Zhengming Gate was a side entrance to the Imperial Palace. Contrary to its name, it was not particularly bright, but dark and quiet, and looked somewhat frightening.
The young emperor looked at the long, shadowy passage before him and thought of the message the palace servants had delivered earlier. His face was rather pale.
Given his temperament, he would have liked nothing better than to turn around and leave, returning to Hejian Prefecture to be its heir. But five years ago, his mother had told him that if he went to the Capital, nothing else mattered, so long as he firmly remembered two things-show filial respect to Her Majesty the Empress, and do not offend Eunuch He.
He did not understand what was so frightening about that eunuch, or why all of Zhao fell as silent as cicadas in winter before him. Still less did he understand why, if he became emperor, he would have to abase himself before a eunuch. It did not matter that he could not understand. His mother had used an extreme method to make him remember this, so that he could never forget.
Not long after saying those words five years ago, his mother had died of illness.
Everyone knew that it was because she had to die.
A state could not have two rulers, nor could an emperor have two mothers.
Thinking of these things, the boy grew even paler. He drew a deep breath and walked through the palace gate.
Seeing this, the officials finally relaxed.
The histories recorded that Eunuch He Zhan had spoken only one sentence during the new emperor's accession. This was, of course, untrue.
It was simply that no one but the young emperor could hear what he said.
The side hall of Wenhua Hall was rather dim. He