Court adjourned, and the civil and military officials filed out.
Wei Nisheng walked among them in his scarlet robe, countless gazes following him from afar.
As he reached the Golden Water Bridge, several sets of hurried footsteps caught up from behind.
"Zi'an!"
Wang Kan reached him first, seized his sleeve, and demanded urgently in a lowered voice,
"Why did you agree?! You knew perfectly well it was Zou Mo's trap!"
Zhang Zai crowded forward too, his face flushed crimson. "Zi'an, you... once you leave, what will happen to the Ministry of Personnel? What will happen to us?"
Xie Lin came last. He said nothing, only looked at Wei Nisheng.
Shen Yi was still pushing Shen Duan along at the rear, watching with aching impatience but unable to come forward and ask.
Wei Nisheng stopped and looked back at them, just about to speak...
"Vice Director Wei! Vice Director Wei, please wait!"
A shrill voice came chasing after them from beyond the bridge.
They turned. It was Bao De.
Bao De hurried over at a jog. Without even stopping to catch his breath, he lowered his voice and said,
"His Highness requests your presence. Please come with this servant, Vice Director Wei."
Wei Nisheng glanced at the sky, then at the others.
At that instant, Xie Lin was looking at him too. Their eyes met, and without exchanging a word, the two clever men understood each other.
"I'll come talk to you another day," Wei Nisheng said softly.
With that, he turned and left with Bao De.
The others stood beside the bridge, watching that scarlet robe recede into the distance.
Wang Kan stamped his foot. "Tch! This... what kind of business is this!"
Zhang Zai stared blankly after him and murmured, "Zi'an... what on earth is he thinking?"
Xie Lin