The Emperor was injured and unconscious. Wei Wuji declared to the court that His Majesty was unwell and that the King of Song would handle state affairs in his stead.
Seeing Eunuch Wei and Qu Yang standing by the King of Song's side, the assembled ministers largely believed the declaration. However, they privately speculated. The previous night, Mandarava had bloomed in the night sky, and today His Majesty was indisposed, with the King of Song taking over. Had the Emperor been frightened?
"Your Highness the King of Song, what is His Majesty's condition?"
"Slightly indisposed, but requires careful recuperation." Murong Ziheng said with a calm expression. His gaze drifted to Wei Wuji, for even now, he did not understand why Wei Wuji had entrusted him with state affairs. Wei Wuji had always been wary of him, and this sudden delegation of power seemed like a trap.
"May I be permitted to visit His Majesty?"
"Lord Zhang, His Majesty's health is frail and he requires quiet rest. He must not be disturbed." Wei Wuji replied calmly. Wei Wuji had always been a favorite minister of the Emperor, and his words often represented the Emperor's will.
Lord Zhang considered speaking further, then thought: The Mandarava had bloomed, signifying the return of Empress Dowager Dugu. Why should he trouble himself with these matters? He had done nothing to offend Empress Dowager Dugu; if anything, he had merely stood by and watched. He immediately returned to his seat, awaiting the unfolding drama. The Su Dan Novel Network.
"Your Highness the King of Song, last night, Mandarava bloomed in the Jinling night sky, eliciting a widespread response. What are your thoughts on this?" Lord Xu stepped forward and inquired. All the ministers immediately perked up their ears, their faces etched with fear.
Murong Ziheng looked at Qu Yang. It was just a display of fireworks, so why was everyone acting as if they had seen a ghost? Did those fireworks carry some special meaning?
"Lord Xu, does the Mandarava that bloomed in the night sky last night carry any special significance?" Murong Ziheng asked. He had left Jinling at a young age and did not know what Mandarava represented, nor what last night's fireworks meant to this city.
Lord Xu looked up at the King of Song with some surprise, then realized that the King of Song had left Jinling long ago and it was natural for him not to know. However, whether to speak of it or not was a question. He glanced at Eunuch Wei, who was seemingly oblivious, his eyes fixed on his nose and his mind on his heart. The other ministers also kept their heads down, seemingly afraid of getting involved in trouble.
"Last night's fireworks were particularly beautiful, but no one has been identified as the one who set them off. In Jinling, setting off fireworks requires permission from the authorities. However, last night's fireworks were not registered with the authorities, and no one knows who set them off. Moreover, it incited countless people to follow suit. This action is tantamount to provoking the imperial court."
"Is that so?" Murong Ziheng had a feeling something was amiss, but if Wei Wuji and Qu Yang remained silent, the other ministers would likely not dare to tell him what last night's fireworks truly meant. Perhaps he would have to investigate on his own.
"If that is the case, Xiahou Ying."
"Your servant is here."
"This matter is entrusted to you to investigate. Ensure that the person who privately set off these fireworks is brought to justice to clarify the matter."
"Your servant obeys."
"Do any of the ministers have a memorial to present?"
"Your servant has a memorial." At this moment, a rather young man emerged from the crowd. Murong Ziheng did not recognize him. Wei Wuji immediately whispered an introduction.
"This is Inspector General Fei Zheng."
"Please speak, Lord Fei."
"Currently, Blue Moon has amassed troops at the border, and Yu Sheng looms threateningly. Our Yun Qi is in grave danger. The general guarding Yang Pass is the elder General Zhao, but he is advanced in age. The new Emperor of Yu Sheng has produced many talented individuals, and the Empress of Blue Moon commands the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry. It is known that the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry has never lost a battle. Does Your Highness the King of Song have any plans to counter this?"
"This matter, this King has a plan. Lord Fei need not worry." Murong Ziheng reassured him. "Blue Moon and Yu Sheng may have many talented individuals, but our Yun Qi also has rising stars who are no less inferior. As for the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry, traitors are not tolerated anywhere."
"Your Highness the King of Song, the Empress of Blue Moon has now incorporated the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry. It is rumored that she has even incorporated the Asura Guard, the personal guards of Empress Dowager Dugu. We do not know if this is true."
"This..." Murong Ziheng did not wish to answer, yet this was a matter that could not be avoided. The Asura Guard had indeed been incorporated by Xiao Man, and he had personally witnessed Xiao Man leading the Asura Guard in pursuit of them. But if he were to reveal this, wouldn't the already anxious court become even more fearful?
"Without Empress Dowager Dugu, the Asura Guard and the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry are mere scattered sand, not to be feared." Murong Ziheng remained silent for a moment, then said slowly but forcefully, "Zhan Tian Que led the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry in betrayal, and one day, Yun Qi will bring these rebels to justice. As for the Asura Guard, they are like rats hiding in the darkness, not fit for public display."
Lord Xu looked at the King of Song meaningfully upon hearing this and returned to his seat. The King of Song let out a sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted to hear about was Dugu Man. When Dugu Man was alive, he had been like a startled bird, afraid to reveal the slightest trace.
Even after Dugu Man's death, he lived in her shadow, seeing Dugu Man in everyone. It should have been Murong Sheng Rui who lived in Dugu Man's shadow, yet in the end, it was him.
After the morning court adjourned, Murong Ziheng cornered Qu Yang. "Last night's fireworks, what exactly was going on?"
"Your Highness need not worry. They were merely fireworks. We will catch the person who set them off."
"Stop fooling this King!" Murong Ziheng's voice was stern. "If they were just ordinary fireworks, why would the ministers turn pale at the mention of it? They clearly harbored great fear. Qu Yang, if you refuse to tell this King the truth, then this King cannot continue to serve as Regent!"
Qu Yang frowned and looked at Wei Wuji. This matter required Wei Wuji's consent; otherwise, he personally could not reveal the truth to Murong Ziheng.
Wei Wuji coughed softly. "If His Highness the King of Song wishes to know, then this servant will tell Your Highness the truth."
Murong Ziheng looked at Wei Wuji, wanting to know what secret was hidden within, causing everyone to speak in hushed tones.
"In Jinling, Mandarava represents a person."
Murong Ziheng's heart skipped a beat. A name flashed in his mind. For some reason, he thought of this person. He swallowed nervously, staring intently at Wei Wuji, praying that the three words he most dreaded would not come from his lips.
"Mandarava represents Dugu Man."
The color drained from Murong Ziheng's face, his lips trembling slightly. "So... the blooming of the Mandarava... means... means..."
"It means she has returned!" Wei Wuji said word by word. "Last night's fireworks were her declaration to the world that she, Dugu Man, has returned! And she has returned to collect her debts!"