Pei Zhang entered the palace in the middle of the night.
The emperor waited many days for his sons to make a move. Finally one of his sons dared to unlock palace gates after curfew. He got out of bed and wore his outer robe.
âYour majesty, seventh prince asked to see your majesty,â an imperial guard said. âSeventh prince said it was important.â
âI understand,â the emperor said.
The emperor was disappointed it was only one of his sons.
Pei Zhang entered his fatherâs chamber and bowed. âImperial father, have you recovered?â
The emperor feigned a cough. He didnât believe Pei Zhangâs filial son act. âSeventh son, what is so important that you needed to see me in the middle of the night?â
âImperial father, I found out ninth brother is prepared for a rebellion!â Pei Zhang said.
The emperor assessed Pei Zhang. He needed to see for himself if Pei Jin truly intended to rebel as Pei Zhang reported.
âImperial father, my guards have followed ninth brotherâs suspicious activities for many days,â Pei Zhang said. âNinth brother is hiding Huang Guoâs men in his manor. Imperial father, what are you going to do?â
âDo what?â the emperor asked.
Pei Zhang shivered to see his fatherâs intimidating aura.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âImperial father, I have a request,â Pei Zhang said.
âSay it,â the emperor said.
âImperial father, if ninth brother truly wants to rebel... imperial father please forgive ninth brother for his ignorant offence,â Pei Zhang said.
The emperor narrowed his eyes.
âImperial father, I believe others are forcing ninth brother to rebel,â Pei Zhang said. âThis is why I wanted to report to imperial father so imperial father can persuade ninth brother not to commit treason. Imperial father... I donât want to lose another brother.â
Pei Zhang was satisfied he looked like a loving and forgiving older brother.
âCome with me to your ninth brotherâs manor!â the emperor ordered coldly.
Pei Zhang anticipated Pei Jinâs fall and death.
The emperor didnât care about Pei Zhangâs ulterior motives. He knew he wasnât young anymore and if one of his sons wanted to rebel then he needed to uproot their resources before a rebellion.
The emperor commanded an army of soldiers he hid nearby the palace to follow him to Pei Jinâs manor.
Pei Zhang finally understood why his father wasnât scared of leaving the palace, his father was always secretly prepared for a rebellion.
âSeventh son, sit in my horse carriage,â the emperor said.
Pei Zhang shivered. Inside his fatherâs horse carriage he would be defenceless, his father didnât trust him. His father was suspicious of him and wouldnât hesitate to use him as a hostage if he was part of Pei Jinâs rebellion.
Pei Zhang obediently sat inside his fatherâs horse carriage. His back stiffened, his father and his fatherâs imperial guards sharp eyes were focused on him. The thought of Pei Jin being on the receiving end of his fatherâs sword comforted him.
The moment Pei Zhang stepped out the horse carriage, his fatherâs army surrounded Pei Jinâs manor.
Moonlight shone on the soldiers armed with swords, bows and arrows. They stood in stances ready to attack at the emperorâs command.
âImperial father, do you want to go inside?â Pei Zhang asked.
The emperor was suspicious why Pei Jinâs manor was too quiet.
âUm,â the emperor said.
After the soldier knocked thrice on the door, a young handsome servant opened the door.
The servant rubbed his eyes. âWhat is it... why are you knocking on the door in the middle of the night... ah! Heavens! Why are there so many armed people?â
Afterward the lanterns in Pei Jinâs manor were lit and everyone rushed outside to see what was causing the commotion.
Pei Xiao Niaoâs sleep was disturbed and he cried loudly.
Pei Zhang was confused why everyone at Pei Jinâs manor were in their night clothes and unarmed.
Pei Jin saw his father and bowed. âImperial father? Imperial father, why are you here?â
The emperor wasnât 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!
âImperial father, heâs hiding people inside!â Pei Zhang said in a panicked tone.
Pei Zhang was determined to ensure Pei Jin wouldnât escape death that night.
The emperorâs soldiers searched everywhere inside Pei Jinâs manor. There were no hidden people inside Pei Jinâs manor.
Pei Zhang didnât know why his fatherâs soldiers didnât find Huang Guoâs 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.
âImperial father, what is happening?â Yan Shi Ning asked.
***
End of Seventy-Six