The Prime Minister's voice cracked through the corridor like a whip.
"FIND HER!!" he thundered.
His eyes were bloodshot. His breath short and violent. The rage spilling from him was like molten lava, scalding every man around him into motion.
"I want her on her knees before me before the sun even dares to rise! Scour every room! Search every garden! Tear open the floor if you must!" he bellowed again, the spit flying from his lips.
The guards around him stiffened and immediately turned, bolting out in every direction. Their armor clanked and echoed against the marbled halls, their swords gleaming beneath the low light of palace torches.
Pei Rong didn't watch them go.
He had no time.
The First Consort was bleeding out—fast.
With a swirl of his long robes, he turned and lifted her limp body once more, storming into the royal physician's chamber.
Inside, the old physician, Master An, nearly leapt out of his skin.
