Song Yuan stepped aside, and the Emperor, clad in light yellow brocade, emerged from behind him. His brows were slightly raised, his gaze dark and sharp, casting a brilliant, chilling radiance under the lamplight, radiating an intense cold.
Sima Qingyun thought he was mistaken. How could the Emperor of the palace be out of the palace? He quickly rubbed his eyes. If it wasn't the Emperor, who else could it be? He hurried forward a few steps and knelt down in panic.
"Your humble servant pays his respects to the Emperor. Long live His Majesty."
"Rise, my dear minister," Shangguan Yao said, his cold pupils softened. He slightly bent down and raised a hand to help Sima Qingyun up, speaking in a low voice.
"Today, my dear minister Sima presented a memorial to resign from his post. I am unaware of your true physical condition, which necessitates your retirement to your hometown. However, seeing you now, it seems you have other hidden reasons. I have come today, and if you have any concerns, my dear minister Sima, do not hesitate to tell me."
Sima Qingyun trembled. These words, spoken so nonchalantly, were as chilling as the frost on a mountain peak, more so like the magma beneath a volcano, capable of taking a life at any moment.
"Please be seated, Your Majesty."
Sima Qingyun respectfully ushered the Emperor to the main seat, personally poured tea, and served it, standing obediently by the desk.
Shangguan Yao glanced at Song Yuan and waved his hand, "You may leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Song Yuan withdrew. He truly did not wish to be involved in these courtly affairs. The currents were unpredictable, the flames soaring, capable of engulfing a person at any time.
They, the guards, had a vague understanding of what had transpired in court, but no one dared to utter a word, fearing a fatal retribution. Their own deaths were a small matter; it was the implication of their entire families that was truly concerning.
Outside the door, Shou Yuan and two guards stood guard by the door, preventing anyone from entering or exiting.
The guards and servants of the Sima mansion kept their distance, not daring to approach.
Inside the study, Shangguan Yao stared intently at Sima Qingyun, ignoring the teacup in his hand. His dark eyes were like stars in a cold night.
Though bright, they were equally bone-chilling, with waves of churning turmoil surging forward. Sima Qingyun, a veteran minister, could hardly withstand such a piercing and fierce gaze. The Emperor finally withdrew his sight and spoke unhurriedly.
"My dear minister Sima, please be seated."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Sima Qingyun put down the teacup, wiped the sweat from his face, stepped aside, and sat down, speaking cautiously, "May I know why Your Majesty has come so late at night?"
"I heard that the Prime Minister was attacked by assassins two days ago and was startled. Therefore, I have specifically come to visit the Prime Minister."
"This servant is overwhelmed," Sima Qingyun stood up again, bowing his head. He couldn't help but secretly speculate in his heart.
Why had the Emperor come to the Prime Minister's mansion so late at night? He likely had no good intentions; it must be about the morning court session.
Sima Qingyun never dreamed that the court would take such actions. Now he had become the object of the Emperor's utmost hatred, much like Yun Mo back then. He truly understood what it meant to be in a precarious position.
Those among them who were unwilling for him to resign, in the final analysis, were simply more afraid that if he left, who would be the next to suffer misfortune? Hence, they were holding onto him.
"Prime Minister Sima, Grand Scholar Wen, as well as Minister of Personnel and the Grand Tutor were all assassinated. I am merely curious as to why the Minister of Personnel and the Grand Tutor were seriously injured, while Lord Sima and Lord Wen were unharmed, only experiencing a fright. Can the Prime Minister tell me what happened?"
In the night, Shangguan Yao's voice was as clear as thin ice in February. He looked up at Sima Qingyun, his gaze shallow but carrying a lurking murderous intent.
Sima Qingyun was startled. He recalled that night when Prince Lue Hua of the Divine Dragon Sect had saved him. Without them, he would have died long ago.
However, he could never tell the Emperor about such matters, as it would only lead to a dead end.
Sima Qingyun's face, under the flickering lamplight, appeared a pale, shimmering white. Outside, the cicadas chirped incessantly, along with the frogs in the lotus pond, creating a symphony of noise that was annoying yet unavoidable.
"Your Majesty, I was saved by someone. As for the person who saved me, they were masked, so I do not know who it was."
Sima Qingyun chose his words carefully, afraid of being discovered by the Emperor. In reality, this man likely already knew. The assassins were his subordinates, and they would surely report to him.
If the person who saved him that night was still Prince Lue Hua of the Divine Dragon Palace, then the Emperor's appearance at the Prime Minister's mansion tonight was a test?
Or did he intend to...
A sinister sneer flashed in Shangguan Yao's eyes, his dark pupils growing deeper. A fierce aura, ready to erupt, did not manifest any further action.
After today's court session, he knew he could not act rashly. Although he was impatient, acting rashly could damage the foundation of Dong Qin. As his mother had said, divide and conquer. Sima Qingyun was his first target.
Therefore, the path ahead was not to be rushed...
Just as Sima Qingyun felt a heavy stone pressing on his heart, making it difficult to breathe, the Emperor waved his hand, "Prime Minister, please be seated. I came in secret tonight solely to visit you, my dear minister. I hope Prime Minister Sima will return to court soon and prioritize matters of state."
"Your Majesty?"
Sima Qingyun was dumbfounded. He knew very well the Emperor's resolve to eliminate him. What did this mean now? He looked up to probe, but could not find the slightest trace on that handsome face.
Sima Qingyun could not help but sigh. The Emperor had changed, becoming deep and cunning, no longer the straightforward person he once was.
"Yes."
He did not want to say more. If the ruler wished the minister to die, he had no choice but to die. What could escape such a fate? It was like a wide-open net, covering you from all sides.
No matter how you struggled, you were destined to be captured. At this moment, his only hope was that the Sima mansion could pass through this safely, without any family extermination.
"Very well, my dear minister, rest early."
Shangguan Yao stood up. Sima Qingyun respectfully said, "Your humble servant respectfully sees Your Majesty off."
Song Yuan outside the door opened the door and led the Emperor away into the deep, dark night.
In the study, the Sima mansion's guards and steward hurried in. Seeing their master's ashen face and sweating profusely, they couldn't help but anxiously inquire, "Master, what happened? Did the Emperor come?"
Sima Qingyun weakly waved his hand and leaned against the desk in the study. He looked as if he had suffered a severe illness, his legs weak and without strength. The sweat all over his body clung to his inner garments, making him extremely uncomfortable. However, he did not forget his urgent task and instructed a guard beside him.
"You quietly go to Grand Scholar Wen's mansion and tell him that the Emperor came tonight."
"Yes," the guard retreated. The steward attended to his master to rest...
The summer night was quiet. The moon hung high in the sky, its moonlight like white silk washed clean by water,灑落在樓前樓後, casting a cool breeze that gently swept through the night.
The leaves by the roadside rustled in the wind, and in the vast starry sky, the stars blinked their lively eyes, like shimmering brocade draped down.