But how to approach this without seeming abrupt was truly quite difficult for him. After hesitating for a long time, he decided he should first go ask Zhou Weizhao. Though he used to always joke that Zhou Weizhao had grown up among Daoists, precious few of the Daoists at Longhu Mountain remained bachelors. Even Zhou Weizhao had married away what he had once considered the best girl under heaven.

Zhou Weizhao hadn’t expected Ye Jingchuan to have his epiphany so quickly. Like Ye Jingkuan, he had thought this fellow would struggle with it for who knows how long. Who knew whether it was from going to Fujian again or experiencing the Prince of Zhennan’s disappearance, but somehow his entire person had become much more decisive than before. Regardless, being able to see his own heart clearly was always an excellent thing. Knowing Ye Jingchuan was thin-skinned, he wholeheartedly gave him advice. “Cousin is a very open-minded girl. What she admires most is Madam Qin’s carefree spirit. Rather than being evasive, I think your idea is right—better to openly and honestly ask her feelings.”

Hearing him say this as well, Ye Jingchuan was first delighted, but after his joy passed, he felt nervous again. “Just me alone?”

Zhou Weizhao let out a laugh, placing both hands on the railing as he watched the endless stream of people below, very much at ease. This made Ye Jingchuan involuntarily relax somewhat as well. Only then did Zhou Weizhao smile and turn his head to look at him. “What’s wrong with being alone? You dared to go far from your parents and elder brother to Fujian to fight pirates and coastal raiders—could it be you don’t dare tell a girl your true feelings?”

“But…” Ye Jingchuan still hesitated somewhat. “The more I like her, the more I feel I cannot dishonor her. I always feel I must be solemn and then more solemn…”

Zhou Weizhao nodded along. “I understand what you mean. I used to think the same way.” He simply turned his body around as well, leaning back against the railing. “But my master’s wife told me that if you like a girl, asking her feelings in advance doesn’t count as being disrespectful. Compared to the rest of your lifetime together afterward, this bit of face doesn’t amount to much.”

Ye Jingchuan clenched his fists, so nervous his voice changed pitch somewhat. “Then I’ll go ask myself?”

Having just praised his progress, only for him to show this appearance again, Zhou Weizhao couldn’t help but laugh. “What, do you want me to go ask for you?” Though he said this, he still gave Ye Jingchuan advice and discussed with him in advance how he should speak. Finally, he smiled and thumped his shoulder. “Whether you stick your neck out or pull it in, it’s still one blow either way. Might as well be quick about it. Isn’t having your heart in constant turmoil every day even harder to endure?”

After Ye Jingchuan left with a heavy heart, Zhou Weizhao finally truly laughed. When he returned, he specifically mentioned this matter to Song Chuyi. “If you have the chance, why not help ask cousin what she thinks? Second Master Ye has an honest nature and really can’t speak sweet words…” He paused. “But he’s an excellent person.”

This was most rare indeed. If the person was good, then even if feelings faded later, he wouldn’t do things that would make his wife sad. Song Chuyi thought seriously for a moment but didn’t immediately agree. “I’ll first ask Chonghua what she thinks.”

Zhou Weizhao knew she was doing this for Lu Chonghua’s benefit. He touched her head and bent down to glance at the letter in her hand, somewhat surprised. “Sun Ergou sent another letter? He’s been quite diligent with his letters lately. This seems to be the second one already, right?”

Han Zhi was a sinister, vicious, and extremely cautious person. Trying to play tricks around him was truly a monumentally difficult task. For Sun Ergou to maintain contact with Guo Yantang all along without being discovered or suspected showed capability and cunning that were truly first-rate.

Song Chuyi handed the letter to Zhou Weizhao for him to look at. The curve at the corner of her mouth just happened to reveal the dimples on her face, making her look both cunning and adorable. “He says Han Zhi killed Fan Shikun.”

Zhou Weizhao finished reading Sun Ergou’s letter, somewhat surprised why Han Zhi would fixate on Fan Shikun, who was already doomed to die, insisting on risking going ashore to kill him. But immediately after, he understood why—Han Zhi going ashore was definitely not just for someone like Fan Shikun. He probably had other plans.

Sure enough, Sun Ergou said Han Zhi had made up his mind to go to Xibei.

Over such a great distance, Han Zhi actually planned to go to Xibei? But what he excelled at was clearly naval warfare. Moreover, he was completely unfamiliar with Xibei. Han Zhengqing was certainly his enemy, but Cui Shaoting was equally disliked by him. What benefit would going to Xibei bring him?

Song Chuyi perceived his confusion and took the letter from his hands to toss into the charcoal brazier. “You don’t understand this. Han Zhi has always been someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He joined the pirates simply to deal with the Fan family. It’s just that at the time he didn’t yet know Han Zhengqing was also one of the main culprits. Later, when he found out, plus with that letter from Prince of Dongping, he probably no longer simply hates Han Zhengqing to the bone. If he could push himself to this extent against the Fan family, how much more so against Han Zhengqing?”

Zhou Weizhao was thoughtful as he sat down across from her. “Then based on your understanding of him, what do you think he’ll do? Turn to Uncle?”

“That’s impossible.” Song Chuyi decisively shook her head. “His hatred for the Song and Cui families is probably no lighter than his hatred for the Fan family. Given Han Zhi’s personality, it’s more likely he’ll go work for Prince Gong.”

“Prince Gong?” Zhou Weizhao’s mouth curved up. “That would truly be interesting. If he turns to Prince Gong, naturally he’ll sow discord between Prince Gong and Han Zhengqing, preventing Prince Gong from cooperating with Han Zhengqing and making Han Zhengqing face enemies on both sides. But this way, wouldn’t it still only benefit Uncle? Once Han Zhengqing is dealt with, Prince Gong naturally won’t amount to much either, since it was Han Zhengqing who brought in the Tartars. If Prince Gong doesn’t amount to anything, then what about Han Zhi? Won’t he consider himself?”

“Some people are like this—willing to kill a thousand enemies even at the cost of eight hundred of their own losses. Han Zhi is this kind of person.” Song Chuyi smiled. “He now hates Han Zhengqing to the bone. Given his personality, he simply cannot endure it for even a moment. As long as he can make Han Zhengqing’s life worse than death, he’d probably be willing even if it cost his own life. This kind of person cannot be judged by common sense. Moreover, doesn’t he have Wang Lun as his backing? Whether Prince Gong is ruined or not won’t affect him either way. At least for now, the court still has no way to deal with Wang Lun and his people.”

That was also true, but who knew whether Han Zhi actually had the ability to reach Xibei alive.

“Your Highness can rest assured about this.” Song Chuyi blinked at him. “Sun Ergou is right by his side. Having him reach Xibei smoothly shouldn’t be much of a problem. Of course, after reaching Xibei, it will all depend on him. Anyway, we have Sun Ergou as our eyes and ears beside him. Whatever he does, we’ll know about it. That’s enough.”

Author’s Note: I don’t even dare to speak below anymore. I really have no face to talk with everyone. These few days I will definitely finish the novel. The closer to the ending, the harder it becomes. I’m truly sorry.