"You!"
This imperial decree was originally a lie. Zhao Kai was gambling that He Guan would not dare to argue with him. However, now that He Guan had made up his mind, there was nothing he could do no matter how hard he tried...
"Since Your Highness dares not, then Your Highness should please return! Guards, escort Your Highness out of the palace!"
After letting out a cold laugh, He Guan waved his hand again. The dozens of soldiers behind him immediately stepped forward and took control of all of Zhao Kai's attendants.
"You good-for-nothing He Guan! It's just a matter of arguing with my father in front of the Emperor. Fine, I'll wait here!"
Seeing that his men had no room to resist, Zhao Kai gritted his teeth fiercely and became desperate.
At this moment, all he could gamble on was the extent of Zhao Ji's favoritism towards his son.
As long as the Emperor still had even a shred of regard for him, he should at least give him a chance to argue if he heard he had arrived, right?
"Then I shall trouble Your Highness to wait here. Please go to Fu Ning Hall and report it!"
As He Guan spoke, he gave a signal to one of his trusted aides.
"Yes!"
After receiving He Guan's order, Deng Hu once again walked into the darkness, heading towards Fu Ning Hall.
"Why are you here?"
Seeing Deng Hu approach, Shun Xi asked him with some curiosity.
"Is the matter inside finished?"
Looking around to confirm no one was nearby, Deng Hu lowered his voice and asked.
"Why are you asking this? Is this something we can inquire about?"
Hearing his question, Shun Xi was startled.
While gaining merit by assisting the emperor was good, judging by Liang Shicheng's performance tonight, Shun Xi could guess that something was not quite right.
He was one of Liang Shicheng's most favored adopted sons. Tonight, Liang Shicheng not only did not assign him to guard the hall, but he even moved away his other favored adopted sons from Fu Ning Hall. Wasn't this a clear sign that something was going on inside?
"Prince Yun has entered the palace and is currently waiting by Xuande Gate. He claims to have a crucial imperial decree. General He sent me to ask if this is true!"
At this point, Deng Hu knew that Zhao Kai's matter could not be kept from Shun Xi, so he spoke directly.
"The matter inside is finished. I will go in and inform you."
Hearing this, Shun Xi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although he understood in his heart that Liang Shicheng had moved him away because tonight's events were suspicious.
But the human heart is inherently complex. Especially for them, eunuchs, there has always been only one Emperor, and only one most favored eunuch.
Emperor Emeritus Zhao Ji already had many eunuchs and confidantes around him, but the Crown Prince seemed to have only one or two truly useful ones...
And these people were not capable of much. Perhaps they were barely adequate at serving people, but their methods of assisting the emperor in managing the affairs of the palace were far inferior!
Even though he knew that being emperor was not easy, Shun Xi still wanted to try his luck inside.
"Then I shall trouble you, Eunuch."
Hearing his words, Deng Hu immediately cupped his hands in greeting. In any case, the matter inside was already settled. Since Prince Yun insisted on fighting to the death, this was a good opportunity.
They were merely performing their duties, and there was no fault in stopping him outside. Even the Emperor could not fault them!
"Why are you here?"
As Shun Xi stepped into Fu Ning Hall, he bumped into Liang Shicheng, who was preparing to leave.
"Godfather, Prince Yun said he received the Emperor's decree and has arrived at Xuande Gate. General He sent me to ask if the Emperor Emeritus... "
Shun Xi understood that his little scheme could not be hidden from Liang Shicheng. As he spoke, he felt a tremor in his body.
"I know about the matter. You may leave now. Listen to your godfather, this is not a good time for you to step forward. The more enthusiastically you jump now, the faster you will die! Go back and pack your things. For the next few days, you will accompany your godfather to serve the Emperor Emeritus on a pilgrimage to Haozhou Taiqing Palace."
After giving Shun Xi a deep look, Liang Shicheng patted his shoulder again and said in a low voice.
"Godfather..."
Hearing Liang Shicheng's words, Shun Xi felt a pang of sadness in his heart.
If he followed Liang Shicheng south, it would mean that from then on, he would still only be an adopted son in front of Liang Shicheng.
To become someone like Liang Shicheng, he would probably have to wait until Liang Shicheng died. But how good Liang Shicheng's health was, only his adopted sons knew.
"What? You don't want to go? Think carefully. If you truly want to push your way forward, I won't stop you. But once this matter begins, there's no turning back! Whether the path ahead leads to a bottomless abyss or a heavenly road, only you yourself can know!"
Seeing him frozen on the spot, Liang Shicheng frowned.
"Your son still wants to try. Please grant my request, Godfather!"
After biting his lip, Shun Xi knelt directly in front of Liang Shicheng and kowtowed sincerely.
"Hoo--"
Seeing his stubbornness, Liang Shicheng gave a wry smile. After a long while, he nodded silently.
Seeing Liang Shicheng agree, Shun Xi wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and walked into Fu Ning Hall with his head bowed.
"Reporting to the Emperor Emeritus, reporting to the Emperor, General He Guan sent this servant to ask if the Emperor Emeritus has any imperial decree for Prince Yun to enter the palace tonight..."
Listening to Shun Xi's voice from inside, Liang Shicheng couldn't help but sigh heavily. This son would likely never see him again.
"Prince Yun?"
Hearing Shun Xi's words, Zhao Ji's gaze towards him immediately changed.
Under normal circumstances, such matters should have been whispered to him by Liang Shicheng. But now, this fellow had spoken of it directly in front of the Emperor. This made it difficult for him, the Emperor Emeritus, to overly protect Zhao Kai...
"I did want to see him before, but let's forget it now. Tell the third prince that some things, once missed, should be forgotten..."
After hesitating, Zhao Ji finally spoke with a grim expression.
"Yes!"
As Shun Xi spoke, he cupped his hands towards Zhao Ji and then bowed to Zhao Huan beside him before slowly retreating.