346 Lure the Snake Out of the Hole (Eleventh Update)

The days in July darkened earlier than they did in June.

As the Emperor emerged from the Imperial Study Room, there was nothing but the last hint of grey-blue in the sky. By the time he slowly made his way back to the Huaqing Palace, even that was gone.

Night fell, and the stars flickered in the vault of the heaven.

When the Emperor entered the Huaqing Palace, the palace maids paid their respects.

He asked, "Has the Dowager Empress retired to bed yet?"

A young eunuch replied, "No, your majesty."

The Emperor said to Eunuch Wei, "I will visit the Dowager Empress. You may return."

The old servant is not tired.

Sigh.

With some reluctance, Eunuch Wei affirmed, "Yes."

The Emperor went to the sleeping quarters of Dowager Empress Jing, who was kneeling before a Buddhist shrine, with a Buddha bead in one hand and a wooden fish in the other. She was chanting Buddhist scriptures with her eyes closed.

The Emperor did not interrupt, quietly waiting for her to finish her chanting.