They nodded to each other in acknowledgment. Shen Xihe stepped aside as Sang Yin approached to check Shen Yueshan’s pulse. Steadying himself, he said: “Young Master, don’t worry. I’ve devised a prescription these past two days. Let’s try it on His Lordship.”

Sang Yin had brought the prepared medicine with him and would brew it personally. The medicine, compounded by Xie Yunhuai, would cause Shen Yueshan’s body to briefly turn red and blue tonight, during which Shen Yueshan would hold his breath to fake death.

Then A Xi would use silver needles to seal his meridians, making his condition undetectable even to imperial physicians.

Geng Liangcheng was extremely cunning. Worried about potential countermoves like poisoning the medicine, Sang Yin insisted on personally overseeing the brewing. Such behavior wouldn’t arouse Geng Liangcheng’s suspicion – he’d attribute it to nervousness or caution, making him more convinced that poison was being administered to His Lordship.

Events unfolded largely as Sang Yin predicted. Geng Liangcheng had indeed sent people to the Northwestern King’s manor. Their brotherly closeness worked against them – such interactions were so common that servants never suspected any ill intent.

However, with Sang Yin constantly present, his people couldn’t take action. Even until the medicine was brewed and Sang Yin personally destroyed the dregs, they found no opportunity to interfere, and could only return to report.

Upon hearing this, Geng Liangcheng smiled rather than showing anger, believing Sang Yin’s caution indicated the plan’s success.

Thus he went directly to the Northwestern King’s manor, timing it to meet Sang Yin leaving at the main gate. He asked simply: “When?”

Sang Yin didn’t answer but made a gesture. Geng Liangcheng understood the timing and entered satisfied. As they passed each other, from afar it looked merely like acquaintances exchanging greetings, impossible to connect to any conspiracy.

Geng Liangcheng only pretended to visit Shen Yueshan. Shortly after, his arranged messenger came calling him away on urgent business, giving him reason to leave.

He went to the place where Xiao Huayong had previously captured him, seeking who he believed to be Xiao Juexiong.

Xiao Huayong, knowing of his return, had disguised himself and waited early.

“The deed is done. Shen Yueshan won’t survive tonight. When will you move?” Now only Shen Yun’an remained as his major concern, but he couldn’t act personally and had to rely on the man before him.

Xiao Huayong lifted his teacup for a sip: “No rush. When His Majesty’s men enter the city will be the time to ambush Shen Yun’an.”

“With Shen Yueshan’s death today, Shen Yun’an must manage funeral affairs at the manor. How will you capture him?” Geng Liangcheng frowned, doubt and urgency in his eyes. The manor would be chaos with Shen Yueshan’s death, leaving no opportunity to strike.

Xiao Huayong, lowering his teacup, raised his eyes to fix Geng Liangcheng with a deep, oppressive stare: “I’ll say this one last time – how I act is not for you to direct. Just wait patiently.”

“I…” Geng Liangcheng suppressed his anger, “I just worry that the court officials’ arrival will make action more difficult.”

“If Shen Yun’an disappears before the court officials reach the Northwest, even if he truly dies by the Embroidered Guard’s unique killing method, how could they argue?” Xiao Huayong sneered.

Entering the royal city required documentation and registration as strict as entering the capital. Infiltrating secretly would be self-defeating, suggesting lax security in the Northwestern King’s city – would they hand such leverage to His Majesty?

Geng Liangcheng realized his impatience, actually worried about being deceived by the man before him. He took a deep breath and cupped his hands: “I was hasty. Crown Prince, please forgive me.”

“If there’s nothing else, withdraw.” Xiao Huayong maintained a superior’s bearing toward Geng Liangcheng throughout.

This greatly displeased Geng Liangcheng, but small forbearance prevents larger chaos. This wasn’t the time for confrontation, so he left silently with a stiff face.

He had barely turned when Xiao Huayong added: “Using my name – this time I’ll spare you, but if there’s a next time… I’ll make it real.”

Geng Liangcheng’s heart trembled. He had used the Jia Chen Crown Prince’s name to kidnap his and Sang Yin’s family members, doing it so secretly that even Meng Hu hadn’t noticed – yet Xiao Juexiong knew!

Suddenly, Geng Liangcheng felt eyes watching his every move from the shadows, making his skin crawl, yet he couldn’t determine where Xiao Juexiong’s eyes were hidden.

Returning to his mansion, he grew anxious and uneasy, feeling Xiao Juexiong too dangerous. Yet Xiao Juexiong had no one else to use – without promoting him, controlling the Northwest was impossible. Only allying with Xiao Juexiong could achieve his goals, but he wasn’t certain he could escape Xiao Juexiong’s control after becoming Northwestern King.

Consulting his confidant, the man said: “General, we’re one step from success. We can’t lose composure now. However mysterious Xiao Juexiong is, he has his weakness. Once you control the Northwest and can make His Majesty wary like His Lordship did, you can naturally ally with His Majesty to eliminate him. Then the Northwest will be entirely yours.”

These words reassured Geng Liangcheng.

Unaware of this, Xiao Huayong would have laughed at their foolish dreams. After dismissing Geng Liangcheng, he quickly left the city to rejoin and replace his double.

By dusk, when he reclaimed his identity at the nearest relay station to the Northwestern royal city, he suddenly became very anxious, insisting on traveling through the night. Despite others’ protests, they had to accompany him at full gallop.

Just as they reached the city gates, they heard the mournful wail of long horns. Three blasts, and the entire Northwestern royal city lit up like daylight, every household lighting oil lamps. Even nearby villages hearing the sound lit lamps they usually saved.

Three long horn blasts signaled the commander’s death.

Their lord, the Northwest’s god, the Northwest’s backbone was gone.

Before entering the city, Xiao Huayong heard waves of wailing. Reining in his horse, he saw the gate guards kneeling, tears instantly falling. Their eyes seemed bewildered, as if still processing the Northwestern King’s passing, yet tears and grief overwhelmed their minds uncontrollably.

This was Shen Yueshan’s status in the Northwest. Such citywide mourning, such deep connection – even His Majesty’s death in the capital might not evoke such reaction.

Xiao Huayong charged toward the gates, revealed his identity, then rode toward the Northwestern King’s manor. The entire route was brilliantly lit, almost every household hanging white lanterns, those without hurriedly removing their door lanterns.

The crowd before the Northwestern King’s manor extended for miles, leaving no gap to squeeze through. Mournful crying spiraled desolately under the night sky.