The Chief Secretary entered the palace before the gates were locked.
At this time, the Old Emperor had just finished reviewing the memorials presented by Huai State and went to the Empress Palace intending to have some private conversation. He hadn't even warmed his seat when a eunuch hurriedly reported that Mr. Liu, the Chief Secretary, had important matters to discuss and was already waiting in the Imperial Study.
The Old Emperor was reluctant to move, having not spoken with the Empress, and the fire hadn't even warmed up yet. During the New Year, what urgent matter could Liu Ze have?
He was about to dismiss the matter with a couple of words when the Empress beside him said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Liu is always prudent. If he enters the palace at this late hour, there must be something important."
The Old Emperor had to swallow his words of dismissal.
