At noon, Xie Zhifei and Zhu Yuanmo entered the villa almost simultaneously.

Xie Zhifei sat down. Before tea arrived, he said with extremely certain tone:

“Yan Sanhe, if Prince Han rebels using force, success is absolutely impossible. Unless he plays dirty.”

Young Master Pei quickly interjected, “Who did you ask? Are you certain?”

“A military friend. Ten parts certainty.”

Xie Zhifei: “As for who, don’t ask.”

Young Master Pei: “…”

Hey, this fellow—when did he start having secrets from me?

Yan Sanhe’s gaze shifted. “Zhu Yuanmo, how about your side?”

Zhu Yuanmo handed a paper before Yan Sanhe. Rather than reaching for it, she said flatly, “The Crown Princess faces danger?”

“Miss Yan, how did you know?” Zhu Yuanmo was stunned speechless.

“Because Dong Xiao is a clever person, but Prince Han isn’t foolish either.”

Yan Sanhe’s voice seemed tinged with a thin layer of morning frost.

“Rebelling and forcing the palace—the cost is too great. Prince Han lacks the ability and courage. If force won’t work, he can only play dirty.”

The study’s air froze once more.

Yan Sanhe looked at Zhu Yuanmo. “When stars fall, important imperial dignitaries die. The Crown Prince and Imperial Grand Grandson are both important dignitaries.”

Young Master Pei took a deep breath. “The ones truly in danger are the Crown Prince and Imperial Grand Grandson?”

“I understand now.”

Li Buyan slammed the table. “If this father-son pair die, Prince Han naturally becomes heir to the throne. It’s natural and proper—no need to rebel.”

“Not that if this father-son pair die, it’s natural and proper.”

Yan Sanhe corrected her, “If either one dies, Prince Han follows naturally.”

If the Crown Prince died, the old Emperor remained. The throne had never skipped a son to pass to a grandson.

If the Grand Grandson died, with the Crown Prince’s character, even receiving the throne, he couldn’t hold it steady.

Li Buyan made an “oh” sound. “Young Master Pei, your brother faces danger.”

You’re still making that sound?

Young Master Pei’s expression was indescribably ugly. Looking at Xie Zhifei, his eyes wouldn’t even turn: What do we do?

Xie Zhifei’s expression was even uglier, veins bulging one by one on his neck.

“Yan Sanhe, the next step…”

“Next step requires Third Master and Young Master Pei to calm down first.”

Yan Sanhe’s voice was calm and waveless. “Let’s all stand in Prince Han’s position and think—if he’s playing dirty, when would success be most likely?”

These words were like a basin of ice water pouring down.

Xie Zhifei’s entire body shuddered.

Correct.

Know yourself and your enemy, victory in a hundred battles.

First take Prince Han’s pulse clearly, then figure out methods.

When was success most likely? Naturally when mistakes arose in busyness, victory seized in chaos.

Xie Zhifei’s mind became unprecedentedly clear. “Yan Sanhe, I’ve thought of it.”

Pei Xiao composed his expression, stepping forward. “I’ve also thought of it.”

“What a coincidence.”

Yan Sanhe looked at both of them. “I also have an answer.”

“Then stop wasting words!”

Li Buyan quickly produced three sheets of paper, then began grinding ink. While grinding, she said, “Old rule—write it down, see if they match.”

After she finished grinding, Yan Sanhe picked up the brush and wrote several characters, then placed the paper behind her;

Next was Xie Zhifei;

Finally Young Master Pei.

“One, two, three!”

All three simultaneously placed papers on the table.

Zhu Yuanmo and Li Buyan and others leaned their heads over. On the three papers were written identical four characters—

Imperial Grand Grandson’s Wedding!

Xie Zhifei gazed into Yan Sanhe’s eyes. “If I were Prince Han, this day would be the perfect opportunity.”

This day, Huairen must first go to the palace to give thanks, then fetch the bride, finally returning to Duanmu Palace.

This route passed through many places, encountering many onlooking commoners. As heir apparent, Huairen would be a complete human target.

Even if they didn’t act on the road, Duanmu Palace offered many opportunities.

That day, Duanmu Palace gates would open wide, welcoming guests from all directions. Assassins mixed among the coming and going guests, completely undetectable.

As for dealing with the Crown Prince, that was even simpler.

Once assassination began, guest panic would inevitably ensue. The Crown Prince was too fat, his legs poor. In the chaos, anyone approaching could deliver a fatal strike.

“Yan Sanhe.”

Pei Xiao’s voice was low and hoarse. “We cannot watch helplessly as a joyous occasion becomes a funeral. We must find a way to stop him.”

Yan Sanhe: “How do you plan to stop it?”

Pei Xiao frowned. “Tell Huairen, let him be prepared, then we from the sidelines…”

“Stop.”

Yan Sanhe made a gesture. “If we tell the Imperial Grand Grandson, what about Dong Chengfeng? What happens to him?”

Pei Xiao froze.

What happens?

“A superior person doesn’t stand beneath a crumbling wall. No matter how magnanimous the Imperial Grand Grandson is, no matter how much he indulges you and Third Master’s nonsense, he won’t put himself at risk. That’s number one.”

Yan Sanhe: “Number two—Dong Chengfeng is avenging the former Crown Prince. He and the Imperial Grand Grandson walk different paths. If the Imperial Grand Grandson knows, are you certain he’ll spare Dong Chengfeng?”

Pei Xiao: “I…”

“Even you, a good brother, aren’t certain…”

Yan Sanhe laughed coldly. “Then for the heart demon’s sake, to protect Dong Chengfeng, I cannot take this risk.”

Whether it was Pei Xiao’s illusion or not, after Yan Sanhe said this, he seemed to see Zhu Yuanmo’s body lean slightly toward Yan Sanhe.

You have allied forces, so do I.

Pei Xiao quickly used eye signals toward Xie Zhifei: Go!

Xie Zhifei met his gaze for a moment. “Indeed we cannot risk it. I stand with Yan Sanhe.”

“Xie Wushi, you…”

Pei Xiao was so angry his lungs nearly exploded. “What if that fallen star is Huairen? Can you face him doing this?”

“I’ll protect him!”

Hearing this voice, Pei Xiao grew even angrier, sneering coldly, “What, you still have lingering feelings for him?”

“Is it any of your business?” Li Buyan curled her lip.

“You…”

“Stop arguing!”

Xie Zhifei stepped out. “The situation we now face is—without alerting anyone, destroying Prince Han’s plan while protecting Dong Chengfeng.”

“Not protecting.”

Yan Sanhe looked deeply at Xie Zhifei. “But on the Imperial Grand Grandson’s wedding day, finding a way to let Dong Chengfeng fake his death and escape.”

Xie Zhifei, reminded by her, immediately understood.

If Prince Han’s plot failed, Dong Chengfeng was in danger.

This danger came first from Prince Han.

Would he suddenly realize his arrival at this point was actually his advisor pushing from behind, then become furiously enraged and kill him with one strike?

Second, from the Emperor.

Fratricide would inevitably enrage the Emperor. When thoroughly investigating Prince Han’s manor, they’d certainly investigate Dong Chengfeng.

Forget Dong Chengfeng’s true identity—just his helping Prince Han scheme this matter meant death!

“I want to let him… live!”

Yan Sanhe’s voice was as light as a breeze.

—