Gusha learned that Wanyan Puruo had arrived in Li Du Mansion only an hour before Zhang Yuehui did.

He couldn’t wait to display himself like a peacock before the Princess Imperial, showing this woman of supreme power what an outstanding general he was.

He had the authority—now in Li Du Mansion his word was law—but he still lacked substantial achievements.

The Black Crow Camp had arrested many people, mostly commoners who knew nothing. Occasionally there were a few confirmed to be Bingzhu Division members, but their bones were all very hard.

However, this day brought breakthrough progress.

Someone finally couldn’t withstand the torture and confessed: the Yucheng Army was indeed still alive. That day’s mountain explosion was just a golden cicada shedding its shell stratagem. The Yucheng Army had cooperated from inside and outside with the Bingzhu Division, playing Wanyan Jun and Gusha for fools. He had participated in the later plan to transport supplies to the Bingzhu Division, so he knew where the Yucheng Army was.

Gusha was overjoyed. Once the Yucheng Army matter was confirmed, Wanyan Jun would face exile at minimum, death at worst, and might even drag down Han Xianwang’s entire faction.

He immediately prepared to lead people to surround and capture the Yucheng Army. Just as his foot stepped out of the prison, a jailer called out from behind.

“General, someone else has confessed!”

Gusha was delighted, thinking today was truly his lucky day.

—

This day, Qin Ge’er went to Song Muchuan’s place for lessons as usual.

Song Muchuan told Nanyi that the Yucheng Army had all entered the city, disguised as shipbuilding laborers, ready for orders at any time.

Previously, “Wild Goose” had sent word that once the Yucheng Army was safe, news of their escape on the night of the mountain explosion could be released.

Initially Nanyi didn’t understand why—wasn’t this risky? But after Song Muchuan’s brief explanation, she understood the stakes involved.

The Black Crow Camp was investigating closely. They had to let them get some significant information to make them relax their guard. The Bingzhu Division had ways to make them believe this information was true, but when the Qi people assembled troops to search Tiger Kneel Mountain for the Yucheng Army, little did they know the army was already right under their noses.

This was also to provide Gusha with more concrete evidence to help him condemn Wanyan Jun completely.

Wanyan Jun was suspicious, deep-thinking, and used sinister, ruthless methods. Getting him transferred away from Li Du Mansion first, leaving only Gusha to deal with, would make future operations relatively easier.

Learning about the current situation, Nanyi felt more at ease. The two quickly parted ways.

Just as she led Qin Ge’er out of the alley, she saw a team of Qi soldiers marching into the lane. Nanyi’s heart jumped, but she only heard some polite words from inside, saying there was some trouble at the Shipping Bureau and requesting Lord Song to come along.

It seemed fine, but Nanyi still felt uneasy. However, with Qin Ge’er beside her, she couldn’t act rashly and could only quickly return to Wangxue Wu first.

The road to Wangxue Wu was still calm, but after settling Qin Ge’er and coming back out, the situation outside had already changed.

The women of the household had received some news and gathered in Madam Gantang’s courtyard, in chaos, chattering so loudly it gave one a headache.

Madam Gantang finally couldn’t stand it and scolded them.

“Everyone shut up!”

The hall fell silent as Nanyi’s footsteps reached the doorway.

Madam Gantang held her head as if in pain, dismissed everyone, and asked Nanyi to accompany her to the inner room for rest. Nanyi noticed that Tang Rong, who had been following Madam Gantang inconspicuously, was now tense throughout his body, unconsciously revealing some killing intent.

Madam Gantang lowered her voice to ask Nanyi: “You just came back from Teacher Song’s place—was there anything unusual?”

“A team of Qi people took him back to the Shipping Bureau, but they were still polite to Teacher Song.”

“Just now, we heard that the entire Shipping Bureau has been surrounded by Qi people. They say someone confessed that the Bingzhu Division’s leader is within the Shipping Bureau, and the Qi people are conducting overnight searches.”

Nanyi’s heart tightened.

The Black Crow Camp had been arresting people continuously, and she had worried whether Song Muchuan’s identity might be exposed. But Song Muchuan was always careful in his actions, rarely exposing his true identity to others. Except for a few core Bingzhu Division members, no one knew his identity.

But no matter how meticulously one acted, traces would inevitably be left. His many activities revolved around the Shipping Bureau, so someone likely guessed the leader was within the Shipping Bureau. Later, unable to withstand torture, they revealed everything useful.

This was completely unexpected.

Though they had only narrowed down a range without specifically betraying Song Muchuan by name, the Qi people’s methods were ruthless—they wouldn’t rest until they dug out the person from the Shipping Bureau.

Song Muchuan was already in grave danger.

Nanyi’s mind raced through calculations—they couldn’t sit and wait for death. She should find Liangda and Ninth Lady to rescue Song Muchuan. Or… would Xie Queshan have a way?

He had previously saved Third Uncle, saved Madam Gantang, and saved her. Song Muchuan was his close friend—he definitely wouldn’t stand by and watch him die.

Speak of the devil—just as this person popped into her thoughts, Xie Queshan entered the room uninvited.

Seeing him now, Nanyi not only cast aside all their previous awkwardness but even felt somewhat warmly toward him. She was about to speak when her voice suddenly caught. She discovered that Xie Queshan had returned to that familiar cold-as-frost demeanor. The warmth she had occasionally glimpsed on his face these past days had completely vanished.

He not only came but brought guards with him.

“Second Sister, have the young mistress stay in your courtyard these few days so you can look after each other.”

Seeing this formation, Madam Gantang immediately understood: “Xie San, what do you mean? You want to place us under house arrest?”

Hearing this, Tang Rong immediately placed his hand on his sword hilt.

Xie Queshan glanced at Tang Rong indifferently: “Don’t waste your effort. If you all stay quiet, everyone will be at peace.”

“I want to go out.” Nanyi stared at Xie Queshan’s face.

“Don’t waste your effort.” He repeated the same concise phrase to Nanyi.

“Then what about you? What are you going to do?” Nanyi still harbored a thread of hope—was he planning to rescue Song Muchuan himself without dragging them into it?

“I’ll avoid suspicion regarding the Shipping Bureau matter. I’ll also stay in Wangxue Wu, not stepping out at all.” Xie Queshan answered calmly.

With only four people in the room, everyone understood many things, so there was no need to hide anything.

“Then what about Song Muchuan?” Nanyi grew anxious and shouted at Xie Queshan.

“What does it have to do with you? What does it have to do with me?”

No, this wasn’t right… Xie Queshan should be giving her instructions, like the previous times, having her do something to turn the situation around.

Madam Gantang also found it hard to believe: “You clearly wanted to protect Song Muchuan before.”

Xie Queshan finally showed a trace of impatience: “Before was before. I gave him a hand, he didn’t appreciate it, insisting on wading into muddy waters. Now that something happened, should he drag me down, drag down the entire Xie family?”

“You’re going to watch him die?” Nanyi couldn’t believe Xie Queshan’s attitude could change so drastically. He was always good at acting—she tried to see through some flaw in his expression.

But in front of her and Madam Gantang, what did he need to act for? With things said to this extent, if he had some plan, couldn’t he just say it directly? They should at least have this much understanding between them, right?

But what if… he wasn’t acting?

“I need to protect myself too. Not betraying him is already considering our past friendship.”

Seeing Nanyi still in disbelief, Xie Queshan coldly threatened her face: “If you dare act rashly and implicate me, I won’t show mercy either.”

Xie Queshan left without looking back.

Nanyi was stunned by these words. Seeing Xie Queshan about to leave, she instinctively rushed out and grabbed his hand.

“Xie Queshan, you promised you wouldn’t lie to me!”

This pulling scene surprised both Madam Gantang and Tang Rong in the main room.

Even Tang Rong could see there was something strange between these two.

Xie Queshan looked up coldly: “Pulling and tugging—what kind of behavior is this?”

Nanyi felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. Oh, she remembered—it was she who had expressed wanting to maintain distance before. He was just returning her attitude to her.

But she refused to let go, desperately clutching his sleeve. She had never been someone who cared much about face—had she actually foolishly wanted to be a proper person before? Bah, what did she need propriety for? If anything could tie down Xie Queshan at this moment, she didn’t care about taking it out in front of everyone.

“Save Song Muchuan, and I’ll agree to anything.”

A cold smile suddenly tugged at the corner of Xie Queshan’s mouth, his heart both sad and happy. Sad that she had refused to get close to him before, yet was now willing to sacrifice everything for Song Muchuan. Happy that he could play this villain role thoroughly.

“Who do you think you are? Get lost.”

He even somewhat roughly pushed her away.

The courtyard gate closed, the large lock fell into place.

…

After Xie Queshan learned of the Shipping Bureau incident, the first thing he did upon returning was to restrain Nanyi, preventing her from taking any action.

The situation was very tricky.

He couldn’t let Song Muchuan fall into danger. Song Muchuan had to be safe, his “Nirvana” plan had to succeed—only then could Prince Ling’an be safely sent to Jinling without fail.

But with Li Du Mansion’s situation rapidly deteriorating, if he wanted to rescue someone from the executioner’s blade, he wouldn’t have the luck of previous times. For this matter, he might have to bear it alone, trading his life for Song Muchuan’s life.

If he actively exposed his identity, all attention would focus on him.

He knew she was anxious as fire, but he couldn’t let her take risks. If the worst happened and he died, as a household of noble women, the Qi people would still want to maintain some surface peace and wouldn’t really do anything to them. But if they were caught red-handed, that would be meaningless sacrifice.

He only hoped now that there would be some more time, that Song Muchuan wouldn’t be caught so quickly.

All gods and Buddhas, give him some more time.

—

Surrounding the Shipping Bureau was Gusha’s order. First, to root out that Bingzhu Division leader; second, to bring Wanyan Jun’s mess under his own name.

But the Shipping Bureau had hundreds of people after all, and these craftsmen couldn’t be randomly killed since they were useful for shipbuilding. Checking them one by one was too time-consuming and might not work anyway—there would always be people lying.

For once, Gusha calmed down and carefully considered strategy. Based on the clues he already had, he first selected several important dates and checked which people at the Shipping Bureau had acted strangely on those days.

Through this comparison, Gusha set his sights on one person.

This person he had previously completely overlooked, thinking him just like those pedantic scholars who shouted about country and family but had to bow submissively when facing real swords and spears.

On the day of the mountain explosion, Song Muchuan had left the Shipping Bureau early due to some conflict with Wanyan Jun.

On the morning Prince Ling’an disappeared, Song Muchuan had also arrived at the Shipping Bureau two hours late for some reason.

These two incidents, taken separately, weren’t enough to prove anything, but together they were sufficiently suspicious.

Moreover, this Song Muchuan was also an old friend of Xie Queshan. Gusha had long suspected Xie Queshan to his bones. Thinking of this connection, he felt even more certain that this scholar he had completely ignored before was very likely Xie Queshan’s accomplice.

But how could he use Song Muchuan to uproot Xie Queshan and even the entire Bingzhu Division?

From recent experience in dealing with these Bingzhu Division members, severe torture had minimal effect.

And right now, Gusha wanted quick results.

Wanyan Puruo had come. He knew she must be here to investigate matters concerning Wanyan Jun and himself. He needed to quickly achieve something in front of her to trample Wanyan Jun underfoot completely, ensuring he could never rise again.

Once Li Du Mansion became his possession, capturing Prince Ling’an would be just a matter of time.

At this moment, Gusha’s ambition began growing wildly. He always believed he had been suppressed everywhere before, unable to display his abilities. Wasn’t now the time for him to show his talents? Even if it meant using any means necessary, he had to achieve his goals quickly.

A plan began brewing in his mind…