At the third watch of the rabbit hour, the bronze bell at the corner of the eaves of the Golden Throne Hall suddenly shattered the morning mist. The tolling rippled across the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, startling the white doves resting beneath the eaves. Lu Jingyuan, clad in scarlet official robes with a jade pendant gently swaying at his waist as he walked, knelt beneath the raised dais. As he did, the Withered Plum Token in his hand struck the blue bricks with a crisp, clear chime. The three characters "Northwest Wolf" on the token were gilded in the morning light, making the Emperor's hand tighten slightly as he gripped the armrest of the dragon throne.
"Lord Lu, are you certain that this Remnant Plum Pavilion you speak of consists of remnants of the Sky Wolf Stronghold?" The Emperor's voice carried a trace of suppressed fury, his gaze sweeping across the gathered ministers below the hall while the golden dragon embroidery on his imperial robe rose and fell with his breathing.
"Reporting to Your Majesty," Lu Jingyuan kowtowed, his forehead touching the floor as he caught sight of the rising morning sun outside the hall, "the Prefect of Shuntian has verified that Wu Mingyuan, the leader of the Remnant Plum Pavilion, was originally named Lang Mingyuan, the young chieftain of the Sky Wolf Stronghold. Twenty years ago, after the old chieftain was executed, he disguised himself as a wealthy merchant and slipped into the Capital. Under the name of the 'Remnant Plum P…
Chapter 269