The Imperial Court had not announced the news during the court deliberations.
Instead, an envoy had been dispatched to notify Wang Xiang directly of the appointment.
Wang Xiang had told no one, either. Aside from Sima Zhao, who had issued the imperial edict, and the Central Secretariat, which had drafted it, probably only Lu Yu knew.
He had come to pay his respects immediately after accepting the appointment. How had the emperor learned the news so quickly?
The emperor had asked him about candidates for Inspector of the Capital. Clearly, he already knew that Wang Xiang had been promoted to Grand Minister of Ceremonies.
Wang Xiang had always thought that Sima Yan had inadvertently revealed important information. But the problem was that Sima Yan now served in the Central Army and was not in the Imperial Palace at all.
Wang Xiang was quite alarmed.
Could the emperor have other ministers in the Imperial Palace?
In the Central Secretariat?
Or in the Grand General's Residence?
No, the Grand General's subordinates could not easily approach the emperor. Officials of the Central Secretariat, on the other hand, could remain in the Imperial Palace... Meng Kang of the Central Secretariat? Could it be...
Wang Xiang's eyes widened as an utterly terrifying conjecture formed in his mind.
When the matter concerning Zhuge Dan had leaked, Wang Xiang had found it strange. He had not thought Jia Chong capable of doing such a thing.
And now, there was someone who had known the Grand General's movements back then, who could meet with the emperor at any time, who had even defended the emperor repeatedly and received a reward from him. He had taken part in every plot against the emperor and had even helped advance Wang Xiang's appointment...
Zhong Hui?!
Cao Mao found it very strange.