Shen Chong had an epiphany.

“Someone delivered the poison into his hands.”

Zhao Yishi sat down in the grand master’s chair, a cold smile floating on his face, “The matter finally has some leads now.”

Shen Chong was completely confused, “Your Highness, what leads?”

“Let me ask you—if Duan Yucheng hadn’t died, what would have happened?”

“No one can withstand five rounds of severe torture. After five rounds, Duan Yucheng would definitely reveal the person behind him.”

Zhao Yishi: “There’s also another possibility—he withstood the severe torture.”

Shen Chong: “That would mean he was the true culprit who assassinated Your Highness, and that he had staked everything.”

Zhao Yishi: “But now he’s dead?”

Shen Chong: “This shows someone didn’t want him to talk, and shows there’s actually another true culprit behind him.”

Zhao Yishi’s gaze suddenly sharpened: “In this world, how many people have the guts to assassinate me? Think about it yourself.”

No need to think.

“Those who dare assassinate Your Highness are nothing more than those few.”

Zhao Yishi’s lips curved, “If they truly wanted me dead, a little deadly poison on the dagger would do. But not wanting me dead yet still assassinating me—why?”

Shen Chong thought of the secret letter received a few days ago about “The Prince of Han returning to the capital,” and the answer emerged clearly.

“Help me look at what Mingting wrote in his letter. Is it telling me to return as soon as possible?”

“Yes.”

Shen Chong picked up the envelope from the desk and pulled out the letter inside.

“Your Highness guessed correctly. Young Master Pei and Third Master want Your Highness to return to the capital as soon as possible.”

“Some people hope I return soon, so naturally others don’t want me to return soon.”

Zhao Yishi glanced at the wound on his arm, his eyes ice-cold.

“He returns to the capital while I’m a thousand li away. The Crown Prince can’t catch His Majesty’s eye—what a perfect opportunity.

Once I return, he won’t be able to curry favor or win favor before His Majesty. Wouldn’t he need to find ways to trip me up?”

Shen Chong was grinding his teeth in anger.

“Isn’t he afraid Your Highness will investigate and report him to His Majesty?”

“With Duan Yucheng dead, what does he have to fear?”

Zhao Yishi: “Without concrete evidence, would His Majesty believe an accusation? Moreover, he’s my own blood uncle. How many uncles in this world would want their nephew’s life?”

Shen Chong was shocked by this series of calculations, “Your Highness, the Prince of Han has an expert backing him.”

Zhao Yishi raised an eyebrow, “Even you’ve noticed?”

Shen Chong nodded.

The Prince of Han was a military general by background, and his actions obviously carried a decisive ruthlessness.

In these recent exchanges with His Highness, every move grabbed His Highness by the throat. Based on the Prince of Han’s abilities alone, this wouldn’t be possible.

“I’m actually quite curious now about who this expert behind him is.”

Zhao Yishi’s brow furrowed slightly, “To think of such a clever plan that leaves me unable to advance or retreat.”

“Your Highness?”

“No rush. First accompany me for a walk outside.”

The night was dark as ink.

Zhao Yishi slowly strolled to the adjacent courtyard.

Several palace lanterns in the courtyard were quite bright, but the side room was pitch black.

She certainly could eat and sleep.

Zhao Yishi turned around and said in a low voice: “Within ten days, finish the Zhejiang matters, then return to the capital immediately.”

“Yes!”

…

Li Buyan didn’t even dream, sleeping until dawn.

After washing up and leaving the room, she immediately saw Wang Yin waiting outside.

“Miss Li, good morning!”

Smiling so slyly—either a traitor or a thief.

Li Buyan ignored him and went outside to practice her martial arts.

Wang Yin scurried after her, “Miss’s culinary skills are outstanding. How about Miss takes charge of His Highness’s three meals a day?”

“Get lost.”

Wang Yin smiled, “We won’t let Miss work for nothing. Whatever Miss wants, just say the word.”

“Your life!”

Wang Yin was stunned, then said with a forced smile: “This servant’s life is worthless. If Miss wants it, take it. I only ask that Miss…”

Before he could finish, a flash of white light appeared before his eyes, followed by a chill on his neck.

Wang Yin looked down and nearly peed himself.

She really meant it!

“Mi-Miss Li…”

“What, scared?”

Wang Yin fell to his knees with a thud, “Miss Li, His Highness didn’t sleep all night and worked very hard. This servant begs…”

The soft sword pushed forward a few inches, and Wang Yin quickly shut his mouth in fright.

“First, I’m not a cook. Second, this auntie doesn’t serve men. Third…”

Li Buyan suddenly withdrew her sword, “I’m afraid if your master eats my cooking, he’ll start extorting me.”

Wang Yin: “…”

Outside the courtyard.

Zhao Yishi’s footsteps paused.

Having worked all night, he had planned to return to his courtyard to rest for two hours, never expecting to hear such words.

He made a stopping gesture to Shen Chong behind him.

At this moment, Wang Yin was beginning to suspect this Li Buyan was mentally ill.

Who was His Highness?

Among all the women in the world—tall, short, fat, thin—which one didn’t come at his beck and call?

And she thought he’d extort her?

Who was she!

“Miss is overthinking. My master, he…”

“Can have any kind of woman he wants?” Li Buyan secured her sword at her waist.

Wang Yin smiled without warmth: “As long as Miss understands.”

“But there’s only one of me.”

Li Buyan looked at Wang Yin sideways, “I’m precious!”

Give me a break.

Wang Yin silently curled his lip.

Miss Li, your cooking is good, that’s true, but you’re still ten thousand eight thousand li away from precious. You’re just a maidservant.

Besides, no matter how precious you are, can you be more precious than my master?

Wang Yin looked up, “Your, Your Highness!”

Hearing this shout, Li Buyan turned her head and unexpectedly met a pair of eyes that seemed to smile yet didn’t.

The owner of those eyes stood with hands behind his back. Although he’d worked through the night and his complexion was somewhat dark, his features remained elegantly handsome.

Li Buyan’s face heated up slightly.

How long had he been standing there?

How much had he heard?

Ah, she’d been so focused on talking to the little eunuch, she’d forgotten to prick up her ears to listen for anyone nearby.

Li Buyan forced herself to appear calm and nodded at Zhao Yishi, then hurriedly walked toward her room.

“Miss Li, please wait.”

Li Buyan stopped in her tracks.

Shen Chong walked before her and clasped his fists.

“Young Master Pei sent a letter urging His Highness to return. His Highness has decided to depart in ten days. I still have many matters to handle, so I’d like to trouble Miss to personally guard His Highness closely.”

“Fine!”

Anyway, before coming, Third Master Xie had instructed her to do this.

“Many thanks!”

“No need.”

Having said this, Li Buyan continued walking forward, instinctively feeling a gaze following her.

Just as one foot crossed the threshold, she suddenly turned around, only to see the smile on that person’s face deepen further.

Don’t extort, don’t extort—what’s there to smile about!

Li Buyan returned to her room, drew cold water and washed her face again. Before she could dry it with a towel, she suddenly realized something was wrong.

What did Shen Chong just say?

Personally guard His Highness closely!

Closely??

Li Buyan’s eyes widened. This, this, this—didn’t it mean that wherever his master was, she had to be there too?

When he slept, she’d guard beside him.

When he ate, she’d accompany him.

When he bathed, she’d listen outside the curtain.

Li Buyan shook the water from her face, thinking: So it’s not him extorting me—I’ve been seduced by beauty and am extorting him!

No wonder Yan Sanhe told her to be careful.

“Miss Li.”

Wang Yin’s voice sounded outside: “His Highness is sleeping. Would Miss please stand guard in the outer room?”