Li Cheng’s intention was to hand over the actual authority to Li Qiao.

In truth, he really had no mind to manage those matters now. His head was full of thoughts about where Jingrong and Ji Yunshu had gone.

Moreover, the annual ceremony was a major matter. In his current state, he simply couldn’t properly manage the city’s safety. Now that Li Qiao wanted to help him handle it, he couldn’t ask for more.

Although Li Qiao had achieved his purpose.

His heart felt somewhat guilty.

After all, he was taking advantage of Li Cheng’s trust in him!

But right now, the most important thing was the bigger picture!

He couldn’t worry about these details.

After Li Qiao took over the actual authority of the City Guard Department that day, he secretly replaced all the guards watching the city gates with his own people.

Then, on the night before the annual ceremony at the hour of zi, he secretly opened the city gates and let the troops outside the city quietly enter.

…

At present, while Na Yan was preparing for the annual ceremony, he also vaguely had a premonition, worried that something would go wrong at that time.

He instructed his shadow guards, “Go arrange this immediately. On the day of the annual ceremony, have our forces wait outside the city. If the situation seems wrong, enter the city at once.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t let word leak out.”

“Your subordinate understands.”

Na Yan was doing this as a precaution.

But how could he know that Marquis Pingyang and the Third Prince’s forces would enter the city the night before the annual ceremony.

And on the day of the ceremony, the city gates would be closed—no one could enter.

Even Marquis Nanguo didn’t know!

After these days of rest, Song Zhi’s health had mostly recovered.

He packed up his things, planning to leave the Second Prince’s Residence.

But the maid at the residence desperately blocked him. “Master Song, you cannot leave right now.”

Holding his bundle, he said courteously and politely, “Miss, my health has already improved greatly. It really wouldn’t be proper to continue imposing on the residence.”

“But the prince has ordered that Master Song must stay at the residence. You cannot leave.”

“Then where is the prince now? I’ll go bid farewell to the prince personally.”

“Master, please don’t make things difficult for me.”

Song Zhi’s face wrinkled up. He said, “I’m not trying to make things difficult for you. It’s just that I’m a mere scholar—how could I have the good fortune to keep living here? Miss, please don’t make things difficult for me either.”

The maid quickly said, “How could that be? Master, you saved our prince. The prince regards you as a benefactor and will certainly treat you well.”

Oh dear!

He quickly waved his hands. “I don’t deserve it. Miss, please don’t say such things.”

“In any case, you cannot leave!”

The maid directly grabbed his sleeve.

Song Zhi’s whole body shook, his face full of bashfulness.

“Miss, you… please let go first.”

“If you don’t leave, I’ll let go.”

Just at this moment, Na Yan arrived.

Seeing this, the maid immediately withdrew her hand.

“Greetings, Prince.”

“You may leave.”

“Yes!” The maid hurriedly withdrew.

Na Yan’s expression was amiable. He stepped forward and took the bundle Song Zhi was holding, placing it on the table to one side.

Then he lifted his robe and sat down, pouring two cups of tea.

He pushed one cup across.

“Master Song, please sit.”

Song Zhi didn’t dare.

Na Yan still wore a smile. “You still have injuries. You cannot stand for long. Sit down. This prince can’t very well crane his neck to talk to you, can he?”

Hearing this, Song Zhi quickly sat down and said, “Prince, Song has already imposed for many days. It really wouldn’t be proper to continue staying.”

“You are this prince’s benefactor. You may stay at the residence as long as you wish.”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“There’s no question of daring or not! This prince’s life was saved by you.”

“Prince…”

“Enough, say no more. In any case, you will stay at the residence and peacefully read your books.” Na Yan’s tone was firm.

Song Zhi stammered, not knowing what to say.

Extremely conflicted.

Na Yan didn’t want him to feel so embarrassed and conflicted either, so he continued, “According to what this prince knows, the Master Ji and Master Jing who previously lived with you seem to have already left Gaoding. You currently have injuries. If you live alone in that residence and something happens, no one would even know. The new year is almost here too. You can’t very well spend it alone, can you? Why not just stay at the residence and spend the new year with this prince? In any case, this prince spends every year alone too. Just consider it keeping this prince company.”

Song Zhi was overwhelmed with honor. “Prince, Song is merely a scholar—what virtue or ability do I possess?”

“Stop declining. Also, on New Year’s Eve is the annual ceremony. This prince will bring you into the palace with me then, to join the festivities together. You’ll also be able to meet the Great King in advance. After the first month passes, it will be the imperial examinations. You should understand why this prince is arranging things this way.”

This was paving the way in advance for him to place first in the examinations!

Song Zhi was about to open his mouth to refuse…

“Alright, this prince still has matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb your rest. Just stay here peacefully.”

Song Zhi had a thousand words stuck in his throat.

He opened his mouth but couldn’t say a single thing.

He could only watch helplessly as Na Yan left.

He let out a heavy sigh.

Looking at his bundle, not knowing what to do.

“Alas!”

He sighed again.

He only wanted to peacefully enter the Hanlin Academy and be an upright official, but now it was clear he had no control over his own fate.

But who told him to save the Second Prince’s life?

He didn’t know if this was fortune or disaster!

…

On another front.

Na Tuo had finally finished copying the scriptures.

He had someone send them into the palace.

Although he’d labored for several days, his complexion was very good.

The young servant attending him said, “Prince, you don’t seem to have rested much these past days. Now that the scriptures are written, why don’t you go rest a bit?”

At this, Na Tuo also felt it was strange.

He walked around from behind the desk to the front. “Yes! This prince seems to have no drowsiness at all these days, and is actually very energetic.”

“Could it be the princess consort’s incense?”

“Incense?”

Right, he’d almost forgotten—he’d been smelling the incense these past days.

He walked to the incense burner and looked at it, asking, “What has the princess consort been doing all day lately?”

The young servant answered, “The princess consort has been staying in her room the whole time. Hearing that the prince needed to copy scriptures, she sent over several blocks of incense, saying they could refresh the prince’s spirit. This servant didn’t believe it at first, but now seeing how energetic the prince is, the princess consort’s incense must indeed be effective. It shows the princess consort is very concerned about the prince…”

“Shut up!” Na Tuo suddenly turned his head and scolded.

The young servant realized he seemed to have said too much.

He quickly shut his mouth.

Na Tuo’s heart was unsettled. He thought for a long time.

Finally, he went to Jing Xuan’s courtyard.

The maids in the courtyard saw him arrive and were about to bow.

He quickly raised his hand, signaling them not to make a sound.

Then waved his hand.

The maids silently withdrew.

Na Tuo entered the room and saw Jing Xuan standing before the window.

Her gaze fixed on the large tree outside the window.

Hearing movement behind her, Jing Xuan said without turning her head, “Didn’t I say not to come in and disturb me?”

Na Tuo said in a low voice, “Does that apply to this prince as well?”

Hmm?

Hearing the voice, Jing Xuan turned to look at him.

She quickly bowed. “Prince.”

He had thought that after Gong Shilin’s death and the jade pendant being shattered, Jing Xuan would be like a walking corpse.

How could he know she would be this docile?