To the right of the outer hall, in the most central grand hall, was where the Grand Tutor usually resided.

The current Grand Tutor had been appointed by the Emperor. With his poor health, the Emperor had established the Crown Prince, selected a Grand Tutor to assist him, and then withdrew from affairs.

However, since the Crown Prince had begun governing as regent, he had favored his self-appointed riding and archery officials. Adding to this, the National Uncle Yang took charge of everything. The Grand Tutor was such in name only, actually bowing to National Uncle Yang and following his orders in all matters.

The Grand Tutor’s duty room was somewhat cluttered, as National Uncle Yang also spent much time here, euphemistically calling it efficient—one hall for multiple uses.

As the lights were lit, the eunuchs and several officials rushed to tidy up.

Deng Yi didn’t care, casually sitting in the wide chair, reviewing documents.

“My lord, no one has come from the outer city wall,” an official said quietly.

This place was already very close to the outer city. With lights lit and people moving about, those on the other side would certainly be able to see.

At this moment, imperial guards were scattered around, holding bows and crossbows, standing vigilant.

But no one came, not even to spy.

Deng Yi raised his head from the documents, smiling slightly: “It seems there are clever people over there.”

It would have been natural and reasonable to come report news to show loyalty, or to seek help and gather information. He hadn’t expected that someone could truly resist temptation and remain unmoved.

However, there were plenty of clever people, and cleverness didn’t necessarily mean good luck. Take that Third Young Master Xie, Xie Yan Fang, for example—

The Crown Prince was dead, and everything came to nothing.

Deng Yi paid no more attention to this and continued reviewing the documents. He had many new things to learn. Although brutes skilled in riding and archery could also become officials, and although at this moment ability wasn’t the main consideration, to perform this role with elegance required more than just luck and brute force.

The officials dared not disturb Deng Yi and quietly withdrew to guard the door as a show of loyalty. Only a few eunuchs remained busy in the hall.

One eunuch brought more lamps, and another prepared tea and brought it over.

Deng Yi casually picked up the cup and took a sip.

“Does the Grand Tutor find it to his taste?” that eunuch asked.

This eunuch hadn’t withdrawn? And was still asking questions? Deng Yi held the teacup and looked over, seeing a eunuch in his fifties, ordinary and unremarkable.

This was a eunuch who had followed from the Emperor’s bedchamber. A person who could remain in the Emperor’s bedchamber for so many years was certainly not ordinary.

His gaze grew sharp.

Facing this penetrating gaze, the eunuch showed no sign of retreat or awareness, saying: “There’s no good tea here, so this old servant brought some specially from His Majesty. Only the water was hastily prepared, I’m afraid.”

Deng Yi made a sound of acknowledgment: “It’s fine.”

Having said this, he lowered his gaze and continued reading.

The eunuch still didn’t leave, using his sleeve to gently wipe dust from the desk, and saying in a low voice: “The heir of the Prince of Zhongshan wishes to enter the palace city to protect His Majesty—”

Deng Yi’s hand holding the document paused slightly.

“—Please fulfill your promise, Lord Deng.” The eunuch said softly with his head bowed. “Open the gate.”

After saying this, the eunuch bowed and withdrew.

Deng Yi held the document in silence, then suddenly smiled.

The Prince of Zhongshan—could he be that person who was both clever and lucky?

…

…

Hooves thundered as Xiao Xun rode back through streets mixed with thick darkness and flames, returning to the courier station.

This place had also experienced fighting. The surrounding buildings were still burning, and corpses lay scattered in the street—officials, soldiers, and civilians alike.

Xiao Xun dismounted and walked into the courier station, ignoring the scene.

Those officials and servants who had once greeted the heir with smiling faces were nowhere to be seen—or rather, they could be seen as corpses lying on the ground. The entire courier station had no living creature. This, of course, was not the Third Prince’s doing.

Though ultimately, it would be attributed to the Third Prince.

Xiao Xun stepped over a corpse and climbed the stairs into the room.

“Was it necessary to leave? We could have just done it ourselves at the Chu residence,” Tie Ying followed behind, frowning in confusion.

He had no respect for Chu Lan.

“Capable of failing but not of succeeding.”

Ning Kun smiled: “Don’t underestimate scholars. When a scholar develops wild ambition and greed, they’re capable of doing the most terrifying things. No matter how noble one’s status or how skilled in martial arts, one can die at their hands.”

He emphasized the words “skilled in martial arts,” looking at Tie Ying.

Tie Ying snorted.

Xiao Xun pacified him: “Don’t worry, our people are also there. If he fails, we’ll act ourselves.” He further explained, “Having him do it personally is to make him submit a letter of allegiance, so he’ll be under our control in the future.”

Tie Ying said: “Even without a letter of allegiance, someone like Chu Lan would obey Your Highness’s every word.”

“Mere obedience isn’t enough; he must actively take up the knife to kill and charge into battle for me,” said Xiao Xun. “As you said, Chu Lan is inadequate. Without putting shackles on him, he won’t risk his life for me.”

Ning Kun nodded: “The heir understands people and uses them thoroughly.” He added, “It’s also good to return to the courier station. It’s closer to the palace city, making it convenient to enter the palace later.”

Xiao Xun looked toward the direction of the palace city, his usually calm face showing complex emotions.

In one night, the world had been turned upside down.

This was just as his father had said—the capital was dangerous, but also as his father had wished, the most dangerous places offered the greatest opportunities.

When the Crown Prince suddenly decided to go hunting and selected strong men like the Third Prince had done, he immediately had people infiltrate—who didn’t have strong heroes at their disposal?

The Third Prince intended to kill his brother, so he lent him a helping hand.

Thinking of this, Xiao Xun smiled, deep dimples appearing in his cheeks.

The Crown Prince was dead. Whether the Third Prince was torn apart by the mad dogs of the Xie family or held accountable by the Emperor, he was as good as dead.

With the Crown Prince’s son eliminated as well, the Emperor’s bloodline would be cut off, and the throne of Great Xia could only belong to their Prince of Zhongshan’s line.

His father would finally be able to take back everything that belonged to him.

His father had spent years cultivating connections, had meticulously educated him since childhood, and had sent him to the capital at the right moment.

All this appeared to be luck, but it was the result of his father’s keen intelligence and painstaking efforts.

Thinking of these things, Xiao Xun’s eyes were filled with admiration.

“All of this should rightfully belong to Father.”

Who else but Father!

“The only regret is that we couldn’t establish a connection with Chu Yi,” said Ning Kun, sighing meaningfully. “Young Master, do you see now how powerful Chu Yi’s hidden position is?”

In this sudden upheaval, among all the powerful families in the city, the Crown Prince’s orphan had sought refuge with Chu Yi, trusting only him.

Oh, and there was more—his father had also told him about a secret passage in the capital. Tonight, he had personally seen a eunuch carrying a child emerge from it.

This was a secret known only to the Emperor. In those years, the previous Emperor had cherished his father and told him about it—

Evidently, in the previous Emperor’s eyes, the throne was meant for his father.

“His Majesty’s trust in Chu Yi, and Chu Yi’s loyalty to His Majesty, are truly extraordinary,” Ning Kun sighed. “If Young Master could form a marriage alliance with Miss Chu, His Majesty would be even more convinced of Young Master.”

Xiao Xun smiled: “It doesn’t matter. After meeting with His Majesty, I will tell him about my fateful connection with Miss Chu, and then ask His Majesty to bestow the marriage.”

Ning Kun clapped his hands: “Very well, very well, this is excellent.”

Not only would His Majesty be at ease, but Chu Lan would also be reassured, and Chu Yi would have no choice but to become the heir’s man. Chu Yi’s connections would belong to him, while the infamy would belong to Chu Yi.

Looking at the faint smile on Xiao Xun’s face, Ning Kun felt somewhat sympathetic.

“It’s just a pity for Young Master,” he said. “Having such a wife would make life difficult.”

At least for a period of time, life would be difficult.

After all, it would be a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, and such a wife would not be easy to get rid of.

Xiao Xun smiled and looked at the night outside the door. The night was deep and cold, just like that girl’s gaze when she looked at him.

Having such a wife would certainly make life interesting.

…

…

Tonight’s night was exceptionally long, the ink-black darkness refusing to disperse.

It felt like so much time had passed. Why hadn’t the sky brightened yet?

Yet there was also fear of daybreak.

If day broke, this would no longer be just a nightmare.

The small child crouched among the firewood stack, burying his head between his knees, desperately keeping his eyes shut.

With a slight creak, the door was pushed open, and a lamp’s light shone in. The yellowish light penetrated the woodpile and through his knees.

So bright! So annoying!

The child wanted to shout and scream. In the past, he would have done so—everyone around him feared him and would never defy him. But now he could only keep his eyes and mouth tightly shut, trying to curl up as small as possible, even holding his breath to avoid being discovered.

“Are you here?” a female voice sounded softly. She seemed uncertain who she was looking for, then paused and said, “I am Chu Yi’s daughter, Chu Zhao.”

Chu Yi’s daughter, Chu Zhao.

The child slowly opened his eyes, peering through the gaps between his fingers, through the woodpile, and saw a person standing in the yellowish lamplight.

She seemed tall, yet she didn’t seem much older than him. She had black hair, skin as white as jade, and eyes as bright as stars.