Chapter 304: The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion
At those words, Fourth Prince Li Zi's expression shifted at once, and he frowned and clasped his hands in a bow, asking, "Your Majesty the Empress, does even the imperial palace have no way of dealing with that Eighth?"
The Empress, seated on her golden jade throne, glanced at him and said, "Whether the palace has a way of dealing with him or not, no one will move against him before His Majesty gives the order."
First Prince Li Xuan and Fifth Prince Li Qing exchanged a look, then clasped their hands in a bow toward the Empress and asked, "Does Mother know roughly when Father might emerge from seclusion?"
The Empress shook her head again. A trace of helplessness crossed her composed and dignified face, and she said, "I am not certain myself. To speak plainly, I am more anxious than any of you, and hope His Majesty will emerge from seclusion soon."
"Too many things have happened in this period, good and bad alike, and none of them are matters this Empress can easily decide on her own."
At those words, the assembled princes all fell silent.
But at that very moment, an elderly eunuch suddenly came hurrying into the hall and bowed before the Empress on her phoenix throne, reporting in an urgent voice, "Your Majesty the Empress, word has just come in. After the Eighth Prince left the Tianjin Guards headquarters again, he went to the Huo family's residence. It appears he has struck against the Dugu family's people once more."
At those words, every prince in the hall was momentarily taken aback, while the Empress furrowed her brow deeply. Even so, she asked nothing further and simply waved a hand, saying, "You may withdraw for now. This Empress is already aware of the matter."
At the same time, Fourth Prince Li Zi's expression went through several rapid changes, and he immediately turned and bowed toward the Empress, saying, "Your Majesty the Empress, I have made up my mind. I will stay in the palace for the time being and wait here for Father to emerge from seclusion."