On the second day after Shang Zhuo's meeting with Prince Rong.
Early in the morning.
The temple hall of the imperial palace.
This was probably the quietest and most remote place in the imperial palace. If one didn't look carefully, no one would notice this place on the leftmost side of the imperial palace.
It was as if it was isolated from the rest of the world.
Because it was the end of autumn, the yellowing leaves were already falling.
The courtyard was full of leaves. Even if they swept it clean today, they would have to do it again the next morning.
In the courtyard, the elderly Eunuch Zhang was sweeping with a broom. Because of his old age, his hands moved much slower. With a head of white hair and a hunched back, he seemed to be laboring.
He had been here ever since the death of Qi Zhen Emperor.
He had been here for almost a year.
But his ears were also a lot quieter. He no longer had to shuttle through the magnificent palace, nor did he have to work hard to accompany the new Emperor. Now in this place, he was accompanied by Buddha, and all the troubles had passed.
Shang Zhuo walked to the door and knocked a few times with the rusty iron ring.
"Boom …"
It had been a long time since anyone had been here.
The knocking hadn't been heard in a long time.
Hearing this, Eunuch Zhang clenched his fists as if he had expected something. He sighed and placed the broom in his hand against the tree beside him before hobbling to open the door.
Creak …
The door was opened only a small crack.
Shang Zhuo was outside.
Very polite!
When Eunuch Zhang saw who it was, his eyes narrowed. He opened the door a little more, but it was only wide enough for him.
"Lord Shang?" The voice was desolate.
Shang Zhuo bowed. "Eunuch Zhang, long time no see."
"Yes! It's been a long time. "
"I came today to take something from Eunuch Zhang."
Something!
Eunuch Zhang lowered his gaze, a trace of sorrow flashing across his wrinkled face. He opened the door halfway and turned to enter.
Shang Zhuo stepped in and closed the door.
He followed Eunuch Zhang into the temple hall.
He didn't call out to him.
The hall was filled with the strong scent of candles. A large Buddha was placed in the center of the hall, surrounded by candles, and not a single one was extinguished.
Eunuch Zhang lit three incense sticks and bowed to the Buddha before inserting the incense sticks into the ash-filled incense burner.
"Sigh …"
In fact, the moment he opened the door and saw that it was Shang Zhuo, he knew what had happened!
And this day had finally come!
He looked at the giant Buddha and said, "Before the late Emperor passed away, he held Prince Rong's hand and told him to protect this land. That was the last wish of the late Emperor, but in the blink of an eye, his last wish really became his last wish. "
"Eunuch Zhang …"
"This old servant actually came here to atone for my sins. He served the late Emperor his entire life, but he couldn't even fulfill his last wish. "
Sigh!
Guilt!
Shang Zhuo's expression was solemn as he said, "I presume Eunuch Zhang has guessed the reason I came here."
"This old servant is old, but my brain is not muddled!"
"Then please present the object, Eunuch Zhang."
Eunuch Zhang didn't reply, his eyes still fixed on the giant Buddha in front of him. After a while, he turned to Shang Zhuo and asked, "Is it Prince Rong's wish?"
Shang Zhuo replied, "If it wasn't Prince Rong's wish, I wouldn't have come."
"That's right! Now that the Emperor is in such a state and the court is in a mess, even if Prince Rong has the heart and tolerance, it's time for him to take this step. "
"Then I'll have to trouble Eunuch Zhang."
"Very well."
After Eunuch Zhang responded, he walked with difficulty to the back of the Buddha and moved an empty incense burner to the side. There was a secret box under it, and there was a small lock on the box. He took out a small key from his clothes and opened it.
A layer of ash splashed out.
Inside the hidden box, there was a rectangular box with a long strip of cloth wrapped around it.
He carefully took it out.
When he held it in his hand, his palm was trembling.
His eyes were moist.
He carried the box to Shang Zhuo and took a deep breath, "The object … is inside. I've only opened it once, when I handed it to Prince Rong."
Shang Zhuo replied, "I understand."
He took the box.
The object in the box was a thousand jin heavy!
It didn't just contain an object, but the entire Great Lin's territory.
He bowed to Eunuch Zhang, "Many thanks, Eunuch Zhang."
Sincerely!
Eunuch Zhang turned and left the temple, sighing, "Flowers bloom and fog, it's winter again."
Flowers bloom and fog, it's winter again.
He hobbled to the tree, picked up the broom, and continued sweeping the fallen leaves on the ground.
Slowly!
Again and again!
Shang Zhuo put away the box and left the temple …
Not long after —
On the other side, a young eunuch rushed into the imperial garden.
Wei Yi was standing by the pond, holding a handful of bait in his hand, throwing it into the water.
A large school of fish swam over.
They fought to be the first to eat it.
The eunuch hurried over, "Your Majesty."
Wei Yi was just about to throw the bait, but he stopped and pulled it back.
Then —
He threw all the bait in his hand into the pond.
More fish were attracted!
Wei Yi dismissed the rest of the servants, leaving only the eunuch.
"Speak!"
Just one word, cold and harsh.
The eunuch said, "According to Your Majesty's orders, we have people secretly watching Prince Rong. After he was imprisoned, Hanlin Academy's Lord Shang went to see Prince Rong. I don't know what they talked about. And this morning, Lord Shang went to the Buddha Hall, and he went secretly, but this servant followed him secretly. "
"The temple?"
"Yes! That's where Eunuch Zhang, the late Emperor's personal attendant, is. "
Wei Yi was puzzled, "Why did Lord Shang go to see Eunuch Zhang?"
"This servant doesn't know, I didn't dare bring anyone in."
"First he went to see Prince Rong, then Eunuch Zhang. This matter … is definitely not simple."
"What does Your Majesty mean?"
Asked the eunuch.
Wei Yi took a deep breath, walking a few steps along the pond, his brows tightly knitted as he pondered.
Why did Shang Zhuo go to see Eunuch Zhang after meeting Queen Rong? Anything related to Eunuch Zhang was related to the late Emperor, but what was related to the late Emperor?
As he thought about it …
His invisibility suddenly deepened.
He turned around and ordered, "Bring Eunuch Zhang here."
"Yes!"
That night.
Eunuch Zhang stood in the courtyard of the temple, as if waiting for someone.
As expected, several eunuchs rushed in.
The leader of the eunuchs had an arrogant expression, "Eunuch Zhang, let's go."
He replied, "Yes."
He was very obedient!
Eunuch Zhang slowly got up, his tone pleading, "Can you give this old servant a little more time?"
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