Just as she was about to ask, Chi Xue pulled her back.

Dan Shuang understood.

Tie Ci had already risen to wash up.

Dan Shuang said to Chi Xue, “You go deliver it.”

Chi Xue smiled, “I won’t—I just ran an errand. It’s your turn now.”

Dan Shuang glared at her and picked up the plate, but couldn’t help saying, “Since ancient times, fierce women fear persistent men. Even someone as iron-hearted as the Crown Princess still can’t escape that man’s web.”

“That’s right—since ancient times, fierce women fear persistent men. The Crown Princess is like that, and aren’t you too?” Chi Xue winked at her.

Dan Shuang said coldly, “Nonsense!” and went out with the plate.

She went to the base of that tree. A face immediately peeked down from the treetop—Mu Si’s. Dan Shuang didn’t look at him, simply placed the plate at the tree’s base, said nothing, pointed up at the tree, and turned to leave.

But Mu Si caught her. Having quickly jumped down from the tree, Mu Si stared at her back and asked, “For my master? Then… is there any for me?”

Before he finished speaking, his face was already red.

Heaven knows how much courage he’d mustered, learning from his master, to say such words.

He truly admired Murong Yi—that mouth could say anything without blushing.

Dan Shuang stood sideways, head lowered looking at the ground. “Naturally there isn’t any.” She struggled to leave after speaking.

But Mu Si caught her again. Mu Si said softly, “You don’t have any for me, but I have something for you.” He pulled a fruit from his chest.

The fruit had been warmed against his chest for who knows how long—it was warm.

Mu Si’s gaze fell on Dan Shuang’s shoulder, seeing the girl’s neck white as snow, her dark, fluffy hair somewhat disheveled, scattered beside her neck, hazy as mist.

His head felt dizzy, his tongue tangled. “…This fruit looks quite pretty… oh no, tasty. You try it.”

Dan Shuang didn’t turn back, but Mu Si saw that snow-white neck suddenly flush slightly red, like morning clouds reflecting on snow.

His features wrinkled together in chagrin… what kind of words had he just said!

His grip loosened slightly. Dan Shuang’s sleeve slipped away, the fruit was accepted, but Dan Shuang still said nothing. Taking the fruit, she walked away quickly, as if afraid someone was chasing her from behind, or afraid someone would see her.

Mu Si watched her retreating figure, his lips curving upward.

A rustling sound came from overhead. Murong Yi poked out that enchanting face, saying irritably, “Seen enough? If you’ve seen enough, hurry up and bring master’s fruit up! I’ve been waiting so long the daylilies have gone cold!”

Mu Si had just brought the fruit up when Murong Yi took the entire plate. He didn’t eat, but held each fruit up to examine against the moonlight, saying as he looked, “Look at these fruits—clearly sweet and juicy. Eighteen sent these to me! I tell you, Eighteen is even sending me fruit now, so next should be…”

No one picked up his words. He turned to look—that bastard Mu Si had already run away.

Murong Yi, with no one to show off to, felt uncomfortable all over, like wearing fine clothes at night.

After smelling, sniffing, and touching the fruit for a while, he finally couldn’t resist. Carrying the fruit plate, he leaped to the neighboring tree.

The archer who had been driven away earlier was dozing in the neighboring tree. Startled by the sudden neighbor, he looked at him warily.

Murong Yi thrust the fruit plate before him. “Look, fruit the Crown Princess sent me. Pretty, right? Fragrant? Smells good? A whole plate—the Crown Princess won’t even eat them herself but wants me to eat them.”

The archer’s attention was drawn to the fruit. Having stood guard most of the night, he was somewhat thirsty and hungry. These fruits were brought for him to eat, right? Though this fellow had been rude earlier, considering he was bringing fruit now, it wasn’t unforgivable…

He reached out to grab the fruit.

The plate suddenly vanished.

Meeting his stunned gaze, Murong Yi looked innocent. “I was just showing you the fruit the Crown Princess sent me. Where did your thoughts wander?”

He jumped back to his tree with the plate.

The archer’s hand froze alone in mid-air. “…”

Wait, you went through all that trouble to jump over just to show me your fruit?

You must have some serious problem.

Only now did Murong Yi’s earlier words surface in the archer’s mind.

Sent by the Crown Princess…

The archer rolled over angrily in the tree.

The Crown Princess is blind!

Sending such a disgusting thing!

Would have been better to send to their king instead!

…

After sending the fruit, Tie Ci went to sleep.

But she didn’t sleep peacefully.

She kept dreaming of a little person carrying a plate of fruit, jumping from tree to tree, laughing in the wind, “My fruit! No one may pick my fruit!”

Half-asleep, she vaguely seemed to hear some door opening and closing sounds from the western hall’s direction. Before fully awakening, she suddenly heard a sharp, piercing whistle.

Tie Ci’s eyes snapped open.

The moment she opened her eyes, she was no longer in bed.

The next moment she was barefoot in the center of the courtyard, watching a beam of fire pierce the darkness, falling toward the main hall.

Sharp sounds followed endlessly as countless fire arrows like swift meteors shrouded the three main halls of the traveling palace.

Judging by position, the arrows came from the mountain slope across from them. Though not far from the traveling palace, that mountainside was slippery, nearly vertical, and the mountain was high and rugged—even monkeys could barely cross it. Guards clearing the area couldn’t get up there. It was hard to imagine anyone could ambush and shoot arrows from that cliff.

The cliff faced the traveling palace directly with a clear view—impossible to hide in advance. Guards would patrol constantly with torches, and their light would expose anyone on the cliff. This meant the enemy could only climb the cliff during the brief intervals between guard patrols to shoot at the traveling palace.

Such ability, such climbing skill—even Scorpion Camp couldn’t do it, let alone ordinary soldiers or assassins.

These thoughts flashed by as she turned, hearing whooshing sounds and seeing subsequent fire arrows intercepted mid-air, falling onto trees outside the traveling palace. Several figures dropped from the burning trees.

It seemed Murong Yi and Dan Ye’s people were cooperating well.

Tie Ci suddenly frowned.

Something was wrong.

Where was Pingzong? With arrows shooting at the main hall, given her temperament, a wave of her hand could extinguish them with ice and snow. How could she still see flames?

Dan Shuang ran out with her shoes, but Tie Ci couldn’t even bother with boots. Turning around, her figure flashed and she appeared at the main hall.

She immediately saw Pingzong clutching her stomach as she ran over. Behind her stood a wall of ice protecting the main hall, but the ice wall was thin—under the burning of those relentless fire arrows, it would soon melt.

Seeing Tie Ci appear, she shouted, “My stomach hurts! I need the privy! This is yours now!”

The girl, having completed her mission, ran toward the privy while casually hurling a fireball that devoured several incoming fire arrows before charging into the privy.

A figure flashed—Xia Houchun appeared. Tie Ci said, “Jie Yun Peak cliff—people must still be up there. Seal it off completely, top and bottom. Don’t let a single person escape!”

Xia Houchun took the order and left.

Guards hidden under corridors and on rooftops emerged, protecting the imperial couple into the secret chamber.

Apart from this batch of fire arrows, no subsequent assassins could charge into the traveling palace. People in the outer camp were startled—several generals rose first and struck down a passing assassin. Several others tried to circle around the camp’s edge but were shot by hidden guards.

Assassins suddenly appeared, causing outcries throughout the camp. Some rose in confusion, some hurriedly lit lamps, some frantically lifted tent flaps to escape.

But before tents could be lifted, they were held down. Before lamps could be lit, they were blown out. The sound of military boots on ground was steady and uniform as someone shouted sternly: “By order of His Majesty and the Crown Princess, we take over camp security! No one may rise, light lamps, or leave tents! Remain quietly in place. Do not move about in panic lest you become assassin targets or hostages. Crown Princess Her Highness promises that as long as you all remain in place, she will ensure the safety of all your families!”

This shout repeated three times. Everyone heard it, and the commotion gradually subsided. No one left tents to interfere with guards fighting enemies, no one cried out to affect guard judgment. Assassins lost the chance to fish in troubled waters or take hostages, while infiltrated assassins had nowhere to hide and were quickly surrounded by guards.

Only a few with superior martial arts made it to the trees outside the traveling palace. The palace walls were right before them, but there they met the true god of death.

One assassin only vaguely heard a whistle before feeling his forehead go cool and collapsing the next moment.

A fruit pit was embedded in his brow.

Another assassin had just climbed over the wall when a soft tree branch suddenly looped around his neck. With a pull and twist, by the time he fell beneath the wall, his hard neck bones had been strangled by the soft branch.

The assassination came suddenly and ended quickly.

Below Jie Yun Peak, torches lined up like daylight, illuminating the surroundings. All exits of the entire mountain were completely surrounded by Xia Houchun’s order.

In the firelight, having confirmed the traveling palace was safe, Tie Ci rushed down the mountain.

Passing through the camp, countless people quietly lifted tent corners, watching the Crown Princess pass calmly through the camp with guards in neat formation, heading straight ahead. Behind her, the traveling palace fire still burned, reflecting the cold gleam of the Yuan Tie sword in her palm, her clear jawline and painted features seeming to glow.

Veteran ministers felt moved, while young men and women felt their blood boil.

Where the Crown Princess was present, people seemed to feel infinite security—no fear of giant waves or storms.

How fortunate Great Qian was to have such a future ruler.

Footsteps came and went in unison. Even the assassins’ corpses were quickly removed. Many ministers walked out of their tents relaxed, watching the Crown Princess’s retreating figure heading toward Jie Yun Peak, their expressions quietly changing.

Rong Luchuan stood in the shadows, expressionless as he watched toward Jie Yun Peak.

Rong Pu silently approached behind him and suddenly said, “Are you disappointed?”

Rong Luchuan slowly turned back without showing surprise. “Lianzi, what are you saying?”

Rong Pu smiled nonchalantly. “I’m glad grandfather is all right.”

Rong Luchuan gazed deeply at him. “Lianzi, you suspect grandfather.”

He spoke with certainty, so Rong Pu didn’t deny it, saying calmly, “The hunting area was cleared three times beforehand. The camp location was temporarily designated by the Crown Princess. All security was personally arranged by the Crown Princess. Though Jie Yun Peak is distant and treacherous, the Crown Princess couldn’t have failed to inspect it beforehand. Additionally, grandson heard that Princess Pingzong seemed poisoned… Grandfather, tonight’s series of events would be impossible without internal coordination and arrangement.”

Rong Luchuan said flatly, “All court officials are present, plus the Xiao clan who are even more at odds with the imperial family. Yet you suspect grandfather. Lianzi, did the Rong family’s water and rice raise you with a rebellious nature?”

Rong Pu smiled with a sigh. “Grandfather, I hope more than anyone it isn’t you. The Rong family’s water and rice raised me, and I hope more than anyone that nothing happens to the Rong family.”

“If you continue wild speculation, the Rong family really will have problems.”

“Whatever grandson speculates, I only speak before you. But grandson must remind you—what grandson can guess, the Crown Princess can certainly guess too.”

“Lianzi, have you considered that once the Crown Princess gains power, she absolutely cannot tolerate the Xiao family and Rong family?”

“Why?”

“Because this half-lifetime of puppet existence has driven the imperial father and daughter’s desire for power and freedom to extremes. Once they hold power, they will never again allow anyone to interfere. The all-powerful Xiao family will be first, the Rong family controlling civilian officials will be second.”

“Then relinquish power. The Crown Princess isn’t one to eliminate useful officials. If our Rong family retreats from the rapids and assists wholeheartedly, the Crown Princess will surely not hold grudges and grant grandfather a lifetime of harmonious ruler-minister relations.”

Rong Luchuan smiled.

Without power in hand, one becomes meat for slaughter, with no self-protection when giant waves strike.

Moreover, with a great ship ahead carrying countless passengers, could one simply disembark at will?

After disembarking, being capsized by the bow was also possible.

But there was no need to say more.

Lianzi had previously been little involved in family affairs due to his poor health. He had planned to wait until Lianzi married, had children, and grew stronger before careful planning.

Now grandfather and grandson had chosen different paths—neither could convince the other.

So be it.

He turned back, looking at Rong Pu. “Since you’ve chosen to serve the Crown Princess loyally, do it well. But our Rong family cannot follow you in betting everything on one person.”

If the Crown Princess could marry Lianzi, he would be willing to try.

But he had confirmed the Crown Princess would not marry Lianzi.

Instead, she was entangled with that new heir from Liaodong.

Lianzi trusted the Crown Princess completely, always feeling the Crown Princess was uncommonly clear-headed and intelligent.

He didn’t consider that abandoning the Rong family, abandoning the loyal Rong Pu, to choose that treacherous rebel—such a master’s clarity was limited.

Many things involving personal emotions would limit vision and affect judgment. Lianzi was like this, and so was the Crown Princess.

All young people.

He gently patted Rong Pu’s shoulder and walked away.

Rong Pu remained standing, looking down at the wild grass at his feet.

Attempting to have a proper talk with grandfather had ultimately failed.

He guessed that even if grandfather was involved in this matter, he wouldn’t be deeply involved. Grandfather was always like this—disliking to lead conflicts, preferring to sit on fences and watch the wind.

But if one day the wind suddenly grew fierce, even scattered feathers could be swept skyward.

…

When Tie Ci reached the base of Jie Yun Peak, Xia Houchun had completed the complete encirclement. All around was like an iron barrel. In the torchlight, several small black dots on the cliff had no escape.

However, just as Tie Ci stood firm, those small black dots on the cliff suddenly shouted in unison: “Avenge our Liaodong brothers who died in battle!” They all leaped together.

Cries of alarm rose.

After a moment, mud and dust scattered as several people crashed in the army’s center, becoming corpses.

Those archers trapped on the cliff—none escaped, all jumped to their deaths.

Some observing generals, hearing that final shout, immediately began cursing.

“Liaodong has grown bold! A mere rebel—we of Great Qian haven’t even sent troops to punish them, yet they dare come for revenge!”

“Request orders from the Crown Princess to destroy them!”

Tie Yan, arriving a step later, also showed anger.

Tie Ci’s expression darkened.

Crude framing, but she couldn’t rush to clarify now, or it might be used against her in future confrontations.

She turned to Xia Houchun, who shook his head slightly. “Ten assassins total—five held Jie Yun Peak cliff shooting arrows, the other five infiltrated the camp under arrow cover. All ten are now dead. Additionally… people were found missing or dead by suicide in both camp and traveling palace, including guards and attendants.”

Tie Ci laughed coldly.

Very good, very ruthless.

Knowing they’d face post-incident investigation, they simply cut all leads.

She should appreciate being held in such regard—knowing that once someone became an inside agent, they couldn’t escape.

“List those missing or dead by suicide. Continue investigating their daily activities and associations after returning to the capital.”

“Yes.”

Tie Ci had the Emperor return to rest while she went to examine the corpses. Crouching down to carefully examine these assassins’ hands and feet, she said, “Not Liaodong people.”

“These people have rough, dark skin and wear rather heavy clothing, obviously poor cold resistance—they should have long lived in hot, sun-exposed places.”

“Many calluses on hands and feet, flat and wide feet, indicating frequent barefoot walking. From their ability to quickly climb Jie Yun Peak, they obviously live in mountainous areas where climbing peaks and crossing ridges is routine.”

“The capital has no such talents. These people’s appearance also doesn’t seem like inland natives,” Xia Houchun continued.

The two exchanged glances, the same words passing through both their minds. Tie Ci then shook her head. “Something’s strange.”

“What does Your Highness mean?”

“If it’s really that party, the scale seems too small, the numbers too few.” Tie Ci looked toward the thick darkness ahead. “Making such a fuss, sacrificing so many hidden agents, just for this one assassination attempt?”

Xia Houchun shook his head dismissively. “That’s because Your Highness is powerful and well-prepared! With Your Highness so thoroughly prepared, the enemy could still deploy so many inside agents, attack from Jie Yun Peak, and nearly reach the traveling palace’s main hall. In the past, such an operation would have succeeded long ago!”

Tie Ci thought about it—this assassination couldn’t be called unprepared or weak. It was just that her side was impregnable with many experts.

Xia Houchun looked relaxed. With the assassination failed, his anxious heart could finally rest.

He urged Tie Ci to return early for rest—tomorrow there was still hunting.

Tie Ci gave a few more instructions before walking back. Passing the camp, she saw the tents quiet, some already producing snoring sounds, and couldn’t help but smile in comfort.

To let ministers feel secure, let people sleep peacefully, let the realm be stable—this was the kind of ruler she wanted to be.

Passing the large tree at the traveling palace entrance, she saw the tree burned down to half its original size.

She paused beneath the tree, her eyes sweeping around but not seeing Murong Yi’s figure.

So her steps slowed.