"Boom!" A deafening roar echoed as the gates of the Zhao manor were kicked open. The heavy wooden doors crashed onto the ground, their thunderous sound swallowed by the darkness of the night. The gatekeeper, jolted awake from his slumber, felt a chill run through him as he beheld the scene. The cold glint of armor seemed to freeze the blood in his veins. He huddled by the door, watching as dust kicked up by iron-shod boots settled back onto the ground. Trembling uncontrollably, he stammered, "Who are you people? You..."
The only response was the whistling sound of a spear slicing through the cold air.
A spear was placed against his throat. The leader, shouting to his soldiers behind him, commanded, "Leave no one alive!"
"Yes!"
The soldiers stormed into the Zhao manor.
Suddenly, the Zhao manor was illuminated, and cries of anguish, shouts of anger, and questions of disbelief erupted, merging into a cacophony that startled sleeping birds and people in the vicinity.
Zhao Wuyan offered no resistance. Clutching his wife's hand, clad only in an outer robe, he emerged with grace. Liu Yuchi's hand was as cold as ice, and she tried to pull it from Zhao Wuyan's grasp several times, but to no avail.
Her face was devoid of color, and her eyes reflected only the panic and confusion of the unfolding events. Yet, beneath these normal human reactions, a hint of worry and suspicion could be discerned.
Zhao Wuyan did not look at her. He simply removed his outer robe and draped it over her shoulders.
All one hundred and twenty members of the Zhao household were thrown into the imperial prison.
Simultaneously, at Jian'an Temple, monks and pilgrims staying overnight were rounded up, every single one.
They were also thrown into the imperial prison.
The morning court, the grand hall.
The atmosphere was as noisy as a marketplace. Ministers discussed the night's events in hushed tones, speculating on what unseen occurrences had taken place.
The civil officials gathered around Nan Chaoyin, seeking answers.
"I don't know either!" Nan Chaoyin frowned deeply. He was completely unaware of what had happened last night. Because the Prime Minister's manor and Zhao Wuyan's manor were several streets apart, he only learned of the manor's confiscation when he heard the court officials discussing it this morning.
The military officials glanced at the Prince.
From the moment the Prince entered the hall, his eyes were downcast, making it impossible to discern his thoughts. They dared not approach him.
Qin Qiancheng thought for a moment before stepping closer.
"Your Highness!"
Hearing the voice behind him, Ji Jinmo turned his head and glanced at the person behind him. His stern voice carried a nasal tone, "What is it?"
Qin Qiancheng felt as if the hall's windows had been left open today, allowing a biting wind to seep through the gaps, carrying with it a bone-chilling cold. Frost seemed to spread across his body. Qin Qiancheng regretted his action. Ever since his daughter, Yu Rou, had been neglected and even imprisoned by the Prince, the Prince's attitude towards him had become increasingly harsh.
He lowered his head and cautiously inquired, "Your Highness, have you heard about last night's events?"
"I have heard."
"Then..."
Ji Jinmo let out a cold laugh. "General Qin, are you asking this Prince to guess the Emperor's intentions?"
Qin Qiancheng's legs weakened, and he immediately knelt on the ground. "This subject is fearful."
Qin Qiancheng's action drew the gaze of everyone present. The chatter abruptly ceased, and the hall fell silent.
The stares from all directions filled Qin Qiancheng with resentment. His hands, pressed against the ground, clenched into fists, his body trembling with anger. Yet, despite this, he dared not stand up.
Ji Jinmo raised his eyes and surveyed the surroundings. The curve of his lips sent a shiver down the spines of everyone present. They all quickly lowered their heads, no longer daring to mock Qin Qiancheng. Qin Qiancheng might only be humiliated, but they, if they dared to laugh again, might lose their lives.
A bunch of cowards!
Ji Jinmo fiddled with his prayer beads and slowly lowered his gaze, waving his sleeve towards Qin Qiancheng.
His sleeve stirred a gust of cold wind that swept past, seeming to whisper the word "scram" into Qin Qiancheng's ear. Qin Qiancheng hastily expressed his gratitude and quickly rose to retreat.
Ji Hong finally ascended to the throne and sat on the dragon chair. The eunuch's sharp voice echoed throughout the hall: "If you have anything to report, state it. Otherwise, disperse!"
Ji Hong clearly had no intention of explaining the reasons for confiscating the Zhao manor to the court officials. The officials exchanged glances. Some turned their gaze to Ji Jinmo, but Ji Jinmo remained unmoved, showing no intention of inquiring. The officials then turned their attention to Nan Chaoyin.
Nan Chaoyin kept his head bowed, seemingly oblivious to the gazes falling upon him, never looking up from beginning to end.
Ji Hong surveyed the assembly. Amidst the silence of the court officials, he concluded the morning court.
Nan Chaoyin remained behind and proceeded to the Imperial Study to request an audience with the Emperor.
Ji Hong closed his memorial and looked down at Nan Chaoyin, who stood by the desk with his sleeves hanging down. Before Nan Chaoyin could ask, he spoke first, "Prime Minister, you wish to ask why this Emperor has raided the Zhao family?"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Ji Hong clasped his hands on the desk, leaning forward slightly. Disregarding Nan Chaoyin's flattery, he turned and gave the eunuch a look. The eunuch, understanding the signal, picked up the scrolls and confessions from the desk and approached Nan Chaoyin, handing them to him.
Nan Chaoyin scanned them with a rapid, practiced eye, his expression growing increasingly grim.
"They deserve death!"
Nan Chaoyin was enraged, his eyes seeming to ignite with fire. He knelt before Ji Hong and said, "This subject is incompetent and failed to share Your Majesty's burdens. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
Ji Hong regarded Nan Chaoyin.
This old fox's face was filled with righteous indignation, and his loyalty to him was evident. Yet, Ji Hong felt that the implication of his words was a reproach for not being informed in advance.
A cold sneer flickered in Ji Hong's eyes, but he said aloud, "What fault does the Prime Minister have? It was merely the audacity of petty villains. No matter how capable the Prime Minister is, he is but flesh and blood, how could he foresee such things?"
Nan Chaoyin's heart skipped a beat. He felt that Ji Hong's words held a hidden meaning, perhaps a warning not to overstep his bounds.
Nan Chaoyin's heart stirred, and he dared not say more, nor did he inquire about Ji Hong's further arrangements. He simply reaffirmed his loyalty and wisely took his leave.
The winter chill deepened. Even the warm sun could not melt the frozen lake. Nan Chaoyin's receding figure grew distant until the closed doors of the Imperial Study blocked his view. Only then did Ji Hong shift his gaze back to the memorial.
The dams in Yuzhou were not yet repaired. With the current weather, the work was proceeding much slower. Fortunately, compensation in the form of grain had resolved many of the disaster victims' problems. For the common people, having shelter from wind and rain and sufficient food for the winter in the depths of winter was considered a good year.
Ji Hong closed the memorial, propped his chin, and pondered. He then turned to the eunuch and said, "Tell me, what reward should I bestow upon Feng Luan?"
The eunuch: "..."
Why bestow a reward upon Feng Luan? What had Feng Luan done? Why did His Majesty mention him?
"Never mind, no reward."
Recalling the hidden arrogance and provocation on Feng Luan's face that night, Ji Hong abandoned the idea. Even rewarding a dog would be better than rewarding Feng Luan!
The eunuch: "..."