He was extremely nervous.
Because this seal was very unique — a jade pendant shaped like double fish, crafted with rare precision. The heads and tails were connected, making it extremely difficult to forge.
It was basically certain that this person was indeed sent by Qi Wang.
Cao Xingwang lowered his voice, “Why show up at this time? Things in the palace are complicated enough as it is.”
The man, however, was calm and unhurried. He said in a low voice, “Eunuch Cao, take a good look. See who I am.”
As he spoke, he suddenly reached up and pulled off the human-skin mask from his face, revealing his true appearance.
The moment he saw that face, Cao Xingwang jumped in shock. Then, taking a sharp breath, he gasped, “Qilin! How—how did you get into the palace?!”
Everyone knew Qilin was Qi Wang’s most trusted aide.
Cao Xingwang had known Qilin was still in the capital helping Feng Caiwei with her tasks.
But he never imagined Qilin would be bold enough to infiltrate the palace itself.
Flustered, he blurted out, “You’re crazy! Feng Caiwei just died! How could you dare come here now?!”
Qilin sighed. “Precisely because Feng Caiwei is dead, the plan must be activated immediately. Cao Xingwang, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten His Highness’s kindness to you.”
Of course, Cao Xingwang remembered.
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but in the end, he only asked quietly, “What does His Highness want me to do?”
“You have the testimonies from both Mount Mao and Longhu Mountain priests — proof that the Imperial Grandson at Mount Mao was an imposter. The real Imperial Grandson has actually been studying martial arts at Longhu Mountain all along.”
Qilin exhaled softly. “Old Cao, it’s time for you to serve His Highness. You should know by now that Xiao Yunting went to Jiangxi. Whether there’s a flood or not, whether there are victims or not — he will never let His Highness go.”
“So, we have to make sure Xiao Yunting is ruined in the capital.”
Cao Xingwang understood Qilin’s meaning.
He hesitated deeply but did not doubt Qilin’s words.
Because Qilin represented Qi Wang.
After a long silence, Cao Xingwang whispered, “I understand. Coincidentally, I’m about to deliver memorials. I’ll send it over right now.”
Qilin nodded in a low voice, then asked, “By the way, aren’t you also in charge of arranging the disaster relief grains? I’ll go take a look.”
He clearly wasn’t at ease — worried that something might go wrong with the grain sabotage.
Cao Xingwang understood. He called for Xiao Dezi and told him to accompany Qilin to check.
Then, light-footed and cautious, he made his way toward the emperor.
But Emperor Yongchang wasn’t available at the moment.
Standing before Eunuch Xia, Cao Xingwang maintained his usual humility, smiling and asking, “Is His Majesty present?”
“In morning prayers,” Eunuch Xia replied, glancing at him but in a mild tone.
After all, with Pu Wuyong dead, Cao Xingwang had become one of the top three eunuchs in the palace, right after Zhong Jinshui.
It was best to maintain a good relationship — never hurt to form a favorable bond.
Cao Xingwang bowed deeply. “Then this humble servant will wait here.”
Just then, a sound came from inside. Eunuch Xia quickly went forward, lifting the layered curtains.
There he saw Emperor Yongchang rising from his prayer cushion.
He hurried over to fetch a robe and draped it over the emperor. “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests that you come dine with her tonight.”
The emperor responded with a grunt. “The Empress Dowager is feeling anxious — afraid I won’t keep my word, afraid I’ll wipe out the entire Tian family. Indeed…”
These were words the emperor could say — but Eunuch Xia dared not respond.
He only smiled awkwardly.
Just then, spotting Cao Xingwang waiting, he said, “Your Majesty, Eunuch Cao seeks an audience.”
“Let him in,” the emperor said as he took a medicinal pill. Seeing Cao Xingwang enter, he raised an eyebrow. “You old thing — coming to me five or six times a day.”
Cao Xingwang bowed deeply and respectfully. “Your Majesty granted this lowly, broken servant the authority of wearing the red robe. Such a heavy responsibility — how dare I slack off? I beg Your Majesty’s judgment!”
Though the power of the red robe was delegated, the emperor always retained the final authority. He personally reviewed all memorials.
The emperor grunted and casually opened one.
Just then, a memorial accidentally slipped to the floor.
Eunuch Xia instinctively reached to pick it up.
But Cao Xingwang was faster — he swiftly snatched it and handed it to the emperor.
The emperor accepted it without much thought — and casually opened it.
The moment he saw the contents, his expression turned dark.
Eunuch Xia’s heart instantly dropped.
He had served the emperor for many years and understood his moods perfectly.
Seeing this expression, he knew immediately — something bad had happened.
He glanced at Cao Xingwang, his suspicion growing. “This memorial fell a little too conveniently… What is this old fox up to?!”
The emperor tossed the memorial to Eunuch Xia and coldly ordered, “Go summon the officials from the Monk Registrar’s Office and the Taoist Registrar’s Office. I have questions.”
Eunuch Xia hurriedly responded, taking the chance to glance at the memorial — and his hair instantly stood on end.
Good heavens!
It was a report from the Monk Registrar’s Office, claiming that the Imperial Grandson had defied the will of heaven and betrayed the emperor’s trust.
It stated that the Imperial Grandson had actually been studying under the Celestial Master at Longhu Mountain for years, while the person pretending to be the Imperial Grandson at Mount Mao was a fake, arranged by the Feng family.
Even worse, the report said that the Imperial Grandson and the Feng family had both harbored deep resentment toward His Majesty — criticizing him for being dim-witted, indulging Consort Liu, and shielding Eldest Princess Baorong’s abuses related to the Mount Mao injustice.
Eunuch Xia’s heart nearly failed him on the spot.
Qi Wang!
It had to be Qi Wang!
Unwilling to accept being exiled to his fief, he must have left behind this scheme — a fatal blow aimed at the Imperial Grandson!
What to do?
The Imperial Grandson wasn’t even in the capital right now!
Terrified, Eunuch Xia glanced nervously at the emperor — only to be met with a cold, expressionless stare.
That one glance was enough to frighten Eunuch Xia into a cold sweat. He turned and rushed out.
The emperor, face devoid of emotion, simply waited.
Only when Qiao Congzhen — the monk official who wrote the memorial — arrived did the emperor ask coldly, “Did you write this memorial?”
Qiao Congzhen quickly knelt. “Yes, Your Majesty. I only recently discovered it while reviewing old records. Several envoys visited Mount Mao to see the Imperial Grandson, but none ever met him. Every time, they were told he was in secluded cultivation.”
He gritted his teeth and gathered his courage. “But, Your Majesty, I also received a report from a Taoist of Longhu Mountain who came to deliver offerings. He said that the Imperial Grandson has been at Longhu Mountain for years — never at Mount Mao! Knowing this, I cannot pretend ignorance. This is not only deceiving the emperor but also an act of filial betrayal and disloyalty, Your Majesty!”
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 20+ chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
