On the journey here, the Marquis of Nanguo seemed to have already made up his mind.

He had also gone through all the advantages and disadvantages in his heart.

He felt that Gong Chi was right—the day of the ancestral ceremony truly was the best opportunity!

Third Master turned his gaze toward Ji Yunshu and asked, “What do you think?”

Inquiring for her opinion. Ji Yunshu pondered for a moment and said, “After Gong Shilin died, I went to the Prime Minister’s manor. Left Prime Minister Gong was indeed in great pain. He even inadvertently revealed to me matters about Huyi’s civil war back then. I could hear that he felt great regret about helping the King of Huyi seize the palace! There’s also hatred in his heart. None of this is false!”

Third Master asked, “So you believe he’s worthy of trust?”

“I don’t dare say for certain either.”

Jingrong at the side spoke up, “Actually, I agree with the Marquis’s decision.”

Everyone’s gazes all turned toward him in unison. He said, “Regardless of what Left Prime Minister Gong’s ultimate goal is, one thing won’t change—his son’s death. That pain of a white-haired person sending off a black-haired one, I believe for anyone, even the firmest loyalty would turn to nothing! He lost his only son painfully, so what’s on his mind is naturally revenge. Therefore, what he wants is the King of Huyi’s life, which aligns with our goal! Since we have the same goal, then we’re people in the same boat. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come looking for you, Marquis, nor would he have agreed to risk rescuing Lian Que. Even if both sides harbor their own thoughts, there won’t be any conflict.”

Third Master, hearing this speech, was also swayed.

After all, the person most qualified here to judge matters of factional strife was Jingrong.

He had experienced far too much, after all.

He said, “Since even Prince Rong feels we should cooperate with Gong Chi, then I won’t worry anymore!”

The Marquis of Nanguo looked at Jingrong and said, “As expected, you understand the situation best.”

Jingrong said, “It depends on the circumstances and how one proceeds.”

“Exactly. The next step is indeed troublesome!” Jingrong continued thinking, “Although the day of Huyi’s ancestral ceremony is a great opportunity—when there are many people, chaos easily arises, making it convenient to accomplish things—don’t forget that precisely because it’s the day of the ancestral ceremony, it’s also New Year’s Eve! The palace will definitely be locked down tight both inside and out, and the King of Huyi will certainly be protected by heavy troops! It will be very difficult to get close, so we must have a foolproof strategy, and the escape route must also be well thought out to avoid becoming caged birds, slaughtered at will.”

The Marquis of Nanguo nodded in agreement. “I’ll discuss this matter with Gong Chi again in detail. If it’s not feasible, this plan will have to be shelved!”

And from beginning to end, Bai Yin had been standing with his back turned at the doorway.

Not saying a word.

The Marquis of Nanguo walked to Bai Yin’s side and asked, “What are your thoughts?”

Bai Yin thought of last night’s conversation with Ji Yunshu.

After remaining silent for a while, he said, “Since the decision has already been made, there’s no turning back. Everything will proceed according to plan.”

“Good. The day of the ancestral ceremony will be when we take back everything.”

…

On Nayan’s side, he was busy managing the affairs of this ancestral ceremony!

On Natuo’s side, he was busy copying scriptures.

Throughout the entire day, he stayed in the study without going out once.

He didn’t know why, but despite staying up all night, he didn’t feel sleepy at all. He didn’t even feel tired—instead, he was full of passion and very energetic.

Even copying those boring scriptures felt quite invigorating.

When servants came in to bring him meals, he only casually took a couple of bites.

He didn’t seem hungry at all.

Could it be… this was transforming grief and anger into strength?

Had he become immortal?

After a night’s time, of the hundred scriptures, he had written about a third, piled high on the desk.

Someone came to the door.

Knocked.

Natuo glanced with his peripheral vision. “Come in.”

The Marquis of Pingyang entered and stood before the desk, his expression stern. “The Prince was truly too rash in going to the Second Prince’s manor this time.”

With an admonishing tone.

Natuo just smiled, continued writing scriptures without even lifting his eyelids, and said, “Has the Marquis come today to rebuke this Prince?”

“I wouldn’t dare!”

“If the Marquis has something to say, speak plainly.”

The Marquis of Pingyang always spoke plainly, and was even less the type to beat around the bush in front of Natuo. So he said, “The Prince doesn’t know whose words you believed, but you actually believed the Second Prince’s manor had a secret chamber. Even if there truly was one, the Prince shouldn’t have directly taken people there. You should have verified it first before taking action, instead of coming up empty-handed and letting the Second Prince lodge a complaint with the Great King.”

“…” Natuo didn’t speak.

He continued concentrating on writing scriptures.

“I know the Prince has his own ideas, but one must think thrice before acting, especially in such an important matter. Once something goes wrong, this will affect whether the Prince can smoothly become the heir apparent.”

“And then?” “Although the Great King only punished the Prince with five days of house arrest and copying scriptures a hundred times, on the surface it seems the Great King does indeed intend to protect you. However, the Great King has also entrusted this year’s ancestral ceremony to the Second Prince to manage, which means that in the Great King’s heart, the Second Prince is more worthy of trust than you, Prince.”

When the last word landed, Natuo’s hand holding the brush paused.

The brush tip remained on the paper surface as the ink spread and blurred into a mass.

This page of scripture was also ruined.

His expression changed greatly, his eyes filled with unwilling fury.

Then he put down the brush, straightened his body, and looked directly at the Marquis of Pingyang before him, saying, “These words of the Marquis seem to be reminding this Prince.”

The Marquis of Pingyang’s expression was grave. “I only fear this reminder won’t be taken to heart by the Prince.”

“This Prince has received your reminder. You need not mention it again.”

This was undoubtedly a slap in Natuo’s face.

“Yes!” The Marquis of Nanguo responded, then added, “But coming today wasn’t only to tell the Prince these things. Actually, I also brought something.”

Natuo’s mood had been somewhat disturbed by him. “What thing?”

“Then I must ask the Prince to move to another location.” The Marquis of Pingyang gestured toward the door with his hand in an inviting motion.

Natuo was impatient but tried hard to restrain himself.

He didn’t know what medicine this old fellow was selling in his gourd.

The two went to a room in a side courtyard of the prince’s manor.

As soon as they entered, the Marquis of Pingyang closed the door!

Even though it was broad daylight, the room was very dark.

No lamps were lit!

Inside stood a very large screen, separating the inner chamber from the outer hall.

There was faint light in the inner chamber, filtering through the silk screen, vaguely revealing something like a stand positioned there.

Its shape was blurred!

Natuo didn’t understand. “What is the Marquis’s meaning? And where exactly is this thing you said you brought?”

The Marquis of Nanguo approached the screen. “The Prince will know once he goes in to look.”

Oh my, quite mysterious indeed!

Could it be some rare treasure?

Natuo raised his chin.

Squinting his eyes.

He then moved forward to enter.

When he rounded the screen and saw the object before his eyes, he was utterly shocked.

His body instantly stiffened.

His pupils dilated dramatically! Because what met his eyes was a complete, neatly arranged item hanging on a clothing rack… a dragon robe!