Bai Wutong produced the token, commanding the obedient Shadow Guards to lead the way and assist her.
Soon, the Imperial Guard placed the Imperial Palace under martial law, beginning the arrest of those Shadow Guards who served only the Emperor. Bai Wutong did not believe they could escape her grasp; even if one or two managed to slip away, she was cautious enough to ensure no problems would arise. As long as she lived, anything was possible.
Time flew by. A month passed in the blink of an eye. The Imperial Palace grew increasingly silent, permeated by an aura of stagnation and death. Despite the treatment provided by the imperial physicians, Zhang Chengyan’s condition had not improved—it had only deteriorated. He had once been able to remain conscious for long stretches, but now he slept for half the day, and his total waking hours amounted to a mere three or four, if he were lucky. More often than not, he remained awake for only two hours or so, unable to speak or move, forced to watch helplessly as Bai Wutong took control of everything. He could not fathom how she had managed to seize the entire Imperial Palace so seamlessly. When had she begun laying her plans? And his own tokens, even the Imperial Seal—how did she know where he had hidden them?
Chapter 442