At this time, the First Rank Marquis residence was also enveloped in tea smoke.

Wei Chenghui held a letter in his hands, his expression extremely strange, constantly changing.

“Grand Preceptor, what say you?”

The speaker sitting below had a robust build with a somewhat endearing appearance, yet his eyes couldn’t hide their ruthless gleam!

It was Mao Hui.

Wei Chenghui handed him the letter.

He quickly received it and passed it to Master Wuliang.

“Grand Preceptor, should we write another letter to urge Lian Yu and the others?” he said again.

“Are you stupid? This Lian Yu has returned from the dead, clearly prepared for battle, and you still want to write and urge them?! This disrupts their military morale and puts them in a dilemma, giving us the perfect opportunity to prepare for war, to organize military affairs and be ready for battle at any time – killing two birds with one stone, nothing could be better!”

Yu Jinglun, with his narrow forehead and sharp cheeks, glanced at him sideways and interrupted.

Mao Hui scratched his head in agreement. Wei Chenghui opposite lifted his teacup lid to skim the tea, smiling at the old Taoist below, “Master’s disciple indeed has wisdom and strategy. Much more promising than this old man was in his youth.”

The old Taoist Wuliang said, “Grand Preceptor praises too highly. This humble disciple’s small cleverness hardly compares to the Grand Preceptor.”

Yu Jinglun said, “However, this boy Lian Yu is still hot-blooded after all. For those trivial matters of love, for a mere corpse, he exposed his identity first.”

But Wei Chenghui said, “This person should not be underestimated. Not to mention that he could previously retrieve Feng Suzhen’s remains from His Majesty’s hands, but just that day when he was severely wounded, he could feign death and escape from Shangjing, allowing the defeated army to completely withdraw overnight and hide without a trace – such methods are formidable indeed.”

“That was only because he had prepared a body double from the beginning.” Mao Hui was somewhat dismissive.

Master Wuliang scolded, “You crude fool!”

“Anyone who can prepare an escape route for success or failure from the start is never an easy opponent. Moreover, throughout our confrontations with him, how many times have we gained the upper hand!”

“The Master knows this old man well.” Wei Chenghui set down his teacup, his expression solemn. “Therefore, this time we absolutely cannot be careless. He has both wisdom and courage, and operates in the shadows. This time, this old man will unite with Old Miao to completely eradicate this malignant tumor!”

His voice wasn’t loud, but his tone was dark as a venomous snake. His sinister ruthlessness was definitely beyond what crude men like Mao Hui could compare to.

“Father, you also rely on Prime Minister Miao. This Miao Yin is already pregnant – won’t this give her even more favor?” With a coquettish complaint, someone walked in through the main door.

“Greetings to Your Majesty.” Wuliang and the others quickly rose to pay respects.

“Please, no need for ceremony.”

Wei Wulei had returned home to visit for several days. She increasingly won the emperor’s favor and pleased Wei Chenghui. Even when Wei Chenghui discussed military secrets, he didn’t avoid her.

Her eyes clearly held dark emotions, but cleverly she didn’t reveal them verbally, only seeming to act coquettishly toward her father.

How could Wei Chenghui not know her thoughts? But this daughter was quite sensible. He slowly said, “You must be patient a while longer. How could Wei Chenghui’s daughter always remain beneath others? But you must be patient a while longer.”

“Watching Miao Yin’s pretentious low-key and aloof manner in the harem, your daughter truly wishes her belly would disappear immediately.” Only now did Wei Wulei reveal more of her emotions.

Wei Chenghui said coldly, “You wouldn’t do such foolish things, would you?”

Seeing her father seemed angry, Wei Wulei quickly said, “Father, your daughter is just venting. What kind of person is His Majesty? Without sophisticated methods, how would your daughter dare act rashly?”

“Mm,” Wei Chenghui nodded. “You needn’t be anxious. Just wait a bit longer. Your aunt has already prepared some medicine for you. When the time comes, whichever new person receives favor, use her hands to administer the poison.”

Wei Wulei was both surprised and delighted. “Father already has a plan?”

“Thank you, Father!”

“You should quickly conceive the dragon’s heir – that’s the real priority.”

Yu Jinglun flattered, “Your Majesty’s son will be the future Crown Prince of Great Zhou.”

“Father!” Wei Wulei complained coquettishly. “Alright, your daughter won’t disturb you and Master’s discussions anymore.”

Her face immediately reddened, but her eyes showed satisfaction.

“I’ll have someone drive your carriage out. You can return to the palace later.” Wei Chenghui instructed again.

Wei Wulei wasn’t stupid and immediately replied, “Yes, Father.”

After she left, Mao Hui said with a fawning face, “Grand Preceptor, does this princess need us two to help watch over her?”

“This residence has tight security. What business is it of yours?” Wuliang scolded.

Wei Chenghui just smiled and said lightly, “You two go ahead. Just don’t kill anyone.”

When Wei Wulei’s carriage emerged from the Wei residence, several people slowly walked out from the small alley opposite the Wei residence.

“Boss, what if we take a risk and kidnap this Wei Wuxia to exchange for the princess?” Ah Qing said in a low voice.

As he spoke, he was about to draw his sword, but the man beside him pressed the hilt back down.

“We could take down this team of thirty to forty elite soldiers, but the person inside probably isn’t Wei Wuxia, and there are likely ambushes around here too!” Wuqing slowly spoke.

Ah Qing and Wuming were both startled. Wuqing said, “Let’s return to the inn first and wait for news from Lian Yu and Zhen’er.”

Wuming was somewhat hesitant. “Boss, His Majesty is still His Majesty after all. If he’s unwilling to surrender and we have no good strategy for rescue, this…”

“Then I’ll find a way to infiltrate the residence and risk my life to save her.” Wuqing’s gaze was calm as he spoke word by word.

“We two will also swear to follow unto death.”

Ah Qing and Wuming’s eyes grew warm as they declared resolutely.

Wuqing smiled slightly. “I appreciate this sentiment, but when the time comes, it won’t concern you two.”

“Boss—” The two were anxious.

“I know your intentions. We’ll discuss it later,” Wuqing’s gaze slowly fell on the “Wei Residence” plaque opposite, his eyes growing increasingly calm. “My father once said that as long as there’s a problem, there must be a way to solve it. Who knows? Heaven never bars all paths to mortals. Let’s go back first.”

“Yes!”

Returning to the inn, the innkeeper came forward, saying someone had delivered a letter for them.

Wuqing was startled, then immediately opened the letter.

When Wei Wulei returned to the palace, lanterns were just being lit. She didn’t immediately return to her own chambers but went to the imperial hall.

“This old slave greets Your Majesty. The Grand Preceptor needn’t be mentioned – this slave often sees him. How is the old lady at home?”

Seeing her, Liang Song immediately led a group of eunuchs and palace maids in smiling greetings.

Wei Wulei also politely exchanged pleasantries with the old eunuch. Just as she was about to ask if Li Zhaoting was busy, the old eunuch said quietly, “His Majesty is discussing matters with several ministry officials and Commander Si. Oh, your brother Lord Wei has also come.”

“Then this palace will return first. Chief Manager, please tell His Majesty that Wulei thanks him for granting the favor of visiting family.”

“Yes, yes, yes. This old slave will certainly inform him.”

“Liang Song, who’s outside—”

A light voice came from the inner hall. The old eunuch quickly said, “Your Majesty, it’s Concubine Wei.”

“Wulei? Come in.”

The voice inside paused slightly, then spoke slowly.

Li Zhaoting clearly separated public and private matters and never liked to be disturbed during discussions. Wei Wulei was delighted and nodded to Liang Song before quickly walking inside.

“Court supplies arrived timely, and the disasters in several counties have been controlled. The officials newly appointed by Your Majesty are also exceptionally capable. The administrative corruption problems in several prefectures have also been basically cleaned up.”

Inside the room, several officials from the six ministries were present. Si Lanfeng was quietly reporting. The young emperor leaned against the couch, his eyes slightly closed as if drowsy, but his hands crossed over his abdomen tapped rhythmically, showing he was thinking and making others dare not be negligent.

“The border army is also fully prepared…” Wei Wuya reported.

Seeing Wei Wulei enter, he and the others paid respects and stopped speaking.

Although Li Zhaoting favored concubines, he always maintained clear governance of the harem. During discussions, he always avoided having the harem listen in, even his own sisters.

Of course, he had no particular fondness for this sister either.

Li Zhaoting slowly opened his eyes, brilliant light flashing in them, like a tiger or lion just awakening.

He had previously been gentle and refined, but now as ruler, his entire being carried an additional coldness, with edges so sharp that people dared not easily touch them.

He instructed little Si beside him, “Brew some tea for Her Majesty.”

Little Si quickly busied himself. Wei Wulei felt as sweet as drinking honey, lowering her head to express gratitude. Li Zhaoting gestured for her to come over and sit beside him, then said to Wei Wuya, “Continue.”

He didn’t avoid Concubine Wei, showing clear favor. Everyone was obviously stunned. Wei Wuya was startled and only came to his senses after Si Lanfeng’s cough reminded him, bowing and answering, “Following Your Majesty’s secret decree, secretly returning to the capital.”

Wei Wulei usually paid attention to political affairs. For a moment she forgot to be careful, and joy in her heart melted like sugar, quickly spreading.

Some people were finally forgotten in the years confined in the palace.

The night watchman’s rattle sounded three times. Li Zhaoting slowly awakened, or perhaps he had never truly slept deeply. He glanced at the bed where Wei Wulei breathed evenly, her neck’s exposed skin white and tender, showing blue veins. But he no longer felt sleepy. He dressed and got up, pushing the door to go out.

Tonight neither Liang Song nor little Si were on duty. Si Lanfeng was on duty and seeing him rise, said, “Does Your Majesty need night refreshments—”

“No need. I’ll go out for a walk.”