The incident in the Eastern Palace quickly reached the ears of the imperial court.
When QingWu and the elderly attendant returned, they noticed the tense atmosphere in the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince had rushed back from the imperial court as soon as he received the news.
By the artificial rock formations in the rear garden outside Chang'e Hall, QingWu instructed the elderly attendant to step beyond the range of the Ghostly Lantern. She told him to act according to the situation and left to return to the side hall herself.
With a single step, QingWu appeared inside the side hall. What greeted her was the sight of someone else now seated beside the bed.
The man, dressed in a dark official robe embroidered with gold, exuded an air of supreme dignity. He sat at the bedside, staring silently at the puppet of QingWu had left behind, lost in thought.
