Gao Changgong sat under the long corridor of the palace, his eyes slowly sweeping across the courtyard in front. The autumn evening breeze blew gently, and the flowers and plants in the courtyard swayed gently in the breeze. Although the scenery in front of him remained the same, his heart was like being pressed by a huge rock, full of depression and uneasiness.
The recent situation has become more and more complicated, with rumors spreading and enemies everywhere. Every rumor against him is like an invisible blade, gradually weakening his prestige in the court. Sadly, these are all groundless, and he can't find a chance to defend himself at all. All the unfavorable news seems to be surging in secret, but he can't hold the evidence, nor can he stand in the court to defend himself. Even if he explains to the emperor in person, it will only add unnecessary suspicion to his grievances.
He took a deep breath, stood up slowly, and decided to go back to the study to think about it in detail. However, when he pushed open the door of the study, the scene in front of him made him frown.
There was a strange letter on the desk. The envelope was not sealed, but just lay there quietly, as if waiting for him to find it. Gao Changgong's heart tightened, and he walked forward and carefully examined the letter.
The envelope was simple but solemn. The white rice paper exuded a faint chill. There was no signature on it, and there was no mark of who sent it. He slowly opened the envelope and took out the note inside. The handwriting was sharp and powerful, as if the handwriting was deliberately concealed, but it revealed a certain ominous meaning.
The letter read:
"You are in danger. The enemy is in the dark, you are in the light, and there are invisible traps all around. The actions of the counselors in the palace are impenetrable and want to put you to death. If you want to save your life and power, you must act one step earlier than them.
Three days later, late at night, go to the abandoned Taoist temple outside the south city, alone. At that time, someone will guide you. This trip may be your only chance, don't miss it."
His brows were furrowed, and doubts surged in his heart: Who wrote this letter? Is the other party a friend or an enemy? What is more disturbing is whether the danger mentioned in the letter is really imminent.
He read the contents of the letter repeatedly, and many thoughts flashed through his mind. He had some impression of the abandoned Taoist temple. He heard that no one lived there many years ago. It was located in the barren mountains in the southern suburbs of Jinyang and few people had ever gone there. However, going there to meet a strange sender meant taking a huge risk. If this was a conspiracy, he might fall into an abyss from which there was no return.
Gao Changgong held the letter tightly, walked out of the study, and called the servants in the mansion.
"How did this letter get delivered?" he asked directly, with a hint of imperceptible anxiety in his voice.
The servants looked at each other and shook their heads, saying that they knew nothing about it.
"Your Highness, no outsiders have entered the mansion today." An older servant said respectfully, "If there are visitors, I will report it. But this letter... I haven't seen anyone deliver it."
Gao Changgong heard this and became more confused. The source of the letter was mysterious, as if it appeared out of thin air in his study. No one delivered the letter, and there was no trace to follow. This letter was like a warning from the netherworld.
"Did no one see the messenger?" Gao Changgong asked again, his voice slightly raised.
The servants shook their heads again. They didn't know how the letter got to the mansion.
Gao Changgong fell into deep thought. This messenger was obviously a master. He was able to deliver the letter quietly without alerting anyone, which might mean that the power behind him should not be underestimated. But at the same time, he also understood that this letter was most likely a well-designed trap.
He stood in the courtyard, looking up at the sky. The night deepened, the stars twinkled, and the cold wind quietly invaded. He hadn't figured out whether it was time for him to go all out and face this unknown fate.