Xie Shi’an was dragged out by Qiutong and thrown to the ground.

He fell, then climbed back up and lifted his head, saying, “I came to see off General Yun, but lacking an appropriate status, I didn’t show myself.”

A cold glint appeared in Chu Yi’s eyes.

That coldness was like a blade, striking toward Xie Shi’an’s face.

His mind involuntarily tensed—what powerful killing intent.

He clearly felt that Prince Pingxi wanted to kill him.

Simply because he had appeared where he shouldn’t have.

Xie Shi’an couldn’t help but retreat a step, parting his lips to say, “I just arrived, I didn’t hear anything…”

He truly had just reached the official road. Before he had time to eavesdrop, Yun Silin and the Eighth Prince had already left…

Chu Yi naturally knew he had just arrived.

His desire to kill Xie Shi’an wasn’t because Xie Shi’an had appeared here, but rather because he had long wanted to deal with this character.

It just so happened that Xie Shi’an had walked right into his path.

“Your Highness.”

Yun Chu spoke up, pressing down on Chu Yi’s hand and gently shaking her head.

Chu Yi instantly withdrew the murderous aura from his body.

Xie Shi’an breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Yun Chu stepped forward two paces, her gaze examining him before settling on his collar. “Didn’t you already enter Prince Gongxi’s manor as an advisor? Why are you still wearing patched clothing?”

Xie Shi’an instantly became constrained, uncomfortably turning his head to hide the patch on his collar.

Though he had entered Prince Gongxi’s manor, because he was young yet trusted by Prince Gongxi, he was ostracized and bullied by almost everyone in the manor.

After receiving his monthly stipend each month, he had to use the silver to treat those people to food and drink to ease relations, lest they speak ill of him before the Prince.

All his money went to managing relationships, so he could only deprive himself when it came to food and clothing.

The color of the patch on his collar was exactly the same as the fabric—he didn’t know how his mother could tell.

Perhaps because mother cared for him, she could be so observant.

“It seems Prince Gongxi isn’t as magnanimous as the outside world claims.” Yun Chu shook her head. “That place is not a good destination.”

Xie Shi’an smiled bitterly. “Then where else can I go?”

Yun Chu’s lips opened and closed, closed and opened, then she sighed. “I promised to keep her secret. Never mind.”

Xie Shi’an keenly sensed that this “her” must be related to him.

He quickly said, “Princess Consort, please speak plainly. I certainly won’t spread it.”

Yun Chu hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, “You two are blood siblings. I trust you won’t tell this matter to outsiders.”

Xie Shi’an’s heart suddenly stopped.

His blood sister Xie Ping was supposed to be guarding the mausoleum for Prince An’jing at the imperial tombs—what had happened?

Could she have died, or gone mad…

“Ping…” Yun Chu paused, then said, “She is now Imperial Concubine Wu of the Eastern Palace.”

“What?!”

Xie Shi’an was completely shocked.

He had thought Yun Chu was going to tell him that Xie Ping had died unexpectedly and he needed to collect her body from the imperial tombs.

He had been thinking whether he should handle this matter himself or let Xie Shiwei do it…

He never expected to hear this news.

His elder sister had never had much sense—how did she transform from the Fourth Prince’s consort into the Crown Prince’s woman?

“I think you could pledge yourself to the Crown Prince.” Yun Chu said slowly. “With Ping paving the way for you, your days under the Crown Prince should be easier. At least you wouldn’t need to wear patched clothing.”

Xie Shi’an was stunned.

He had already positioned himself opposite to his mother, choosing to work for Prince Gongxi, yet mother was still worried about whether he could wear decent clothes.

It had been so very long since he had felt such concern.

For a moment, his emotions were complex and jumbled.

“Thank you… Princess Consort.”

He lowered his head.

He could never pledge himself to the Crown Prince.

In his view, the Crown Prince was stupid as a pig, only managing well now because the Empress backed him. Once the Empress met with trouble, the Crown Prince would certainly be deposed.

He would absolutely never choose a ship destined to capsize.

“Regardless of what choice you make, we stand on opposite sides. Just follow your own heart.” Yun Chu said. “But please remember, you must keep Ping’s secret.”

After speaking, she lifted her skirts and boarded the carriage. Chu Yi also followed and got on.

After the carriage had traveled some distance, Qiutong, sitting by the carriage door, asked, “Princess Consort, aren’t you worried that telling Xie Shi’an these things will lead him to use Xie Ping to incite the Crown Prince and Prince Gongxi to join forces?”

Chu Yi spoke up, “A mere bottom-tier advisor and an imperial concubine who assumed someone else’s identity—even if these two had heaven-defying abilities, they couldn’t influence the thoughts of two princes.”

Yun Chu smiled slightly. “Having learned such a great secret, Xie Shi’an will certainly use it to its fullest extent.”

It was just unfortunate that Xie Ping was an uncontrollable person, and moreover, Prince Gongxi might not be willing to heed Xie Shi’an’s suggestions at every turn.

She was quite curious about what would happen next.

“Father Emperor has just issued an edict sending me to the Ministry of Works for training.” Chu Yi turned to the main topic. “I may be rather busy recently, so you needn’t wait for me at meals in the evening.”

Yun Chu nodded.

The Ministry of Works was the least valued among the Six Ministries, overseeing military farms, water conservancy, construction, transportation, and such. Though not receiving attention from those above, it greatly won the hearts of the people.

She believed this was a good destination.

While the two conversed on the road, Xie Shi’an had also returned to the capital, back to Prince Gongxi’s manor.

As a manor advisor, he could enter through the side gate by showing his token. He walked to Prince Gongxi’s study, only to see many people waiting in the courtyard.

These people waiting here were all advisors.

The advisors submitted various state policies every day. If one caught Prince Gongxi’s eye, there would be great rewards, and one’s status would rise considerably.

During this recent period, Prince Gongxi’s days hadn’t been easy, and their days as advisors weren’t easy either. Each stood there with trepidation.

Seeing Xie Shi’an approach, the advisors unanimously blocked the study door.

This Xie Shi’an, only thirteen years old and blind in one eye, had been favored and trusted by the Prince since arriving at the manor, giving them a strong sense of crisis.

Xie Shi’an saw their actions clearly.

He wasn’t anxious—there was nothing to fight over. Ability would prove everything.

The advisors entered the study to report one by one, then emerged one by one with dejected faces. Finally, it was Xie Shi’an’s turn.

Prince Gongxi sat irritably in his chair, his eyes gloomy to the extreme.

The succession of incidents before had left him unable to gain Father Emperor’s trust. He only had the title of prince, with no actual position.

If this continued, the imperial court would be divided up by the Crown Prince and Third Brother.

“Your Highness.” After bowing, Xie Shi’an lifted his head and said, “May this humble one accompany Your Highness into the palace tomorrow?”

Prince Gongxi furrowed his brow. “What do you want to enter the palace for?”

“This humble one wishes to verify something.” Xie Shi’an replied. “If this matter proves true, Your Highness will be able to deliver a fatal blow to the Crown Prince.”

“Oh?” Prince Gongxi became interested. “A fatal blow—are you certain it’s fatal?”

Xie Shi’an’s face revealed a smile. “If this humble one speaks a single false word, Your Highness may dispose of me as you wish.”