Zhao Yishi hurried to Yan’an Palace. Raising his eyes, he saw the Emperor standing beneath the palace eaves, without even a single attendant by his side.

He quickly gathered his robe and rushed over. Just as he was about to bow, the old Emperor’s hand was already supporting him.

“Grand Grandson, accompany me for a walk.”

“Yes!”

From the corner of his eye, Zhao Yishi noticed the Emperor’s complexion was pale and drawn. He quickly said, “Your Majesty, extend your hand. Let your grandson take your pulse.”

He had studied pulse reading with Imperial Physician Shen in his youth and knew something of common pulse conditions.

“I have no illness or disaster. I’m perfectly well.”

The old Emperor waved his sleeve, placing his hands behind his back. After walking a few steps, he added, “You must remember—an emperor’s pulse should not be felt casually by others.”

Zhao Yishi had been taught by the old Emperor since childhood. Almost the instant these words fell, he understood their deeper meaning.

“Pulses have fast and slow, sinking and floating. Fast means your heart is in chaos; floating means your heart is weak. When they grasp your pulse, they know your weakness.”

The old Emperor looked at this most beloved grandson.

“Even if it’s your parents, your siblings, your intimate friends, or even your pillow companion—don’t let them detect your weakness. Once they perceive your weakness, they’ll easily push their advantage.”

These few sentences made Zhao Yishi break out in cold sweat.

Though he’d followed the old Emperor since childhood, he’d never heard him speak so directly. After much thought, it must again be about Yan Ruxian’s matter.

Just as he was thinking this, his wrist was suddenly seized. Looking up, he met the old Emperor’s piercing tiger-like gaze.

“Your Majesty?”

“A steady hand, a calm pulse, a ruthless heart—these are the way of rulership.”

Though Zhao Yishi had been led by the old Emperor’s hand countless times in childhood, he couldn’t help but feel secretly alarmed now. This hand that gripped the sword was too powerful—he simply couldn’t break free.

What alarmed him even more was the old Emperor’s next statement.

“Grand Grandson, tomorrow I’m entrusting you with the raid on Yan Ruxian’s residence.”

…

When Zhao Yishi emerged from the palace, it was already quite late. Shen Chong had been eagerly waiting at the palace gate. Seeing his master emerge, he quickly went forward.

“Your Highness?”

“Get in the carriage first.”

Shen Chong immediately summoned the carriage and helped the Grand Grandson aboard. Just as he was hesitating whether to climb up himself, he heard Zhao Yishi command, “Get in.”

Shen Chong lightly leaped up and was inside the carriage. “Your Highness, shall we return to the residence now or…”

“Go to the Brocade Guard. Tomorrow we raid the Yan residence.”

This single sentence made Shen Chong’s expression change several times.

Zhao Yishi rubbed his throbbing temples with his fingers. “The Yan residence’s back gate will be guarded by Bai Yanlin of the Five Cities Military Command.”

Shen Chong, recalling the request Third Master made on his birthday, asked, “Does Your Highness want Lord Bai to successfully defend it, or to fail?”

Zhao Yishi looked at him. “Who placed Bai Yanlin in that position?”

Shen Chong: “The Crown Prince.”

Zhao Yishi pondered for a moment. “Then let him succeed in his defense, then immediately promote him elsewhere. Vacate that position for Third Master.”

“Yes.”

“Third Master Xie’s illness should also be ‘recovered’ by now. Tomorrow morning, have him return to his office to resume his duties.”

Shen Chong understood that His Highness was using the raid on the Yan residence to let Third Master gain some prominence, paving the way for his promotion to Commander of the Five Cities Military Command.

“This subordinate will immediately send someone to notify Third Master, so he’ll be alert when guarding the gate tomorrow.”

“Make arrangements quickly.”

“Yes!”

Before the carriage stopped, Shen Chong lifted the curtain and leaped out.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the Brocade Guard residence. Feng Changxiu, having received word, personally came out to greet them.

The two entered the inner chamber. Zhao Yishi dismissed everyone, drew a yellow paper from his robes, and handed it to him.

“Minister Feng, take a look.”

Feng Changxiu unfolded it and secretly drew several sharp breaths.

“His Majesty has only entrusted this matter to you and me. He hasn’t involved the Three Judicial Offices. If there aren’t enough people, I’ve arranged for assistance from the Five Cities Military Command.”

“In all matters, Your Highness shall decide.”

“Minister Feng, arrange tomorrow’s affairs.”

Zhao Yishi put away the imperial edict. “Before dawn, we absolutely cannot let word leak out.”

“Yes.”

“Get to work then.”

“Your Highness, please wait a moment.”

Feng Changxiu stepped forward and asked in a low voice, “Is it only raiding the residence?”

Zhao Yishi was about to ask “What do you mean by that?” when he heard Feng Changxiu continue, “What about Eunuch Yan? Has Your Majesty said how to handle him?”

Zhao Yishi was slightly stunned.

Throughout history, raiding a residence meant arresting people. But now Yan Ruxian was still confined in the palace, and the Emperor hadn’t mentioned his fate with a single word.

“His Majesty said nothing. As subjects, we need only do our assigned duties properly.”

“Your Highness is right.”

Zhao Yishi nodded to him and turned to leave the inner chamber with his hands behind his back.

Feng Changxiu watched the Grand Grandson’s tall, slender figure, his expression subtly changing.

The Emperor was only raiding the residence, not arresting the person—what was his intention?

Last time it was the Grand Grandson who raided the Ji residence, and this time it was also the Grand Grandson raiding the Yan residence. What about the Crown Prince?

The Brocade Guard answered directly to the Emperor. The next new emperor would be the Crown Prince.

Rather than building rapport between the Brocade Guard and the Crown Prince, His Majesty was building rapport between the Brocade Guard and the Grand Grandson… What was that intention?

Zhao Yishi walked out of the Brocade Guard residence. Just as he descended several steps, Shen Chong rushed up and whispered in his ear.

“Your Highness, Third Master isn’t in the capital.”

Zhao Yishi’s expression changed abruptly.

…

The Performers’ Bureau.

Xie Buhuo held a wine cup, his body leaning against the railing, listlessly admiring the moon.

His appearance was already extremely handsome. Several courtesans in the room were all looking down, stealing glances at him from time to time.

Someone approached from behind. Without turning around, he knew it was He Yun—this fellow wore dragon’s brain incense year-round.

“Ignoring the young ladies and young men in the room to drink alone outside—what’s wrong with my Second Master Xie? Pining for someone?”

As He Yun spoke, he reached along the wrist and grasped Xie Buhuo’s hand, smiling broadly. “Come, tell your brother—which family’s young lady is it, or young man?”

Xie Buhuo shook off his hand. “Don’t guess wildly.”

“Looks like it’s mostly for that Miss Yan of yours.”

He Yun stuck his head over to observe Xie Buhuo’s expression.

“If you ask me, the matter is simple. Get her drunk, slip her some drugs, pick an auspicious day and have your way with her—how could your Third Brother compete with you then?”

Xie Buhuo nearly lost his temper. “Say that again and I’ll tear your mouth apart.”

“Look how agitated you are.”

He Yun kicked him. “I’m just trying to help you think of a plan.”

Xie Buhuo simply felt irritated. To shut his mouth, he said, “I have no interest in her.”

“Then who are you interested in?”

“You!”

“Then come on!”

He Yun wasn’t the least bit flustered, smiling leisurely. “Your brother will suffer the indignity and let you have your way.”

“More and more improper.”

Xie Buhuo kicked him back and returned to the room on his own. Before he could sit down, he saw Wu Xing peeking in at the door.

Xie Buhuo pulled the door open and walked out.