When Chen Yan’yun arrived at the palace, security was still tight. Jin Wu Guards wearing chengzi robes patrolled in front of Qianqing Palace, and officials from the Court of Judicial Review and the Censorate were already in discussion. Zhu Jun’an stood outside the gates of Qianqing Palace, wearing a thick cloak, his face pale.

Ye Xian stood beside him guarding the Emperor, his posture straight, his expression calm.

Seeing Chen Yan’yun approach, the officials bowed to him, addressing him as Cabinet Elder. Chen Yan’yun nodded and climbed the steps.

“…The body has been moved to the duty room,” Ye Xian led him through Qianqing Palace’s sleeping quarters. “Here’s the note from his collar.” Ye Xian handed him the paper.

Chen Yan’yun unfolded it and looked, saying: “The handwriting does indeed appear similar…” Then he casually tucked it into his sleeve.

Ye Xian said: “Zhang Julian should be here soon. I’ll go to the duty room first to watch those coroners. Be careful… that old fox is bound to make his move.”

Chen Yan’yun smiled: “Just do your part.”

After he came out from Qianqing Palace, Zhu Jun’an walked to his side, his face still very pale: “Minister Chen, is everything all right?”

“Your Majesty can rest assured, everything is fine.”

Chen Yan’yun always spoke this way; even if something was wrong, one couldn’t tell from his words.

Zhu Jun’an lowered his voice, saying softly: “I strangled him.”

He had said he was thirsty that night and asked Feng Chengshan to serve him water. He then pulled a hemp rope from his sleeve and strangled Feng Chengshan. He hadn’t expected Feng Chengshan to be so strong—he couldn’t control him. Afraid that Feng Chengshan would break free, Zhu Jun’an pressed his elbow against his mouth and nose. After a long while, Feng Chengshan finally stopped moving. Zhu Jun’an’s hands had lost all strength. Much later, he put a dagger in Feng Chengshan’s hand to make it look as if he had failed in an assassination attempt.

Chen Yan’yun had thought that Feng Chengshan was killed by the Imperial Guard. The messenger hadn’t been very clear.

A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind, but he only smiled: “You did very well.”

“Did I…” Zhu Jun’an murmured, “But after I killed him, I regretted it. He had served me for so many years…”

Before he could finish, they saw Zhang Julian approaching with his men, climbing the steps of Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Jun’an whispered: “Minister Chen, is that Commander Fu behind Lord Zhang?”

Chen Yan’yun narrowed his eyes.

Indeed, Fu Chi had returned. Fu Chi was a military genius, often achieving victory through unexpected tactics. He was an extremely dangerous figure.

“Don’t speak to Commander Fu of your own accord,” Chen Yan’yun said. “Just say you’re not feeling well and need to rest.”

Zhu Jun’an nodded. Zhang Julian had already arrived.

He first explained the note to Zhu Jun’an: “…This subject would never harbor rebellious thoughts! Someone must be framing this humble servant. Your Majesty must hear me out and not fall into these villains’ trap.” Though his words were humble and respectful, Zhang Julian didn’t even make a gesture of clasped hands. He stood straight, his tone flat. “I have sent people to the duty room to examine the body. Though Feng Chengshan’s treason is hateful, everything should be investigated thoroughly to avoid falsely accusing loyal officials.”

Zhu Jun’an remained silent, following Chen Yan’yun’s instructions not to say a word.

Chen Yan’yun smiled and said: “His Majesty is still recovering from this incident and needs rest. Perhaps Lord Zhang should first let His Majesty retire to the side hall. As for Feng Chengshan’s treason, Lord Zhang’s word alone is insufficient. It would be better to discuss this at tomorrow’s morning court.”

Zhang Julian raised his head and gave Chen Yan’yun a cold look.

Then he smiled: “This subject can certainly wait. Your Majesty should rest well.”

Upon returning home that evening, he immediately summoned his people and said: “…Don’t wait any longer.”

His advisers were surprised: “Lord Zhang, now may not be the right time…”

“What do you mean, not the right time?” Zhang Julian frowned deeply, slamming his hand on the table with a loud bang. “Don’t you understand what he’s planning? If we don’t act now, by tomorrow’s court session, I won’t be able to shake off these treason charges! I, Zhang Julian, have lived an upright life with a clear conscience. Even if I were to rebel, it wouldn’t be because Chen Yan’yun could frame me!”

The room fell silent; no one dared speak.

For some reason, Zhang Julian thought of Ye Xian.

The idea of framing the Marquis of Changxing for treason had been his suggestion, carefully planned for Xiao You step by step. Now, using his tactics against him, Ye Xian had certainly played a significant role.

Fu Chi was the first to respond, saying softly: “Very well. The Capital Guards can mobilize eight thousand troops, plus those from Juyong Pass and other locations—thirty thousand troops won’t be a problem. If they resist stubbornly, we have even more forces in various garrisons, and the Divine Machine Battalion is also under our control. Breaking into the Imperial City would be easy. We can catch them by surprise when they’re unprepared. The Changxing Marquis’s forces won’t have time to react. The only concern is… lacking justification.”

Zhang Julian knew being provoked was extremely unwise.

He closed his eyes to calm himself before continuing: “Has Prince Rui’s eldest grandson been found?”

Someone replied: “Yes, he’s being cared for now.”

“Then we have our justification,” Zhang Julian continued. “Summon the Imperial Astronomers and have them declare that the constant disasters in recent years are due to the disruption of the dragon’s meridian and the improper succession. We are rectifying disorder and restoring legitimacy by placing the true Son of Heaven on the throne—a great achievement.”

His advisers acknowledged his orders and went to carry them out.

Zhang Julian then asked his gentlemen: “What about Chen Yan’yun?”

They shook their heads: “Chen Yan’yun has been prepared. The Chen household is like an impenetrable fortress.”

“No need to infiltrate,” Zhang Julian said. “When the time comes, I’ll have the Divine Machine Battalion surround the Chen residence. Shoot anyone who appears well-dressed. I want to see if he maintains his composure then!”

…

The Third Master Chen was busy until the afternoon before returning home, but after sitting for just a quarter-hour and having a cup of tea, Ye Xian arrived with a grim expression.

“There’s movement at Juyong Pass,” Ye Xian said first. “The old fox couldn’t sit still… I didn’t expect him to be so impatient. It’s too late to summon the Iron Cavalry now.”

The Third Master Chen also frowned upon hearing this.

Gu Jinchao brought over some refreshments and paused outside the door, overhearing these few sentences.

She had just learned of Feng Chengshan’s death, but hadn’t expected Zhang Julian to lose his composure so quickly! This was both good and bad—good in that they could catch him unprepared, but Zhang Julian hadn’t had much time to prepare, so his arrangements would inevitably be flawed. Either way, it was still advantageous.

The guard finally let her in, and Gu Jinchao saw that the Third Master Chen was preparing to leave.

She put down the food box and hurriedly grabbed his hand: “Third Master… this…”

Chen Yan’yun first glanced at Ye Xian.

Ye Xian, oblivious, opened the food box and took out a pea pastry to eat.

He looked up to see both Gu Jinchao and Chen Yan’yun staring at him, and responded with an “Oh”: “Don’t mind me, say whatever you need to.”

Gu Jinchao sighed inwardly, her hand touching the prayer beads on the Third Master Chen’s left wrist, yet finding herself calm again.

What’s meant to come will always come. What was there to fear?

She simply smiled: “Go ahead. I’ll look after things here.”

Chen Yan’yun said softly: “This happened so suddenly, I haven’t had time to tell you anything…” He smiled again. “Never mind, everything that could be said has been said. Just wait for me to return.”

Ye Xian ate two pieces of pea pastry and slowly wiped his fingers. “Too sweet. Use less sugar next time.”

Gu Jinchao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this. She watched as the two men left.

Gu Jinchao leaned against the latticed screen alone. The sunlight was pleasant, but she felt dizzy and unsteady.

Caifu quickly supported her: “Madam!”

She waved her hand: “Just help me back to lie down for a while. It’s nothing.”

Darkness was falling, and the palace gates would soon be locked. If the Third Master and the others couldn’t stop Zhang Julian, would that mean his usurpation had succeeded? Gu Jinchao forced herself not to think about these things and took out her needlework.

Changso, who had been napping, woke up. This child cried upon waking, searching everywhere for his mother.

Hearing his cries, Gu Jinchao felt even more anxious and patted his back, only then realizing he was sweating.

Gu Jinchao unbuttoned his little jacket and wiped his sweat with a warm cloth. Changso finally stopped crying and nestled against his mother to play, pointing at things drawn in the red grid on paper and asking her questions.

It was early summer, and perhaps it was going to rain, as the room felt very stuffy.

Gu Jinchao carried Changso outside for some fresh air.

A maid came from Elder Lady Chen’s quarters, calling her over for an urgent matter. She said that Elder Lady Chang from Duke Zheng’s household had come to visit and wanted Gu Jinchao to join them, bringing Changso along so Elder Lady Chang could see him. Gu Jinchao went back to her room to change clothes before carrying Changso over.

Outside Elder Lady Chen’s room were people brought by Elder Lady Chang, guards wearing embroidered spring swords at their waists.

Elder Lady Chang pulled her to sit down and smiled as she took Changso: “…It’s been so long since I’ve seen young Master Lin. He’s grown heavier! Grandmother Chang can hardly carry you now!” She said, affectionately kissing him. Changso found it ticklish and giggled.

Gu Jinchao, seeing those people outside and noting Elder Lady Chang’s composed expression, immediately understood. Elder Lady Chang’s visit to the Chen household must have been at Chang Hai’s direction.

The Third Master Chen had arranged everything in advance. If something went wrong, Elder Lady Chang could immediately take them away.

But how many people could Elder Lady Chang take with her? In an emergency, she certainly couldn’t accommodate everyone. And who would be left behind? Gu Jinchao didn’t know.

She looked up at Elder Lady Chen, who was unaware of what was happening. She smiled, playing with her grandson in Elder Lady Chang’s arms, listening to him call her Grandmother.

She said nothing and simply waited.

Night had fallen, and Elder Lady Chen invited her to stay for dinner, also sending for Chen Xi.

Shortly after, Xiuqu came hurriedly to find Gu Jinchao, saying that Chen Yi had urgent matters to discuss with her, but since Banzhupan was deep in the inner courtyard, he couldn’t possibly come in.

Gu Jinchao knew something had happened, but what could it be at this time?

She left her child with Elder Lady Chen and immediately returned to Muxi Hall.