smile faded.
In principle, an empress, the mother of the realm, would never resort to sordid harem schemes-such as arranging for several alluring consorts in revealing dresses to appear, then proclaiming him guilty of debauching the imperial harem.
But with the current empress, he had to be on guard!
He waited for the time it took to drink two cups of tea.
The python-robed eunuch returned with a message:
"Her Majesty the Empress is in Sweet Dew Hall. She orders you to attend her immediately."
Jia Huan nodded and followed closely.
Upon entering the hall, where eunuchs and palace maids stood in orderly ranks, he bowed in solemn respect and said:
"This humble official pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Empress Yin wore a five-colored phoenix gown. A faint gloom shadowed her dignified, graceful face. The moment she saw this beast, Qi'er's despairing eyes flashed through her mind, twisting her heart like a knife!
This was a vicious dog of a rare breed, one that turned on its own master!
But in His Majesty's eyes, this vicious dog still had great use: he could tear into the Retired Emperor's loyal supporters!
Yet she had to endure the agony of losing her son, day and night. She missed Qi'er so much she was nearly going mad!
Sweet Dew Hall sank into a prolonged, deathly silence, its oppressive atmosphere stretched to the breaking point.