Fan Yugan had just picked up a wide-mouthed sweet porcelain tea cup, poured himself a cup of tea, and had not yet brought it to his lips when he suddenly heard Lu Fenglang’s words and asked, “What?”

“When I last entered the palace to present treasures to the Empress, I once spoke with the Empress… we could push the Seventh Prince to the throne. The Empress need only stay by the Emperor’s side when he’s about to die, affix the imperial seal to an edict passing the throne to the Seventh Prince, hide it under the Emperor’s pillow, and when the Emperor is about to breathe his last, take out the edict in front of the important ministers and princes!” Lu Fenglang gripped the cup in her hand tightly. “This way, our Great Zhou would become their mother and son’s strongest backing! I wonder… whether this Second Prince’s sudden palace coup is related to this matter!”

Fan Yugan stared wide-eyed at Lu Fenglang, truly not having expected that Lu Yuanpeng’s sister would have such audacity, so directly encouraging a foreign empress to create a false edict to usurp power.

“Aren’t you afraid… afraid that the Emperor already has an edict prepared!” Fan Yugan asked.

“Even if the Emperor already has an edict, it could be that he changed his mind before departing! Moreover… I once hinted to the Empress that to gain the throne, one must dare to sacrifice. If she could write into the edict the tradition of the Empress Dowager’s martyrdom when the new emperor comes of age, the credibility would be even greater! Once the new emperor ascends the throne and comes of age with full power, at worst, the Empress Dowager could fake her death and leave the palace to spend her remaining years in peace – these are all things people can arrange!”

Fan Yugan’s heart was simply surging with towering waves. He had to admit… if the edict Lu Fenglang described were produced, indeed no one would dare suspect the Empress of forgery, since it would require the Empress’s martyrdom!

Lu family’s sister’s wisdom and strategy commanded his respect, but… her audacity made Fan Yugan afraid!

For a moment, Fan Yugan didn’t know what to say, only staring fixedly at Lu Fenglang.

“I don’t know if this Second Prince’s uprising was because the Empress made an error in some step!” Lu Fenglang felt restless and uneasy. “I wonder if it will implicate Minister Liu.”

She only wanted to help Great Zhou install a puppet emperor on the throne, and ensure this emperor wouldn’t be deceived by the wicked words of Yan and Tianfeng countries, and would properly listen to Great Zhou’s words.

Fan Yugan didn’t drink the tea in his hand, swallowing his saliva and lowering his eyes in thought… If that Second Prince knew that Great Zhou and the Empress had joined hands, wanting to push a child of only a few years onto the throne, would he still believe those words he had said to the Second Prince before – that Great Zhou didn’t care which prince ascended the throne, only seeking peace along the coast?

Even more deadly, the Second Prince was someone who would repay the smallest grievance. If he truly discovered that the Great Zhou was secretly helping the Empress’s legitimate son ascend the throne, would he kill Minister Liu in a rage?

“However, one looks at it, she is still the Empress. Surely she wouldn’t be so careless as to be discovered by the Second Prince?” Fan Yugan’s breathing became somewhat agitated.

“Hard to say. This Second Prince has spies even beside the First Prince, so with the Empress…” Lu Fenglang frowned tightly, placing her teacup on the table. “With the Empress, although I asked her to dismiss her attendants when I spoke, who knows if among those the Empress trusts, there might also be the Second Prince’s people.”

Lu Fenglang now had to calculate based on the worst possible outcome: “When we meet the Prince of Han City, we must have the Prince of Han City make a show of sending troops… Then we’ll personally go retrieve Minister Liu. If this Second Prince can consider that, having just ascended the throne, he needs to stabilize the court and cannot give the First Prince an opportunity, he’ll naturally understand not to make trouble with Great Zhou!”

Fan Yugan thought briefly and felt this seemed to be the only method at present. However, both Lu Fenglang and he were still young, still considered children in the eyes of Great Zhou’s court officials. He wondered whether this Prince of Han City would listen to the two of them!

“After returning, first discuss with Master Cai. If Master Cai is willing to come forward and persuade the Prince of Han City, the chances would be greater!” Fan Yugan said.

Lu Fenglang nodded, feeling very strained in her heart. If this palace coup truly resulted from her idea, she would be guilty of an unforgivable crime.

Since they had brought nothing on this return journey to Great Zhou, and the ship only carried about ten days’ worth of food, their speed was very fast. They estimated they could reach the Great Zhou in about seven or eight days.

Who knew that on the fourth day, just as the sun was rising, Dongyi’s naval fleet caught up with them.

The helmsman standing at the bow saw Dongyi’s naval flags fluttering and sucked in a cold breath, immediately ordering the bell to be rung: “Dongyi’s navy has caught up! Quick, ring the bell! Dongyi’s navy is here!”

The ship’s bell rang out, and the officer shouted: “Full speed ahead! Sailors to positions! Raise the sails! Quick! Quick! Quick!”

The deck and the ship’s hold immediately fell into chaos.

In the hold, the off-duty sailors were also called up and immediately took their positions, six men to an oar, rowing in rhythm with the leader’s calls.

On deck, more than ten sailors responsible for managing the sails pulled at the rigging, adjusting it to catch the favorable wind.

Lu Fenglang, who was washing up, heard the commotion and emerged from her room, swaying and bumping into the door frame. She steadied herself and, supporting herself against the wooden wall, made her way toward the deck.

The sun was rising in the east, dyeing the entire sky’s clouds and the endless sea surface a fiery red. Countless giant ships came with imposing momentum from within the red glow reflected by the morning light, like massive beasts approaching with bared fangs.

Lu Fenglang’s heart leaped to her throat. Supporting herself against the swaying railing, she gazed out and saw that across the sea surface visible to her, more Dongyi naval ships were appearing densely before her eyes.

On the vast ocean… There was no escape!

But what concerned her more at this moment was not her safety, but Liu Rushi’s!

Dongyi was now making such a huge display to pursue them – this was almost like preparing for war with Great Zhou. Was it just to chase them back?

Obviously not!

Could it be that after Dongyi’s Second Prince usurped power and seized the throne, he wanted to go to war with the Great Zhou?

Then… how was Minister Liu now? Was he still alive?

“What are you doing here?” Fan Yugan emerged from the ship’s hold and immediately saw Lu Fenglang standing by the railing, looking out. He rushed over and grabbed Lu Fenglang’s arm. “The ship’s about to pick up speed – it’s safer in the hold!”

“I wonder about Minister Liu…” Lu Fenglang’s voice was almost drowned out by the sailors’ shouting.

Fan Yugan glanced toward the distance and said to Lu Fenglang, “Before coming, I promised Yuanpeng I’d take good care of you! I know you’re worried about Minister Liu, but standing here doesn’t help Minister Liu’s situation at all! Minister Liu told us to leave to preserve our lives – we can’t let Minister Liu’s sacrifice be in vain. Let’s go!”

With that, Fan Yugan practically dragged Lu Fenglang into the ship’s hold.

The two had just entered the hold when they heard sailors outside shouting: “It’s our Great Zhou’s ships! It’s our Great Zhou navy’s military flags! Quick! Raise our Great Zhou banner! Quick!”