Li Gongpu's residence.
It was already well into the latter half of the night, yet lights still burned in the main courtyard.
Li Gongpu sat in a room stripped down to its bare walls, but he no longer had the heart to worry about the antiques, paintings, and calligraphy he had treasured for years.
His retainer Du Mushan stood beside the Arhat Couch, his brow furrowed as he asked:
"Are you certain, Lord Li? His Majesty..."
Li Gongpu sighed softly. "Today in Linde Hall, I saw His Majesty cough up blood with my own eyes. And the way he looked at the Crown Prince... ah, if his time comes quickly, he might not even make it through this winter."
"Why hasn't there been any word in the Capital?"
"These are troubled times. How could something like this be allowed to stir up a storm throughout the city?"
Li Gongpu had meant to admire the painting and calligraphy His Majesty had bestowed upon him, only to discover that the Saint Thief had carried it off. Who knew whose hands it had fallen into now, to be sullied and toyed with? Heart aching bitterly, he withdrew his gaze again.
"His Majesty has always spoken to me about everything, yet he hasn't breathed a word of this even to me. I'm afraid he means to keep this old servant from taking a desperate risk. But this dangerous move is one I have no choice but to make."
Du Mushan felt that once this step was taken, the Li Residence would not be far from having its property confiscated.
Although an unidentified "Saint Thief" had already cleaned the place out once, at least they still had their heads.
The next confiscation wouldn't leave even a maid behind!
Du Mushan rubbed his fingers together. "As