Chapter 1734: Strange Phenomena in the Heavens! (1/2)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

The feast at the Eastern Palace lasted from the time when the lanterns were lit all the way until midnight. Once everyone was gone, First Prince Li Ying remained behind with the Ghost King and Meng Tu.

Buzz!

The First Prince blinked and then slowly thrust his palms against the air while circulating his energy. A moment later, wisps of steam began to rise from the top of his head, and all the alcohol was expelled from his body. The First Prince opened his eyes, which were bright and clear, free of any intoxication.

”It's about time. Has he come?”

The First Prince's face darkened, his expression chilling.

Meng Tu bowed and said, ”Your Highness, he is in the side hall and is ready at any time to be summoned.”

”Let him in!”

A few moments later, the door to the side hall opened, and a scrawny man in cloud-patterned silk robes slowly walked in.

”This old slave pays respects to the First Prince!”

The man, a eunuch of the palace, bowed.

There were numerous palace maids and eunuchs in the Imperial Palace, and this sort of old eunuch would draw little attention.

”Rise! Let me ask you: what has the Sage Emperor's condition been as of late?” the First Prince coldly asked.

The hall immediately became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, and tension hung invisibly in the air.

All three were focused on the old eunuch, waiting for his reply.

In any dynasty, inquiring about the daily life and condition of a sovereign was a major taboo that, if discovered, would result in the death penalty. This was why the First Prince and Hou Junji had waited until the feast was over and everyone else was gone to hold this audience.

”Your Highness, His Majesty's condition does not bode well, and it seems like it has even worsened. We have sent several maids to take food to Taiji Palace, but almost none of it has been touched. We even had the Palace Larder prepare some plain porridge, but His Majesty only ate a little. He seems to have gotten even weaker,” the eunuch said in a soft voice.

”Very good!”

The First Prince nodded.

”You're dismissed! Handle this matter properly! This prince does want to see even the smallest error!”

”This old slave understands!”

The old eunuch bowed and quickly departed.

Meng Tu looked in the direction the eunuch had left and suddenly asked, ”Your Highness, this matter is of utmost importance. Do you need your subordinate to send someone to eliminate him?”

The First Prince waved his hand and sternly said, ”That's not needed! Someone is already keeping an eye on him!

”This prince has a different matter for you to handle. Pass on my order! Have Huang Tianzhao increase the number of men guarding Taiji Palace. No one is allowed to approach without this prince's order!”

Meng Tu seemed to realize something. ”Your Highness, are you worried that…”

”It is always wise to be safe. At a moment like this, this prince will not tolerate any flaw!” the First Prince sternly said.

”Yes!”

Meng Tu bowed and quickly departed.

Once Meng Tu was gone, the First Prince placed his hands behind his back and slowly turned to Hou Junji.

”What other worries does Your Highness have?”

”Ghost King, this prince has already given you my token and half of the Commander Tally, and all of the Imperial Army and the border armies we have are under your command. What comes next all depends on you!”

”Your Highness, be at ease. Soon, Your Highness will have your wishes fulfilled!” Hou Junji nonchalantly said.

”They'd better be!” the First Prince sternly said.

The hall quickly fell silent, and once Hou Junji left, Li Ying was left alone.

After some time, the First Prince looked around and then headed into his chambers. At the place where the treasured sword of the Crown Prince was displayed, the First Prince reached out and pressed against the wall. With the clunking of gears, a passage large enough to accommodate a single man appeared before him.

The passage was pitch-black, but the First Prince stepped right in, making his way up to a familiar set of steps that he took downward.

Bang!

There was a large boom as the passage closed, but within the passage, lights began to brighten. The First Prince was unperturbed—this was clearly something he had experienced many times.

At the bottom of the steps was a secret chamber, crudely built. There was nothing here except a stone platform, one meter long on each side.

Despite the simplicity, above the stone platform, a large luminescent pearl had been placed, providing the only source of light in this chamber.

But even more dazzling than the pearl was the golden casket on the stone platform, about one foot wide and half a foot long.