However, before Li Ji could finish embroidering the character for "king," he received a summons from the Emperor.
He had to put down his needle and thread and get up to change.
Hua Manman, lounging on the daybed and fiddling with the small stuffed tiger, mumbled softly.
"Why is the Saint summoning you to the palace at this hour? It's almost dark out. This will get in the way of dinner, won't it?"
Li Ji adjusted his collar in front of the mirror and said, "You go ahead and eat. Don't wait for me. I'll be back as soon as I'm done."
Li Ji already had a good idea why the Emperor had suddenly summoned him.
It could only be about quelling the rebellion in Lingnan.
When Prince Dongyang had fled Shangjing in disgrace and hastily taken refuge in Lingnan, he'd held no advantage, neither in legitimacy nor in strength. Logically, it should have been a simple matter for the court to capture him.
