In the following days, Cheng Qiao gradually noticed during his patrols that the atmosphere in Jiangdu Palace seemed to have changed.
Firstly, the Imperial Guards were no longer harassing them with such arrogance as before. This certainly made their daily work much smoother, but the second unexpected thing was that these soldiers of the Imperial Guard often gathered together, whispering secretly. Judging by their expressions, it seemed they were discussing something important, and each of them appeared angry. Yet as soon as he approached, they immediately dispersed.
Cheng Qiao felt a vague unease.
He confided his unease to the Commander of the Left Palace Army, but the reply he got was: "We have managed to coexist peacefully on both sides, so let's not look for trouble. Whatever the Imperial Guard wants to do is their business, don't interfere."
Hearing this, Cheng Qiao felt even more apprehensive, as if a dark cloud was hanging over him, enveloping the entire Jiangdu Palace.
