The first faint sign of dawn appeared while the north wind was howling. In the square yard of red walls, undulating buildings and palaces were enveloped by an awful and depressing atmosphere.

Leng Qingtang and Cheng Wanli quietly led six Eastern Depot guards into Qinming Hall via the side door. On the shoulders of two guards a thick log was carried, where a large wood chest beset with iron hoops and copper rivets was hung.

The guards stopped before the long and wide marble steps and set down the chest.

Leng Qingtang and Cheng Wanli ascended the steps to greet the new Imperial Chief Eunuch, Zhang Jihai and asked him to announce their arrival. In a moment, Eunuch Superintendent walked out and invited Leng Qingtang into the hall.

Leng Qingtang fixed his robe and hat before entering. He then knelt down before the Emperor's bed.

On the bed was the middle-aged man wearing a bright yellow shirt. His eyes were dark and bloodshot, showing that he had not slept well last night.

Although he was not speaking, his gloomy face manifested silent anger and the nobility and oppressiveness only owned by the royal family.

The day before yesterday, the rebellion was eliminated in Mount Yin. Soon actions were taken in the Palace as well. The Eastern Depot and the Honour Guards launched a large-scale purge operation, taking down Hu Shun along with his faction members, a total of 57 people.

The last Imperial Chief Eunuch had led the conspiracy and hidden in the deep Palace for twenty years without being spotted. Naturally, Emperor Jingxiao was furious and anxious at the same time.

It seemed that what he had done more than 20 years ago could not be concealed after all.

Now a figure wearing blue clothes and giving out fragrance was crawling before him. He finally moved his lips in relief.

"I have rushed back from Mount Yin to see Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingxiao raised his eyes lazily and asked, "What's the result?"

"I've fulfilled my mission and wiped out all the rebels hiding in the imperial mausoleum. One hundred and two were arrested, who were the remaining force of the former head of Tianyan Faction, Hong Zun. Their leader was the culprit who sneaked into the Palace and planned the mannequin case. He was gravely wounded and killed himself."

Emperor Jingxiao raised his eyebrows as his eyes flashed coldly. He asked in a deep voice, "Where is his body now?"

"I'm afraid the bloody corpse will offend Your Majesty's eyes, so I've put it in a chest outside the hall. As for how to deal with it, I shall do according to Your Majesty’s will."

Emperor Jingxiao moved quietly and a young eunuch immediately knelt before his feet and put the Emperor's feet into the dragon boots.

The Emperor was helped up from the bed and walked back and forth. His dark eyes never looked at Leng Qingtang,

"Bring it in here."

Leng Qingtang's lips moved slightly on his lowered head with a hint of sneer, "As Your Majesty command."

He gave a look to Cheng Wanli waiting outside the hall and soon the chest was carried inside. When it landed on the floor, the dull grumble immediately shook the ears in the hall.

The Emperor turned around quickly, his yellow robe flipping in the air. His dim pupils became sharp and cold.

"Open the chest for me!"

Lord Zhang appeared a little worried. Emperor's residence should remain clean and meticulous. Now a corpse was carried here and the Emperor would personally inspect it despite the taboo. What if it disturbed His Majesty?

Dissatisfied, the Emperor gave a gloomy glare to Lord Zhang. He pulled his face while questioning, "I am the holy sovereign. This man could only play harmless tricks behind the scenes when he was alive. Now should I fear after he's dead? Eastern Depot Master, open the chest for me!"

"Calm down, Your Majesty. I shall obey."

One could not tell if Leng Qingtang was smiling or not. He walked to the chest and lifted the heavy nailed cover to look at the curled corpse with his clear eyes.

Emperor Jingxiao walked closer with his hands behind his back. For a moment, his face tensed up with a hint of panic.

The person in the chest was long dead. His body was slightly swollen and it smelled of blood that was not so stale.

His face was covered by a metal mask. His black fur cloak was stained with blood and there was an obvious wound on his right chest. The dark brown blood on it had already solidified.

"Take off his mask and let me see his face clearly!"

Leng Qingtang did as instructed. The mask was removed and a handsome gray face appeared.

Emperor Jingxiao looked at it for a long time. His face changed and then his brows started to twitch as a chill went down his spine. In an instant, his blood was frozen and his body went numb and unconscious.

Leng Qingtang hurriedly closed the chest with a bang that awakened Emperor Jingxiao. His narrow eyes widened as flames burned in them.

"The Master will stay for my order. The rest of you, leave."

After the Emperor spoke, the others did not dare to delay. They lifted the chest and exited the hall. Lord Zhang was the last to leave. After he left, the gates were shut immediately.

"It was him for sure... He did not die. I guessed it when he played the late Emperor's favorite flute song in the Palace..."

Emperor Jingxiao stood before Leng Qingtang with a distorted face.

The first ray of morning light shone on the window lattices, casting the shadows of the beautifully carved patterns on the Emperor's cheek. His face was thus eerily half-light and half-dark.

"I did not wrong Zheng Ran that year. Not only did he fail to kill my ninth brother, but he also fooled me with the corpse of a nobody. He deceived his own monarch."

The Emperor looked straight at Leng Qingtang as he spoke. His eyes were cold and sharp like blades that penetrated Leng Qingtang’s heart easily so that he could read his mind.

Leng Qingtang bowed. When he lowered his head, his eyes shone with fierceness.

Smirking, the handsome man had cold eyes, but his attitude was humble.

"Even though Hu Shun is dead now, some rebels of Mount Yin were caught alive. As Your Majesty’s will, I can have them escorted here to confirm the identity of the corpse."

The Emperor was a suspicious man. His words about the past were meant to warn Leng Qingtang. He mentioned Baishui Gate to test his reaction.

Indeed, it was easy for the Eastern Depot to find the corpse of a rebel as a substitute for that of the masked man.

Leng Qingtang understood the Emperor's intention, so he continued the topic and checkmated the Emperor.

As he expected, the Emperor only answered with a chuckle and soon walked back to the dragon bed.

Leng Qingtang responded quickly and stepped forward to dress the Emperor.

The Emperor kept his arms flat for Leng Qingtang to serve him. His eyebrows relaxed as he gazed into the distance.

"I can trust you on your job. Brother, my little brother. You already escaped from the hitman. Wouldn't it be nice to just live a quiet life? Why must you fight against me? You eventually died in my hands..."

Leng Qingtang bent over to put the jade belt around the Emperor's waist as he flattered him, "Your Majesty is the rightful sovereign. Any rebellion would face nothing but death."

Pleased, Emperor Jingxiao raised his eyebrows and nodded with a smile.

"Well, you have always been the most practical, a hundred times smarter than Pei Rushi. Back then, I intended to cultivate her and marry her to Zheng Ran as my eyes and ears. To my surprise, she joined his side in the end."

Leng Qingtang's heart was burning with the raging flame of hatred that ached the marrow of his bones. But he remained peaceful on the outside like a flat lake that no wind could ripple. He flattened the wrinkles out of the silky robe with his thin fingers. His movements were skillful and neat.

"Hu Shun's men are still locked in the prison. I await Your Majesty's decree on what to do with them."

"Later I will make an order to give the fifty-seven men the combed punishment. Their corpses, along with this one in the chest, will be whipped in Meridian Square. Order the civil and military officials and the servants of the Palace to observe the punishment. Let them know what would be their fate if they disrespect the late Emperor or betray me. As for the 102 men at Mount Yin, bury them there alive so they can follow the late Emperor forever. Well, that would be it. You may go."

The Emperor waved sloppily.

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

Leng Qingtang bowed and kept that posture until he was out of Qinming Hall.

As he turned around, Leng Qingtang's expression changed drastically. He walked down the marble steps; his fists clenched under his sleeves and none could discern his emotion on that clouded face.

He convinced Emperor Jingxiao that "Huanan He", the ninth prince born by the late Emperor and Concubine Lan in the western tribes, had died. However, he could not save the rest people. He would make the person sitting in the dragon chair pay for the blood debt one day!