At dawn, Shou Kang Palace suddenly erupted in flames. By the time the guards discovered it, the fire had spread beyond control, making extinguishment impossible. They could only watch helplessly as the once-magnificent palace turned to ashes once more.
Murong Sheng Rui stood outside Shou Kang Palace, gazing at the smoldering ruins left after the inferno. His expression was unreadable. The reconstruction of Shou Kang Palace had cost immense wealth and labor, and had consumed much of his energy. Yet, in a single night, it was gone again, just as he had stood by powerlessly that other night, unable to do anything. Su Dan Novel Network.
"Your Majesty."
Murong Sheng Rui closed his eyes, his voice hoarse. "It's good it burned. Only by burning can we start anew!"
Wei Wu Ji cast a furtive glance at Murong Sheng Rui, worried the young emperor couldn't bear the blow. Shou Kang Palace was his only memento, now reduced to ashes. No one would feel good about such a loss.
"Your Majesty, the palace is destroyed, but it can be rebuilt," Wei Wu Ji comforted the young emperor, hoping to prevent him from acting rashly due to the palace fire. "This servant will immediately arrange for craftsmen."
"No need," Murong Sheng Rui stopped Wei Wu Ji. "Let it burn. When she returns, we will build a palace she likes."
Wei Wu Ji couldn't help but frown. He had thought the Emperor's pursuit of Xiao Man meant he had let go of the Empress Dowager. It seemed the Emperor had never let her go. Was his pursuit of Xiao Man just for amusement?
"Your Majesty, the Blue Moon Empress has been lurking in Jinling City, yet our people have found no trace of her..."
Murong Sheng Rui shot Wei Wu Ji a cold glance. "She already infiltrated the palace and set it ablaze, and you still haven't found her? What use are you?"
Wei Wu Ji lowered his head, his gaze sweeping across the charred remnants of Shou Kang Palace. A faint suspicion stirred in his heart. Why would the Blue Moon Empress set Shou Kang Palace on fire? Was it to make His Majesty miserable?
"Wei Wu Ji, keep a close watch on the people in the palace," Murong Sheng Rui said after a few steps. "You don't know how many people in this palace are at her beck and call. If you are not careful, the imperial palace might change hands, and you'd still be in the dark."
Wei Wu Ji quickly bowed his head subserviently. "This servant will meticulously screen everyone in the palace."
A meaningful smile played on Murong Sheng Rui's lips. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. As I treated you then, so you must treat me now. Very well, let me see just how many hidden talents you possess that I am unaware of."
Murong Sheng Rui waited for Xiao Man to make her next move, but there was nothing. Since the burning of Shou Kang Palace, Jinling City had become unnervingly quiet. Even Xiao Man seemed to have vanished, leaving no trace.
But Murong Sheng Rui knew Xiao Man was still in Jinling City. He could sense her presence, yet he couldn't find her. Jinling City was her domain, her footprints were everywhere, from the high society to the lowliest beggar, she had friends among them all.
Murong Sheng Rui stood on the high lookout tower, observing the night view of Jinling City. The entire city was bathed in a hazy glow. The melodious singing of courtesans carried far, as if the liveliness and clamor from Yanbo Lake could be heard even within the deep palace.
"It's so quiet in the palace."
Wei Wu Ji raised an eyebrow and looked at the young emperor. He asked softly, "Your Majesty, would you like to go out of the palace for a stroll?"
Murong Sheng Rui shook his head. "No, going to the streets alone is no fun."
"If Your Majesty is bored alone, you could invite Prince Song. Prince Song has long wished to meet Your Majesty."
"No, I don't like shopping with men."
Wei Wu Ji hesitated. "Perhaps, let Concubine Li accompany Your Majesty out of the palace?"
"Who is Concubine Li?" Murong Sheng Rui asked, puzzled. How could he not know of such a person in the palace?
"Replying to Your Majesty, Concubine Li was one of the beauties the Empress Dowager selected for you. However, you never paid her any mind, and Concubine Li is a discreet woman who rarely appears before Your Majesty. It is normal that Your Majesty does not remember her."
"Beauties my mother selected for me? When did that happen?" Murong Sheng Rui inquired.
"On your eighteenth birthday, the Empress Dowager selected four beauties for you. At that time, you..." Wei Wu Ji secretly observed the young emperor's expression. He distinctly remembered how furious His Majesty had been upon learning the Empress Dowager had chosen four beauties for him. He, who visited her daily for greetings, had not seen her for three consecutive days.
Murong Sheng Rui finally recalled the incident. He had indeed been furious then. He disliked those ostentatious women, but he couldn't refuse them outright because those women had been personally chosen by Du Gu Man. It was precisely because they were Du Gu Man's personal choices that he was even more angered.
"Forget it, I just want to be alone," Murong Sheng Rui said softly. "Who is on duty in the palace tonight?"
"General of the Cavalry, Zhao Ji."
Murong Sheng Rui nodded in understanding. "Old General Zhao is currently defending the frontier, and Zhao Ji remains in the palace. With father and son in their respective positions, their arrangements are quite logical."
Wei Wu Ji quickly lowered his head. Based on his many years of serving Murong Sheng Rui, Zhao Ji was eager for His Majesty's favor.
"Summon him."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Wu Ji hurried down the lookout tower to intercept Zhao Ji, who was patrolling below.
Zhao Ji looked up at the young emperor on the lookout tower. After instructing his soldiers to continue their patrol, he followed Wei Wu Ji up the tower.
"Your subordinate, Zhao Ji, greets Your Majesty."
"How old are you this year?" Murong Sheng Rui asked unhurriedly.
Zhao Ji was somewhat puzzled. Did the Emperor summon him just to ask his age? But he dared not disobey and answered truthfully, "Replying to Your Majesty, this subordinate is twenty-five."
"Twenty-five, born in the same year as Du Gu Ming Yu."
"Replying to Your Majesty, yes."
Murong Sheng Rui nodded. "Now your father is guarding Yang Pass, and Yushang is making trouble. Are you worried?"
"My father said that guarding Yang Pass is an honor, and Your Majesty sending him to Yang Pass is a testament to Your Majesty's trust in him. As a subject, he is extremely grateful. However, the battlefield is silent and dangerous. As a son, it is natural to worry about my father's safety."
Murong Sheng Rui couldn't help but smile. "You are quite eloquent. If it were Du Gu Ming Yu, how do you think he would answer?"
Zhao Ji frowned and thought for a moment, then replied honestly, "This subordinate does not know. After all, this subordinate is not Du Gu Ming Yu."
"Your nature is quite honest," Murong Sheng Rui said slowly. "I heard your wife just gave birth to a lovely son. I haven't congratulated you yet. Congratulations."
Zhao Ji seemed both flattered and apprehensive. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I wish for you to join the City Defense Battalion. What do you think?" Murong Sheng Rui looked at Zhao Ji. Xia Hou Ying couldn't find Xiao Man, but Zhao Ji might be able to!