The Chen King stared at Wen Yu with venomous eyes for a moment, then walked up to the throne in disappointment. After sitting down with a flick of his sleeve, he looked at Qi Simai and the others: “Does Prime Minister Qi have anything to say to this King?”

Qi Simai kept his eyes closed for a long time without speaking. Anger appeared on the Chen King’s face as he sneered: “Has Prime Minister Qi gone mute?”

Only then did Qi Simai speak one sentence: “I only hope Your Majesty and the Duke will show much compassion for the common people of our Chen Kingdom.”

The Chen King’s jaw clenched tight, the malice in his eyes intensifying.

Yan Zhen had suddenly lifted the house arrest from Zhanghua Hall to pledge loyalty to him, saying that this past year of lying low was all to quietly wait for the right moment. Now with Xiao Li besieging the royal capital demanding Wen Yu, this was that golden opportunity.

He also said that Jiang San had secretly given birth to a son in the palace. This child was being fostered under his name, so he could claim to the outside world that he had a son, and could also regain the support of many old officials.

The Chen King wasn’t stupid. He knew that with Yan Zhen considering things so “thoroughly” for him, that child of Jiang San’s woman probably had some connection to Yan Zhen.

But so what? He had been under house arrest by Wen Yu for over a year. Every day aside from the little eunuch who brought him meals, he had seen no one else and hadn’t left his sleeping quarters.

He had claimed illness several times, but no one went to summon the imperial physicians. Outside the locked palace door, a group of stinking Daoist priests chanted scriptures endlessly at the palace interior every day. He was just short of being driven mad.

As long as he could escape such confinement, even if the Yan family wanted to become a second Jiang family, he accepted it.

But Qi Simai openly listing Duke Yan’s name together with his in the great hall was directly tearing off that fig leaf for him.

The Chen King suddenly heavily slapped the armrest of the throne, staring fixedly at Qi Simai, erupting in fury: “This King is the King of Chen Kingdom! The one who worshipped ancestors in the ancestral temple and was crowned with the imperial seal as Chen Kingdom’s fourteenth ruler! Are you, Qi Simai, saying that this King is less compassionate toward Chen Kingdom’s common people than this poisonous Liang woman?”

He shouted to his attendants with a fierce expression: “Someone, drag this traitor out and behead him!”

Qi Simai stood calmly unmoving. The junior officials below showed strange expressions, looking around restrainedly and nervously, but saw that even the Imperial Guards made no move.

In the silence that mutely proclaimed something, Duke Yan cupped his hands toward the Chen King: “Your Majesty, calm your anger. Though Prime Minister Qi erred, our Chen Kingdom currently faces internal and external troubles. This is precisely when we need people. This subject believes it would be better to temporarily imprison his faction members?”

The Chen King’s expression was clearly extremely cold, but in the next instant, he pulled a trembling palace maid into a tight embrace and laughed heartily as if unconcerned: “The Duke plans for our Chen Kingdom’s state and altars—then let it be as the Duke says!”

Wen Yu’s long lashes lowered slightly, taking everything in.

The Imperial Guards and Forbidden Army soon entered the palace to seize people, imprisoning all those court ministers who hadn’t clearly indicated submission to the Chen King and the Yan family.

The female officials from Zhaoyun Pavilion were also led away.

Before Yang Baolin and her mother were taken away, they still called out to Wen Yu with reddened eyes. Wen Yu gave them a reassuring look and said calmly: “Take care of maternal aunt. Wait for people from Liang territory to come take you back.”

These words seemed to carry some deeper meaning.

After the Yan father and son exchanged a glance, Yan Zhen made an inviting gesture toward Wen Yu: “Princess, if you please.”

With her hands bound, Wen Yu walked calmly outward. After traveling a distance and discovering they were heading toward a side palace, a cold smile couldn’t help but surface at the corners of her lips: “Didn’t Vice Commander Yan say he was sending this palace to the Xiao camp?”

At this moment Yan Zhen still pretended: “This subordinate also acts for the sake of the King and Chen Kingdom. This Xiao Li is cruel and ruthless, absolutely not a good person. He has the precedent of massacring twenty thousand surrendered soldiers from Pei Song after forcefully breaking through a city. The Princess has old grievances with him. To prevent our Chen Kingdom from suffering catastrophe, we had no choice but to do this. The Princess has always shown compassion for the common people below—surely you can understand our difficult position.”

They had already reached the side palace. Through the wide-open palace doors, one could see tables and writing materials placed inside.

Yan Zhen untied the rope binding Wen Yu’s arms and gestured for Wen Yu to be seated: “Trouble the Princess to draft a letter, stating that after you finish transferring all affairs of the royal capital, you will personally go to the Xiao camp to apologize. The past grievances were all the Princess’s fault alone and have nothing to do with our Chen Kingdom. We only hope Lord Xiao will not transfer his anger to the royal capital’s officials and common people. Additionally, present ten beauties to Lord Xiao as an initial apology.”

Wen Yu looked sideways at the Yan father and son.

Duke Yan thought Wen Yu was unwilling to write such a letter and threatened: “Princess, think about the officials who support you and the Liang female officials in prison.”

Wen Yu walked toward the long table, her eyes slightly lowered so emotions couldn’t be discerned, and said aloud: “Grind the ink.”

Yan Zhen slightly raised his chin, and a trembling little eunuch came forward to grind the ink.

Wen Yu wrote the letter according to Yan Zhen’s words. After setting down the brush, the Yan father and son personally reviewed the letter before having someone seal it.

When ordering people to temporarily take Wen Yu back to Zhaohua Palace under house arrest, Yan Zhen said hypocritically: “We also don’t wish to send the Princess into that tiger’s mouth. If we can wait for reinforcements to come aid the royal capital, naturally that would be best, wouldn’t it?”

Wen Yu only let a cold smile spread across her lips: “Vice Commander Yan and the Duke calculate well.”

Saying they would send her out of the city to apologize so Xiao Li wouldn’t transfer anger to Chen Kingdom was false—seizing power by borrowing the opportunity was the truth.

Now they were probably planning to delay time.

As long as they first stalled Xiao Li, when reinforcements arrived, the Forbidden Army in the city could still resist somewhat. Then Xiao Li would become the one caught between enemies.

If the reinforcements won, with her in their hands, they could subsequently force her to send messages to the Liang camp, clarifying that today’s events were all misunderstandings, and the Liang camp wouldn’t make difficulties for Chen Kingdom.

Taking it ten thousand steps further, even if Xiao Li won, they would push her out to apologize, attributing all previous resistance to her as this “past enemy’s” authorization. Xiao Li probably wouldn’t grow suspicious. If they then pledged allegiance to Xiao Li, in order to better take over Chen Kingdom, he also wouldn’t massacre extensively.

—

After Wen Yu was led away by the Imperial Guards, Duke Yan watched her retreating figure and shook his head: “This woman’s deep scheming and temperament are both remarkable. After using her to scheme our way to Liang territory, we absolutely cannot let her live.”

Yan Zhen looked at the letter Wen Yu had personally written in his hand. Thinking of his clan’s plan, he said with slight hesitation: “Father, what if that Xiao realizes we’re delaying time? What if he doesn’t slow his attack on the city?”

Duke Yan said: “This fellow could massacre Pei Song’s twenty thousand surrendered soldiers for a brothel prostitute, gaining himself such an evil reputation. Though brave, he’s nothing more than a wine-and-women type. Today we first hang the battle-declining placard. Tomorrow we send the letter and beauties to the Xiao camp. Even if he truly attacks the city, with the Forbidden Army inside defending to the death, can he really not hold for two days?”

Yan Zhen asked: “What about Xiling?”

Duke Yan sneered coldly: “The Xiling Emperor promised that in the future my Yan family could govern Chen Kingdom autonomously. But now your child is already the royal heir, and the Liang woman is in our hands. We need only wait for the Liang army and Xiao camp to fight until both are defeated, then we reap the benefits. Using the Liang woman, we can return to the Central Plains. Hereafter we can rest easy—why would we need to cooperate with Xiling again?”

He patted his son’s shoulder: “It’s also thanks to my son discovering the secret the Empress Dowager and Jiang family had concealed for so long at the Mid-Autumn Palace banquet two years ago.”

The Chen King was a废人 (useless person).

If the Empress Dowager wanted to use the Liang woman’s womb to bear a Jiang family son to inherit the throne, why couldn’t the Yan family have a Jiang family woman bear a Yan family son to inherit the throne?

Duke Yan snorted coldly: “That Liang woman refused to raise my Yan family son under her care in the past. Now she can’t blame my Yan family for showing no mercy!”

After the Jiang woman gave birth to a male infant, he had schemed through the Empress Dowager’s connections to have Wen Yu acknowledge this male infant.

Whether Wen Yu gave birth to a boy or girl, they could just claim twins to the outside world, couldn’t they?

The court ministers would only hope for the royal family to prosper.

If Wen Yu also gave birth to a male infant, it would still take over ten years for the infant to grow to adulthood. In these ten-plus years, could his Yan family really not find an opportunity to act?

What angered him was that Wen Yu only gave birth to a daughter, yet also refused to acknowledge his Yan family’s son.

At that time the royal capital had no great calamity, and Wen Yu had all of Great Liang backing her. He couldn’t persuade the several major aristocratic families dissatisfied with Wen Yu and the general commanding the royal capital’s Forbidden Army to rebel against Wen Yu with him. He also feared being unable to deal with Great Liang’s reckoning afterward, so he endured.

Now Heaven assists his Yan family—everything is Heaven’s will!

—

Lingxi Palace.

Miss Jiang San stood before the Empress Dowager holding her child, her eyelashes still hanging with undried teardrops, her face full of misery.

The Jiang family’s people all had good looks. The Empress Dowager had originally entered the palace because of her extraordinary beauty. Miss Jiang San’s face was like pear blossoms. Because the Jiang family had been confiscated and she entered the palace as a maid with no support behind her, she had an additional air of fragile vulnerability.

The Empress Dowager sat on the soft couch with closed eyes, repeatedly fingering the bodhi beads in her hand: “Things have come to this. You seek before this Dowager, but this Dowager has no solution.”

Miss Jiang San cried: “Aunt, Ru’er is truly frightened.”

The Empress Dowager didn’t speak.

Miss Jiang San had always feared this aunt who held great power and whose word was law. At this moment she could only cry continuously, no longer daring to speak.

It was Miss Jiang Er who spoke on her behalf: “Aunt, you also know Third Sister’s temperament. She’s been timid since childhood. Previously she was sent by that Yan family scoundrel to the Cold Palace to carry the pregnancy. I also only learned about Yan Zhen doing such a despicable thing when Third Sister was about to give birth and needed someone to help. “

“The palace is harsh, and the Princess’s people are perceptive. Third Sister also concealed her pregnancy with difficulty this past year. After the child was born and grew quickly, there always needed to be somewhere to go. That’s why we thought since things had come to this, Third Sister could be a concubine at the Yan family residence. Who would have expected that Yan Zhen kept dragging his feet and wouldn’t bring Third Sister out of the palace.”

“Today when I learned he was taking Third Sister’s child before the King and would petition for a consort title for Third Sister, I anxiously came to find you immediately. Unfortunately I was still a step too late and couldn’t stop it.” Her hands unconsciously clasped together in her anxiety as she looked at the Empress Dowager: “Third Sister’s temperament isn’t suited for entering the palace. The King also knows that child’s identity is unusual. Once this matter is exposed, I fear it will be another catastrophic disaster for our Jiang family…”

The Empress Dowager finally opened her eyelids, looking at her two nieces, but only coolly dropped one sentence: “Since the King has acknowledged this child, hereafter he won’t investigate. No need to worry unnecessarily. Go back.”

Miss Jiang San still wanted to say something more. Miss Jiang Er saw the Empress Dowager close her eyes again, as if unwilling to say more on this matter. She lightly tugged her sister’s sleeve once and gently shook her head at her. Only then did Miss Jiang San shut her mouth and follow Miss Jiang Er in curtsying to the Empress Dowager before leaving.

After the two sisters left the room, the old nanny came over to serve tea to the Empress Dowager: “Never expected the Yan family’s ambitions would be this great.”

The Empress Dowager lightly shook her head. After receiving the teacup, she sighed and spoke: “This Dowager is also to blame for originally encouraging the Yan family’s ambitions.”

The old nanny had served beside the Empress Dowager for many years. Without needing to say more, she knew the Empress Dowager was referring to when the Empress Dowager had previously tried to have Wen Yu raise the son Miss Jiang San gave birth to under her care as the royal heir.

At that time the Empress Dowager had also assumed Wen Yu would definitely “give birth” to a male infant. Rather than finding a suitable infant from among the common people, Miss Jiang San had a suitable one there. Both being Jiang family bloodline, having Wen Yu raise him under her care was just right.

Who would have expected Wen Yu to refuse so decisively and thoroughly, leaving not half a bit of room.

They had thought this matter was shelved. Miss Jiang San would subsequently go to the Yan family residence. But then by strange coincidence the matter of Xiao Li besieging the royal capital occurred, giving the Yan family the opportunity.

The old nanny said: “If this old servant may say, it’s the Yan family that originally had wolfish ambitions.”

The Empress Dowager raised her hand to support her forehead, seeming unwilling to say more, somewhat wearily saying: “This commotion gives this Dowager a headache. Fortunately Yu’er’s bloodline was preserved. You’ve seen that child—how does she look?”

The old nanny answered: “The Young Princess appears to have been raised extremely well by that Liang woman.”

The Empress Dowager lightly said “Oh,” then added: “What a pity. This Dowager ultimately couldn’t see her with my own eyes.”

The old nanny said: “Time is long yet. There will always be chances to see her again.”

She paused, but in the end still mentioned Miss Jiang San’s matter once more: “Today Third Miss came to…”

The Empress Dowager half-closed her eyes: “She fears the King.”

Without the Empress Dowager needing to say more, the old nanny completely understood.

Miss Jiang San had given birth to a Yan family heir, yet now was enfeoffed as the Chen King’s consort. How should she conduct herself going forward?

The Chen King’s hidden ailment was royal secrets. The Jiang family misses naturally didn’t know.

Miss Jiang San probably still only wanted to take the child to the Yan residence. But now that the rice was cooked, going forward—not to mention whether the Chen King would go to her palace or not—just whether she and Yan Zhen should break ties, she probably couldn’t figure out clearly.

After all, in her view, even if the Chen King acknowledged that child, could he tolerate his consort carrying on an affair in the palace?

The other reason for grievance was probably also resenting Yan Zhen’s callousness and cruelty.

The old nanny also sighed: “Third Miss isn’t suited for this palace court.”

—

The battle-declining placards at the royal capital’s four city gates hung for one night. Whenever generals went to challenge, the defending generals on the city tower all replied that the royal palace was still deliberating and would give them a response later.

The next morning, Xiao Li again ordered a challenge and declared that if there was no response before noon, he would forcefully attack the city.

The envoy sent by the Yan family, bringing ten carefully selected beauties, went outside the city to see Xiao Li before noon.

Inside the central army tent, the envoy with a face full of smiles presented the letter Wen Yu had personally written: “Lord, calm your anger. The Princess originally intended to personally come apologize to you, Lord, but there are still many affairs in the royal capital that need to be transferred with the ministers. Therefore we hope you, Lord, will grant a day or two’s grace. These beauties are a small gift the Princess presents to you, Lord.”

Xiao Li sat behind the table. His handsome face showed not the slightest emotion, but the aura around his entire body was coldly fierce and alarming, forcing that envoy to raise his elbow and wipe sweat several times while struggling to maintain the smile on his face.

“This is truly your Princess’s intention?”

He slowly raised his eyes. Though it was a very calm look, because those eyes were too densely black—pitch black with absolutely no bottom visible—it inexplicably gave people a feeling of panic, as if it were an abyss that hadn’t seen daylight for years and would devour people.

Being stared at made the envoy’s entire body prickle. His heart pounded wildly. He swallowed saliva with difficulty several times before nodding: “Yes… yes, there’s… there’s the Princess’s personally written letter as proof.”

Xiao Li tore open the letter that had been tossed on the table, took out the letter paper, and stared at that all-too-familiar handwriting for a long time. His gaze was so fierce, so full of hatred, nearly crushing every character on it under his cold gaze, grinding them to pieces between teeth clenched in a cold laugh.

Finally he even laughed aloud.

The envoy thought he was satisfied with these arrangements and also laughed nervously along with trembling heart and gallbladder, but didn’t guard against Xiao Li suddenly drawing his sword and fiercely slashing down.

With a sharp “clang,” the long table before him, along with that letter, was severed with a clean cut. The fruit plates and refreshments on top rolled all over the ground.

The envoy was so frightened his entire body shuddered. His knees involuntarily went soft. When he came to his senses, he had actually already knelt down in the tent.

The beauties behind also cried out in alarm and huddled together, kneeling down.

Xiao Li’s face still wore that handsome yet madly chilling smile. Between raising and lowering his eyes, it seemed endless violent energy surged from his body, pressing down so that the envoy under fear didn’t even have the strength to move his body. He could only look at Xiao Li while constantly shaking his head, pleading miserably: “This minor official… this minor official is only relaying a message…”

Fortunately Xiao Li seemed to have no intention of taking his life. He only slowly raised his eyes to look at him, coldly saying: “Get out and tell Hanyang that this Marquis accepts the beauties she sent.”

“This Marquis attacks the royal capital immediately!”

That envoy practically rolled and crawled out of the great tent.

Zhao Youcai had seized the duty of Xiao Li’s personal guard and stood to the side holding a teapot, rather at a loss.

He knew their expedition to the royal capital was to serve the King, but because of Wen Yu’s actions, he hadn’t expected Xiao Li to fly into such a rage.

After Xiao Li ordered the entire army to attack the city and was about to leave the great tent with sword in hand, he stammered and asked: “Lord… Lord, how should these beauties be handled?”

Zheng Hu, who was following Xiao Li closely out of the tent, didn’t have time to explain anything to Zhao Youcai: “Find a place to lock them up for now.”

—

That the Wolf Riders would stop challenging and directly attack the city was something the Yan faction and several major aristocratic families inside the royal capital hadn’t expected.

Duke Yan was so angry he smashed a teacup in the Council Hall. He paced back and forth with hands behind his back several times, only repeating one phrase in his mouth: “How outrageous!”

The beauties were accepted, but not a bit of face was given.

An aristocratic family minister asked: “That wolf cub is cunning and cruel, completely not following normal patterns. What should we do?”

Duke Yan said coldly: “The Forbidden Army in the city plus the Imperial Guards number over ten thousand soldiers. Reinforcements will arrive in one and a half days. Could over ten thousand troops really be unable to defend the royal capital for a day and a half? If he’s so arrogant as to attack our royal capital, then we fight!”

—

A palace maid carrying a tray of food passed through layers of Imperial Guard screening and entered Zhaohua Palace.

Only after seeing that figure inside the palace holding game pieces and playing against herself did she kneel down and say in a low voice: “Princess, the Xiao camp is attacking the city. Should this servant relay orders to rescue you out?”

Slender white fingers dropped a black piece on the game board. Behind the wide-open latticed window, wind blew across the courtyard full of green grain, immediately turning up waves of pale green.

Wen Yu’s gaze locked on the game board, her tone cool: “Before the Liang army arrives, if this palace leaves now, everything will have been in vain.”

The Azure Cloud Guard disguised as a palace maid said worriedly: “But if the royal capital cannot hold and the Yan father and son truly present you to the Xiao camp…”

Wen Yu only said: “After Xi Yun arrives, you all act according to orders.”

Time was pressing. Lest the guards outside grow suspicious, the Azure Cloud Guard didn’t dare say more. After setting down the noon meal, she withdrew.

Wen Yu didn’t touch the noon meal. Looking at the stalemate on the game board, she said extremely softly: “Angry?”