Cuiwei Tower was originally Shen Qianyu’s territory. This place had initially been used by Dong Chang to investigate market rumors and monitor whether officials from various government offices in the capital had any unlawful conduct. Later it was appropriated by Duan Yiting for his own use.

After Shen Qianyu and Wan Xiao joined forces to eliminate Duan Yiting, this place became a resting spot for the two outside the palace.

Everyone here, whether the proprietor or the servers, were all Dong Chang people. Thus, as soon as Shen Qianyu appeared, someone came forward.

Walking to the proprietor’s side, Shen Qianyu had someone send two pots of fine wine and a plate of cured meat to Su Xie’s table.

“This is sent by our proprietor. Young masters, please enjoy.”

Su Xie’s classmate said: “Zixuan, you have other friends in the capital?”

Su Xie shook his head, somewhat puzzled as he asked: “May I ask who your proprietor is?”

The proprietor pointed to Shen Qianyu standing not far away: “That gentleman is our proprietor.”

Seeing Su Xie and the others looking his way, Shen Qianyu generously walked over.

“Young Master Sun, it’s truly fortunate to see you today. I wonder if your elder brother is well?”

A youth with an arrogant countenance beside Su Xie squinted at Shen Qianyu. After thinking for a long while, he finally uttered: “So it’s you.”

“This is a friend of my elder brother, surnamed…”

“My humble surname is Xiao. I’m a few years older than all of you. If young masters would do me the honor, you may call me Brother Xiao.”

The youth surnamed Sun called out “Brother Xiao,” and Su Xie followed suit.

Young Master Sun’s father was the Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. His elder brother was socially adept and had connections with sons of various families in the capital. Shen Qianyu had often dealt with his elder brother and had met him several times as well.

However, Shen Qianyu had never previously appeared in his true form, so this youth pondered for quite a while before realizing who the person before him was.

Seeing Shen Qianyu’s outstanding appearance and his every gesture and movement exuding the bearing of someone in a position of authority, Su Xie couldn’t help but guess this person must have some background. If he could befriend him, it would surely be all benefit and no harm. He thus yielded the seat beside him and invited Shen Qianyu to sit.

Young Master Sun kept scrutinizing Shen Qianyu, always feeling something was strange but unable to put his finger on it.

Shen Qianyu paid him no mind, instead conversing very pleasantly with Su Xie.

He was widely experienced and sophisticated in his dealings. After merely two or three cups of wine, he had these greenhorn youths looking at him with admiration. Even the previously arrogant Young Master Sun had lost his haughtiness, staring at Shen Qianyu with continuous praise.

During this period, he had won over countless old foxes in court—a few young sprouts were even easier. In no more than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Su Xie and the others were opening their hearts to him, speaking of intimate matters.

A youth surnamed Cui, having drunk some wine, said with a flushed face: “So… my family arranged such a match for me.”

“If only that elder sister of mine had been born male, I wouldn’t have to marry that tigress who manages me at every turn.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Qianyu’s eyes lit up—finally he’d found an opening.

Turning to look at Su Xie, who was eating with relish, he coughed lightly and said in a low voice: “When taking a wife, it’s still better to choose someone with a gentle temperament.”

Su Xie nodded in agreement.

Seeing that Su Xie’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing talk of marriage, showing no particular reaction, Shen Qianyu guessed that Madam Su hadn’t yet spoken to him about the match with Song Wan.

After thinking briefly, he continued: “The common saying goes that a virtuous wife means fewer troubles for the husband, but having someone beside you who’s merely virtuous is also insufficient.”

“Especially if the woman is older than oneself, she’ll surely be dignified and restrained, rarely showing gentle tenderness. If she also has a rigid temperament, wouldn’t she end up treating her husband like a son to manage?”

“After finally getting married, not only can one not hold soft jade and warm fragrance in one’s arms, but one gains an additional ‘mother’ to respectfully obey and be disciplined by. Such a situation… won’t do, won’t do at all.”

Shen Qianyu shook his head, and Su Xie, holding his wine cup, also shook his head along with him.

Seeing he’d taken it to heart, Shen Qianyu set down his wine cup: “If in the future a match is arranged that doesn’t suit your wishes, you must decline early to avoid suffering like your classmate.”

Su Xie sighed: “Marriages are by parents’ command and matchmakers’ word. If a match is truly settled, where would there be room for maneuvering?”

Shen Qianyu patted Su Xie’s shoulder and said with a warm smile: “Then you’d have to spend a lifetime facing each other speechlessly with a woman you don’t care for.”

Having said this, Shen Qianyu had the Cuiwei Tower servers bring more food and wine for the group, while he himself went up to the third floor.

His trip outside the palace today was far from being merely for such a trivial matter as Su Xie.

Restraining his wine-scented air, Shen Qianyu pushed open the door to a private room in Cuiwei Tower.

Walking to the deepest part of the room, he raised his hand to tap open the hidden door behind the wardrobe and bent to step inside.

“This subordinate pays respects to Master.”

Liu Changque knelt in salute. Shen Qianyu helped him to his feet.

“How is Uncle Yan?”

Liu Changque said: “This subordinate has already transmitted news of the Dongning ruler’s assassination of their monarch to Nanqing. Qin Zhan flew into a great rage. Now the court is planning to send Qin Rao as envoy to Dongning. It seems Master will be able to see Uncle Yan before long.”

Qin Rao.

Upon hearing Qin Rao’s name, murderous intent surged in Shen Qianyu’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

The other party knew Uncle Yan had shown him kindness. If sent as envoy to Dongning, they would surely bring Uncle Yan along to use as leverage against him.

“Was it said when they’ll depart?”

“By this subordinate’s calculation, they should arrive around next winter.”

Shen Qianyu nodded, already unable to wait to meet the Qin siblings, Qin Zhan and Qin Rao, again.

“Have you obtained the roster of Nanqing’s agents in Dongning?”

Liu Changque pulled out a palm-sized jade slip from his breast and handed it to him. Shen Qianyu received it and held it before candlelight. On the wall, seven or eight lines of text faintly appeared. After quickly scanning and committing them to memory, he forcefully snapped the jade slip into several pieces.

“Return now. Go back and care for Uncle Yan. We’ll meet again next winter.”

Liu Changque kowtowed, then departed from the room.

Shen Qianyu returned to his own private room through the secret passage, then retrieved the black bow and arrows from under the bed.

Only after night had deepened considerably did he leave Cuiwei Tower dressed entirely in black.

Whether Emperor Wenhui or Jiang Man, they all thought his aim was the position of Crown Prince—that once he’d restored his status as Crown Prince, he could be satisfied and stop there.

But what he wanted was far more than this.

Gripping the black bow tightly, Shen Qianyu moved through the capital’s dark streets and alleys concealed in shadow.

Nanqing’s agents couldn’t be allowed to remain, and Emperor Wenhui likewise couldn’t be allowed to remain.

Every humiliation he’d suffered in Nanqing, though dealt by the hands of Qin Zhan and Qin Rao, had Emperor Wenhui as the true culprit behind it all.

His opponents had never been those two children still wet behind the ears. What he’d always had his sights on were Shen Qianchi and his nominal imperial father.

Concealed and lying in wait on a rooftop, Shen Qianyu stared unblinkingly at a three-courtyard residence.

The winter roof tiles were bone-chillingly cold, yet lying on them, he was as if oblivious to it.

When held hostage in Nanqing, Qin Rao had once shackled his feet and locked him in stables, leaving him to lie naked in the snow for an entire night. Compared to that, what did his current situation amount to?

Deep night was silent. Occasional sleep-talking or dog barks couldn’t distract Shen Qianyu in the slightest.

As dawn broke faintly, a figure appeared in the courtyard—a man wearing white silk undergarments. The moment one foot stepped outside, Shen Qianyu drew his bow and released an arrow in one fluid motion.

With a thud, the man fell backward to the ground, making no further sound.

Shen Qianyu, carrying his bow, quickly disappeared into the capital’s streets.