Hastily leaving the Empress’s palace, Ying Chu encountered Li Weiyang head-on in the palace gate corridor. He sneered coldly: “Miss Guo, why are you still in the palace at this hour?”

Li Weiyang smiled and replied: “I was ordered by the Empress to keep Noble Consort Hui company in conversation. What, does Lord Ying have objections to Her Majesty’s decree as well?”

Ying Chu, who had been as humble as a dog before Empress Pei moments ago, sneered coldly and straightened his spine: “Miss Guo truly has a silver tongue. This time you successfully escaped trouble, but will it be so easy next time? It seems you’ll need to find more leverage against His Highness to keep firmly in hand as protective talismans, otherwise if you’re not careful, you’ll never be able to climb back up!”

His tone was icy cold, his teeth grinding audibly.

Li Weiyang had never seen him look so terrifying, and couldn’t help feeling somewhat surprised. She examined his expression carefully, then suddenly laughed softly.

Ying Chu said coldly: “What are you laughing at?”

Li Weiyang sighed quietly: “I’m laughing that Lord Ying suffered humiliation before Her Majesty, yet came to vent your anger on an innocent person like me. Don’t you think that’s excessive and misdirected?” Ying Chu’s gaze darkened, but then he heard Li Weiyang continue: “I heard Lord Ying was once Her Majesty’s household retainer—is that true?”

Saying household retainer was actually more appropriate than saying household slave. Ying Chu’s heart trembled, then he stared at Li Weiyang and said: “Yes, my Ying family has served the Pei clan for generations. By my generation, I am already the tenth.” As he spoke, he regarded Li Weiyang with a scrutinizing gaze: “I wonder why Miss Guo has suddenly become interested in this matter?”

Li Weiyang walked forward a few steps, looking at him with a half-smile: “Lord Ying Chu is excessively loyal to Her Majesty, so I’m somewhat curious. Lord Ying… must greatly admire Her Majesty.”

Ying Chu said expressionlessly: “Her Majesty is my master, so naturally I hold her in great reverence.”

Reverence and admiration were completely different things. Li Weiyang heard the clear icy hatred in his words and smiled lightly, asking with apparent concern: “Why must Lord Ying conceal it? Looking at your furious appearance, could it be Her Majesty made you suffer? That’s not right—Lord Ying handles matters effectively and is Her Majesty’s most loyal subordinate. What would she have to blame you for? Or is the treatment of His Majesty not proceeding smoothly?”

Ying Chu looked at Li Weiyang, almost shocked by her keen intuition. His body trembled involuntarily before he stopped himself in time and said with a smile: “Miss Guo truly has discerning eyes—nothing escapes your notice. That’s correct, I just went to present medicine to His Majesty. Although His Majesty’s recovery is promising, it will still take time. I’m afraid Miss Guo will be disappointed.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “What would I have to be disappointed about? His Majesty’s illness this time is also from long-term accumulated exhaustion… his headaches are an old ailment. I wonder how Lord Ying is treating His Majesty?”

Ying Chu glanced at her and said coldly: “This is my family’s secret formula—I’m afraid I cannot share it with Miss Guo.”

Li Weiyang smiled lightly and bowed slightly: “Guo Jia has been presumptuous! It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave now. Farewell, Lord Ying.”

Ying Chu watched Li Weiyang depart gracefully, his gaze surging with boundless iciness. This woman was truly too formidable—in just a few exchanges, she seemed to have seen right through him.

Li Weiyang returned all the way to the Guo residence, where the gatekeeper reported to her: “Miss Wang has arrived.”

Wang Zijin visiting at this time? Li Weiyang thought for a moment, then stepped into the main hall where she saw Guo Dao sitting with Wang Zijin. As soon as she entered, she heard Guo Dao laugh: “Jia’er, you’re finally back. No matter how I try to converse with Miss Wang, she ignores me completely. Clearly only you can keep her company!”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Did Fifth Brother say something inappropriate to upset Miss Wang?”

Wang Zijin snorted coldly: “Young Master Guo Wu has always had this personality—utterly arrogant. I won’t stoop to his level.”

Guo Dao’s expression remained unchanged as he gently waved his folding fan, completely at ease: “Miss Wang isn’t arrogant—she’s excessively proud to the point her eyes sit atop her head.”

“Don’t push me too far!” Wang Zijin slammed the table, almost losing her composure.

Li Weiyang looked at her in surprise: “Fifth Brother, you truly have skills to provoke the usually composed Miss Wang to this extent.”

Guo Dao couldn’t help but laugh heartily. Wang Zijin’s face turned iron blue: “I came here with good intentions to see you, yet you have your fifth brother humiliate me like this. Fine, I’m leaving now!” As she spoke, she stood up to leave.

Li Weiyang quickly stopped her, smiling: “Since you’re here, why leave so quickly before finishing the conversation?”

Wang Zijin glanced coldly at Guo Dao, who immediately raised both hands: “Alright, I’ll shut up right now and say nothing more.” As he spoke, he brought his hand to his mouth in a silencing gesture.

Wang Zijin smiled coldly and turned to look at Li Weiyang: “I think Young Master Guo Wu’s mouth will cause trouble sooner or later. Jia’er, you’d better control him properly, lest he disgrace Duke Qiguo’s residence.”

Guo Dao moved his mouth as if to say something, but remembering his promise, shrugged his shoulders and nonchalantly picked up his tea cup to leisurely drink water.

Seeing he was no longer spouting nonsense, Wang Zijin lowered her voice: “How did things go when you entered the palace this time?”

Li Weiyang smiled lightly: “Empress Pei has lifted my house arrest. Now I can move freely throughout the capital.”

Wang Zijin nodded, contemplating for a moment before saying: “I received the letter you had Zhao Yue deliver. I just didn’t expect that girl Wutong was also a spy sent by Empress Pei.”

Li Weiyang said calmly: “Empress Pei’s eyes and ears are everywhere. How else would her influence be so deeply rooted? Miss Wang should be especially careful!” She paused here, then suddenly smiled: “No, I should call you Zijin instead.”

Hearing this, Wang Zijin knew Li Weiyang was treating her as one of her own. Her heart warmed as she smiled: “Actually, if not for that tea of yours, I truly would have switched sides.”

Guo Dao couldn’t help saying: “Miss Wang’s mind changes quite quickly.”

Wang Zijin shot him a glance: “Still not as quick as your promises change.”

Guo Dao knew she was mocking him and smiled lightly, falling silent.

Li Weiyang and Wang Zijin sat down. She instructed Zhao Yue to pour another cup of tea, then said calmly: “Thank you for your concern, Zijin. It was precisely due to your maneuvering and help that I could escape so quickly.”

Wang Zijin smiled: “I was merely the executor—all the ideas came from you. Clearly when it comes to understanding people’s hearts, I’m far inferior to you.”

Li Weiyang said: “Everyone in this world has their own strengths and weaknesses. My strength lies in seeing through people’s hearts, while yours, Zijin, lies in military formations and deployments. Why be concerned about it?”

Wang Zijin thought carefully and realized this was indeed true. She had long understood the principle that there are always people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens, so she no longer insisted on competing with Li Weiyang. She said softly: “Actually, I originally wanted to go to the battlefield with my father to help him strategize, but thinking about the situation in the capital… I stayed with the Wang family instead. I think Empress Pei was so eager to send them away that she must have other purposes.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “She would never start this war merely to eliminate me.”

Wang Zijin thought carefully, worry appearing on her face: “Do you think she might want to seize the palace?” Her voice noticeably lowered by three degrees when mentioning seizing the palace.

Guo Dao beside them also became serious, sitting up straight: “That can’t be—does she have such audacity?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “If we say Empress Pei lacks audacity, who in this world would dare claim they have any? She certainly has the courage—it just depends whether she has the intention!”

Wang Zijin couldn’t help frowning: “What do you mean?”

Li Weiyang looked at Wang Zijin and said word by word: “Today in the palace, I saw Ying Chu.” As Empress Pei’s confidant, it wasn’t strange for Li Weiyang to encounter Ying Chu when visiting the palace.

Seeing her expression was unusual, Wang Zijin couldn’t help asking: “You saw him—what did you observe?”

Li Weiyang pondered for a moment before slowly saying: “Previously I heard that Ying Chu has been presenting His Majesty with medicine to treat headaches. But over all these years, His Majesty’s illness hasn’t been cured at its root. Instead, he’s become addicted to the medicine, needing to take this painkiller once every three months. Even during the six months Ying Chu wasn’t in the capital, he had someone deliver the medicine to the palace. Clearly His Majesty has come to greatly value this medicine and can no longer do without it. I suspect this is just one of Empress Pei’s methods to control His Majesty.”

Wang Zijin couldn’t help doubting: “But if she could tamper with the medicine to eliminate His Majesty, she could also control the Crown Prince’s ascension.”

Li Weiyang laughed: “How could it be that easy? Even if the Crown Prince ascends, the court officials would still suspect her. You must know His Majesty has been taking Ying Chu’s medicine all along—if something really happened, Ying Chu would be the first who couldn’t escape responsibility. If Ying Chu can’t escape, how could Empress Pei not be suspected? This itself is a paradox.”

Hearing this, Wang Zijin became even more confused: “Are you saying Empress Pei has His Majesty take medicine only to control him, not to kill him?”

Li Weiyang nodded: “Yes, I feel Ying Chu harbors some hatred toward His Majesty. But as for Empress Pei, I really can’t see any intention to kill His Majesty, even though their marital relationship isn’t very good—in fact, His Majesty treats her as an enemy.”

Hearing this, Guo Dao said thoughtfully: “The person His Majesty cherishes has always been only one, and he’s always suspected Princess Qixia’s death was related to Empress Pei, which makes him detest her even more. If not for the Pei family’s former power, the Crown Prince and other princes probably wouldn’t have been born. Looking at recent years, His Majesty never enters Empress Pei’s palace, showing how deep his resentment runs.”

According to imperial custom, on the first and fifteenth of each month, the Emperor must stay in the Empress’s palace. Back then, Empress Pei relied on this to bear the Crown Prince and two princesses. But now, after gradually controlling the Pei family, His Majesty never again set foot in the Empress’s palace, even abolishing this old custom. This wasn’t just humiliating Empress Pei—it was announcing to the world that she had completely lost his favor.

No woman could tolerate such treatment, let alone the proud and ruthless Empress Pei. Her heart should be filled with hatred toward the Emperor—so why hadn’t she acted? Wang Zijin considered—if she were in that position, she probably couldn’t tolerate her husband treating her this way either. But what about the Empress? Why could she endure for so many years? She truly couldn’t understand, so remained silent for a long time.

Li Weiyang said calmly: “What are you thinking about, Zijin?”

Wang Zijin started, then suddenly looked up at her: “I just find it very strange. Based on how His Majesty treats the Empress, she should deeply detest him—so why is it Ying Chu who’s full of hatred toward His Majesty instead?”

Li Weiyang sighed softly: “You’ll have to ask Fifth Brother about that.”

Guo Dao was startled: “Ask me? How would I know what that eunuch is thinking?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Who says Ying Chu is a eunuch?”

Guo Dao’s expression changed: “Isn’t he? How is that possible! Without castration, there’s no way to constantly attend upon Her Majesty in the palace.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “That’s not what I mean. I mean he’s a eunuch now, but he wasn’t before! Before becoming Empress Pei’s close attendant, he was always a household retainer of the Pei family, presumably serving at Pei Huaizhen’s side. If he developed inappropriate feelings because of that, it’s entirely possible!”

Hearing Li Weiyang say this, Wang Zijin was shocked: “You’re saying Ying Chu toward the Empress, he…”

Li Weiyang nodded, confirming her guess.

Guo Dao said incredulously: “How is that possible! A eunuch—where would he get such audacity? Even if he wasn’t a eunuch before, he was just a lowly household slave. Calling him a household retainer is already giving him too much credit!” His gaze remained full of contempt.

But Wang Zijin looked at him and shook her head solemnly: “No, Jia’er is right.”

Guo Dao frowned: “How does Miss Wang know this must be correct?”

Wang Zijin answered: “This isn’t hard to guess. If the situation were placed on you, Fifth Young Master, for someone you love, would you do what Ying Chu did?”

Guo Dao was stunned. After a long while, he suddenly understood: “You mean Ying Chu became a castrated man to stay by the Empress’s side?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “He’s the Empress’s household retainer, so naturally had opportunities to enter court and achieve success—why would he become a lowly close attendant? This requires paying an enormous price. If he didn’t have special feelings for Empress Pei in his heart, why would he be so devoted? Think about how much he’s done for Empress Pei over the years, how many risks he’s taken. To say he has no love for her—who would believe it? Even if others see Ying Chu’s feelings for Empress Pei, so what? He’s just a eunuch, not even a man—no one would think in that direction.”

After Li Weiyang’s reminder, Guo Dao remained speechless for a full moment. Finally, he sighed: “That’s why I say women’s perception is terrifying. Look at you two seeing so accurately—it makes me ashamed as a man.”

Li Weiyang looked at Wang Zijin, her smile fleeting: “Since Ying Chu harbors such devotion to Empress Pei, this matter won’t be difficult to handle.”

Guo Dao asked in surprise: “Not difficult? What will you do?”

Li Weiyang said slowly: “The more devoted he is, the more opportunity it creates for us. As long as we use this leverage properly, it’s more effective than anything else.”

Hearing this, Guo Dao raised his eyebrows: “You want to exploit Ying Chu’s love for Empress Pei?”

Wang Zijin smiled: “Such a huge secret—wouldn’t it be a pity not to use it!”

Guo Dao looked back and forth—one pure and graceful as a lotus, one elegant and charming—both were deeply scheming and ruthlessly cunning. He couldn’t help sighing repeatedly: “The most vicious are women’s hearts, the most vicious are women’s hearts!”

After discussing Ying Chu’s matter, Wang Zijin paid close attention. The next afternoon, she personally came to visit again. Zhao Yue led her into the garden, where she saw Li Weiyang and Guo Dao sitting leisurely in the pavilion playing chess, the curtains on all sides rolled up, a gentle breeze passing through, the atmosphere quiet and warm.

Seeing Wang Zijin arrive, a nearby maid quickly seated her. Li Weiyang smiled: “Why so urgent? Didn’t you just come yesterday?” As she spoke, she placed another piece.

Wang Zijin smiled faintly: “Yesterday you said you’d think of an idea to deal with Ying Chu. You piqued my interest—I couldn’t sleep all night last night. But you always stop halfway through, leaving me in suspense.”

Li Weiyang glanced at her and smiled inscrutably, but turned to Guo Dao: “Fifth Brother, your move.”

Guo Dao pondered for a long time, seeming very hesitant. Seeing him lost in thought, Wang Zijin looked down and saw the black pieces had occupied half the board—clearly Li Weiyang was winning. She couldn’t help urging: “Enough, stop focusing only on chess and answer my question!”

Li Weiyang’s expression remained calm, clearly not taking this matter to heart: “I said I’d have my own method—why is Zijin so impatient? You weren’t like this before.”

Wang Zijin couldn’t help snorting in complaint: “You aroused my curiosity but deliberately say nothing. I never realized you were such a terrible person before!” Just as she finished speaking, she saw Princess Ali approaching.

Princess Ali had been smiling, but seeing Wang Zijin, her beautiful eyes turned cold, her voice gaining three degrees of displeasure: “What are you doing here? The Guo family doesn’t welcome you!”

Hearing this, Wang Zijin was stunned, while the other two laughed. Guo Dao said: “Clearly Miss Wang, you’re unpopular—even Princess Ali with her open, magnanimous nature doesn’t want to see you.”

Wang Zijin wanted to get angry but thought better of it and held back, saying to Princess Ali: “Your Highness doesn’t know yet that Jia’er and I have become good friends?”

Princess Ali looked suspiciously at Li Weiyang, three parts puzzled in her gaze. She truly couldn’t understand these clever people—fighting constantly one moment, then sitting together drinking tea and playing chess the next. What were they thinking?

Princess Ali’s nature was pure and simple. She couldn’t understand that all relationships between aristocratic families were based on one thing alone: interests. When the Guo and Wang families’ interests conflicted, they would fight to the death. But once their goals aligned, they could also cooperate closely. Moreover, that pinch of tea Li Weiyang gave had completely won over Wang Zijin. Now she sincerely wanted to help, hoping to successfully defeat Empress Pei and win more benefits for the Wang family. After all, Empress Pei’s power was vast, and there was no longer room for the Wang family by her side. Even if they eliminated Li Weiyang for her, what benefit would the Wang family gain? In contrast, if the Wang family switched to supporting Prince Jing, Yuan Ying, once he ascended the throne, their status would be completely different—transforming from an ordinary aristocratic family into a noble house that helped restore the king.

Seeing Li Weiyang actually nod, Princess Ali finally believed Wang Zijin had truly reconciled with her. She couldn’t help pouting and sitting down to the side, craning her neck to look at the chess game before them.

Wang Zijin saw Princess Ali’s adorable expression and lively features and couldn’t help smiling. There was something strange in this world—people with deep schemes all loved befriending simple people. Perhaps having schemed so much, encountering someone as straightforward as Princess Ali, they truly had no way to handle her.

Just then, Zhao Yue brought four small cups, made of white jade, very exquisite. Wang Zijin thought it was tea, but holding it felt warm. Opening the lid, she saw red liquid inside that looked quite appealing. She couldn’t help turning to ask Li Weiyang: “What is this?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “In such cold weather, I thought just drinking tea would be boring. We happen to have fresh cherry juice, warmed—it warms both heart and lungs.” Wang Zijin nodded. Soon after, she saw maids flowing like water bringing various fruits and pastries. Using small gold-rimmed dishes, they set out seventeen or eighteen plates before her. Wang Zijin simply settled in comfortably, eating snacks while leisurely watching the chess game, occasionally advising Guo Dao.

This went on until Guo Dao became somewhat annoyed. He raised his eyebrows: “Can’t I play chess? Must you teach me!”

Wang Zijin’s expression changed: “How unreasonable! I’m kindly teaching you, yet you don’t thank me and even blame me?”

Guo Dao snorted coldly, somewhat petulantly: “I believe my chess skills would never lose to Jia’er. Don’t speak—in another moment, I’ll be able to beat her!”

This statement made the other three laugh. Wang Zijin glanced at him with a half-smile: “Look, what’s that?”

Princess Ali followed her pointing finger and looked up at the sky with white clouds drifting leisurely, asking in surprise: “What’s in the sky?”

Wang Zijin’s expression remained composed: “Doesn’t Your Highness see a huge cow flying in the sky?”

Guo Dao wasn’t angered either. With a swift motion, he opened his fan and fanned himself rapidly. Then he had a sudden inspiration, his hand dropped, and he placed a piece in the chess game.

Wang Zijin’s beautiful eyes swept over and she sighed lightly: “I told you not to make that move, yet you insisted. As they say, when heaven offers a path you refuse it, when hell has no gate you charge in—you can’t blame me now!” Sure enough, after Wang Zijin finished this sentence, Li Weiyang’s next move sealed the victory.

Guo Dao lost, his expression becoming unpleasant. He turned and glanced at Wang Zijin: “You still dare speak! It’s all because you distracted me from the side that I lost focus!”

Wang Zijin couldn’t help setting down her teacup, suppressing the mockery in her eyes, saying word by word: “Listen to what Fifth Young Master says. In the future when you play chess, we’ll all have to retreat three houses away. No one can cough, no one can speak. You might as well forbid people from moving too, lest someone accidentally sneeze and disturb your thoughts!”

Guo Dao was about to speak when he saw Li Weiyang smiling at them and said: “Jia’er, you judge this!”

Li Weiyang calmly sipped her tea and deliberately looked toward Princess Ali: “What does Your Highness think?”

Princess Ali, propping up her chin with her mouth full of pastries, spoke without restraint: “I think they’re like a bickering couple!”

Hearing these four words, Wang Zijin’s face immediately flushed red. With her elegant exterior, she had grown up in the mountains since childhood, her nature fundamentally solemn and proper. When had anyone ever described her with such words? Especially when the subject was Guo Dao! Bickering couple? Princess Ali really dared say it!

Seeing Wang Zijin was clearly annoyed, Li Weiyang quickly pressed her arm and said softly: “Don’t mind what Princess Ali said. If you fall for her provocation, wouldn’t that confirm those four words?” As she spoke, her gaze turned to Guo Dao, who helplessly spread his hands, indicating he hadn’t expected Princess Ali’s thoughts to go in that direction.

Li Weiyang sighed softly. In her view, Wang Zijin was indeed worthy of matching Guo Dao, but there was still a problem—Guo Dao had injured his right hand and could never wield a sword again in this lifetime. Wang Zijin was someone who pursued perfection. The husband she wanted must be talented in both civil and military arts, unparalleled in the world. Prince Jing might qualify, but Guo Dao really couldn’t measure up. If in the future Wang Zijin came to disdain Guo Dao for this flaw, Li Weiyang would rather Fifth Brother marry an ordinary girl who could appreciate his virtues, taste his authenticity, and admire his grace and transcendence, rather than someone like Wang Zijin who pursued perfection in everything…

At this moment, Wang Zijin had already suppressed that embarrassment and anger. To cover her awkwardness, she seemed eager to say: “Jia’er, you still haven’t answered what I asked earlier—how exactly will you deal with Ying Chu?”

Seeing the topic return, Li Weiyang only smiled: “Why is Zijin so fixated on this matter?”

Wang Zijin, seeing she remained unmoved, could only speak honestly: “Because last time I tried to kill him but failed, showing he’s impervious to weapons and difficult to deal with. How can you succeed against such an unkillable person?”

Li Weiyang’s gaze lightly swept over Wang Zijin’s face, her expression very calm: “The person who understands Ying Chu best in this world isn’t us, but Empress Pei. If we want Ying Chu dead, only Empress Pei can personally act.”

Hearing this statement, both Wang Zijin and Guo Dao were shocked.

Princess Ali asked first: “How is that possible? Ying Chu is Empress Pei’s capable assistant and completely loyal to her. No matter what, Empress Pei would never kill him!”

But Li Weiyang shook her head: “Not necessarily! The Crown Prince is Empress Pei’s biological son. Because of Ying Chu, considerable friction has arisen between the Crown Prince and Empress Pei. Add to that these recent rumors—to appease the Crown Prince, Empress Pei no longer favors Ying Chu as before.”

Guo Dao looked deeply at Li Weiyang: “But this alone isn’t enough to provoke Empress Pei to kill Ying Chu, is it?”

The corners of Li Weiyang’s mouth slowly curved upward: “Then we’ll create a reason for her to kill Ying Chu.”

Wang Zijin repeated this phrase, her willow-leaf eyebrows lightly furrowed: “That won’t be easy. As Your Highness just said, although Empress Pei has gradually distanced herself from Ying Chu, she won’t kill someone completely loyal to her for no reason, unless…” She paused here, then suddenly understood: “Unless Ying Chu has already endangered Empress Pei’s own position. When interests are at stake, she’ll have no choice but to eliminate Ying Chu… I understand!” Her eyes brightened and she immediately said: “We can do as before, create some rumors. Then Empress Pei will naturally have to eliminate her own right arm.”

Li Weiyang sighed softly: “The same trick works once but not twice. Being too obvious would make people suspect something’s amiss.”

Wang Zijin hesitated: “If not that, do you want to obtain real evidence?”

Li Weiyang’s smile was very gentle, her expression full of confidence: “What’s so difficult about obtaining evidence! It just depends on whether we can do it seamlessly.”

Guo Dao shook his head: “No, if you want to tamper with things in the palace, I advise you to abandon that idea. Empress Pei has been in the palace so many years, her influence deeply rooted. How could we easily act? If we fail, we’ll bring disaster upon ourselves instead.”

Li Weiyang naturally understood Guo Dao’s concerns, but Empress Pei would kill them eventually—better to strike first. She never wanted to see Ying Chu break into the Guo residence again. Thinking of this, she said calmly: “A small measure isn’t gentlemanly; without poison, one cannot be a true man! Naturally we can’t be so obvious. Since rumors won’t work, we’ll let everyone see with their own eyes!”

Wang Zijin was startled, then said: “So you’ve already selected the day to act?”

Li Weiyang said lightly: “The Laba Festival is approaching. According to custom, Empress Pei will host a grand banquet for officials and guests that day. Of course, due to the war at the front, the imperial family will want to reassure people, so the banquet certainly won’t be small. That’s when we’ll find our opportunity to act.”

Guo Dao’s voice lowered by three degrees: “What will you use to act? And how will you let everyone know?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Zijin, you’re skilled in mystical arts. I want to ask if there’s any drug in this world that can make people have strong hallucinations and mental confusion?”

Wang Zijin showed slight surprise and pondered: “I’m not very skilled in poisoning, but I have a maid by my side who might have a solution.” She turned and called: “Chunfeng.” Among the four beautiful maids behind Wang Zijin, a girl in green robes immediately stepped forward.

Li Weiyang observed coolly. This girl appeared only thirteen or fourteen, but her eyes were lively and her manner spirited. She bowed very properly, showing Wang Zijin’s excellent training. She smiled warmly: “Your maid is called Chunfeng? She’s skilled with poisons?”

Wang Zijin smiled slightly: “This girl’s father was named Fan Ze, extremely skilled in formulating poisons—you could say an expert. He originally worked as a minor clerk in the Ministry of Justice, responsible for drafting documents and occasionally helping coroners identify poisoning in difficult cases. Later he was implicated in a case and died unjustly. This little girl was left destitute. I happened to find her and brought her home. Like her father, she’s very knowledgeable about medicines.”

Li Weiyang smiled and asked: “Chunfeng, I have a difficult matter I’d like you to consider.”

“Please instruct me, Miss Guo.” Chunfeng’s voice was clear and pleasant, living up to her name—it made one feel like bathing in spring breezes. Li Weiyang smiled and repeated what she’d just said.

Chunfeng thought for a while, then said: “If the person cannot detect it, that would be quite difficult. Moreover, according to Miss Guo’s description, this person is very skilled in witchcraft and poisons, making it even more challenging.”

Li Weiyang looked at her: “Can you do it?”

Chunfeng raised her head and said solemnly: “This servant can formulate a powder that produces strong hallucinations upon contact, severe cases even causing loss of consciousness. But since the target is an expert, we must be extremely careful. As long as the dosage is light and applied skillfully, there’s a chance he won’t detect it.”

Wang Zijin asked worriedly: “Are you confident?”

Chunfeng nodded: “This servant will prepare it immediately. In three hours, I can present it to Miss.”

Wang Zijin was very satisfied, smiling slightly: “Jia’er, what do you think of this girl?”

Li Weiyang naturally praised: “She’s clever and capable. Clearly Zijin, you have hidden dragons and crouching tigers around you.”

Wang Zijin smiled with some pride. After all, she was a young woman—though she had great depths, she’d always been overshadowed by Li Weiyang. Hearing her envious tone now, she couldn’t help feeling even more pleased. Guo Dao saw Wang Zijin’s tail rising and unconsciously wanted to step on it. He sighed: “What a pity, such a pity!”

Wang Zijin immediately glared at him: “Pity what?”

Guo Dao smiled: “Pity that even a maid is more capable than the young miss. Yet you’re so smug!”

Wang Zijin almost choked, unable to speak. She glared furiously at Guo Dao, completely losing her usual composure.

Li Weiyang quickly intervened: “Enough, Fifth Brother, stop teasing Zijin. You know her temperament—why deliberately provoke her?”

Guo Dao laughed heartily: “I thought your maids were skilled in both civil and martial arts, but to discover you also have a poison expert shows the Wang family’s deep planning. I wonder where you’re trying to elevate Miss Wang?” This remark implied the Wang family had vast ambitions.

Wang Zijin’s face became serious as she said solemnly: “I’m helping with good intentions, yet you deliberately mock me. Is this how you treat an ally? If you’re dissatisfied with my character, say so early—why be indirect and sarcastic? Yes, I, Wang Zijin, am indeed two-faced and opportunistic, and I make no effort to hide it. But for my family’s interests, I must act this way. Even though I’ve always admired Jia’er, I had to oppose her. This is my duty and responsibility. Aren’t you the same, Young Master Guo?”

Guo Dao was startled, looking into Wang Zijin’s eyes. In those clear phoenix eyes shone a bright flame, stunningly beautiful. His heart jumped involuntarily, then he smiled: “I spoke carelessly!”

Wang Zijin’s expression softened as she sighed lightly: “I know neither Fifth Young Master nor Jia’er fully trust me. But there’s an old saying: distance tests a horse’s strength, time reveals a person’s heart. Since I promised to ally with you and have stood by your side at the most critical moments, you shouldn’t casually doubt me.”

Li Weiyang smiled. In her view, true scoundrels were far more lovable than hypocrites, and she herself was no paragon of virtue. Wang Zijin had wavered initially, though partly from a young woman’s jealousy, but more from considering the big picture. Otherwise she wouldn’t be sitting here now. Daring to challenge Empress Pei already showed this woman had extraordinary courage. Thinking this, her tone became lighter: “Fifth Brother, Zijin is right. As they say, use people without doubt, doubt people without using them. Since we’re borrowing the Wang family’s strength, why always be so aggressive?”

Guo Dao quickly stood and bowed deeply to Wang Zijin: “It was my mistake. From now on, I’ll never mock Miss Wang again.”

Wang Zijin shook her head. How could she not see through Guo Dao’s thoughts? He was letting Li Weiyang play the good person while he willingly stood in the shadows, playing the villain to deliberately anger her. These past days observing coldly, she felt Guo Dao seemed to have a special care for Li Weiyang that had reached an extreme, as if constantly thinking of her, far exceeding ordinary sibling affection.

She suddenly remembered what Wang Ji had once said—that rumor about Guo Jia not being the Guo family’s biological daughter. Her heart stirred. Could it be that Guo Dao he… She looked carefully at him, a sigh rising in her heart. Such a talented and handsome young nobleman was also captivated by Guo Jia. This path of love was destined to be rocky. Obviously Li Weiyang already had Prince Xu, Yuan Lie, by her side—another peerless figure. How could Guo Dao easily steal his love? It seemed like the king had dreams but the goddess showed no interest. Thinking this, her expression softened by three degrees: “I’m not petty. Today’s matter ends here—I won’t mention it again.”

The three sat down again with changed attitudes. Li Weiyang smiled: “I heard Fifth Brother paints quite well.”

Guo Dao was startled. Seeing Li Weiyang’s somewhat mischievous expression, he recalled the paintings he’d done of her and his face reddened: “Little sister, don’t tease me! Whatever you need, just say it.”

Li Weiyang said calmly: “Once the powder is ready, grind it into ink and mix it into a painting. Then you’ll naturally know what to do.”

Guo Dao looked at Wang Zijin, who wore an equally surprised expression.

Li Weiyang said calmly: “Ying Chu commissioned a famous jade carver and searched everywhere for renowned painters to create models. On the Laba Festival, he wants to present a Thousand-Armed Guanyin jade statue to Empress Pei. Unfortunately, after searching for so long, he hasn’t found a suitable painter. Even the paintings he obtained at great expense don’t satisfy him…”

Wang Zijin, always well-informed, nodded: “I know this news too. Scouts have already reported everything. But it’s a small matter, so I didn’t mention it. What’s your plan, Jia’er?”

Li Weiyang’s gaze deepened: “Everything is ready—we only lack the east wind. Everything depends on the Laba Festival.”