What a suspicious person the Emperor was—usually he would grasp at shadows even when there was nothing. How much more so when this scene occurred before his eyes? If Tuoba Zhen hadn’t defended himself, it would have been better. Once he turned around, he was exposed for how he had trampled the deposed Crown Prince, tearing his false mask to shreds! Tuoba Zhen had wholeheartedly thought Li Weiyang was targeting the Empress and Crown Prince, yet her true objective was something even he hadn’t anticipated.

Dark depths in Li Weiyang’s eyes seemed to have flames flowing, her voice very slow: “Then, while the Crown Prince was imprisoned, where did the poison he took come from?”

Zhang Dezi hesitated for a while, looking at the Emperor’s expression: “This… this servant dare not say.”

The Emperor was already at the extreme of rage and said sternly: “Speak!”

Zhang Dezi said trembling: “It was… it was a coiling dragon green jade wine pot that the Third Prince sent back then. The lid could be twisted—half contained wine, the other half had sealed poison. It was a mandarin duck pot. Originally the Third Prince sent it to the Crown Prince as an ordinary plaything. This thing—it was said to be a forbidden item from the previous dynasty’s palace, extremely rare. The Crown Prince originally quite liked it and often took it out to admire. But after being imprisoned, the wine pot was put away. At first the Crown Prince didn’t believe what was said about the Third Prince’s actions, but over time when the Third Prince refused to come visit, he believed it. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became until he grew a bit confused, sometimes even forgetting to eat. Later, somehow he happened to dig out this wine pot—filled it with water, twisted the spout…”

Actually, this wine pot was personally dug out and placed before the Crown Prince by Zhang Dezi himself, but naturally he wouldn’t tell the Emperor this sentence. He had received one hundred taels of gold from the mysterious person—as long as he played this loyal servant, he could obtain freedom. How could he be unwilling?

Of course, he knew the Third Prince wouldn’t easily let him go. But as long as the other party acted rashly, all under heaven would know what Tuoba Zhen had done. This would be blatantly telling everyone that Tuoba Zhen was connected to the Crown Prince’s death. Would he do something so foolish? Zhang Dezi believed obviously not.

Li Weiyang looked at Princess Anguo, smiling slightly. That smile was like a lake frozen for ten thousand years, full of cold air, as if able to soak through every bone of an enemy, inch by inch chilling. Only this smile appeared unremarkable to others.

Princess Anguo looked at Li Weiyang and only felt the smile on her face was extremely terrifying. She shivered involuntarily, as if a cold wind had pressed into her very bones, chilling her to the core. This woman—she definitely knew everything. Everything was designed by her. She personally dug the trap, waiting for her and Tuoba Zhen to jump down! And she herself had clearly become the piece of meat hung beside the trap, just waiting for Tuoba Zhen, this fierce tiger, to take the bait!

Li Weiyang saw her strange expression and pretended not to notice, saying blandly: “Princess, what’s wrong with you?”

Princess Anguo took a step back but discovered a wall behind her. For a moment she actually couldn’t speak.

A flash of anger passed through Tuoba Zhen’s eyes. His throat choked, already hoarse: “Father Emperor, though your son did not frame the Crown Prince, I failed to discipline the servants in my manor, causing them to slight the Crown Prince’s envoy. Please punish me, Father Emperor.”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly. After all was said and done, Tuoba Zhen absolutely refused to admit his crimes. But no matter—whether he admitted it wasn’t important. What mattered was whether the Emperor believed it.

The Emperor’s eyes showed uncertain shock and doubt. His probing gaze fell on Tuoba Zhen, full of suspicion, even showing a trace of vigilance and disgust. At this moment, a guard’s report suddenly came from outside: “Your Majesty, the deposed Crown Prince is gone.”

Tuoba Zhen’s heart suddenly sank.

In the next instant, the Emperor’s expression became extremely terrible. His teeth were clenched, his brow twisted, his breathing extremely agitated, as if he would explode in the next moment. At the critical moment, Consort Rou said gently: “Your Majesty, mind your health.”

The Emperor was startled and glanced at Consort Rou. Her expression was very gentle, clearly caring for him from the heart. His chest rose and fell sharply. Unfathomable colors complexly settled in his eyes. After remaining silent for a long while, his expression relaxed slightly as he said with effort: “I am tired and need to rest. The deposed Crown Prince—bury him with the rites of a Crown Prince.”

With the rites of a Crown Prince—these words had deep implications. At minimum they indicated one thing: the Emperor believed the Crown Prince’s original wrongdoing was due to being framed. After saying this, the Emperor turned and left without even glancing at Tuoba Zhen.

Tuoba Zhen knew that with the Emperor’s departure, all his years of painstaking effort were finished. He rushed forward and grabbed the hem of the Emperor’s dragon robe: “Father Emperor, your son—”

The Emperor suddenly turned back, the ferocity he had been desperately suppressing instantly surfacing on his face. He kicked Tuoba Zhen viciously in the chest: “Get lost!” Then he left without looking back. Consort Rou smiled slightly and pulled the dumbfounded Ninth Princess away with her.

Tuoba Zhen hadn’t expected the Emperor to kick him. Almost without making a sound, he was kicked into the corner and spat out a mouthful of blood. Princess Anguo hurriedly rushed over and embraced him: “Are you alright?!” But Tuoba Zhen found strength from somewhere and pushed her away: “Don’t touch me!” Princess Anguo’s expression was extremely ugly, but at this time, what could be more humiliating than having all her secrets exposed? She forcibly endured the humiliation, her eyes reddening: “You only know to blame me—what does this have to do with me!”

Tuoba Zhen completely ignored her. He stood up to chase the Emperor, but didn’t expect guards to block the doorway: “Third Prince, by His Majesty’s orders, please return to the Third Prince’s manor with the Third Prince Consort immediately after the Empress’s funeral. Without an imperial decree, you may not leave the manor gates even half a step!”

“This is house arrest?!” Princess Anguo was shocked.

The guards lowered their heads as if they hadn’t heard. Princess Anguo was about to rage: “You cannot do this—I am a Yue Xi princess!”

Behind her came a light laugh. Princess Anguo turned around to meet Li Weiyang’s face. She said angrily: “Li Weiyang, are you satisfied now?! This was all designed by you, you wretch?!”

The coldness in Li Weiyang’s eyes was like layers upon layers of swirling mist, finally spreading out together with faint mockery: “Princess, those words are wrong. I didn’t even know you were a stone woman—how could I frame you?”

Princess Anguo had her painful spot exposed and was enraged beyond measure: “Shut up!”

Her charming face became extremely twisted at this moment. Li Weiyang laughed lightly: “Oh my, angry already? I’m truly so frightened. If one or two people knew the princess’s secret, those one or two would be in danger. But unfortunately, this news will soon spread throughout Da Li. The princess will become a celebrity of Da Li. Everyone will say—that Princess Anguo used deceptive means to marry the Third Prince, yet won’t permit the Third Prince to take concubines. What a lunatic—not only that, she’s a stone woman yet still seduced palace guards. What a bizarre yet scandalous romantic affair.”

Li Weiyang’s voice was very gentle, sounding like warm wind blowing past the ear, yet it was incomparably vicious—like a notched dull knife, swinging bit by bit at Princess Anguo, slicing open her flesh thread by thread. Such stimulation was far more painful than a knife stabbing the body! Actually whether Princess Anguo was a stone woman had nothing to do with her, Li Weiyang. But Anguo should never, absolutely never have so cruelly murdered Sun Yanjun! Li Weiyang lost her best friend, so naturally she wanted Princess Anguo to taste being the target of public criticism! Killing someone was truly too easy, but to make her feel pain a hundred or thousand times over required keeping her alive! Ruined reputation was nothing—someday she would know this was merely the beginning.

Princess Anguo stared coldly at Li Weiyang: “You will regret this!”

Li Weiyang sighed: “Those words should be mine to you. I hope you take good care of yourself.” With that, she lightly departed. Actually she needn’t have come, because her coming would ultimately attract some suspicion. But—she just wanted to personally witness Tuoba Zhen and Princess Anguo’s agonized appearance. The more furious they were, the happier she was. Sun Yanjun would surely be very happy too.

However, Tuoba Zhen pursued to the doorway. Though blocked by guards, he still said coldly: “Stop right there!”

Li Weiyang turned back, looking at him with a half-smile: “The Third Prince has more to say?!”

Seeing this smiling face, Tuoba Zhen only felt his temples suddenly begin throbbing violently. Hatred flashed uncontrollably in his eyes: “Li Weiyang, I won’t be defeated so easily.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows. The evening sun shone in from outside, bringing deep shadows that outlined her form like a silhouette. She said indifferently: “Oh? What does that have to do with me?” Having finished, her face held a smile—for a moment she smiled with some carelessness.

Tuoba Zhen stared at her coldly, a pair of bright eyes seeming to hold unpredictable flames within. That gaze was terrifyingly cold: “Therefore, you must wait.” Watch how I crush your bones and devour your flesh!

Li Weiyang turned her head back, no longer looking at him. She merely said: “Fine, I’ll wait to see your ability.” Then she turned and left without looking back.

Everyone left, leaving only Tuoba Zhen and Princess Anguo. Princess Anguo said with tear-filled eyes: “Tuoba Zhen… I… I didn’t deliberately hide this from you… I was afraid you couldn’t accept it!”

Tuoba Zhen only felt boundless flames endlessly swirling and spreading in his heart. He just wanted to strangle this woman before him! This stupid thing had destroyed all his careful planning!

But Anguo still ignorantly pressed close. He could endure no longer and viciously slapped her across the face, knocking half her face askew. A trace of blood ran down from her lips. Anguo covered her mouth—unexpectedly a tooth fell out. One could see how vicious this slap was: “You… you…” She could no longer stand, trembling as she shrank to the ground, crying endlessly.

Tuoba Zhen didn’t even glance at her. Without a word, he smashed everything throwable in the great hall. No one dared stop him. The guards stood outside the door, silently watching.

After half an hour, there wasn’t even a place to step anywhere nearby. Only then did Tuoba Zhen stop. His emotions calmed very quickly. Now he could already calmly face his defeat. Did Li Weiyang think she could defeat him so simply? He had planned for so long—this was merely a momentary carelessness, ruined by Princess Anguo. He would soon make a comeback. Li Weiyang, you just watch slowly.

Seeing Tuoba Zhen suddenly calm down, Princess Anguo couldn’t help shrinking back slightly. Fear was inherently a human instinct, and for some reason, at this moment she felt doubled fear. Tuoba Zhen suddenly looked at her. Princess Anguo inexplicably trembled. She had never feared a person like this before. The Tuoba Zhen before her seemed to suddenly become exceptionally terrifying.

“Come here!” Tuoba Zhen extended his hand toward her. Anguo was afraid but had no choice. She still extended her hand. Tuoba Zhen grasped her hand, patiently caressing it, very gently. But this gentleness carried bone-deep hatred: “Anguo, you’ve already implicated me once. From now on, you must listen to everything I say. Otherwise—”

Before he finished, Anguo had already nodded rapidly.

Tuoba Zhen smiled slightly, his handsome face covered with a layer of coldness: “That’s more obedient.”

Li Weiyang left the hall but could still faintly hear Princess Anguo’s weeping from that direction. Then for some reason, that sound quickly disappeared. In the corridor ahead, Consort Lian was waiting. Seeing Li Weiyang approach, she observed her expression: “Is everything settled?”

Today’s matter couldn’t have Consort Lian appear, because the one who originally accused the Crown Prince and Beauty Zhang of adultery was precisely Consort Lian. So Li Weiyang chose the consistently uninvolved Consort Rou. Over these ten-plus years, Consort Rou had never participated in any struggle. Therefore, no matter what she said or “discovered,” the Emperor would believe it.

Seeing Li Weiyang give an affirmative nod, Consort Lian glanced toward the great hall: “I’m very curious how you could move that smiling Buddha.”

Smiling Buddha was Consort Lian’s private name for Consort Rou, because Consort Lian had gone to Consort Rou’s palace several times intending to form an alliance with her. Each time Consort Rou deflected her with Tai Chi tactics. Though she never agreed, she never decisively refused either, leaving a bit of hope so they wouldn’t become enemies. Consort Lian tried several times but always hit a wall. She was quite curious—why could Li Weiyang persuade Consort Rou to participate in this operation? Did she have some special method?

Li Weiyang smiled: “Everyone has weaknesses. Though Consort Rou is uninvolved with the world, she’s not truly indifferent to everything.”

Consort Lian looked at Li Weiyang curiously, not understanding what she meant by this sentence. But Li Weiyang said: “We should return, otherwise everyone won’t find us and will become suspicious.”

Consort Lian stopped in her tracks and said slowly: “You—could it be you suspect me, so you won’t tell me Consort Rou’s secret?” She turned her head, but saw Li Weiyang also look over at the same time. A pair of eyes like an ancient well, as if looking at her, yet as if the gaze pierced through her to see her innermost heart.

Consort Lian’s heart jolted: “I—I’m just casually asking, I don’t have other intentions.”

Li Weiyang turned her face to look into the distance. Palace maids in plain mourning clothes stood holding their breath. They obviously couldn’t hear the low conversation here. Li Weiyang’s gaze swept over lightly. Turning back, she already wore a faint smile: “Consort Lian, do you know who the consort who stands eternally undefeated in this palace is?”

Consort Lian didn’t know why she suddenly asked this topic and couldn’t help being a bit stunned.

Li Weiyang raised the smile at her lips: “Over these many years, consorts in the rear palace have come and gone. The Emperor’s new favorites have changed like rotating flowers. The Empress, Consort De, Consort Xian, Consort Mei—all counted as consorts who went quite far in the palace, but they all fell. This is because their desires were too strong, their thoughts too deep. Always wanting to obtain everything, so they were caught by others and eliminated. But Consort Rou has always maintained an undefeated position in the palace. No matter who manages palace affairs, the Emperor always instructs a sentence to respect Consort Rou. These seven words are enough to show her position in the Emperor’s heart. Therefore, Consort Rou is the one who truly stands undefeated. Do you know why?”

Consort Lian frowned: “Because she received imperial favor?”

Li Weiyang laughed: “That’s merely one aspect. Imperial favor can change at any time. In the palace, the Empress had to protect the Crown Prince, Consort Mei had to fight for power for herself, Consort De had to compete for position for the Seventh Prince. Everyone had secrets, everyone had schemes. But look—has Consort Rou ever demanded anything? Toward her own pair of children, she has always been caring without excessive interference, never even overly urging them to strive upward. This is how she raised the Ninth Princess’s innocent and naive temperament.”

Consort Lian said dismissively: “That’s not necessarily a good thing!”

Li Weiyang’s expression was normal, as if speaking of something inconsequential: “No, this is because—having no desires makes one strong.” Did Consort Rou have no desires? Of course she did. Only over these ten-plus years, she had always maintained an attitude of staying outside matters, never participating in any struggles—at least on the surface. This fulfilled that old saying: not competing is competing.

Consort Lian didn’t understand. The more Li Weiyang spoke this way, the more she wanted to know exactly how the other party persuaded Consort Rou. However, seeing Li Weiyang speak so vaguely, she felt the other party simply didn’t want to tell her. Somewhat displeased in her heart, she changed the topic on her face: “How will His Majesty deal with them today?”

Li Weiyang truthfully said: “Confinement.”

Consort Lian felt somewhat surprised and asked: “Princess Anguo usually acts so arrogantly. This time she caused such great disaster—will His Majesty still turn a blind eye?” In her view, merely confinement was truly too lenient. Neither stripping titles and authority nor proclaiming to the world… no matter how you looked at it, too light.

Li Weiyang’s tone was very bland: “His Majesty has already decided on this matter. Whatever others say, it’s very difficult to add more punishment.”

Consort Lian’s expression was depressed. After thinking a while she said: “For His Majesty to decide this way—it can only mean he’s becoming softhearted.”

Li Weiyang merely smiled, not appearing very concerned: “His Majesty is already over fifty this year. Among his sons who have grown, only the Third Prince, Seventh Prince, and Eighth Prince remain—three people. Dealing with the Crown Prince already exhausted his resolve. Adding another, he probably couldn’t bear it.”

“What do you mean only three people?” Consort Lian blurted out. Then seeing Li Weiyang look at her, she realized she had misspoken but couldn’t remedy it. She knew she could only speak her true feelings, her voice suddenly dropping eight degrees: “My son—isn’t he also His Majesty’s most beloved prince?”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang suddenly laughed: “Consort Lian, do you want to become Empress Dowager Zhang?”

Empress Dowager Zhang was the consort of Emperor Qing, the previous dynasty’s third emperor. After Emperor Qing died, Empress Dowager Zhang’s three-year-old son Emperor He ascended the throne. Because he was too young, court politics were always controlled by Empress Dowager Zhang. In the history books Li Weiyang had read, Empress Dowager Zhang was described as narrow-minded, selfish and mean, single-mindedly plotting to usurp the throne. To monopolize great power, Empress Dowager Zhang did not hesitate to massacre widely—due to suspicion, over ten families were destroyed and thousands died. But in Li Weiyang’s view, this Empress Dowager Zhang was intelligent and decisive, suspicious yet skilled at power tactics, always using heavy control and heavy punishment to drive officials, forcing them to serve her, displaying extraordinary political means.

Precisely because this woman was so formidable, after Emperor He slowly grew up, he was caught between his paternal clan, his mother, and maternal relatives, suffering endlessly from their struggles. After taking personal control of government, he quite wanted to accomplish something, demoting many people Empress Dowager Zhang favored and trying to promote and elevate some dissatisfied with Empress Dowager Zhang to form his own confidants. Initially, though Empress Dowager Zhang felt displeased with Emperor He’s actions, he was after all her biological son, so she didn’t immediately erupt. However, ultimately after Emperor He killed one of Empress Dowager Zhang’s younger brothers, she finally decided to punish this disobedient son. She found ways to invite Emperor He to a banquet. When Emperor He arrived at the Empress Dowager’s palace, hidden soldiers rushed forward to seize him and forcibly placed him under house arrest. Subsequently, Empress Dowager Zhang began twenty years of ruling in place of the monarch, her power dominating court and country for a time.

Consort Lian suddenly heard the three words “Empress Dowager Zhang.” Light flashed in her eyes as if her thoughts had been struck. Her face showed some embarrassment: “You—” She paused for a moment. Thinking that lying before Li Weiyang was useless, she said softly: “Precisely. So if you support me, I can also help you—can’t we?”

Li Weiyang said leisurely: “Wanting to assist a young prince to ascend the throne isn’t impossible, but there’s only one method.”

Since taking revenge, Consort Lian seemed to suddenly lose her goal. But later when she saw the little prince, a thought suddenly arose—if her son could obtain the throne, wouldn’t she also be able to control Da Li’s power? At that time, she could re-establish tombstones for her imperial father and mother and relatives, overturn their verdicts, and could openly and honorably return to her true identity as Murong Xin. This would truly be the most wonderful thing!

Moreover, she was currently at the height of power. The Emperor’s health was declining, the Crown Prince was deposed, and Tuoba Zhen and Tuoba Yu fought each other to the death. Though the situation was chaotic, as long as she seized the opportunity, there was hope. Of course, she understood her own capabilities. Wanting to snatch the throne from those two adult princes would be like snatching food from a tiger’s mouth. The only method was to wait until they fought to mutual destruction, then find ways to profit from it… But the prerequisite was she must obtain Li Weiyang’s support. Hearing Li Weiyang speak this way now, she couldn’t help being filled with joy: “If we can succeed, I can promise you anything you want!”

So impatient—simply judged as two different people from the usually cautious Consort Lian. Li Weiyang smiled and looked at her, her voice soft, revealing no emotion: “Unless you die.”

Four unexpected words made Consort Lian feel like a basin of cold water had been poured over her, rapidly cooling down. Her heart received an enormous shock. Her mouth opened but couldn’t say half a word. After a long while, she made a sound, forcing calm: “If you’re unwilling, forget it—why say such words!”

Li Weiyang’s smile gradually receded. Gazing at her, she said: “Consort Lian, you and I are friends, so I speak truthfully. If you show even the slightest intention before His Majesty of wanting the little prince to ascend the throne, or if you let others glimpse your thoughts, your outcome will only be a dead end.”

On Consort Lian’s beautiful face, that thin layer of blood color rapidly faded again. But she realized Li Weiyang was neither mocking her delusional wishful thinking nor casually joking—the other party was seriously warning her.

Li Weiyang’s shallow three-part smile spread across her lips, speaking very clearly: “I know you must be thinking that with your current favor before His Majesty, you surely have ways to persuade him, right? Or you hope Tuoba Zhen and Tuoba Yu will suffer mutual destruction so your son can profit from it—but if someday His Majesty truly wants the little prince to ascend the throne, the first thing he’ll do is kill the mother and keep the son.”

Consort Lian’s expression changed: “What are you saying?”

“If you don’t die, with the little prince ascending at such a young age, great power will inevitably fall into his mother’s hands. And you’re too young, moreover a woman—you’ll inevitably need aid from relatives. I know you’re a Murong clan orphan, but the Murong clan also has main and branch lines. When you alone traveled from your homeland to Da Li, without these people’s help, you definitely couldn’t have succeeded. If your son ascends the throne, to protect yourself and him, you’ll surely find ways to rely on them. This way, eventually you’ll form a powerful maternal clan, which will definitely greatly influence the Tuoba clan’s realm. Even if your relatives are completely gone, you’re so young and beautiful—who knows you won’t rely on powerful ministers? His Majesty won’t feel assured leaving you alive! Once you die, this latent hidden danger disappears.” Li Weiyang said unhurriedly.

Consort Lian couldn’t help feeling a strange tremor: “This is impossible. The little prince is so small—if there’s no biological mother beside him, how can he survive in the palace court?!”

Li Weiyang’s eyes never moved, staring at her unblinkingly, her pupils very bright: “There are quite a few high-ranking childless consorts in the palace—”

Consort Lian’s expression was extremely ugly. Three positions among the Four Consorts suddenly emptied. The Emperor consecutively promoted two older consorts who had entered the palace long ago—Consort Jing and Consort Kang—but all shared three characteristics: very deep palace seniority, not favored, and no offspring. She slowly said: “Since killing the birth mother, why would they hand the child to a foster mother? Wouldn’t they still fear maternal relatives?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “Having someone else raise this child—no matter what, they’re complete outsiders with no blood relation. Even if this foster mother became Empress Dowager and enjoyed temporary power and nobility, what about ten years later? Twenty years later?” Blood ties cannot be severed, but affection sometimes grows distant. Ultimately, Consort Lian still didn’t understand—the so-called killing mother to keep son guarded against not the mother herself, but this son. It calculated not kinship but human hearts!

Consort Lian’s complexion alternated between green and white. Li Weiyang smiled slightly and said no more. She knew Consort Lian was actually a very intelligent woman—she should understand her meaning. Rather than pursuing a castle in the air, better to grasp the current situation well and win a period of stable wealth for herself and the little prince. Consort Lian had such delusions entirely because of the Emperor’s favor toward her. But she fundamentally never truly understood the Emperor. When he was pleased, he treated her as a rare plaything, caring for her in every way. When conflict arose with realm and state, he could only sacrifice her! Not seeing this clearly was merely seeking death.

After contemplating for a long time, Consort Lian ultimately understood. She sighed softly, her eyes rippling like waves as they shimmered shallowly toward Li Weiyang. A trace of darkness flashed in her eyes as she said softly: “Thank you for reminding me, otherwise I truly would have caused great disaster through momentary pride.” She paused: “But regarding the Third Prince, we should still eliminate the roots.”

Li Weiyang said blandly: “This point, I naturally understand.”

Consort Lian’s sigh deepened, though she didn’t know if it was for herself or something else.

Returning to the Chengfu Palace entrance, everyone seeing Consort Lian and Li Weiyang return showed uncertain expressions. Though they didn’t know what had happened, they personally witnessed Consort Rou, the Ninth Princess, and others depart one after another, becoming even more curious. After Li Weiyang returned, she nodded slightly toward Madam Sun. Madam Sun understood and returned the courtesy.

Consort Lian walked to the very front of the crowd, to her own position by rank, knelt down again, and continued wailing sorrowfully, beautiful as pear blossoms in clear rain, so lovely one couldn’t bear to look away. But simultaneously, her expression seemed as if nothing had happened. Li Weiyang smiled slightly—it seemed Consort Lian had thought some things through.

After another half hour, Tuoba Zhen and Princess Anguo returned as if nothing had happened. The Emperor graciously permitted them to return to their manor after participating in the funeral. This meant once they returned, they would face imprisoned fate—naturally they wouldn’t be too happy. However, Tuoba Zhen’s face was so calm, showing no sign of suffering setbacks—this made Li Weiyang quite admire him.

In this world, those who could truly achieve not showing joy or anger on their faces—if not born with facial paralysis, then had deep scheming. Most people, when facing enormous blows, couldn’t help showing abnormalities, like Princess Anguo’s eyes full of hatred. But Tuoba Zhen didn’t even glance in this direction, as if he didn’t care at all about this. This was truly too strange!

Li Weiyang didn’t dislike winning—only winning while seeing the opponent’s mournful face or hidden painful expression would feel satisfying. Unfortunately, neither expression could be found on Tuoba Zhen’s face! This person was truly too unfathomable!

The following three days, everything ended smoothly. When Old Madam Li left the palace gates, she only felt dizzy and needed Li Weiyang and Jiang Yuelan supporting her to board the carriage. During three days of eating no meat, only vegetarian food, while displaying extremely sorrowful expressions—this was truly a painful thing. Not to mention Old Madam Li, weak and elderly—even Li Weiyang’s face showed slight pallor.

Returning to the Li Manor, it was already deep black night. Outside the corridor came some bird calls. Li Weiyang felt somewhat dazed. In the complete silence, only faint calming fragrance could be smelled. Listening carefully, besides bird calls, outside the window seemed to be the sound of night wind. A light cough suddenly sounded—the signal for news arriving.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly, knowing the time had come. She lifted the curtain and got off the bed, casually put on an outer garment, walked to the outer room, and unsurprisingly saw Zhao Yue.

Zhao Yue said in a low voice: “Miss, everything has been arranged.”

Li Weiyang nodded, put on all her clothes, and turned back to see Zhao Yue with a hesitant expression.

Li Weiyang didn’t ask her but patiently lit the candle and sat at the table as if waiting for something. After a long while, Zhao Yue lightly coughed: “Miss, before you returned, Third Young Master personally came to ask twice whether to send someone to inform you when you returned.”

Li Weiyang was startled but her tone was somewhat careless: “When we returned, the gatehouse was disturbed—he’ll know too. No need to specially send someone.”

“Third Young Master seemed very worried—” Zhao Yue probed.

Flames jumped faintly in Li Weiyang’s eyes, but her face was extremely calm, as if she had no reaction to this sentence: “I merely went to the palace—what’s there to worry about?” Li Weiyang slowly swirled the teacup. Water in the cup spilled slightly. Zhao Yue quickly went up to pour fresh hot tea for her. Then she said: “Miss, will they definitely come?”

Li Weiyang merely smiled. In her dark eyes, a small flame flickered, then dissipated without trace: “They’ll come.” She deliberately enraged Princess Anguo. If those people didn’t come today, either Princess Anguo had changed her nature or she suddenly reformed. But—how could such a narrow, selfish woman easily change?

Zhao Yue blurted out: “What if our plan doesn’t succeed?”

Li Weiyang seemed not to hear, merely saying blandly: “There are no ‘what ifs.’ It must succeed, and there’s only this one opportunity.”

“If Third Young Master helped, the plan would proceed more smoothly.” Zhao Yue spoke, raising her eyes to steadily watch Li Weiyang: “Miss, why avoid Third Young Master?”

The topic returned to the starting point. Li Weiyang’s hand had involuntarily tightened on the teacup, but her face merely smiled lightly—that smile seemed dyed with cold air: “What exactly do you want to say? Your true master doesn’t hope I’ll stay as far from Minde as possible? Didn’t he give you orders that if necessary, you can eliminate even me?”

Zhao Yue’s heart jolted violently. Lowering her face, she said softly: “This servant doesn’t know what Miss is saying…”

“No need to act before me! He will definitely take Minde away from my side, because he’s his most beloved son, the child born to the only woman he ever loved. How could he watch him drift outside like this?” Li Weiyang said blandly, as if talking to herself. Yet every breath tasted bitter. How could Zhao Yue understand her reluctance and sadness?! Keeping Minde always by her side, trapping his life—how could that be acceptable?! She found every way to avoid him precisely to make him give up and preferably return to Yue Xi immediately! The situation here wouldn’t improve—only worsen. What benefit was there in Minde getting tangled in these muddy waters?!

Zhao Yue was merely calm on the surface, but her heart already surged with waves. Her face slowly became somewhat blurred in the dim lamplight. Then she slowly said: “This servant knows Miss is cold outside but warm inside. Before, this servant stayed by Miss’s side only to complete tasks. But from when King Yan nearly killed this servant and Miss took revenge for this servant, this servant decided absolutely never to leave Miss’s side in this life. This servant says these words today absolutely not for Third Young Master, but thinking of Miss.”

The wind outside grew louder and louder. Li Weiyang held her breath for an instant. She looked at Zhao Yue before her—the other’s expression was so serious. Though Li Weiyang had never truly considered her one of her own people, Zhao Yue had always silently remained by her side, unwaveringly executing her every command. After remaining silent for a long while, Li Weiyang’s expression relaxed slightly as she smiled faintly: “Thank you, Zhao Yue.” But how to act, I’ve already decided in my own heart.

Zhao Yue was thoughtful. Just as they were speaking, Zhao Yue suddenly drew the soft sword from her waist. In that instant just now, she suddenly sensed danger. That danger drew closer and closer, giving her a feeling of trembling throughout her body. This feeling—she had also sensed it the first time she met that scarred man beside Anguo. That pressure grew stronger and stronger. She laughed coldly, suddenly emanating killing intent from head to toe: “Miss, they’ve come!”

The entire courtyard was exceptionally quiet, the occupants seemingly already asleep. Leader Jingzhe observed for a while, made a light gesture, and all four jumped into the courtyard. Their steps were very light, very light—they definitely wouldn’t be detected by anyone. Before following Princess Anguo, Jingzhe had already planned over a hundred assassinations. The most thrilling was leading seventeen shadow guards in a nighttime ambush of Yue Xi rebel general Tang Di, killing over five hundred in one night. Tang Di fled with remaining forces. They pursued relentlessly, forcing Tang Di into a pre-set trap, causing over three thousand to perish completely. From then on, he was carefully selected by Empress Pei and placed beside Princess Anguo to protect her.

Outside the Third Prince’s manor stood Forbidden Army guards, yet Jingzhe and the other three had always been secretly protecting from outside the manor. Receiving the carrier pigeon message, the first task was executing orders. This was Princess Anguo’s first time in Da Li sending him such solemn orders—assassinate Princess Anning Li Weiyang. This demand was truly too bold. Though the princess was always willful and reckless, she had never been so desperate and enraged, even disregarding the consequences Li Weiyang’s death might bring—this showed Anguo had been driven to madness.

Though the Li Family was heavily guarded, to Jingzhe, assassinating Li Weiyang was no different from taking something from a bag! Indeed, entering from the Li Manor’s back gate all the way, killing over twenty guards, they entered the inner residence almost unobstructed… Jingzhe laughed coldly. With a long sword lightly flicked, that door creaked open. He walked in first, but saw one person in the hall sitting with their back to him, head lowered as if reading, wearing robes embroidered with peonies in gold and silver thread—wealthy and beautiful. Looking at that back, undoubtedly this room’s master. This task was truly too simple! Jingzhe swung his long sword and chopped off that person’s head. However, there was no scream, no blood. The person fell to the ground with a thud. Clothes and false hair fell to the ground—it was a very beautifully made scarecrow. Golden straw emitted strange black smoke in the candlelight. Jingzhe stepped back half a step in shock, quickly covered his nose, and said sternly: “There’s an ambush—run!”

Jingzhe and the other three had just reached the courtyard when they heard a “ding.” Immediately following was a miserable scream. It turned out a steel arrow had actually nailed one person to the door! Jingzhe said angrily: “Quick, run!” Just then, from somewhere came a second arrow, third arrow in rapid succession—each flashing with ghostly blue light, obviously poisoned… Jingzhe and the others had extraordinary martial skills. In true combat with real blades, fighting one against a hundred would be no problem. But at this moment they couldn’t see any enemies at all—only heard countless cold arrows whooshing directly toward them.

In his life, Jingzhe had only assassinated others—never been treated like catching turtles in a jar. Immediately he flew into a rage. His long sword danced powerfully, trying to quickly find an exit to break through. However, arrows were dense as locusts, extremely powerful, actually shattering the flagstones under his feet. With a “pu” sound, an arrow shot into his shoulder. Immediately blood splattered everywhere. Jingzhe groaned dully, abandoned the other three, and was first to charge toward the wall through the dense rain of arrows! Long arrows pursued, piercing roof tiles with “bang bang” sounds, stirring up countless fragments. Another arrow struck his back. His body shook, his momentum suddenly stopped. He had already reached the wall top and was about to escape, but in an instant he fell heavily from the high wall to the ground.

A generation’s expert actually capsized in a gutter—this was unimaginable no matter what—

In the darkness, a cold voice sounded like an epiphyllum blooming in the dark night: “I want them alive.”