In the evening, Li Weiyang stood in the courtyard, silently watching the rain falling before her eyes, her expression somewhat inscrutable. Seeing her like this, Zhao Yue stepped forward to drape a cloak over her shoulders, saying softly, “Miss, the weather has turned cold. You must take care of your health.”

Li Weiyang turned to look at her and smiled faintly, “Zhao Yue, how long have you been following me?”

Zhao Yue was startled, then lowered her head, “In response to Miss, this servant has been following you for over four years now.”

Li Weiyang sighed gently, “Time has passed so quickly. Before I knew it, four years have gone by.” Hearing Li Weiyang’s tone of such sentiment, Zhao Yue couldn’t help feeling puzzled. Li Weiyang glanced at her but didn’t explain further, merely saying calmly, “Over these years, we’ve weathered quite a few storms. Each time I felt we could get through safely, but now for the first time, I feel uncertain.” Hearing her say this, Zhao Yue became even more surprised.

At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out, “I’ve never seen you so disheartened. Is the situation really so dire this time?” It was Yuan Lie’s voice—Li Weiyang could easily distinguish it without turning around.

Zhao Yue quietly withdrew to the side. Yuan Lie walked over and, looking at Li Weiyang’s profile with his usual smile, said, “Weiyang, why are you so worried? This isn’t like you at all.”

Li Weiyang laughed ruefully, “Does that mean Li Weiyang should be someone who’s invincible? Not everything in this world goes as one wishes, and I can’t always think of ways to defeat the enemy.”

Yuan Lie frowned, “Are you blaming Guo Dun for being rash? That’s just his nature—it’s nothing new. Don’t pay it any mind.”

Li Weiyang shook her head and said softly, “If I hadn’t made an enemy of Princess Lin’an first, it wouldn’t have escalated to such irreconcilable hostility with Empress Pei. The main reason Empress Pei is now so eager to target the Guo family is still to deal with me. Guo Dun is just an insignificant pawn. Empress Pei wouldn’t drag him into this without reason—her true purpose is simply to put me to death.”

Yuan Lie naturally knew that Empress Pei’s real purpose in attacking Guo Dun was to strike at Li Weiyang through him, but he didn’t think this battle was necessarily lost. He stepped forward and gently took Li Weiyang’s hand, saying tenderly, “This has nothing to do with you. Even if you didn’t exist, the Guo family would eventually clash with the Pei clan. One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers—the Pei family would never allow a force like the Guo family to exist. Moreover, Prince Jing is ambitious and determined to replace the Crown Prince. Even if the Guo family doesn’t want to get involved, Empress Pei will ultimately see them as a thorn in her side. Your existence has merely accelerated this process.”

How could Li Weiyang not know this? Yet her gaze held an uncommonly doubtful look. “But this is the first time I’ve faced an opponent like Empress Pei.” Over all these years, she had encountered many people yet never felt anxious, but this time, she had no idea what the other party’s next move would be.

Yuan Lie smiled gently, “Empress Pei is a formidable enemy. I’m not surprised you’re wary of her.” His heart stirred, and he suddenly reached out to draw her into his embrace, saying calmly, “No matter what happens, I’m here. You don’t need to worry.”

Li Weiyang found a comfortable position in his arms, then closed her eyes slightly to rest. Yuan Lie looked at her, his heart turning over countless thoughts. He hugged her tightly, lowered his head to kiss her cheek, and said with tender amusement, “These matters are so vexing—if you don’t want to think about them, don’t. Let me handle it!”

Li Weiyang suddenly opened her eyes, surprise evident in them. “What solution could you possibly have?”

Seeing her astonished expression, Yuan Lie blinked his eyes aggrievedly, his long eyelashes actually fluttering, “Don’t underestimate me!”

Li Weiyang raised an eyebrow, “I don’t believe you could have any good ideas.”

Yuan Lie lowered his head with amusement, his forehead lightly touching Li Weiyang’s, nuzzling intimately. His amber eyes curved with laughter like a crescent moon in the sky. “This person has his own clever plans, but… you must bribe me first before I’ll tell you.” His voice was very gentle, yet his words carried infinite tenderness. Li Weiyang narrowed her eyes, reached up to hook her hand around his neck, and pulled him slightly closer. Their four eyes met perfectly as she smiled lightly and murmured, “Indeed, my Prince Xu is matchlessly talented. I truly want to know what kind of plan you have!”

Yuan Lie hadn’t expected her to say this. He froze, then began to laugh softly. Inadvertently realizing how close they were, his eyes unconsciously deepened several shades, seeming to grow darker. Li Weiyang looked at him, feeling those eyes were as profound as a beautiful sea of stars, magnificent and vast, making her gaze into them and never want to pull away.

But unexpectedly at that moment, someone coughed lightly twice, startling them apart. Li Weiyang turned to look and saw Guo Dao and Guo Cheng walking in.

Guo Cheng’s face was full of embarrassment, looking quite apologetic. A strange glint flashed through Guo Dao’s eyes before he broke into a smile. “At a time like this, you still have the mood for romantic moments? We should discuss how to resolve Fourth Brother’s matter!” Well, he simply couldn’t stand seeing Prince Xu so relaxed—adding some vexation was good.

Yuan Lie stared at Guo Dao, his eyes showing an expression that was half-smile, half-not, but ultimately said calmly, “Fifth Young Master, from your words, it seems you have some countermeasure.”

Guo Dao was startled, then dejectedly shook his head. “Third Brother and I have been wracking our brains all day but haven’t thought of any solution, so we’ve come to ask for Sister’s help.”

Li Weiyang looked at Guo Dao thoughtfully and said, “I’m still thinking about this matter.”

But Guo Dao stepped forward, his voice somewhat anxious. “Then please hurry. This matter has already been sent to His Majesty’s desk. I’m afraid judgment will be pronounced tomorrow.”

Li Weiyang frowned, “For such a major case, shouldn’t there be a joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices?”

Guo Dao only shook his head. “This incident has caused citywide turmoil with rumors flying everywhere. His Majesty is extremely furious! I’m afraid before a joint trial can take place, he’ll make a judgment first. I heard that this afternoon, Imperial Consort Guo and Prince Jing both went to plead, but were both severely rebuked by His Majesty. Imperial Consort Guo begged bitterly, kneeling before the hall pleading for His Majesty to forgive Guo Dun, but His Majesty ordered people to forcibly remove Imperial Consort Guo. I’m worried… His Majesty has already decided to kill Guo Dun.”

Hearing this news, Li Weiyang sighed softly. “From what you say, His Majesty has indeed resolved to kill, but finding sufficient evidence to exonerate Guo Dun is impossible. Given the current situation, with the guards and servants from the villa testifying, Fourth Brother having bloodstains on his body, and the knife wound on Wang Guang’s body… Fourth Brother can’t escape responsibility no matter what!”

A trace of anxiety appeared on Guo Cheng’s face. “Then, if we let Princess Nankang she…”

Since Li Weiyang had already told Madam Guo everything, it wasn’t strange that the Guo family now knew about this. Li Weiyang shook her head. “That won’t do! If the Princess comes forward, people will only think Princess Nankang had an affair with Wang Guang. Not only would this insult the deceased’s reputation, but it would also drag the Princess down with it. After all, everyone knows the Princess’s relationship with the Guo family. Everyone will think the Princess is testifying to help Guo Dun escape punishment. Obviously, her testimony won’t bring any favorable proof, but will instead implicate the entire Guo family.”

Guo Dao and Guo Cheng exchanged glances, both seeing in each other’s eyes that this matter was extremely difficult to handle.

Prince Xu looked at everyone, then suddenly walked to the chess board by the window and casually picked up a chess piece to play with. “Now this chess game has reached a dangerous point. Jia’er, I want to ask you.” Li Weiyang was startled and looked toward Yuan Lie. Yuan Lie smiled, his eyes brilliantly bright. “Last time I surrounded your pieces, but you moved from the southeast to avoid my attack and surrounded my vital points, forcing me to turn back to rescue and abandon my advantageous position, ultimately losing to you. Do you remember this?”

Li Weiyang found his words intriguing and couldn’t help lowering her head to think. After a moment, she suddenly realized something. A gleam appeared in her eyes as she stared at Yuan Lie. “Are you saying you already have a winning strategy?!” She hadn’t not considered this method, but seizing the opponent’s weakness was simply too difficult! Yuan Lie saying this obviously meant he had already found it!

Yuan Lie said with confidence, “I just finished gathering everything this afternoon. How laughable that Empress Pei only knows how to attack fiercely, not realizing her rear is on fire. I think if she’s clever, she’ll definitely know what to do.”

Li Weiyang thought it over but wasn’t blindly optimistic. “Trying to snatch food from Empress Pei’s mouth isn’t so easy. One wrong step and we’ll lose everything. This matter must be conducted in complete secrecy!”

Yuan Lie knew Li Weiyang was an extremely cautious person and smiled while nodding. Guo Cheng was still worried. “What are you two talking about? I still don’t understand.”

Guo Dao had already detected the implication and couldn’t help patting his shoulder. “Third Brother, don’t worry. Jia’er and Prince Xu will have a plan.”

Guo Cheng frowned, his gaze sweeping over the three of their faces one by one before he could only sigh deeply. “In that case, I entrust everything to Sister and Prince Xu.”

Only after Guo Dao and Guo Cheng left together did Yuan Lie turn around, looking at Li Weiyang with a smile. “Now that the evidence is in hand, how to use it to maximize its value depends on you.” Li Weiyang merely smiled faintly. “That’s all well and good, but I’m not confident I can gain any advantage from Empress Pei.”

Yuan Lie glanced around, seeing no outsiders remained, and was immediately delighted. He shamelessly moved closer a step and said mysteriously, “I believe in your abilities. Of course, perhaps you still need an assistant.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang seemed to remember something and smiled back. “Yes, I still need an assistant. She may not be willing to help me, but just having her there will be extremely useful.”

Yuan Lie smiled inscrutably, showing his bright teeth that appeared when scheming against people. Just as he was preparing to find an opportunity to steal a kiss, a voice suddenly came from outside the door. “It’s getting late. Prince Xu should return home early.” Looking back, they saw the handsome Fifth Young Master Guo Dao poking his head out again, his face full of smiles.

Yuan Lie’s expression darkened. He thought to himself, I’m running around for your Guo family—can’t I even take a little interest? Still so stingy! This fellow really has ill intentions! While he was hesitating, Guo Dao had already strode back quickly and grabbed his arm. “Doesn’t Prince Xu want to leave? That’s fine too. Come, come, come to my quarters to play chess with me.”

Before Yuan Lie could open his mouth to speak, he was already dragged out by the grinning Guo Dao. Seeing this scene, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh softly. Seeing that Li Weiyang’s expression had recovered its composure, Zhao Yue finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The next day, an imperial decree indeed came from the palace—Guo Dun was sentenced to immediate execution.

Hearing such a decree, Madam Guo’s tears flowed down her face and she fainted from crying. Duke Qi was calmer. He told Li Weiyang, “Yesterday I entered the palace to request His Majesty grant us a few days’ extension, at least giving us time to find sufficient evidence, but His Majesty adamantly refused. The execution will take place in ten days!”

Li Weiyang smiled coldly. “Under these circumstances, unless someone can produce real evidence, there’s simply no way to save Fourth Brother. But everyone knows evidence simply cannot be found.”

Duke Qi naturally knew this as well. He had already sent people to search around the villa, hoping to find any trace of evidence to prove Guo Dun’s innocence, but ultimately found nothing. Moreover, Guo Dun in prison stubbornly refused to say why he went to the villa that day. When the person involved won’t speak, even with Duke Qi’s tremendous power, there was no way to overturn the verdict.

Thinking of this, Duke Qi’s face showed deep worry. He said nothing until the tea before him grew cold. Then he raised his eyes. “Jia’er, I’m afraid this time your Fourth Brother he…”

Li Weiyang looked steadily at Duke Qi, her jet-black eyes flashing with determination. “Father, rest assured. I will bring Fourth Brother home safely.”

Duke Qi’s heart jumped and he instinctively said, “Jia’er, are you truly confident? Ten days—only ten days! Can you find evidence within ten days?”

Li Weiyang smiled gently, looking thoughtful. “No evidence is needed. Nothing at all is needed.”

Duke Qi looked at Li Weiyang, completely stunned. Given the current situation, even the advisors around him couldn’t find a way to rescue Guo Dun. What method could Jia’er possibly have? She even said no evidence was needed—this was simply a fantasy.

Li Weiyang didn’t intend to reveal everything. She only said solemnly, “Father just needs to take good care of Mother. As for the rest… leave it to us.” Saying this, she rose and bowed to Duke Qi again before turning to walk out. Duke Qi watched his daughter’s retreating figure, feeling increasingly doubtful.

Time passed bit by bit. Duke Qi never saw Li Weiyang take any action. She didn’t even send anyone out to gather evidence, nor did she participate in discussions among Duke Qi’s advisors, much less make any preparations to rescue Guo Dun. Duke Qi watched with growing bewilderment. Seeing that the day after tomorrow was Guo Dun’s execution date, if they still couldn’t think of a solution, Guo Dun would have only one path—death! Duke Qi couldn’t help feeling he had overestimated Jia’er. She was, after all, just a young woman. Asking her to come up with a plan had been too demanding of her from the start. Thinking this, Duke Qi couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Just then, Li Weiyang suddenly entered the study and reported, “Father, your daughter wishes to enter the palace today to visit Imperial Consort Guo.”

Duke Qi looked at Li Weiyang with surprise. “Visit Imperial Consort Guo at this time?”

Li Weiyang nodded. “The Imperial Consort became ill after kneeling for so long in the hall pleading for Fourth Brother, so she summoned family members to visit her in the palace. Mother is bedridden and Grandmother is also unwell, so only I can go.”

Duke Qi ultimately said nothing more, only looking at her meaningfully. “Jia’er, just do your best in all things. Don’t force yourself.”

Li Weiyang knew he might have guessed something but didn’t spell it out. “Father, rest assured!”

The carriage traveled all the way to the palace. Li Weiyang got out of the carriage, then passed through layers of palace walls, following the guiding palace maid to Imperial Consort Guo’s palace. A female official came out and said softly, “Miss Guo, the Imperial Consort just took medicine and lay down. This servant will go report now.”

Li Weiyang waved her hand. “No need. I’ll wait in the Imperial Garden for Her Majesty.”

The female official was startled. “Miss wishes to visit the Imperial Garden?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “This shouldn’t violate any rules. Moreover, the plum blossoms are about to bloom, aren’t they?”

Hearing this, the female official became even more puzzled. “Yes, winter is coming soon and the early plum blossoms will bloom shortly. Does Miss Guo wish to admire the plum blossoms? Then this servant will lead you to the Imperial Garden first. When Her Majesty wakes, you can pay your respects then.”

Female relatives of official families entering the palace didn’t necessarily have to stay in the palace the entire time—they could stroll in the Imperial Garden. This wasn’t considered a breach of protocol, except that if they encountered nobles, they must avoid them and couldn’t rashly go forward to pay respects. When the female official brought Li Weiyang to the garden, she saw fragrant winds swirling in the distance amid clusters of brocade flowers. A noble person was already sitting there. The female official was startled and quickly said, “Miss Guo, we should go back first.”

Li Weiyang looked at Empress Pei’s phoenix palanquin in the distance and smiled faintly. “Since we’ve met on this narrow path, why retreat?” Saying this, she smiled slightly and had already stepped forward. The female official’s heart filled with fear—everyone knew the Empress and Imperial Consort Guo never got along. If something happened to Miss Guo in the palace now, she would be in serious trouble! Thinking this, she became increasingly fearful and uneasy. But being this close without paying respects would also be disrespectful. She quickly ordered someone to rush back to report to Imperial Consort Guo before hurrying to follow Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang’s expression was composed, her face smiling as she solemnly bowed to the Empress. “This subject’s daughter greets Empress Your Majesty. Not knowing Your Majesty’s phoenix palanquin was here, this subject’s daughter has intruded.”

Empress Pei’s phoenix eyes swept over her. Seeing it was her, she showed no surprise, only smiling faintly. “So it’s Miss Guo. What brings you to the palace today to visit your aunt?”

Tomorrow was Guo Dun’s execution date. Empress Pei asking this question was obviously meant to provoke Li Weiyang. Hearing this, Li Weiyang’s expression showed not the slightest tension or anxiety. She stepped forward, her eyes warm. “Yes, the Imperial Consort is unwell. My mother entrusted this subject’s daughter to enter the palace to visit Her Majesty.”

Empress Pei smiled broadly, looking at Wang Zijin beside her. “How coincidental! Today Miss Wang also entered the palace to deliver embroidery she made for me. You two are truly kindred spirits, actually meeting here together!”

Sitting on an embroidery stool nearby was none other than Wang Zijin. Her clothing was extremely plain in color. Although it was inappropriate for her to enter the palace due to her brother’s death, since Empress Pei’s deadline had arrived and she had requested permission, she could only personally deliver the completed landscape embroidery to Empress Pei. But she never expected to encounter Li Weiyang here!

Wang Zijin hadn’t known Li Weiyang would visit, but Li Weiyang had calculated that Wang Zijin would be here before coming. Thinking this, Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “So Miss Wang is here as well.”

Empress Pei’s gaze swept over both their faces. She saw Li Weiyang’s clear, elegant appearance while Wang Zijin exuded boundless charm—like two completely different flowers, each blooming with beautiful radiance. It was hard to say who was more dazzling. A cold laugh passed through her heart, though her face showed rare kindness. “Since you’re both here, then sit.”

A female official immediately brought an embroidery stool. Li Weiyang thanked her for the seat, then heard Empress Pei smile inscrutably. “Is Imperial Consort Guo well? I heard she knelt for a long time before His Majesty’s hall two days ago. Ah, this matter is truly an accident. I believe Young Master Guo shouldn’t be such an utterly evil person. I must ask Miss Wang to accept this with fortitude.”

Wang Zijin’s expression changed, then she lowered her head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Empress Pei’s pupils remained fixed, her gaze falling on Li Weiyang. “According to my true feelings, I naturally hope the two families can reconcile, but with things escalating to this point, not executing Young Master Guo will be difficult to appease public anger. Miss Guo, after returning, you must take good care of your parents. Losing a child in their old age must grieve them deeply.”

Li Weiyang narrowed her elegant eyes and unconsciously stroked the sleeve embroidered with exquisite plum blossoms, humbly saying, “Your Majesty’s words are correct. However, though my Fourth Brother is rash, he is not such an utterly evil person. Therefore, I believe the real culprit remains at large.”

Wang Zijin’s heart jumped. She glanced at Li Weiyang, her expression showing slight strangeness.

Empress Pei’s lips held a trace of cold laughter. In her heart, Li Weiyang had already reached a dead end. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have entered the palace again to beg Imperial Consort Guo. Hearing Li Weiyang say this now, Empress Pei merely thought she was stubborn as a duck—dead but with a hard mouth. She said dismissively, “Miss Guo, the facts are already laid out. Why quibble? Tomorrow is the execution date. Even if your tongue blooms flowers, there’s no way to change this outcome!”

Li Weiyang said unhurriedly, “Your Majesty is right. Guo Jia indeed wishes to turn the tide, but alas is powerless. If Your Majesty were to speak up and plead, surely His Majesty would listen and temporarily delay the punishment to capture the real culprit.”

The mockery in Empress Pei’s eyes intensified. Did Guo Jia’s meaning suggest she should speak up to spare Guo Dun? This girl truly dared to dream. She had orchestrated everything herself—why would she inexplicably release him!

Li Weiyang saw through Empress Pei’s inner satisfaction—after conspiracy and schemes succeed, even the most composed person finds this mentality hard to conceal. She pursed her lips and smiled again. “For what matter did Miss Wang enter the palace?”

Wang Zijin said calmly, “Today I entered the palace to deliver the landscape embroidery to Her Majesty.”

Li Weiyang’s face showed some anticipation. “This subject’s daughter also has some understanding of embroidery. Might Your Majesty allow this subject’s daughter to admire it?”

Hearing this, Empress Pei raised her long eyebrows and beckoned, ordering those beside her, “Didn’t you hear what Miss Guo said? Take it to show her.” A palace maid immediately brought the landscape embroidery to Li Weiyang’s side. Li Weiyang unrolled it and saw this landscape embroidery was magnificent in scope yet delicate and refined in needlework. She couldn’t help smiling with appreciation. “Miss Wang’s embroidery work is truly outstanding and ingeniously conceived. Looking at the mountains, rivers, plants and trees on this landscape embroidery—all are lifelike. Surely His Majesty will greatly praise Miss Wang’s gift on his birthday.”

Empress Pei’s exquisitely beautiful face was incomparably dignified. “Miss Guo indeed has good judgment. Zijin’s embroidery skill is truly unrivaled in the world.”

Li Weiyang admired it for another moment, her jet-black eyes containing a layer of somber light. “This place—it seems to be Hezhou.”

Wang Zijin was startled, then looked at where her finger rested. “Yes, it’s Hezhou.”

Li Weiyang gently shook her head. “In recent days, a major incident occurred in Hezhou. Does Miss Wang know?”

Empress Pei’s expression grew cold. Wang Zijin looked confused. “Oh, I haven’t heard about this. What major incident occurred?”

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Hezhou is rich in coal mines. Many Hezhou people make fortunes by privately opening coal mines. His Majesty already issued a decree stating all coal mines belong to the state, yet some people still knowingly violate the law, secretly mining. If it were only this, it might pass, but to cover up their crimes, they even flooded the mines and drowned people, intending to destroy evidence. Half a month ago, His Majesty’s Censorate secretly inspected Hezhou. Those people panicked and silenced witnesses, actually causing a major accident that drowned over two hundred miners at once. Your Majesty, such an enormous matter—could you truly be unaware?”

Empress Pei narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression growing increasingly cold. “Is that so? These people are actually so audacious—drowning two hundred miners?”

Li Weiyang nodded, seemingly very surprised Empress Pei didn’t know about this. “Yes. Although these two hundred miners were all court prisoners, among them were also utterly evil people, but these people should never have appeared in private mines… Yet those private mine owners bribed officials and secretly transported these prisoners to mine coal. After being discovered, to cover up their crimes, they flooded the mines and drowned all these prisoners. Stealing state property and also murdering to silence witnesses—such crimes are truly outrageous!”

Wang Zijin showed a dumbfounded expression. She didn’t know why Li Weiyang would suddenly mention this, much less that such a major incident had occurred in Hezhou. She instinctively glanced at Empress Pei and saw that although her expression remained calm, her brow twitched involuntarily.

Li Weiyang continued speaking, “These people are so audacious and reckless. If His Majesty knew, he would surely punish them severely! But I worry they have many protectors behind them, even collusion between officials and merchants, sharing the profits.”

Wang Zijin knew she shouldn’t interject at this moment, yet still couldn’t help asking, “What do you mean?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “I inadvertently obtained several partnership agreements for coal mines. One person is very strange—he generally contributes only a token amount of money, yet takes the largest share in the final distribution. Sometimes he doesn’t contribute even one coin yet occupies eighty percent of the shares. Don’t you find this strange? A person who has neither land, contributes no capital, bears no responsibility for operating the mine, and won’t go down into the mine to dig coal, yet receives so much money for free. Miss Wang, why do you think this is?”

Wang Zijin frowned. Li Weiyang’s words were actually quite clear—someone in the court served as protector for these private coal mine owners, and his purpose was to obtain enormous mining profits. But mineral resources belong to the state. Especially in this dynasty, the Emperor showed no mercy to those who privately opened coal mines, invariably dealing harshly with them. Once caught, the person involved would be beheaded and their nine generations of relatives implicated—almost the same crime as treason! But due to the enormous profits from mining, people continuously invested in this industry. To safely evade the Emperor’s notice, they had to seek backing. From Li Weiyang’s words, the private mines involved in this incident must have backing, and this backing was probably not small. Wang Zijin was extremely intelligent. She quickly associated this with something and looked toward Empress Pei.

Empress Pei forcibly suppressed her twitching brow and said calmly, “All of you withdraw. I have words to say to these two young ladies.” Hearing Empress Pei’s order, all the palace maids bowed their heads and withdrew from the pavilion. Li Weiyang’s gaze turned to Empress Pei, her face smiling very warmly.

Wang Zijin looked at Li Weiyang’s expression and felt those calm eyes were waveless and rippleless, showing no abnormality whatsoever, like an ancient zither melody—elegant and quiet, yet revealing an imperceptible cold gleam. Only now did Wang Zijin realize Guo Jia was far better at acting than she was, able to remain so composed even facing Empress Pei!

Empress Pei didn’t speak for a long time. The atmosphere momentarily became very strange. It wasn’t until cold sweat seeped from Wang Zijin’s forehead that Empress Pei sighed and said, “Is that partnership agreement in your hands?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “If it weren’t, why would I enter the palace?”

“Truly a little fox!” Empress Pei said coldly. “You came today to threaten me.”

Li Weiyang naturally showed a trace of smile, though her face showed no triumphant expression. “This subject’s daughter dare not. Your Majesty speaks too seriously. If it were merely embezzling several million taels from the imperial treasury, His Majesty probably wouldn’t be enraged, but misappropriating mineral resources and ordering murder to silence witnesses—this crime is grave. Even if His Majesty doesn’t wish to investigate and Your Majesty intends to show favoritism, you still cannot protect that person behind this. After all, such heinous crimes, once committed, are irreversible. One’s reputation is completely ruined.”

Empress Pei could no longer contain her surging rage and heavily slammed her palm on the table. The nail guard on her right pinky finger snapped in two with a “crack.”

That crisp sound made Wang Zijin’s heart jump. She instinctively left her stool and immediately knelt on the ground. Yet Li Weiyang across from her sat composedly, her back ramrod straight, her expression showing no change whatsoever. Wang Zijin’s body trembled. In this instant, the difference between herself and Li Weiyang became clear. Facing Empress Pei’s pressure, she had involuntarily knelt, while Li Weiyang showed no reaction… This proved that in composure alone, she was far inferior to her opponent. Why, though they were similar in age, could the other person remain so calm?!

Li Weiyang’s clear, cold eyes looked toward Empress Pei as she smiled. “Your Majesty, why be angry? This subject’s daughter merely speaks the truth.”

Empress Pei’s breathing instantly grew rapid, adding several degrees of gravity and depth. “Do you think you can bring down the Crown Prince with just the private mine case?”

Li Weiyang laughed lightly. “In understanding His Majesty’s intentions, I can never compare to Empress Your Majesty. I can only rely on diligence to compensate for inadequacy. If Your Majesty doesn’t believe it, you’re welcome to gamble.” Finishing, her slender fingers once again brushed over that beautiful landscape embroidery. She pulled the hairpin from her hair and lightly drew it across the embroidery. Wherever it passed, embroidery threads scattered and broke strand by strand. “But the more perfect something is, the less it can withstand damage. Just like this embroidery—one sharp hairpin can completely destroy it! Your Majesty, you must be careful. Don’t make a grave error in a moment of pique.”

“You!” Wang Zijin watched as what she had painstakingly embroidered day and night without rest was ruined in one stroke, staring at Li Weiyang in shock.

Li Weiyang glanced at Wang Zijin but smiled faintly, using the ruined embroidery to gently wipe the dust from her hairpin before casually tossing it on the ground.

“Guo Jia, let’s speak plainly between intelligent people. Hand over that contract. Consider it selling me a favor—I won’t shortchange you.” Empress Pei furrowed her brow and said calmly.

Li Weiyang remained impassive, only smiling. “Your Majesty, this partnership agreement… this subject’s daughter will naturally present it with both hands. However, such an important item in exchange for one life is still worthwhile!”

Empress Pei had long been too impatient to listen further. Unable to conceal the leaping flames in her eyes, she stood up abruptly and said coldly, “Rest assured, I will make sure you’re satisfied.” As she spoke, she had already turned away, finally closing her eyes as if utterly exhausted, before raising her voice. “Someone come, escort the two young ladies out of the palace.”

Wang Zijin and Li Weiyang walked out of the Imperial Garden together. Wang Zijin’s foot twisted and she nearly fell to her knees. Li Weiyang smiled and supported her, saying gently, “Miss Wang, why so nervous?”

Cold sweat ran down Wang Zijin’s forehead. She looked at Li Weiyang, a trace of anger flashing in her eyes. “You used me.”

This was a statement, showing she already understood. Yet Li Weiyang deliberately showed surprise. “Miss Wang, you speak incorrectly. I merely chose a time when you were present to meet the Empress. How does that constitute using you?”

Wang Zijin smiled coldly. “Stop pretending. You clearly knew I was here and deliberately came to find me, just to lead Empress Pei to believe I conspired with you, didn’t you?”

Li Weiyang sighed gently. “Miss Wang is indeed clever to think of this so quickly. Not bad. I merely borrowed you to step on once. Surely you’re magnanimous enough not to mind?”

How could she not mind? Wang Zijin took a deep breath. “Guo Jia, you truly are formidable—extremely formidable! I merely gave you the cold shoulder at my brother’s funeral, and you turn around to slap me hard. Ruthless, truly ruthless enough!” She said “ruthless” several times, unable to express her current angry feelings.

Li Weiyang smiled. “Miss Wang long ago became unable to become Empress Pei’s ally. I’m merely giving you a push. Why be so angry?”

Wang Zijin wouldn’t take the bait and pressed, “How did you obtain that contract?”

Li Weiyang smiled. “I’ve been collecting this evidence for a long time. The timing just wasn’t ripe to bring it out.” This evidence was secretly found by Yuan Lie, originally intended for use at a critical moment against that person. Though somewhat regrettable to use it now to save Guo Dun, seeing Empress Pei suffer losses still made Li Weiyang feel satisfied.

Seeing Wang Zijin also showed an expression of disbelief, Li Weiyang slightly raised her eyebrows. “No one in this world is without weaknesses. Empress Pei is the same. While searching for evidence of the Pei family’s embezzlement, we coincidentally discovered evidence of their dealings and bribery with some court officials. Not only that, we secretly found that the Pei family has private mines in eight places including Hezhou, Lanzhou, Cangzhou, and Hezhou. They use their power to invest—getting something for nothing. What do you think the result would be if this matter were publicized?”

Wang Zijin’s heart stirred. “The Pei family? They don’t have such audacity or such great power! It truly is the Crown Prince!” Just now, hearing Li Weiyang abruptly mention the Crown Prince to Empress Pei, she had already suspected. Now she confirmed her guess!

Under the sunlight, Li Weiyang smiled very gently and beautifully, yet it made Wang Zijin involuntarily shiver. She hadn’t been wrong—the woman before her was not only intelligent and good at scheming, but her methods were ruthless. Empress Pei struck first yet failed to eliminate her. Instead, she turned the tables.

Wang Zijin forcibly restrained her unwillingness and shock, her face cold. “So you were drawing the snake out of its hole.”

Li Weiyang smiled. “Miss Wang is too kind. It’s getting late. I should go. We’ll meet another day! Oh, that embroidery is ruined. I’m afraid Miss Wang will have to work hard to finish another one within half a month to present. Don’t overwork yourself.” Saying this, Li Weiyang had already turned to leave. Wang Zijin watched her retreating figure, unable to say a word for a long time.

Meanwhile, returning to her palace, Empress Pei flew into a great rage. Unaware of the situation’s severity, the Crown Prince came forward and bluntly asked, “Mother Empress, what’s wrong?”

Empress Pei raised her hand and viciously slapped the Crown Prince across the face. Unprepared, the Crown Prince was actually knocked to the ground, showing how much force Empress Pei used. The Crown Prince covered his face, looking at Empress Pei in shock but not daring to dispute. He immediately knelt properly. “Mother Empress, what has happened? What wrong has this son committed?”

Empress Pei pointed at him, her finger trembling, unable to speak for a long time. After a while, she took a deep breath. “Get out!”

The Crown Prince saw Empress Pei looking utterly enraged with fire in her eyes, becoming even more confused. He called out loudly, “This son doesn’t know what wrong was committed. Mother Empress, you must at least give a clear answer.”

Empress Pei pointed outward and actually lost composure completely, screaming shrilly, “Get out!” The Crown Prince’s heart filled with great terror, yet there was truly nothing he could do. He could only look back three times with each step as he hurriedly withdrew.

Empress Pei watched his retreating figure but dejectedly collapsed into her chair. After a while, she said to the side, “Come out.”

Ying Chu walked out from behind the curtain and knelt on the ground. Empress Pei said, “You heard everything?”

Ying Chu nodded. “This subject was presumptuous. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

Empress Pei closed her eyes, her face showing unprecedented resentment. “This son truly disappoints me too much—utterly useless, only dragging me down!”

Ying Chu looked at Empress Pei, his eyes showing surprise for the first time. No matter the circumstances, Empress Pei had always been spirited and in complete control, yet today she appeared especially dejected. Though her exquisitely beautiful face remained moving, it carried incomparable sorrow. At that moment, wind blew through the wormholes in the palace hall’s beams, making sounds like both sighs and sobs. Empress Pei slowly opened her eyes and shook her head. “He disappoints me too much. If not for him, why would it come to this? Why would it come to this!”

Ying Chu deeply lowered his head. No one in this world is without weaknesses. Empress Pei’s weakness was the Crown Prince. Even if she didn’t care about this son, everyone knew Empress Pei’s greatest bargaining chip in competing for the throne was the Crown Prince. Yet no matter how she restrained him, this person would ultimately make mistakes! And these mistakes were precisely seized by the opponent. Ying Chu sighed gently. “Please don’t be too angry, Your Majesty. Opportunities will still come.”

Empress Pei’s brows furrowed as she looked at Ying Chu. “Take my letter and go see the Grand Tutor. Ask him to enter the palace immediately to see His Majesty. Also… have that assassin voluntarily come forward to confess.” Ying Chu was shocked but didn’t dare ask why. He only responded once before withdrawing.

At this moment, sunlight outside the hall had broken through the clouds, yet inside the hall remained utterly cold. Empress Pei sat in the dim environment for a long time, ultimately only sighing.

Early the next morning, the prison cart’s axles rolled along the road toward the execution ground. Countless commoners lined the streets to watch. Though soldiers kept blocking people from entering, many still craned their necks to see, their bodies leaning far out. The teahouses and wine shops on both sides had long been fully reserved. All the nobles and officials were scrambling to lean out half their bodies, looking down at the prison cart from above, pointing and commenting. What they spoke of was nothing more than how the Guo family overestimated themselves—first offending the Pei clan, then the Wang family. This time, good—the Guo family’s son was executed… In their mouths, the Wang family had become pitiful victims. After all, they had lost two sons in succession, bearing the pain of losing children early. General Wang Qiong of Zhendong was said to be bedridden with illness. If His Majesty didn’t execute this murderer, the Wang family would demand justice in court. Actually, no one had personally witnessed what happened at the villa initially, but naturally people quietly spread rumors among the common folk. Through word of mouth, almost everyone knew why Wang Guang was killed.

The commoners were most ignorant, always following what others said. Seeing the prisoner in the cart was a murderer, they continuously pointed at him. With a “smack,” a rotten egg hit Guo Dun’s face. A piece of rotten vegetable leaf also fell on his head. He blinked, the corners of his mouth slowly curving up in deep self-mockery.

Though thoroughly disheveled at this moment, he still maintained the bearing of the Guo family. Arriving at the execution ground, the supervising official was the Minister of Justice. He sat in the supervision seat, calmly watching everything, then loudly ordered people to hang a circle of white cloth around the execution ground to prevent blood from splashing out onto the commoners and causing unnecessary disturbance.

Guo Dun was pressed to kneel on the ground. The wooden placard on his back was removed by the executioner. His head was also pressed down. The executioner’s raised broad sword reflected the sun’s light, painfully stabbing his face.

For the first time, Guo Dun felt regret. His impulsiveness had actually caused such an outcome! The whistling blade pressed closer and closer to his neck. So this was what death felt like! The commoners pushed and shoved each other, competing to witness this beheading.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out loudly, “His Majesty has decreed—stay the execution!” Hearing these eight words, Guo Dun was shocked. He raised his head, looking at this scene in disbelief. A blue-robed eunuch holding His Majesty’s decree burst into the execution ground. The Minister of Justice hurriedly received the decree, while those executioners about to behead him all knelt on the ground.

After listening to the Emperor’s decree, everyone showed shocked expressions. Guo Dun was actually released?! What kind of luck was this—such good fortune falling on him! A cool breeze blew over. Guo Dun felt as if he had walked a circle at the gates of hell.

Guo Dun’s matter was thus reduced from major to minor, from minor to nothing. Though many censors and court officials initially submitted memorials of impeachment, after the real murderer went to the Ministry of Justice to confess, these impeachments lost their force. Yes, now that the real culprit had appeared and confessed, who could still say Guo Dun was the murderer?

Interested parties spread the matter far and wide. Guo Dun entered the Guo estate with an ashamed face and immediately knelt before Madam Guo. “Mother, this is all your son’s fault.”

Madam Guo wiped away her tears, repeatedly saying, “Stand up, stand up. Mother knows you suffered injustice.”

Li Weiyang watched coldly from the side but smiled faintly. Beside her, Guo Cheng patted Guo Dao’s shoulder and said quietly, “Sister clearly could have saved Fourth Brother earlier. Why make him persist until the final moment?”

Guo Dao laughed coldly. “This is to teach him a lesson!”

Guo Dun walked before Li Weiyang and actually knelt down at once, his face full of remorse. “Thank you, Sister, for saving my life…”

Li Weiyang looked at him but gently sighed with relief, saying calmly, “Fourth Brother, this time I saved you for Mother’s sake. If you cause trouble again next time, I can only burn more paper money for you.”

Cold sweat rolled down Guo Dun’s face as he repeatedly said he wouldn’t dare.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly and personally helped him up. “Stand up. This time we at least made them return empty-handed, but if we want to deliver them a fatal blow, we still need to plan carefully…”