Early the next morning.
Marquis Wu'an Mansion.
Peng Yao sat in his chair, looking anxious. He had not closed his eyes for several days. Ever since the palace coup, and the subsequent purging of the Second Prince’s and Fourth Prince’s factions—leaving them dead or wounded—he had been living in a state of constant, gnawing fear.
The Marquis Wu'an Mansion had fallen on hard times, yet it had produced a Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review who struck terror into the hearts of many. Though this Chief Minister was his own flesh and blood, he had never been close to him. Previously, both the Second and Fourth Princes had tried to recruit him, but his son was completely immovable, refusing to show respect to anyone. Having no other choice, Peng Yao had sent plenty of gifts to the estates of both princes. Now that the court had begun its reckoning, he was terrified that it would reach the Peng family any day. If he had known, he never would have sent those gifts. But now, it was too late to say anything.
Outside, his second wife, Madam Cao, entered. Seeing his state, she felt uneasy as well.
Chapter 223