Guo Shangzhong hurried to the palace. The decree had arrived not long ago. Since the late Emperor's death, Xue Liulan had granted him permission to stay outside the palace, leaving daily affairs to Little Dingzi.
"Eunuch Guo, you're here." Little Dingzi met him at the gate, relief written on his face.
Guo Shangzhong stepped out of his sedan chair, leaning on the boy's arm. "What happened? An imperial decree at this hour?"
"It's about the little prince. But I don't know the details." Little Dingzi looked troubled.
Guo Shangzhong eyed him suspiciously. "Or have you grown wings and want to fly on your own?"
"This slave wouldn't dare!" Little Dingzi dropped to his knees, head to the ground. He hated this man for what happened to his brother Liu, but now was not the time to show it. Xue Liulan was right. The centipede must be crushed completely.
"Get up." Guo Shangzhong kicked him lightly. "You're the Emperor's man now. Kneeling to me will only make people talk."
"They wouldn't dare. You are my master. Even before the Emperor, I should kowtow to you." Little Dingzi scrambled up, smiling ingratiatingly.
Guo Shangzhong scolded him, but inwardly he was pleased. Xue Liulan was trying to push him out, but the palace was still his web. The Emperor couldn't make a move without him knowing.
Xue Liulan sat in his study, reading Yan Lingfu's memorial. It listed every crime committed by Guo Shangzhong and his cronies, each backed by evidence. Yan Lingfu was in Jindu, ready to charge the moment Xue Liulan gave the order.
"This old slave greets the Emperor." Guo Shangzhong knelt near the door.
Xue Liulan closed the memorial. "Rise, Eunuch Guo. Little Dingzi, a seat."
Guo Shangzhong sat, stealing a glance at the Emperor. Xue Liulan's brow was furrowed, his gaze distant, as if wrestling with a difficult decision.
"Eunuch Guo."
"This old slave is here." Guo Shangzhong stood and bowed.
"Sit. There are no outsiders here."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xue Liulan drummed his fingers on the table. "To be honest, I asked you here because I need a favor."
A favor? Guo Shangzhong was surprised. What could trouble the Son of Heaven so much that he would ask a eunuch for help?
"I dare not. Your wish is my command." He bowed deeply. Little Dingzi had said it concerned the prince. But Murong Jin guarded that child like a tigress. No one could get close.
"The Empress is confined to Zhaoyang Palace. With the change in weather, she has fallen ill. I fear she might pass it to Qi'er, so I have moved him to my chambers." Xue Liulan stood and paced. "But you know how it is. Qi'er has just learned to walk. It is spring, and he wants to play outside. I am busy with state affairs. So I thought… perhaps you could watch over him for me."
Guo Shangzhong processed this. He understood immediately.
"The late Emperor often entrusted the princes to this old slave. Since Your Majesty trusts me, I will take good care of the little prince."
"Good." Xue Liulan beamed, then looked worried again. "But you must be careful. He is mischievous. Safety is paramount. If he loses a single hair, the Empress will not let me hear the end of it."
"I understand. I will be doubly careful."
"Then I am relieved. You may go. I will send someone to fetch you tomorrow."
"This old slave takes his leave."
"Little Dingzi, see Eunuch Guo out."
Xue Liulan watched him go, a small smile on his lips. Guo Shangzhong was smart. He would know this was Murong Jin's idea, and he would guess her intent. But still, Xue Liulan worried. Guo Shangzhong was no ordinary opponent.
Guo Shangzhong walked slowly, Little Dingzi following in silence.
Killing the prince would devastate Murong Jin and her family. The opportunity was right there. Little Dingzi couldn't understand why Xue Liulan would send the lamb into the tiger's mouth. If anything happened to the boy, Murong Jin would tear the palace apart.
"Little Dingzi, what do you think?" Guo Shangzhong stopped and turned.
"Ah?" Little Dingzi started. "In my opinion, it's a great opportunity. We can use the prince to strike at the Murong family." He made a cutting motion across his throat.
Guo Shangzhong shook his head and walked on.
Little Dingzi hurried to catch up. "You don't think it's feasible?"
"The Emperor has placed the prince's life in my hands. If anything happens, it's my responsibility. The Emperor cherishes his only son. If he dies on my watch, it's the perfect excuse to destroy me." Guo Shangzhong sneered. "Worthy of the General of Wuchuan. She thought of everything."
"Then what will you do?"
"I will watch over the child for her. The Emperor favors Consort Guo, but she has no son. If the palace produces a motherless child, naturally he should be given to Consort Guo to raise." His smile turned sinister.
This would secure Guo Lingyu's position. When the child grew older, they would put him on the throne. With a young emperor and his mother in their control, ruling the empire would be easy.
Little Dingzi felt a chill. He worried for Murong Jin's life. He knew Guo Shangzhong's methods. Once he wanted someone dead, he never stopped.
Back in the study, Little Dingzi relayed the conversation. Xue Liulan paused, his hand hovering over a memorial. Murong Jin and Ning Bi should be on their way to Wuchuan by now. As long as the news didn't leak, they were safe.
"Little Dingzi, prepare a set of plain clothes."
"Where are you going, Your Majesty?" Little Dingzi asked, alarmed. If he lost the Emperor, heads would roll.
"Just out. Get them. I won't get lost." Xue Liulan sighed. "Watch over Qi'er. And let no one enter or leave Zhaoyang Palace. Say the Empress is gravely ill and needs rest."
"Understood."
Xue Liulan changed. White inner robes, a pale violet outer gown, a simple jade belt. Even in plain clothes, his bearing was unmistakably regal.
When he appeared at Yumen Jiao, heads turned. It wasn't opulence, but an aura of nobility that commanded respect.
"This way, sir." The waiter was curious. Since the Seventh Prince left, they hadn't seen a guest like this.
"Is the guest in the second room on the second floor here?" Xue Liulan asked at the stairs.
"Yes, for some time."
Xue Liulan nodded, tossing him two taels of silver. "Let no one approach that room unless I call."
The waiter blinked. This was the first time anyone other than the old master's friends had given such an order.
"Since Xing left, Murong Jin rarely comes here. Who runs Yumen Jiao now?" Xue Liulan asked quietly on the stairs.
It sounded like he was talking to himself, but he knew the waiter could hear.
The waiter stopped, looking back in surprise. This man knew the history. Friend or foe?
"Don't be nervous. Just asking." Xue Liulan smiled.
The waiter relaxed slightly. "The current mistress is a former student of the master. She learned the Hu Xuan dance."
Xue Liulan remembered. The girl whose dance had moved Jindu. A fragile girl, now holding up such a large establishment. A good teacher produces a good student.