Bu Shulin was certain that whether or not she reached the Min River in time, the second trap wouldn’t fail, and the Crown Prince’s third trap would inevitably follow.

That day, the Crown Princess had provided a body double almost identical to her. After staying by her side for so long and receiving careful instruction, they could perfectly impersonate her. Even if she couldn’t make it, this person could still lure His Majesty and others to fight desperately, even knowing the Min River might be a one-way journey.

The Crown Prince was igniting His Majesty’s fury. From the Jialing River to the Min River, if His Majesty suffered heavy losses at the Min River, he might lose his usual composure and shrewdness in anger. Then, at the third trap outside Shunan City, His Majesty would understand the meaning of a truly devastating blow.

“The nearest dock to the Min River is in Maozhou. The route from Minzhou to Maozhou is long, and whether by water or land, you can’t avoid the Jialing River. The river is now stained with blood for hundreds of li. His Majesty is enraged and has ordered strict guards, determined to investigate thoroughly. If you appear near the Jialing River, even in your current disguise, you’ll hardly escape,” Xiao Changying said gravely.

Bu Shulin’s beautiful lips curved slightly: “Your Highness is mistaken. The closest point to the Min River isn’t Maozhou, but…” She pulled out a sheepskin map from her sleeve, unfolding it before Xiao Changying. Her slender finger pointed to a spot: “Here!”

Xiao Changying’s pupils contracted, his expression grave: “You intend to use the Tubo route!”

The Min River placed Tubo’s Jinchuan opposite the dynasty’s Hanzhou, marking the border between the two countries.

“Do you know what’s here?” Xiao Changying’s sword pointed below her finger, closer to Tubo.

“The Jiannan Military Commissioner’s headquarters.” How could Bu Shulin not know?

The Min River was indeed a strategic location, forming a triangle of mutual checks and balances between Tubo, His Majesty’s Military Commissioner’s headquarters, and the Shunan Prince’s mansion.

“His Majesty has ordered General Yu Xiang of the Xiaoji Guard to investigate the Jialing River incident, with support from the Jiannan Military Commissioner,” Xiao Changying informed her of court matters. “This order permits Yu Xiang to command the Jiannan forces. Using the Tubo route to reach the Min River is walking into a trap.

His Majesty may have already guessed your next move. You should send word to the Eastern Palace…”

He mentioned sending word to the Eastern Palace because he wasn’t sure whether Shen Xihe or Xiao Huayong was behind everything.

“Thank you for your concern, Prince Lie.” Bu Shulin remained unconcerned. “As you say, His Majesty likely knows our next move. But I’m certain whatever His Majesty can predict is what my lord wants him to predict.”

The Crown Prince was always strategically brilliant. If he hadn’t intended His Majesty to think of the Min River, he wouldn’t have exposed the Qu family of Minnan at the Jialing River. Finding a ship to operate on the Jialing River wasn’t difficult.

Though last year’s grain transport incident in Dengzhou was conspicuous, making the previously only locally renowned Qu family shipping business suddenly famous nationwide, it was the well-known Qi Pei who had persuaded the Qu family to provide ships.

The Crown Princess had saved Qi Pei’s life and even brought down a third-rank minister for him. With such connections, who could question the Qu family’s loyalty to the Crown Princess?

After such a bitter lesson at the Jialing River, with the Qu family’s help, it seemed natural for the Eastern Palace to set the next trap at the Min River.

Even though everyone knew this, the Crown Prince didn’t disappoint them. He wanted to show His Majesty and those ambitious for the throne that even when he told them everything and gave them ample time to prepare, the result would still be their crushing defeat.

“Your lord… is it her or… Seventh Brother?” Xiao Changying asked.

He didn’t know Shen Xihe particularly well, though she too showed no mercy to His Majesty and the royal family. With her intelligence, such schemes wouldn’t be difficult.

Yet instinct told Xiao Changying this wasn’t Shen Xihe’s style. She was reserved – though she had reason for arrogance, it wasn’t in her nature. She was more like an heir carefully cultivated by a great family.

Steady, profound, wise, and subtle.

This deliberate revelation of the next move wasn’t meant to mislead enemies but showed extreme confidence that reminded Xiao Changying of Xiao Huayong.

His Crown Prince brother, who had deceived the world, was like the undisguised disdain he showed whenever meeting him and their brother.

Bu Shulin raised her eyebrows. Everyone said Prince Lie was fiery-tempered, but they hadn’t expected such astute perception. In the current situation, even His Majesty firmly believed he was competing with the Crown Princess, and that she had allied with the Crown Princess.

Yet in just a few words, Xiao Changying had guessed that Xiao Huayong was the true mastermind…

It truly made Bu Shulin see him in a new light.

Bu Shulin’s gaze made Xiao Changying slightly displeased, but he silently acknowledged his guess.

His heart filled with bitterness. The true player was Xiao Huayong, yet he let Shen Xihe stand in front. With Shen Xihe’s intelligence, if she hadn’t agreed, Xiao Huayong would have shot himself in the foot.

Shen Xihe wouldn’t tolerate being used unless she was willing.

The Eastern Palace’s current tranquility showed this was all planned by the couple together – Shen Xihe was willing to take everything on for Xiao Huayong.

Whether for benefit or love, it showed that in Shen Xihe’s eyes, Xiao Huayong was ultimately different from others.

The sharp Prince Lie was suddenly enveloped in melancholy. Bu Shulin probably guessed his thoughts and couldn’t help saying: “Prince Lie, my lord is the Eastern Palace – the couple is united, their hearts undoubting.”

Perhaps because the Crown Prince appeared weak and sickly to outsiders, and Shen Xihe was proud and unapproachable, few had private interactions with the couple. Bu Shulin was fortunate to be among those who had the most, thus witnessing the Crown Prince’s deep love for the Crown Princess, willing to risk his life to protect her.

Though the Crown Princess might have been unmoved at first, recently Bu Shulin had noticed changes in Shen Xihe. Her eyes held gentle, scattered light when looking at the Crown Prince – for such a composed person, this was enough to prove her feelings.

“United couple, undoubting hearts… heh…” Xiao Changying laughed with undisguised self-mockery and desolation. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they were clear again. “Leave immediately. I’ll take your subordinate on another route to draw them away. The Tubo route is extremely dangerous – take care!”