The weather in early April only carried a chill in the mornings, yet Zhou Weiqi still felt as if his feet were frozen. He stood up and paced back and forth several times in the spacious study before finally steadying himself and turning back to look at Qian Ying with a question. “According to your meaning, sir, should I continue playing deaf and dumb right now, or should I go to Mother and ask for clarity?”

The power of Huangjue Temple he had originally already held in his hands—this was registered with the Crown Prince. If in the end the matter truly was exposed and something happened, others might only think Huangjue Temple was audacious beyond measure or mistake them for remnants of Prince Duan’s faction. But the Crown Prince would certainly guess that it was Fan Liangdi who had made the move. Although Zhou Weizhao wasn’t liked by the Crown Prince, right now he had after all won such great glory for the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince still needed him in the middle to ease relations with Emperor Jianzhang…

Though this prince couldn’t be considered extremely intelligent, he had one excellent quality—he could listen to what people said, and ordinarily had no other unspeakable habits that required people to clean up after him. Qian Ying found his position as Chief Administrator quite manageable. Since he had already sized up Zhou Weiqi’s character and had completely bound himself to Zhou Weiqi’s boat, he naturally gave his utmost effort. Hearing this, he considered carefully for a moment. “Since this matter has already been set in motion, there’s absolutely no reason to call a halt midway. Rather than Your Highness being so passive, it would be better to go and ask Her Ladyship clearly. Once something happens, you can also extend your hand to remedy things in time. However, there’s one thing—we should also think through our retreat. If it succeeds, naturally that’s good, but if it doesn’t, we must also consider the consequences and methods if it fails.”

Zhou Weiqi nodded. Right now he was thinking the same thing. Rather than sitting here bitterly waiting for news, it would be better to go and ask. Thinking of this, he smiled at Qian Ying and also had the mind to look at the list of invited scholars.

Qian Ying’s work had always been reliable, and with help from the Eastern Palace staff, the list encompassed almost all the outstanding individuals from this batch. Lu Bingyuan, the Third Place Scholar who had been greatly in the limelight lately, was prominently on the list, and among the rest were also some acquaintances.

Zhou Weiqi was already familiar with Lu Bingyuan. Several times at banquets in Elder Chen’s home, he had seen this Lu Bingyuan present. Going back and forth they had become familiar, and moreover he had deliberately sought to recruit him. Although Lu Bingyuan was someone who didn’t understand worldly economics, his Lu family had plenty who did, and they had already come to establish connections with him.

Thinking of this bookworm, Zhou Weiqi couldn’t help feeling greatly pleased. Although the bookworm was a bit too rigid, he was a Third Place Scholar whose future prospects were immeasurable. Having finished reading, he specially instructed Qian Ying, “This fool seems to like nothing besides calligraphy, painting, and beautiful women. When the time comes, select a few perceptive ones—don’t be so vulgar in giving them to him. Let him properly enjoy the benefits of having a beauty’s fragrant sleeves nearby while reading.”

Qian Ying, seeing him stand up, knew he was about to leave. Smiling and nodding in agreement, he stood up and respectfully took his leave.

After Qian Ying left, learning that Fan Liangdi had not yet retired, Zhou Weiqi simply went to Fan Liangdi’s place, startling Nanny Fang and the others who hastily came out to welcome him.

“Why are you coming over so late?” Fan Liangdi had just heard from Nanny Fang that he was in the study discussing the literary gathering with Qian Ying and others, and now she saw him. She couldn’t help being somewhat surprised. “Didn’t you say you were handling affairs in the study today? I thought you wouldn’t be coming over tonight.”

Nanny Fang and the others had already busied themselves serving sweets and hot tea. Zhou Weiqi picked up the cup, took a sip, and put it down again. After deliberating for a moment, he spoke. “I came to ask if there’s been any news from Rongyang.”

He didn’t mention Yangquan, didn’t bring up Zhou Weizhao or Huangjue Temple—only mentioned Rongyang. This showed caution. Fan Liangdi looked at him with approval, her eyes sweeping around. Nanny Fang perceptively led everyone to withdraw and closed the door, standing guard outside.

“Originally the matter had succeeded. I’m afraid right now the memorial about the Grand Prince falling into an ambush and being injured is still on the express route.” Seeing her son show delight but then immediately furrow his brow, Fan Liangdi knew her son had heard there were changes. With slight helplessness she said, “Unfortunately his fate is strong. With Ye Jingkuan and Lai Chenglong by his side providing protection, in the end they followed the trail to capture the bandit chief Ma Yuantong…”

Prince Consort Ye Jingkuan truly was the greatest support by Zhou Weizhao’s side. It was only a pity that though they both addressed him as uncle, in his aunt and uncle’s eyes he was someone who simply didn’t exist—speaking of which, this also had to be blamed on Lady Fan making things too strained with his aunt… Zhou Weiqi’s thoughts flew rapidly. He had already gone through all the causes and effects in his mind, then asked Lady Fan, “Then what are Mother’s plans next?”

With the Imperial Guard’s methods, if they found out who assassinated Zhou Weizhao, they would probably have already caused citywide turmoil with everyone in danger. But right now the capital was completely quiet without a trace of news. This could only mean Lai Chenglong and the others also hadn’t found evidence and could only conclude it was done by Ma Yuantong, that rebel bandit chief.

“Next we can naturally only rely on Huangjue Temple’s side.” Lady Fan lowered her head, playing with the twisted silk and gemstone-inlaid bracelet on her hand, her voice dropping lower. “We’ve already alerted the snake. If we can’t completely grasp the snake’s vital point, in the future there will only be endless troubles.”

Zhou Weiqi deeply felt this point. Their relationship with the Crown Princess’s side was like fire and water. Even if Zhou Weizhao didn’t use his brain, he could figure out that this inexplicable assassination attempt must be related to them. He had now successfully quelled the rebellion and greatly increased his prestige, and had always been favored before Emperor Jianzhang. If he returned completely unharmed, he would certainly thoroughly investigate this matter and cause citywide turmoil…

“Is there confidence?” The words he had thought through several times in his heart, when finally spoken, came out as such an inquiry. “Should we send more people to Yangquan? After all, he still has people around him, and the Imperial Guard is there helping.” In for a penny, in for a pound—since they had done it, they must succeed.

Fan Liangdi shook her head. “Using Huangjue Temple’s people is already taking a risk. We can’t invest more people—any more would arouse suspicion. Rest assured, there’s still a spy by his side. With Huangjue Temple’s capabilities, they know how to maximize the use of this spy. What you should do now is steadily recruit talent and prepare for the future. Don’t worry about these matters. Mother can always handle things properly. Don’t interfere.”

How could he not worry? After the matter with his aunt Lady Fan Junior, Zhou Weiqi always had some psychological shadow about Mother’s hysterical, reckless madness at that time, fearing she would again be blindly obstinate and self-willed like before. But this matter from start to finish had been handled single-handedly by Fan Liangdi, and he truly couldn’t insert himself. He could only nod gloomily.