Divine Capital, Peaceful Ward.
At the end of Peaceful Street stood several residences with towering walls and green-tiled roofs-the separate estate Wang Xifeng had purchased earlier.
At that moment, the women of the Jia Family paced back and forth through the courtyard, their anxiety mounting as time slipped by.
Like everyone else under heaven, they were waiting for the outcome of the Court Deliberation.
Suddenly.
"Cunzhou, Cunzhou!"
The clatter of hooves faded, but the cries continued.
A blue-robed official swung down from his horse and hurried through the entrance. It was Qin Ye, Construction Director of the Ministry of Works, and Qin Keqing's father.
Hearing the news, Jia Zheng hastened out to greet him, his face taut and his heart pounding like a wildly beaten drum.
He stared fixedly at Qin Ye.
Qin Ye caught his breath and said excitedly:
"Lord Jia has been restored to office, invested as Regent King, granted the Nine Bestowments, and given command of all armies under heaven!"
Jia Zheng's aged eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. Color visibly flooded his face as he lowered his voice and asked:
"Who is the new sovereign?"
Qin Ye enunciated every word:
"The young Imperial Prince Jue."
"Who?" Jia Zheng asked blankly.
Qin Ye spoke rapidly:
"His mother was a palace maid. His Majesty is only two years and six months old."
Jia Zheng jolted, and only one thought remained in his mind-
A powerful minister!
Yet Construction Director Qin's exhilarated voice rang beside his ear:
"Lord Jia has resolved to mobilize the entire nation against Northern Mang!"
Jia Zheng's pupils contracted sharply, and even his beard trembled as he asked hoarsely:
"Was... was there fierce opposition at court?"
"They all agreed!" Qin Ye grew increasingly excited as he described the Court Deliberation in detail, recounting how