Chapter 943: All in My Hands

Murong Jin's complexion drained of color in an instant: "Is that you?"

The Masked Man looked at her, and something in his gaze made Murong Jin involuntarily hunch her shoulders.

The Masked Man glanced at the ginseng tea on the table: "Well done."

Murong Jin took a step back.

"Men, guard Fengyi Palace, bind Prince Ning and the Princess Protector of the Nation and keep an eye on them; the Princess Consort need not be dealt with."

"Yes!" Several armored soldiers rushed into the main hall, lifted Xiao Yuanhang and Tuan Tuan from the floor, and bound them.

The Masked Man turned and walked out.

Murong Jin's legs went weak, and she sank into the chair.

"Your Majesty!" Si Yu hurried to her side and steadied her arm.

Soon, in Zichen Hall.

Eunuch Cheng took the medicine bowl from Guo Taiyi, gently stirred the brownish potion with a silver spoon, ladled a spoonful, blew on it twice, and carefully brought it to the Emperor's lips.

Xiao Jieyun clenched his teeth, and the medicine dripped down the corner of his mouth.

Eunuch Cheng hurriedly used a cloth to wipe him clean, ladled another spoonful, and whispered, "His Majesty, open your mouth; it's time to take the medicine."

Guo Taiyi looked at the Emperor's tightly closed eyes and let out a soft sigh.

Suddenly, a chaotic clatter of footsteps came from outside the hall, growing nearer.

Eunuch Cheng looked up, and the medicine bowl in his hand smashed onto the floor, spilling the potion everywhere.

Guo Taiyi plopped onto the ground.

A man wearing a bronze mask slowly walked in.

"How dare you!" Eunuch Cheng snapped to his senses, lunged forward two steps, spread his arms to block the imperial couch, and shouted, "Who are you? How dare you trespass Zichen Hall!"

The Masked Man halted, ignored his questioning, and said calmly, "Where is the Jade Seal?"

The Jade Seal? Eunuch Cheng was stunned for a moment.

He clenched his teeth, his voice hoarse: "We... don't know!"

The Masked Man tilted his head slightly: "No wonder you're the one the late Emperor left behind."

He raised his hand and waved lightly: "Men!"

Dozens of soldiers poured in from the doorway, the clatter of armor echoing through the sleeping hall.

Eunuch Cheng's eyes widened as he stared at them, his gaunt body still rigidly standing before the couch: "Are you... are you planning a rebellion?"

The Masked Man said, "Search."

The soldiers scattered, overturning boxes and cabinets.

The jade ornaments and treasures in the Treasure Hall were moved one by one and haphazardly shoved back, even the incense burner was kicked over.

Eunuch Cheng remained motionless, a blue vein bulging on his forehead.

After a while, the soldiers returned to the Masked Man's side and shook their heads.

The Masked Man stepped toward the imperial couch, his tone cold: "If you don't want me to order them to yank the Emperor off the couch, speak honestly."

He paused: "Otherwise, I won't be able to give the Emperor this final dignity."

Eunuch Cheng shivered all over.

If he were allowed to drag His Majesty off the bed and turn Zichen Hall upside down, the Emperor's last shred of face as the supreme ruler would truly be gone.

The Masked Man took another step forward: "Up."

The soldiers grabbed Guo Taiyi from the ground and shoved him aside; several hands reached for the brocade quilt covering Xiao Jieyun.

"Don't move!" Eunuch Cheng shouted hoarsely, his body trembling like a dry leaf in autumn wind.

The soldiers' hands halted.

Eunuch Cheng looked at the Masked Man, tears in his eyes: "I say..."

His voice trembled: "In, in the study..."

He swallowed with difficulty: "On the right side of the Dragon Desk, the lowest hidden compartment."

The Masked Man did not linger, turned and headed toward the study.

The soldiers hurried after.

Eunuch Cheng collapsed onto the ground, exchanged a glance with Guo Taiyi, who had already curled into a trembling ball.

The Masked Man entered the study and looked around.

The territorial map hanging on the wall was bathed in sunlight, turning the golden bricks into a wash of pale gold.

He withdrew his gaze and said lightly, "Search."

A few soldiers went to the right side of the Dragon Desk and began feeling around.

They soon found the hidden compartment.

After a moment, they gently placed a brocade box and a roll of yellow silk on the desk, then stepped back and stood with hands at their sides.

The Masked Man walked to the desk.

He extended his hand and lifted the lid of the brocade box.

The Jade Seal lay quietly on the bright yellow soft satin, emitting a faint sheen.

He took the roll of yellow silk, spread it on the desk, and sat steadily in the dragon throne.

He personally added water, ground it, his movements unhurried, as if in his own study.

He lifted the imperial brush from the desk, soaked it fully in ink, and wrote several lines on the yellow silk, stroke by stroke.

After writing, he set the brush down and opened a vermilion seal paste on the desk.

He took the Jade Seal from the brocade box, pressed it lightly onto the seal paste, then lifted his hand and placed it at the end of the yellow silk.

"Faking an edict and usurping the throne, what audacity!"

A clear, bright voice rang out in the study.

The Masked Man's hand paused slightly.

He slowly lifted his eyes and looked toward the sound.

On the wall, Xiao Ze, dressed entirely in black combat attire, was walking out of a hidden door.

Xiao Ningxun followed closely behind, with Xiao Er and Lu Qi guarding on his left and right.

The soldiers in the hall retreated a few steps in unison, staring at each other, their eyes full of shock.

His Highness the Crown Prince? Wasn't he supposed to have died after falling off a cliff?

The Masked Man looked at Xiao Ze, a flicker of shock crossing his eyes: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, are you still alive?"

He glanced at the hidden door: "Zichen Hall actually has a secret chamber."

Xiao Ze slowly walked toward him.

"You framed me for poisoning the Fifteenth Prince." He stopped a few steps from the Dragon Desk, locking eyes with the Masked Man from afar, "And you sent assassins to strike during the investiture ceremony."

"If I don't die, how could you get out?"

The Masked Man did not answer.

He unhurriedly placed the jade seal at the end of the imperial yellow robe, lifted his hand to store the jade seal in a brocade box, closed the lid, and then rolled up the robe and tucked it into his bosom.

Only then did he lift his eyes again, his gaze sweeping over each of the four faces.

Xiao Ze and Xiao Ningxun couldn't help but nod secretly; the sudden change, his composure in danger—indeed he was a remarkable person.

The Masked Man spoke slowly: "I advise you not to resort to violence."

He sat upright in the dragon throne, his tone utterly calm: "The Prince Ning and his wife, as well as the Guardian Princess, are all in my hands."