Chapter 76 (2/2)

‘Seventh son, sit in my horse carriage,’ the emperor said.

Pei Zhang shivered. Inside his father’s horse carriage he would be defenceless, his father didn’t trust him. His father was suspicious of him and wouldn’t hesitate to use him as a hostage if he was part of Pei Jin’s rebellion.

Pei Zhang obediently sat inside his father’s horse carriage. His back stiffened, his father and his father’s imperial guards sharp eyes were focused on him. The thought of Pei Jin being on the receiving end of his father’s sword comforted him.

The moment Pei Zhang stepped out the horse carriage, his father’s army surrounded Pei Jin’s manor.

Moonlight shone on the soldiers armed with swords, bows and arrows. They stood in stances ready to attack at the emperor’s command.

‘Imperial father, do you want to go inside?’ Pei Zhang asked.

The emperor was suspicious why Pei Jin’s manor was too quiet.

‘Um,’ the emperor said.

After the soldier knocked thrice on the door, a young handsome servant opened the door.

The servant rubbed his eyes. ‘What is it… why are you knocking on the door in the middle of the night… ah! Heavens! Why are there so many armed people?’

Afterward the lanterns in Pei Jin’s manor were lit and everyone rushed outside to see what was causing the commotion.

Pei Xiao Niao’s sleep was disturbed and he cried loudly.

Pei Zhang was confused why everyone at Pei Jin’s manor were in their night clothes and unarmed.

Pei Jin saw his father and bowed. ‘Imperial father? Imperial father, why are you here?’

The emperor wasn’t pleased his careful plan was wasted by waking up unarmed people in the middle of the night. What rebellion? He was suspicious why Pei Zhang dared to deceive him!

‘Imperial father, he’s hiding people inside!’ Pei Zhang said in a panicked tone.

Pei Zhang was determined to ensure Pei Jin wouldn’t escape death that night.

The emperor’s soldiers searched everywhere inside Pei Jin’s manor. There were no hidden people inside Pei Jin’s manor.

Pei Zhang didn’t know why his father’s soldiers didn’t find Huang Guo’s hidden men or the concealed weapons. It was impossible for Pei Jin to send the hidden men and weapons outside the manor undetected.

Pei Jin was kneeling but it was Pei Zhang who shivered fearfully.

Yan Shi Ning was kneeling next to Pei Jin and coaxing Pei Xiao Niao to sleep.

‘Imperial father, what is happening?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

***

End of Seventy-Six