Drawing closer, Xie Zhifei discovered it was a stranger.

Unexpectedly, that stranger dismounted, cupped his fists toward Xie Zhifei. “Lord Xie, might we speak privately?”

Xie Zhifei looked at the man’s attire and jumped down from his horse.

“You are…”

The man brought his face close and said in a suppressed voice, “The chief sent me. There seems to be movement in the Three Thousand Battalion.”

Three Thousand Battalion?

Xie Zhifei shuddered violently.

Damn it!

That bastard Zhao Yanjin had truly gone mad—not only killing people but actually planning armed rebellion. Fortunately, he’d kept an eye out and had Bu Liu monitor them.

“The chief asks what to do?”

Xie Zhifei forcefully pinched the tiger’s mouth of his left hand with his right. As pain surged up, he had his answer.

“Tell your chief—the opportunity for promotion and wealth has arrived.”

The man looked at Xie Zhifei with surprise, then nodded, mounted his horse, and soon disappeared into the vast night.

Xie Zhifei also immediately mounted his horse. Nearing the alley entrance, he suddenly pulled the horse’s head around and rode in another direction.

…

In Chonghua Palace after nightfall, servants moved about hurriedly.

In a quiet courtyard, Dong Xiao stood in black robes under the eaves, hands clasped behind his back.

Light spilling from the room fell on his face, vaguely revealing how stunning this face must have been in youth.

Someone entered.

A shadow guard from Prince Han’s side. “The Prince requests the Advisor to come.”

Dong Xiao’s pale features curved slightly. “For what matter?”

“Nothing major. The Prince cannot sleep and wishes the Advisor to come talk.”

“Wait!”

Dong Xiao turned and returned to the room. When he emerged, he carried a zither on his back. “Let’s go!”

The shadow guard’s eyes showed curiosity. “Advisor, where did this zither come from?”

Dong Xiao replied, “Passed down from the previous generation.”

Shadow guard: “Quite old then?”

Dong Xiao: “Mm.”

The shadow guard smiled ingratiatingly. “When the Advisor has leisure someday, could you play a piece for this humble one?”

A ripple passed through Dong Xiao’s dark eyes.

You?

Not worthy!

…

In the study, Zhao Yanjin couldn’t sit still at all, pacing back and forth in the room, his forehead covered in dense sweat.

This damned weather—all thunder and no rain. This omen wasn’t good!

The door was pushed open from outside. Dong Xiao entered.

Zhao Yanjin looked like he’d found a life-saving straw. “Boren, you’ve come at the perfect time. Help me think again—is there anything that needs…”

“Your Highness.”

Dong Xiao stepped forward and looked directly into Zhao Yanjin’s eyes. “Calm yourself.”

“How can I be calm?”

Zhao Yanjin gritted his teeth. “If anything goes wrong, this prince faces certain death.”

“Then withdraw now.”

Dong Xiao sneered coldly. “Everything is still in time.”

Zhao Yanjin’s mind buzzed. He shouted angrily, “How is that possible!”

“Since it’s impossible, what does Your Highness still have to worry about?”

“I…”

Zhao Yanjin pointed outside at the sky, saying somewhat guiltily, “Don’t you think this weather is strange?”

“Strange for whom? Your Highness or the Crown Prince’s palace?”

Dong Xiao smiled lightly. “Heaven seems impartial to everyone, doesn’t it?”

These words gave Zhao Yanjin a sense of relief.

Dong Xiao took down the zither from his back.

“Your Highness has never heard Boren play the zither. Tonight, I’ll play a piece for Your Highness to calm your mind.”

Only then did Zhao Yanjin belatedly notice he’d actually brought a zither.

Dong Xiao knew how to play—he was aware of that, only he’d never heard it. This was the first time.

With a “zheng,” the zither’s sound rang out in the study. Zhao Yanjin’s heart immediately calmed.

He was born at an auspicious time on an auspicious day. From childhood to adulthood, his fortune and luck were good. On the battlefield, he could still survive the piles of corpses…

Behind three layers of killing intent lay another ruthless move. This nation of Hua was destined to be mine!

No one can take it away!

“Boren, what piece are you playing?”

“Guangling San.”

“Is there a story behind it?”

“There is!”

Deep currents flowed in Dong Xiao’s eyes.

“The Stratagems of the Warring States records: Korean minister Yan Zhongzi harbored a blood feud with Prime Minister Xia Lei. Nie Zheng was friends with Yan Zhongzi. Thus, he assassinated Xia Lei for Yan Zhongzi. Your Highness…”

He looked up with a faint smile. “Do you understand the profound meaning in this piece?”

Zhao Yanjin was slightly stunned. What profound meaning?

Dong Xiao said softly, “A scholar dies for one who understands him!”

…

In the courtyard.

Aside from Xie Zhifei, everyone was present, finalizing the details of tomorrow’s operation one last time.

After discussing, Yan Sanhe raised her eyes and said calmly, “Success or failure hinges on this. Everyone prepare yourselves.”

Just as her words fell, another thunderclap suddenly exploded overhead.

Pei Xiao’s heart pounded like drums, saying in a daze, “Yan Sanhe, I keep having this feeling…”

“Pei Mingting.”

Yan Sanhe cut off his words. “You call me spirit medium. This spirit medium will tell you one last thing—whatever you think in your heart, matters will become.”

Pei Xiao said, “I’m thinking tomorrow will go smoothly.”

Yan Sanhe’s cold black eyes looked at him, declaring emphatically, “Then tomorrow will definitely go smoothly.”

Damn!

Believe the spirit medium, gain eternal life!

Pei Xiao flung his sleeve. “Depart!”

Zhu Qing and Li Buyan exchanged glances, then left.

Huang Qi and Ding Yi cupped their fists toward Yan Sanhe and followed closely.

Zhu Yuanmo’s hand at his side curled slightly. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Miss Yan, tomorrow…be extremely careful!”

“Definitely.”

Yan Sanhe saw everyone off, lowered her eyes and sat down on the threshold, softly exhaling as determination to stake everything flashed in her eyes.

Dong Chengfeng, I wonder what you’re thinking at this moment?

I’m thinking of you!

Thinking about what kind of person you are?

Thinking about what story you and that person shared?

Thinking about why you were willing to enter that cage?

And thinking…

Why did you play that piece for me?

When Xie Zhifei walked into the courtyard, he saw this scene.

The young woman sat on the threshold, her hands propped on her knees supporting her chin. No emotion showed on her face—only those tightly furrowed delicate brows revealed some hidden thoughts.

“Yan Sanhe?”

Yan Sanhe looked up to see Xie Zhifei wearing a military official’s robes, standing before her.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Why was he here?

What happened?

Wasn’t it agreed…

Before she could think further, that person’s large palm extended toward her.

Yan Sanhe unhesitatingly placed her hand in it.

Xie Zhifei exerted slight force and pulled her up from the threshold, then his other hand gently embraced her, drawing her into his arms.

Yan Sanhe instantly froze.

He rested his face on her head and said softly, “I just received news—Prince Han has broken all bridges behind him. The Three Thousand Battalion is moving.”

The voice was so soft yet so shocking.

Yan Sanhe breathed in his travel-dusty scent, bit her lip. “It’s both not good news and good news.”

Xie Zhifei wasn’t surprised she would say this.

It truly was good news. This way, it solidified Prince Han as a traitorous minister—he’d have no possibility of making a comeback in this lifetime.

But there was also a worry—

That fallen star—which member of the imperial family would it correspond to?

Prince Han?

The Crown Prince?

The Grand Prince?

Or the one on the dragon throne?

“I’ll be very busy tomorrow. Probably won’t have time to come to the courtyard.”

He nuzzled her hair with his face. “If things go smoothly with Dong Chengfeng, don’t wait for me. Leave directly. Go as far as possible.”

“Will you come chase after me?” she asked.

“Yes!”

Yan Sanhe’s brows curved slightly.

“No need for you to chase. I’ll return on my own. You just need to clean up everything behind us one by one, then wait.”

Xie Zhifei smiled in response. “Alright!”

“If…the Imperial Guards truly come after us, you and Young Master Pei must clear yourselves first.”

“Alright…”

Yan Sanhe suddenly raised her head.

“…That seems rather unlikely!”

Xie Zhifei ground out several hoarse words through gritted teeth.