The Chief Administrator’s concerns meant nothing to Prince Gong, whose head had been turned by prospects of glory. And the instigator who had planted this scheme in Prince Gong’s mind—Han Zhengqing—cared even less. At present, only two matters occupied his attention.

First was how to deal with Cui Shaoting; second was the Prince of Dongping’s reaction. One of these concerned his very life, while the other concerned the continuation of his bloodline. Though he had other sons besides the Prince of Dongping, this one was different—this was the child he’d had with the woman he loved most, the pillar that had sustained him through all these grinding years of endurance.

Compared to the former, what truly weighed more heavily on his mind was actually the latter.

During this agonizing wait, he received several messages in succession. The first came from Prince Gong’s side, saying that the Prince of Zhennan’s whereabouts were unknown but he had likely gone to Jinzhong. The second also came from Prince Gong, arriving almost simultaneously with the first, saying that he would follow Han Zhengqing’s guidance in all matters, begging him to plan on his behalf and promising that he would never fail to reward his support. The third… well, the third was rather troublesome news—Emperor Jianzhang had issued an urgent summons requiring him to return to the capital immediately to receive imperial orders.

He frowned. To be recalled to the capital at such a critical juncture—could it truly be about Fujian affairs? Who would believe that?

But he also understood his current predicament. Though Datong was his territory, Cui Shaoting hadn’t spent all these years in Xibei for nothing—people like Yuan Hong and Wen Yuan had all been brought firmly under his control. If Han Zhengqing defied the order, Cui Shaoting would immediately move to deal with him under court authority. And right now was absolutely not the time to be dealt with. If he were branded a traitor at this moment, what would become of Prince Gong’s plans?

His heart filled with restless anxiety, yet toward the eunuch from the Office of Palace Attendants who had come to deliver the decree, he maintained a cheerful, composed demeanor.

He couldn’t return. Going back to the capital now would be a death sentence. The moment he left Datong’s gates, he would likely die on the road.

Han Zhengqing placated the decree-bearing eunuch, agreeing that once he had thoroughly handed over his duties to Marquis Dingyuan who was coming to replace him, he would set out.

But of course, that day of completing the handover would never come. Han Zhengqing turned around and immediately consulted with his trusted confidants about this matter.

“If we agree to enter the capital, there’s absolutely no way to reach the capital alive. Moreover, Marquis Dingyuan is certainly in league with Cui Shaoting.” His expression was dark and grim, yet his features were handsome—which made the sinister quality emerging from that handsomeness all the more striking and unsettling.

His confidant sighed, also feeling that the court had grown suspicious: “This must be the Eastern Palace’s doing.”

After all, Han Zhengqing had previously followed the Crown Prince’s lead in everything. Since the incident with Fan Liangdi, he had severed contact with the Eastern Palace. The Grand Prince wasn’t a fool—he couldn’t fail to see what lay beneath this. As the saying goes, walls have ears; if one has the will to investigate, one can always uncover whispers and traces.

This went almost without saying, yet the stratagem had indeed been effective. Now he was caught in an awkward position—if he left, Datong would immediately undergo a complete purge and the plan he’d laid out for Prince Gong would come to nothing. If he stayed, Cui Shaoting would unhesitatingly join forces with Yuan Hong and the others to take his life. Whether he stayed or left, death seemed certain either way.

His confidant’s gaze grew somber. His profile cast a shadow on the wall in the lamplight. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to barely audible: “Why not delay?”

Irritation immediately creased Han Zhengqing’s brow, his gaze cold: “How to delay?”

Feign illness? The court’s decree stated clearly and explicitly that military affairs in Fujian were urgent and could not be delayed. If he dared pretend to be sick, the decree-bearing eunuch and the incoming Marquis Dingyuan would say that excellent physicians would be available along the return journey to diagnose and treat him. This method wouldn’t work.

His confidant shook his head at him, gesturing with his eyes toward the north.

Sudden understanding dawned on Han Zhengqing: “You mean—”

His confidant lowered his voice further: “My lord, the Fan family has been idle far too long. Besides, haven’t you always worried that Fan Daye wouldn’t submit to your orders? If the Fan family becomes embroiled in this affair, can Fan Daye remain aloof and untainted? We’ve come this far with no way back. My lord, decisiveness is needed now.”

Han Zhengqing had served as the Fan family’s protector for so many years, providing them with countless conveniences. The Fan family hadn’t squandered these advantages either—they had successfully operated in Xibei for all these years, conducting business beyond the passes for just as long.

And to have conducted business beyond the passes for so many years, extending their reach even to war horses while ultimately sleeping soundly at night—naturally they couldn’t rely on Han Zhengqing as their only backer. They needed contacts beyond the passes too. They had always maintained good relations with the Tartars beyond the frontier.

Especially since their bribes were generous and substantial—they even had connections to the Tartar Grand Preceptor.

Han Zhengqing’s expression remained coolly composed: “This plan isn’t unfeasible, but once it escalates, I fear we’ll lose the initiative—”

His confidant heartily agreed: “That’s precisely why the delicate balance must be controlled by you, my lord. As long as you don’t let them immediately cross the passes, giving Cui Shaoting grounds to act, you can use the excuse that Marquis Dingyuan is unfamiliar with Datong’s military affairs to avoid departing. Once we’ve delayed until the plan you devised for the prince is successfully implemented, there will be no need for further delays.”

At present, they could only delay one step at a time. Han Zhengqing’s eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment, he said in a low voice: “Find out what the decree-bearing eunuch likes, and cater to his preferences. Also, invite Second Master Fan here.”

His confidant agreed to go, but was called back by Han Zhengqing.

“Is there any news from Hubei yet?” His son was in Hubei, and what worried him most now wasn’t his own predicament, but his son’s safety. He feared something might happen to him in Hubei—after all, Hubei was in chaos, and it was overseen by that cunning fox Cui Yingshu.

His confidant shook his head: “No messages have come back yet.”

Han Zhengqing couldn’t help but grow agitated: “Send more people over there. No matter what, we must persuade him. No—” He lowered his eyes and laughed coldly. “After all, he’s played the useless son for so many years. He surely can’t accept reality all at once. If he won’t come, bind him and bring him here.”

He could cooperate with Jiang Tianping, but he absolutely wouldn’t let the Prince of Dongping put himself at risk. In a way, this too was his paternal devotion.

But the Prince of Dongping couldn’t bear such paternal devotion. He backhanded a slap across the face, stunning the person Han Zhengqing had sent. His eyes nearly split with rage as he glared, grinding his teeth and roaring: “Absurd! Utterly absurd!”

What kind of nonsense were these people spouting! What did they mean he wasn’t his father’s biological son?!

He was a legitimate imperial grandson, a son of the Crown Prince recorded in the jade genealogy, a prince personally enfeoffed by the current emperor. His bloodline was beyond question! These people had truly gone mad, truly lost their minds, to dare use such insane talk to slander him!

His fists clenched with audible creaks. He shook off Qian Ying’s hand and delivered another slap to the messenger’s face. Eyes bloodshot, he ordered people to surround the door: “Close the gate! These villains—don’t let a single one escape!”