Sima Gan stared at Xiahou Xian in terror.
The officers who had arrived were also dumbstruck at the sight.
Some exchanged glances, confusion in their eyes.
What was going on? Hadn't they said Lord Wang was coming?
Sima Gan immediately shouted, "Zhong Hui! We obey only the General of the Guards' edicts! Whose edict are you acting on?"
"Fool! Can you still not see it?!"
Zhong Hui's face was stern, his gaze full of disappointment as he looked at Sima Gan.
"Who gave me my post as Minister of the Imperial Clan?!"
"Who gave Commandant Ma his position?"
"And how did Lord Xiahou get here from Hebei?"
"Now His Majesty is threatened by traitors at court and imprisoned in the Imperial Palace! Luoyang is in chaos! The General of the Guards is away and cannot intervene in time. Shouldn't Lord Xiahou lead the army to crush the traitors?"
Sima Gan felt a little dizzy.
Zhong Hui's position had come from Second Brother, and Ma Long had been appointed by Second Brother. Without Second Brother's approval, Xiahou Xian could never have reached Luoyang. And now the ministers had gone to war against the emperor, while Second Brother was away from Luoyang. Was he having the Imperial Clan step forward to crush the ministers outright, deal with the emperor along with them, and then reclaim supreme power??
Zhong Hui had said nothing outright about any scheme. He had merely recounted what had happened, and every word was true. He wanted the other man to put those truths together himself.
Yet Sima Gan still felt something was wrong.
If Ma Long and Zhong Hui were both on their side, why hadn't Second Brother told him?
This wasn't right. Something was wrong!
Seeing Sima Gan still hesitate, Zhong Hui grew even angrier. "Fine, fine!"