Yu Wanyin had arrived too recently and hadn’t yet witnessed enough partings and deaths to understand that the kindness of others ultimately becomes a fire that burns oneself.

The small hot pot bubbled noisily as Bei Zhou ate while continuously hissing at the heat.

Yu Wanyin called out to Xie Yong’er: “Why are you standing there? Help put things in the pot.”

Xie Yong’er was still in a daze. She never imagined that her first time eating hot pot after arriving in this world would be under such circumstances.

The despicable couple in front of her had already started chatting among themselves, seemingly exchanging the day’s new information.

Xiahou Dan: “Rumors are already spreading among the people, saying I’m responsible for the Empress Dowager’s condition, and that the thunderstorm was heaven’s punishment for my unrighteous rule.”

Yu Wanyin: “Well well, rumors spread by Prince Duan’s faction, right? Looks like they’re preparing for a public opinion battle. No green onions, thank you.”

Xiahou Dan: “It could also be remnants of the Empress Dowager’s faction. Would you like the shrimp balls in the spicy pot?”

Bei Zhou looked up and interjected: “Who’s spreading these rumors? I’ll catch one and slaughter them to set an example for the hundred, how about that?”

“No.” Yu Wanyin and Xie Yong’er said in unison.

Yu Wanyin: “?”

Seasoned fan-girl Xie Yong’er: “I understand public opinion battles. Silencing people would only backfire. You should use magic to defeat magic—find some people to spread the word in the streets and alleys that Prince Duan is heartless and unrighteous, that he sent people to Beishan to assassinate you and the Empress Dowager. Fortunately, you’re the true dragon son of heaven with immense good fortune, and heaven sent down eighty-one lightning bolts that struck all the assassins dead.”

Xiahou Dan fell silent for a moment: “That’s a bit exaggerated.”

Yu Wanyin: “Indeed.”

“The common people don’t fear exaggeration—they believe in books hidden in fish bellies. The more exaggerated, the more widely it spreads,” Xie Yong’er spoke eloquently. “Do you know why Xiahou Bo never rebelled outright? This person has always firmly believed himself to be heaven-sent justice, the savior of Great Xia, so he’s fixated on having legitimate reasons to act. These current rumors sound like he’s being forced to take matters into his own hands, laying the groundwork.”

“Clap, clap, clap,” Yu Wanyin began applauding.

“Yong’er, so Prince Duan has lasted so many rounds all because of your support.”

Xie Yong’er smiled uncomfortably: “His skill level is much higher than mine.”

“That’s because you have emotion in your heart. You’re more human than he is!”

Xiahou Dan pondered: “Given this, we also cannot attack him without reason, otherwise accusations of matricide and fratricide would destabilize the court’s loyalty in the future.”

Yu Wanyin: “According to Xu Yao’s book, there were two assassination plans against you, both after the Empress Dowager’s death. One in the mourning hall, and another during the funeral procession. But with the situation having changed so much, I can’t say for certain which approach Prince Duan will choose, or if he’ll choose neither. I think we should prepare for both scenarios while keeping a close watch on Prince Duan. Once he makes a suspicious move, we can catch him in the act and legitimately deal with him.”

At the mention of Xu Yao’s book, Xie Yong’er’s ears perked up, and she looked toward Yu Wanyin: “Speaking of—”

“What is it?”

“You told me before that the plans Xu Yao recorded differed somewhat from my initial proposals,” Xie Yong’er spoke increasingly slowly. “But how did you know…”

How did you know my initial proposals?

I only told Xiahou Bo about them.

With his perfect villain demeanor, would he turn around and tell you?

At the time, she had been too distracted by the sudden shock to think about this point.

As her emotions gradually settled over the past few days, this question repeatedly surfaced in her mind, only to be suppressed.

She wasn’t sure if she truly wanted to know the answer.

Yu Wanyin quickly exchanged a glance with Xiahou Dan, maintaining a normal expression, and patted her: “Xu Yao told me after he changed sides. Prince Duan consulted with Xu Yao about all your suggestions.”

“Ah.”

Deep in her heart, Xie Yong’er felt this explanation was somewhat forced. But if it wasn’t Prince Duan or Xu Yao, could Yu Wanyin have opened a celestial eye?

—Celestial eye.

Xie Yong’er suddenly had a strange feeling: she shouldn’t continue pursuing this line of thought. Otherwise, the truth she eventually found would not be one she liked.

Her shoulder tightened as Yu Wanyin embraced her: “Sister, men are like grass that grows everywhere under heaven—let’s go find one elsewhere.”

Xiahou Dan gave Yu Wanyin a puzzled look.

Xiahou Dan: “Is she your sister too?”

Under someone’s deliberate control, the Empress Dowager’s condition fluctuated back and forth, keeping many hearts in suspense. Only after the entire Imperial Medical Academy had taken turns accepting blame did the truth gradually become clear: she truly could not recover.

During these days, the Empress Dowager’s faction scattered like monkeys when a tree fell. Several leaders were stripped of their positions, a batch of resignations were approved, and the rest were unceremoniously merged under the Emperor’s command, with barely any changes to their official positions.

Those vacant positions were filled by new people.

Er Lan and Li Yunxi were both promoted.

Yang Duojie finally bid a tearful farewell to the Imperial Observatory and cheerfully entered the Ministry of Personnel.

Many low-level officials who had been suppressed in the various ministries doing thankless work were quietly promoted.

Everything happened silently, so peacefully that it lacked the feeling of having weathered a storm.

For this reason, the cannon fodder who had been fishing in troubled waters still marveled at the Emperor’s good fortune, while the smartest players who were most deeply involved began to feel fear.

They couldn’t feel the storm because it had been strangled in its infancy.

Previously, they only knew Prince Duan was formidable, but now they were shocked to realize there was someone even more ruthless above him.

Just by observing who was promoted and who lost their lives, one could discover that the Emperor, who had pretended to be blind for so many years, actually saw more clearly than anyone. He was like the most venomous, most cunning snake, capable of complete stillness when lacking absolute certainty, not moving even when kicked, beaten, or trampled. But once you glimpsed his fangs, you were already a dead man.

Thus, the fearful became more fearful, while the bold developed different thoughts.

The court didn’t lack talented individuals, but after enduring the corrupt environment until today, most had lost their hearts. Now with the Empress Dowager fallen and the wind changing direction, they faintly detected hope for great achievements.

Even within Prince Duan’s faction, several risked coming to pledge allegiance to the Emperor. They had previously lamented being born in times without a wise ruler, placing their hopes on Prince Duan to replace him. Now they realized such complications weren’t necessary.

Thus, with the disappearance of the Empress Dowager’s faction, a batch of royalists emerged at the court.

Mu Yun became anxious.

Determined to maintain his position under Prince Duan, Mu Yun mixed with the Empress Dowager’s faction, knelt before the Emperor to show his loyalty, then hurriedly ordered his subordinates to intensify the spread of rumors, ensuring the image of a tyrannical, unrighteous ruler deeply penetrated people’s hearts.

Having done such dirty work for Prince Duan for years, he considered himself skilled and flawless.

But when he returned home after a busy day, an imperial edict awaited him.

Xiahou Dan found some pretext to strip him of his office and investigate him.

Mu Yun was shocked and couldn’t figure out where he had slipped up, no matter how hard he thought. Only upon hearing that Prince Duan’s other undercover agents had also been completely rooted out did he suddenly understand—someone had given Xiahou Dan the entire list of names.

“Xie, Yong, Er—” Mu Yun chewed these words until they tasted of blood.

Meanwhile, Prince Duan’s faction was holding their eighteenth emergency meeting of the month.

The ministers were anxious, using every method to hint to Prince Duan that he should act now, as the Emperor was rapidly growing, and each day’s delay meant less chance of success.

Xiahou Bo maintained a solemn appearance, elegant features showing traces of concern: “Although His Majesty has failings as a ruler, he is still this prince’s brother by blood. He may be heartless, but I cannot be unrighteous. As the saying goes, the righteous gain much support while the unrighteous lose it—if I were to use unscrupulous means like him, how could I face all your loyal hearts?”

The ministers were moved to tears: “Your Highness!”

Xiahou Bo gently advised: “Everyone must remain calm and steady. Too many misdeeds will surely bring self-destruction; believe that his retribution will come soon.”

After sending the ministers away and closing the door, Xiahou Bo summoned his assassins: “Arrange everything according to plan.”

Assassin: “Your Highness, we’ve heard that Consort Xie has defected, and she often knows things before they happen. Is it possible she’s reported our plans to the Emperor?”

Xiahou Bo smiled: “In the past when implementing her suggestions, I always changed some minor details, which she couldn’t detect. This time will be the same—on the day of the plan, I’ll have you handle an additional small matter at the last minute.”

After dismissing everyone, he lowered his head and opened a secret compartment in the bedside table, taking out a crudely embroidered sachet, and dangling it between his slender fingers.

If Xie Yong’er truly had a celestial eye, she would discover that the sachet he played with was not embroidered by her.

Yu Wanyin sneezed.

She was reviewing the official memorials.

Xiahou Dan, still nursing his unhealed wounds, had been putting on a vigorous front when dealing with others all day, often collapsing directly onto his bed once he returned to his chambers. To reduce his workload, Yu Wanyin sat by the bed reviewing the memorials one by one, scanning through them rapidly, and summarized: “Grand Tutor Zhang wrote three hundred characters of flattery, with the key point being praise for his nephew.”

Xiahou Dan: “Pah, his nephew is an imbecile. Set it aside.”

Yu Wanyin tossed it onto the “unimportant” pile and turned to the next one, smiling: “It’s from Li Yunxi.”

Since the changes began at court, she hadn’t seen Li Yunxi and the others.

Xiahou Dan no longer contacted them privately and specifically warned them that during these turbulent times, they should avoid discussing the Emperor with others and especially avoid becoming prominent figures among the royalist faction.

Li Yunxi, having navigated the court for some time, understood the implications. After receiving Xiahou Dan’s warning, he miraculously comprehended the intention: the Emperor was not confident of victory. If Prince Duan ultimately won, the Emperor wanted to protect this group of officials as much as possible, ensuring they wouldn’t be destroyed out of resentment when Prince Duan gained power.

Li Yunxi was moved to tears but couldn’t enter the palace to express his gratitude. In the end, he wrote a passionate memorial, nearly wishing he could smear it with blood from kowtowing.

Yu Wanyin laughed as she read it: “Several characters are smudged—he wasn’t crying while writing this, was he? Hahaha…”

Her laughter abruptly stopped.

Xiahou Dan turned to look at her: “What’s wrong?”

Yu Wanyin stared at the memorial: “He says Cen Jintian is dying and wants to see you one more time.”

There was a rustling sound as Xiahou Dan sat up and looked directly at her: “I can’t leave the palace right now.”

“I know, so I—”

“You can’t go either. I told you the other day, it’s not safe outside.”

Yu Wanyin became anxious: “I just remembered, I could bring Xiao Tiancai to see him! Even if he can’t cure him, at least he might make his passing more comfortable. We were the ones who tricked him into joining the court!”

“Then let Xiao Tiancai go by himself. You stay here.”

“Xiao Tiancai only has Xie Yong’er’s interests at heart and has quite a negative opinion of us. What if he deceives us…”

“Wanyin.” Xiahou Dan interrupted her, his tone unusually firm, “Don’t go. If Cen Jintian has any last words, they can be relayed.”

Yu Wanyin stared at him as if she didn’t recognize him, and after a long moment softly asked: “Do you want him to spend his final moments gazing toward the palace too?”

With the bed curtains as a barrier, Xiahou Dan’s face was hidden in shadow, pale and indistinct, suddenly reminding her of her fear when they first met, before she learned his identity.

His tone was as weary as it had been then: “I’ll repay my debt to him after I’m in hell.”

Yu Wanyin still left the palace.

In the evening, while Xiahou Dan was meeting with others, she took Xiao Tiancai and some imperial guards, slipping out with familiar ease. The guards, long accustomed to her doing as she pleased in the palace, never imagined she was defying imperial orders.

They confirmed as usual that no one was following them, but Yu Wanyin, worried that Xiahou Dan would discover her absence and send people after her, urged the carriage directly to Cen Jintian’s private residence.

That familiar experimental field was now buried under snow, the crops no longer visible.

The person who came out to greet them was unexpected—Er Lan.

Er Lan had seen Yu Wanyin in male attire before and recognized her at a glance: “Your Highness. Brother Cen is gravely ill and has no relatives by his side, so I came to help.”

Yu Wanyin had no time for pleasantries and hurriedly pushed Xiao Tiancai inside: “Let him examine Lord Cen.”

Xiao Tiancai reluctantly checked the patient’s pulse.

Cen Jintian struggled to open his eyelids and saw Yu Wanyin. His face showed urgency, skipping all formalities, using his remaining strength to say: “Your Highness, I have recorded the cultivation methods for Yan millet in various field conditions in this book…”

Er Lan helped pass the book to her.

Cen Jintian had once said this crop would take two or three years to experiment with, yet somehow he had managed to complete it.

Yu Wanyin solemnly said: “Don’t worry, Tu’er has promised to transport the goods as soon as he reaches Yan country, and the trade policy continues as planned. By spring, farmers across the country will be planting Yan millet.”

Cen Jintian: “Granaries…”

Yu Wanyin: “The Ministry of Revenue has inspected granary reserves everywhere. When drought comes, we know how to allocate relief. After the drought passes, each region will adjust crop varieties according to your book.”

“His Majesty…”

“His Majesty is well. He misses you dearly but regrettably cannot come in person, so he sent me instead.” Yu Wanyin invented readily, “He wants you to recover well so that when next year’s Yan millet ripens, we can all go see it together.”

Cen Jintian smiled faintly and slowly nodded.

Xiao Tiancai finished his examination and pulled Yu Wanyin out of the room, saying quietly: “It’s an incurable illness, likely a congenital disease he’s been carrying since birth. Having survived until now, there’s no way to save him.”

Yu Wanyin’s heart tightened, still unwilling to give up hope. Suspecting he wasn’t putting forth his full effort but not knowing how to ask, she could only bow deeply: “Master Xiao.”

Xiao Tiancai was shocked: “Your Highness mustn’t do this!”

Yu Wanyin: “The person in that room is a benefactor to all the people of Great Xia. I beg Master Xiao to help him live a while longer, even if just to see one harvest.”

Xiao Tiancai: “.”

He pondered for a moment: “If it’s just a few more months, there might be a way.”

Yu Wanyin was about to rejoice when he added: “But I have one condition.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve noticed His Majesty trusts Your Highness greatly. After he deals with Prince Duan, could Your Highness speak favorably to His Majesty and ask him to release Consort Xie to leave freely?”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

She was filled with respect: “Master Xiao truly has deep feelings.”

The scholarly young man choked at her choice of words, so embarrassed he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet: “That’s not what I meant! I just see that she’s melancholy and in my heart… Anyway, Your Highness, just say whether you agree or not.”

“I agree, of course, I agree. Not just releasing Xie Yong’er, I’d be fine with releasing you too. You both could be companions in the mortal world, living freely, galloping on horseback to enjoy the splendors of life together.”

Xiao Tiancai: “…I don’t…”

Xiao Tiancai: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Xiao Tiancai went to prepare the prescription.

Yu Wanyin gazed at the snow-covered field, heard footsteps approaching from behind, and tilted her head slightly: “Master Xiao is very skilled; he should be able to extend his life by a few months.”

Er Lan: “Mm.”

They both fell silent, standing side by side looking at the empty, snow-covered land.

Yu Wanyin asked quietly: “Does Lord Cen know you’re a woman?”

This was the first time she had spoken openly about this fact.

Er Lan calmly shook her head: “He just considers me a good friend.” She laughed self-mockingly, “In his condition, why add to his troubles?”

Yu Wanyin heard something in her tone and was shocked: “You have feelings for him—”

Er Lan didn’t deny it: “My feelings are my affair.”

She seemed to notice Yu Wanyin’s sadness and smiled, patting her head.

Er Lan was tall, with a naturally heroic air about her features, making her male disguise entirely convincing. Only now, speaking softly, did her feminine voice become apparent: “I was born into a merchant family. As a child, I was known as a prodigy with a photographic memory. My parents were wealthy, so they let me study alongside my brothers. By the time I turned fifteen, I realized that as a woman, no matter how many classics I read, it was useless—I would still have to marry a dull man…”

Yu Wanyin was surprised, not expecting that she had been married before.

But thinking about it, Er Lan appeared to be twenty-five or twenty-six, which in this era meant she could be a grandmother in a few more years.

Er Lan: “Later, my husband died, and I became a widow at home, becoming the gossip of the neighborhood. If they had nothing else to talk about that day, they would discuss whether I dressed too flashily or looked at some man for too long. Finally, one deep night, I jumped into the river, thinking that if I couldn’t swim to the other shore, I would die there.

“I swam across. So I continued forward and never looked back. I walked and walked until I reached the capital, met all of you, entered the Ministry of Revenue, and accomplished many things…”

She took a deep breath of the cold air: “When the situation stabilizes and peace reigns over the land, it will be time for me to retreat from public life.”

Yu Wanyin asked, knowing the answer: “Why?”

“You can tell I’m a woman; others will eventually see it too. Rather than waiting until then to be impeached, it’s better to retreat while at the height of success and find a scenic place to spend the rest of my life. With this experience, I can finally say I have lived and loved, with no regrets.”

Er Lan turned to look at Yu Wanyin: “Actually, Brother Wang and Brother Cen surely have no regrets either. So don’t grieve, Wanyin.”