Seeing this scene, Princess Lin’an couldn’t help smiling faintly. Though she didn’t know Jiang Nan’s arrangements, this was precisely an excellent opportunity. Her face showed nothing as she said, “Imperial Brother, I think a large-scale search would be inappropriate.”

The Crown Prince glanced at her and said, “Such an important military formation diagram has been lost—of course we must find it! Even if Father Emperor were here, he would approve of my actions. Does Imperial Sister have something to say?”

Princess Lin’an smiled, glancing imperceptibly at Li Weiyang. “The matter is plain to see. Everyone present is Yuexi nobility. Who would steal such intelligence for no reason? This person must definitely not be one of our people. Thinking this way, doesn’t the answer become clear?”

Her voice was gentle, her tone mild, yet every word carried ulterior motives. Hearing this, everyone’s gazes fell upon Li Weiyang.

Princess Lin’an’s meaning was easy to understand. Everyone present was Yuexi nobility—no one would betray their own country. Only one person was an exception: the newly acknowledged young lady of the Guo family. She had once lived in Dali and had been a princess beloved by Dali’s Emperor, also the adopted daughter of Prime Minister Li. This made her identity very complex. No one wanted to be searched, so hearing this, they all suspected Li Weiyang. Just checking her alone would suffice, everyone involuntarily thought.

Before the Guo family could say anything, Princess Lin’an continued, “Perfectly fine being a princess in Dali, yet insisting on running back to Yuexi—and at precisely this time, no less. How can one not find it suspicious?”

Madam Guo said coldly, “Princess Lin’an, without evidence you mustn’t make false accusations. My daughter would never betray her country! Moreover, she hasn’t approached the study since the banquet began. How could she have stolen such important intelligence?”

Princess Lin’an laughed coldly. “Madam Guo, don’t speak too soon. Even if she didn’t go herself, couldn’t she have sent a maid nearby? Furthermore, this courtyard isn’t very large, and people were all gathered together. If she quietly went while everyone wasn’t paying attention and returned early, who would notice? Can you, Madam Guo, guarantee you never let her leave your sight for even a moment?”

Madam Guo’s face turned ice cold. Just as she was about to speak, Li Weiyang grasped her hand and smiled faintly at her. “Mother needn’t worry. The clear are naturally clear. Since I didn’t steal this intelligence, what need is there to argue?”

Guo Cheng said lightly, “Little sister, that’s not how one speaks. We Guo family have never done petty thievery. Since you claim innocence, prove it to Princess Lin’an.”

Guo Cheng’s words instead sparked Madam Guo’s displeasure. She thought to herself: What’s wrong with you, boy? Why are you helping outsiders for no reason? Being searched here would be so humiliating! How can the dignified Guo family young lady become an object of suspicion?! If word spreads, how can she face anyone?!

But Li Weiyang smiled and said, “Third Brother is right. Since I didn’t do this, naturally I should prove it to everyone. However, just me proving myself alone isn’t enough. Would all the ladies present be willing to accompany me on this journey?”

Hearing this, everyone understood somewhat—this was the Guo family young lady not wanting to be singled out for inspection. The Minister’s wife, who had always been close to Madam Guo, stood up and said, “Since this military report is so important, then we’ll accompany Miss Guo on this journey. We can also serve as witnesses.”

Li Weiyang smiled. “Thank you, Minister’s wife. However, only having the ladies inspected might leave gaps. Could all the male guests present also prove their innocence?”

The Crown Prince smiled faintly. “Miss Guo’s words suit my thinking perfectly. Just now I already said we should conduct a search, but everyone was unwilling to be suspected. Since this is the case, why not let me lead by example? Please search me.” With that, the Crown Prince walked before the guards, indicating they should search his clothes.

However, how could those guards truly dare search the precious Crown Prince? They merely reached out and lightly touched his chest and back, barely making contact, before bowing and saying, “Crown Prince has absolutely no such items on him. Everyone may rest assured.”

Since even the Crown Prince had done this—though it was just for show—everyone else stood up one after another.

Yuan Ying and Yuan Lie exchanged glances, both involuntarily feeling cold sneers pass through their hearts.

Everyone submitted to inspection. The ladies were specially separated into an elegant room, supervised by venerable matrons, and inspected one by one.

After everyone had made a circuit and emerged, quite a few suspicious items had accumulated on the table. Guo Ping examined them one by one. Finally, his gaze fell on a letter. He picked up the envelope, extracted the paper inside, shook it out, and opened it before everyone.

This paper was completely blank! There was no formation diagram as Guo Ping had expected. Guo Ping paused slightly, preparing to put down the paper and turn to examine other items.

At this moment, they heard Guo Cheng call out loudly, “Wait a moment.”

Guo Ping raised his eyebrows at Guo Cheng. Guo Cheng strode forward, snatched the paper from Guo Ping’s hand, held it up to the sunlight, then examined it carefully before smiling. “This paper is quite mysterious. Lord Guo, why not have someone use candle flame to illuminate it?”

Guo Ping’s face showed a trace of surprise. He thought to himself: What’s going on now? But before everyone, he couldn’t say anything, so he ordered someone to do it. Jiang Nan laughed coldly. The Guo family young master was being too clever. He had deliberately had it planted so he could later claim he found it on the ground. After all, that letter was a love letter between Yuan Lie and Li Weiyang. This way, they would naturally be exposed before everyone.

Soon someone brought a candle. Guo Cheng smiled faintly, lit the candle flame, and held the paper over it three times, then showed everyone the characters that appeared from the smoke.

Everyone looked—their expressions all changed!

Soon someone presented that paper to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince glanced at it, a fierce light flashing through his eyes. “Lord Guo! Is this the lost formation diagram?”

Guo Ping paused, then stepped forward to look. His expression immediately changed. This was indeed the formation diagram he had lost! But how could this diagram suddenly be invisible? No matter how he thought, he couldn’t figure out the key point. He whirled around and shouted sternly, “From whose person was this paper searched?!”

Jiang Nan’s expression became extremely terrible. He suddenly vaguely understood something, then his whole body shook violently!

Guo Wu recognized that slip of paper. Her heart couldn’t help feeling a trace of surprise. Fearing Jiang Nan would be implicated, she quickly said, “Need this even be said? The only person from Dali here must be the owner of this paper!”

But Li Weiyang smiled. “Everyone speaks correctly, but unfortunately I’m not the only one from Dali. Among those present, there truly is one genuine noble young master from Dali. Everyone probably doesn’t know yet?”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince’s face showed a trace of surprise. He said slowly, “What does Miss Guo mean by this?”

Li Weiyang’s gaze looked toward Jiang Nan in the distance, laughing coldly. “Exactly who this Young Master Nan beside Princess Lin’an is—does Crown Prince really not know either?”

Princess Lin’an’s expression changed dramatically as she said angrily, “Guo Jia, what exactly do you mean?! Why are you implicating Young Master Nan?!”

Li Weiyang slowly smiled, that smile containing a trace of mockery, sighing as if regretfully. “Princess Lin’an has kept this person by her side for so long yet doesn’t know his background. Isn’t this very strange? This so-called Young Master Nan is actually the Fourth Young Master of Dali’s Jiang family—Jiang Nan, formerly Tiger Power General, a quite famous figure! For such a person to come to Yuexi yet hide his name—don’t you all find this strange?”

Everyone’s faces turned ugly. Regarding Jiang Nan’s background, they had all suspected before. However, Yuexi had always been prosperous and flourishing, attracting many people from foreign lands—this wasn’t particularly strange. But hearing what Li Weiyang just said, this Jiang Nan’s identity was truly unusual. Dali’s Jiang family was a famously illustrious noble clan. How could their fourth young master run to Princess Lin’an’s manor and demean himself as a mere male consort? This was simply unbelievable—the joke of the century!

Princess Lin’an’s expression turned extremely pale. She hadn’t expected Li Weiyang to expose Jiang Nan’s identity in one statement. Actually, before this she hadn’t known Jiang Nan’s background either. For her, a man’s status didn’t matter—what mattered was only that he could please her. Jiang Nan suited her perfectly.

Of course, after falling for Jiang Nan, she had once wanted to find his background, so she sent people to investigate secretly. However, what she finally obtained were only fragments—she didn’t know his true identity. Only later, when he voluntarily confessed everything, did she learn his identity and his deep blood feud with Li Weiyang.

Among those present, only Guo Ping and Guo Wu showed no surprise on their faces. That day in the study, Jiang Nan had clearly told them he came from Dali’s Jiang family and had an irreconcilable enmity with Li Weiyang. However, being publicly exposed by Li Weiyang at this moment was truly embarrassing. Guo Ping’s face flashed with anger. “Guo Jia, even if Young Master Nan comes from Dali, that’s a thing of the past. Why bring this up?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Yes, the fact that I was once Dali’s Princess Anping makes everyone unable to forget. How is it that when it comes to Young Master Nan, everyone completely forgets? Isn’t this deliberate favoritism?!”

Guo Ping’s face flashed with awkwardness. He said coldly, “Guo Jia, Young Master Nan indeed comes from Dali, but this doesn’t prove he stole the formation diagram!”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly and asked the nearby guards, “You just searched for so long—from whose person was this paper found? Why don’t you dare say?”

Everyone looked at the searching guards. One of them knelt down trembling and said, “Crown Prince, this slip of paper was indeed searched from Young Master Nan’s person.”

Everyone fell silent. No one had expected this slip to be found on Young Master Nan. Thinking of Princess Lin’an’s confident appearance just moments ago, some wanted to laugh but didn’t dare.

Li Weiyang laughed coldly. “Just now it was clearly stated that if the slip was on someone’s person, then they stole the military formation diagram. How is it that now everyone is silent?”

Princess Lin’an suddenly slapped the table and stood up, shouting angrily, “Guo Jia! You’re clearly deliberately framing him! You definitely stole this slip!”

Li Weiyang laughed lightly, her smile containing endless coldness. “Princess Lin’an, though I’m a weak woman, I’m not someone who can be casually wronged. Young Master Nan’s martial arts in this garden probably exceed everyone’s. If someone could truly steal the formation diagram, wouldn’t it be him rather than me, a woman without the strength to truss a chicken? No one would believe if word of this spread.”

Guo Ping’s gaze coldly stared at Zhao Yue! His eyes filled with infinite hatred. By now, even he, however dull, understood. Zhao Yue had originally performed a ruse of self-harm for them, father and daughter, to see. The purpose was to make them believe a rift had developed between Zhao Yue and Li Weiyang. Then Zhao Yue deliberately sold Li Weiyang and Yuan Lie’s correspondence to Guo Wu. Guo Wu, believing it genuine, naturally kept it on her person. Before the incident, it was snatched by Jiang Nan. However, none of them had imagined that the so-called love letter between Li Weiyang and Yuan Lie was actually the formation diagram they’d been desperately trying to use as false evidence!

Such a scheme was actually very simple. The fault lay in their eagerness for revenge, mistakenly trusting that little wretch Zhao Yue! Guo Wu stepped forward, wanting to give Zhao Yue a slap!

Guo Ping blocked her in time and said loudly, “Crown Prince! This matter must have other mysteries! Why would Young Master Nan steal this formation diagram for no reason? Perhaps someone deliberately framed him!”

Yuan Lie laughed coldly. “Lord Guo, just now you said the person who stole the formation diagram came from Dali. How is it that now it’s Young Master Nan and you’ve changed your mind? Or are you saying you were deliberately framing Miss Guo, and seeing the diagram isn’t on her, you want to retract your words? This Jiang Nan truly comes from Dali and is distinguished nobility. His hiding his identity and coming to Yuexi—if not harboring ulterior motives, then what? Would an ordinary man willingly become a male consort?”

Once Yuan Lie’s words left his mouth, everyone’s faces showed contemptuous expressions.

The words “male consort” were Jiang Nan’s deepest pain! He almost couldn’t help rushing forward to attack, but he timely restrained the hatred in his heart. He looked coldly at Yuan Lie and slowly said, “Prince Xu, who doesn’t have a past? You press me so aggressively—do you want me to shake everything out?”

Prince Xu smiled. “Shake it out? Shake what out? Do you want to tell everyone my true identity? This isn’t any secret. My royal father and His Majesty already knew long ago. That’s right, I also grew up in Dali, and I lived in the Li household. My original name was Li Minde, Prime Minister Li’s nephew. What of it? Very surprising? What’s so strange about this? What about this is worth threatening me? This was merely to hide my true identity for my safety.”

Everyone hadn’t expected Yuan Lie’s background to be so unusual. Yuan Ying smiled and actually spoke up: “What’s so strange about this? When my late Uncle Xu was alive, he told us his son was lost, living somewhere outside. After much investigation, he discovered he had grown up in Dali. He just never found exactly where or in which household. Looking at it now, Prince Xu and Miss Guo truly have quite some fate!”

Yuan Lie glanced at Yuan Ying and sneered—you’re truly meddlesome, afraid others will overlook your existence.

Wasn’t it quite fated indeed? These two were both of Yuexi bloodline yet inexplicably met in Dali. Everyone couldn’t help thinking of Yuan Lie’s pursuing attitude toward Guo Jia recently and understood in their hearts. Though the matter was indeed somewhat coincidental, this way it could also explain why Prince Xu Yuan Lie pursued Guo Jia relentlessly. Yes, where in the world were there so many cases of love at first sight? Gradual affection over time was probably more common.

Madam Guo glanced at Guo Jia, her heart increasingly shocked. Yuan Lie had also grown up in the Li household—why had Jia’er never mentioned this? This way, wouldn’t their feelings be even more solid?

She thought for a moment. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on this question. Currently the other party was pressing aggressively, their purpose being to pin everything on her daughter. She must find a way to clear her daughter’s name. Thinking this, Madam Guo looked toward Duke Qiguo.

Only now did Duke Qiguo speak, slowly saying, “Crown Prince, what Princess Lin’an just said isn’t without reason. The person who stole the formation diagram must definitely not be from Yuexi. However, among those present who grew up in Dali, there are three people: Young Master Nan, my daughter Guo Jia, and Prince Xu Yuan Lie. Unfortunately, neither Guo Jia nor Yuan Lie has any reason to steal the formation diagram. The only suspicious person is Young Master Nan, because he’s neither of Yuexi bloodline nor has any support. Isn’t this enough to confirm he’s a spy?”

Princess Lin’an said furiously, “Duke Qiguo, Jiang Nan was sitting perfectly fine beside me. When did he ever go to the study? When did he ever steal the formation diagram?”

Guo Dao laughed heartily. “Princess Lin’an, even if he didn’t do it himself, couldn’t someone beside him have done it? Didn’t you just say these very words? How are you retracting them now?”

That’s right—just now Princess Lin’an had indeed said this about Li Weiyang. Now that Guo Dao returned these words to Princess Lin’an, it wasn’t strange. Princess Lin’an trembled with anger, her brows quivering, yet she couldn’t say a word. Now caught red-handed, how could she exonerate Jiang Nan? This was truly an unsolvable problem.

Just then, Guo Dun, who hadn’t been seen since the garden gathering began, walked in from outside the courtyard. He held a shabbily-dressed youth, pushing the youth down to the ground and saying coldly, “Look at this boy, sneaking around outside. I found him suspicious and brought him in. Lord Guo, do you know him?”

Guo Ping looked carefully but shook his head. “I don’t know him.”

Guo Dun glanced at that youth and said coldly, “Still won’t tell the truth? Who exactly are you?”

The youth raised his head, looking at everyone cowering and shrinking. Seeing the seats full of nobles, his heart was inevitably quite afraid. He stammered, “I, I, am just a beggar making a living on the streets. Thinking… today there were festive sounds coming from here, there must be a lavish banquet. After it ended, the lords might bestow some food, so I lingered outside the gates. I never imagined I’d be caught and dragged in by this young lord.”

The Crown Prince glanced at him and said, “Young Master Guo, since he’s just an ordinary beggar, why did you bring him in?”

Guo Dun laughed coldly. “A beggar?! Would a beggar constantly spy from behind the gate? Would a beggar ask people whether a young master inside was sending messages out?!”

Guo Ping’s expression changed as he said coldly, “What messages?!”

Guo Dun smiled faintly, then said sternly to the youth, “You speak yourself, or I’ll hand you over to the Capital Magistrate to throw you in prison. Think carefully!”

The youth was startled and repeatedly kowtowed on the ground. “Young master, please calm your anger! Please calm your anger! I’m merely a street beggar! Just trying to get by—why must you be so angry?”

Guo Dun laughed coldly. “You need only tell the truth and you can return from whence you came. But if you speak half a lie, hmph! This young master absolutely won’t spare you!”

That beggar, frightened by Guo Dun, felt his throat squeezed as if by a hand. His speech was trembling and shrinking, though still clear: “I, I… I was only doing it for fifty copper coins! Young master, why must you make things difficult for me! Early this morning, I was begging on the street when suddenly a young master found me. He said as long as I came to this courtyard’s exterior at noon today, he would throw a stone out from inside with a letter tied to it. He told me to take this letter and quietly leave the city. After leaving the city, he said someone would contact me. I, I, I truly know nothing! Just delivering a letter! But I circled outside for a long while and never saw him come out, so I wanted to ask what was happening.”

At these words, everyone suddenly understood. All eyes looked toward that Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan’s heart had just been raised high, only to now crash to the valley floor. At this moment, the garden was so silent a single spark could ignite it! He steeled his heart and quickly walked out, immediately kneeling. “Crown Prince! Jiang Nan did not! Absolutely did not bribe this beggar to deliver messages for me!”

Though his voice remained steady, imperceptibly it was like autumn leaves in the wind—his hands and feet trembling.

The several Guo family young masters, seeing Jiang Nan like this, all felt vindicated in their hearts.

Li Weiyang thought of how these recent days, Jiang Nan had relentlessly pursued her. Now seeing him clearly afraid yet still pretending indifference, she couldn’t help feeling satisfaction, though her face showed none of it.

Princess Lin’an still protected him: “Imperial Brother, Jiang Nan isn’t that kind of person. He absolutely wouldn’t bribe this beggar!” She drew the longsword from a nearby guard and quickly walked over, placing the blade at the beggar’s neck. “Speak! Who exactly bribed you! If you honestly tell me, I’ll release you! Otherwise, your head will fall!”

Everyone was shocked! No one had expected Princess Lin’an to be so domineering and unreasonable!

That beggar’s eyes filled with infinite terror, his voice even more broken: “I! I truly know nothing! It was this young master!” His finger pointed at Jiang Nan, trembling continuously. “It was him! It was him! He gave me fifty copper coins to deliver a letter! I know nothing! Know nothing! Spare me! Spare me!” As he spoke, he desperately retreated backward, yet his neck scraped a bloody mark on that blade. Princess Lin’an’s fury reached the heavens. The longsword in her hand raised high—about to fall!

Guo Dun took an arrow’s step forward and kicked the sword away! That longsword struck “crack” into the wooden table surface! Truly penetrating three parts into the wood! The sword body continued shaking! Watching made people’s hearts tremble with fear!

Guo Dun said angrily, “Princess Lin’an, are you trying to silence a witness?! For a mere male consort, you actually disregard national righteousness! Do you still deserve to be Yuexi’s princess?!” His voice revealed extreme fury.

Everyone’s faces showed strange expressions. They looked at Princess Lin’an with especially angry eyes.

Princess Lin’an unconsciously stepped back, then turned to look at the Crown Prince. “Imperial Brother…”

The Crown Prince suddenly stood up, furiously angry. “Lin’an! Having reached such a point, you still shield Jiang Nan?! Have you forgotten your own identity?! You dare do such lawless things! Kneel down now!”

Lin’an had always feared the Crown Prince. Seeing him angry, her legs unconsciously went weak. But looking at Jiang Nan kneeling on the ground, she involuntarily straightened her spine, quickly walked over, and knelt side by side with him, calling loudly, “Imperial Brother! Jiang Nan must have been framed! If you won’t do him justice, then kill this sister of yours as well!”

The Crown Prince’s face paled, immediately saying furiously, “What nonsense are you spouting?! Someone! Take Princess Lin’an away!”

Hearing this, everyone around the Crown Prince surged forward. Before Princess Lin’an could resist, those guards seized her arms and forcibly dragged her aside. Princess Lin’an kept struggling, her hair completely disheveled—she no longer cared. She had truly lost an imperial princess’s dignity.

For a beloved man, she was truly mad. However, this was only the beginning. Li Weiyang watched from afar, a cold smile crossing her face.

Guo Ping and Guo Wu watched with trepidation, that fear in their hearts beyond words. They deeply feared Jiang Nan would expose them. But Jiang Nan lowered his head without a word, showing no intention of explaining everything. Guo Ping secretly felt fortunate. Actually, he didn’t know—Jiang Nan wasn’t unwilling to reveal everything, but rather he preferred dying himself to leaving Li Weiyang a lingering problem. As long as the Guo father and daughter existed, sooner or later they would force Li Weiyang to desperation.

Fundamentally, he was unwilling to let her have her way, thinking she could henceforth enjoy peace. Moreover, this matter wasn’t without room for maneuvering. When Princess Lin’an returned to her manor, she would naturally find ways to rescue him. Since he could escape from Dali’s heavenly prison, wouldn’t he also succeed in Yuexi? So he lowered his head, not making futile excuses for himself.

Guo Ping wiped cold sweat from his forehead. “Fortunately Crown Prince is wise and timely caught this spy for me. Otherwise, if the formation diagram had been transmitted out, my head would be forfeit as well.” He stepped forward and kowtowed to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince personally helped him up, consoling him: “Since the formation diagram has been found, let this matter end here. I’ll plead with Father Emperor to forgive your crime of poor safekeeping.”

Guo Ping had been waiting for precisely these words. He quickly said, “Thank you, Crown Prince! Thank you, Crown Prince!”

Guo Wu cast an affectionate glance at the Crown Prince, but he only glanced lightly, not taking it to heart at all.

Just then, Li Weiyang suddenly said, “Please wait! This matter probably hasn’t fully come to light yet.”

When Li Weiyang said this, everyone froze and looked toward her. She wore magnificent robes, her sleeves fluttering. Her appearance was already gentle. Over these years, childishness had gradually faded. Her beautiful face had even developed a trace of charming heroism through experience. Between glances, her bearing illuminated others. Those beautiful eyes were extremely sharp. “Crown Prince, may Guo Jia borrow this formation diagram for a look?”

Guo Ping blocked the Crown Prince’s front and shouted, “Guo Jia! How can a woman like you view this? Step back now!”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Why is Uncle so anxious and uneasy? Could there be some secret hidden on this diagram?”

Guo Ping said angrily, “This formation diagram is a military matter. How can you, a daughter, concern yourself with such things?! Since today’s matter has concluded, please return home.”

Li Weiyang’s face showed a difficult expression. “Under normal circumstances, I would never make such an impolite request. However, today’s events—you all spoke in unison saying this matter was related to me. To prove my innocence, I agreed to the body search and with great difficulty proved my innocence. But doubt still lingers in my heart. If Crown Prince permits, lend me this diagram to view, so I may resolve some of my confusion.”

The Crown Prince gazed at her intently with a half-smile. “What confusion does Miss Guo have?”

Li Weiyang said unhurriedly, “The study is an important place, off-limits to idle people. As an outsider, how could Young Master Jiang know where the study was located? How could he obtain this formation diagram with guards everywhere? Doesn’t this seem strange?”

Hearing this, everyone nodded.

Yuan Lie stepped forward with a smile. “Miss Guo is a young lady from the inner chambers—it’s inconvenient for her to view this formation diagram. I count as a court minister. I think giving me this diagram to see shouldn’t be a problem?”

Not just him—even Yuan Ying walked out and said, “Imperial Brother, may I borrow this diagram for a look?”

The two of them pressed aggressively. A trace of barely perceptible coldness flashed across the Crown Prince’s face. Having reached this point, if he continued covering this diagram, it would appear he had ulterior motives. Everyone’s gazes watched the three of them, concealing the surprise on their faces.

Though Guo Ping felt somewhat annoyed, in his view there was nothing that couldn’t be seen. Thinking this, he glanced at the Crown Prince. “What is Your Highness’s opinion?”

The Crown Prince nodded. “Since both Prince Jing and Prince Xu wish to view this formation diagram, there’s nothing wrong with that. Let them see it.”

Hearing this, Guo Ping had no choice but to honestly hand over the diagram.

Yuan Lie grabbed the diagram first, carefully examining it top to bottom. Finally, he pointed at tiny characters in a corner of the rice paper. “What is this?”

Both the Crown Prince and Guo Ping’s faces showed surprise. They stepped forward to look and indeed saw a line of small characters on the rice paper, though blurry and illegible.

Yuan Lie said lightly, “Legend has it there’s a secret technique in the world called micro-carving. I didn’t expect someone here could also write in such small characters. I just don’t know what this line says.”

Yuan Ying smiled faintly. “This is no problem. I have a treasure from a foreign land that can magnify characters countless times. Someone! Go fetch it.” His guards immediately went and shortly retrieved something called the Many Treasures Mirror from the carriage.

Yuan Ying placed this Many Treasures Mirror on the paper, looking at the characters through the lens, then read aloud: “To His Majesty the Emperor of Dali—”

Then Yuan Ying’s expression changed slightly. He suddenly handed this paper to the Crown Prince, saying coldly, “Crown Prince! The signature below is Taipu!”

Everyone was stunned. Everyone present knew this Minister of War, Lord Guo, was styled Taipu!

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Uncle, could this letter be one you were sending to His Majesty the Emperor of Dali?”

Guo Ping’s complexion instantly turned snow white. He never imagined this paper would have such a line of characters, and the final signature was actually his own style name! His teeth trembled slightly! He suddenly knelt down. “Crown Prince, this matter is pure slander! I would absolutely never dare commit such acts betraying the imperial family! Betraying the nation!”

Guo Cheng said slowly, “Uncle, saying this seems like shirking responsibility! Just now Jia’er was right. How could this heavily guarded study allow someone to break in for no reason? Without someone to guide him, how could Young Master Jiang find this secret letter?! Especially, how would he know this formation diagram was in your study? Clearly you revealed this to him early on and deliberately used it to frame my sister! Truly his heart is punishable, his crime unforgivable!” When he said these words, his speech was forceful and pressing, his gaze also emitting a fierce light.

Guo Ping’s sweat “whoosh” poured down completely. Even Guo Wu was too frightened to speak. Neither of them had imagined this slip of paper would have such a line of characters! Wholeheartedly wanting to frame others, they never thought they’d become birds in a cage! This reversal of heaven and earth came so quickly! Guo Ping almost had no way to argue!

He banged his head on the ground repeatedly. “Your Highness! For many years I’ve worked diligently for His Majesty, worrying about the nation, never doing the slightest thing to betray the country! This formation diagram—from when it arrived at my manor, I’ve had people guard it day and night! I truly don’t know how this Young Master Nan learned of it! How he stole it! Much less understand why there’s such a line of characters on this letter! Someone must be deliberately framing me!”

Duke Qiguo, seeing this, actually already vaguely understood in his heart. This matter was actually inseparably related to his daughter Guo Jia and his three sons. But having reached this point, he couldn’t say much, because from the very beginning he had already seen that this elder brother had framed Guo Jia for colluding with Dali and attempting to steal national secrets first. If not for this, Guo Jia wouldn’t have turned and bitten back.

Duke Qiguo turned his gaze away, no longer looking at Guo Ping’s miserable appearance.

The Crown Prince’s tone was heavy, carrying enormous pressure. “This handwriting must be carefully examined to see whether it truly came from Lord Guo’s hand. That may not necessarily be so. Perhaps someone framed him, so Miss Guo needn’t be so hasty in drawing conclusions.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Whether someone framed him or not, a slight comparison will reveal the truth. Many present are calligraphy masters. One examination will tell. Why must Crown Prince prevaricate?”

The Crown Prince looked at her coldly, his face merely light, noncommittal. At this time, Censor Zhang nearby quickly walked over, bowing and saying, “Your Highness, I’m willing to verify this to rectify the record!”

This Censor Zhang had always been most impartial. Due to his upright and unyielding character, he had once been demoted three thousand miles for offending Princess Lin’an. Only recently had he managed to return to the capital. His suddenly stepping forward now to say such words—everyone nodded in approval, saying, “Yes, let Censor Zhang verify it!”

“Censor Zhang is a famous calligraphy master. His judgment will surely be correct!”

Everyone spoke with one voice. The Crown Prince nodded and handed that slip to Censor Zhang. Censor Zhang took it and examined it carefully. “The handwriting is very hasty, but from the brush strokes, brush strength, and writing method, this was definitely written personally by Lord Guo.” After looking for a long while, Censor Zhang finally said this.

At these words, Guo Ping collapsed to the ground, cold sweat pouring like rain.

Li Weiyang laughed coldly. Guo Ping had handled military affairs for many years—his handwriting spread throughout the world, extremely easy for people to study and forge. Moreover, her unruly Fifth Brother loved imitating the calligraphy of great masters most. Though Guo Ping’s character was despicable, his calligraphy was absolutely first-rate. After Guo Dao studied for several years, he had become quite proficient. To outsiders, each character appeared very similar.

However, similarity was similarity. Within Guo Ping’s strokes lacked Guo Dao’s graceful straightness, causing Guo Dao to curse while writing. Of course, she wouldn’t tell everyone this. Currently, she only said lightly, “Since Censor Zhang has confirmed this is Lord Guo’s handwriting, it’s sufficient proof that Lord Guo colluded with Jiang Nan to sell intelligence to Dali. To muddy the waters, he even slandered me, probably intending to use the chaos to deliver the intelligence to that beggar just now. Crown Prince, how will you handle this now?”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince smiled faintly. “Since the evidence is conclusive, I’ll take Lord Guo—no, I should say Guo Ping—and Jiang Nan back to the palace together, report this matter to Father Emperor, then have the Ministry of Justice interrogate them in detail. I’ll inform everyone of the specific results.”

Though the Crown Prince insisted on taking them back for detailed interrogation, clearly deliberately showing favoritism, everyone thought this but showed nothing on their faces.

Only Yuan Lie stepped forward and said, “This won’t trouble Crown Prince. I’ll personally escort these two to the palace and explain everything to the Ministry of Justice.”

The Crown Prince’s face showed a trace of coldness. He was extremely calm at this moment. At this time, whether shielding Guo Ping or insisting on personally escorting them to the palace might provoke public anger and invite trouble. While the Crown Prince pondered, his mouth changed direction: “Since this is the case, then I’ll trouble Prince Xu.” Finishing, he turned to leave.

Seeing his savior about to leave, Guo Ping urgently threw himself forward, grasping the Crown Prince’s robe hem, wailing loudly, “Crown Prince! You must save me! I’ve been wronged! I’ve been wronged!” While shouting, he grasped the Crown Prince and wouldn’t let go.

The Crown Prince glanced at him. Guards beside him already went up and dragged Guo Ping away. Guo Ping continued struggling, desperately trying to approach the Crown Prince. A guard fiercely kicked his lower back, shouting, “How dare you be rude before Crown Prince!”

Seeing this scene, everyone couldn’t help sighing inwardly. Just moments ago, he had been a high-spirited Minister of War. In the blink of an eye, he’d become a prisoner. Who could have imagined how quickly circumstances changed?

Guo Wu also fell to the ground, trembling all over. She looked at this scene with terror, knowing in her heart: It’s over. Everything is already over.

Soon, Prince Xu ordered people to take Jiang Nan and Guo Ping into the palace. Going with them was that beggar serving as witness. Before leaving, Yuan Lie looked at Li Weiyang and smiled faintly. “Just await good news.”

The so-called “await good news” meant for Li Weiyang to rest assured. Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “I have nothing to worry about. I’ll just wait for your news.”

Li Weiyang didn’t wait long. Three days later, the Emperor’s judgment had come down. Guo Ping colluded with spies to sell national secrets—sentenced to execution with entire household confiscated, all adult males beheaded for public display, females demoted to slavery. As for Jiang Nan, being a Dali spy, he received the punishment of being cut in half at the waist—an extremely severe punishment indeed!

Princess Lin’an entered the palace several times to make scenes, only to be blocked at the palace gates. She knelt outside the palace gates for three days and nights, yet the Emperor refused to see her. Finally, Empress Pei personally left the palace, but not to pardon Jiang Nan—rather to fiercely slap Princess Lin’an across the face. Princess Lin’an returned crying and wailing, hating Li Weiyang to the bone in her heart!

At this time, Li Weiyang was listening to Zhao Yue describe the Emperor’s judgment. She asked, “When is the execution?”

Zhao Yue smiled faintly, slowly saying, “Tomorrow.”

Tomorrow? Previously, beheading sentences were executed three months later. This time was extremely fast. Li Weiyang thought for a moment—it seemed Yuan Lie had truly expended considerable effort. “Tomorrow you’ll accompany me to watch.”

Zhao Yue looked at Li Weiyang with some surprise. “Miss wants to go watch! Why?”

Li Weiyang smiled. “Without personally watching him die, how can I feel at ease? This substitution scheme works once but not twice. Jiang Nan must die without question!”

Jiang Nan hadn’t expected that just as Princess Lin’an arranged a death row prisoner to replace him, he would be kidnapped. At this moment, he was trapped in a suburban manor. On his left and right stood over a dozen guards from Princess Lin’an’s manor, each bearing wounds, soaked in blood, already powerless to support themselves. He never imagined that just after escaping to a pre-selected hiding place, he’d be ambushed. Caught off guard, he’d been trapped here by these people. The more he thought, the more confused he became. The people surrounding him were extremely elite assassins, yet they weren’t Yuexi’s famous death warriors. In current Yuexi, how could there be such an elite force, completely comparable to the Yuexi death warriors who had once shocked him! He gripped his longsword tightly when he heard someone outside laugh loudly, “Set fire!”

Jiang Nan’s expression changed. He saw two bundles of firewood thrown at the entrance. A flint was tossed over. Watching flames rise, about to burn inside, people outside shouted loudly, “Hand over Jiang Nan and we’ll spare your lives!” Jiang Nan’s heart jumped. He turned to see those guards’ eyes already shifting. If he didn’t surrender, these guards would unite to betray him! With no choice, he strode out. “I’m here!”

Just stepping out, his neck was pressed by a longsword. His hands were quickly bound tightly behind his back with ox tendon rope. He raised his eyebrows, saying coldly, “Did Li Weiyang send you?”

No one answered him. The twenty people before him seemed iron-hearted and iron-faced, their gazes cold, emotionless. They left no survivors, killing all remaining princess manor guards, then escorted Jiang Nan to a secret location. Jiang Nan’s mouth was forcibly pried open and a pill poured in. Two fists couldn’t match four hands. Though he originally wanted to resist, he was knocked unconscious. Opening his eyes, he found himself in a spacious room with no door—only a high window. He jumped up abruptly, shouting loudly, “Li Weiyang, stop pretending! I know you’re here?!”

In the darkness, someone laughed softly. “Yes, I’m indeed here.”

Jiang Nan laughed coldly. “You captured me to kill me, right! Such petty behavior—truly contemptible!”

That voice was gentle and mild, showing no signs of killing intent. “Indeed, I’m a woman. The methods I like aren’t very honorable. However, you could attack a group of helpless women and children. How much better are you?”

Jiang Nan laughed loudly. “In the end, you hate me so much just to avenge your mother and that foolish brother.” Back then, it was he who had led the Yuexi death warriors in that massacre. He had deliberately spared Li Minzhi, knowing Li Weiyang would go mad with rage seeing a child frightened into madness. That pain was more satisfying than killing her.

Li Weiyang laughed softly. “Yes, I’ll never forget that scene.”

Jiang Nan laughed coldly. “I know you won’t spare me. Between us two, one must die first. You’re sending me on my way—I should thank you.” He, Jiang Nan, had never been someone who feared death. Whether stretching or shrinking his neck, it was the same blade. What was there to fear!

Li Weiyang sighed. “Your life should have been given to the battlefield. What a pity!”

Those three words “what a pity” reached Jiang Nan’s ears. He painfully clenched his hands. Yes, he should have spent his life fighting on battlefields, becoming a general of distinguished merit. But Li Weiyang had caused him to lose everything, reduced to such straits. He hated to the extreme, hurt to the extreme! He could no longer control his emotions, shouting angrily, “Kill me! Kill me right now!”

Li Weiyang’s smile was very indifferent. Only at this moment, the other party had no way to see her expression. “I anticipated Princess Lin’an would rescue you, so I seized the opportunity to capture you. You know, every time I see Minzhi like that, how heartbroken I feel?”

“Survival of the fittest is the way of the world. Whether your brother or that cowering mother of yours, they had no reason to live!” Jiang Nan said emotionlessly.

Hearing this, Li Weiyang fell quiet. After a long while, she said, “In Young Master Jiang’s heart, the weak have no reason to live?” This was truly Jiang family theory. She was a concubine-born daughter, so she deserved to be used and trampled, because she was weak. Seventh Aunt, Minzhi, and the Old Madam lacked the power to protect themselves, so they deserved to be tormented and killed, because they were weak. Good, truly too good! She said slowly, “Yes, I think the same way. Therefore, I’ve prepared a great gift for Young Master Jiang.” With that, she clapped her hands lightly.

They heard click-click-click three times. Three walls of this room suddenly opened. Jiang Nan paused, then his pupils dilated enormously. He heard the roar of wild beasts. Li Weiyang’s voice was very light, very gentle, like murmuring to a lover. “Behind these three walls are a fierce tiger, a wolf, and a venomous snake. I know Young Master Jiang’s martial arts are unparalleled—you’re a true strong person. Dealing with them shouldn’t be difficult, right?”

Jiang Nan laughed coldly. “You think three animals can kill me?”

Li Weiyang sighed. “Do you know what you just ate?”

Jiang Nan paused. “You poisoned me?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly, saying in a low voice, “Poison? No, this isn’t poison. It’s a drug that will make you feel abnormally hungry—not just you, but also that tiger, snake, and wolf. They were all force-fed this drug. You said only the strong can survive, right? You, ravenously hungry, must naturally eat those three beasts to survive. However, they’re the same. I wonder which of you four will have better luck?”

Jiang Nan paused. Those three beasts had already silently pounced toward him.

Li Weiyang turned back, smiling as she asked, “Would you like to play a game of chess with me?”

Yuan Lie’s smile was gentle. “Since you have such refined interest, I’ll naturally accompany you.”

The two exchanged smiles and actually had someone set up a chess board right there, beginning to play. The nearby Prince Xu manor guards all stood expressionlessly, yet inwardly felt puzzled. From that room came continuous screams and beasts’ muffled groans—clearly an extremely brutal fight.

Before long, guards reported, “He was bitten by the venomous snake. He grabbed it at seven inches and forcibly smashed it to death.”

Li Weiyang paid no attention, a chess piece slowly falling. Yuan Lie said dissatisfied, “You’re cheating!”

Li Weiyang laughed, unconcerned. “This is called ‘all’s fair in war.'”

After another moment, guards reported, “That wolf ate one of his legs. However, he quickly beat it to death.”

Yuan Lie looked at the chess board. “What about this piece? It seems trapped in a siege.”

From inside the room came Jiang Nan’s screams—that sound made even one’s scalp tingle, truly terrifying.

Li Weiyang glanced once. “You’re distracted. This game, I’m going to win.”

Yuan Lie snorted, taking the opportunity to touch her extended hand. Li Weiyang frowned. He smiled lazily, “What does it matter? I’ll win it back.”

The two gradually became absorbed. Guards reported once more, “The tiger, being too hungry, gouged out one of his eyes and ate it. But he was also quite tenacious, actually breaking the tiger’s front limb. Now neither can overcome the other—”

After one chess game concluded, Yuan Lie continued, “Another round!”

Li Weiyang smiled. “You can never sit still. Even playing several more times, I’ll still be the winner.”

Guards lowered their heads. Inside came continuous screams. Outside, spring warmth abounded. This stark contrast looked somehow terrifying.

After a long while, rustling sounds came from inside. Though guards were cold and ruthless, their voices also trembled slightly. “His drug took effect. With no choice, he and that tiger together ate the dead snake and wolf raw.” Eating together with animals, blood dripping—truly a terrifying scene, rarely seen in this lifetime.

Yuan Lie slapped the table. “Good! This time I’ll definitely beat you!”

After another half hour, the guard’s voice had become very low. “Your Highness, that person… that person went mad. Starving to the extreme, he actually caught that tiger alive. The tiger was also starving to the extreme. They tore and swallowed each other’s flesh with complete abandon…”

This scene truly shocked people. Even these people who killed like flies couldn’t help feeling horror in their hearts.

Yuan Lie waved his hand like shooing flies. “Alright, alright, understood! Weiyang, let me have three pieces! Please!” His handsome face looked as if playing tricks, yet paired with the screams inside, it was especially hair-raising.

But Li Weiyang smiled, mercilessly blocking the chess path.

After another half hour, Li Weiyang had won three consecutive games, utterly defeating Yuan Lie. That room already had no sound whatsoever. Only then did she stand up, slowly saying, “Counting the time, it should be about right. I should return now.”

Yuan Lie, seeing her gracefully depart, walked to the window like a curious person, carefully looking inside. He saw Jiang Nan’s legs had long been eaten by that tiger. Only half an arm remained. Yet that tiger’s head had also been gnawed clean by Jiang Nan. He desperately crawled on the ground, stuffing raw meat into his mouth. Large amounts of fresh blood mixed with white brain matter flowed from his mouth. Yet he trembled all over like having “the shakes,” still uncontrollably stuffing things in his mouth. This scene was truly too horrifying.

Yuan Lie’s gaze turned cold. This drug, once consumed, would only make one eat ceaselessly, eat ceaselessly, until the belly burst. Most terrifying was that consciousness remained abnormally clear—clearly watching oneself swallow everything, clearly feeling every trace of pain, clearly watching one’s own body go mad. Jiang Nan cursed continuously. However, at this moment, no one cared what he cursed. His belly grew larger and larger. Soon, he could no longer touch anything to eat. He actually lifted his own body bitten by the tiger and stuffed it into his mouth. Only hearing a crack sound, his belly actually forcibly split open. Some organ inside him seemed to explode. He suddenly stopped moving and crashed down with a thud…

Yuan Lie sighed. “Who told you to insist on saying ‘survival of the fittest’? Where in this world is there strong or weak? She most dislikes hearing such words. Look—being forcibly stuffed to death, how meaningless. Wrap this corpse properly and send it to Princess Lin’an. I hope she’ll like this gift. Oh, wrap it beautifully.”