At the city gate, people clustered in small groups, gossiping about what had just happened. No one dared mention Ninth Royal Uncle by name, so they turned their talk to Serena Feng, the infamous "romantic" figure of the capital.
The word 'romantic' is high praise for a man—true gentlemen are known for their charm. But when it’s pinned on a woman, it always carries a note of mockery.
Everyone knew Serena Feng wasn’t famous for her talent or grace, but for her so-called affairs with Ninth Royal Uncle, William Wang Jinling, and General Warren Yu. For a woman, that kind of reputation was nothing but trouble.
In the crowd, a few sharp-eyed men who’d been planning to leave the city quietly took several steps back after overhearing the gossip. They exchanged glances with companions farther away, traded subtle hand signals, and then blended back into the throng, acting as if nothing had happened while they prepared to slip out of the city.
They thought they were being discreet, but Dominic Zhai caught every move. Thanks to a tip from Ninth Royal Uncle, Dominic already knew nothing major had happened inside the city. If word got to the Emperor that he’d sealed the gates on his own, he’d be punished for sure. But if he could use this to catch a few spies, maybe he could balance out his mistake.
Dominic Zhai gave a cold laugh, quietly ordered his men, and stood off to the side, calmly watching the flow of people at the gate.
The imperial capital, dazzling on the surface, was now seething beneath. After that deafening boom in the palace, the whole city shifted into a new phase. The Emperor immediately locked down all news, summoned every prince and every minister with the rank to enter the main hall—even William Wang Jinling, who held no official post, wasn’t spared.
The Emperor had decreed that no one dared arrive late. Yet one person was conspicuously absent. The Emperor stared coldly at the empty seat, fully aware of the reason but deliberately asked, “Where is His Highness the Ninth Prince?”
“Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince Manor reports that Ninth Royal Uncle has left the city and not yet returned.” The eunuch, quick-witted as ever, bluntly delivered the ‘crime’ the Emperor wanted to hear.
“Left the city? When did this happen?” The Emperor’s face was dark, and at his temples, hints of white hair showed—Liam Li’s death had hit him hard.