On the thirteenth day of the third month in the twenty-fourth year of Youning’s reign, a blood-soaked evening that would be recorded in history unfolded.

Within the palace, the Empress Dowager held control. Ever since Shen Xihe devoted herself to protecting her pregnancy, the Empress Dowager had temporarily assumed palace authority. She could easily eliminate people placed by other factions while avoiding those loyal to Shen Xihe and Emperor Youning, replacing them with her supporters.

Although Shen Xihe had made arrangements after suspecting the Empress Dowager, her actions were inevitably limited to avoid alerting her target. She wanted to draw out all of the Empress Dowager’s forces at once, leaving no future troubles. Moreover, this wasn’t her concern alone – didn’t she still have His Majesty?

The conflict in the imperial city affected all the capital’s citizens. They remained anxious but dared not venture outside, only huddling in their homes, waiting for daybreak to learn what had caused these changes and who would rule thereafter.

What they didn’t know was that far away at the Prince of Southern Shu’s residence, the main gate was struck just as night fell. The steward supported a blood-covered soldier who seemed to have only one last breath: “Your Highness, Your Highness, the Military Commissioner of Jiannan requests aid…”

This man wore the uniform of the Jiannan Military Commissioner’s army and carried their token.

“Tibet has attacked.” Only a Tibetan offensive, especially an unexpected one, could drive the Jiannan Military Commissioner to seek aid from Southern Shu. Shen Twenty-seven’s face showed concern as he looked toward the capital, lost in thought.

Xiao Wenxi approached silently. She gazed at Shen Twenty-seven, her eyes gentle and filled with affection: “You plan to provide relief?”

Shen Twenty-seven turned to look at her, solemnly nodding: “They’ve come to our door. If I don’t provide aid, the court will surely blame us.”

“Tibet’s sudden rebellion must be suspicious. It’s a hundred li from here if there’s an ambush…” Xiao Wenxi worried, her expression revealing her disapproval of Shen Twenty-seven’s departure. “It’s already deep into the night. Couldn’t you decide whether this person came or not?”

Beneath her eager anticipation lay careful calculation and probing. Shen Twenty-seven’s expression remained unchanged. He was someone carefully cultivated by the Crown Princess. From the day of bone-setting, the Crown Princess had said he might become the true Prince of Southern Shu.

To become a prince of different surnames, shouldering the responsibility for the peaceful lives of Shu’s people, he naturally had to learn many things. During that year of bone-setting, the Crown Princess personally taught him what made a great general, what constituted strategy, and what defined a capable minister!

How could he disappoint the Crown Princess?

Shen Twenty-seven placed a hand on Xiao Wenxi’s shoulder: “You know my identity. Tibet’s rebellion concerns not just the court, but will disturb the northwest as well. If I don’t go personally, how will I know their true purpose?”

“In your heart, the northwest is still most important.” Xiao Wenxi smiled bitterly. “What about me? Have you thought of me? If you lead troops out of the city, and someone takes advantage to harm the residence…”

Shen Twenty-seven’s gaze intensified. His hand on Xiao Wenxi’s shoulder loosened then tightened, tightened then loosened. Finally, he sighed, as if making a momentous decision, and took out a token, solemnly handing it to Xiao Wenxi: “This is the Bu family’s Master Token. The leader of the Bu family’s secret guards remains in Shu. You can command the Bu family’s secret guards with this token.”

This token was very similar to the one Bu Shulin had given Shen Twenty-seven in that cave between life and death, except Bu Shulin had given him the Young Master’s Token. This one was the Master Token that Shen Twenty-seven had inherited from the late Prince of Southern Shu’s belongings after returning to Shu.

Xiao Wenxi’s eyes flickered as she took it with both hands, gripping it tightly: “You must return safely.”

Shen Twenty-seven smiled and nodded: “I will return safely.”

Time was pressing, so they delayed no further. Shen Twenty-seven quickly selected his guards and rode with them to the main camp. In just half an hour, he gathered fifty thousand cavalry and galloped toward the border between Tibet and Shu.

Xiao Wenxi sat before her mirror combing her hair, her gaze on her reflection but her thoughts elsewhere. The glossy wooden comb moved absently through her chest-length hair. After an unknown time, a partridge’s call came from outside the window. Her hand paused, and she lowered her eyes, set down the comb, and stood.

Her black silk dress accentuated her jade-like skin, appearing ethereal and graceful.

She had dismissed all the servants in the room, and the skilled guards had all been taken by Shen Twenty-seven. Several black-clad figures leaped down before her, kneeling on one knee: “Princess Consort.”

“There are clothes inside. Change into them and hide at the city gate, await my orders.” Xiao Wenxi commanded coldly.

Soon these people had changed into city patrol uniforms and silently vanished from the residence. Xiao Wenxi went to the chamber next to the bedroom. In the warm, cozy room, a small child slept soundly. The nearly one-year-old child was fair and chubby, looking very healthy.

The wet nurse watched Xiao Wenxi cautiously.

Xiao Wenxi merely stroked the child’s face gently with her fingertips: “Pack some belongings and take the young master away.”

The child was naturally Bu Shulin’s son. After being weaned at six months, he had been sent back, and Xiao Wenxi, who had been pretending to be pregnant, announced the birth of a son right on schedule.

This child was the most effective threat against Bu Shulin and Cui Jinbai.

Taking the child to the side gate, there was a carriage and a horse. Xiao Wenxi had the wet nurse board the carriage with the child, nodded to two subordinates disguised as drivers, and the carriage departed first. Xiao Wenxi mounted her horse and quickly caught up, passing the carriage and leading it out of the city.

At a fork in the road outside the city gates, Xiao Wenxi watched the carriage disappear into the vast night before turning her horse in another direction.

What she didn’t know was that less than a quarter-hour after leaving her, the carriage was stopped in the deserted outskirts.

Several men sat on tall horses, one in the lead with cold features and a handsome face. The night breeze carried the scent of plum blossoms.

Seeing this situation, the drivers immediately reined in their horses, wanting to retreat but it was too late. Cui Jinbai waved his hand, and the mounted men behind him leaped forward, bright blades in hand, swiftly surrounding the carriage.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wenxi galloped to the village where Zhapu and others had relocated. They were all very surprised to see her. Xiao Wenxi showed an urgent expression and presented the token: “Sir, please join me in attacking the city. The city gates are controlled by unknown enemy troops. The Prince led troops to quell the rebellion several hours ago. The city’s people are in danger now.”

Zhapu’s eyes flickered as he looked at the token gleaming in the moonlight: “Please wait, Princess Consort. I will gather my men immediately.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Xiao Wenxi clasped her hands while holding the reins.

Xiao Wenxi’s plan was simple: gain control of the city gates, secretly kill Zhapu and his men, then wait for the Empress Dowager’s people to enter the city.

Zhapu didn’t delay, quickly gathering his men and following Xiao Wenxi on horseback toward the city gates.

By now, signs of battle were already visible at the city gates.