The third year of Xuanwu.
Luoyang.
A carriage stopped at the gates of the Imperial Palace. Before the attendants could help him down, an old man jumped straight out.
Several soldiers at the palace gates jogged over.
The old man was lean and tall, his expression rather dark and his gaze distinctly hostile. Streaks of gray threaded his hair, but did nothing to diminish his imposing air. The soldiers felt uneasy beneath his stare and hurriedly lowered their heads.
He strode toward the Imperial Palace. Just as he reached the gates, two men stepped into his path.
"Halt!"
The old man looked at the two men blocking him, raised his head slightly, and fixed his gaze on them, making no attempt to conceal the malice in his eyes.
"Great King!"
The two bowed in greeting.
"His Majesty is discussing important affairs and has ordered that no one be allowed into the Imperial Palace."
"Discussing important affairs?"
Cao Liang sneered. With a sharp flick of his long sleeve, an imperial edict appeared in his hand.
"I bear His Majesty's edict! Whoever bars my way dies!"
"Where is your edict?!"
The two froze, then answered blankly, "We received verbal instructions..."
Cao Liang showed the edict to the surrounding soldiers. "Arrest these two! Execute them after I have seen His Majesty!"
The soldiers immediately stepped forward and pinned the two officials to the ground.
The two were still crying out, "Great King! You must not do this! Great King!"
Cao Liang paid them no heed. Leading the others into the Imperial Palace, he strode toward the familiar Taiji Hall.
Inside Taiji Hall.
The kindly-faced emperor sat in the seat of honor, a faint smile on his face as he listened to the ministers, nodding from time to time.
Several ministers stood before him,