Near the end of the Hour of the Monkey, in the Imperial Garden.
The emperor and empress sat quietly in a pavilion, their fingers interlaced as they admired the scenery.
Led by a Palace Maid, a man in a Purple Python Flying Fish Uniform approached with labored steps.
Qin Zhong looked gaunt and haggard. Forcing himself to remain composed, he bowed:
"This old servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingde turned around and teased him:
"I heard you shut yourself in your study and went three days and nights without eating."
Qin Zhong remained silent. He had willingly allowed Eunuchs to take up residence in the Qin Mansion to supervise him.
Emperor Jingde studied him and said mockingly:
"I thought you were going to hang yourself."
Qin Zhong's aged face was deathly pale, his heart filled with dread.
Emperor Jingde's smile vanished. His voice and expression suddenly turned fierce:
"Commanding Commissioner Qin, oh, Commanding Commissioner Qin. When you ran the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Azure Dragon Office, you never reported to me. You were only ever my father's loyal hound. Now that your master has ridden a crane into the heavens, how can his loyal hound cling to life?"
"If you have any backbone, draw your Embroidered Spring Saber and lay it across your throat!"
Qin Zhong lowered his head, overwhelmed with shame.
Emperor Jingde stared coldly at him.
After a long silence, Qin Zhong prostrated himself, pressing his forehead to the ground as he pleaded hoarsely:
"Please forgive this old servant's offense of disrespect, Your Majesty!"
Hearing that the Capital Camp nobles led by Wang Ziteng had escaped disaster had ignited a fierce desire to survive within him.
Every word Emperor Jingde spoke carried weight:
"Then let me see your worth!"
At those words, Qin Zhong felt as