Song Wan clutched the porcelain bottle bearing Nanqing’s unique markings as she returned to Laiyi Pavilion. Seeing she was distracted, Shen Qianyu stepped forward to inquire.

“Does Wan’er feel unwell?”

Song Wan shook her head and spread open her palm.

Shen Qianyu lowered his head to look, taking the item from her hand.

“I’ve already found someone…”

That method was truly sordid. He was unwilling to speak of it to Song Wan. After thinking, Shen Qianyu said, “I’ve already had Wan Xiao seek out people from Dong Chang. You need not dirty your own hands.”

He gently stroked Song Wan’s cheek, speaking tenderly, “Someone once said you were the cleanest crystal person. You should not do these things. Leave everything to me.”

Though Song Wan did not know who had spoken of her thus, at this moment she had no mind to inquire about such insignificant matters.

Raising her hand to take back the porcelain bottle from Shen Qianyu’s palm, Song Wan held it in her hand, her eyelids slightly lowered. “This has nothing to do with being clean or not.”

“To live openly and honestly in this world is most important. From my youth I’ve respected the way of the gentleman, but a gentleman does not simply endure being spat upon, nor is he always weak and easily bullied.”

“In ordinary matters, having no mind to quibble is because they are not worth keeping in one’s heart, but Qingling…”

Song Wan raised her eyes. “Qingling should not have suffered this calamity for nothing. And you…”

Placing her hand gently on Shen Qianyu’s shoulder, Song Wan said, “You also should not endure such humiliation.”

She clutched the porcelain bottle, her gaze calm. “Some things may not succeed, but must still be attempted.”

Shang Rong spoke correctly—Qin Rao could not die in Dongning. But since Dongning and Nanqing must have a battle, she could not allow Qin Rao to pass her days so calmly, as if nothing had ever happened. Those who were injured or died because of her should receive consolation.

She knew Shen Qianyu had already taken action, but she also had those she wished to protect.

For those people, she needed to make herself do something.

Song Wan tightly gripped that injury medicine, eyes reddening. “Your concubine will not ruin Your Highness’s great affairs, so today I’ve come to ask—to what degree may your concubine act?”

Shen Qianyu spoke gently, “She cannot die in Dongning’s palace. Beyond that, Wan’er may act as she pleases.”

Pulling her into his embrace, Shen Qianyu spoke in a muffled voice. “I’m sorry. I failed to protect you and also let Good Lady Qi be injured.”

“No one expected it.”

No one would have thought Qin Rao could be so arrogant, nor did anyone guess she was deliberately trying to provoke conflict between the two countries.

“Qin Rao will not appear in the palace for some time. If Wan’er wants to act, you can only wait for the palace banquet on the seventh day of the seventh month. During this period, whatever you need, you can ask Wan Xiao for help.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Why need there be thanks between us two?”

Holding her in his embrace, Shen Qianyu sighed softly. “For some time to come, I fear there will be no peace.”

Song Wan said, “I wonder how long the calm between Dongning and Nanqing can last.”

“It should not be long.”

The two embraced warmly for a moment before Wan Xiao came seeking Shen Qianyu. After the two men left, Song Wan clutched the porcelain bottle in her hand, lost in thought.

Early the next morning, she took several books to Shang Rong’s sleeping quarters to find Zhang Baozhen.

After explaining her thoughts to everyone, Wu Xixiang said, “Though this nail rake is easy to obtain, it truly lets her off too lightly. I have a good item.”

“My elder cousin is a Supervisor Official of the Imperial Stables Bureau. He has something there that Wan’er can use.”

Zhang Baozhen said, “I carefully smelled that medicinal powder yesterday. Among its ingredients is one medicine rare in Dongning. I’ve already asked my elder cousin to search for it. I think it will take three to five days.”

Zhao Nanzhang’s eyes were slightly red as she spoke with a faint smile. “That day someone must personally take action. I want to be the one to personally avenge Qingling.”

Song Wan shook her head. “No need for anyone to personally take action. I have my own method. If not handled properly, His Majesty may pursue responsibility later.”

“Even the most meticulous plan cannot guarantee there will be no accidents. We only have one chance to act. If we want to ensure nothing goes wrong, someone must be there as a fallback.”

“In the past, Qingling and I were closest. I cannot bear her injury most.”

Zhao Nanzhang wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, murmuring, “We’ve all walked this difficult path together. We treasure this sisterly bond most. Wan’er, you’ve always spoken sparingly and were never one for liveliness. But even your outwardly cold temperament cannot suppress that anger. How then can I endure it?”

“I know we sisters all want to do something for Qingling. Just let me go. Let me personally take action.”

Zhao Nanzhang curved her lips in a cold smile, three parts ruthlessness bursting forth from her eyes.

“Little Ming Xiang says of the six arts of a gentleman, she excels most at archery. How would she know that in my youth I too was excellent at both archery and charioteering? Wan’er, you’re frail in body and cannot wield such things. When the time comes, don’t fail to achieve revenge and instead suffer harm.”

After speaking, Zhao Nanzhang lifted her skirt and made the gesture of drawing a bow. In just a few movements, everyone knew her words were true—this was not merely a show.

Song Wan’s eyes reddened. Even at the Song residence between herself, Song Yao, and Song Nian, she had never felt such mutual support as today.

Lu Youjun’s fever had only just broken this morning, but unable to bear recuperating in her own sleeping quarters, early in the morning she came with Ying Hong carrying quilts and pillows to Shang Rong’s sleeping quarters. She was still lying on the couch now, but hearing this, she too tearfully asked what she could help with.

Song Wan thought for a moment. “You’ll accompany me. That day I’ll be the bait.”

After injuring Qingling, the second lash Qin Rao had struck was at her, which showed Qin Rao already held enmity toward her. That day if she appeared, it should draw Qin Rao to take the bait.

Shang Rong watched them discuss their plans and could only shake her head helplessly.

For Song Wan to act thus, the Crown Prince must already have the intention to go to war with Nanqing. After pondering for a moment, she could only go along with everyone.

After settling everything through discussion, Song Wan daily researched the recipe for Nanqing’s secret medicine with Zhang Baozhen, while Zhao Nanzhang walked back and forth through the Imperial Garden every day.

After four or five days of such busyness, Song Wan was finally cornered in Laiyi Pavilion by Shen Qianyu.

“I haven’t seen Wan’er for a long while. What has Wan’er been busying herself with these past days?”

The man’s tone carried faint grievance. Hearing this, Song Wan smiled faintly. She explained once to Shen Qianyu her plan with Wu Xixiang and the others. After the explanation, Song Wan said, “Once this matter occurs, Qin Rao will certainly be enraged. I just don’t know if she’ll be unable to contain her anger and strike at Dongning.”

“She will.”

Shen Qianyu said, “For Qin Rao’s trip to Dongning, she has over seven thousand elite troops in her hands. This is what Qin Zhan gave her to preserve her life.”

“Though Qin Zhan is mad, he treats Qin Rao beyond reproach. This time he left this elite force for Qin Rao to bring out of Nanqing. I guess he probably lacks the strength to support the struggle between Prince Ning and Lady Eman. Sending Qin Rao to Dongning also holds the intention of leaving her a final path to survival.”

The other day he had just received a letter from Liu Changque, learning that Qin Rao secretly brought troops on her journey. It seemed this elite force had been broken up and was guarding somewhere unknown. The two countries were distant. By the time he received this information, he did not know how Qin Zhan fared. If luck was poor, Nanqing might have already changed dynasties.

If Qin Zhan was truly forced to desperate straits, with his temperament he would certainly strike back before death. Nanqing now should be like a candle flickering in the wind, vulnerable to a single blow.

He was now waiting for Liu Changque’s second letter. If his conjecture was true, he absolutely could not give Nanqing a chance to rest and recuperate.

“When the time comes, even if Qin Rao has second thoughts halfway, I have a way to force her to reveal her military strength.”

“Nanqing’s military strength is formidable. Seven thousand elite troops are also not easy to deal with. Has Your Highness thought of a strategy to counter them?”

Shen Qianyu said, “Does Wan’er remember Minister Yan, Yan Tongfu?”

Song Wan nodded. “Naturally. Minister Yan is my elder brother’s brother-in-law and also Vice Minister of War.”

“The sixth son of Duke Yingguo’s residence, Ming Chun, is a Martial Prowess General. Though I have no military authority in hand, when the time comes I will memorialize to personally lead troops on campaign. Minister Yan and Father-in-law will both submit memorials in support, and Ming Chun will also go south with this Prince.”

“Once I hold the tiger tally in my hands, there will be much more I can do.”