62 Imperial Secrets - Part 1 (1/2)

When Ning Fu met his subordinate, without wasting any time he directly ordered him to get him all the information he could get his hands upon regarding The Son of Heaven's daily schedule.

The general was somewhat stunned by this request but then internalized that which man didn't want to leave a long-lasting mark on this earth? Which man doesn't wish to rule over all under heavens?

With just those few words from The Unit Commander, the general understood everything. Though the general felt happy about his future prospects, he still felt a pang of guilt for doing this to His Majesty.

His Majesty had rewarded all the military personnel very generously when they had returned from the border and the military officials were given their due respect.

They were even given an equal opportunity like the civil officials of court to present their concerns to the monarch.

His Majesty never sidelined them and listened to the problems plaguing their garrisons and their troopers etc and always helped them to ally their fears.

However, how could he and the rest of The Devil Snare Army go against their Unit Commander?

Moreover, their Unit Commander was a reasonable man and if he hadn't been backed into a corner, he wouldn't have taken such a drastic step. Sighing to himself, the general morosely nodded his head.

Looking at his subordinate's face, Nung Fu realised that he had been misunderstood and that both of their thoughts were running in opposite directions. He felt so enraged that he was ready to burst his veins.

This incident also reminded him of when the tables had been turned on him and he was the one casting doubts at another's intentions.

Ning Fu questioned himself that if he was angered to the point of killing his subordinate, how bad must it have been for the monarch.

Immediately and without thinking, The Unit Commander lifted his leg and kicked the general to the floor.

He growled, ”Stop your irrelevant thoughts right this instance. Desist all those nonsensical ideas.”

The general felt extremely wronged.

He felt indignant in his heart.

He thought The Unit Commander was the one ordering me to look into His Majesty's matters. He himself is the one throwing a pebble into still waters and once it forms ripples, he was blaming the pebble for the disturbance.

Humph! Who are you enacting this loyal act for?

At the very least, we are brothers-in-arms and how would I not know how black-bellied you are?

Do you wish to put on a play in front of me?

Then continue doing that...

Later on, after you have the country in your grasp, see if I don't remind you of this faithful puppy dog act of yours. I'll see how you get out of it and deny it at that time.

Ning Fu didn't want to explain himself to the general as of now so he let him be delusional. Anyways, it wouldn't harm him in the least as long as his subordinate kept his thoughts to himself and it had the added benefit that the other person would be even more diligent regarding his task.

Still, Ning Fu cautioned, ”Alright, don't overthink things. Just get me the information I want and remember to safeguard your own neck. Send only those people to gather information who won't divulge information and implicate others if they get caught.”

The Unit Commander still wanted to remind his subordinate to be extremely cautious. However, since Ning Fu wasn't good with words, he didn't speak any further.

He was worried that the general might start to think that he didn't believe in his capabilities.

On the other hand, what was the general thinking?

The general was even more convinced in his heart that The Unit Commander was planning on snatching the supreme seat of power for himself.

He felt even more disgruntled in his heart.

The hypocritical, black-hearted Unit Commander was simply too much.

The general vowed to himself that he will find all the details regarding His Majesty's present schedule.

He'll prove to The Unit Commander that he was capable enough and worthy enough to execute all his future plans in utmost secrecy.

This was his chance to bask in the glory and he wouldn't fail it.

On Monday, just as Ning Fu was about to enter The Imperial Study Complex, he spied The Empress Dowager coming to meet His Majesty. It was absolutely inadvisable for outside males to meet the women inside The Imperial Palace.

Hence, Ning Fu slowed his steps and for the first time since he had entered The Imperial Capital, activated his internal force and suppressed his movements and even slowed his breathing.

When he was using internal force, only a handful of people in the whole dynasty could spot him and none of them was inside The Imperial Capital thus, he didn't feel worried when he used his martial arts in The Imperial Complex to hide.

This also had the additional effect of sharpening his eyesight and hearing which helped him hear about what was being said.

He heard The Empress Dowager call and order The Shadow Guards to stay ten paces away from The Imperial Study until she had finished her talk with His Majesty and entered the study along with someone who looked like a physician.

Ning Fu wondered if His Majesty was hurt somewhere or was sick? He pricked his ears to listen to the conversation going on within. He knew he shouldn't be doing this and it was against the set regulations but he couldn't help himself.

His Majesty ignored him to such an extent that it had lit Ning Fu's competitive nature and he wanted to know everything about the monarch.

It was human nature. The more a person felt neglected by someone, the more they want to grasp that person in the palm of their hands.

What he heard next left was so out of the left field that for hours later Ning Fu didn't even know how to react to it.

A person might question: what earth-shaking secrets had been disclosed for The Unit Commander to behave so dramatically?

The answer is:

”Your Majesty, I have brought this Imperial Physician with me. He is very discreet and is trustworthy. Additionally, his medical knowledge is profound. How about...how about we let him take a look at Your Majesty?” The Empress Dowager spoke haltingly. She didn't want to reopen her child's wound and was also worried that he might take offence at her.

Su Li thought that the lady had brought an Imperial Physician to take a look at her out the lady's worry for her child but was just too shy to voice her concern.

His Majesty looked at The Empress Dowager with an unblinking gaze for a few seconds and just as the physician was about to drop on his knees due to fear, the monarch acquiesced to the request.