Zhao Yishi’s eyes flickered slightly.

Bu Liu was a military man. There were many ways to deal with spies—he didn’t need to make such a big commotion, creating an uproar throughout the capital and inadvertently offending the old prince.

“To save his adopted son’s life?”

Xie Zhifei shook his head. “Not necessarily—it might be to save himself and Bu’s Army.”

Understanding suddenly dawned in Zhao Yishi’s heart.

Young Master Pei beside them remained confused. “Quick, break it down for me.”

Xie Zhifei glanced at him. “Mingting, if you were Bu Liu and learned your son had gotten mixed up with a Tatar spy, what would you do?”

Pei Xiao replied, “Beat him until his skin split open.”

Xie Zhifei continued, “And then? Would you turn him in to the authorities?”

Pei Xiao answered, “Publicly, I must. Privately, I can’t bear to.”

Zhao Yishi interjected, “Turn him in, and the adopted son can’t escape involvement. Don’t turn him in, and if the Embroidered Uniform Guard digs it up later, it’ll be even more impossible to clear his name—like jumping into the Yellow River.”

Xie Zhifei added, “I just asked Madam Chu—Xu Nian’an has been involved with Shaotang for two months, throwing nearly five thousand taels of silver at it.”

Zhao Yishi shook his head. “Two months—who knows how much this man surnamed Xu has revealed about Bu’s Army?”

Xie Zhifei continued, “Once revealed, the crime of consorting with the enemy is inescapable.”

Zhao Yishi pressed on, “Xu Nian’an is Bu Liu’s adopted son. If he consorted with the enemy, what about Bu Liu? Could it implicate Bu’s Army?”

“Oh, I understand now.”

Pei Xiao had an epiphany. “To protect his son, protect himself, and protect Bu’s Army, Bu Liu deliberately staged that scene before everyone’s eyes.”

Xie Zhifei noted, “Most importantly, dead men tell no tales.”

Zhao Yishi added, “Even if Xu Nian’an truly did reveal some things about Bu’s Army while drunk, there’s no proof now that the person is dead.”

Xie Zhifei continued, “As for Xu Nian’an, those eighty strokes are certain—there will be no mercy whatsoever. He won’t die, but he’ll definitely be crippled.”

Zhao Yishi concluded, “This way, Bu Liu gains a reputation for strict military discipline and impartiality. Bu’s Army weathers the crisis.”

Xie Zhifei summarized, “This performance wasn’t staged for us.”

Zhao Yishi finished, “It was staged for His Majesty.”

Pei Xiao’s heart surged. “Brilliant strategy!”

Xie Zhifei felt an indescribable admiration. Who said military men were all brawn and no brains?

This Bu Liu, without any background or powerful backing, had reached his current position—he was definitely no ordinary person.

“If such a man could be used by me, that would be ideal.”

Zhao Yishi sighed. “Unfortunately, apart from His Majesty, this man has eyes for no one else. A general of absolute loyalty.”

Xie Zhifei calmly sipped his tea, but in his heart he was calculating how he might join Bu’s Army.

The study fell quiet.

Seeing both his good brothers looking dejected, Pei Xiao decided to share some good news about the Zhu family.

“There’s been some progress with the Zhu family matter. Do you want to hear about it?”

Xie Zhifei’s hand holding the teacup paused. He asked eagerly, “Tell us quickly.”

Pei Xiao recounted everything about the bloodletting and talisman-drawing.

When he finished, the study grew even quieter. Not a trace of joy appeared on either of his good brothers’ faces.

Xie Zhifei was thinking: That girl has lost another drop of blood—her body is even weaker.

Zhao Yishi was thinking: If the heart demon can’t be resolved, Zhu Yuanmo has only six months to live. If the Directorate of Astronomy changes leadership, all of Chengyu’s prior efforts will be wasted.

“What’s with the long faces?”

Young Master Pei hated this lifeless atmosphere most. “There’s me, there’s Chengyu, there’s Hero Li, plus the spirit medium—I don’t believe we can’t resolve this heart demon.”

Zhao Yishi said, “Count me in as well.”

This time, Young Master Pei’s spirit soared to the clouds. “With one more Huairen, we might not even need six months.”

Xie Zhifei slipped his hand into his robe and quietly squeezed the talisman Zhu Yuanmo had given him, glancing subtly at Zhao Yishi.

With Zhu Yuanmo laying down such heavy malevolent energy in that array…

Things definitely couldn’t be that simple!

“Your Highness.”

As soon as Zhao Yishi heard this address, he knew something had come up. “Come in and report.”

Shen Chong pushed the door open. “His Majesty summons you to the palace.”

“Just me?”

Zhao Yishi asked with slight hesitation, “What about the Crown Prince?”

Shen Chong shook his head.

Xie Zhifei stood up. “Huairen, don’t worry about anything else—first enter the palace to assess the situation.”

“It shows that in His Majesty’s heart, you’re at least on par with the Prince of Han.”

Pei Xiao also stood. “You and he are evenly matched at least.”

Zhao Yishi’s gaze swept over both of them. His long lashes lowered slightly as he turned and walked out of the study.

After just a few steps, he froze.

Outside the courtyard gate, Li Buyan stood beneath a tree, quietly watching him.

The surroundings were very quiet. Zhao Yishi heard his own heavy heartbeat.

He did like her.

He walked forward, meeting her eyes. “His Majesty has summoned me to the palace. I must leave immediately. That…”

“It’s a small matter.”

Li Buyan smiled gently. “Your Highness needn’t concern himself with it.”

“Your Highness, the palace summons urgently. It’s getting late.” Shen Chong urged quietly.

“I’m leaving.”

Zhao Yishi’s gaze swept over her before he hurried away.

Li Buyan followed for a few steps, then stopped, releasing a long sigh that seemed half self-directed, half spoken to Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao who had followed out:

“He and I aren’t the same kind of people!”

…

That night, both the Imperial Crown Prince’s Heir and the Prince of Han remained in the palace;

That night, screams echoed from the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters;

That night, the lamp in a certain old prince’s study burned until dawn;

That night, all thirty thousand soldiers of Bu’s Army personally witnessed their general’s adopted son beaten to within an inch of his life.

That night, Young Master Pei collapsed into bed and slept soundly;

That night, Xie Zhifei only slept two hours before waking to stare with open eyes until dawn.

That night, another person who stared until dawn was Li Buyan.

…

The next day, just as dawn broke, another person appeared at Xie Zhifei’s bedside.

Ding Yi clung to the bed’s edge, slumping on the floor. “Master, I’ve returned.”

Xie Zhifei glanced at him, unable to hide the distaste on his face. “Go back to the residence, wash up properly, get some sleep. From now on, follow Miss Yan.”

Ding Yi had already heard about this from the people who met him. “Master, is it permanently, or just for a while?”

Xie Zhifei countered, “What do you think?”

Ding Yi’s face fell. “Master, I’ll miss you. I’ll think of you often.”

Xie Zhifei’s eyelid twitched with irritation. “Zhu Qing, throw this ungrateful wretch out.”

Ding Yi looked at Zhu Qing uncomprehendingly: Didn’t Master tell me to follow Miss Yan from now on?

Zhu Qing shook his head: You’re really dreaming big, boy!

Just then, the window was tapped three times.

Two short, one long.

Zhu Qing released Ding Yi and quietly opened the window.

Outside the window stood Liu Jiang, one of the Crown Prince Heir’s guards.

Liu Jiang whispered a few words in Zhu Qing’s ear, then vanished.

Zhu Qing closed the window and said quietly, “Third Master, word from the palace—His Majesty advocates war.”

An expected development.

Xie Zhifei climbed out of bed, his expression grave. “Zhu Qing, starting today, add half an hour to morning training and another half hour at night.”

Zhu Qing was secretly shocked.

“Also, have the blacksmith forge a great blade like those used in Bu’s Army.”

Zhu Qing was even more shocked. “Master, you’re going to practice blade work?”

“Yes!”