Li Ji had originally thought it was the Emperor who had secretly sent people to contact Li Qi.
But that wasn't the case at all.
Before leaving his fiefdom, Li Qi had already received a task from Prince Zheng.
Prince Zheng had told him to find a way to see the Emperor after arriving in Shangjing to assess His Majesty's current condition. If possible, it would be best to also probe the Emperor's views on reducing the power of the feudatories.
Li Qi did as his father instructed.
During his audience with the Emperor at the palace, he deliberately sent his confidant away.
The confidant secretly slipped some silver to one of the Emperor's attendants to inquire about His Majesty's recent situation.
They acted covertly, but the Emperor still noticed.
That very night, someone from the palace secretly appeared at the Prince Zheng Mansion for a clandestine meeting with Li Qi.
