That person’s voice was truly familiar—so familiar that it made Feng Zhiwei turn around abruptly. As she turned, she faced directly into the sunlight, the sun’s glare making her squint instantly.

Under the sunlight, that person’s robes were casual, brazenly exposing his honey-colored chest. When he smiled, his brows were like flying feathers, a pair of eyes like colorful gemstones sparkling brilliantly.

Feng Zhiwei gave an “Ah!” sound, nearly doing a headstand and tumbling off her horse.

She never imagined that across thousands of miles, this person would actually appear here.

That person met her gaze of delight beyond self-control, smiling openly and dashingly. Yet in those dazzling, compelling eyes, some special meaning also flowed—vicissitudes, emotions, infinite excitement he struggled to suppress.

Such complex emotions flowing out, his eyes like Feng Zhiwei’s also faintly floated with crystalline brightness.

However, he only raised his chin a bit higher, looking at Feng Zhiwei with clear, refreshing eyes, smiling.

Grassland men do not shed tears over joyful matters.

Not far away, only Guard Bābiao of the Seven Biao remained, arms crossed and grinning as he watched his king, his expression warm.

Feng Zhiwei looked everyone over, drew a breath, jumped down from her horse, and examined Helian Zheng from top to bottom for a long while before smiling, “What wind blew you here?”

“The wind of royal supremacy.” Helian Zheng raised his hand to take her horse’s reins, walking toward a less crowded area, whispering in her ear with a smile, “Our grassland’s Living Buddha turns out to be Xi Liang’s female emperor. How could I, lord of the grasslands, not come to escort you?”

Feng Zhiwei was somewhat surprised. She hadn’t notified Helian Zheng to wade into this muddy water. After all, the grasslands and Xi Liang were too far apart, and Helian Zheng had such an identity—how could he casually abandon the grasslands and come? Since she hadn’t notified him, could it be Ning Cheng? But she had never revealed Gu Zhixiao’s identity to Ning Cheng.

Suddenly recalling that while drifting at sea she’d worried about Zhixiao’s safety, Young Master Gu had indicated it was fine—could it be the young master who notified them?

Gu Nanyi met her gaze and slowly nodded, simply saying, “Sent letter to Zongchen.”

Feng Zhiwei immediately understood. When Gu Nanyi learned of Zhixiao’s identity, he sent a letter to Zongchen. Zongchen, fearing she might be caught up in Xi Liang’s political struggle with insufficient forces, simply notified Helian Zheng.

The young master was also slowly learning to plan and arrange.

She suddenly remembered something and said, “You’ve all come out—what about the grasslands?”

“There’s Dowager Consort Mudan.” Helian Zheng smiled. “Chamutu can walk by himself now. She was getting bored with nothing to do. When I said I had business away, she hastily wanted to follow. In the end, I rolled up my bundle and fled. She had no choice but to stay home and watch over things. Don’t worry—Mudan Flower isn’t one to trifle with either.”

Feng Zhiwei smiled. She naturally knew Mudan Flower wasn’t to be trifled with. Back when the old Shunyi King died suddenly, the heir was away, enemies watched from all sides in such a difficult moment—she still managed to preserve the royal court and army. Would she fear the grasslands now that they’d already been reorganized? Just didn’t know whether her belly band with “Must Be Turbulent” and “Definitely Effusive” had changed to other embroidered characters.

“How is the situation now?” Seeing Helian Zheng leading her toward the western part of the city into an inn, this inn wrapped three layers inside and out, all Helian Zheng’s people everywhere—she knew now wasn’t the time to enter the palace. She very readily followed him to the study.

“Lü Rui has made his move.” After sitting, Helian Zheng smiled. “But it’s not the massive military regicide you imagined. The Regent Prince controls military power with extremely deep foundations. Acting rashly has little chance of success. In fact, on the Regent Prince’s birthday, Lü Rui truly did want to act, but he’d barely begun when the Regent Prince detected something. He nearly caught all of Lü Rui’s arranged people. Only then did everyone realize Yin Zhisu truly wasn’t so simple. These past days, Lü Rui made some inconspicuous small moves in the court and military, slowly moving a batch of his trusted followers to the center. He also stirred up border troops to cause trouble, using this opportunity to push for the autumn garrison rotation, wanting to rotate a batch of old soldiers who’d followed the late emperor into the capital. The rotation did happen, but the Regent Prince simultaneously mobilized the thirty thousand troops of the Fengshan Longlie Camp in the capital’s suburbs, directly deploying them to garrison Changping Palace. With this move, it’s obvious the Regent Prince’s vigilance has been aroused. Lü Rui’s original plan was just a probe, so he immediately quieted down considerably.”

Feng Zhiwei listened quietly, then suddenly said, “Does Lü Rui want to lie low and take a circuitous route to seize the nation?”

“I think so.” Helian Zheng said, “When military force and schemes aren’t sufficient, use succession rules to force the issue. Bypass the Regent Prince and point the spearhead directly at the false emperor. In the most formal occasion, prove Zhixiao’s true identity. The court ministers still follow orthodox succession—there’s absolutely no reason to serve a false emperor as sovereign. At that time, even the Regent Prince won’t be able to cover the sky with one hand.”

“This is indeed somewhat risky…” Feng Zhiwei pondered. However, in her view, there was no better method—even though Lü Rui had prepared for many years, he was still positioned beneath the Regent Prince with many constraints. To cripple the Regent Prince with one strike truly wasn’t very possible.

But without crippling the Regent Prince, letting Zhixiao ascend the throne with such a person watching like a tiger—that would be equivalent to handing her young life into the wolf’s claws. How could that work?

“Lü Rui has a secret letter for you.” Helian Zheng handed Feng Zhiwei a letter. Feng Zhiwei quickly read it and burned it over the fire, saying lightly, “Old Lü has calculated well. His meaning is for me to come forward to present evidence of Zhixiao’s background. He’ll maintain his image as the Regent Prince’s loyal minister. In the golden hall, they’ll seem to oppose each other, but he’ll secretly help me. He says only by maintaining his current position and authority, continuing to lurk at the Regent Prince’s side, can he better protect Zhixiao and deliver a painful strike to the enemy when the time is ripe in the future.”

“I don’t feel assured leaving Zhixiao with him. Who knows what he’s plotting?” Helian Zheng was the first to object.

Gu Nanyi remained silently non-committal, obviously also uneasy. He could guarantee Gu Zhixiao’s personal safety, but those deep palace schemes and stratagems—he couldn’t handle those.

“Oh, there’s another matter.” Helian Zheng suddenly remembered something, somewhat reluctantly saying, “News of your disappearance has already reached Tiansheng. His Majesty flew into a rage and ordered Xiao Yao and Chunyu to station troops at the border. Xiao Yao and Chunyu are watching like tigers from Longbei, looking like they’ll resort to force if they can’t find you. Over there, Hua Qiong in southern Min at Weishui also drills daily. Sometimes she crosses the river halfway, and when the other side gets nervous, she immediately brings her people back. This has made Xi Liang’s border guards too nervous to even sleep. Yin Zhisu has been very worried lately—he barely paid attention to the emperor’s birthday.”

Feng Zhiwei laughed heartily, knowing that Ning Yi had indeed transferred Yao Yangyu and Chunyu Meng to the southern Min and Longbei lines. She thought for a moment and asked, “The birthday is tomorrow?”

“Yes. Lü Rui is still waiting for your reply.”

Feng Zhiwei nodded. “Looking at Xi Liang’s court’s current arrangements, although Lü Rui didn’t successfully kill Yin Zhiliang, he’s already made considerable preparations. I only need him to guarantee Zhixiao’s smooth enthronement. As for killing Yin Zhiliang—leave that to me.”

She stretched lazily with a grin. “He can take a circuitous route to save the nation. I’m unwilling to leave a tiger beside Zhixiao. Actually, people—whether big shots or small fries—when it truly comes to dying, it’s very easy.”

Helian Zheng laughed heartily, deeply agreeing, “That’s right. Aren’t the people you’ve caused the deaths of numerous?”

Feng Zhiwei rolled her eyes at him, then suddenly saw a distant shadow beyond the Seven Biao, persistently craning her neck to look this way. She looked for a while before recognizing her, saying in surprise, “Isn’t that Jiarong? You brought her out too?”

Helian Zheng slapped his forehead, looking as if he’d just realized he’d forgotten this matter, “I was too happy seeing you, and only focused on discussing matters—I forgot about her too. Alright, just one sentence—quickly take her away and return her to Ning Yi. This lord is about to go crazy from her antics.”

Feng Zhiwei looked at his expression and understood what had happened. They say fierce women fear persistent men, but sometimes fierce men also fear persistent women. The Shunyi King, whose heart was as broad as the grasslands, seemed unable to withstand that gentle yet tenacious woman’s soft, binding affection.

Understanding in her heart, she played dumb on her face, blinking, “Ah? Why? Hasn’t she already followed you?”

“Followed my ass…” Helian Zheng nearly cursed, glaring at Feng Zhiwei. Suddenly realizing he was probably being tricked by this woman again, he immediately changed his expression, chuckling, “She hasn’t followed me. I’ve followed you. Isn’t my only principal consort Feng Zhiwei? My royal tent still only has that one beauty.”

“Hearing this, I feel quite sorry toward you.” Feng Zhiwei rested her chin, pretending to think, discussing with him, “How about you write a letter of divorce to divorce me?”

“Dream on!” Helian Zheng answered decisively, waving his hand—not like making a declaration but like wanting to kill someone. “Even if I can’t possess the person, possessing the title is still good!”

With the conversation reaching this point, Feng Zhiwei couldn’t continue joking. She glanced at Jiarong, clearly seeing the love and admiration in that woman’s eyes. Falling flowers have feeling; flowing water has none. Helian Zheng would absolutely never accept her. If she truly took her away, how would this woman live such a bleak life? Thinking of this, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat resentful toward Ning Yi. Inexplicably sending someone out, then paying no attention and abandoning her in the grasslands—what exactly was he trying to do?

Thinking back, Ning Yi had probably long forgotten this woman. This person, besides seeming somewhat attentive toward herself, toward others truly had only four words: cold and heartless.

She frowned in thought for a while without any good solution, so had to set it aside first. She took out the paper scroll with the Changning seal that Lu Zhiyan had given her, quickly wrote a few characters on one sheet, and handed it to Gu Nanyi, “Nanyi, this matter is important. You personally find Lu Zhiyan and give this to him. Remember to bring a guard who knows the way.”

Gu Nanyi silently left. Feng Zhiwei smiled at Helian Zheng. Her gaze made anyone who saw it feel full of calculation and somewhat chilling. Yet Helian Zheng sat unmoved with arms akimbo and one leg crossed, happily watching her—an expression of even if you scheme against me I’m happy, only fearing you’d forget me would be terrible.

He looked at her with such joyful, vigorous eyes, looking up and down, never seeing enough. He thought her raised brows looked good, her sighs looked good, her speech looked good, her eye rolls looked good. Even doing nothing and spacing out there looked better than the grassland’s most beautiful morning.

Feng Zhiwei looked at his sincere and fervent gaze and felt guilty first herself. She turned her eyes away and after a long while sighed, “Helian, I really don’t want you wading into this muddy water. I don’t want you wading into any muddy water.”

“Where you are is my favorite grassland.” Helian Zheng smiled with raised brows. “What muddy water?”

Feng Zhiwei remained silent. Helian Zheng braced his hands before her, staring into her eyes, “Little Aunt—Dowager Consort Mudan says family shouldn’t speak as two families. She also told me to bring you a gift. Oh my, I nearly forgot—” He pulled a soft cloth bundle from his bosom and handed it over, asking with great interest, “What is it? Open it and look.”

The moment Feng Zhiwei’s hand touched that cloth bundle, it was like being scalded by fire. Without opening it, just from the feel she knew—it was “Definitely Effusive, Must Be Turbulent!”

“Uh… thank the Principal Consort for me… this, this, I’ll keep it.” She whooshed the cloth bundle under her bottom. Facing Helian Zheng’s curious gaze as he craned his neck, fearing he’d continue asking, she hastily changed the topic to proper business, “Alright, I won’t be polite with you. If I say more, you’ll just complain I’m nagging. Tomorrow, my initial plan aligns with Lü Rui’s. I need to tie up the Regent Prince, establish Zhixiao’s background before he arrives. Just now Nanyi went to notify Lu Zhiyan to help with this, but I fear just relying on the Changning domain won’t be enough. I still need you to make a trip.”

“You want me to pretend to form an alliance with him to tie him down? The grasslands and Xi Liang are thousands of miles apart—how can he believe it?”

“Interest knows no territorial or national boundaries.” Feng Zhiwei said, “Xi Liang is humid with heavy rainfall, rich in medicinal materials, but horse breeding fails. Your place has the world’s best horse pastures and manufactures excellent ironware, but lacks medicine. Yin Zhiliang is ambitious and always spares no effort in expanding military power. You have what he most needs now. You trade warhorses and ironware for their medicinal herbs and grain—they won’t be willing to refuse.”

“But we’re far at Tiansheng’s border, separated from Xi Liang by nearly half of Tiansheng’s territory. Warhorses are also strictly forbidden from crossing borders for trade. Such a long route—how to complete this exchange? Without resolving this issue, Yin Zhiliang won’t believe this so-called alliance proposal.”

Feng Zhiwei smiled, praising, “Our king has improved, increasingly meticulous.” After receiving an eye roll from King Helian, she smiled, “Changning is between you. I’ll negotiate with Young Prince Lu to let you pass through. Changning’s power isn’t to be underestimated. Though they seemingly only control the Changning domain, their power actually extends to three nearby circuits. With them manipulating things, your first half of the journey should be problem-free. After all, you’re taking the border route—the sky is high and the emperor far away. As for final border crossing, there’s Hua Qiong in southern Min, Yao Yangyu and Chunyu Meng in Longbei, Yan Huaishi in Nanhai handling shipping affairs. Whether you go by land or water or split up, people will coordinate with you. I’ll make arrangements in court and give Xiao Yao and them a reasonable reason to help you… Moreover…” she said leisurely, “The Changning-Great Yue-Xi Liang three-territory alliance—I’ve actually already dismantled Great Yue’s side, but Xi Liang and Changning don’t know that. They’ll still launch attacks as agreed. Hehe, at that time, whether Tiansheng has leisure to manage a group of horse merchants’ movements—very hard to say.”

Helian Zheng froze. He didn’t yet know about the three-territory alliance. Feng Zhiwei briefly explained, then mentioned the strategy she’d offered to Jin Siyu. Helian Zheng frowned, thinking for a while. After a long moment, understanding dawned, and he said in shock, ‘You haven’t just schemed against three territories? Jin Siyu’s side will immediately mobilize his great army to seize the throne—he definitely can’t spare energy to attack Tiansheng’s border to create momentum. But Changning and Xi Liang will inevitably have to act. Once fighting breaks out, Changning and Xi Liang will at minimum fall into passivity in the war’s early stages… This time you’ve schemed against not three territories but four nations, plus one unfortunate Tiansheng kept in the dark!

“If Jin Siyu divides his troops to launch a pincer attack on Tiansheng’s border,” Feng Zhiwei said, “I worry old and new grudges combined might accidentally harm your grasslands. So better to simply remove the firewood from under the cauldron—drive him to do proper business and stop participating here.”

“You’re truly terrifying…” Helian Zheng stared at her. “Jin Siyu is probably still grateful to tears for this brilliant strategy, probably still regrets wronging you, thinking you’re actually a good person, completely unaware it’s merely because of your selfish motives.”

“Aren’t my selfish motives for your sake?” Feng Zhiwei looked at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

Helian Zheng immediately scooted his stool closer to her knee, climbing up the pole trying to grasp her hand, “Oh my principal consort, I knew you care most for me…”

Feng Zhiwei kicked his stool over to the ground with one foot…

The next day, Xi Liang Emperor’s third birthday.

At this time, one could see the Regent Prince’s overwhelming power in Xi Liang. During his birthday, from Changping Palace to the Regent Prince’s residence, ten miles of colored pathways, flower towers and silk pavilions everywhere. Now those silk pavilions remained, just taken out and displayed again, not made more grand because this was the emperor’s birthday. Just from this point alone, the censors could impeach him for harboring disloyal intentions. Unfortunately, the censors at this moment all played deaf.

The emperor’s birthday—morning audience in the main hall receiving officials’ prostrations, noon banquet, evening harem celebration banquet. The emperor was still young without selected ladies. This harem celebration banquet was just Dowager Consort Dong setting one table and finishing.

The Regent Prince rose at the fifth watch today, two large dark circles under his eyes. Recently he had many worries—endless major and minor court matters, patching this leak then that one. As if coordinated, problems kept emerging. At first he didn’t notice anything—a nation has countless situations daily. Gradually he felt something wasn’t right. Some situations arose somewhat sensitively. So he doubled his caution. On his birthday, it seemed someone mixed into the birthday well-wishers. When pursued, the person committed suicide, leaving no clues. He vaguely felt a net flashing with cold light in the darkness was silently approaching from behind. For this he strengthened defenses, truly protecting himself watertight.

Yet precisely at the peak of suspicion, that feeling of being watched suddenly disappeared, as if the other party abandoned their plan, withdrew their extended hand—or perhaps he’d been paranoid all along. This made his constantly raised vigilance even more unable to settle. Long-term suspicion was very mentally exhausting. Though the Regent Prince talked and laughed as usual, gradually fatigue showed in his eyes.

Moreover, there was the matter of Wei Zhi’s disappearance. Such an important person disappearing in Xi Liang immediately gave him a splitting headache. Tiansheng stationed troops at the border—he had to mobilize border troops. It wasn’t that he hadn’t suspected Jin Siyu, but these words absolutely couldn’t be said to Tiansheng—tell Tiansheng that Marquis Wei might have been abducted by Great Yue’s Prince An? Wouldn’t that be equivalent to saying Xi Liang and Great Yue had improper dealings?

The Regent Prince harbored a chest full of worries, rising early. He thought after today’s birthday ended, he’d quickly send off the Changning domain people and avoid stirring up more trouble.

His princely carriage, escorted by three thousand guards, departed from the Regent Prince’s residence in the city, proceeding via Xishui Boulevard, Panlong Boulevard, Nanshi Boulevard, Six Memorial Archways, entering the palace city through Wuyang Gate. This route was meticulously planned over three days and nights without sleep by the prince’s strategists—the most open, safest route. The entire route had no blind spots or hiding places. On roofs of residential buildings on four sides, every three zhang was a hidden archer with bow. At any disturbance, kill without mercy.

This iron-barrel defense made it impossible for anyone under heaven to approach within three zhang.

The princely carriage slowly proceeded along the predetermined route. Three street corners away, Lu Zhiyan held a paper scroll in his hand, examining it back and forth with great interest.

That Wei Zhi fellow finally was willing to use this thing.

Even facing mortal danger, he wouldn’t use the promise he’d given him. What major event now would make him unhesitatingly seek him out?

Unrolling the paper, very sloppy handwriting read: “Make him change routes, take the Flower God Temple road, delay a quarter hour or more. As for the method, think of it yourself.”

Really quite impolite.

Lu Zhiyan listened intently to distant sounds of the escort clearing the way. His thin lips curved, revealing a playful smile. Born into a princely house, as crown prince in Changning, he naturally understood—blocking a royal carriage for a quarter hour seemed simple, but at such a moment was an enormously difficult task. The slightest alarm and the escort guards wouldn’t care who you were—ten thousand arrows would immediately fire without giving you a chance to speak. Moreover, making him change his already perfectly deliberated route? Did they think he was an immortal?

Wei Zhi, are you testing me or making things difficult for me?

I never said I’d definitely accommodate you.

Lu Zhiyan leaned against the wall, fingers lightly rubbing the paper scroll, expression both excited and annoyed. He lightly sniffed in all directions, as if smelling the scent of approaching storm. His peach blossom eyes slightly lifted. His fingers rubbed, crumbling the paper scroll to pieces.

However…

He smiled lightly, like a fox.

This risk is quite interesting—might as well play!

The moment the Regent Prince’s carriage departed the prince’s residence, Feng Zhiwei and Helian Zheng’s party also left the inn, each dressed low-key. Outside the inn, they circled three streets and separated.

Helian Zheng toward the Flower God Temple direction, Feng Zhiwei toward the palace direction.

Before parting, Helian Zheng hesitantly asked Feng Zhiwei, “Are you certain that Lu Zhiyan boy will really obey? From what I understand, he’s no easy lamp to light.”

“Rest assured.” Feng Zhiwei smiled back with a glance. “Precisely because he’s no easy lamp is why he’ll definitely obey. I’ve long provoked him to a bellyful of frustration, waiting to suppress me and earn my admiration. How could he bear to give up this opportunity?”

Helian Zheng smiled, “You’ve never been wrong in understanding others’ hearts.” He looked deeply at her graceful smiling face. As she glanced back, her eyes softened. A section of snow-white neck emerged from her collar, exquisite and slender. His heart immediately stirred—he couldn’t help wanting to hold her hand and tell her to be careful in everything.

Unexpectedly, before his hand extended, Feng Zhiwei had already extended hers first, sincerely and openly grasping his hand, “Be careful in everything.”

Helian Zheng froze, raising his head to look into Feng Zhiwei’s eyes. Then he turned his gaze away, smiling, “What danger could I have? I’m delivering gifts. You go quickly—seize the timing.”

Feng Zhiwei released his hand with a smile and left. Yet Helian Zheng didn’t move. He stood at the street corner, hands behind his back, long watching her retreating back. After a long time, he smiled bitterly.

At his side, San Sun approached. The honest man now wore a strange smile. He’d seen Feng Zhiwei proactively grasp the king’s hand and instinctively felt happy for the king. Helian Zheng looked at him strangely, “What are you smiling about?”

San Sun couldn’t hide the smile on his face, his lips gesturing toward Feng Zhiwei’s retreating back.

Helian Zheng stood in the late autumn wind amid scattered yellow leaves, gently shaking his head, “No, there’s nothing worth smiling about.”

The straightforward grassland man blankly scratched his scalp.

“I’d rather she be shy and evasive than hope for such initiative and openness…” Helian Zheng sighed and walked away. Behind him, the grassland man stupidly asked, “Why?”

His king had already walked far away. His straight back receding further into the deep alley left only one sentence circling in the wind amid the ground’s withered yellow.

“You don’t understand.”

Feng Zhiwei turned a street corner. Several people silently held horses waiting. She mounted and headed straight for the palace gate—not the golden, magnificent main gate where officials entered and exited, but toward the north gate specifically for coffins and corpses. There, Grand Question Master Lü Rui personally waited.

“I must immediately turn to the main gate to enter the palace. Right now I can’t be absent—the Ministry of Rites Inquiry Monitor is still waiting for me.” Lü Rui’s expression was anxious. Without a word of greeting, he went straight to the point, “I’ll send you into the palace now. You must bring Consort Mi and His Highness to the main hall. I’ve already sent palace people to delay Dowager Consort Dong, but news from inside seems not so smooth. Everything is entrusted to Marquis Wei. As for the Regent Prince’s side, I don’t know how Marquis Wei arranged things—can you assuredly delay him half a watch? Eh, where is Lord Gu?”

He fired off a string of questions. Feng Zhiwei smiled, “Grand Marshal asks too many questions. Now isn’t the time to answer one by one. In short, there’s no turning back once the bow is drawn. Rest assured.”

“Good.” Lü Rui was also decisive. “Marquis Wei, do as you will. Please also rest assured, Marquis Wei—though I couldn’t kill the Regent Prince, give me half a year and I can definitely put him to death. Within this half year, I’ll protect His Highness with my life.”

Feng Zhiwei looked at him deeply. This Lü Rui was also a clever man—immediately seeing her greatest worry. Without speaking, she nodded and quickly entered through the opened palace gate. Behind the gate, two young eunuchs silently received her.

Lü Rui watched her composed retreating figure disappear. The tense emotions in his heart also slightly dissipated. He looked at the sky—now was the first quarter of the fifth watch. The Regent Prince departing from the prince’s residence, because the procession was huge and didn’t move quickly, would normally arrive at the third quarter of the fifth watch. The ceremony would begin at the first quarter of the sixth watch. His plan was to reveal Gu Zhixiao’s identity at the ceremony’s start, with a group of pre-arranged and coordinated old ministers immediately acknowledging their master. This required delaying the Regent Prince by at least half a watch. And he couldn’t come forward—Wei Zhi had entered the palace? Who now could accomplish this?

But Wei Zhi had said—there’s no turning back once the bow is drawn. He could only trust him.

He hastily mounted and turned toward the main gate. There, officials were gradually gathering.

Feng Zhiwei entered the palace. In the duty room, she hastily donned eunuch robes. All along the way were people arranged by Lü Rui, unobtrusively receiving her, dealing with wave after wave of interrogations. The Regent Prince’s recent energy was all outside—he only suspected someone would act against him, never imagining the person who could truly move against him had long been sent by Feng Zhiwei with foresight to the most dangerous yet safest place—the imperial palace.

Just arriving at the emperor’s sleeping hall, Feng Zhiwei looked in all directions, nodding with satisfaction—Zongchen’s shadow guards were here. It seemed their concealment techniques were getting better and better. Hiding in the imperial palace protecting Gu Zhixiao for so many days without being discovered.

However, the imperial carriage stopped outside the sleeping hall made her eyes narrow.

This seemed to be the Dowager Consort’s carriage.

Dowager Consort Dong was here?

Supposedly, her coming now to receive the emperor to attend court together was quite normal, but more proper would be the emperor going to her place for morning greetings, then respectfully accompanying his mother to ascend the hall together. Where had things gone wrong?

She lowered her head and hunched her shoulders, silently walking in with an inner palace attendant from the emperor’s sleeping hall. Before entering the inner hall, she heard the young emperor’s crying and fussing.

“No! No! I want to bring Zhixiao together!”

Vaguely there were palace maids’ persuasive voices, nannies’ low coaxing, the emperor toppling teacups and papers, eunuchs’ shrill protective voices—chaotically making quite a racket.

But she couldn’t hear Dowager Consort Dong or Gu Zhixiao’s voices.

Feng Zhiwei’s heart settled slightly—so it was about not allowing Zhixiao to the hall. Then she frowned—Zhixiao had recently always followed the emperor to hall, like a little palace maid carrying a box meaninglessly. Even the assembled ministers had grown accustomed to it. Now on the emperor’s birthday, why suddenly not let her go?

She’d originally come to see Zhixiao, ideally letting Zhixiao naturally follow the emperor to hall. As for Consort Mi’s side, bringing her out wouldn’t be easy—she’d planned to focus her energy there. Now it seemed even getting Zhixiao out might not be easy.

She took advantage of the inner hall’s comings and goings amid the chaos to silently walk in, shrinking to one side.

The hall was in chaos—no one noticed her entrance. The young emperor was jumping up and down, viciously hurling a teacup in his hand at the nanny blocking him, smashing her head bloody.

Only Gu Zhixiao, who’d been holding her cage all along, playing with that owl called Little Seven, ignoring everyone, suddenly looked up and watched her attentively.

Feng Zhiwei was secretly alarmed by this child’s keenness. She hastily made a gesture. Gu Zhixiao glanced at her and turned her face away.

Dowager Consort Dong hadn’t noticed the movement here. She stood in the hall, expression somber, her head full of phoenix crown pearls and jade trembling in the windless air.

In her heart at this moment were stormy waves nearly drowning all reason. If not for strenuous restraint, she’d probably have already erupted.

A few days earlier, she’d received a secret report from palace people that the mad Consort Mi residing in the waste palace had been rather strange recently—no longer scribbling chaotically but suddenly quieting down. Yet at midnight, she’d suddenly rise, excitedly wandering about.

This secret report raised her vigilance. Consort Mi had been mad for several years—what play was this sudden change?

She ordered people to strengthen surveillance—no one knew she’d always sent people to monitor this consort whom everyone considered thoroughly mad and useless, three years without a single day’s break.

Without such patient persistence and caution, how could she survive the treacherous harem, without children yet ruling as empress to this day?

Before new developments there, this morning at dawn, an inner attendant reported catching a nanny nosing around outside Consort Mi’s chambers—one of His Majesty’s close personal nannies.

She immediately personally interrogated that nanny. That old woman wouldn’t speak no matter what. She ordered her skinned, inch by inch peeling to the chest. That old woman finally screamed and confessed.

She said there was something she wanted to ask Consort Mi. She said back when Consort Mi gave birth, the midwife in charge of delivery was her good friend. That night she’d told her Consort Mi’s child was a daughter, and that child somewhat resembled Consort Mi—fine brows and long eyes. Afterward, the midwife disappeared. She’d kept this secret in her heart ever since. Last time seeing Tiansheng Marquis Wei’s adopted daughter, no matter how she looked, she seemed somewhat like Consort Mi back then. She wanted to secretly come ask Consort Mi…

She immediately broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing.

Consort Mi’s daughter!

That Consort Mi gave birth to a daughter—she knew this. At the time, she’d stormed into the inner hall. The child had already disappeared. She tortured the nanny to get this result and immediately silenced her. But somehow it still leaked out. She recalled Consort Mi’s appearance, comparing it with that little girl called Gu Zhixiao—her mind went completely fuzzy. Noble as an empress, she despised the lower consorts, usually never properly looking at them. After Consort Mi went mad, she constantly smeared her face like a ghost. Over time, everyone gradually forgot her original appearance—only now did she realize this was Consort Mi’s painstaking efforts!

After interrogating the nanny, she immediately rushed to the emperor’s sleeping hall—today no matter what, she must keep this little girl!

At this moment, she stared coldly at Gu Zhixiao, pondering in her heart how to handle this. The little girl’s identity was troublesome—she was Tiansheng Marquis Wei’s adopted daughter. If she died in Xi Liang’s rear palace, explaining to Marquis Wei would be difficult. Wei Zhi was a formidable figure—moving against his person would likely bring endless trouble. Aliang had also repeatedly instructed her to take good care of this girl. But now knowing her background, how could she let her go?

Her eyes flickered, her heart wavering uncertainly.

Feng Zhiwei watched her expression, knowing in her heart this was bad. She silently moved forward a few steps.

She’d barely taken a few steps when two burly eunuchs barred her with extended arms, glaring obliquely and scolding, “Ill-mannered one, withdraw!”

Feng Zhiwei hastily lowered her brows and eyes, retreating to the side while estimating the distance if the Dowager Consort acted and she needed to strike, while thinking this Dowager Consort Dong and the Regent Prince truly were a matched pair—even in this heavily guarded rear palace, they didn’t forget to be prepared at every step.

Over there, Dowager Consort Dong had reached a decision. Today regardless, she’d first take this child’s life!

But absolutely couldn’t act in front of so many people. Not a single outsider could remain!

She stood rigidly straight, suddenly calling sternly, “Your Majesty!”

Her voice wasn’t high but carried natural authority. The emperor, about to smash a paperweight on a palace maid’s head, froze in alarm, looking up at her.

“Stop making trouble, Your Majesty.” Dowager Consort Dong had already changed to a kindly expression. “You board the carriage first. Mother Empress will teach Miss Gu some etiquette and will come shortly.”

The young emperor’s face lit up with delight, eyes widening, “Really?”

“When has Mother Empress ever deceived you?” Dowager Consort Dong smiled lovingly, personally lifting him down from the table, straightening his crooked hat, handing him to a nearby palace maid with a meaningful look, “Quickly escort His Majesty to the carriage. Don’t delay the time.”

“Mother Empress.” The young emperor trustingly extended his hand backward toward her from the palace maid’s shoulder, “You be quick.”

“Your Majesty rest assured.” Dowager Consort Dong smiled seeing him out the door. Turning back, her voice calm, “All of you withdraw. Oh, Nanny Li stay.”

Her trusted palace person Nanny Li bowed. The others filed out. Feng Zhiwei stood there unmoving. The eunuch who’d brought her in quietly pulled her sleeve, whispering low, “Go, go!”

How could Feng Zhiwei leave at this time? Just as she hesitated, a eunuch at Dowager Consort Dong’s side had already looked over with slanted eyes. Her heart tightened. Thinking this truly wasn’t the moment to act, she could only bite her lip and withdraw.

As she crossed the threshold, she looked back. Gu Zhixiao hadn’t raised her head. She still held her cage, somewhat timidly shrinking there. Nanny Li pulled down curtains, blocking her small form.

Feng Zhiwei stood in the outer hall, somewhat uneasy. She made a secret signal indicating the shadow guards should find a way onto the hall’s roof while worrying that if something truly happened, striking might be too late.

This wasn’t like before when she could hide Gu Zhixiao in plain sight in the palace with no one daring to touch her. Now it seemed Dowager Consort Dong knew something. Once she decided to act, how could Gu Zhixiao cope?

Inner attendants guarded the inner hall’s door watertight—not even a fly could pass under their watch. Feng Zhiwei thought for a moment, approaching the eunuch who’d brought her in earlier, slipping a packet into his sleeve.

That eunuch, able to be sent by Lü Rui to execute this task, was naturally clever. His fingers gripped it and immediately knew what it was. Surprised, he looked toward Feng Zhiwei. Feng Zhiwei gestured with her lips toward those two eunuchs, then made a hand signal behind her back.

A shadow guard hidden in darkness flicked a pebble into the courtyard with a snap.

“What sound!” someone immediately asked. A group of eunuchs, nannies, and palace maids all walked toward that direction. Only the two eunuchs guarding the inner hall door didn’t move.

Feng Zhiwei had already anticipated this. With one meaningful glance, the eunuch who’d brought her in immediately understood. His body swayed as if unsteady, dropping a packet from his bosom. The packet scattered—precious light rising, jewels and jade stones.

Golden light flashing, auspicious qi in a thousand streams—immediately attracting the two eunuchs’ attention.

“You little rascal! Stealing!” The two immediately stepped forward quickly, one foot stepping on the scattered jewels.

“Brothers, don’t make noise… this, this… this humble one offers tribute, offers tribute…” That eunuch wiped sweat, fingers scratching at those two eunuchs’ feet.

Those two exchanged glances, greedy light flashing in their eyes. They bent to pick up those things.

With this bend, Feng Zhiwei, who’d already circled behind them, flashed into the hall.

In the huge hall covered with thick carpets, scattered on the floor were things the emperor had just thrown. Feng Zhiwei carefully avoided those things, slowly approaching the curtain behind the screen.

After a few steps, she suddenly heard a sound underfoot. A sharp rebuke immediately came from the hall, “Who?”

Dowager Consort Dong poked her head out, alertly surveying all around. Seeing no one, she withdrew her head reassured.

Feng Zhiwei, gripping a curtain and swinging at the ceiling, wiped away sweat—just now if she hadn’t reacted quickly and leaped up with one bound, she’d have been discovered. Once discovered with Zhixiao and them so close, and that Nanny Li knowing martial arts, using Zhixiao as hostage would be troublesome.

This time she was careful, knowing the hall had mechanisms—some places randomly stepped on would make sounds. The hall’s attendants surely knew, but outsiders didn’t.

She could only step by step carefully test first before moving, hearing behind the screen Dowager Consort Dong’s nearly loving voice addressing Gu Zhixiao, “Miss Gu won’t change clothes?”

Gu Zhixiao seemed to shake her head, holding her cage without letting go.

“This thing…” Dowager Consort Dong frowned looking at the owl in the cage. Truly worthy of being that slut Consort Mi’s child—even raising birds, raising such inauspicious ones. Heard this child was inseparable from this bird—truly bearing with such a disgusting thing.

“This bird can’t be brought to the hall. You must put it down.”

Gu Zhixiao still shook her head, “Fun.”

“This palace has more fun things.” Dowager Consort Dong smiled, very sincere looking, pointing at a beauty-shaped lamp on the wall behind the bed, “There’s a hidden clock there, a Western clock. You twist it and a little bird comes out to tell time, singing very pleasantly.”

She turned back. Nanny Li suddenly trembled.

“Really?” Gu Zhixiao seemed moved by that little singing bird. Her slender eyes’ jet-black pupils rolled.

Dowager Consort Dong looked at these eyes, her own gaze flashing. Taking a deep breath, she smiled, “The nanny will show you.”

She looked back at Nanny Li. That old woman lowered her head, smiling as she went forward. Her finger twisted on the lamp base. Sure enough, the wall surface opened, ejecting a glass bird that chirped a few times then retracted.

Gu Zhixiao clapped and laughed, “Fun!”

“You try too.” Dowager Consort Dong looked at Gu Zhixiao with gentle, encouraging eyes.

Feng Zhiwei’s heart tightened.

“How to twist?” Gu Zhixiao stood on the bed holding her cage, looking at that lamp. With one raised hand, she could just reach the base.

Dowager Consort Dong’s eyes flashed with vicious light, smiling sweetly, “Downward, one twist, and it opens.”

Feng Zhiwei’s heart jumped again. She moved forward another step. Now she was considering whether to ignore if there was sound underfoot and charge forward first.

“How to twist?” Gu Zhixiao tilted her head, stepping on the bedding, looking up at that lamp and asking.

Nanny Li stepped forward to teach her. Gu Zhixiao’s cage suddenly opened. The owl flew out, directly lunging at Nanny Li’s bosom. That nanny was startled, retreating backward. Gu Zhixiao already laughed, “Nanny, Nanny, Little Seven is so naughty. Help me catch it.”

That owl hopped chaotically on the ground. That Nanny Li had to catch it. Gu Zhixiao held the cage, concentrating on examining that lamp. Dowager Consort Dong’s heart anxious, seeing her not knowing what to do, her heart hardened. She walked to the bed, grasping her hand, “Like this—”

“Whoosh!”

Feng Zhiwei, who’d only walked halfway, desperately lunged forward regardless of everything.

“Click.”

Gu Zhixiao’s hand lifted. The cage suddenly sprang open. The sharpened bamboo strips at the top instantly shot out, lightning-fast stabbing into Dowager Consort Dong’s face just as she walked to her side!

Blood light shot everywhere!

Splat splat in succession—on the snow-white walls all around, blood flowers like ten thousand plum blossoms burst open simultaneously!

Feng Zhiwei froze there.

Nanny Li, who’d caught owl Little Seven, knelt on the ground, looking up at Gu Zhixiao, expression like seeing a ghost.

Dowager Consort Dong couldn’t even emit a single scream—fastest to react, Feng Zhiwei had already stepped forward and covered her mouth with one hand.

Her face had countless bleeding holes spurting—that blood showed a strange dark blue color. Obviously poisoned bamboo strips. That poison was personally refined by Feng Zhiwei staying up late with Gu Zhixiao.

Dowager Consort Dong’s hands weakly scratched in midair, grasping Feng Zhiwei’s sleeve, leaving countless spotted dark blue bloodstains. Her face beaten into a bloody sieve, already unrecognizable. Miraculously, her eyes remained intact—her gaze already gradually dimming but still fixed deadly on Gu Zhixiao.

That child held her cage, blankly standing there, seemingly not expecting this strike would actually kill someone. Feng Zhiwei felt the Dowager Consort in her arms gradually soften. From her throat came turbid gurgling sounds—knowing she was beyond saving. Reassured, she turned back, looking at Gu Zhixiao with incredulous eyes.

This tiny three-year-old child had actually killed Xi Liang’s empress with one raised hand!

Who could have imagined?

Dowager Consort Dong never dreamed she’d die at a three-year-old child’s hands. From her expression, one could tell—she died with eyes wide open.

Feng Zhiwei suddenly remembered her own words yesterday: “Sometimes even big shots die very easily.” Now it seemed—not only easy but also too unjust.

Who said children were harmless?

Who knew Gu Zhixiao’s cage was a world-class killing weapon?

Who knew from the moment she entered the deep palace, from knowing her father’s requirements, she never for one moment let this killing cage leave her person?

Who knew the Xi Liang young emperor had long boastfully told her all the palace’s killing mechanisms?

To protect her father, she first had to protect herself well.

The tiny child stared at Dowager Consort Dong who even in death kept staring at her, surprisingly showing nothing in her eyes. Feng Zhiwei wanted to cover her eyes but suddenly felt this gesture seemed melodramatic and unnecessary for this child. Yet watching her expression, she truly felt somewhat worried.

Gu Zhixiao suddenly released her hand. The cage fell. Feng Zhiwei quickly threw aside Dowager Consort Dong’s corpse, extending her hand to catch the cage lightning-fast—the cage’s mechanism had already activated. Any random movement might cost Gu Zhixiao her young life.

However, from this action, she finally saw—Gu Zhixiao had truly lost her soul. She kicked unconscious that Nanny Li still too shocked to recover, sweeping that tiny body into her arms, patting her back, softly saying, “Zhixiao, Zhixiao…”

That child buried her face in her shoulder. For a long while, no movement. Feng Zhiwei panicked somewhat, fearing she’d underestimated the cage’s power and been frightened into problems. She hastily turned up her face. Only with this turn did she realize—somehow Gu Zhixiao’s face was already streaming with tears.

She’d been crying all along yet making no sound. Large tears gushed out like spring water, splashing on Feng Zhiwei’s face.

Feng Zhiwei’s eyes instantly reddened too.

Only she knew—this wasn’t this child’s life’s only nightmare that could slowly fade with time. This was just the overture to Xi Liang’s female emperor’s blood-soaked life, the most cruel beginning.

From now on, she’d forever have no childhood joy, forever trapped amid schemes and machinations.

Zhixiao was fit to be this female emperor, but Zhixiao shouldn’t bear such fate.

She herself had already suffered enough of such fate. How could she let this tiny child’s tender shoulders shoulder such eternal suffering?

“Zhixiao…” She gently wiped the tears from her face. “Aunt will take you away…”

Gu Zhixiao suddenly pushed her away.

She didn’t look at Dowager Consort Dong’s corpse, didn’t look at Feng Zhiwei, didn’t look at that killing cage. She looked at the hourglass on the wall.

Second quarter of the fifth watch.

Second quarter of the fifth watch.

The Regent Prince’s carriage was currently traveling on Nanshi Boulevard.

He dozed in the sedan, in his hazy state seeming to see someone approaching with a smile, bending down, gently smoothing his temples, saying, “Aliang, I’m leaving. Take care.”

In the dream, he struggled to open his eyes but couldn’t see clearly who it was no matter what. He could only grasp her sleeve, saying, “Is it Little Ruan? Why did you come? Where are you going? Jianxi Palace?”

Little Ruan smiled slightly without saying anything. Her gaze so distantly brimming amid haziness, remote as if across mist and clouds, like that year she became his imperial brother’s consort—her expression when he saw her behind the pearl curtains in the great hall.

Yet he felt somewhat anxious, saying, “Why leave again? Imperial Brother is already dead… wait for me a bit longer… soon we can be together…” His fingers reached down, touching her fingertips—ice-cold.

Bone-chilling cold—instantly freezing him awake.

He suddenly opened his eyes, discovering he’d actually had an extremely brief dream in an extremely brief instant. In the dream seemed to be Aruan… Dong Ruan.

He sat up, discovering somehow his back was covered in cold sweat.

Then he heard a shrill, prolonged cry.