At dawn, before the Forbidden City had even awakened, the heavy Meridian Gate slowly opened. An old eunuch emerged, dressed in a long, blue-green robe with bat-patterned design and wearing tall boots. Behind him followed two other eunuchs, both dressed in plain blue robes and short boots. One eunuch carried a black lacquered tray with a porcelain vase, resembling a wine pot, on it, while the other carried a lacquered tray with a wine cup on it.
The three hurried forward, with the old eunuch carrying a gold medal the whole way. No wonder the guards at the gate immediately opened the gate as soon as they saw the gold medal in his hand, not daring to delay for even a moment.
After the three men left Anmen, the prepared carriage was brought over, and the three eunuchs boarded it one by one, heading towards the Dali Temple.
Meanwhile, the jailer carried a table of food and wine into Hongshi's cell. He had been a jailer in this Dali Temple prison for over twenty years, and this was the first time he had imprisoned the current emperor's son, so he couldn't help but feel some respect for Hongshi.
"Second Prince, please enjoy this meal. Don't ask any questions; this is what we've been instructed to do." The jailer placed the food in front of Hongshi, who was sitting cross-legged, and then turned to leave.
"So early? It's not even time to eat yet. Who sent you? Are you Niu Gulu Qiu Fu?" Hongshi sat cross-legged on a straw "bed" and opened his eyes.
"This is what I was ordered to do, I don't know anything about it." The jailer walked out of the cell and began to lock the top lock.
"Is this my last meal?" Hongshi couldn't help but think of the old rules in the prison, where prisoners about to be executed were usually given a last sumptuous meal.
The jailer dared not speculate, after all, the current emperor's son was imprisoned here, and he dared not get into trouble. He refused to answer Hongshi's question and left.
As the prison warden's footsteps faded into the distance, a bad premonition welled up in Hongshi's heart.
Father Emperor? You really want to kill Hongshi?
Hongshi couldn't help but ask himself, he couldn't believe that Fourth Master really wanted to kill him.
Meanwhile, a carriage stopped at the entrance of the Dali Temple, and three eunuchs alighted from it. They were the same three palace attendants who had come out of the Meridian Gate that morning. The old eunuch led two others to the prison where the prisoners were held and showed the gatekeeper the gold token in his hand.
The guard silently opened the door and let the three of them in. The three followed the jailer to the cell where Hongshi was being held.
While Hongshi was still struggling with his decision, his cell door was opened, and three very familiar people walked in—three eunuchs.
The old eunuch looked at Hongshi, then at the food in front of him, and bowed to Hongshi, saying, "Second Prince, you are not full yet. I will come in again after you have eaten your fill."
Then he turned and left in front of the eunuch.
Hongshi immediately noticed what the two eunuchs behind the old eunuch were holding.
Father Emperor, do you really want to kill Hongshi?
Hongshi was now basically certain. He suddenly overturned the food in front of him and loudly asked the eunuch, "You, were you sent by Father Emperor? Father Emperor sent you!"
Seeing Hongshi's reaction, the old eunuch said, "His Majesty sent this servant. Second Prince, since you do not wish to eat, then accept the decree."
"Alright," the old eunuch said, pulling a bright yellow scroll-like object from his sleeve.
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