Shen Xiling’s breathing became increasingly unsteady. She felt she was infinitely close to the truth, yet at the same time, she vaguely sensed something was amiss. There was still one matter she didn’t understand.

Earlier, Bai Song had told her that before going to Lujiang, Qi Ying would first travel to Yue’an and stay there for nine full days.

Why would he go to Yue’an?

Shen Xiling kept thinking about what there was in Yue’an that required his personal attention, but after a long time, she couldn’t come up with an answer. She was extremely puzzled and agitated, yet had to force herself to calm down, close her eyes again, and think about everything she knew regarding Yue’an.

Yue’an Prefecture was the most heavily fortified military location in Huozhou, only a hundred li from Lujiang. If troops needed to be mobilized, that would be the most convenient place.

Mobilizing troops… Who was the prefect of Yue’an?

Shen Xiling desperately tried to recall, finally remembering that the prefect of Yue’an was also from the Han family—a branch member of the Han clan named Han Shouzheng.

Why would Qi Ying seek out someone from the Han family? Weren’t they supposed to be enemies?

The Han family…

Han Feichi…

Han Feichi was also from the Han family, yet he was quite close to Qi Ying…

Could it be…

Shen Xiling’s head ached as if it were about to split. She felt as though she were surrounded by strange and bewildering sights. Clearly, she sensed she was approaching the truth, yet it seemed as if a thin barrier still separated her from it.

Just a little more.

Just a little more.

She couldn’t help but lean forward over Qi Ying’s bed, gazing at this man who lay unconscious in his grave illness. Her heart was incomparably fragile, yet at the same time incomparably strong.

She gripped his hand tightly, ignoring the wound on her back that had reopened, still bending down to rest against his arm. She pleaded helplessly in her heart:

Tell me, even if it’s just the slightest hint.

Tell me what you’re thinking, tell me what you truly want to do.

I don’t care whether you win or lose—I only care about… your life and death, your safety.

Please, give me a clue.

Really, just the tiniest bit would be enough.

A clue…?

Suddenly, in an instant, a flash of inspiration struck Shen Xiling’s mind. She abruptly remembered their casual conversation at the mountain retreat in Shangjing several months ago.

At that time, they had been chatting idly in the courtyard while eating loquats. She had pestered him about the reasons and plans for his trip to Shangjing, but he avoided the topic. Instead, he suddenly pointed to a bird that had landed on the loquat tree and asked her what kind of bird it was.

She had said it was a sparrow, but he thought otherwise.

“Is it?” he had said. “I think it looks more like an oriole.”

Oriole…

Shen Xiling’s eyes suddenly widened!

She abruptly sat up straight. The violent movement completely tore open her recently bandaged wound, causing fresh blood to seep out again, yet she seemed to feel no pain.

She felt only boundless shock and fear, along with emotions too complex to untangle or express clearly…

This man, he… he…

Shen Xiling’s entire body was trembling violently!

Just then, she heard his low murmur again.

Thinking he was about to wake up, Shen Xiling immediately grabbed his hand excitedly. However, she soon realized it was only his sleep talk—he remained unconscious with no signs of waking.

She felt very disappointed, yet leaned closer to listen carefully to what he was saying, only catching fragments of broken words.

He said: “Brush…”

Just like before at the inn, he wanted a brush.

Back at the inn, Shen Xiling had been completely confused about the situation, but now that she had figured out many things, she finally understood why he needed a brush.

He wanted to write a letter… perhaps to convey some message to someone, or perhaps to arrange for someone to do something.

Even in his illness, he was still deeply concerned about this matter, which naturally showed its importance. Looking at this pale and powerless man, Shen Xiling felt her heartbeat growing faster and faster, as if all the blood in her body was flowing backward.

She…

Young Master, may I make decisions for you?

What if… I’m wrong?

The sky at the end of May was as blue as if it had been washed, and Jiankang in Jiangzuo was full of blooming flowers.

The imperial garden of the Liang Palace had always been scenically beautiful, yet it couldn’t compare to the garden in Her Majesty the Empress’s chambers when it came to pleasing His Majesty’s heart. It was said that His Majesty loved geraniums, so the Empress’s garden was planted entirely with these flowers. Their fragrance was rich and pleasant, drawing His Majesty to sit there from time to time. The palace attendants all said the imperial couple had deep marital affection, and even after many years of marriage, they still enjoyed each other’s company, serving as a model for couples throughout the realm.

The imperial couple was indeed perfect. Four years ago, Her Majesty the Empress had given birth to a dragon son for His Majesty—his legitimate eldest son, who naturally received boundless favor. Named Xiao Yizhao, he was established as crown prince shortly after birth.

The little Crown Prince was now four years old and still raised by his mother’s side. Her Majesty the Empress was dignified and gracious, with excellent methods for educating children. She had taught the Crown Prince to be studious and ambitious from a young age. It was said he rose before dawn every day to study, and could now recite the Analects backward and forward.

With such an accomplished heir, His Majesty was naturally delighted, which made him even more fond of sitting in the Empress’s palace. On this day, with clear skies and a pleasant breeze, His Majesty had attendants set up a game board in the back garden to play chess with the Empress. The little Crown Prince, given a rare break when his father arrived and no longer required to study, was led by palace attendants to chase butterflies in the back garden.

Five years had passed, and Xiao Ziheng had also changed somewhat. Though his peach-blossom eyes looked the same as in previous years, the spirit within them was not as lively as in his youth—probably because after ascending the throne, he had experienced much of the hardship of being a ruler. Additionally, he had grown a beard, perhaps to add an air of mature stability, which undoubtedly made him appear more weathered.

His Empress showed no signs of aging, only becoming somewhat more rounded in figure. Though she no longer had the graceful slenderness of her maiden years, she possessed a unique mature charm that made her appear more dignified as mother of the nation.

Xiao Ziheng held the white stones. After casually placing one, he turned to look at the little Crown Prince who was playing happily, saying, “Has Zhao’er lost some weight recently? I think you shouldn’t be too strict with him. He’s still young and should enjoy some childish pleasures.”

Fu Rong held a black stone while studying the board. Hearing this, she smiled faintly and said, “Your Majesty shouldn’t wrongly accuse this consort. It’s clearly Zhao’er himself who is so studious—this consort has been trying to persuade him otherwise.”

She found a good spot and placed her black stone, then added, “He knows that in the future he must help share his father’s burdens, which is why he’s so diligent and conscientious every day. Such filial devotion wouldn’t be appropriate for this consort to discourage—it should be Your Majesty who persuades him personally.”

Such beautiful words fell upon Xiao Ziheng’s ears, naturally drawing a faint smile from him. However, that smile was merely superficial, far from reaching his eyes.

Share his burdens?

He didn’t even know if he could keep his hold on this realm. If that old dog Han Shouye succeeded in usurping power, this realm would change hands. When he died at another’s hands and became a laughingstock throughout the world, Zhao’er would probably have nowhere to demonstrate his filial devotion.

Her Majesty the Empress had held her position securely for so many years. Even as the beauties in the harem bloomed one after another, her status remained unshaken. The reasons behind this, aside from her family and son, were because she herself was a flower that understood His Majesty’s heart. She only needed to see Xiao Ziheng frown slightly to know what he was contemplating—thoughtful and considerate, truly impossible to let go.

She dismissed the surrounding palace attendants, glanced at Su Ping who was leading the little Crown Prince in chasing butterflies, then asked in a very low voice, “Has something gone wrong with the Left Chancellor?”

Fu Rong indeed knew Xiao Ziheng deeply and immediately hit the mark.

Indeed, the reason Xiao Ziheng was so worried was because yesterday he had received a secret report stating that the Left Chancellor had disappeared without a trace near Qingyuan City and was feared to have been killed by assassins sent by Han Shouye.

Xiao Ziheng had been shocked and furious upon hearing this. If not for Su Ping’s presence, he would have overturned the desk in the imperial study long ago.

Qi Ying… He could die at any time, but absolutely not now.

He still needed him to accomplish many things.

Now his own surroundings had been filled with Han Shouye’s secret agents—even Su Ping had been bought off. His every move could hardly escape Han Shouye’s eyes. He needed Qi Ying to mobilize troops and generals for him from the outside, and even more, he needed him to run around and work tirelessly.

Of course, Xiao Ziheng couldn’t possibly place all his bets on Qi Ying alone. For this trip to Mount Yao, he also planned to bring generals from the Fu family and commoner backgrounds to accompany and protect him. Qi Ying was merely part of his plan, but an indispensable part.

If this chess piece Qi Ying couldn’t return to position as agreed, then all the plans he had arranged at Mount Yao would need adjustment… or even complete abandonment.

Qi Ying absolutely could not die! He could not ruin his great undertaking!

However, Xiao Ziheng was now trapped within these palace walls. How could he control what happened north of the great river? He felt resentful and also powerless.

With His Majesty’s heart troubled and gloomy, he inevitably vented his anger on inanimate objects. He casually swept the chess box at hand to the ground, creating a chaotic clatter as white stones scattered and rolled, frightening the servants into kneeling in panic. Yet bound by the Empress’s earlier order to withdraw, they dared not approach.

Zhao’er was also startled, thinking his father was displeased with his playing, and became too frightened to chase butterflies anymore. He grabbed Su Ping’s arm and began crying loudly, sobbing that he wanted to return to his study to read.

While Su Ping was turning to comfort the little Crown Prince, a young eunuch boldly approached to help His Majesty gather the scattered chess pieces. Xiao Ziheng was irritated and about to kick this blind palace servant away when he saw the eunuch’s eyes flash with a sharp light, then discreetly pass him a note from his sleeve.

Xiao Ziheng’s expression changed instantly.

His brow furrowed slightly as thousands of thoughts arose in his mind. He quickly and imperceptibly took the note and slipped it into his sleeve.

To pass messages silently and invisibly within the deep palace… only the Great Liang Privy Council could accomplish such a thing.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Not only was Su Ping too far away comforting the Crown Prince to see clearly, even Fu Rong sitting across from Xiao Ziheng couldn’t make out what had happened.

By then, Su Ping had already comforted the little Crown Prince and hurriedly ran to Xiao Ziheng’s side to attend him, appearing extremely alarmed.

Xiao Ziheng feigned lingering anger, claiming the young eunuch had overstepped his bounds. He instructed the Empress to have him confined as minor punishment, then hurriedly left.

After returning to the imperial study, Xiao Ziheng dismissed everyone around him, then took the note from his sleeve and unfolded it to read.

It contained only eight short characters: “Still heard moving south, not falling short of your hopes.”

The calligraphy was bold and unrestrained, like a sharp blade cutting and carving, floating beyond the mundane world without losing its elegant character.

Xiao Ziheng’s eyes lit up!

This was Qi Ying’s handwriting.

He absolutely couldn’t be mistaken! He had grown up with Qi Ying since childhood and was too familiar with his calligraphy. The stroke movement, the structure of the characters—everything was his style. No one could write exactly the same way!

Even the word choice, even the tone—everything was identical…

He must still be alive!

Xiao Ziheng gripped the note tightly and raised his eyes toward the west.

That was the direction of Mount Yao.

His eyes held infinite brilliance.

Author’s Note: Hold up your little lotus leaf and shield him from wind and rain like you dreamed of doing when you were small. (So the long plotline is about their handwriting~ As for how many things Wenwen wrote for Young Master Qi, that will be revealed in later chapters.)

(Volume 4 has only two chapters left.)