“That Li Pan!”

Emperor Chenming was absolutely furious, his entire body trembling. “When he set out on the campaign, he said ‘the barbarian rabble will be pacified within three months,’ and even dragged his elder brother in as guarantor. And what happened?”

“After a few consecutive victories he thought he had it in the bag, so he actually moved the guards away and let singing girls dress as soldiers to enter his tent in the middle of the night to drink and make merry with him. The Western Barbarians took the opportunity to infiltrate, kidnap the hostage, kill over a dozen imperial guards, and capture Chaoshan City—only then did he sober up!”

“Your Majesty, please don’t be agitated—your health is what matters,” Zheng Fu carefully advised. “The Second Prince was overconfident, but the three passes captured over recent days are still ours. As long as we can hold them…”

Zheng Fu was a servant of the late Empress, birth mother of both the Crown Prince and Li Pan. His obvious favoritism toward Li Pan was clearly not what Emperor Chenming wanted to hear. The Emperor pressed his hand to his forehead, chest heaving. “Get out. Summon Consort Lü to attend me!”

Before withdrawing, Zheng Fu took from his sleeve that secret memorial and quietly placed it on the desk.

Consort Lü entered with delicate, mincing steps.

Though her figure was full, her movements were efficient. She pushed open the windows, then used a copper basin to cover the incense burner. She tossed several pieces of tangerine peel into the basin, dampened a handkerchief, and gently pressed it to Emperor Chenming’s forehead.

The Emperor’s expression relaxed.

Consort Lü had originally been a merchant’s daughter. When she was tending the wine shop counter, Emperor Chenming’s army passed through, and she married him. Due to her capable and clever nature, she received great imperial favor, and her entire family was ennobled with official positions and titles—chickens and dogs ascending to heaven.

Consort Lü cooled the tea by blowing on it, then offered it to Emperor Chenming with both hands. “Your Majesty, the tea is no longer hot.”

She picked up the military report, glanced at it, placed it back on the desk, and began massaging the Emperor’s shoulders.

To ensure complete quiet, Consort Lü stationed her clothing attendant Yinzi outside the screen to intercept all memorials, which she would then bring in with light steps and stack on the table.

Because that secret memorial was the smallest, Consort Lü had no choice but to place it on top.

Consort Lü opened it to look—it was from Lu Huating. She quietly hid the memorial in her sleeve.

“What are they all about?” Emperor Chenming still opened his eyes.

Consort Lü quickly smiled apologetically. “Your Majesty has a headache—please don’t worry about state affairs for now.”

“If I don’t worry about them, the border will be completely lost in a moment.”

“This concubine can tell by the color of the seal covers—these aren’t military reports, they’re submitted by close ministers.” With her smiling eyes and two dimples, Consort Lü carried an appeal that mixed feminine charm with simple honesty. Just looking at her made Emperor Chenming feel comfortable.

He said, “Whatever they are, read them to me.”

Emperor Chenming favored his new consorts. In private interactions, occasionally exceeding protocol, he would have them read memorials to him.

Consort Lü read several, and Emperor Chenming grew even angrier. “Don’t read these empty words of concern for me! Writing a few characters can’t cure illness—it’s a waste of paper and ink.”

Consort Lü stopped, her painted fingernail sliding over the stack of memorials until she accurately extracted one from the middle. “This one is useful—Your Majesty will surely be pleased to hear it.”

Prince Yan requested permission to go to battle, to head west and assist Prince Zhao Li Pan.

Emperor Chenming stared at it for a long time, then set the memorial aside without comment.

Li Huan was skilled in warfare, known as the “Ghost-Faced Yama.” If he truly went, he would certainly be capable of turning danger into safety.

But precisely because Prince Yan’s achievements overshadowed his master, if he continued fighting, it would threaten the Eastern Palace’s position. Fearing hidden troubles might arise, military authority could not be placed in one person’s hands.

This time, having Prince Zhao Li Pan lead the expedition alone also carried the intention of training and testing Li Pan.

If Li Pan could be supported, he could balance against Prince Yan in the future.

Who would have thought Li Pan would be so useless?

“What else is there?” Consort Lü heard the unwillingness in Emperor Chenming’s tone.

Consort Lü’s eyes shifted slightly as she produced another memorial. “Chancellor Lu of Prince Yan’s mansion memorializes that he is willing to devote the Prince’s entire household resources to organize the ceremony for welcoming the Buddha bone to Chang’an, to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”

Emperor Chenming’s expression changed.

Just two short sentences, yet they represented a vast sum of money.

Prince Yan’s mansion would provide both manpower and funds, staking their chips to the utmost.

Emperor Chenming drew from the wide sleeves of his ceremonial robe a page of paper—it was the imperial edict demoting Prince Yan to serve among the barbarians in Qinghai. It had already been sealed with the jade seal, but today when Han Wanyi suddenly had her incident, the palace banquet fell into chaos, and there had been no time to announce it.

Consort Lü’s gaze immediately fixed on that paper.

“For Sanlang, I am his father. But for the common people, I am their sovereign father. For the father to forgive Sanlang is merely a matter of words, but for the sovereign father to forgive Prince Yan, I must give the realm an explanation.” Emperor Chenming spoke slowly.

“Pinghua, I see you read those memorials quite cleverly—you produced two, both from Prince Yan’s mansion. You’re a businesswoman—help me calculate. Tell me, should I issue this edict or not?”

“Your Majesty jests. This concubine doesn’t understand state affairs, nor can she calculate accounts.” Consort Lü’s heart jumped. She lowered her eyebrows submissively, appearing especially pitiful. “This concubine simply puts herself in others’ shoes and feels it’s unfair to Princess Yan.”

She continued, “In those days, Princess Yan brought the Xiao family army when she married Sanlang, stabilizing the hearts of Chang’an’s people. She also helped Her Majesty the Empress manage palace affairs, working like an ox or horse. Before enjoying even a few days of happiness, she’s to be driven to Qinghai. The Princess was originally a noble daughter of Chang’an who married the troublesome Sanlang—half her life has been miserable. As a woman myself, this concubine’s heart aches for her.”

Consort Lü emphasized the lighter aspects while avoiding the weightier ones, only advising from Princess Yan’s perspective. After listening, Emperor Chenming made up his mind and threw the page of the edict into the fire basin, sighing, “The Empress truly cannot handle great responsibilities…”

—

Outside, the Grand Astrologer turned his compass toward Princess Bao’an’s direction. “There is an inauspicious clash from the East.”

Baoshu’s tone carried a sob. “Your Majesty the Empress, this compass can be influenced by lodestone—there have always been methods to falsify it. It cannot be trusted.”

“Oh, the compass can be falsified, but birth charts surely cannot be, can they?” Princess Danyang spoke her mind directly. “Grand Astrologer, calculate for this palace whether Han Wanyi and Princess Bao’an’s birth charts clash with each other.”

Once those words fell, even if they didn’t clash, they would have to clash.

Yang Fu stood up, biting her lip. “Your Majesty the Empress, I’m not feeling well. I’ll take my leave now.”

Then, before everyone’s eyes and despite Baoshu’s attempts to stop her, she left the palace hall like a helpless falling leaf.

The Empress frowned. “In that case, Princess Bao’an shall be placed under house arrest. Once Han Wanyi safely delivers her child, the house arrest will be lifted.”

The palace consorts sighed and murmured among themselves. Seven months of house arrest—by the time she was released, it would be far too late…

Before leaving, Yang Fu cast a tearful glance at Qun Qing, her expression desperate and complex.

Qun Qing said nothing.

Like most women in this world, she felt compassion seeing Yang Fu so wretched and isolated. She experienced this torment, yet returned only a cold stare.

Sever ties when they must be severed—this was the method of self-preservation she had learned. Perhaps it would be difficult for a while, but that was better than sacrificing a lifetime.

She heard Zheng Zhiyi whisper in her ear, “Stare, stare, stare all you want—even if you pop your eyeballs out, His Highness won’t rescue you.”

Qun Qing nearly choked. Zheng Zhiyi thought Yang Fu was seeking help from the Crown Prince.

How strange—today Li Xuan hadn’t spoken up for Princess Bao’an. Could it be he had also decided to abandon her?

At that moment, an oral edict from His Majesty arrived: “Prince Yan Li Huan’s request for battle is approved. Prince Yan is appointed as vanguard to proceed to Liangzhou to assist Prince Zhao in repelling the Western Barbarian nation and jointly defend the territory of Great Chen. If Prince Yan can offset his crimes with merit, his previous offenses will not be investigated, and he will be rewarded according to his achievements!”

Li Xuan’s hand jerked, spilling his wine.

Prince Yan Li Huan immediately knelt on the ground, his voice resounding: “This son thanks Father Emperor for his grace! This son will certainly exert all his strength—if the Western Barbarians are not pacified, I will not return.”

Xiao Yunru also breathed a sigh of relief and expressed thanks with the support of her attendants. The happiest was the Empress, who had a palace maid return the phoenix seal to Xiao Yunru. “This palace said long ago—how can there be overnight feuds between father and son? You child, you just love to worry and make a fuss over nothing.”

No one else thought so.

Beneath the surface of the water, who knew what tumultuous changes had occurred?

None of the assembled guests had anticipated such a reversal. They marveled at how exceptionally good Prince Yan’s luck was.

Not only was he an ever-victorious general in battle, but every time he reached a dead end, light would appear in the darkness. Take this instance—Chang’an’s public resentment was boiling over, and he happened to leave for a while. By the time he returned, Western Market’s public opinion would have long since settled, and his new military achievements would instead become his ladder to the clouds.

If not for being born with that birthmarked ugly face, one would truly suspect Prince Yan was heaven’s chosen son.

Only Qun Qing focused on Lu Huating’s empty seat.

It wasn’t luck, it wasn’t destiny…

Earlier, when Lu Huating hastily used osmanthus flowers to set up his scheme and implicate her in it, it wasn’t because he wanted to put her to death, but rather to disrupt the banquet and buy time, waiting for the military report from the Western Barbarians to arrive.

It seemed Lu Huating had long since received news about Prince Zhao summoning singing girls into his camp, and calculated that this campaign would surely fail. He therefore used this opportunity to help Li Huan survive the desperate situation. This was his trump card.

And she and Baoshu were also part of this scheme.

Thinking of this, Qun Qing’s expression darkened slightly. She finished eating the loquat in her hand and leaned close to Zheng Zhiyi’s ear. “Lady Zheng, would you like to take a walk after the meal to digest?”

—

Emperor Chenming returned to the imperial seat for his meal. Consort Lü’s palace maid Jinzi opened the small corner door of Hanyuan Hall used for storage.

Light illuminated the darkness, and the person hiding within tilted his head slightly, revealing a jaw white as jade.

“His Majesty has issued the edict,” Jinzi said. “My apologies for the discomfort, Chancellor.”

That person’s eyes flashed as he slowly rose.

The storage room was low, so Lu Huating could only kneel inside with brush and ink before him. Consort Lü had hidden him here. Those two memorials used earlier for strategic maneuvering—he had written them on the spot by lamplight while listening to the conversation between Emperor Chenming and Consort Lü outside the door, biting his brush to press the seal. Then Jinzi had quietly passed them out to slip among the memorials for Consort Lü to show His Majesty.

Only this way could ensure keeping Prince Yan at the smallest cost.

Having stayed too long in the cramped space, when he emerged his lips were pale, yet his expression remained composed. He brushed the straw from his sleeves. “I am deeply grateful that Consort Lü was willing to help.”

Jinzi smiled sweetly. “The red jade coral that Attendant Meng sent to Princess Bao’an was already a treasure that all the consorts envied. They certainly couldn’t imagine that the red jade Buddha statue Chancellor Lu promised the Consort on the day of writing blessing slips at the Qiqiao Festival is a whole size larger than that coral! Our Consort is very pleased and plans to place it in Marquis Lü Wanhu’s private residence for protection.”

“As long as the Consort is pleased,” Lu Huating said.

“By the way,” he asked Jinzi, “when Consort Lü was reading the memorials, did she happen to see a secret memorial with a green seal cover?”

Jinzi’s eyes flickered. “Eunuch Zheng brought it in for His Highness the Crown Prince. When the Consort saw it concerned the Chancellor, she quickly hid it.”

“Might I have it?” Lu Huating asked.

Jinzi smiled evasively. “The Consort said she likes clever people like the Chancellor. Even if the Consort knew the memorial’s contents, she wouldn’t speak carelessly about it.”

She continued, “The Consort’s younger brother, Marquis Lü Wanhu, has his eye on a plot of land in Chang’an’s southern suburbs. He wants to build a residence there, but land in Chang’an is expensive. I wonder if the Chancellor…”

Lu Huating’s pupils were pitch black, yet he smiled faintly. “Very well.”

“Then this slave thanks the Chancellor in advance.” After speaking happily, Jinzi still didn’t withdraw but remained standing with hands lowered.

Lu Huating glanced at her and understood she wanted a personal reward. He reached toward his sleeve but paused, remembering he had given all the copper coins he carried to Qun Qing.

“That’s not necessary,” Jinzi demurred.

Lu Huating’s fingers fastened on his belt. Without hesitation, he pried off the white jade piece embedded in the center of his belt and handed it to Jinzi, smiling. “How could that be acceptable? A reward must certainly be given.”

Jinzi had seen powerful officials who formed factions with palace consorts, but this was the first time she’d seen someone act with such casual boldness. Her ears reddened. “Many thanks for the Chancellor’s reward. In the future, if there’s anything needed, come find this slave or Yinzi anytime.”

—

Lu Huating descended the jade steps in the night. The contrary wind lifted his sleeves and robe hem—truly, throughout his entire body there was nothing left. Cold amusement reflected in his eyes as he found it rather interesting.

Actually, not quite nothing—he still held a lantern in his hand, emitting a faint glow.

He raised the lantern higher to illuminate Li Huan’s angry face standing below the steps.

“I wondered where you’d gone—turns out you were doing this.” Li Huan had already changed into military armor. Suppressing his fury, he said in a low voice, “Don’t you know I most detest forming connections with imperial consorts? Each one whispers in Father Emperor’s ear, only stirring up court affairs!”

Lu Huating looked at him, his eyes holding an indifferent smile. “Your Highness, you have Xiao Jingxing do the honorable deeds. I cannot do them.”

Li Huan was momentarily subdued by the cold aura emanating from him.

Lu Huating calmly descended. Li Huan noticed he maintained some distance from himself.

In the previous life, Li Huan firmly refused to form factions with consorts, allowing Li Xuan to befriend all the favored new consorts, severely suppressing Li Huan.

Lu Huating was already someone who employed any means necessary. Having gained the advantage, there was no reason not to exploit it.

“I know you’re doing this for me,” Li Huan said in a low voice. “But what exactly are you doing? Without my consent, you dared to take on the task of welcoming the Buddha bone. My seal isn’t for you to stamp like this. How much silver will be needed for all this? Can you conjure it for me?!”

Lu Huating replied, “The Princess and I will find a way regarding the money. You needn’t worry about it.”

“It’s not just about money.” Li Huan couldn’t understand. “The Chu kingdom fell precisely because the emperor was obsessed with Daoist practices and neglected governance. My elder brother advocates these spiritual and Buddhist affairs, which already displeases me. Now it’s even better—our Prince Yan’s mansion is also vigorously promoting them.”

Lu Huating said, “Sanlang, do you know how many temples and monasteries exist throughout the realm? In Chang’an alone there are twenty-six temples and forty-eight monasteries, with countless believers. What’s most important for the new dynasty now is to quickly win the people’s hearts. The Liuli Kingdom is the orthodox center of Buddhism. If we can welcome the Buddha bone to Chang’an, it means being recognized as orthodox by the Liuli Kingdom, and tens of millions of religious followers will naturally pledge allegiance. Why not undertake such a beneficial matter? In my view, it should be done on a grand scale.”

Li Huan stopped walking. Lu Huating didn’t even turn his head. “Why are you looking at me?”

“I feel you’ve changed into a different person recently,” Li Huan said. “I can’t see clearly what you’re actually trying to do. The Western Market affair was clearly Meng Guanlou’s frame-up—why not investigate? I don’t know where you learned these methods.”

“Who says we’re not investigating? This matter is being investigated secretly. Your Highness, I don’t want to hide things from you.” Lu Huating turned to face Li Huan, his dark eyes devoid of any trace of amusement. “In this world there are many people—some are fellow travelers, some share the same destination. You and I, Your Highness, are merely ‘traveling the same road for now.'”

“I’m still here only because I haven’t finished repaying my debt,” Lu Huating said, his gaze detached.

“You mean you’ll leave?” Li Huan seemed wounded by his words and spoke earnestly. “If you and I travel this road together to the very end, I promise you rank and noble title. I promise you can do whatever you wish to do. Can’t we be considered fellow travelers?”

Lu Huating smiled faintly without responding.

In the previous life, when Li Huan ascended the throne, only then did he realize that no matter who sat in that position, human hearts would change.

The young Li Huan before him could never imagine that one day, those he, Lu Huating, wanted to kill, Li Huan would obstruct and delay with all his schemes. Those he wanted to protect, Li Huan would bypass him to poison with a cup of toxic wine.

He hadn’t come to help Li Huan retread the path to becoming emperor.

It was only to complete his own unfinished business.

“Right now we’re still traveling the same road. Rest assured, I certainly won’t harm you.” They had reached the relay station as they spoke. Lu Huating said, “Mount up.”

The opportunity for battle could not be delayed. Four close guards and fifteen escort soldiers from Prince Yan’s mansion accompanied them. The guards had long since packed clothing and weapons and prepared the horses, departing overnight for Liangzhou. Li Huan vaulted onto his horse. Under the moonlight, he was like cavalry cast entirely in iron. “Don’t forget to look after Ah Fu for me!”

Lu Huating didn’t turn around until the dust raised by the horse’s hooves had settled.

He noticed a figure on a rock beneath the trees. His gaze suddenly sharpened. In three or two steps he walked over, parting the foliage to illuminate a snow-white face.

He turned to survey the area. From this position, at this angle, one could clearly count Prince Yan’s accompanying party and even hear the conversation distinctly. A chill surged up his spine.

Qun Qing felt him staring fixedly at her face for quite a while.

“Today at the banquet, you were dazzlingly brilliant.” His voice was pleasant, falling on the ear with inherent sincerity.

She hadn’t expected him to suddenly say such a thing. For a moment she was stunned, unable to tell whether this was praise or mockery.

“You followed us here?” Lu Huating continued immediately. “The relay station isn’t on the route back to the Eastern Palace, is it?”

As expected. Qun Qing remained seated, lifting the corners of her lips. “Followed? Lady Zheng is Prince Yan’s eldest sister-in-law. She came openly and honorably to see Prince Yan off. This slave accompanied her and inadvertently stepped in a water puddle. I’m tidying my appearance—must you interfere with that too?”

With that, she ignored him and focused on attending to her shoes. The lantern light illuminated her skirt hem, which was indeed covered in mud.

Then she heard Zheng Zhiyi running over, along with her bright voice: “So Prince Yan has finally left! I asked the man who tends the relay horses if I could ride one now, and he actually said no…”

“Lady Zheng, Chancellor Lu of Prince Yan’s mansion is also here to see Prince Yan off.” Qun Qing quickly straightened up to remind her.

Only then did Zheng Zhiyi notice there was another person in the darkness. She let out a startled “Ah!”

What a story about the eldest sister-in-law seeing him off…

Lu Huating glanced at Zheng Zhiyi, who was being used completely by Qun Qing, and bowed to her. “If Lady Zheng wishes to ride, this subject can take you to Shanglin Park. Relay horses cannot be ridden.”

“This palace knows. If the Chancellor has no other business, please return quickly. This palace was joking with Miss Qing—we just wanted to look at the palace relay horses.” After speaking, Zheng Zhiyi looked at Lu Huating as if facing a great enemy.

Qun Qing lowered her head to wipe her skirt clean, only sensing Lu Huating approach her. He placed something on the ground beside her, then departed.

Qun Qing turned to see the faintly glowing lantern and immediately called after him. “The Chancellor has left something behind.”

Lu Huating stopped. “The path back to the palace goes through woods. The road is uneven, and there are puddles from the rain. Miss Qing, take it to light Lady Zheng’s way.”

“It’s closer to the Eastern Palace from here, much farther to Prince Yan’s mansion,” Qun Qing said.

Lu Huating turned his head. The lamplight reflected in his eyes, revealing the indifference on his face along with a few traces of illusory warmth. “I’m accustomed to walking night roads. I won’t misstep.”

Qun Qing watched Lu Huating’s epiphyllum-like shadow as he walked alone into the woods.