“Eunuch Feng, how can Shiyao be brought to Xuanzhao without deploying an army or a single soldier?”

If he sent for her too openly, the Qi Emperor might well assume that Shiyao was a treasure he could use to extract concessions from Xuanzhao.

“Your Majesty, is not Miss Yan’s identity the best pretext of all?” Eunuch Feng offered a cup of tea.

Prince Xuan mused quietly. “That won’t do. Back then, Shiyao’s mother summoned all the high ministers and maneuvered me into a trap. On her deathbed, she forced me to declare in front of them all that I would not bring Shiyao into the harem. If I were to reveal Shiyao’s identity publicly, how could she then marry Yanyu?”

Eunuch Feng bowed his head slightly. “Your Majesty, why not simply annihilate Qilan in one stroke and unify the two kingdoms?”

Prince Xuan gave him a lingering sidelong glance.

Although Qilan’s strength was no match for Xuanzhao, if the two kingdoms actually went to war, Xuanzhao had no guarantee of absolute victory.

Eunuch Feng hurried to lower his head. “Your Majesty, this servant has spoken out of turn.”

· · ·

By the time the carriage reached the Crown Prince’s estate, dusk had fully fallen.

Yan Yunning climbed down from the carriage and yawned in a drowsy, languid way, asking softly, “When are we going to find A’Jie?”

They still needed to send a letter together to Nanchū’s parents.

Xuan Yanyu’s voice dropped. “Do you know who ordered those two beggars to bring you to Xuanzhao?”

Yan Yunning pressed her lips together. It was obviously her A’Jie — trying to send Ranran away but unable to explain things clearly, and dragging her along in the process.

Such a scatterbrain. Yan Yunning’s eyelid gave a twitch. The letter to Nanchū’s parents was with her A’Jie — her A’Jie wouldn’t go and deliver it herself, would she?

If she went herself, so be it. It probably wouldn’t cause any trouble.

“It was your A’Jie.” The man spoke at an unhurried pace.

Yan Yunning let out an exaggerated “Ah?”

Xuan Yanyu said with all the gravity of righteous conviction, “Yan Yunning, not a single decent soul resides in the Chancellor’s estate. So — you will remain in Xuanzhao.”

Yan Yunning rolled her eyes inwardly. She hoped she didn’t look like a fool.

“Did you hear me?” The man’s eyes tilted up at the corners.

Yan Yunning changed the subject. “Xuan Yanyu, which bedchamber will I be staying in tonight?”

She had no desire to keep discussing whether she would stay in Xuanzhao or not.

Xuan Yanyu curved his mouth in a sly, unruly smile. “Where will you stay? Tonight you’ll keep watch by this Crown Prince’s bedside.”

What was wrong with staying in Xuanzhao?

Yan Yunning raised an eyebrow, her smile radiant. “Xuan Yanyu, lower your head for me — I want to strangle you!”

He was far too tall; without him bending down she couldn’t reach him. Look how considerate she was, giving him advance warning.

Xuan Yanyu raised an eyebrow and broke into a laugh. “Oh? You want to strangle me, and I’m supposed to lower my head to let you do it?”

“Causing harm to the Crown Prince is punishable by death under Xuanzhao law.” Ye Jian remarked in an unhurried tone.

Yan Yunning: “……”

“The bedchamber next to mine.” Xuan Yanyu patted her on the head and stopped teasing her.

Yan Yunning removed his hand and turned to run into the Crown Prince’s estate. She had just reached the entrance when a woman, exuding a cloying, pungent fragrance, threw herself into her arms.

Yan Yunning had no time to dodge. She was knocked down, taking the woman with her onto the ground.

“Your High— Your High— who are you?” The woman raised her head, her manner arrogant. “Which household are you from?”

Could she also be here lying in wait for the Crown Prince’s return to the estate?

Yan Yunning shoved her away with one hand, pinched her own nose shut and called out, “Xuan Yanyu!”

Xuan Yanyu came forward in a few strides and helped her to her feet, frowning. “Are you hurt?”

Yan Yunning grabbed his sleeve and pressed it over her nose. Her small face was flushed — the smell was genuinely suffocating.

She could feel the overpowering scent had already clung to her clothing.

“This subject-woman Mu Xue, daughter of the Minister of Finance, pays her respects to the Crown Prince.” Mu Xue bowed in greeting.

“The hour is late, Miss Mu. Why are you at the Crown Prince’s estate?” Ye Jian wore a perfectly measured shallow smile.

Mu Xue bit her lip and timidly glanced up at Xuan Yanyu. “This subject-woman heard that the Crown Prince was returning to the estate today…”

“The Minister of Finance? Growing bolder by the day — daring to spy on this Crown Prince’s movements?” Xuan Yanyu said, his expression blank.

“That is not so, Crown Prince.” Mu Xue’s eyes brimmed with tears.

She wore the look of someone pitifully aggrieved.

“Ye Jian.” Xuan Yanyu’s voice was slightly cold.

Ye Jian nodded, turning his smile toward Mu Xue. “Miss Mu, please leave.”

Mu Xue shook her head, her tears hovering at the edge of falling. She softened her voice. “Crown Prince, tonight could you…”

She shot a bashful glance at Xuan Yanyu. Her father had told her today that no matter what it took, she had to stay the night at the Crown Prince’s estate.

“The daughter of the Minister of Finance has violated the palace prohibition. Should she linger any further near the Crown Prince’s estate, she will be dealt with according to palace regulations.”

Leaving those words behind, Xuan Yanyu escorted Yan Yunning into the estate.

Mu Xue’s eyes filled with alarm, her voice trembling and unsteady. “Crown Prince, Crown Prince, you cannot leave…”

What was she to do?

How was she supposed to explain this to her father when she returned?

“Miss Mu, please leave.” Ye Jian repeated.

Mu Xue dabbed at her reddened eyes. “Why is it that woman can enter? Who is she — whose young daughter is she?”

The corner of Ye Jian’s mouth curved with a faint contempt. “If Miss Mu truly wishes to know, perhaps she should ask the Crown Prince to come out and explain it to you in person?”

Mu Xue bit her lip. “Never mind.”

She raised her handkerchief, blotted the corners of her eyes, straightened her back, and walked away at a slow, measured pace.

If she went home like this, there was no telling how severely her father would reprimand her.

But if she didn’t go home, she had nowhere to go.

Having watched Mu Xue walk away into the distance, Ye Jian turned and entered the Crown Prince’s estate.

The Main Hall.

Xuan Yanyu stood where he was, visibly irritated.

“Your Highness, these were sent over by His Majesty.” Ye Chen said hesitantly. “It — it isn’t right to drive them out of the estate.”

Wouldn’t that be slapping His Majesty in the face? His Majesty had only just sent them, and the very next moment they were being driven back out.

Attendant maids knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling.

“Send them away.” The vein at Xuan Yanyu’s temple pulsed.

The maid shook violently all over, saying in a frightened voice, “Your Highness, please do not drive us away.”

The head nanny had made it clear they must serve the Crown Prince well.

“Your Highness, please don’t keep butting heads with His Majesty.” Ye Chen said in an earnest, heartfelt tone.

Noble Consort Lin was already with child. If she were to give birth to a prince, and His Majesty were to designate a different heir, what would they do?

Xuan Yanyu said impatiently, “Send them away. If you keep talking, you can get out too.”

“Your Highness, I’ll take them back to the palace right away.” Ye Chen quickly cupped his hands in assent.

“Crown Prince~” The maid called out in a soft, delicate voice.

She still wanted to try one more time to make him reconsider.

“Your Highness, what Highness — hurry up and leave.” Ye Chen sneered and rolled his eyes.

After Ye Chen led the attendant maids out, Yan Yunning walked up to Xuan Yanyu and hesitated, unsure how to begin.

She wanted to ask whether A’Chen was still in the palace of Prince Xuan.

Earlier, Fafa had told her that A’Chen would probably be all right. Xuan Yanyu had also instructed Ye Chen to escort A’Chen safely away.

She guessed Xuan Yanyu had likely planned to quietly take A’Chen to the imperial physicians of Xuanzhao for treatment. On the day Xuan Yanyu and her A’Jie left for Qingyu Stronghold, Fafa had told her quite confidently that A’Chen was fine.

Fafa had said A’Chen’s poisoning was merely the catalyst for his recovery — even without being injured by Luoxuan, he would have been poisoned by something else eventually.