Half a month after the conclusion of the Xue family case came New Year’s Eve.

Last New Year’s Eve, Shen Lingzhen had been alone at the mausoleum, while Huo Liuxing was in the war-torn northwest. Neither had been in any mood to celebrate the New Year, and the vigil night had passed like any ordinary day.

Shen Lingzhen had thought this year they could finally have a peaceful, reunited New Year, but the relentless succession of troubles in this turbulent autumn had left her mentally exhausted. Looking at the Huo Mansion decorated with lanterns and festive ornaments, she could not summon the spirit to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.

Moreover, she noticed that since Xue Ce’s death at the Court of Judicial Review, Huo Liuxing spent increasingly more hours each day in the study deliberating with his subordinates. Meng Qufei had also risked coming to the Huo Mansion once under cover of night, completely abandoning his usual playful, joking demeanor, looking as serious as if about to march into battle.

When New Year’s Eve vigil was mentioned, Huo Liuxing showed even less interest than Shen Lingzhen, instructing her to rest well and not trouble herself going back and forth—just carry on as usual.

But the household did not consist only of them as husband and wife; there was also Huo Shuyi, so it would not do to be too casual. Feeling it improper protocol-wise, Shen Lingzhen still arranged a banquet table, treating it as going through the motions. But unexpectedly, when New Year’s Eve arrived, she heard from servants that Huo Shuyi was not at the mansion today and they need not wait for her to dine together.

Huo Shuyi had been staying obediently at the Huo Mansion this whole time, rarely even stepping outside her courtyard gate. On such a day when families should reunite, it was even less likely she would be out for entertainment.

Shen Lingzhen grew suspicious and asked Huo Liuxing what was going on.

He merely served her food, saying to eat dinner properly first, and they would talk after finishing.

This attitude from Huo Liuxing clearly indicated he knew his sister’s whereabouts very well. Recalling how Huo Shuyi had said she had come to help Huo Liuxing with matters, Shen Lingzhen felt that perhaps something would happen tonight.

This table full of delicacies suddenly became tasteless as sawdust. She sat facing Huo Liuxing, barely finishing the meal before saying anxiously: “Husband, has something changed again at court?”

Huo Liuxing fell silent, then instructed Jianjia to change Shen Lingzhen into clothing that was both easy to move in and warm. He himself rose to straighten her collar, cupped her face and gently stroked it, his eyes showing an apologetic look: “This year won’t be peaceful either.”

Shen Lingzhen looked at him and shook her head, indicating he need not apologize.

“There will be trouble in the palace tonight. In a moment we’ll leave the city—you just stay close to me and don’t be afraid.”

Shen Lingzhen frowned: “Trouble?”

He nodded: “Xue Ce did not die at Xiqiang hands. The Xiqiang people certainly hoped His Majesty would eliminate the Xue family, but their reach does not extend into the Court of Judicial Review.”

Shen Lingzhen’s expression shifted slightly.

When she first learned Xue Ce had died in the Court of Judicial Review prison, her first reaction had been to assume this was Xiqiang’s doing, since after all this matter had been instigated entirely by Xiqiang. Now hearing Huo Liuxing say this, she realized she had overlooked a key point—no matter how ruthless the Xiqiang people’s hearts, how could they have such supernatural ability to come and go freely in Daqi’s Court of Judicial Review prison?

Xue Ce had been killed by someone at court.

But if this person were Xiqiang’s agent in Bianjing, it would not make sense. The Second Prince’s treason scandal had only passed a few months ago—who would have the audacity to repeat such mistakes? More likely, this person’s interests in this matter happened to align with Xiqiang’s, so they had gone with the flow, killed Xue Ce, and pushed forward the Xue family’s downfall.

Only someone who could reach into the Court of Judicial Review would likely have been among those accompanying the Emperor to the southern suburbs for the Winter Sacrifice. Calculating who would have been most capable of accomplishing this—it would be Zhao Xun, who remained in Bianjing and had the first opportunity to access Xue Ce before anyone else.

Zhao Xun had killed Xue Ce.

Shen Lingzhen suddenly looked up: “Fourth Prince is going to…”

She did not dare let the words “force the palace” leave her lips, but Huo Liuxing understood her meaning and nodded.

Zhao Xun had waited all these years, always considering himself the future heir apparent. He had thought that after the Crown Prince’s death he could naturally rise to the position, but the Emperor showed no intention of re-establishing an heir, while many at court favored Zhao Xi.

Having fought down one elder brother after another, in the end a dark horse emerged. This endless succession struggle had taken Zhao Xun from full of confidence to growing disappointment. On the eve of the Winter Solstice, when the Emperor summoned court officials one by one to the temporary palace at the southern suburbs to discuss establishing an heir, he who remained in Bianjing heard the results were unfavorable to him and secretly harbored thoughts of a desperate last stand.

From that day, he began planning to force the palace and rebel—first to eliminate Zhao Xi, second to force the Emperor to abdicate and become Great Emperor while he himself ascended the throne.

Zhao Xun planned to stage his uprising in Bianjing, so compared to the Huo family guarding the frontier, the Xue family with roots in the capital was an even greater constraint for him. Thus he borrowed Xiqiang’s troublemaking to go with the flow, killed Xue Ce, and made the Emperor personally dismantle the Xue family’s power.

Tonight on New Year’s Eve was precisely the occasion when the Emperor held a banquet and princes and grandsons gathered together in the palace. Zhao Xun intended to catch all the disobedient people in one net.

Shen Lingzhen’s spine turned cold as she asked: “But this matter cuts both ways. Though Fourth Prince eliminated the Xue family, he also thereby alerted the enemy. His Majesty should be able to guess this was his doing and have prepared defenses early.”

Huo Liuxing smiled slightly: “Precisely because of this, they will be evenly matched. That way, who ultimately wins or loses will be for us to decide.”

His words had barely fallen when Jingmo rushed into the courtyard to report: “Sir, Fourth Prince has led troops to surround Chongzheng Hall and is holding His Majesty hostage. Right now, except for Young Prince, all princes and grandsons have been controlled. Fourth Prince cannot find Young Prince and is conducting a massacre in the Eastern Palace.”

Shen Lingzhen’s heart jumped. Just as she was wondering about Zhao Xi’s whereabouts, she saw Huo Shuyi, dressed as a palace maid, enter the courtyard. Before her was Zhao Xi wearing inferior palace servant clothing, disguised as a eunuch.

He entered travel-worn and bowed to Huo Liuxing: “Many thanks to General Huo for helping me escape tonight.”

Huo Liuxing smiled slightly: “Young Prince is too polite. You promised me a position below one person and above ten thousand. Naturally this humble subject knows which side to align with. You should be generally aware of the current situation in the palace. Next, tell this humble subject how you hope the situation will change, and this humble subject will certainly do his utmost.”

This obedient appearance of pointing wherever directed made even Shen Lingzhen feel apprehensive on Zhao Xi’s behalf.

Huo Liuxing was absolutely not such an obedient subject.

Zhao Xi stood with hands clasped behind his back, saying with certainty: “Imperial Grandfather actually left preparations for this battle. The current so-called hostage situation is merely to relax Fourth Uncle’s vigilance. I predict that before long, Imperial Grandfather’s Imperial Guards will capture Fourth Uncle’s forces in one net. I do not wish Fourth Uncle to be defeated too quickly. I ask General Huo to help him and let him gain the upper hand first.”

Huo Liuxing made a show of sudden realization: “Young Prince wants them to fight each other like snipe and clam while you reap the fisherman’s profit. This idea sounds good. This humble subject will immediately have people go smooth the way.”

—

With the uprising in the palace, Bianjing city, immersed in the New Year’s Eve festival atmosphere, also fell into turmoil.

Court officials panicked. Large numbers of officials loyal to the Emperor rushed urgently to the palace to provide support, only to be suppressed on the spot by Zhao Xun’s forces. Others sent messages to neighboring city garrisons for help, likewise encountering ruthless, merciless interception.

The Emperor, who originally had victory in hand, did not know why reinforcements were so delayed and was truly being threatened by his son in Chongzheng Hall to have people draft an edict. A crowd of princes and grandsons huddled in the side hall, not daring to move.

The entire city of Bianjing became a cage, with only Zhao Xun commanding wind and rain.

But even at this step, Zhao Xun’s heart still had no certainty, only because Zhao Xi, who should have been the first to be eliminated, had become a fish that slipped through the net beyond his control.

Having searched the entire palace without finding Zhao Xi, he immediately thought of Huo Liuxing and sent troops to the Huo Mansion, only to find it an empty residence. Turning to Duke Yingguo’s mansion and the Meng mansion, he discovered they were likewise empty.

The city gates had long been sealed. He did not believe these people could fly away. After a carpet search within the city yielded nothing, it could only mean the people had indeed left the city.

This way, Zhao Xun completely lost the advantage of pursuit, because he could only limit the scope of uprising to Bianjing, unable to actively create conflict with garrisons outside the city or even in neighboring cities.

Thus one step behind meant every step behind. The fear of “enemy in darkness, I in light” deeply shrouded Zhao Xun. Apart from bloodshed at the Eastern Palace, this palace coup was almost bloodless, going so smoothly it was unbelievable, and so smoothly it made him feel uneasy inside.

Invisibly, it seemed a pair of hands was casually moving the black and white jade pieces on the board, making the game’s momentum move according to his will.

But these hands were not his.

He was merely a piece on the board.

And at this moment, the person who had flown away with all his “possessions” was enjoying “family happiness” in a temporarily erected camp on the outskirts of the capital.

Huo Liuxing, who “traveled the world in a wheelchair,” sat as usual in his wheelchair, surrounded by Shen Lingzhen and her parents.

Shen Lingzhen wrapped in fox fur, huddling by the bonfire for warmth, heard one after another “Are you cold, are you cold?” on either side—sometimes from Huo Liuxing on her left, sometimes from Shen Xuerong on her right, both saying their sides were warmer and asking her to lean closer to them.

Moving left or right made Shen Lingzhen “wrong either way,” so she simply went around to Zhao Meilan’s side and hugged her arm: “Mother’s side is still the warmest.”

Huo Liuxing and Shen Xuerong exchanged glances. The latter looked disappointed, the former respectful with a hint of disappointment.

The family was harmonious and happy. Huo Shuyi felt it inappropriate to intrude, so she squatted by another bonfire cluster in the distance, listlessly breaking twigs to add as fuel.

The twigs burned with crackling sounds. After squatting for a while and finding it boring, she braced her knees to stand, only to look up and see “Huo Liuxing” carrying something walking toward her. After a moment of stunned alertness, she looked around: “How is Second Brother standing…”

But then she saw Huo Liuxing sitting perfectly fine in place, breathing into Shen Lingzhen’s palms to warm her hands.

The person walked closer. She turned her eyes to look at that face which normally up close bore three parts resemblance to Huo Liuxing but in the dim night from a distance appeared six or seven parts similar, and understood.

Meng Qufei glanced at her: “What are you shouting about? My family has no sister as young as you.”

Huo Shuyi was about to explain when Meng Qufei had already tossed the wild rabbit in his hands to the ground: “Miss Huo, would you mind giving up this upwind spot? I’m roasting rabbit.”

Huo Shuyi had been planning to leave anyway and simply yielded the entire bonfire to him. As she turned to leave, she heard from behind: “Hey, wait, don’t go yet. Give me a hand—skin this rabbit.”

She stopped and looked around, probably wanting to find an attendant for him, but at this special time, looking around, the subordinates were all busy with proper business, so she could only turn back and squat down to help him.

Meng Qufei was a martial artist. Though he had never served in the military, his knife-wielding technique was still fairly skilled.

Huo Shuyi held the rabbit’s leg for him, watching him jerk his chin toward Huo Liuxing’s direction while sighing and muttering: “Your second brother and them have it good—they all ate dinner at home. Poor me, all alone, can only hunt rabbits on the mountain.”

As he talked, his movements naturally slowed. Huo Shuyi held her hand suspended, waiting somewhat impatiently, and frowned: “Let me do it instead.” Taking the rabbit, she stripped off the entire rabbit skin in one smooth motion.

Meng Qufei watched in astonishment: “That’s remarkable skill!”

Huo Shuyi had spent over a year training with Huo Qi in the military. Such wilderness survival techniques were naturally no problem. Seeing Meng Qufei’s lack of experience, she simply went all the way and took his dagger, cleaning and gutting the rabbit in a few moves.

Meng Qufei clicked his tongue in praise and clapped twice: “Hey, young lady, have you ever thought about opening a spicy rabbit head shop after the war ends? That stuff is truly heavenly delicious—it would definitely make money.”

“…”

Seeing her displeased expression, Meng Qufei hastily smoothed things over: “Oh, that would be somewhat beneath your talents.” Then feeling it was quite a pity, “How about opening one that has pigs, sheep, cattle, chickens…”

Huo Shuyi handed him the cleaned rabbit, having no interest in hearing more of his boring talk, and turned to leave.

“Hey, you’re a young lady—how can you just walk away with bloody hands without washing them!” Meng Qufei caught up and handed her a water flask. Seeing her hands covered in dripping red blood made it impossible to unscrew the cap, he said, “Fine, I’ll pour for you.”

Huo Shuyi extended her hands beneath the flask opening and washed them clean with his water, leaving behind a “thanks” before returning to her tent and lying down on some straw spread randomly on the ground to rest.

Until half an hour later, she saw a hand reaching through the tent flap.

She instinctively drew her sword.

That hand trembled. Its owner immediately said: “Don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous—it’s me, it’s me!”

Only then did Huo Shuyi see clearly the person was holding a cooked rabbit leg.

Meng Qufei, unable to enter her tent properly, spoke to her through the tent flap: “A rabbit only has four legs. Giving you one is generous enough, right?” Shaking the rabbit leg in his hand, “Hurry up and take it.”

Huo Shuyi lay pillowed on the straw without moving: “No need. Keep it for yourself.”

“Hey, didn’t you spend tonight rushing into the palace to save people? Have you eaten dinner?”

Huo Shuyi’s stomach rumbled. Glancing at the golden-roasted rabbit leg, she climbed up from the bedding and took it.

“That’s more like it!” The tent outside continued transmitting Meng Qufei’s nagging. “Also, don’t rely on knowing some martial arts to be disrespectful, saying ‘you’ this and ‘you’ that when talking to me. By seniority, you should call me Cousin, understand?”

“I understand.” Huo Shuyi pushed his hand that was still reaching into her tent back out, as if finding him noisy.

Meng Qufei clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he walked a few steps, calling out from a distance to Huo Liuxing: “How did you raise this sister of yours with such a temper? If she were in my family, I’d definitely scold her to tears and make her thoroughly reform!”

His words had barely fallen when he suddenly felt something hit his heel. Looking down at the ground, it was a rabbit leg bone stripped of meat.

“That fast—what kind of ravenous eating style must that be…” Meng Qufei’s eyes widened again. With long strides he walked toward Huo Liuxing, continuing to complain about “your sister” this and that.

Shen Lingzhen watched his cursing and grumbling appearance but did not feel the atmosphere lighten. Instead, her mood grew vaguely heavy.

Actually, Meng Qufei was like Huo Liuxing—a person very conscious of the bigger picture. Right now was not the moment for joking, and moreover he was not familiar with Huo Shuyi, so he should not tease her this way.

The most likely reason he put on this tactless, senseless appearance was to perform for someone, thereby making them temporarily let down their guard against him.

Shen Lingzhen quietly glanced at the tent surrounded and protected by guards on all sides—the only “outsider” here was Zhao Xi, currently inside that tent.

Meng Qufei’s frivolous manner aimed to make Zhao Xi think he was merely a maternal cousin Huo Liuxing kept by his side to avoid being constrained, not the former dynasty’s orphan, the Meng family’s last prince.

Shen Lingzhen felt she probably guessed what Huo Liuxing and Meng Qufei planned to do.

Zhao Xi’s plan was to let the Emperor and Zhao Xun fight each other like snipe and clam, then reap the fisherman’s profit.

But Huo Liuxing and Meng Qufei’s plan was to let Zhao Xi the mantis first catch the two cicadas in the palace, then they would be the oriole behind.

She knew this was the method to minimize the damage of restoration. If Zhao Xi truly was a mantis, truly could become their puppet, then everything could naturally proceed smoothly.

But now she worried that Zhao Xi was not as simple as he appeared on the surface, was not so trusting of Huo Liuxing.

Shen Lingzhen stared at the bonfire burning ever more vigorously before her, recalling what the Crown Prince had said to her that early autumn night under the palace lanterns west of Chongzheng Hall—I know Madam Huo is pure-hearted and kind, absolutely unwilling to see this Chongzheng Hall where all nations come to pay tribute piled with corpses and flowing with blood. If one day you can do something for it, please do not be stingy with your ability. Zhao Chen thanks Madam Huo in advance for her great benevolence and righteousness.

That person who had died long ago had already made such a prophecy back then.

Would his son really surrender so easily?

Reaping the fisherman’s profit could be bloodless. But this game of oriole behind would probably not avoid bloodshed.

Shen Lingzhen could not help but look toward Huo Liuxing and Meng Qufei sitting by the bonfire. The two were clearly laughing and talking, yet she saw in their eyes the same uncertainty as her own.

Past midnight, the palace coup in Bianjing should also be nearing its conclusion. Which way to go—they should have a decision.

Shen Lingzhen bit her lip and said to Huo Liuxing: “Husband, I’m a bit cold. Come sit with me in the tent for a while.”

Huo Liuxing understood her hint and wheeled after her.

Entering the tent, she deliberated briefly then said directly: “Time is pressing, so I’ll speak frankly with Husband. I once told Husband that if one day you sparked bloody warfare, I would understand you but would not support you. I would do as His Highness the Crown Prince said—do all I can to prevent Bianjing from being piled with corpses and flowing with blood. These words still count today.”

Huo Liuxing nodded: “I know.”

“I understand Husband’s current difficulty. In this matter, I have no right to make decisions for you, nor will I threaten you with myself to make things harder for you. I’ll only say one thing to Husband: no matter what decision you ultimately make, I believe you will do your utmost to protect Bianjing’s officials and people, and I will work together with Husband to protect them.”

Huo Liuxing looked at her silently, then smiled after a long while.

He did not know how many lifetimes of fortune he had cultivated to obtain such a young woman.

He reached out to touch her cheek: “I understand.”

“Then let’s still go outside—we should know any news promptly.”

As Shen Lingzhen spoke, she was about to push Huo Liuxing’s wheelchair out, but suddenly heard Jingmo’s anxious voice sounding low outside the tent: “Sir, there’s a military report from Hexi. The Xiqiang royal family has issued a punitive proclamation on grounds of Prince Weiming being murdered by Daqi and has led troops to break through the Hexi gate!”

After a slight pause, Huo Liuxing closed his eyes, then opened the tent flap.

A zhang behind Jingmo, Meng Qufei stood there, likewise closing his eyes.

Shen Lingzhen’s long lashes trembled. Watching the two men silently face each other across a zhang’s distance, she voluntarily withdrew from the tent and gave Meng Qufei a look.

Meng Qufei hesitantly stepped forward, lifted the tent flap and walked in.

Only he and Huo Liuxing remained in the tent. After a long deadly silence, Meng Qufei spoke first: “Liuxing, do you believe in heaven’s will?”

Round and round, bringing them back to twenty-nine years ago, to make the same choice as their fathers at fate’s crossroads—heaven’s will.

Huo Liuxing looked at him and shook his head: “I don’t believe in heaven’s will. I only believe in my true heart.”

“What is the true heart?”

“It’s that the moment you just heard the military report, you thought: good thing this report didn’t come too late.”

Meng Qufei smiled and punched his left shoulder: “Are you a roundworm in my belly?”

Huo Liuxing shook his head and smiled too: “No, it’s just that I happened to think the same thing.”