“Hush.”

The leader of the group in white signaled for his men to remain silent. He silently moved to a place out of Chu Zhaoyou’s view, his hand reaching behind to grasp a whip.

The whip, like a golden snake, swiftly coiled around the donkey’s tail. With a twist of his wrist, the man in white caused the donkey to rear up in pain and shock, kicking the cart and its barrels.

The target was none other than Chu Zhaoyou.

The others lowered their heads, not daring to look around.

By the Empress Dowager’s decree, the emperor had never experienced hardship in his youth, so a little injury was inevitable. It would serve as a lesson for him to stay on the dragon throne and not wander off.

The man in white retrieved the whip and indifferently watched as the cart’s wheels were about to roll over Chu Zhaoyou’s legs.

It would be best if this action caused Chu Zhaoyou’s legs to become necrotic. If not, everyone present had no doubt that the man in black would come for a second attempt.

Chu Zhaoyou’s vision blurred, and the black boots disappeared, as if it had all been a figment of his imagination. He heard the sound of the barrel colliding from behind, guessing that the cart had lost control.

Every cell in his body screamed to get away! Get away! Dizzy and disoriented, he tried to push himself up three times, but slipped each time.

At that moment, a group of soldiers with a golden eagle embroidered on their chests suddenly charged in. The captain pointed his long sword and leaped onto the cart from his horse, seizing control of the reins and redirecting the cart just a step away from Chu Zhaoyou.

It was the seventh division of the Imperial Guards, responsible for searching Lianhua Village.

The man in white immediately changed his indifferent expression and pretended to be concerned as he stepped forward to help calm the agitated donkey.

“Jiang, it seems we’ll have to share the credit for this fortunate encounter,” he said.

The captain of the seventh division of the Imperial Guards sneered, “Lord Wei.”

In unison, they said, “We are late in rescuing Your Majesty. Please punish us.”

Chu Zhaoyou tried to speak, but someone handed him a bowl of water. It was a godsend for his extreme thirst, and without much thought, he drank it all in one go.

Then, he closed his eyes and passed out.

The Imperial Guards caught Chu Zhaoyou and placed him in the carriage.

The top priority was to return to the capital immediately and prevent the Empress Dowager from finding more excuses to cause trouble. The loyalty of the Imperial Guards was not to Chu Zhaoyou, but to the interests of the Regent. They simply gave the emperor a sleeping draught to make him sleep through the night and rushed back to the capital by daybreak.

…

Empress Dowager Wei carefully applied her makeup in front of the mirror. At thirty-five, today would mark the beginning of her glory.

Her maid, Sakura, stood by with her head bowed. “Empress Dowager, it’s time for the morning court.”

A look of satisfaction flashed in Empress Dowager Wei’s eyes, and her bright red lips seemed to glow like blood.

In the Hall of Governmental Affairs, the dragon throne was empty, and the officials were silent. The place where the Regent usually stood was also vacant. On the left side of the dragon throne, a phoenix chair was placed behind a curtain.

Empress Dowager Wei presided over the court, and the first order of business was to bid farewell to the envoy, Zhang Huiji.

After the envoy led the imperial envoys out, Empress Dowager Wei’s expression changed to one of anger and sorrow.

“Today, I have summoned you all not only to bid farewell to the envoy but also for another important matter,” she said slowly, observing everyone’s reactions. “The emperor is missing.”

At this, the courtiers exchanged glances and then all knelt down, even though they had known in advance.

“The Regent is in charge of the Imperial Guards, responsible for safeguarding the palace and, above all, the safety of the emperor! Yet, two days ago, the emperor disappeared right under the Regent’s nose! When it comes to the stability of the country, Xiao Heng is to blame. After the incident, failing to rescue the emperor and closing the doors of the Regent’s mansion are further offenses. The question is, what could be more important than the emperor ‘s safety!”

Courtiers: “Please calm down, Your Majesty.”

Everyone knew that the emperor wasn’t actually that important, but the Regent’s handling of the matter was indeed inappropriate.

Empress Dowager Wei: “Did the Imperial Guards, under Xiao Heng’s command, make a sincere effort to search for the emperor after the incident? I intended to save my son, but there wasn’t a single soldier available. I am ashamed before the late emperor’s spirit.”

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager mention the late emperor, everyone understood her intentions.

Empress Dowager Wei: “The Imperial Dragon Guards  is stationed in the mountains near the capital to defend it. The late emperor trusted the Regent and split the seal of authority in half, giving one part to the Regent and the other to the emperor. In times of crisis, unity between the ruler and his subjects is essential for mobilization.”

In the past, the Regent and the Emperor were never truly united, and the Imperial Dragon Guards was essentially a mere decoration on the chessboard.

Empress Dowager Wei: “I wonder if there is anything more significant than the emperor’s disappearance in the Da Chu? The Regent Xiao Heng disregarded the Emperor’s  safety and refused to mobilize troops to search, which goes against the late emperor’s original intention. Today, I demand that the Regent hand over the other half of the seal of authority and mobilize the Imperial Dragon Guards to search for the emperor.”

The Empress Dowager’s words were reasonable and unassailable.

Some explained that the Regent had not ignored the Emperor’s safety but had personally gone out of the city to search for him. However, the Empress Dowager’s words left them speechless.

However, the transfer of power was not just about words. Those who support the Regent remained steadfast, and only the neutral parties began to waver.

“General Lu requests an audience outside the hall.”

“Let him in.”

It became clear to everyone that the Empress Dowager had postponed the matter until today to invite General Lu!

General Lu Huai commanded a large army, was upright and just, and had been in charge of the Imperial Dragon Guards for over a decade. He remained secluded in the mountains, never entering the capital or interacting with any court officials. He was seen only through the seal of authority, but not in person.

The fact that the Empress Dowager had invited him to the capital was quite surprising!

At present, the Empress Dowager held half of the seal of authority, and General Lu Huai, faced with the emperor’s disappearance, had to be flexible, even if it meant deviating from his usual conservative approach.

If the Regent did not surrender his half of the seal, it would be rendered invalid. However, if he did surrender it, the Empress Dowager could use the excuse of the emperor’s personal rule to reclaim the entire seal. General Lu Huai indeed agreed with the Empress Dowager’s approach and said expressionlessly, “If the Regent has no explanation, I will have to lead the army to search for the emperor myself.”

Just as General Lu Huai was about to declare the other half of the seal invalid, a young eunuch whispered a few words in the Empress Dowager’s ear.

Empress Dowager Wei’s expression changed slightly, and she hesitantly glanced at General Lu Huai in the hall. Eventually, she said, “The emperor should attend the morning court.”

Right on time, Chu Zhaoyou arrived at the palace.

General Lu Huai was adamant. If he found out that the news of the emperor’s return to the palace had been concealed from him, and with the Regent’s faction inciting trouble, even if he declared the seal invalid, he would probably turn hostile the next moment, return to his military camp in anger, and never get involved again.

Empress Dowager Wei instructed the young eunuch and closed her eyes, maintaining her composure.

The disappearance was real, and she would use this as leverage. With the cooperation of the young puppet emperor, General Lu Huai would have to acknowledge it.

…

“Xiao Hei!” Chu Zhaoyou suddenly opened his eyes to the bright yellow canopy.

At that moment, the eunuch Xue, under the Empress Dowager’s orders, was changing his dragon robe. He had just removed one sleeve, revealing the bite mark on his shoulder.

Having served the emperor for over a decade, it was the first time he had seen a bite mark on the emperor’s precious body. Tears welled up in his eyes. How much suffering had the emperor endured outside the palace!

“What is the meaning of this bite mark, Your Majesty?” Eunuch Xue asked nervously.

Chu Zhaoyou instantly regained his composure and quickly adjusted his collar. “It’s a dog bite.”

He almost let Eunuch Xue know that the ruler of the country had been pinned down by someone.

Chu Zhaoyou was still trembling with fear. If Eunuch Xue called for the imperial physician, the Regent would find out.

He had been brought back to the palace for causing trouble, and if the Regent found out, he might have some twisted ideas about what to do next!