The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed, disagreeing with Old Fang’s words and about to speak, when he heard Old Fang continue: “A person who can lead troops and has deep scheming – if such a person becomes His Highness’s confidant and one day betrays you, they could stab a knife right into the Crown Prince’s heart! If she were sickly, it would be one thing, but if her health improves day by day, over time… she’ll inevitably become arrogant from her achievements.”

Upon hearing Old Fang’s words, the Crown Prince’s eyes, which had been gazing at the flickering candlelight, suddenly lifted. He thought of Bai Qingyan’s exceptional martial skills, yet despite the long journey, she appeared more spirited than he. His heart trembled.

“What initially gave His Highness the most peace of mind about Princess Zhenguo was because… she was female with a frail body, not knowing when she might die, wasn’t it? Not just His Highness… His Majesty probably thought the same!” Old Fang spoke meaningfully. “But now, though Princess Zhenguo still appears as frail as before, these exceptional martial skills… are probably not something a sickly person could possess.”

“What Old Fang says…” The Crown Prince’s voice paused. “I will remember it!”

Old Fang quickly rose and bowed to the Crown Prince: “With His Highness keeping this in mind, this old man can be at ease.”

Quan Yu glanced imperceptibly at Old Fang, then bowed with lowered eyes and accompanied the Crown Prince out the door toward the Grand Court of Justice prison, planning to speak to the Crown Prince about Princess Zhenguo’s loyalty along the way.

·

Bai Qingyan rode swiftly back to the mansion and went straight to the Grand Princess’s Changshou Courtyard, asking about the Grand Princess’s situation after the Emperor fell unconscious.

After confirming the Emperor was truly unconscious, she told the Grand Princess everything: what Fu Ruoxi had said in the Grand Court of Justice prison about the Empress’s letter claiming the Emperor’s days were numbered, and her speculation that Prince Liang had initially advised the Emperor to fake a fall from his horse, summoning the Crown Prince back to court to build the Nine Star Platform, and inciting the Empress to seize the opportunity to force abdication.

The Grand Princess’s face turned iron-blue with rage as she slammed the prayer beads in her hand heavily on the small table: “Absurd! A nation’s emperor treating state affairs and himself as child’s play, all for building a Nine Star Platform!”

“Your granddaughter has thought it over repeatedly. Given His Majesty’s character, if he hadn’t thoroughly deliberated, why would he immediately after falling from his horse… summon Imperial Teacher Old Tan back to court and his grandmother back to the palace? His Majesty… doesn’t seem like someone who could calmly arrange court and palace affairs in a crisis.” Bai Qingyan said.

The Grand Princess felt her chest tighten until she could barely breathe, gripping her chest clothing forcefully. Her kind brows now held nothing but murderous intent. How had she thought the Emperor could handle great responsibility? How had she recommended the current His Majesty when the late Emperor asked who could bear the Crown Prince’s responsibility?

“Grandmother, now that Fu Ruoxi has spoken, Minister Lu has probably obtained testimony from Fu Ruoxi by now, and Imperial Teacher Old Tan has rushed over. Grandmother will likely need to enter the palace to oversee the inner palace… confining the Empress and her palace servants to prevent the Empress from controlling the palace, or even… issuing edicts summoning officials’ wives into the palace to threaten court officials with their families.” Bai Qingyan spoke very directly to the Grand Princess.

Since the Emperor had entrusted the inner palace to the Grand Princess, and now with Fu Ruoxi’s testimony, the Grand Princess being an elder, confining the Empress to the palace was only natural.

After the Grand Princess nodded, she called out to Nanny Jiang, then said to Bai Qingyan: “Simply confining the Empress won’t be enough. We must also place the Zhong family and Prince Xin under surveillance, otherwise they might take advantage to stir up trouble! Although… Prince Liang will marry Liu Ruofu soon, with his wedding imminent, he probably has no other thoughts; we still must watch him closely! Have the Crown Prince issue all orders together with Imperial Teacher Old Tan, otherwise… There might be questions raised.”

“Grandmother, rest assured. Your granddaughter has already reminded the Crown Prince! Grandmother can enter the palace with peace of mind… the Crown Prince will certainly arrange the Imperial Guards in advance to ensure grandmother’s safety.”

Now that the Crown Prince needed to rely on the Grand Princess to suppress the Empress, he naturally had to prevent Zhong Shaozhong from controlling the Imperial Guards and giving the Empress convenience… instead detaining the Grand Princess.

Nanny Jiang had already prepared everything and came in to bow before telling the Grand Princess, “Grand Princess, everything is ready. You may enter the palace at any time.”

“Grandmother, be careful in all things!” Bai Qingyan helped the Grand Princess up, then said to Nanny Jiang: “Have Wei Zhong not leave grandmother’s side, and be sure to protect her well.”

The Grand Princess couldn’t bring the Bai family guards into the palace. Wei Zhong was a eunuch… and originally came from the palace anyway, so there was no problem.

Nanny Jiang responded: “Eldest Miss, rest assured. With this old slave and Wei Zhong present, even unto death we won’t let the Grand Princess come to any harm!”

Bai Qingyan never doubted Nanny Jiang’s loyalty.

Bai Qingyan personally escorted the Grand Princess to her carriage. After she left, Bai Qingyan’s hands, clasped behind her back, lightly formed fists.

Once the Empress was confined, Prince Xin and Zhong Shaozhong would inevitably lose their composure. This should be exactly what Prince Liang and Prince Xian most wanted to see.

Now that she had also sent Wei Zhong away, it was time to attend to serious business.

Bai Qingyan’s eyes darkened as she turned back to the mansion, having someone summon Lu Ping. She instructed Lu Ping to quietly make a trip to the Qin residence, having Bai Jinxiu recall all the hidden guards in her possession, as she had great use for them. She also reminded Bai Jinxiu to guard the Qin residence well for the next three days and not to go out unless necessary.

In the capital, Bai Qingyan couldn’t use the Bai family guard army – it would too easily implicate the Bai family.

Previously, Bai Qingyan had divided the imperial hidden guards given by her grandmother into two teams, giving them to Bai Jintong and Bai Jinxiu, respectively.

These hidden guards were unknown to others. For the extremely secret matters Bai Qingyan needed to handle, it was better to use these imperial hidden guards.

Using spear practice as an excuse, Bai Qingyan cleared all servants from Qinghui Courtyard, leaving only Chun Tao to attend her.

In less than half an hour, all the hidden guards stationed with Bai Jinxiu were recalled and appeared in Qinghui Courtyard, led by Lu Ping.

Bai Qingyan thrust her silver spear into the soft earth and took a handkerchief from the black lacquered gold-trimmed tray Chun Tao held, looking at the hidden guards kneeling respectfully in the courtyard to pay their respects.

After wiping the sweat from her face, she picked up her teacup and said, “Tonight, I want you to guard outside the Grand Court of Justice. If you see anyone breaking into the Grand Court of Justice prison to kill Fu Ruoxi, while the assassins are fighting with the prison guards, you must rescue Fu Ruoxi and quietly bring him before me.”

“Yes!”

The hidden guards responded and disappeared into the moonlit Qinghui Courtyard, leaving only the wind passing through swaying tree leaves with rustling sounds.

In just a moment, clouds obscured the moon, and wind suddenly rose.

Night owls shrieked, and tree shadows loomed.

“Miss, the wind has risen. Perhaps you shouldn’t practice tonight and should rest early!” Chun Tao said gently.

Great chaos was imminent in the capital. Tonight… Bai Qingyan would probably find it difficult to sleep peacefully.

Night and strong wind – the perfect time for killing.

Tonight, someone would go to kill Fu Ruoxi. Even if it wasn’t the Empress, Prince Xin would lose his composure and act. Even if Prince Xin could keep his composure… Prince Liang would find ways to make Prince Xin lose it.

Especially… that person who had been monitoring her today. When that person saw her emerge from the Grand Court of Justice prison, they quietly left, surely to report to their master.