TPITWOHEF

Chapter 30

The South Imperial Garden.

The entire Liu family felt as if they had fallen into a frigid lake, their bodies frozen to the bone.

[The Liao King, uncle of my foolish Emperor father, demanded urgent delivery in the depth of winter from hundreds of miles away, commandeering postal relay stations and military roads to send an auspicious gift—a nine-colored peony blooming in winter.]

[He's clearly taking the opportunity to inspect local military defenses!]

Master Liu: [gasping]

He nearly choked on his breath.

What?

So this was the real purpose behind the nine-colored peony!

Concubine Liu couldn't help but steady the Fifth Prince Cheng Qian's little shoulders to prevent herself from stumbling.

The Fifth Prince Cheng Qian gritted his teeth as well.

No place for peaceful slumber beside the imperial bedchamber!

The Liao King was audacious indeed! Using the pretext of presenting flowers to openly prepare for rebellion?

His Majesty the Emperor had been preoccupied with managing river works and caring for refugees, his mind clouded by the debate over establishing the crown prince.

Did His Majesty not realize this at all?

[The leader of the Liao King's escort for the nine-colored peony paid a visit to someone upon entering the capital—what was his name again? It seemed to be the Eminent Cavalry General... This man had served as the Yanmen Guard Post's captain a decade ago under the Liao King, who had saved his life.]

[Grateful for this life debt from over ten years ago, especially since few survived the battle at Yanmen Pass, no one knew that this Eminent Cavalry General had been loyal to the Liao King all along!]

[When the Liao King rebelled, the Ministry of War still recommended that His Majesty dispatch this Eminent Cavalry General to lead 100,000 troops to attack the Liao King. The outcome was predictable: not only did he fail to halt the rebels in Shu, but the 100,000 troops were also turned by the Liao King and joined his forces!]

Xiao Chuchu recalled the events, unaware that those around her had turned pale.

The Fifth Prince's breathing grew rapid.

Master Liu and Concubine Liu held their breaths, afraid to miss a single word from Xiao Chuchu.

[Alas, I don't remember this general's name.]

[But after receiving the Liao King's message, he conspired with one of His Majesty's eunuch scribes.]

[This eunuch sold him and the Liao King much inside palace information.]

[It seems the Xuantong Prefectural Governors returning to the capital for their year-end evaluations were also involved in this scheme.]

[I'm trying to recall... Ah yes, it was the day all officials entered the palace for the Awarding Gold Festival that they secretly plotted!]

The Awarding Gold Festival was merely two days away!

Master Liu's eyes lit up—there was still a chance to stop them!

But then his beard bristled in anger.

They dared choose this very day?

To conspire about rebellion right under the Emperor's nose, on the day he would host all officials for a banquet?