Han Jiangxue nodded blankly. In the courtyard, children were running about with laughter and cheer. A little girl with her hair styled in twin buns ran over and asked, “Can Madam be the mother hen?”

“Don’t be rude.” Master Zhou gently reprimanded her.

Han Jiangxue looked at the tender-faced little girl, thought for a moment, then nodded. “I can, but you’ll have to teach me how.”

“Alright!” The little girl had been looking dejected after being scolded by the master, but upon hearing her agreement, she immediately brightened with laughter. She reached out to take Han Jiangxue’s hand and led her away.

Shen Guiyan watched them go play with a smile. Han Jiangxue’s body was still somewhat stiff at first, but after a while, she was actually running about more joyfully than anyone else.

“I hear Fourth Young Master has taken up a position under General Yuwen’s command,” Master Zhou said, stroking his beard.

Shen Guiyan nodded. “He willingly accepted the transfer himself.”

“How is this a demotion? It’s clearly a promotion!” Master Zhou laughed twice. “This old master said long ago that your husband is exceptional.”

Shen Guiyan looked at Master Zhou in bewilderment for quite a while. How could changing from Vice Minister of Justice to Military Inspector be a promotion rather than a demotion?

Master Zhou stroked his beard without saying more, maintaining the same demeanor as before—profoundly mysterious, always speaking only in half-truths.

At the Yuwen Residence.

Today Yuwen Houde had gone to attend a funeral, so naturally Gu Chaobei went directly to General Yuwen to report for duty. In the afternoon, they had agreed to go to the drill grounds together.

However, Yuwen Changqing said that to demonstrate his dislike for Chaobei and make their antagonism obvious to all observers, he deliberately stayed in the residence eating pastries and listening to songs while making Gu Chaobei stand outside in full leather armor.

The servants at the Yuwen residence thoroughly bought into this act, all gossiping about how much General Yuwen detested this Fourth Young Master Gu.

“I say, isn’t this about enough? My old man is still the Prime Minister, after all.” After standing for a full hour, Gu Chaobei finally couldn’t resist speaking up.

Yuwen Changqing popped a water chestnut cake in his mouth, clapped his hands, and stood up. “Alright, alright, don’t get agitated. Let’s head to the drill grounds now.”

To others, it seemed that Gu Chaobei was disrespectful to his superior while Yuwen Changqing was easygoing and informal. These two actually got along quite well together—what a pity their positions were different.

Today was the day Yuwen Changqing was to inspect the troops at the drill grounds. The carriage had been arranged early in the morning, and they departed in an orderly fashion toward the south of the city. Once there were finally only the two of them in the carriage, Gu Chaobei said, “Gu Chaodong has also taken up his position. That person in the palace has delayed long enough—it’s about time to make our move.”

Yuwen Changqing smiled with complete composure. “Do you really need to tell me this? I arranged it long ago. Today Scholar Fu will enter the palace to visit the sick. In his residence, there’s a newly acquired concubine who loves Cold Smoke Incense most dearly. Just yesterday, the Grand Scholar spent the night in her quarters.”

Gu Chaobei raised an eyebrow. “Your person?”

With a low chuckle, Yuwen Changqing didn’t answer him, only saying, “The Sixth Prince favors Dragon Saliva Incense. Once Scholar Fu enters, the matter will naturally be understood. Who cares whose person she is?”

Dragon Saliva Incense and Cold Smoke Incense together form a poison most difficult to detect. After prolonged exposure, one would see what they feared most in their heart, experience hallucinations, and ultimately be frightened to death by their own visions.

The Sixth Prince, in his weakened state, wouldn’t even need to be particularly frightened—just inhaling a little Cold Smoke Incense would be enough to end his life.

This realm had been monopolized by the Phoenix Throne for far too long. It was time to slowly take it back.

“In that case, I can rest assured.” Gu Chaobei chuckled softly, leaning against the carriage wall. “How pitiful that some people are still dreaming of official advancement and wealth. Am I being too cruel to him?”

Yuwen Changqing gave him a sidelong glance. “You’ve probably been waiting for this day all along. In this world, who could be more cruel than you?”

Gu Chaobei laughed with a heh-heh-heh sound, utterly punch-worthy.

Just past noon, wails of mourning came from within the palace. The Empress flew into a thunderous rage, carrying the Sixth Prince’s corpse as she knelt her way to Qianzheng Hall. The Emperor was shocked and ordered the imperial physicians to investigate the cause of the Sixth Prince’s death.

“Your son suffered grave injuries and though his life hung by a thread, he was at least gradually recovering. Who could have imagined he would suddenly die today! I beg Your Majesty to seek justice—this matter must surely be murder!”

The Empress’s voice was hoarse with grief. Several times she nearly fainted from crying on the steps. Scholar Fu and the other ministers nearby all came to support her. The Empress Dowager also hurried over upon hearing the news, and the palace suddenly descended into chaos.

With the Sixth Prince dead, no one could now shake the Fifth Prince’s position as Crown Prince. How could the Empress accept this? Every word she spoke was aimed directly at the Crown Prince, implicitly demanding his life in compensation.

After the Emperor ordered a thorough investigation, he took no major action, merely posthumously enfeoffing the Sixth Prince as a prince and ordering a lavish burial. The Empress, unwilling to accept this, vented her fury on the Ministry of Justice, carrying out the promise made back then by dismissing and investigating all personnel of the Ministry and rotating in new people.

Initially, due to the case of the Sixth Prince’s assassination, everyone in the Ministry of Justice had their official caps hanging by their belts. Now, at last, they could set them down. Not a single one was spared.

Court officials were consequently all replaced in a wave.

The situation in the capital grew tense. Prime Minister Gu left early and returned late every day. Only Gu Chaobei continued his clowning about, following Yuwen Changqing to the drill grounds for training, completely removed from the turmoil.

What no one expected was Gu Chaodong’s fate. He had finally managed to snatch the position away from Gu Chaobei, only to encounter the Empress’s fury. The official seal he’d just received vanished in the blink of an eye.

This was even more thrilling than riding a roller coaster. Gu Chaodong ran about desperately until he finally got some inside information from Scholar Fu: “Once the storm passes and the examination results are announced, you can still enter office.”

Gu Chaodong was nearly in tears. What sins had he committed? First cuckolded, then widowed, and after being widowed, he lost the official position he’d just obtained. Was Heaven itself working against him?

Upon hearing this news, Shen Guiyan finally understood what Master Zhou had meant.

So Gu Chaobei had known all along that the Sixth Prince wouldn’t live long, which is why he deliberately gave up the Vice Minister position?

But how did he know?

Now Gu Chaodong, who had been preparing to make his grand debut, had directly become a commoner again, while Gu Chaobei continued freeloading under General Yuwen’s command.

“Does my wife think that marrying this husband was the best choice?” Gu Chaobei asked with narrowed eyes and a smile.

Shen Guiyan yawned, rubbing her forehead. “Yes, yes, husband is the most capable.”

The dark circles under her eyes were quite pronounced. Shen Guiyan hadn’t slept well these past few days. During the day, managing the household accounts already left her exhausted, and at night she kept hearing ghostly wails and howls. Strangely, when Gu Chaobei was present, there was nothing, but as soon as he left, white cloth would flutter about the courtyard.

She had gone out to look many times. The people in the northern courtyard all said it was ghost shadows, but she always felt it was just bedsheets from the back courtyard.

It didn’t frighten her, but it scared Baoshan into constant startled reactions, which in turn prevented her from sleeping soundly.

“Is my wife tired?” Gu Chaobei raised an eyebrow slightly and stood up, letting her wrap her arms around his waist. “Lean on me and rest for a while.”

Shen Guiyan nodded, sitting on the stool while embracing Gu Chaobei’s waist, closing her eyes to rest.

Jiang Shi was just about to enter carrying tea when she saw Gu Chaobei wave his hand, signaling her not to. Slightly startled, she lowered her gaze and saw the woman leaning against his waist, sleeping peacefully.

Pressing her lips together, Jiang Shi pointed to the tea in her hands—this was specially brewed with dew she had collected, waiting for his return to drink it.

The young master hadn’t visited anyone else’s quarters in a long time, and was unbearably tender toward the main wife. How could she not feel envious watching this? Last time he had just placated her, and now he was ignoring her again…

Thinking this way, Jiang Shi’s eyes filled with tears.

Gu Chaobei sighed softly, pointing at the sleeping Shen Guiyan and making a helpless gesture toward Jiang Shi. Jiang Shi bit her lip, turned around with the tea, and left.

“What’s wrong with Concubine?” Just as she reached the door of her own room, Jiang Biyue heard Qinghuan’s voice.

Turning to look, wasn’t it that girl? Her face was fresh and lovely, yet she had never received the master’s favor. She held the title of chambermaid, having only once years ago lain on the master’s bed together with her.

Jiang Shi sighed. “It’s nothing, just the same as before.”

Qinghuan glanced at the tea in her hands and pursed her lips. “How can it be the same as before? Before, the master at least didn’t favor us but would still humor and accommodate us. Now the master’s entire heart is fastened on the main wife. We can barely even catch a glimpse of him.”

“Stop talking.” Jiang Biyue’s heart ached as she entered the room to set down the tea. Qinghuan followed her in, paying no heed to her words and continuing: “Concubine is kind-hearted. When Sister Shuangjiang was still here, at least she could help you compete for favor. Now Shuangjiang has been sent away by her too, and we sisters have barely anyone left. If Concubine continues like this, we’ll end up with the same fate as Shuangjiang.”

Jiang Shi froze, looked up at her, and stood to close the door. “Sister seems to have much to say today. Why don’t you say it all at once?”

Qinghuan smiled. “Concubine is perceptive. Qinghuan can no longer endure these days. I want to ask Concubine if you share the same thoughts as Qinghuan. If so, Qinghuan’s boat is willing to take Concubine aboard.”

“What thoughts?” Jiang Shi lowered her eyes somewhat guiltily. “I only want to serve the master wholeheartedly…”

“Is that so?” Qinghuan reached out to take the tea from her table, lifted the lid and sniffed lightly. “Spring Passion Bone-Deep—is this what Concubine calls wanting to serve wholeheartedly?”

Jiang Shi’s face flushed red, her lips turning somewhat pale. She quickly snatched back the tea cup, not caring that it burned her hand, and frowned at her.

“Qinghuan means no harm and certainly won’t hurt you.” The young maid smiled warmly. “Concubine needn’t be afraid. Tonight, how about Qinghuan invites you to watch a good show?”

Jiang Biyue retreated somewhat fearfully. “What show?”

In the past, she had only thought this Qinghuan was clever and sensible. She hadn’t expected her to be so calculating. This appearance was somewhat frightening, making her afraid to trust her.

“What’s there to fear?” Qinghuan sighed. “We’re on the same boat. If anyone should be afraid, it should be others.”

She had waited long enough. Shen Guiyan had been married in for over half a month now. She had thoroughly observed her temperament. She couldn’t remain dormant for a lifetime.

Seeing that Fourth Young Master’s official career was flourishing, he would surely rise rapidly. If she didn’t compete quickly now, there would be no opportunity later.