In the momentary upheaval, Nanyi had already guessed some of the undercurrents.

Throughout Li Du Mansion, everyone treated the Xie clan members with utmost respect. Even the Xie family’s servants and attendants would not be mistreated outside, let alone Third Uncle Xie, who still held office and official rank.

Prince Ling’an had entered the city on the front foot, and he was taken away on the back foot. Seeing how tense Xie Sui’an looked, Xie Zhu was probably also a member of Bingzhu Division.

For the news to reach the Qi people so quickly, there must be problems within Bingzhu Division, which perfectly matched the information she had obtained.

Her life had undergone earth-shaking changes from the moment she stole Xie Queshan’s purse and encountered Pang Yu. After experiencing so much hardship and twists to barely escape death, she had gained a few insignificant bargaining chips. She needed to use these chips well to help herself gain the Xie family’s trust.

Nanyi looked sideways at Xie Sui’an, whose worried gaze followed Xie Zhu’s departing figure closely. Nanyi stepped forward and grasped Xie Sui’an’s hand.

“Sixth Miss, did you know that the plan to respond to Prince Ling’an in Hugui Mountain was also leaked to the Qi people? If I hadn’t notified Prince Ling’an in time, they would have been captured by the Qi people. Among you, there must be a traitor.”

Xie Sui’an was shocked: “Our organization has been like a leaky sieve all along, yet I was completely unaware. Sister-in-law, how did you know this?”

“I… naturally have my methods, which must be kept secret.”

Xie Sui’an remained silent for a long while before digesting this information: “No wonder… that day elder brother had me dispatch all our dead soldiers for the response operation. I thought he was making a mountain out of a molehill. At that time, elder brother must have already sensed there was a traitor around him. That traitor also betrayed third uncle to the Qi people. The Qi people must want to get Prince Ling’an’s whereabouts from third uncle…”

“Sixth Miss, do you know who had access to this information? Who do you think is most suspicious?”

Xie Sui’an looked at Nanyi blankly and shook her head: “I only helped elder brother with external affairs. How he formulated plans and whom he told, I never bothered to ask. After elder brother’s death, Bingzhu Division in Li Du Mansion has been leaderless. Fortunately, sister-in-law sent out information so we could respond to Prince Ling’an entering the city. Each plan has many executors—every person in the chain could be the traitor. It’s difficult for me to reach a conclusion.”

Nanyi frowned, suddenly realizing that Xie Sui’an was simple-minded. If she could mistake her for “Goose,” wouldn’t others suspect her identity? Would that traitor target her?

Seeing the anxiety on Nanyi’s face, Xie Sui’an quickly explained: “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Elder brother only told me about ‘Goose’—no one else knows. I told them all that you’re just a widow who didn’t want to die, and your behavior was induced by me. No one will suspect you.”

“Thank you, Sixth Miss.” Nanyi breathed a sigh of relief.

“Spies and espionage are just about who controls more information. Sister-in-law, now only you remain in shadow while we’re all exposed, so you’re our most unexpected trump card. Even if I’m exposed, I’ll keep your identity sealed tight.”

These earnest words from Xie Sui’an reassured Nanyi, but she also felt somewhat uncomfortable.

In chaotic times she used any means necessary for self-preservation, but she was unwilling to owe others favors.

Just like with Pang Yu—she had been moved by his righteousness, but wouldn’t follow his path because of it. She helped him deliver the message mostly because he had risked his life to give her a chance at survival. What she promised him, she had to fulfill.

Now facing such sincere and genuine Xie Sui’an, Nanyi couldn’t remain completely detached. Within safe limits, she still wanted to help her, though she didn’t know what she could do.

“Sixth Miss, the urgent matter is first rescuing Third Uncle. For any future plans, try not to tell others anything before finding the traitor.”

After pondering a moment, Xie Sui’an made her decision: “I’ll go plead with father.”

Nanyi followed Xie Sui’an toward the main hall, Xuanying Hall. Along the way, they encountered surprisingly few servants and attendants. The entire courtyard exuded an atmosphere of deadly solemnity.

Xie Sui’an pressed her lips together in silence, just walking forward with her head down. Nanyi followed step by step beside her. On such a cold day, her back unknowingly broke out in a thin layer of sweat.

An bottomless fear suddenly arose in Nanyi’s heart—distant matters were beginning to concern her intimately.

Xie Hengzai had used his own death to complete the first step of the response plan, welcoming Prince Ling’an into Li Du Mansion. He had laid himself out as a road, ferrying his sovereign forward one stage. He could finally rest in eternal sleep beneath the yellow earth. Li Du Mansion had thus silently become a huge battlefield. The life and death of emperors would soon unfold the most intense contest in this city.

With the world in decay and demons running rampant at night, how could the light of a single candle last until dawn?

Nanyi felt momentarily confused and lost. She looked up sharply to discover that the covered walkway leading to Xuanying Hall was blocked by Qi soldiers.

Just as Xie Sui’an was about to explode, the Xie family’s steward Uncle Deng hurried forward to stop her, fearing she might act rashly. Uncle Deng led them to a corner before quietly revealing the situation ahead.

“Sixth Miss, Young Madam, the master is discussing matters with… that Qi envoy in Xuanying Hall.”

“Xie Queshan? What are they discussing that requires so many Qi soldiers surrounding the place?”

Xie Sui’an glanced at the distance—Xuanying Hall was surrounded tightly by Qi soldiers.

Uncle Deng looked hesitantly at Nanyi, still considering her an outsider and uncertain whether he should speak.

“Sister-in-law is one of us. Uncle Deng, speak freely.”

The name “Xie Queshan” seemed taboo in the Xie family. References to him were extremely awkward, so Uncle Deng could only call him “he.”

“Third Master was taken away. The master wanted to ask him to help negotiate with the Qi people to get Third Master released, but he’s demanding the master hand over the clan seal for him to take control of the Xie family. Otherwise, the Qi people will blame the entire Xie family for Third Master’s wrongdoings…”

“By what right?!” Xie Sui’an’s voice rose several pitches in anger.

Uncle Deng sighed and dared say no more.

Nanyi listened in terror—this person Xie Queshan had reached the point where he could cover the sky with one hand.

In Xuanying Hall, only Xie Jun and Xie Queshan were present. Xie Queshan knelt before his father, yet his manner was aggressive and pressing.

He emphasized once more: “Father, please hand over the clan seal.”

Xie Jun angrily overturned the desk before him: “What qualifies you to take control of the Xie family?”

“Father has devoted himself to Buddhism for years, not managing family affairs. Now that elder brother is gone and second sister has married, I rank third in the family. By seniority, it’s reasonable and proper for me to take control of the Xie family.”

“The Xie family doesn’t recognize you as a son!”

“Father opened the ancestral hall and had me disciplined before the ancestors—I am a member of the Xie family.”

Xie Jun stared in disbelief, his face flushing red with anger, his pointing finger trembling.

“So you were willing to be beaten half to death to return to the Xie family just for this moment! You, you—what tremendous wealth did the Qi people promise you to make you willing to sacrifice flesh and bone to serve them?!”

Xie Queshan clenched his fists within his sleeves.

“Yes, tremendous wealth. The Great Qi army is strong—the Central Plains changing hands is inevitable. Those who understand the times are heroes.”

Xie Jun flew into a rage and drew his sword, pointing it at Xie Queshan: “Filthy words! You traitorous minister! You’ve sullied the pure scholarly tradition of our Xie family!”

But the sword tip merely rested at Xie Queshan’s neck. Despite his fierce words, Xie Jun couldn’t bring himself to strike.

Xie Queshan stood up fearlessly against the blade’s edge. Xie Jun trembled and stepped back.

He gazed heavily at his father: “Righteousness? You speak constantly of righteousness and morality, despise me, want to cut me into a thousand pieces—but do you really dare kill me?”

Xie Queshan directly grasped the blade and easily wrested the sword from Xie Jun’s hand, casting it to the ground.

“You don’t dare. Because you fear Great Qi yet lack the ability to resist them. You can only rely on words and writings to curse, thinking this will preserve your hundred-year dynasty. But the Yu Dynasty is dying from inside out! Huang Yankun opened Li Du Mansion’s gates to let the Qi people in. Now the streets and alleys are full of Qi soldiers. Do you think Li Du Mansion is still territory where you Duke Changning have the final say? Wake up, father.”

Xie Jun was speechless, retreating dejectedly.

“I can’t protect third uncle. He’s a Bingzhu Division member—the Qi people won’t spare him. But I can promise you that as long as you cooperate, I won’t implicate other Xie family members.”

“What if I, what if your blood relatives are all Bingzhu Division members—would you kill them all?”

“Then father had better pray that even if you are, I won’t discover it.”

“What sins did I commit to give birth to such a demon!”

Xie Queshan smiled: “But now only this demon can protect the Xie family. My willingness to return to the Xie family through flesh-tearing means shows I still value blood and kinship. I call you father because I’m still willing to—don’t tear apart all pretense and create an irreparable situation. I don’t care about the entire clan’s lives, but you can’t afford to gamble.”

After a long while, Xie Jun stumbled and sat on the chaotic ground, speechless. He seemed to age instantly, taking an exquisite box from his sleeve only to casually throw it on the ground.

Inside was the clan seal, surrendered in complete defeat.

Xie Queshan bowed formally, blood from his hand dripping to the ground: “Don’t return to Puji Temple. I’ll send you to the back mountain of Wangxue Hollow to worship Buddha. Even if you flee to the Buddhist gate, you must witness with your own eyes… how this world gradually destroys your moral teachings.”