With Geng Songfu closing his doors to visitors and asking the Court for leave, not attending the assemblies for seven consecutive days, the once powerful Geng Faction, which could shake the political landscape with just a stomp, collapsed like a motley crew in a matter of days.
Most of the officials who once considered themselves part of the Geng Faction and depended on Geng Songfu had thoughts of switching factions. In these days, they frequently interacted with key figures in the "Jiangnan Faction" and "Jiangdong Faction."
The once bustling Geng Residence became extraordinarily deserted.
This led the nearby vendors who did business outside the residence to sigh at the fickle nature of the world.
On this day, Geng Songfu, dressed in official robes, emerged from the residence, yet there was no trace of dejection on his face. He boarded a sedan chair and headed toward the Imperial Palace.
...
In the Imperial Palace, within the Imperial Study.
