Undercurrents stirred

The East Depot.

A handsome young man in a red python robe was practicing martial arts on the drill ground, wielding a double-ended spear.

He was the East Depot's first division chief, Zhao Jingzhong!

Just then, a woman in a close-fitting black robe strode over, her expression grave. "Senior brother!"

Zhao Jingzhong stopped practicing, put away his spear, and wiped the sweat from his brow. He glanced at her and asked coldly, "What is it?"

Wei Ting said gravely, "We just received word. Wan Yulou is dead!"

Whoosh!

Zhao Jingzhong's head snapped up, and he stared hard at her. "What did you say?!"

"Wan Yulou is dead!"

Wei Ting repeated herself.

A blazing light suddenly flared in Zhao Jingzhong's eyes. He tightened his grip on his spear and said, enunciating every word, "Our chance has come!"

He did not ask how Wan Yulou had died.

As long as Wan Yulou was dead, he would never let this chance to seize power slip away!

He was Wei Zhongxian's adopted son. After Wei Zhongxian's downfall, he had done a great deal to drive him out.

He had originally believed that once Wei Zhongxian left Ming, he would become the East Depot's new director.

Who could have known that Wan Yulou would come along instead?

Wan Yulou had served the emperor since childhood and enjoyed his profound favor. Zhao Jingzhong could do nothing about that. Besides, he was no match for Wan Yulou, so he could only suppress his ambitions for the time being.

But now that Wan Yulou was dead, his chance had come!

Anyone who tried to compete with him for the position of East Depot director would have to die!

His gaze icy, Zhao Jingzhong turned to Wei Ting. "Have our people prepare. We move tonight. Find Li Zhong and kill him!"

Li Zhong was the East Depot's deputy director. With Wan Yulou dead, he was the likeliest candidate to succeed him.

But why would Zhao Jingzhong give a second thought to a worthless fool who had only become deputy director by currying favor with Wan Yulou?!

Wei Ting did not leave. Instead, she continued, "There's something else. Wan Yulou was killed by a wandering swordsman named Zhao Huaian. Zhao Huaian slipped into the capital recently and killed quite a few East Depot men. Last night, he even went to Great Enlightenment Temple to assassinate Li Zhong, but failed."

"Zhao Huaian?"

Zhao Jingzhong frowned, then realization dawned on him. "No wonder Li Zhong did nothing despite so many people dying over the past few days. He must have been trying to conceal Wan Yulou's death."

He turned to Wei Ting and asked, "What was the outcome?"

"Li Zhong survived, but Zhao Huaian was killed by Yu Huatian, the West Depot's director!"

Wei Ting spoke in a low voice.

"Yu Huatian?"

Zhao Jingzhong's expression shifted slightly. "Why did the West Depot get involved too?!"

Wei Ting shook her head. "We don't know the details. Our informant only saw the West Depot's men surround Great Enlightenment Temple. That wandering swordsman, Zhao Huaian, died at Yu Huatian's hands. Then the West Depot's men withdrew, and Li Zhong returned to the East Depot last night."

Zhao Jingzhong's brows knitted tightly. "If Yu Huatian intervened, he must know about Wan Yulou's death. But instead of taking the opportunity to suppress the East Depot, he hunted down Wan Yulou's killer and saved Li Zhong? What exactly is he trying to do?"

Wei Ting said nothing. She did not understand what was going on either.

Zhao Jingzhong's expression shifted repeatedly, a deep worry lurking in his eyes.

He was deeply wary of Yu Huatian, the West Depot director who had left the East Depot and, in just six months, built the West Depot into a power capable of standing toe to toe with it.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Jingzhong took a deep breath and said gravely, "Send men to watch the West Depot's movements. As long as Yu Huatian doesn't interfere again, we can ignore him. Our priority is killing Li Zhong and eliminating our greatest threat. Then we'll find a way to grease the right palms and bring the East Depot under our control!"

Wei Ting reminded him, "Wan Yulou may be dead, but the experts under him are still here. We've won over quite a few people over the years, but Wan Yulou kept a close watch on us. With our current manpower, I'm afraid we won't be able to wipe out all his remaining followers!"

Zhao Jingzhong's brows furrowed slightly as well.

After a moment's consideration, his gaze flickered. "Then we'll enlist the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

He turned to Wei Ting. "Lu Wenzhao, a thousand-household commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has several capable experts under him. Tell them that if they kill Li Zhong for me, I'll give them anything they want!"

The Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Wei Ting pondered for a moment, then nodded and left without another word.

Zhao Jingzhong remained where he was, clutching his spear, his eyes glittering with excitement and exhilaration.

"Adoptive father, I've finally lived to see this day..."

Elsewhere in the East Depot.

A eunuch of about forty, dressed in a white python robe, sat drinking tea in his residence, his expression composed.

His name was Liu Xi, the East Depot's second division chief.

"Eunuch Liu! Eunuch Liu!"

"Something huge has happened!"

Just then, a young eunuch rushed in and said excitedly, "Someone just received word that Eunuch Wan was killed by a wandering swordsman named Zhao Huaian!"

"Hmm?"

Liu Xi's expression changed slightly. He sprang to his feet and turned to the young eunuch. "Is the news reliable?!"

The young eunuch said excitedly, "During the Longjiang Navy's inspection, that wandering swordsman, Zhao Huaian, beheaded Eunuch Wan with a single stroke! Countless people witnessed it. The news came from the navy itself!"

Liu Xi was immediately overjoyed and burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Good! Excellent!"

"With Wan Yulou dead, who can compete with me for the director's position?"

"That useless Li Zhong? Is he even worthy?!"

The young eunuch said quietly, "Eunuch Liu, First Division Chief Zhao Jingzhong has probably received the news too. He may also make a move."

Liu Xi said disdainfully, "Zhao Jingzhong merely gathered a bunch of Wei Zhongxian's remaining followers by trading on his status as Wei Zhongxian's adopted son. With his paltry strength, he thinks he can compete with me for the director's position?"

"If he dares make a move, I'll let him taste my Energy-Absorbing Great Method!"

"Gather our men immediately!"

Liu Xi turned to the young eunuch and ordered, "There's no time to lose. We begin tonight!"

"Yes, Eunuch Liu!"

The young eunuch accepted his orders and left.

Liu Xi walked to the doorway and gazed at the sunset clouds on the horizon. Boundless arrogance surged in his eyes as he snorted coldly. "This time, I will win!"

Beneath the same sky, within the imperial palace.

Pavilions dotted the lush green imperial gardens. In a long, circular corridor, several palace maids in colorful robes surrounded a beautiful woman in luxurious emerald clothing, their eyes lowered.

The beautiful woman carried herself with graceful grandeur. She had red lips, almond-shaped eyes, and features as exquisite as a painting. In her arms, she held an expensive Shih Tzu whose furry head kept nuzzling against her ample bosom, drawing a string of coy protests from her.

Just then, the Shih Tzu's nose twitched as though it had caught a familiar scent. It immediately began struggling, eager to escape the embrace countless men dreamed of.

Unable to hold it, the beautiful woman had no choice but to set it down. The moment its paws touched the ground, however, it dashed ahead, refusing to look back no matter how she called.

"Your Highness."

A palace maid hurried over and curtsied. "Eunuch Yu of the West Depot has been waiting at Cining Palace for some time."

The beautiful woman's almond eyes lit up. Watching the Shih Tzu race ahead without looking back, she gave a coy huff. "No wonder this little beast won't behave. What a sharp nose."

Despite her words, she quickened her pace and followed the Shih Tzu toward Cining Palace.

Cining Palace.

Dressed in a silvery-white python robe, Yu Huatian sat calmly in a guest chair, waiting in silence.

According to his memories, he had been here many times, and he knew exactly what sort of woman owned this palace. He therefore felt no restraint, holding a cup of tea and gently skimming its surface with the lid.

"Woof, woof..."

A burst of barking suddenly came from outside, followed by a tiny Shih Tzu running in. Small as it was, it was hardly slow. In the blink of an eye, it reached Yu Huatian's feet, wagging its tail and sniffing the tops of his shoes, its bright eyes full of ingratiating affection.

Yu Huatian smiled, set down his tea, and picked up the Shih Tzu. A delicate fragrance immediately drifted into his nose.

Without even thinking, he knew who had arrived.

Sure enough, moments later, footsteps sounded, and the beautiful woman's soft, coquettish voice came from outside the hall. "My darling little Happy Fruit, come here..."

The corner of Yu Huatian's mouth twitched. He had no idea whether this wanton woman was calling him or the precious pedigree dog from the Western Regions in his arms.

Handing the Shih Tzu to a nearby palace maid, Yu Huatian rose to greet the beautiful woman as she entered, cupping his hands in salute. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Consort Wan gave him a look that was half reproach, half flirtation, pressing almost her entire body against his. "We haven't seen each other for only a few days, and you're already treating me like a stranger?"

Helpless, Yu Huatian waved a hand. The palace maids tactfully withdrew, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.

Yu Huatian cursed inwardly. It took a long while before he suppressed the flames within him.

The beautiful woman gave him a reproachful look. "What? Can't I summon you to the palace unless I have business?"

"You're too harsh, Your Highness. Whenever you command, no matter how busy this servant may be, I must come at once to please you."

The beautiful woman gave a coy huff. "At least you have some conscience."

"I hear you went to stir up trouble with the East Depot again?"

At her words, Yu Huatian's movements paused briefly before he resumed what he was doing as though nothing had happened. A cold glint, however, flashed through his eyes.

It only happened last night, and word has already reached the palace?

How interesting...

Consort Wan glanced at him, seemingly understanding his displeasure, and huffed softly. "I sent you to the West Depot and put the palace's power in your hands so you could keep the palace maids in check and climb into my embroidered bed behind His Majesty's back. Why involve yourself in the East Depot's affairs?"

"The East Depot isn't easy to provoke. Even His Majesty is wary of it. I only had people keep an eye on happenings outside the palace because I was worried you might get hurt!"

Yu Huatian smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. How could this servant ever betray your trust?"

"Rest assured, Your Highness. If His Majesty so much as gives any palace maid a lingering glance, she certainly won't live to see the next day."

"As long as this servant remains, I will never allow anyone to threaten your position."

Consort Wan half sat up and caressed Yu Huatian's face with both hands, her eyes filled with infatuation. "Of course I trust you. If only you weren't a eunuch. I would rather give up being a noble consort in this secluded palace and fly away with you, paired like birds..."

An actor's words could not be taken seriously. How were a noble consort's words any different?

If you really had to abandon all your wealth and splendor to wander the world with me, you'd probably turn around and kill me!

Yu Huatian said softly, "Alas, our love grew deep the moment we met; my only regret is that we did not meet sooner. Had this servant met you earlier, I would never have entered the palace as a eunuch."

"Our love grew deep the moment we met; my only regret is that we did not meet sooner... What beautiful words!"

Consort Wan sighed plaintively, her eyes filled with loneliness, then continued, "His Majesty's health worsens by the day. Who knows how much longer he can hold on?"

"The imperial physician advised him to be more active. In a few days, His Majesty plans to leave the palace and visit the shores of Ming Lake to relax..."

"His Majesty is leaving the palace?"

Yu Huatian frowned.

"Yes!"

Consort Wan said plaintively, "Of course I'll have to accompany him. Then I won't see you for ages again, and you don't care about me at all."

Yu Huatian said quietly, "How could this servant not care about you, Your Highness? But I am now the West Depot's director, responsible for the imperial city's safety. I cannot abandon my post without permission."

"I don't know whether sending you to the West Depot was a good thing or a bad thing anymore." Consort Wan sounded displeased.

"I don't care. You must come to the palace and keep me company over the next few days!"

But Yu Huatian's thoughts had already drifted far away.

The emperor leaving the palace might well be a good thing.

He could use this opportunity to seize complete control of the East Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and bring the imperial court into his hands!

(End of chapter)