Zu An walked over to the window and looked outside, remarking, “Don’t tell me Jian Taiding really is planning to rebel?”

“That is unlikely. He is not that stupid.” Sang Hong also approached the window. He looked at the layers of troops surrounding them and said, “The Military Affairs Manor sent their troops to completely surround our residence. The excuse they are using is that Cloudcenter Commandery has experienced too many instances of violence recently, so they are worried that there might be danger to the Imperial Envoy. That is why they sent their troops over to protect us.

“But everyone knows that this so-called protection is actually just house arrest, to strictly monitor everyone who enters and exits this place.

“Being locked down like this robs our Imperial Envoy of any prestige we have left. Furthermore, we cannot do a single thing now.” Sang Hong’s voice was full of anger. “I voiced my doubts, but those troops’ leaders all replied with complete ignorance, saying that they were only obeying their superiors’ orders. I asked to meet with their superiors, but then they told me that Jian Taiding has entered...