Just then, a eunuch's voice rang out, "The imperial edict has arrived."
Minister Jia hurriedly tidied his clothes and went to receive the imperial decree.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Jia Yingying, daughter of the Minister of Revenue, is of pure and virtuous character, gentle and kind. She is hereby appointed as a concubine of the First Prince Yun Gan. A date will be chosen for her to enter the residence and drink this wine!"
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" Minister Jia hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude and accept the imperial decree.
"Congratulations, Minister Jia!" the eunuch delivering the imperial decree said with a smile.
"Thank you, sir."
Minister Jia took out a money pouch and stuffed it into the hand of the imperial messenger, saying, "Please have some tea, sir."
The eunuch smiled and accepted the money bag. "Thank you, Minister Jia. I am happy to share in this joy. I will return to the palace to report back and will not trouble you any longer. Farewell."
"Someone, escort the eunuch out."
Upon receiving the news, Jia Yingying rushed out of the ancestral hall without hesitation. She took the imperial edict and examined it closely, her face beaming with joy. Her long-cherished wish had finally come true.
Now her father could no longer punish her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall. With the imperial edict issued, it meant that she was now a member of the royal family, and in terms of status, she was even higher than her father.
Upon seeing this, Minister Jia sighed deeply, said nothing, and returned to his study.
Oh well, it's all fate.
Winter days always end early. Light snow was falling, and it was already completely dark just past 6 p.m.
In the cold weather, the vendors packed up their stalls and went home early.
Only the lanterns hanging by the roadside emitted a faint yellow light, illuminating the way for the occasional person hurrying home in the night.
A squad of Imperial Guards was on patrol as usual.
Ugh!
Ugh!
Several muffled groans were heard as the members of the Imperial Guard squad had their throats slit. Some men in black dragged them into the alley, and everything was done as if nothing had happened.
The leader of the men in black waved his hand, and more and more men in black appeared, moving in unison towards the palace.
Inside the palace, a young eunuch brought a pot of wine to his master's room.
"Master, this is some lamb wine I just got. Please try it."
"Hmm, Xiao Shunzi, you are the most filial."
Xiao Shunzi poured the wine and handed it over with both hands, saying, "Master, please."
"Hmm." The old eunuch took a sip. "Not bad, this wine is indeed quite good."
"That's right, Master, please have more." Xiao Shunzi poured cup after cup for the old eunuch, and soon the old eunuch's tongue was swollen.
"Little...Little Shunzi...what...what time is it?"
"Master, it's almost 7 PM."
"Then it's time to check the key." The old eunuch swayed as he prepared to get up, but then sat back down unsteadily.
Xiao Shunzi hurriedly said, "Master, I'll go for you. You can go in person at Hai Shi (9 PM)."
Xiao Shunzi had checked the West Palace Gate for his master a few times before, and the old eunuch didn't pay any attention. He took out the key from his waist, handed it to Xiao Shunzi, and waved his hand, "Go on, I'll have a couple more sips."
Xiao Shunzi respectfully accepted the palace gate key, turned around, and left.
Upon arriving at the West Palace Gate, Xiao Shunzi looked around and saw a patrol of guards just passing by.
"Meow~" Xiao Shunzi meowed softly.
"Meow~" A cat's meow came from outside the door.
Xiao Shunzi quickly took out his key and opened the palace gate, and the men in black filed in.
"Charge!"
As more and more palace servants entered, the sounds of fighting broke out.
The palace guards rushed to fight back, and the sound of weapons clashing filled the palace instantly.
Some men in black rushed into the palace and began to hack and slash indiscriminately. Palace maids and eunuchs were either killed, wounded, or forced to hide, creating chaos.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the rebels have stormed into the palace."
Huang Rensheng stumbled and cried as he arrived at Emperor Kangwen's bedchamber.
Inside the bedchamber, Emperor Kangwen lay with his eyes closed, while Consort Qing, dressed in a thin veil, gently massaged his temples.
Upon hearing Huang Rensheng's voice, Emperor Kangwen abruptly opened his eyes, sat up, and said in a chilling voice, "What did you say?!"
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