Chapter 9 Burn Yourself

Qi Long was holding a fold in his hand, it had been almost half an hour, but he hadn't turned a page, it seemed that he was looking at the folding, but he was afraid that he didn't know where to fly to it.

Su Mi served quietly on the side, without the slightest disturbance.

After watching it for a while, Qi Long suddenly threw the fold in his hand that he had been staring at for a long time on the table, and stood up upset. He walked to the window and looked at the verdant branches outside, and a gust of wind blew, making a sound like a pine wave, mixed with the gentle and crisp chirping of birds, lush and green, scorching.

Qi Long looked at it for a while, and finally asked: "Mi'er, have you ever heard of ......" After saying half a sentence, he stopped his words, and he looked like he wanted to speak again.

Su Mi stepped forward and picked up the golden silk cloak that was on the side, put it on for Qi Long, and said softly: "The spring is cold, the emperor should pay attention to ensure his body." ”

Qi Long said "um" absentmindedly, but did not answer, and continued to look out the window, thinking about something.

When Su Mi saw this, he naturally understood in his heart that it must have been that rumor that had entered his ears.

Earlier, she asked Xiao Luzi to spread this rumor secretly, but she didn't ask him to spread it to the emperor's ears, anyway, she didn't have such a force, and it was too dangerous. As long as the rumors are spread to Xifu Palace or Gao Shengnuo, Ni Yelin will never let go of this opportunity. According to the power of the Ni family, it is naturally not difficult for the rumors to reach Qi Long's ears.

Human beings are already rich in associations, and this is especially true of the people in the court. Such rumors appeared in the early years of Qi Long's succession, but they were quickly quelled under strong suppression, and now there is a resurgence again, which cannot but make people think more.

Now seeing Qi Long's reaction, I am afraid that there is a little doubt in my heart.

Su Mi smiled and asked softly, "Does the emperor have any troubles?" Why are you so worried? It must be that the unconscious old ministers in the court have annoyed the emperor again. ”

Qi Long shook his head and said, "Mi'er, do you know that there is a rumor circulating in the palace recently? ”

"The concubine has heard it." Su Mi replied with a smile.

Qi Long was stunned for a moment, he originally thought that Su Mi must have said that he had never heard of it, after all, if he interfered with the secret affairs of the palace, no one would take the initiative to recruit him, and it was common sense for Mingzhe to protect himself.

"The emperor is talking about the rumors about the emperor's life history this time, right?" Su Mi smiled calmly: "The palace has always been good at making up all kinds of things out of nothing, didn't there be such rumors when the emperor inherited the throne?" Now it's just a resurgence, why should the emperor worry about it? ”

"I'm not worried...... Qi Long paused, and was silent for a moment without knowing what to say.

"That'...... Is the emperor suspicious, but there is no wind and no waves? Su Mi asked tentatively.

Qi Long nodded hesitantly, and said, "Actually, when I first inherited the throne, I heard such rumors......" The rest of the words were not spoken.

Su Mi knew in his heart that he was afraid that Qi Long would be suspicious back then, but he was able to inherit the throne smoothly, and he was inseparable from his status as the queen mother's concubine, how could this kind of rumor that might shake the legitimacy of his throne spread? Not to mention that it was just a rumor, even if the evidence was conclusive at the time, Qi Long had to denounce these words as a fallacy to confuse the public and suppress them on a large scale.

Now the situation is different, Qi Long has gradually secured his position in the past few years, not to mention, the power of the Wang family does not bring him as much help as before, but it is an obstacle to imperial power.

I'm afraid that it's not just because of such a simple rumor that it has reappeared, but that Qi Long has always had such a mustard in his heart.

This time, the rumors are extremely clear, and it has even been said conclusively that Qi Long's original biological mother was a palace concubine who lived in the Duyue Palace, but unfortunately it was unclear that she died soon after giving birth to the child.

"Since the emperor is not at ease, why doesn't he order a thorough investigation?" Su Mi asked with a puzzled expression.

"It's not that simple," Qi Long sighed: "Now the power of the Wang family is too great, Mi Er doesn't know how many Wenchen in the court are protΓ©gΓ©s of the Wang family, and how many military generals are the in-laws and dependents of the Wang family." If I really make such an edict, it will inevitably attract the attack of the courtiers. And ......"

And now that Wang Hao is leading the troops outside, of course he can't and doesn't dare to make such a shocking move, Su Mi secretly made up for him.

"In that case, wouldn't it be nice to let someone investigate secretly?" Su Mi asked again.

"It's also difficult," Qi Long shook his head, "After all, it's an old thing from more than 20 years ago, most of the palace people back then are no longer in the palace, especially the grandmothers who served the harem, none of them are the old people of the year, how can they still find the land?" ”

Su Mi was secretly suspicious in his heart, it seemed that Qi Long couldn't help but secretly send someone to investigate when the rumors first started back then, how rash such a move was, I don't know if the Wang family noticed it, in case the Wang family knew about it......

"The old man of the year ......" Su Mi thought for a moment, and suddenly clapped his hands and smiled: "Aren't there still concubines in the palace now?" ”

"The earliest of these concubines and concubines in the palace has also been in the palace for eleven years." Qi Long shook his head and said, "But ......" He thought, such a method is feasible, if his biological mother is really not the queen mother, she must also be a palace concubine, and these concubines who served their father and emperor must know some clues.

"In today's harem, in addition to the Queen Mother, the most noble among the concubines is Concubine Miaoyi, she is usually kind and has a lot of friends. It's better to secretly send someone to ask about the meaning of the concubine. Su Mi suggested.

Qi Long groaned.

Seeing his hesitation, Su Mi knew that it was better to stop this matter, and said: "Actually, these things might as well be talked about later, between the ministers and concubines, the emperor has been connected with the queen mother and her old man over the years, and the love is deep." The emperor's deep kindness to the Wang family is seen by the whole world. Now there are such rumors slandering the queen mother out of thin air, and now the palace is looking at the emperor from top to bottom, the emperor must not act rashly at this time, if it falls into the eyes of someone who cares, what will the Wang family think? What would the Queen Mother think? ”

"Well," Qi Long nodded, and said with a gloomy expression, "Now, I can only do this." He turned his head to look out the window, where it was getting darker and it was going to rain again.

Su Mi smiled gracefully, the distress of being forcibly suppressed will only make the unhappiness buried in her heart more serious, and it will inevitably make the next outbreak more intense.

Soon, Qi Long made an order to severely punish those who dared to spread rumors, and finally let the twists and turns in the palace gradually subside. But what has calmed down on the surface has actually produced in people's hearts is something that no one can measure.

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"You said that Miaoyi's concubine is sick?" Su Mi asked.

"yes." Xiao Luzi replied, just now Su Mi sent him to Cining Palace to inquire about the situation: "The slave just went there, and I saw a few eunuchs walking over there from a distance, and their movements were very suspicious, I didn't get close, I found a little eunuch who was guarding the palace next to me and asked, saying what kind of infectious disease, now a few imperial doctors can go inside, and no one next to them will be allowed to enter. ”

Move out of the palace? Su Mi pondered, it seems that the Queen Mother knows something, no wonder, now there are so many people in the palace who know the old things, and Miaoyi's behavior of coming forward to defend herself on the day of the birthday banquet is too obvious.

The Queen Mother's move is really vicious, I am afraid that when she moves out of the palace, within a few days, Concubine Miaoyi will naturally "die".

I have to find a time to talk about it in Qi Taki's ear. You can't let people out of the court.

Late at night, in the Manna Palace, after Xuanyi was warm, Qi Long had fallen asleep, Su Mi was lying gently in Qi Long's arms, thinking about how to deal with it tomorrow, just now she had already told Qi Long that she wanted to visit Concubine Miaoyi, and Qi Long did not doubt him.

In a drowsy state, he was suddenly awakened by a commotion outside.

Su Mi turned over, the sound outside was getting closer and closer, and after a while, the door "knocked" and knocked lightly twice, and then Gao Shengnuo's voice came low: "Your Majesty ......"

Looking back at Qi Long sleeping soundly, Su Mi asked in a low voice, "What's the matter, what's the matter, why is it so noisy outside?" ”

"Niangniang," Gao Shengnuo replied in a low voice, "It's the water in the palace, and everyone is rushing to put out the fire." ”

"Gone out of the water? What is it? Su Mi hurriedly sat up and put on her clothes.

"It's Cining Palace in the west." Gao Shengnuo replied: "Now the people from the Internal Affairs Office have rushed to put out the fire. I don't know which palace it is, it's almost the Jingshengzhai area. ”

Cining Palace, Jingsheng Zhai!

Su Mi lifted the curtain: "What?!" ”

Qi Long was shocked, opened his eyes, and asked with a little sleepiness, "What's wrong?" ”

Before Su Mi could speak, Gao Shengnuo outside had already replied in a low voice: "Your Majesty, it's Jing Shengzhai in the palace who has gone through the water." ”

Qi Long's eyes were hazy and puzzled for a while, obviously not remembering which side of Jingshengzhai was. Su Mi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, Jing Shengzhai is in Cining Palace, in case the fire is too fierce, it will burn to Cining Palace......"

Qi Long became nervous at this time, and hurriedly got up, the palace people on duty at night came in and took the clothes and cloak, Su Mi put them on for Qi Long, and then put on his own clothes, and he didn't have time to comb his hair, so he hurriedly walked out of the door. When I came to the porch, I looked far to the west, and half of the sky seemed to be burned red, and the smoke was burning.

"The fire is so big?!" Su Mi was shocked and asked, "Miao...... How is the Queen Mother and the concubines? ”

No one was able to answer her question.

The clever palace people outside had already prepared the chariot, and at this time, Su Mi didn't care about prevarication, and got on the chariot with Qi Long and rushed to Cining Palace.

When I arrived at Cining Palace, I saw that along the way, many internal supervisors and miscellaneous servants were running forward anxiously with buckets.

Closer, the fire was smoking, and the heat was raging. Qi Long stopped the car, came down to look around, and Gao Shengnuo hurriedly helped Qi Long to walk forward.

"What's going on with the Queen Mother?" Qi Long asked.

The little eunuch nearby saw Qi Long's imperial chariot, and hurriedly ran over and said, "The Queen Mother, her old man, is fine, but she was a little frightened, and she moved out of the palace when the fire just started, and now she is in the Qiuqi Palace." ”

Hearing that the Queen Mother was unharmed, Qi Long breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "What about the fire?" ”

"The emperor can rest assured, now the fire has been controlled, fortunately, it rained a few days ago, the ground is still a little wet, and there is a pool at the east end of Cining Palace, so the fire has not spread." The eunuch replied as he led Qi Long towards the place where the Queen Mother was. Su Mi also got off the frame and followed.

Everyone walked to the Qiuqi Palace, and they didn't even enter the palace gate, just under a big tree, the Queen Mother was standing there tremblingly, surrounded by a group of palace maids and internal supervisors.

"Why did the emperor come over? This fire is ferocious, what if it hurts the dragon's body. When the Queen Mother saw Qi Long coming, her face changed, and she immediately said.

Su Mi looked at the Queen Mother's face with a little doubt, when she saw Qi Long, Su Mi saw the panic in her eyes for that moment.

Is it just because of the fright of the fire, or is it because of the weakness of being a thief? Why is the place of the fire Jingsheng Zhai where Concubine Miaoyi lives?

"The queen mother is in danger, how can the sons not serve the left and right?" Qi Long stepped forward and waved away the maid on the side, and supported the Queen Mother.

"The mourning family has an old bone, and there are a lot of slaves around him, where will there be any danger, but the emperor should be cautious." The Queen Mother said uncertainly.

"Erchen understands." Qi Long replied casually: "The queen mother is frightened, don't stay here for a long time, it's better for the queen mother and the sons to go to the palace to sit together." As he spoke, he was about to help the Queen Mother walk towards the palace gate.

"Wait, the mourning family doesn't see that this is a stable place, maybe the fire is about to burn, let's go to Fengyi Palace. It's better to live in peace. The Queen Mother said to stop her.

"Since it is the intention of the queen mother, let's set up the Fengyi Palace." Qi Long responded with kindness. The attendants around the two of them walked towards the chariot.

Su Mi wanted to keep up, she just took a step, and retreated, seeing that no one around was paying attention, she walked towards Cining Palace. As she got closer, the fire became more and more terrifying, and she grabbed a little eunuch who was running hurriedly with a bucket and asked, "How is the fire saving the land?" What about Concubine Miaoyi? ”

The little eunuch was pulled and was about to get angry, but when he turned his head and saw that although Su Mi was disheveled, he understood that it must be a master just from the shimmering watery silk cloak on his body. immediately changed his face and replied respectfully: "Back to the master, the first place to walk the water is the Jingshengzhai of Concubine Miaoyi and her old man's house, and the situation inside is not clear, the fire is too big, and no one dares to approach." ”

Su Mi's heart sank, and at this time, he heard He Yuwang's voice coming from a distance not far away, "Quick!" Fast! Hurry up! If the fire spreads to the side of the main hall, it will be up to you to explain it. ”

A group of little eunuchs were like headless flies, and they were directed by him to run around, chickens and dogs jumping.

Su Mi stepped forward and asked, "Manager He." ”

Hearing Su Mi's voice, He Yuwang was startled, turned his head and looked at it for a while before he recognized it as Su Mi, and couldn't help but ask, "Ah, master, why are you here?" What if it hurts you? ”

"I ask you, how is the fire going now? But Concubine Miaoyi came out? Su Mi was in the mood to be polite with him, and hurriedly asked.

"Where can I save people? Now Jing Shengzhai is afraid that it has been burned through, and Concubine Miaoyi and her old man are afraid of ...... Alas," He Yuwang said with a bitter face: "Now the slave is leading people to put out the fire, and I just ask the heavens to bless the fire so that it will not burn to the main hall of Cining Palace." I don't know how frightened the Queen Mother and her old man are now? In case there is something wrong with her old man, the minions will not be able to cut off a few heads. ”

Su Mi was not interested in listening to his complaints, and turned to look forward.

He Yuwang shook his head behind him and sighed: "This fire is also unusual, how did it burn?" It's still burning so hard. ”

Who burned it? Is the Queen Mother forced to kill people in a hurry? Su Mi was in a trance for a while, although she didn't see Concubine Miaoyi many times, but Miaoyi's grace was noble, which gave her a sense of intimacy close to that of an elder, and now she ......

Su Mi returned to Caiwei Palace. After sitting on the bed for almost an hour, the sky was slowly getting brighter, and when he was in a daze, the door curtain was lifted, and Xiao Luzi, who went out to inquire about the news, came in and said, "Master......"

"How's it going?" Su Mi hurriedly asked.

"The fire has just been extinguished, and I have inquired clearly, and Concubine Miaoyi has indeed unfortunately passed away." Xiao Luzi said: "The corpse ...... Already found in the house. ”

Su Mi's face turned pale for a while, although he already knew in his heart that this must be the result, but he was still uncomfortable.

"Master," Xiao Luzi looked at Su Mi's face, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "There is another terrible rumor." ”

"What?" Su Mi asked casually.

"That's ......" Xiao Luzi looked left and right, and said with a nervous expression: "When the slave went to inquire about the news just now, I heard a little eunuch serving near Jingshengzhai say that when the fire just started, there was a loud shout from Concubine Miaoyi in the house. While shouting that the rumors were not from her, she later scolded the Queen Mother for harming her, killing people or something. Everyone there was terrified. ”

"What ......" Listening to Xiao Luzi's words, Su Mi's face couldn't help but change, and asked, "How many people have heard it?" What about those people today? ”

"This, I heard that the voice was loud and high-pitched, and it is estimated that everyone nearby heard it." Xiao Luzi said: "Now that the fire has just been saved, everyone is still staying near Jingshengzhai, but the chief manager He Yuwang was ordered by the queen to thoroughly investigate the arsonist prisoners. ”

"Did you hear that?" Su Mi hesitated. How is this possible?

Is it really the Queen Mother's hand? Su Mi was surprised, if it was the Queen Mother, how could so many people hear such a big flaw?

Especially on the cusp of now, the Queen Mother will definitely not be unable to hold her breath. If it was really her move, it would definitely be a thunderous blow, and it would be impossible for people to have a chance to refute it.

Not the Queen Mother!?

Who's that?

Su Mi suddenly thought of the time when she talked that night, Concubine Miaoyi had a resolute and desolate expression.

At that time, she already knew that she might not live long, right?

Yes, that's it!

Especially after the Queen Mother ordered her to be placed under house arrest in the name of illness, she also understood that when she left this palace, her life would be over, so she made such a determination to set fire to her palace by herself, so that all the eyeliners and guards fled because of the fear of flames, and took advantage of this gap to shout out the words that she had suppressed all her life.

Her last words are self-evident how much trouble she will bring to the Queen Mother and the Wang family.

Thinking of the Queen Mother's flustered expression just now, it was not a sign of being a thief, but because she heard the last cry of Concubine Miaoyi!

Su Mi smiled, but her smile was a kind of desolation, and she only felt that the sourness in her heart was unbearable.

After a long period of infighting with the world and forbearance and planning, it was involved in such a conspiracy. Su Mi suddenly remembered what Xiao Luzi had said before about Concubine Miaoyi's experience in this court, her children, and her family......

Such a deep hatred made her painstakingly plan to regain her favor and serve her enemies respectfully. Unfortunately, before she could start her plans, the first emperor died suddenly. And the irony is that because of her merit in flattering the Queen Mother, she survived and was able to be promoted to the concubine safely without an heir.

Over the years, she has to smile and flatter her enemies every day, and she can't even see a trace of hope for revenge, how painful she is! Just from the precocious hair, you can know how piercing she will be.

How many people in this court are truly happy?

The red face is dark and the old is white, how many springs are there when the sun is closed, how about the young and the old, the young and the old?

In this deep palace, it is not only the sadness of the lonely red palace flowers, but also more conspiracy traps, competition for favor and calculations, more frame-ups and plantings, and it is difficult to be wronged, making countless women white-haired and red-faced, and suffering for a lifetime......

"Dress up for me immediately," Su Mi turned his head and instructed Mi Qing, "I'm going to see the emperor." ”

Mi Qing looked up at Su Mi, under the morning light, Su Mi's face showed a decisive and poignant beauty, like dew drops on the petals, delicate and full of confidence.

Since Concubine Miaoyi has paved such a good road for her, of course she must go on smoothly as soon as possible, so that she will not be ashamed of such a sacrifice.

Qi Long got out of the early dynasty and walked into the Qianqing Palace, where Su Mi was already waiting.

Su Mi stepped forward for him and thoughtfully took off his court clothes and changed into his usual casual clothes.

"Why did Mi'er come over so early today? Last night's fire didn't scare you, did it? ”

"The concubine didn't get in the way," Su Mi said with a smile: "I'm just worried about the emperor, so I came over early." But the emperor wasn't injured by the fire, right? ”

"What can I do?" Qi Long smiled: "The minions around me are still useful. ”

"I just don't know how the Queen Mother is doing?" Su Mi asked.

"The queen mother's health is fine, but her spirit is not very stable, I accompanied her for a while yesterday, and it was just the time of the early dynasty, so I went directly to the court."

"That's good, it's just that yesterday's fire was terrifying, and the concubines were shocked to see it." Su Mi said with palpitations.

"Fire and water are merciless, and yesterday was indeed dangerous."

While the two were talking, Gao Shengnuo walked in, holding the scroll in his hand, and kowtowed when he came in: "Your Majesty, the Internal Affairs Office has just investigated the situation of this fire. ”

"How?" Qi Long asked casually.

"This, the reason is still under investigation, but the losses have been counted." Gao Shengnuo said as he presented the volume in his hand high.

Qi Long didn't reach out to pick it up, but asked loudly, "I don't know the reason yet?" How did you do that?! How can such a dangerous thing be despised in the palace, this time it burned Cining Palace, but fortunately it has not involved the main hall and has not injured the queen mother. What if it's the second time, the third time? Maybe when I will burn down all my Qianqing Palace! ”

Gao Shengnuo lowered his head and didn't dare to answer. Su Mi stepped forward and took the scroll in his hand, walked to Qi Long's side and persuaded softly: "Don't be angry, the emperor is now burned to the ground, no wonder the people of the Internal Affairs Office want to investigate and have no way to start for the time being, this matter is in a hurry." ”

Qi Long nodded noncommittally.

Su Mi turned his head to Gao Shengnuo and asked, "Is there a concubine in the palace who was unfortunately killed?" ”

"If you return to the lotus master, Concubine Miaoyi's old man was unfortunately killed, and in addition, no master was injured, but several nearby concubines were frightened."

"Concubine Miaoyi?" Qi Long's voice revealed a trace of doubt, and he couldn't help but turn his head to look at Su Mi, he still remembered that Su Mi had said last time that this Miaoyi concubine was one of the highest-ranking concubines in the harem, and she had always been highly regarded. Thinking of this unknown fire, his face couldn't help but start to look a little ugly.

Su Mi observed the words, and immediately said: "It's just that such a dangerous thing as a fire can't be ignored, I heard that the queen mother, early in the morning, locked up Jingshengzhai and other people, waiting for the investigation, the emperor, without further ado, such a dangerous thing can never have a second time." ”

"Yes," Qi Long nodded, "Just let the Criminal Department take over." ”

Qi Long actually wanted to use the Criminal Department! Su Mi was taken aback, it seemed that he was really suspicious, but knowing that there was no one from the Wang family in the Criminal Department, Su Mi immediately smiled and said: "Your Majesty, there are a few words that I don't know if to say or not?" ”

"Since you have something to say, let's listen to it, Mi'er's opinion has always been reasonable." Qi Long said absentmindedly.

"The emperor asked the people from the Criminal Department to take over this matter, I'm afraid it's a little inappropriate. Cining Palace is located in the depths of the harem, and the officials of the Criminal Department are all men, so it is inconvenient to come and go, and the person in charge of the torture is very angry, in case it disturbs the concubines...... I heard that several concubines have been frightened into illness by last night's fire, wouldn't it be worse if they were frightened again? Seeing Qi Long's face shaken, Su Mi hurriedly said: "Among the ministers and concubines, it is better to let the Internal Affairs Office investigate this matter for the time being, but there is a lack of a commander to make an idea, so it is better to call a palace concubine to take charge." ”

Qi Long pondered for a moment, considered the gains and losses, and said: "It's okay, a man from the outer mansion, it is not appropriate to enter and leave the palace after all, so let's do it according to Mi'er's wishes." ”

"Now the Queen Mother and her old man are frightened, I am afraid that the condition will worsen, and the queen mother is naturally lacking in skills, but fortunately, the concubine has always acted fairly and strictly, and she is discerning, so it is better to ask Ni Guifei to deal with this matter." Su Mi hurriedly said again.

Hearing Ni Guifei's name, Gao Shengnuo couldn't help but secretly glanced up at Su Mi, and lowered his head with an unchanged expression.

"Well," Qi Long nodded and said, "That's it, it's just that this matter must be investigated as soon as possible, Gao Shengnuo, you go and pass on Concubine Ni to come here." ”

Gao Shengnuo hurriedly bowed his head and ran out.

Qi Long opened the volume again, looking at the series of numbers in the booklet, and had a headache.

This fire, starting from Jingshengzhai, has spread outward to three or four palace rooms, and Jingshengzhai in the center of the place has naturally turned into ashes. The rest of the three palaces were burned to the ground, and it seems that they can no longer be inhabited. There are many more places that are smoky and embarrassing.

"Alas, it happened that a few days ago, I asked the Ministry of Industry to repair the palace, and now I will repair the Cining Palace by the way." Qi Long threw down the scroll in his hand in a distraught manner.

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Ni Guifei took over the thorough investigation of the whole cause of this fire, and soon there were results.

The excerpt officially presented by Concubine Ni Guifei is clearly because the maid in the palace of Concubine Miaoyi accidentally let the candle ignite the curtain and cause such a fire. Because the palace maid who caused the accident also died in the fire, Qi Long ordered the matter to be reprimanded by the palace people for being careful.

As for what Ni Guifei reported in detail when she went to meet Qi Long after the investigation, naturally no one knew.

Qi Long made a special will afterwards to comfort the Queen Mother and the frightened concubine, and asked the deceased Concubine Miaoyi to be buried with the imperial concubine ceremony. And that night, the palace people who served around Concubine Miaoyi, and even the early eunuchs who went to fight the fire, were either executed or sent to the hard labor department by Qi Long on charges of poor service, carelessness, or ineffective firefighting, and delay. and decreed that no one should speak of the events of that night again.

Su Mi, who served closely, could see from his daily speech and demeanor that Qi Long's dissatisfaction and doubts about the Wang family had deepened. It's just that now that Wang Hao has led his troops to the front line, of course there can't be any unstable behavior in the rear.

This vigorous fire passed under the strange silence of the palace people.

Volume 4: The Evening Drum and the Morning Bell: The Lost (End)