The moonlight flowed like silk upon rippling waters, while thin clouds draped the mountains like mist.

In the flickering candlelight stirred by the evening breeze, Shen Yun’an leaned over the table, both hands pressed against its edge as he intently studied the map before him. It detailed every aspect of the Min River and its surrounding areas.

This map had been drawn by the Qu family, its detail so precise it would shame even the Military Commissioner of Jiannan who lived beside the river.

Mountains and rivers change over time’s hand, though such changes are imperceptible in the short term. Yet small changes accumulate, and only great merchant families like the Qu, who had sailed these waters for generations, could track and master the river’s evolving nature.

The room was silent. Qi Pei and Qu Hongying were present, both maintaining their silence.

After an unknown time, hurried footsteps approached. As Shen Yun’an looked up, Mo Yao had already stepped through the doorway, striding forward to hand him a letter: “Young Master, a letter from General Yu.”

Shen Yun’an opened it, reading without change in expression before looking up at the three: “General Yu reports that the Shu Young Master is trapped aboard an official vessel at the dock. His Highness Prince Jing, seemingly concerned about nighttime kidnapping attempts, has stationed heavy guards.

As for the number of guards, fearing exposure and pressed for time, they dared not investigate further!”

Xiao Changyan, using tomorrow morning’s departure as a pretext to escort Shen Twenty-seven and others to Shu, personally accompanied them. Everyone was aboard, giving him the perfect reason to assign additional guards for security.

“Is this General Yu’s information reliable?” Qu Hongying’s gaze fell on the letter Shen Yun’an had placed on the table, then looked toward the docking area. This was an official dock where only government vessels or private ships carrying official cargo could moor.

To avoid disturbing common folk, it was built in an extremely remote location. No civilians lived nearby, with endless misty waves in one direction and a clear view of the riverbank in the other.

This very isolation made infiltration more difficult. Their only option was by boat, waiting for the watchtower’s blind spot before diving in and swimming to the official vessel holding Shen Twenty-seven.

But the risk was enormous. Prince Jing’s men seemed skilled in water, and they didn’t know if he had set underwater ambushes.

Even without ambushes, the nearly thousand-meter distance meant swimmers would be exhausted upon arrival, possibly too drained to handle the patrol guards!

If Yu Xiang’s information proved wrong and they overcame all these obstacles only to find the Shu Young Master wasn’t aboard, these men would have no path of return.

Shen Yun’an remained silent, his fingertips lightly tapping the table. After a moment, he pressed his lips together: “The remnant poison in my body makes me unsuitable for Young Master Bu’s rescue. Doubt those you use, doubt those you use. Mo Yao, you will lead the rescue mission for Young Master Bu, starting here…”

Finally, Shen Yun’an decided to risk everything. The others couldn’t object. He detailed the plan to Mo Yao, who accepted the mission and departed.

After Mo Yao left and Qu Hongying went to arrange their necessities, Qi Pei asked meaningfully: “Young Master truly won’t go personally?”

Shen Yun’an’s star-bright eyes turned to meet Qi Pei’s, certain: “Truly.”

Qi Pei was somewhat surprised.

He had thought the earlier display was just for Mo Yao’s benefit since Mo Yao was now essentially Xiao Changyan’s puppet. Whatever they did or said, Mo Yao could unconsciously report back to Xiao Changyan without control.

“If I don’t go, they can return,” Shen Yun’an smiled mysteriously, lowering his head to study the map again.

He needed to carefully plan how to dig a trap for Xiao Changyan, ensuring his total annihilation in the river!

Qi Pei instantly understood. Xiao Changyan’s ultimate target was Shen Yun’an. Compared to the Shu Young Master whom he dismissed, the Northwest Prince’s heir was the real threat.

Whether it was Shen Yun’an’s current ties to the Eastern Palace blocking his path to the throne, or his future after gaining the throne, the Northwest would forever grip the imperial neck.

He didn’t want to become another emperor, helpless and frustrated against the Northwest!

If he could kill Shen Yun’an, the Northwest Prince would have no heir, and the title would die out!

As for the Shu Young Master, killing him too would be efficient, but even if he escaped this time, there would be other chances. If Shen Yun’an escaped, even if they fabricated treason charges against Shen Xihe, as long as the Shen family wasn’t implicated, with their married-out daughter backed by Northwest popular support, the emperor wouldn’t dare move against the Shen family lightly.

Therefore, opportunities to kill Shen Yun’an were truly rare!

The moon moved westward, hanging high and watching, cold light upon the river.

“Your Highness, the Hour of Zi has passed,” on the bow deck, Xiao Changyan’s advisor glanced at the night sky and said softly.

Past the Hour of Zi meant half a watch remained until tomorrow.

They had been waiting, but until now, there had been no movement. The advisor was growing impatient, wondering if Shen Yun’an distrusted Yu Xiang’s words, or found His Highness’s ambush too dangerous and refused to come.

“He will send people,” Xiao Changyan’s hands were tucked inside his black cloak, its collar trimmed with gray sable fur, lustrous and magnificent, “This is Young Master Bu’s only chance for survival.”

He had Yu Xiang deliver tomorrow’s “escort” message to make Shen Yun’an see clearly that the Shu South Prince’s heir was meat on his chopping block. Once they sailed tomorrow, he could send Young Master Bu to his death.

In the vast misty waves, even without assassins or pirates, he could create them. Young Master Bu had only death ahead unless Shen Yun’an completely abandoned him.

But since Shen Yun’an had traveled thousands of miles, even risking himself for Young Master Bu, he wouldn’t give up so easily.

So tonight was the best chance for rescue and the only chance.

At this thought, Xiao Changyan narrowed his eyes: “However, for caution’s sake, he won’t come personally.”

Even without Mo Yao’s reports, Xiao Changyan could guess Shen Yun’an wouldn’t appear. Shen Yun’an knew his importance; as long as he didn’t show up, Young Master Bu wouldn’t easily become a discarded piece.

After all, he wanted to use Young Master Bu to lure out Shen Yun’an.

“Won’t come personally?” the advisor froze, then understood, frowning, “If he doesn’t come personally, should we still let them through?”

Xiao Changyan glanced at him: “Whether Shen Yun’an comes or not, whether they can rescue and escape with the person, depends on his people’s abilities!”

Though setting a trap, Xiao Changyan had no intention of playing games with Shen Yun’an. In this game, if Shen Yun’an had the skill and rescued the person, it would come down to how he got Young Master Bu back to Shu.

If Shen Yun’an lacked ability, he wouldn’t show mercy by handing over Young Master Bu. Then it would be up to Shen Yun’an to rescue Young Master Bu during his “escort” back!

Either way, he was the one controlling the game!