Chapter 183: Family Secrets
A meeting was called with urgent haste. Murmurs of concern filled the air as ministers huddled, whispering about the sudden summons by Princess Sylvia at such a late hour.
"Greetings, Your Highness!" the ministers chorused as the Emperor himself strode into the hall. His face, etched with worry, mirrored the anxieties swirling within the chamber.
"Your Highness," a minister ventured, "do you know the reason behind this late meeting? So much transpired today, yet this gathering casts a shadow of unease."
The Emperor, his brow furrowed, shook his head. "I, too, am perplexed. This is Sylvia’s call, and her purpose remains veiled."
As if on cue, the Princess herself entered, accompanied by the Emperor’s trusted advisor. A steely resolve glinted in her eyes, hinting at the gravity of the situation.
"Princess," the Emperor addressed her, "what necessitates this late gathering?"
"Father," Sylvia began, her voice low but firm, "the matter at hand cannot wait. We stand on the precipice of losing our empire before dawn breaks."
A collective gasp rippled through the ministers. The Emperor, his eyes widening, demanded, "What do you mean?"
"I interrogated Concubine Feng Mei," Sylvia explained, "and her words were laced with venom. She thirsts for revenge, for our empire’s downfall. Cryptically, she hinted at an impending attack, a dawn raid by enemies that could crumble everything we hold dear."
The air crackled with tension. The Emperor’s jaw clenched. "I will confront her myself!" he declared, but Sylvia swiftly interjected.
"Further interrogation will yield no fruit, Father. I have exhausted her secrets. Now, we must focus on two fronts: defense against external threats and bolstering our internal strength."
A minister spoke, his voice trembling, "But our forces are depleted. We need more soldiers to stand against this onslaught."