“Youyou, Yu Xiang has been His Majesty’s confidant for thirty years.” Xiao Huayong had never considered turning Yu Xiang, not because it was impossible, but because the risk was too great and Yu Xiang wasn’t worth the effort.

Even after several incidents, especially last year’s Yu Gong affair, when the Yu family lost their title of Pingyao Marquis and Yu Xiang lost his position as Grand General, becoming marginalized from Emperor Youning’s inner circle.

But their relationship spanning decades was no longer bound by mere loyalty alone – it was deeply entangled with interests. Perhaps His Majesty had entrusted matters to Yu Xiang that couldn’t be revealed to others.

If Yu Xiang were to betray him, the emperor would never tolerate it. Facing the threat of family extermination, even if the Yu family was clever, they couldn’t shake Yu Xiang’s resolve.

Shen Xihe didn’t argue with Xiao Huayong’s warning. Instead, she turned her bright eyes toward him, gazing at him with hidden mirth: “Beichen, let’s make a bet. In this game, the winning side can only be mine.”

When the beauty turned her gaze, starlight scattered in her eyes. The confidence radiating from her core left no room for doubt.

Today she wore pearl-decorated buyao hairpins and binchun ornaments, surrounded by a brilliant glow, her presence commanding.

“Since we’re betting, there must be stakes.” Xiao Huayong pretended to ponder in distress for a moment. “All I have already belongs to you, Youyou. I have nothing left to wager.”

Shen Xihe gazed at him deeply, profoundly, quietly, with an almost sharp glint in her eyes, maintaining silence.

Xiao Huayong’s heart skipped a beat inexplicably. Since they had known each other, she had never looked at him this way. Even when they first met, her measuring and probing gaze wasn’t like this – as if she wanted to dissect him with her eyes, examining every bone.

“Youyou…”

As Xiao Huayong began to speak, Shen Xihe withdrew her gaze and said simultaneously: “Beichen, if I win, you must grant me one request, without regret.”

After carefully observing Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong opened his mouth but ultimately didn’t pursue the matter. He didn’t understand the reason behind her previous gaze, but he had nothing to hide from her and needn’t feel uneasy.

“Youyou, if you need anything, just say it directly. There’s no need for a bet. I would still exhaust all efforts to fulfill your wishes.”

Shen Xihe shook her head gently: “That’s separate. I want to make this bet with you, with your promise as the stake.”

Xiao Huayong raised an eyebrow slightly, thought for a moment, and agreed: “I wouldn’t dare disappoint you. I accept. If Youyou lose, you’ll also grant me one request.”

“Good.” Shen Xihe agreed promptly.

Suddenly, they smiled at each other. Though nothing had cleared up, it seemed as if the dense clouds between them had dispersed, and the sun grew a few degrees brighter.

At this point, everything that Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong could arrange had been set in place. The rest depended on the strength of the pieces they had placed on the board.

Three days after Xiao Changyan left the capital, Bu Shulin, to avoid standing out and arousing unnecessary suspicion, deliberately waited until more people were blocked from entering the pass and demanded Written Butterfly’s withdrawal before retreating with the crowd.

However, after withdrawing from the past, she followed the border, bypassing Min Prefecture straight toward Mao Prefecture. The day before entering Mao Prefecture, she was intercepted by Xiao Changgeng’s men.

“Young Master Bu, long time no see.” Xiao Changgeng’s focus wasn’t on the visibly pregnant Bu Shulin, but on Shen Twenty-seven, who was impersonating Bu Shulin.

“Prince Yan, are you trying to prevent me from returning to South Shu to mourn?” Shen Twenty-seven, having spent much time beside Bu Shulin and received her guidance, had perfectly mimicked her mannerisms, tone, and even small habits.

Bu Shulin stood behind the crowd wearing a veil, appearing uninvolved. They had discussed this many times – at the first sign of trouble, with Jin Shan taking the lead, everyone would draw their swords and gather around Shen Twenty-seven.

Only such instinctive protection would convince everyone that Shen Twenty-seven was truly the Young Master Bu!

“Young Master Bu, past Mao Prefecture, lies the Min River, and the journey isn’t safe. Would you allow this prince to personally escort you?” Xiao Changgeng smiled warmly. Being young with a baby face, he looked like a youth bright as the morning sun.

Bu Shulin didn’t know Xiao Changgeng was Xiao Huayong’s man, assuming he was either allied with Prince Jing Xiao Changyan or sent by His Majesty.

He would show no mercy.

“Your Highness, do you have an imperial edict for leaving the capital?” Shen Twenty-seven questioned loudly.

Xiao Changgeng just smiled, watching Shen Twenty-seven with a dark expression.

“Your Highness left the capital privately, it seems you came for me.” Shen Twenty-seven stepped back two paces. “If so, there’s no need for empty words.”

Bu Shulin made a secret hand signal. Hidden guards rushed from afar, and the escort guards drew their swords, charging without hesitation toward Xiao Changgeng’s men.

Xiao Changgeng waved his hand, and his men also drew their weapons, meeting the charge with fierce gazes.

Weapons clashed, cold light flashing.

The sounds of battle echoed through the valley.

Xiao Changgeng and Shen Twenty-seven locked eyes across the countless fighting figures, each fixated on the other.

Shen Twenty-seven discreetly glanced at Bu Shulin, who was pretending to be an innocent civilian hiding behind the bamboo grove. He immediately charged in another direction, with Xiao Changgeng swiftly pursuing!

In this group, besides Bu Shulin, there were several others whose identities could be verified – actually guards disguised as civilians following Bu Shulin. Their presence, in everyone’s eyes, was meant to conceal Shen Twenty-seven.

Xiao Changgeng’s men weren’t bloodthirsty and had no intention of harming these unarmed people.

Shen Twenty-seven deliberately led Xiao Changgeng away, giving Bu Shulin and the others a chance to escape.

How could Bu Shulin not understand? She immediately fled panic-stricken in another direction.

Jin Shan, anxious but not daring to retreat in Bu Shulin’s direction, had to lead his men in pursuit of Shen Twenty-seven’s path. He could only hope in his heart that Bu Shulin would make it safely.

Unfortunately, Bu Shulin’s luck wasn’t good. The reason Xiao Changgeng had come so openly was because he received news that Xiao Changmin had already arrived with the Imperial Embroidered Guards. Although Xiao Changyan had instructed him to share information with Xiao Changmin, Xiao Changmin was equally wary of him.

He hadn’t revealed any hints while pursuing them. If Xiao Changgeng hadn’t detected it early and created a disturbance, Bu Shulin’s group would have been caught completely off guard by Xiao Changmin.

Even so, he could only give a subtle warning, as Xiao Changmin and the Imperial Embroidered Guards arrived too quickly.

Bu Shulin and her few companions ran straight into Xiao Changmin.

Xiao Changmin had already thoroughly investigated Bu Shulin’s group and was secretly casting his net. Who knew Xiao Changgeng would startle the snake in the grass, forcing him to hurriedly come to coordinate with Xiao Changgeng, lest Bu Shulin escape?

Xiao Changmin didn’t recognize Bu Shulin but, thinking these people had been traveling together, didn’t want to let them go. He immediately ordered: “Arrest them!”