An assassin entered the palace and broke into Consort Rong's Ronghua Palace.
The matter spread to several places overnight.
Feng Yexuan arrived, and Feng Qihe also arrived.
It was heard that even the Empress was alerted.
"What's going on?" Feng Qihe arrived one step behind Feng Yexuan. Due to his unhealed injuries, his steps were still a bit unsteady.
"Her, what happened to you?" The Empress had just heard that King He and King Xuan had fought.
It had been two days, and the news only reached her ears now. Their secrecy was quite thorough!
But Feng Qihe was her son!
This son, who didn't let her know he was injured, was truly not making her worry less!
"I'm fine, just a minor injury. I accidentally got hurt during a sparring session with my Fourth Imperial Brother."
Since his mother knew about his confrontation with King Xuan, his father must also be aware.
It was better to admit it openly. Concealing it would only make the matter seem more complicated.
He would treat it as an ordinary sparring match, which would be good for everyone.
Feng Qihe glanced ahead.
Feng Yexuan stood in front of the guards, his cold eyes fixed on the courtyard before him.
A dilapidated courtyard, with "Ronghua Palace" written above the gate.
Although the courtyard had clearly been abandoned for many years, the imposing and solemn aura of these three gilded characters indicated that the original owner of this courtyard was definitely a highly favored existence in the harem.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was favored above all others in the palace.
After so many years, seeing these three characters still pricked the Empress's heart like a needle.
Upon accidentally seeing them, a thin layer of fine sweat still broke out on her palm.
"Mother, what exactly happened? Why would someone dare to trespass into this courtyard?" Feng Qihe asked again.
The Empress finally withdrew her gaze and said in a low voice, "I don't know what's going on. It's said that someone was trying to steal from the archives and was chased here by the guards."
"Where is the person?" Feng Qihe's heart stirred, and for some reason, he suddenly felt a sense of inexplicable unease.
"They should still be in this courtyard. I heard they tried to leave through the back door but were forced back by the Shadow Killers guarding the rear entrance."
Shadow Killers were the most formidable group of assassins in the palace.
The front entrance of Ronghua Palace had no obstructions, not even guards, because everyone knew it was a forbidden area of the imperial palace.
Except for specific days when certain people needed to enter, no one dared to trespass at other times.
Those who trespassed were not stopped, but once inside, they could not get out.
Those who emerged were only corpses.
Thus, there were no guards at the front, but the most skilled Shadow Killers were stationed at the back!
No return!
Anyone who dared to enter would die!
Feng Qihe looked up. Feng Yexuan was still standing outside the courtyard gate, his tall figure appearing even more solitary tonight.
The aura of keeping others at a distance was heavier than usual.
Feng Qihe ignored him.
"Where is Father?" he asked. "Father wouldn't possibly not come..."
Who didn't know that Consort Rong was the Emperor's beloved?
After Consort Rong's departure, for many years, no one dared to mention her name in front of the Emperor.
Consort Rong and Ronghua Palace had become true taboos.
Not to be trespassed, not even to be spoken of.
"I sent someone to inquire. Your Father has been in poor health these past few days..."
The Empress hesitated, but Feng Qihe could guess the unspoken part of her words.
Something happened at Ronghua Palace, and yet his Father didn't rush over immediately, which showed that his health was indeed failing.
If the Emperor was truly nearing his end, then the court would soon be in turmoil.
His and Feng Yexuan's struggle would soon enter a heated phase.
Would tonight be the beginning?