Li Weiyang looked at him in shock, almost unable to speak.

Li Minde suddenly released her, his eyes silken, smiling faintly: “Everything you want, I will personally deliver to you. Before that, wait for me.”

Li Weiyang stood dazed. She had said these things clearly to make him retreat in the face of difficulty. What use did she have for the highest position under heaven, what use for supreme power? It was just… However, he was serious, extremely serious in answering her words, leaving her almost not knowing what to say.

Li Minde looked at her, as if unwilling: “If only I could take you with me.” Though he said this, he knew Li Weiyang couldn’t possibly follow him and leave this place at this time. Most importantly, Yuexi’s environment was absolutely far more dangerous than Great Li’s. Before the situation became clear, he couldn’t let her take that risk. “I’ll leave Zhao Nan and everyone else for you.” He spoke softly, his expression resolute.

Li Weiyang immediately said: “I don’t need anyone.”

“No, you do. If you’re trying to drive me away, the current situation must be very tense. I shouldn’t be leaving you at this time, should I? But if there’s something you want, I must obtain it for you! So, when I’m not here, protect yourself well. Don’t be too hasty. If you need anything, send me a letter. No matter where I am, I’ll immediately rush back to your side.”

Li Weiyang looked at him, not knowing what to say. However, he only smiled faintly: “I’m not leaving immediately. Don’t look at me with those eyes, but I’m only saying this once—” Finishing, his lips lightly brushed her ear, then he turned and quickly left.

Was that—it? Li Weiyang was first startled, then annoyed. What did that mean?

Walking out from behind the artificial mountain, Li Weiyang’s face was slightly flushed. Zhao Yue looked at her and said: “Miss, are you alright?”

The cold wind blew, and much of the flush on Li Weiyang’s face dissipated. She glanced at Zhao Yue and changed the subject: “Have you completed everything I instructed?”

Zhao Yue was startled, then remembered what Li Weiyang was asking about and hurriedly said: “All done. This servant only told General Sun that Miss couldn’t get anything out of them and had no choice but to kill all four. I showed him four corpses. Because three of them were already unrecognizable, he didn’t discover that Hui Nu had been switched by this servant. But this servant doesn’t understand—why did Miss want to hide this from General Sun?”

Li Weiyang answered without hesitation: “General Sun hates those four men to death because of Second Sister-in-law’s death. If I told him I also let one escape, what would he think?”

Zhao Yue nodded but still had some doubts: “What if General Sun recognizes him later?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Princess Anguo has lost three shadow guards in succession, so she won’t act rashly anymore. Unless she’s too stupid, this last shadow guard should be used to protect her life, not brought out to show off.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yue felt much more at ease. After thinking, she said: “This servant was overthinking. Princess Anguo is currently under confinement, so she probably won’t encounter General Sun.”

Li Weiyang sighed: “If only things were that simple. How could Tuoba Zhen be someone who sits waiting for death? His current forbearance is just him looking for the right opportunity.”

Zhao Yue was shocked: “This—that’s probably impossible. He just angered His Majesty over the Crown Prince matter. How could he be forgiven so quickly?”

A cold smile passed over Li Weiyang’s lips: “Tuoba Zhen—you don’t understand him at all.” Tuoba Zhen would definitely find all kinds of opportunities to regain the Emperor’s favor. Though the Crown Prince case had temporarily made the Emperor detest him, the Emperor was someone who understood trade-offs well. He would pass the throne to the son most worthy of expectation. Whether Crown Prince, Tuoba Yu, or Tuoba Zhen—essentially they were all the same in his heart. The Crown Prince was dead after all. He wouldn’t kill Tuoba Zhen over an already irreversible fact.

So what was Tuoba Zhen secretly plotting now? Li Weiyang thought this way. Opportunities to regain favor weren’t many—how would he choose?

Three days later, the palace issued an edict removing Zhang Fang from his position as Commander of the Imperial Guards and appointing General Sun. When this news came out, Li Weiyang understood—this was Tuoba Yu’s handiwork. Now, Tuoba Zhen was under house arrest in his residence. The original Crown Prince’s forces had been cleared out completely. Tuoba Yu had obtained Prince Chaoyang’s support and was clearly the hot candidate for Crown Prince. The Seventh Prince’s residence had a constant stream of carriages. How many powerful ministers flocked there! Everything seemed so smooth on the surface, but to Li Weiyang, things weren’t that simple. They had clearly reached a critical juncture—why hadn’t Tuoba Zhen acted?

One day, two days, three days, four days, five days… Li Weiyang kept waiting, but the Third Prince’s residence remained completely quiet. Even those officials who liked to jump around saying this was unreasonable and that was improper showed no reaction to the Emperor’s confinement of Tuoba Zhen without cause. This was too abnormal—

Li Weiyang felt inexplicably uneasy, especially uneasy.

Seeing Li Weiyang hold a book for a long time without turning a page, Zhao Yue couldn’t help saying: “Miss, why worry so much? Isn’t everything going smoothly now?”

Li Weiyang gripped the pages tightly. Because she unconsciously used too much force, her knuckles turned slightly pale: “Yes, it’s too smooth. So smooth it makes me feel—something’s wrong.”

Zhao Yue laughed: “Seventh Prince controls two hundred thousand troops, General Sun has command of the Imperial Guards, and Duke Luoguo is also on his side. The Third Prince is about to fall. Why does Miss worry needlessly?”

Li Weiyang naturally knew this too, but hearing Zhao Yue say so, she gently shook her head: “Is that so? Am I overthinking?”

Zhao Yue said: “Yes, Miss must be overthinking.”

Li Weiyang smiled wryly, put down the book, picked up her tea cup, gently lifted the lid, and looked at the tea leaves floating up and down inside: “Better safe than sorry. Tuoba Zhen is extremely cunning. How could he sit waiting for death without reason? His inaction is simply because the best opportunity hasn’t arrived yet. But now, I really can’t figure out what he’s planning.”

At this moment, a snow-white carrier pigeon flew to Li Weiyang’s window, flapping its wings and hopping around on the windowsill. Zhao Yue quickly walked over, untied the small bamboo tube from the pigeon’s leg, and took out the secret letter inside. Li Weiyang received it, looked at it, and said in a low voice: “Bring a candle.”

Zhao Yue quickly complied. Li Weiyang held the secret letter over the lit candle, and soon over ten lines of characters appeared. She and Li Minde’s messages were all transmitted through Green Snake. The one who liked to use carrier pigeons—only that Consort Lian in the palace. After reading the letter, Li Weiyang burned it over the candle flame without hesitation. The two watched the secret letter consumed by flames. Zhao Yue asked curiously: “Miss, what did Consort Lian say?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly and answered: “The Empress Dowager is gravely ill and has issued an edict requiring Seventh Prince to marry immediately.”

Zhao Yue said in shock: “Now? The Empress has only been gone for how long?”

Li Weiyang sneered: “Though the deposed empress lacks only one edict, an empress is still an empress. Marrying during the hot mourning period—only daughters from poor families do this, and those are older women afraid they won’t marry. Do you think this is because the Empress Dowager wants to see her most beloved grandson’s wedding before dying, or because Prince Chaoyang is too anxious and can’t wait to marry off his daughter?”

In fact, Great Li’s rules were that within forty-nine days of parents’ death, weddings could be hastily arranged—this was called a red-white celebration. But after forty-nine days passed, children had to observe mourning for a full three years. This situation existed but was rarely done, much less in the imperial family that emphasized propriety. However, three years was too much uncertainty for Prince Chaoyang. If he let Seventh Prince delay another three years, by the time he became Emperor, he could choose from all the prestigious young ladies in the world. By then, Princess Pinting would be twenty years old. Wanting to outshine all others and seize the Empress position would be impossible. Finding another such excellent son-in-law would be even more hopeless. So the other party hoped for a quick resolution, unwilling to delay further. Li Weiyang actually understood this.

“Then—how did Seventh Prince react?” Zhao Yue thought about how Tuoba Yu clearly liked Li Weiyang. Though he hadn’t said it aloud, his actions were so obvious that probably half of the capital’s high officials knew—

Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “Consort Lian said Tuoba Yu used being in hot mourning as his reason and knelt at the Qianqing Palace gates, refusing to marry.” Zhao Yue frowned, but Li Weiyang continued: “Once the Empress Dowager’s edict is issued, even if Tuoba Yu is unwilling, he must comply. It’s just an act.”

Zhao Yue’s face showed confusion. In her heart, she felt Tuoba Yu was deeply devoted to Li Weiyang and wouldn’t change so quickly. But Li Weiyang’s expression was so certain, making her even more puzzled.

Facts proved Li Weiyang was right. Tuoba Yu knelt at the Qianqing Palace gates for three days. Princess Pinting actually ran to kneel at the palace gates too, saying she begged His Majesty and the Empress Dowager to rescind the order. Countless people spread messages about how the Empress had persecuted Noble Consort De and Seventh Prince, and how magnanimous and loving Seventh Prince was to not hold grudges. After this performance, everyone said Seventh Prince understood the greater picture—to be so sincere even for a stepmother who wasn’t his birth mother. Now the censors couldn’t sit still and began submitting memorials, citing precedents from the dynasty’s founding of marriages during hot mourning. They stated that in urgent matters flexibility was needed. Since the Empress Dowager’s phoenix body was unwell and she wanted to see Seventh Prince establish his family, this was human nature and the foundation of filial piety. They requested Seventh Prince comply with heaven’s will and marry immediately. Finally, Princess Pinting fainted at the palace gates from overexertion. Seventh Prince, disregarding propriety between men and women, personally carried Princess Pinting back to Prince Chaoyang’s residence—this counted as his agreement.

Hearing Bai Zhi return from gathering information outside and indignantly talk about how Seventh Prince had betrayed his alliance, Li Weiyang couldn’t help laughing: “What alliance do he and I have?”

Zhao Yue also looked on worriedly. Bai Zhi was speechless, then said: “Doesn’t he like Miss? How can he so easily marry Princess Pinting?”

Li Weiyang was somewhat surprised: “Who he likes is his freedom. Just because he once liked me, does that mean after thinking things through, he’s not allowed to marry someone else?”

“But people outside are saying such terrible things! They say Seventh Prince originally liked Princess Anning very much, but the Princess became his aunt, making Seventh Prince heartbroken through the ages. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager felt sorry for this grandson and specially granted him the beautiful Princess Pinting. At first he was unwilling, but who knew at the palace gates he and Princess Pinting fell in love at first sight and immediately forgot Princess Anning—they even say Princess Pinting’s appearance and bearing compared to you… compared to you, this false princess, are like heaven and earth!” Bai Zhi was clearly so angry her eyes turned red, nearly in tears. In her view, even if Tuoba Yu married a heavenly immortal, it was none of their business. Why did those people have to drag their young miss into it?!

The corners of Li Weiyang’s lips moved slightly, drawing a faint, gentle smile: “Silly girl, can you control what others say?”

Bai Zhi was furious, her eyes reddening, tears welling: “Miss, people’s words are fearsome!”

Li Weiyang smiled lightly: “Yes, and I don’t care. Why should you care what they say!” Had she heard few such words over the years? Two consecutive marriage alliances, and the final candidate wasn’t her either time. Everyone thought the imperial family raised her in name but deliberately delayed her marriage, trampling her underfoot! Everyone gossiped behind her back about why she still hadn’t married at eighteen, with countless ugly speculations. But she had never taken it to heart.

She, Li Weiyang, never relied on gods and Buddhas, never feared conspiracies and ghosts, much less those ridiculous rumors. Those people could shoot arrows from behind, but when facing her, they all had to smile ingratiatingly and kowtow in respect! This was their fate! A group of laughable, humble ants! She stood up and glanced at Bai Zhi: “Silly girl, wipe your tears and prepare a proper gift for me.”

Bai Zhi looked at her in confusion: “Miss is giving someone a gift?”

Li Weiyang shook her head. What a silly girl: “Since they’re marrying during hot mourning, the auspicious day can only be in the next day or two.”

Bai Zhi was shocked: “So fast!”

Li Weiyang smiled: “No need to be surprised. Go prepare quickly.”

Ten days later, Seventh Prince married Princess Pinting. Because Princess Pinting’s status was noble, the Empress Dowager in the palace issued an edict specially granting a phoenix carriage to fetch her. Not only that, the Emperor personally left the palace to observe the ceremony—an unprecedented honor. The entire route was filled with music and red silk everywhere. The whole city was astir—incomparably noble.

Arriving at the Seventh Prince’s residence gates, the wedding attendant guided Princess Pinting, dressed in wedding attire and covered in fragrance, down from the sedan chair. Tuoba Yu gently grasped the red silk handed over by the attendant. Turning his head, he unconsciously began searching the hall for that person’s figure—but amid the gathering of dignitaries, he couldn’t see Li Weiyang. With so many people observing the ceremony here, she least liked such crowded occasions and must have found a quiet place to sit alone. Tuoba Yu’s heart held an indescribable feeling.

Because the Emperor had left the palace to observe, they didn’t need to enter the palace for the audience. They paid respects to the Emperor directly in the ceremonial hall, then husband and wife bowed to each other. Amid thunderous cheers from the observers in the hall, the ceremony was complete. Next came the grand banquet for guests. Tuoba Yu, his spirits high and gaze captivating, smiled as he socialized with everyone. By marrying Princess Pinting today, he had won over not just Prince Chaoyang but countless officials. His marriage told them who in the court had the most power to inherit the throne.

The Emperor’s expression was incomparably pleased, with Consort Lian accompanying him. Even so, Consort Lian noticed the Emperor’s smile seemed to carry a trace of reluctance. This reluctance wasn’t because he was dissatisfied with the current marriage, but because two matters worried him. One was the Empress Dowager’s grave illness, the second was the rebellion at the southwest border. Both were serious matters that had troubled him for long. But at this grand banquet scene, the Emperor couldn’t let anyone see his troubled mind, so he kept smiling, accepting his ministers’ congratulations. Amid the excitement, the Emperor suddenly spoke: “Today is Seventh Prince’s great celebration. Zhen has another gift to bestow upon him.”

Everyone was startled, then many of Seventh Prince’s followers showed joyful expressions. A gift—could it be the Crown Prince position? Establishing the Crown Prince on such an auspicious day would indeed be most fitting! However, after the eunuch proclaimed the edict, disappointment showed on some faces. The imperial edict stated: Ennoble Tuoba Yu as Prince Rong.

A prince, not Crown Prince. But everyone reconsidered—Tuoba Yu was the first to be ennobled as prince thus far, a favor unprecedented among other princes. If previously he was still one step from Crown Prince, now he had taken another half step. Prince Chaoyang’s face showed a smile, while Tuoba Yu calmly thanked the Emperor, his expression showing appropriate joy without excess. The Emperor looked at his expression and nodded. Neither arrogant nor impetuous—this son would achieve great things.

Everyone surged forward again to toast Tuoba Yu. As he drank, his face bore a cold smile, as if a stranger watching this performance, completely detached from it. Throughout the wedding, he seemed an outsider, led to complete this marriage.

At this moment, Ninth Princess pulled Li Weiyang into the bridal chamber. Several noble ladies close to the imperial family sat in the chamber. Seeing Ninth Princess and Li Weiyang, they quickly stood to pay respects. Ninth Princess waved her hand and walked over excitedly to the bride: “Are you my Seventh Sister-in-law?”

The bride had just removed her veil. She had a breathtakingly beautiful face. A light layer of rouge touched her face, complementing her snow-white skin like morning clouds at dawn—delicate and gorgeous, making one suspect it would break at a breath. Combined with her high, arched eyebrows and large, clear phoenix eyes, she was even more beautiful beyond measure.

Ninth Princess praised: “Everyone says Princess Pinting is beautiful. I never had a chance to see you and was always curious what you looked like. Seeing you today, I know that fame doesn’t compare to meeting in person. You’re even more beautiful than the legends!”

Hearing this, Pinting immediately laughed, revealing white teeth. Her beautiful phoenix eyes showed a friendly light: “Are you Ninth Sister?”

Ninth Princess nodded. She was originally about to marry soon, but unfortunately, because the Empress suddenly died, she also had to wait three years. Fortunately, she was still young, and Consort Rou was quite happy to keep her two more years, so she requested the Emperor postpone the marriage. Duke Luoguo’s residence saw that the marriage was set in stone anyway and agreed. This way, Ninth Princess suddenly felt free as an unbound wild horse.

Pinting’s eyes caught sight of Li Weiyang, her beautiful eyes showing a trace of curiosity: “This is?”

Ninth Princess quickly said: “You weren’t in the capital before so you don’t know her. This is Princess Anning, the Empress Dowager’s adopted daughter.”

Li Weiyang was nominally the Empress Dowager’s adopted daughter, so she had no reason not to come see the new bride. Plus, unable to refuse Ninth Princess, she came together, thinking she’d leave after a brief visit to fulfill propriety and prevent the bride from being unhappy after hearing the capital’s rumors. But Pinting smiled without reservation, stood up proactively, and bowed to Li Weiyang: “I greet Aunt.”

This shocked Li Weiyang. Pinting raised her head: “Since you’re the Empress Dowager’s adopted daughter, you’re an aunt to me and Seventh Prince. This courtesy cannot be omitted.” Her smile at this moment held not a trace of impurity—purely genuine happiness.

Somehow, Li Weiyang suddenly felt Princess Pinting resembled someone, a friend she knew well. Unconsciously, her eyes reddened. Pinting looked at her, first confused, then seeming to realize something, immediately showing a guilty expression. Suddenly no longer smiling, she turned to those around her: “You all leave first. Just let them stay to accompany me.” Others looked at each other. Ninth Princess quickly said: “Didn’t you hear Seventh Sister-in-law’s words? All leave.”

Hearing this, everyone stood and took their leave, leaving only Princess Pinting’s confidants.

Pinting glanced at Li Weiyang, her face showing very uneasy emotions. These emotions weren’t feigned but came from genuine unease in her heart. She went up and grabbed Li Weiyang’s hand: “I stole your marriage, didn’t I? I told Father already—I didn’t want this! But he insisted there was no such thing! Weiyang, I didn’t do it on purpose—”

Li Weiyang was completely stunned. She hadn’t expected Princess Pinting would say such things. When she came to her senses, she immediately explained: “No, that’s not what I meant. Princess Pinting, you very much resemble a good friend of mine. I had this feeling the first time I saw you.”

Ninth Princess had seen Sun Yanjun and immediately understood: “Yes, I also feel Princess Pinting’s smile resembles… your family’s Second Young Madam.” Rather than similar features, it was that bright smile—both had the power to infect others.

Pinting showed an uncomprehending expression, looking at the two before her with some bewilderment. Li Weiyang smiled first: “I shouldn’t say these things on your joyous day.”

Pinting instead smiled embarrassedly: “That day at the palace gates, I knelt begging the Empress Dowager to rescind the order, but no one listened to me! Then I fainted! If only I could have persisted a bit longer!”

Ninth Princess and Li Weiyang were completely stunned hearing this. Did Princess Pinting not wholeheartedly want to marry Tuoba Yu? She went to the palace gates sincerely trying to prevent the wedding? Thinking of this, Li Weiyang suddenly felt some regret. This princess probably didn’t yet know that the performance at the palace gates was directed by her father and husband.

But Pinting didn’t want to continue, instead pulling Li Weiyang’s hand: “Do you know, I really like you! Your resistance against your legitimate mother and the Jiang family—I know everything. Not only that, I had people tell me again and again. I really admire you!”

Li Weiyang never imagined Princess Pinting’s temperament was so lively and—naive. Pinting continued: “I’m not as brave as you. My father not only married a secondary consort, he even said he’d let her son inherit the title, just because I’m a daughter! They strutted around before my mother consort daily, making her die of anger! I was young then and only dared put frogs and fleas in that woman’s skirts. I couldn’t do anything else and was always scolded by Father for it! If I were as capable as you, I’d have driven that woman out of the residence long ago!”

Li Weiyang had no idea her glorious deeds had spread throughout Great Li. She was somewhat surprised now. But Ninth Princess listened with great interest: “So you also know about Sister Weiyang’s affairs!” She didn’t know how many times she wanted to change her address to Aunt, but at critical moments she dropped the ball, completely forgetting about it.

Li Weiyang could tell Pinting’s words were genuine, not false. Moreover, because of Pinting’s special experiences, she held an inexplicable admiration for Li Weiyang. This was truly the strangest thing in the world. She had thought Pinting would believe the outside rumors and be hostile toward her… but the result was completely unexpected.

Ninth Princess clearly also liked the naive Princess Pinting. Almost like old friends at first meeting, they began exchanging mischief they had done… Probably both having no good feelings toward their fathers’ women, they talked more and more congenially. Talking and talking, they actually forgot Li Weiyang on the side. Princess Pinting’s maid kept making eyes at Pinting, who said: “What’s wrong with you, girl? Are your eyes cramping?” Looking again, she discovered Li Weiyang had already left.

The maid said: “Princess, you and the Ninth Princess were so engrossed in chatting, you didn’t even know Princess Anning left!”

Pinting quickly stood: “How can I always be so muddled! No, I must quickly send someone out to find her!”

Ninth Princess smiled: “Don’t mind it. Princess Anning doesn’t like overly lively occasions. If I hadn’t dragged her here forcibly just now, she wouldn’t have come! She probably left early because of something. Another day I’ll take you to visit her specially!”

“Really?!” Pinting was simple-minded. Hearing this, she became happy again.

Li Weiyang walked out of the bridal chamber, but her mood was very complicated. She seemed to feel a bit jealous of Princess Pinting?! But this jealousy wasn’t because of Tuoba Yu, but because of Pinting’s naive innocence. She could see Pinting held resentment toward Prince Chaoyang in her heart, but though Prince Chaoyang favored his secondary consort, he had never forgotten Princess Pinting. Even when Princess Pinting did many disrespectful things to the secondary consort, Prince Chaoyang only scolded her a couple of times, showing he actually protected her in his heart.

Not only that, Prince Chaoyang had gone to great lengths to secure this marriage—though Pinting was somewhat naive, she was very clever. With Prince Chaoyang’s escort, her position as Seventh Prince’s consort would be very stable. In the future, even if Tuoba Yu ascended as Emperor, he would show much care for this wife out of consideration for Prince Chaoyang. People say the rear palace is treacherous, but if Princess Pinting had Tuoba Yu’s protection, no one could harm her. This point, the deeply calculating Prince Chaoyang understood better than anyone.

Li Weiyang smiled gently. Though her mother died early, she always received her father’s affection. Even willing to break his originally neutral stance to secure the noblest, best future for her—having such a father, Princess Pinting was ultimately very fortunate.

For a woman, the happiest thing was having someone who cherished and doted on her. Whether Sun Yanjun or Princess Pinting, being able to develop such naive personalities meant they grew up pampered and loved. This was what Li Weiyang envied but could never truly possess.

Zhao Yue saw Li Weiyang’s distracted appearance and couldn’t help worrying: “Miss—” Halfway through speaking, someone suddenly came. Zhao Yue stopped talking and looked alertly at the newcomer. But the other party respectfully knelt on the ground: “Princess Anning, Seventh Prince requests your presence.”

**Study**

Li Weiyang smiled: “I went to see Princess Pinting. She’s truly a beauty. First, congratulations to Seventh Prince—oh no, I should say Prince Rong now.”

Tuoba Yu looked at Li Weiyang, his voice involuntarily becoming low: “You just saw her?”

Li Weiyang smiled, without a trace of resentment: “She’s a very warm, very forthright person. Though born noble, she has no arrogant air. I believe she’ll be an excellent princess consort.”

Tuoba Yu looked at her and suddenly sneered: “You’re truly hypocritical.”

Li Weiyang frowned. She didn’t understand what Tuoba Yu was saying?! She was hypocritical?! What did that mean?

Tuoba Yu said coldly: “You clearly know the person I like is you. I don’t like Pinting at all, yet you still say such things to me.”

Li Weiyang’s smile gradually disappeared from her face: “Seventh Prince, I’ve never interfered with your decisions. Marrying a wife, consolidating power—all were your own decisions. But now you say such things with this attitude. Are you blaming me? Or venting on the innocent Princess Pinting?”

Indeed, everything was Tuoba Yu’s own decision. Though Li Weiyang had always helped him, she had never pointed fingers at his marriage—it was all his own doing. But everything he did was to obtain her! Yet she smiled before him saying Princess Pinting would be a good consort. Such words coiled and gnawed at all his reason like venomous snakes—

A voice involuntarily surged in Tuoba Yu’s mind. Tuoba Yu, do you think you can obtain her?—Do you really think so? How foolish! Li Weiyang is the woman most skilled at calculating hearts in the world. If she doesn’t want to do something, no one can force her! Even if you become Emperor, if she says she’s unwilling to marry you, what can you do? Use the Emperor’s power to force her?

But now he had no way back. He married Pinting, pursued the throne—the arrow was on the string and had to be released.

“I’ll say this once more: your marriage has nothing to do with me. Don’t force your feelings on me. Princess Pinting is your wife. How you treat her is your freedom and also has nothing to do with me. However, I trust that since you chose this path, you’ll walk it properly. So stop saying such strange things and stop dragging me into it. Otherwise, I’ll think you deliberately want to abandon our alliance.” Li Weiyang’s expression was very indifferent, her voice as cold as solid ice.

Tuoba Yu looked at Li Weiyang’s eyes, deep as an ancient well, his pupils contracting violently.

How cruel—she refused him without any mercy, unwilling to give even a shred of hope. Yes, she herself hadn’t noticed that when dealing with Li Minde, her attitude was completely different. She would consider his feelings, trying every way to reduce the possibility of hurting him. What about him, Tuoba Yu? Should he just die? True, with Li Weiyang’s help, he could achieve the throne, but the person he most wanted was her! The bitterness brought by jealousy penetrated deep into his organs, turning into overwhelming resentment.

His face darkened as he slammed the table with a bang. A teacup rolled off and fell to the floor, tea splashing all the way to Li Weiyang’s skirt hem. Yet she only looked at him with complete indifference, unmoved. In Li Weiyang’s view, Tuoba Yu wanted to become Emperor. He clearly knew she wouldn’t share one husband with others. From the moment he decided to marry Princess Pinting, he had already made his decision. However, men were always greedy, thinking they could have both.

Tuoba Yu had actually frozen his emotions. He understood timing and could read faces. He naturally knew he couldn’t fall out with Li Weiyang now, so the instant he discovered he was losing control, he timely controlled his emotions, pulled at his lips, and actually smiled: “You’re right. Since I could marry Princess Pinting, naturally I’ll treat her well. After all, she’s very helpful to my great enterprise, isn’t she?”

Whether or not has nothing to do with me. Li Weiyang said lightly: “Then, that’s best.”

Tuoba Yu looked at her. The curve of her lips was extremely beautiful, the corners slightly upturned, very suitable for smiling. In fact, she was always smiling, but when she smiled, her eyes held no trace of him. None at all.

“Rest assured.” Tuoba Yu slowly stared at her, his voice becoming indifferent. “Since I’ve decided on this path, I’ll definitely see it through.”

No matter what price must be paid, it was all the same.

Just then, some commotion arose outside. Tuoba Yu raised his eyebrows: “What is it?”

Someone outside reported: “Third Prince just burst into the ceremonial hall, demanding to see His Majesty.”

Both Tuoba Yu and Li Weiyang’s expressions changed. The two exchanged glances. Li Weiyang suddenly said: “He’s finally made his move.”

She never knew what the other party wanted to do, but today Tuoba Zhen burst into the ceremonial hall without reason—it would definitely expose his intentions. Only this way was best. If he didn’t move, Li Weiyang couldn’t perceive his mind. But once he acted, Li Weiyang believed she could definitely find traces.

She smiled: “Seventh Prince, it seems we should return to the ceremonial hall.”

Tuoba Yu slowly stood: “Yes, I also want to see what Third Brother wants to do.”

In the ceremonial hall, everyone whispered, not knowing why Tuoba Zhen would suddenly appear here. Wasn’t he supposed to be under confinement? However, among everyone, the person with the worst expression was the Emperor, who was almost furious to the extreme: “Are Zhen’s edicts child’s play? Can just anyone break out of Third Prince’s residence?”

The Imperial Guards who had chased after could only kneel: “Your Majesty, Third Prince threatened with his life. This servant and others didn’t dare—”

Li Weiyang entered the great hall, inconspicuously blending into the female guests, just in time to hear this sentence. She couldn’t help frowning. Indeed, a prince holding a blade to his own neck to force guards to let him pass—others felt it beneath their dignity and couldn’t do such things, but Tuoba Zhen would. He was truly the type with a black heart, ruthless hands, and thick face, not taking such small matters to heart at all. But what matter was worth him taking such a risk, even risking the Emperor’s severe punishment to appear here?

She heard Tuoba Zhen say with a solemn face: “Father, this son knows wanting to enter the palace to see you once is impossible. I had no choice but to resort to this strategy. This son knows today is Seventh Brother’s joyous wedding day, but with national disaster at hand and the people suffering, this son really cannot sit peacefully and say a word of congratulations!”

As soon as these words left his mouth, Li Weiyang’s gaze suddenly became sharp. What did Tuoba Zhen want to do!

Passing through layers of people, Tuoba Zhen’s eyes saw Li Weiyang. Amid the heavy rouge and powder, she stood there quietly, eyes pitch black, unfathomably deep. In that instant, he suddenly smiled. Li Weiyang, you’ll never be the winner. Then he said loudly: “Father, though this son has been confined to the residence, I know the urgent military report from the southwest has reached the capital. The rebellion has lasted over a month. Though Father has already dispatched troops and generals to suppress the rebellion, up to now, those rebel forces are incomparably fierce. The southwest is filled with miasma. The three generals sent have died in succession on the front lines. Now this warfare has spread to Junzhou. Father, please issue an edict appointing this son as commander to execute the rebel leaders and rescue the people suffering from the fires of war!”

Southwest rebel forces—so this was Tuoba Zhen’s plan! Li Weiyang’s eyes slowly turned ice-cold. The southwest border had actually never been stable. Those Miao people had always been exploited by Great Li. Reportedly, this time a harsh official named Du Jing raised their taxes again, causing large-scale Miao resistance. But Du Jing, fearing the matter would grow too large to handle, desperately suppressed the rebellion while trying to hide the news. Because the southwest was remote with many mountain ranges, if local officials didn’t submit memorials, it was very difficult for news to reach the throne.

Du Jing originally thought he could quickly suppress this rebellion. Who knew a Great Li rebel leader had colluded with the Miao people, and the rebel army kept growing until it reached a point he couldn’t handle. Du Jing, terrified, actually fled three hundred li on horseback overnight. Only after reaching a safe city did he dare stop. The local officials, hearing his words, didn’t provide shelter but immediately detained him and sent urgent reports to the Emperor. Learning of this, the Emperor immediately had Du Jing beheaded, sent his head to appease the rebels, and began negotiations attempting to calm the situation. But it was too late. The rebel leader Guo Cheng, after occupying the entire southwest border, began ambitiously attempting to establish his own country.

This way, the Emperor could never tolerate him and dispatched the fierce general Hua Chengyuan to the southwest border. Who knew he had just reached the southwest when he died from the region’s unique miasma. The Emperor had no choice but to dispatch two more generals, but the results were the same—either poisoned by miasma or led in circles by the southwest rebels. Seeing Great Li’s generals had no way to deal with him, Guo Cheng grew even bolder, no longer just occupying the southwest region but beginning to constantly send people to harass Great Li’s central cities. Countless people had no choice but to flee their homes and become refugees. The national treasury was empty from the previous earthquake, without sufficient provisions to wage large-scale war to thoroughly resolve the situation. Duke Jiangguo in the south and Duke Luoguo in the east—both their armies eyed each other like tigers watching prey, neither could be easily moved. The Emperor had recently been overwhelmed with worry over this matter…

Duke Jiangguo was just a spent force, yet he refused to die, always causing trouble at critical moments. Tuoba Zhen suddenly raised this suggestion—heh. Li Weiyang smiled coldly. Tuoba Zhen, oh Tuoba Zhen, you truly understand how to seize the most advantageous timing…