Had the people of Chu, especially the officials at court, seen this scene, they would surely have been stunned speechless.
Kneeling before the emperor was only natural, even if he was an idiot emperor-but this was Grand Academician Zhang!
Liu S sui naturally knew who had masterminded this attempted murder, and what this Grand Academician meant to Chu, yet he thought this perfectly normal.
He asked Jing Jiu for instructions. "Kill him?"
Grand Academician Zhang's expression did not change, as though he had not heard those words, nor did he turn to flee.
By entering the hall alone, he had already made his position clear.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Jing Jiu waved a hand, signaling for the Grand Academician to rise.
Grand Academician Zhang said, "Your Majesty, this was not my intention."
"I know," Jing Jiu said.
Grand Academician Zhang fell silent for a while, then said, "Your Majesty, if you wish to rule personally, I can at any time..."
"I don't."
Jing Jiu did not let him finish. "Treat this as though it never happened. Clean up the aftermath yourself."
Grand Academician Zhang left the Imperial Palace to deal with the aftermath, not forgetting to have the palace maids and eunuchs brought back. His Majesty could hardly be left without attendants.
The palace gates were shut tight, and the imperial guards surrounded them so densely that not a drop could get through. Never mind assassins-even the flies newly drawn by the smell of blood could no longer get inside.
The eunuchs and palace maids were terrified, not knowing when the gates might open to usher in a massacre. They trembled all night.
The next day, the sun rose as usual.
The palace gates opened, and the imperial guards withdrew. The Imperial Palace shone brilliantly in the morning light.