One hour ago: 

Wang Hao tied the black headband around his forehead. He put the dagger inside his sash and picked the sword from the table. He had already covered his face with a black cloth.

"General Wang, from the spy, I found out about the person who has been tasked to give the poison. He is still in the Palace. Also, from tomorrow he will no longer be in the Palace," General Xiao told Wang Hao. 

"We need to nab him today. If he is leaving today, it means he will do his work today. No one has taken their dinner till now. You shall go to the Royal Kitchen and do not let it get sent to anyone in the Palace," Wang Hao stated. 

"Yes, General Wang," Xiao Zhan replied. "Where are you heading to?" Xiao Zhan queried. 

"To the Eastern Palace. I need to check the chamber of Yongzheng," Wang Hao replied and left for the Eastern Palace. Without getting into the eyes of anyone, he sneaked into the chamber of Yongzheng. 

Wang Hao stopped near the second door as he saw Yongzheng was drinking the wine. Wang Hao took out a needle from which he had thought to make Yongzheng unconscious. But he stopped when a man entered the chamber. He had worn the clothes of a servant. 

Yongzheng smiled upon seeing him. The servant got on his knees. Wang Hao put the middle inside the narrow cylindrical bamboo tube and keenly looked at them. 

The unknown person had taken out a tiny porcelain bottle from his pocket. "I have mixed the poison well into the dinner of the Emperor and the Crown Princess," he informed Yongzheng and put the bottle down on the floor. 

"Good. You shall leave and never enter the boundaries of Luoyang," Yongzheng ordered him. He threw a pouch full of gold coins towards the unknown man, who grabbed it. He weighed it and thanked Yongzheng. "Keep this bottle in the chamber of Lei Wanxi before leaving," Yongzheng told him.

Wang Hao was shocked to hear that Yongzheng gave such an order. The Second Prince had made the plan that could bring the downfall of the entire Royal Family. 

The unknown man stood up and left the chamber. 

~~~~~ 

Present time: 

Wang Hao's hand touched the vase as he turned to leave when it fell and broke down into pieces. Yongzheng lifted his eyes and looked towards the second door. He quickly put the wooden box inside the drawer and stood up. 

Wang Hao stepped back and jumped out of the window while Yongzheng walked out of the chamber. 

Wang Hao ran to the chamber of Lei Wanxi. He had removed the black cloth mask from his face and ran as fast as he could. Instead of the door, Wang Hao thought of using the window. He stopped running as he reached near the window when it opened, and a man sneaked out of it. He was the same person, whom Yongzheng had given orders to hide the poison bottle in Lei Wanxi's chamber. 

Their eyes met. The man, without waiting even for a second, ran to the opposite side while Wang Hao chased him. Wang Hao was not surprised to know that the unknown man was aware of the Palace routes which were rarely used. Also, from his moves, Wang Hao could easily understand that the man was highly trained in martial arts. 

Wang Hao took out the dagger and threw it towards the man, who easily dodged it. The man climbed the wall and jumped to its other side. Wang Hao did the same, and now they were out of the Palace. 

"Stop, right there if you do not want to die," Wang Hao shouted. However, the man did not stop. They had entered the forest and because of the night, it was difficult to see what was ahead. 

Wang Hao stopped as the man vanished from his sight. He looked around and then turned back but could not see him. "Where did he go?" Wang Hao murmured when the man attacked him from his backside. 

Wang Hao heard the noise that the sword made as it cut through the air, so he turned left and with the sword in his hand defended the attack of the man. They both looked into the eyes of each other when the man swiftly turned back. He bent slightly and punched Wang Hao's stomach with his elbow. 

Wang Hao pushed back, and he put his hand on his stomach. He coughed, and blood came out of his mouth. This time Wang Hao attacked him first. The clanking of swords reverberated in the air. "Surrender yourself, else you will end up dying," Wang Hao threatened the man. 

"I have never surrendered myself. Instead, you should run away if you do not want to die," the man warned Wang Hao and kicked his leg, but Wang Hao dodged him this time. 

Yongzheng, on the other hand, had seen them so reached the forest. He saw Wang Hao and his man fighting against each other. "Wang Hao, why are you so loyal to Sheng Li?" He muttered and pulled out an arrow from the quiver. 

"Sheng Li underestimated me. You have to lose the life of your dear General. I cannot let you succeed when I have come this far." Yongzheng put the arrow on the bowstring and pulled it out.

He recalled how after coming out of his chamber, he went back inside and saw the window was open. Yongzheng looked at the broken vase again. "Whoever it was, if he had heard the conversation, he would go to Lei Wanxi's chamber to nab my man." Yongzheng walked in and quickly picked the bow and quiver. He put the quiver around his shoulder and jumped off the window.

Yongzheng went straight towards the chamber of Lei Wanxi and found Wang Hao and his man in front of each other. Since they were in the backyard of the Eastern Palace, therefore no one noticed them.

"Wang Hao, I wish you were not close to Sheng Li," Yongzheng mumbled while gritting his teeth. He left the arrow and said, "You did great, General Wang!" 

~~~~

What will happen next? Do share your thoughts. If you have not read my new historical story yet, please read it once. I am sure it will not disappoint you.

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