Jinling. A hundred-year-old ancient temple.

Xie Zhaoqiu had come to Jinling with her father Xie Zhu some time ago, but this was her first time leaving the house. She was shy by nature and always needed a long time to adapt to unfamiliar environments. Today her mother had finally coaxed her out, and they went to the ancient temple together to worship Buddha.

Behind the ancient temple was a forest where green leaves flourished and fallen petals scattered in profusion. Sister Qiu carried her painting tube wherever she went. When she saw beautiful scenery, she couldn’t help but spread out her scroll on a simple stone table and paint a landscape.

A woman came to the forest, seemingly waiting for someone. She wore a light purple jacket and had her hair styled in a slanted falling horse bun, revealing a swan-like neck. At first glance, Sister Qiu felt this woman had an extraordinary temperament. Though she stood in the beautiful scenery, she didn’t seem to be admiring it. Rather, she was like a banished immortal standing apart from the world, her cold eyes having already seen through the four seasons.

The ancient temple winds blew through her garments. Sister Qiu found it beautiful, so the woman remained in her painting.

When she finished painting and looked up again, Sister Qiu saw the woman had finally waited for her companion. Looking more closely, it seemed to be her father, Xie Zhu.

The two seemed to exchange some words, but their voices were very soft—she couldn’t hear anything.

“Father?” Sister Qiu didn’t think much of it at the time and went forward to confirm.

“Sister Qiu?” Xie Zhu was somewhat surprised, his expression becoming unnatural for a moment. He hadn’t expected anyone else to be in the forest, much less to encounter his reclusive daughter here.

“This lady is…” Wanyan Puruo studied Xie Zhaoqiu—a doe-like girl with natural timidity and no hostility whatsoever.

“Princess Imperial, this is my daughter Zhaoqiu.” Xie Zhu answered respectfully.

Hearing this title, Sister Qiu understood who this woman was. She immediately became nervous and bowed as if facing a great enemy: “Your Highness.”

Wanyan Puruo glanced toward the direction Sister Qiu had come from and said easily: “Was Miss Qiu just painting over there?”

Sister Qiu nodded timidly.

Xie Zhu quickly added: “My daughter’s only hobby is this—just idle painting.”

Wanyan Puruo had already walked naturally toward the stone table. “I’ve long heard that Master Xie Zhu’s daughter paints excellent landscapes—in the capital, one painting is hard to obtain. You must let me broaden my horizons.”

Sister Qiu could only follow reluctantly, casting a puzzled glance at Xie Zhu.

Xie Zhu caught up and explained to Sister Qiu in a low voice: “Today Princess Imperial came to worship at the ancient temple, and your uncles and I are all accompanying her. But Her Highness got lost in the temple, and we searched many places before finding her in this back forest.”

Sister Qiu didn’t become suspicious. Though she lived in the inner quarters, she had heard about the outside situation. Negotiations didn’t proceed daily, and in the spare time, the Chancellor acted as an enthusiastic host, having ministers take Wanyan Puruo around Jinling for sightseeing, filling her schedule completely.

Wherever Wanyan Puruo went, she was followed by a crowd of ministers—this was also a form of disguised surveillance. It was rare for her to be alone, so Sister Qiu hadn’t thought in that direction at all initially.

Rumors said this Princess Imperial of Qi had a face like black iron, was covered in pockmarks, had flesh all over her body, was hideous and lived dissolutely. But seeing her in person today was completely different from the rumors—she even had an inappropriately warm manner.

Sister Qiu felt somewhat conflicted. It was difficult for her to connect the object of her hatred with this beautiful and amiable woman. However, as soon as this thought emerged, she suddenly felt annoyed. Standing in place, she was gently pulled by Xie Zhu before reluctantly following.

Wanyan Puruo was already standing before the stone table. The painting showed a late spring forest with a woman among the trees. The scenery and figure were perfectly harmonious, and on the painting they had even more artistic conception.

Wanyan Puruo had originally just praised casually and came to look randomly, but now there was genuine appreciation in her eyes.

She smiled at Sister Qiu: “Miss Qiu, is that me in the painting?”

“This young woman didn’t know you were Princess Imperial earlier and presumptuously included you in the painting…” Sister Qiu said somewhat helplessly.

Wanyan Puruo remained gracious: “Then could you give me this painting?”

Artists are sensitive. Sister Qiu could feel that Wanyan Puruo truly liked her painting, without any flattery. And with her status, why would she need to flatter a secluded young lady? The Princess Imperial didn’t even look down on her talent because she was a woman, as others did. Instead, she treasured her artwork. If she didn’t know she was Princess Imperial, she might even admire this woman’s magnanimity and decisiveness—as a woman, she could have such free and easy bearing. These were qualities she didn’t possess but often envied.

But in her heart, she didn’t want to give her painting to the Qi people.

How could Xie Zhu not know his daughter’s thoughts? After all, Wanyan Puruo was Jinling’s honored guest. Even Shen Zhizhong tried to fulfill her every request. One painting wasn’t worth causing conflict over. He quickly smoothed things over: “If Your Highness likes it, it’s my daughter’s honor—how dare she refuse?”

With her father having spoken, Sister Qiu couldn’t say more. She lowered her head to roll up the painting, presented it to Wanyan Puruo, then hurriedly took her leave.

“Mother is still waiting up ahead. This young woman dares not disturb Father and Princess Imperial’s discussion and will take her leave first.”

“Then let me pay my respects to your mother.”

Sister Qiu bowed and left hurriedly.

Watching Sister Qiu’s departing figure, Wanyan Puruo said half-seriously, half-jokingly: “Master Xie, your family truly deserves to be called a distinguished household—everyone is indeed talented.”

For some reason, Xie Zhu’s expression was somewhat unnatural. He only smiled reluctantly: “Your Highness is too kind.”

Wanyan Puruo restrained her expression and said seriously: “Your daughter clearly didn’t want to give me the painting but had to because of my status. This has enlightened me—regarding what Master Xie mentioned earlier, I already have a strategy.”

Sister Qiu walked far away, looking back uneasily. She could no longer see the Princess Imperial and her father, but she always felt something was wrong—a vague unease in her heart.

——

News of the Jinling negotiations reached Li Du Mansion—dividing rule along the river was already the general trend. But Li Du Mansion was north of the river and would likely be assigned to Qi administration.

This news fermented rapidly among the people, stirring intense reactions. True change of dynasty seemed imminent. Prudent self-preservation could no longer protect anything. Everyone felt endangered, and anti-Qi sentiment grew increasingly intense.

Wanyan Jun completely changed his previous conciliatory policies, continuing Gusha’s violent suppression style. Especially the university students who led the disturbances, shouting about patriotism—he arrested them one by one, wanting to eliminate all anti-Qi rhetoric.

Because the dragon bone ship was about to be completed, Wanyan Jun no longer needed to be hypocritical toward the Han people. In a few days would be the great ship’s launching ceremony. The army could cross to Jinling at any time—no natural barrier could stop Great Qi’s cavalry. And that useless Prince Ling’an had better hide for life. The moment he dared show himself, they could immediately capture him.

Additionally, the traitor in Li Du Mansion had been rooted out. Though Zhang Yuehui hadn’t been captured yet, he could no longer cause trouble.

Wanyan Jun now had victory in his grasp. He wanted to make the dragon bone ship’s completion ceremony grand and imposing to display national might, crushing the common people’s fighting spirit and laying a good foundation for future rule of Li Du Mansion.

But completely contradictory orders from Wanyan Puruo were transmitted back to Li Du Mansion through messengers—because negotiations were proceeding smoothly, to show sincerity for peace talks, she wanted Wanyan Jun to cancel the completion ceremony and delay the dragon bone ship’s launch.

This confused Wanyan Jun—how could Wanyan Puruo make such a muddled decision?

The dragon bone ship was clearly a major bargaining chip in negotiations. Whether Qi forces could cross the river determined how much threat the Yue Dynasty would face. The greater the threat, the higher price they would pay for peace.

Even if negotiations went very smoothly, it wouldn’t warrant cutting off one’s own arm, would it?

After a moment of anger, Wanyan Jun realized something was wrong.

This directive was transmitted openly, meaning from Jinling to Li Du Mansion, this message was essentially public.

In negotiation exchanges, both sides’ cards were strictly confidential. This open message transmission was so stupid it didn’t seem like Wanyan Puruo.

The whole affair reeked of strangeness. Wanyan Jun had a new hypothesis—perhaps Wanyan Puruo had learned something in Jinling that made it necessary to cancel the completion ceremony. But because secret communication channels were cut off, she could only use this method, omitting the beginning and end and the reasons, to get the directive to Wanyan Jun.

At the completion ceremony… could there be some unspeakable mystery?

Wanyan Jun immediately became alert.

…

Five days later, the Bingzhu Bureau would implement the Nirvana Plan in Li Du Mansion.

This was what Daman had revealed to Wanyan Puruo.

But what exactly the Nirvana Plan was and who would execute it remained unknown.

Wanyan Puruo could only guess that five days later was the scheduled dragon bone ship completion ceremony. Perhaps the Bingzhu Bureau wanted to take advantage of the crowds and confusion to accomplish some deception.

But whatever it was, they had to disrupt the opponent’s plan first. The primary task was canceling the completion ceremony.

Wanyan Puruo’s secret reporting channels were blocked, but the situation was urgent. She had to get the message out, so she switched to a method Shen Zhizhong couldn’t stop or easily refuse—openly and grandly delivering the message to Wanyan Jun.

The meditation room was a good meeting place—quiet, with no foot traffic, and wouldn’t attract attention.

In the meditation room, Wanyan Puruo skillfully whisked tea with a chasen, but her gaze was fixed directly on the person before her.

“Speaking of which, this question has been in my mind for a long time. Han people emphasize that when the moon is full it wanes, when water is full it overflows. Why does Master go against this principle and name yourself Daman (Great Fullness)?”

“I have self-knowledge. Since I’ve gone against ancestral ways, I’ll walk this path to the end. I don’t seek the middle way. Even if it means using any means necessary, I must reach the ‘Great Fullness’ I envision.”

Wanyan Puruo smiled and respectfully presented the prepared tea to Daman.

“Try it—does this student’s cup of tea satisfy Master?”

Daman took the tea cup and tasted it.

“Your Highness has become very skilled at preparing tea. I have nothing more to teach you.”

“Han culture is profound and extensive. I still have much to learn. In the future, I’ll still rely on Master to pave the road with me and create a new golden age together.”

“Though the responsibility is heavy and the path long, I will not shirk it.”

The two raised their cups across the space, smiling at each other.

Daman thought of something and asked: “Regarding what I discussed with Your Highness last time, has Yajiu found any leads?”

——

Three days before the Nirvana Plan.

Luo Ci had previously been sent away from Li Du Mansion by Zhang Yuehui to manage southwestern business. Zhang Yuehui had always treated his subordinates well, so this arrangement didn’t shortchange Luo Ci. Luo Ci was also loyal—learning his master was in trouble, he happened to be near Li Du Mansion and immediately rushed to provide support.

When he found Zhang Yuehui and Nanyi, the two looked like beggars, utterly bedraggled. They had even brushed shoulders with searching Qi soldiers who failed to recognize this was the famous master of the Return Hall.

When Luo Ci saw them together, he understood most of the situation. When leaving Li Du Mansion, he had felt the master would fall into this woman’s hands. Sure enough.

He even somewhat regretted not risking defying his master back then to kill this woman—then the current situation wouldn’t exist.

The master was still the master who could summon wind and rain. Luo Ci felt not just loyalty toward Zhang Yuehui but also admiration for the strong.

But thinking about these things now was too late. Fortunately, the southwestern business had been separated out then. Luo Ci had also protected Zhang Yuehui’s last remaining assets and could help him make a comeback at any time.

Just don’t let anything go wrong, Luo Ci thought.