People are like this—the more you forbid them from speaking, the more enthusiastically they talk. Hearing such words, the Crown Prince’s expression turned increasingly ugly. At this moment, he wished he could seize Ying Chu and tear him to pieces, but what could he do? He could only forcibly swallow his dissatisfaction, pretending he’d heard nothing, and returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.

Empress Pei, sitting high above, hadn’t noticed this scene. She only vaguely saw some commotion among the crowd. When her eyes swept over, calm had already been restored—she could see nothing else.

Wang Zijin’s side, however, keenly noticed. She smiled softly: “So that’s how it is. Jia’er, your mind is truly complex. But… how did you deliver this scroll painting into Ying Chu’s hands?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “This actually wasn’t difficult. Ying Chu’s feelings for Empress Pei have never changed. He loves this woman so deeply, yet must painfully suppress it, unable to reveal it to others. His heart must be suffering immensely. Just at this time, he was recruiting first-rate painters across the realm to paint Guanyin images, so I used this opportunity to find a marketplace painter and submitted this painting.”

Wang Zijin sighed softly: “You gambled on his thoughts, knowing he would definitely do this. Since that’s the case, the drug was…”

Li Weiyang said calmly: “Without this drug, why would Ying Chu hurriedly leave? I previously instructed Chunfeng to slightly modify the drug’s effects. If the person who obtained the painting caressed it day and night with great affection, it would only intensify the drug’s effects, making his mental state increasingly confused.”

Wang Zijin gritted her teeth: “Knowing this, we might as well have used poison—that would be more convenient.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Ying Chu is expert in poisons. He won’t be easily deceived. On the contrary, this kind of difficult-to-detect hallucinogenic drug has a much higher chance of success. Moreover, he deeply loves that woman. No matter what, he won’t bear to discard this painting. Even knowing there’s something wrong with the painting, he’ll still keep it on his person.”

Hearing this, Wang Zijin couldn’t help being startled: “You’re saying Ying Chu has already guessed there’s something wrong with this painting?”

Li Weiyang sighed softly: “Didn’t you see his expression just now? I suspect he knows.”

Princess Ali said puzzledly: “Since he knows, why would he do this?”

Wang Zijin had already understood. She couldn’t help being shocked: “I understand! Ying Chu’s feelings for Empress Pei are truly deep. Otherwise, he wouldn’t use this method to test her… Clearly knowing she doesn’t care about him at all, yet still gambling like this. This man is truly incomprehensible.” Saying this, she actively raised her wine cup and lightly clinked it with Li Weiyang’s before speaking: “To be able to calculate his every thought so accurately, Jia’er, you’re no ordinary person either. I’m very glad now.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows at her, seeming to ask what she was glad about. She heard Wang Zijin continue: “I’m very glad I’m your friend and not your enemy. Otherwise, I’d be the unlucky one now!”

Li Weiyang laughed, though her smile contained no smugness. She said slowly: “I’ve cast the bait. Whether the fish bites still depends on what Empress Pei does.”

Wang Zijin frowned slightly and looked from afar at Empress Pei in her high position. Her smile deepened.

After the banquet dispersed, the Empress returned to the palace. The Crown Prince had already stormed in furiously. Empress Pei said coldly: “What are you doing?”

The Crown Prince’s features trembled, clearly furious to the extreme: “Mother Empress, you didn’t see just now—a painting of you actually fell from Ying Chu’s bosom! When people do guilty deeds, they at least avoid others somewhat, but him? As if afraid others wouldn’t know, he actually kept that painting on his person. Now everyone knows. Didn’t you see how everyone’s eyes changed just now? They’re discussing the relationship between you and Ying Chu. Doesn’t Mother Empress care at all?”

Empress Pei looked at the Crown Prince with slight shock. She hadn’t expected such an episode at the banquet just now. A trace of coldness passed through her heart. But she quickly composed herself and looked at the Crown Prince: “You’ve grown up. You should know when to maintain composure. The more critical the moment, the less you can panic. So what if they know? Does Ying Chu’s feelings for me escape my knowledge? I haven’t said anything—who dares speak out of turn?”

The Crown Prince couldn’t help grinding his teeth: “Mother Empress, have you gone mad? Ying Chu is still a subject. He harbors admiration for you and makes it known to all, plus those recent rumors—what has our Empress’s palace become? Simply a den of poisonous vermin utterly useless to the Emperor and the nation!” By this point, his eyes blazed with anger, his brow flushed red—fury reaching its peak.

Empress Pei looked at him and lightly rubbed her temples before speaking: “Fine, I know what to do. You may withdraw.”

The Crown Prince grew anxious and quickly said: “Mother Empress, even at this point, you still won’t agree to eliminate Ying Chu?”

Empress Pei suddenly opened her eyes and said angrily: “I’ll make my own judgment on all this. Leave!”

The Crown Prince saw Empress Pei’s stern and harsh appearance. His whole body couldn’t help trembling. Years of fear returned to him, dispersing all his courage. His voice immediately softened as he knelt on the ground and said solemnly: “Mother Empress, no matter what, everything I do is for the sake of us mother and son. No matter how devoted Ying Chu is to you, he’s still an outsider and will naturally have selfish motives. Think carefully—ever since he returned to the capital, friction has constantly arisen between us mother and son. In my view, he’s clearly deliberately sowing discord! Now he’s publicly embarrassed Mother Empress. In your son’s opinion, we should use this opportunity to eliminate him! All these years, he’s done too many dark and vicious deeds for Mother Empress…” When he said “dark and vicious,” he noticed Empress Pei’s gaze sharpen and quickly changed his tone: “These matters aren’t very glorious after all. If others learn of them later, Mother Empress’s reputation will be affected. Mother Empress, why don’t you make up your mind and completely eliminate this future trouble?”

The Crown Prince’s single-minded obsession was to kill Ying Chu. Empress Pei understood him too well. But he had said one thing correctly—Ying Chu indeed shouldn’t remain by her side. Even though this person was very capable and always knew her thoughts, this blade had been used until it was very dull. One careless moment and it might cut her instead—not worth the loss. Now he’d even let everyone know about his filthy feelings for her. Everything ultimately couldn’t appear on the stage… Thinking this, Empress Pei sighed softly: “I understand. Rest assured.”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince finally stood up and withdrew. Walking out the door, he happened to meet Ying Chu head-on. The Crown Prince’s eyes flashed with cold light, appearing especially sinister in the darkness. He said calmly: “Lord Ying, Mother Empress is waiting for you inside. You’d better go quickly!”

Hearing the Crown Prince’s neither-yin-nor-yang voice, Ying Chu’s heart trembled. He knew what kind of disaster he’d caused at the banquet today, but he also wanted to know exactly how Empress Pei would deal with him. This related to his future decisions. Thinking this, his tone was flat: “No need for Your Highness the Crown Prince to worry!” Finishing this, he quickly walked inside.

“Stop!” the Crown Prince called loudly. Ying Chu stopped but didn’t turn around. He only heard the Crown Prince say coldly: “I hope I never have to see you, this disaster, again!”

Ying Chu smiled slightly: “Your Highness Crown Prince, I’m afraid worldly matters won’t go entirely as you wish.”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince was about to angrily rebuke him, but Ying Chu had already pushed open the palace door and walked in. The Crown Prince snorted coldly: “Let’s see how long you can be so smug!” Finishing this, he flung his sleeve and strode away.

In the Empress’s palace, Empress Pei suddenly raised her eyes to look at Ying Chu and said angrily: “You want to resign?”

Ying Chu slowly raised his eyes and said calmly: “Yes, this humble servant has decided to request resignation from Your Majesty.”

Empress Pei looked at him, seeming somewhat incredulous: “Why?”

Ying Chu’s expression was very calm: “The disaster this humble servant caused today isn’t something ordinary people can forgive. Even if Your Majesty is magnanimous in her heart, it will still leave a rift. Moreover, I’ve always been Your Majesty’s blade. If a blade becomes old and worn, rather than wait for Your Majesty to discard it herself, I might as well request to leave on my own and retain some dignity.”

Ying Chu’s words startled Empress Pei’s heart. Then she reacted—indeed, Ying Chu understood her too well, even knowing what her next move would be. She snorted coldly without changing expression: “When did you become so cowardly? It’s just a small matter. Would I really drive you away?”

Ying Chu sighed and looked at Empress Pei seriously: “Your Majesty, Ying Chu has been utterly devoted to you for his entire life. Over all these years, I’ve done quite a bit for you. I know Your Majesty has grown tired of seeing this person. Since that’s the case… rather than have Your Majesty dislike me more and more, I might as well leave on my own—that would be much better.”

Hearing him say this, Empress Pei couldn’t help narrowing her eyes slightly and saying slowly: “Are you serious?”

Ying Chu’s heart trembled, but his face nodded solemnly: “This humble servant would never dare lie before Your Majesty.”

Who knew Empress Pei would heavily slap the table and say angrily: “But when you were a household slave, you once swore an oath that you would never leave my side for your entire life. Have you forgotten?”

Ying Chu gritted his teeth: “The Ying family’s ancestral teaching—one must never betray one’s master for a lifetime! Ying Chu will never forget this for all eternity. Moreover, the kindness and care Your Majesty showed me in my childhood—Ying Chu could never forget that either. But now Your Majesty no longer needs me by her side. On the contrary, I’ve become a danger to Your Majesty. If those people use me to attack Your Majesty… this humble servant doesn’t want to wait for the day Your Majesty takes action, so I’m requesting to leave. Please, for the sake of my years of devoted service, spare this humble servant’s life.”

Indeed, he truly had self-awareness. Empress Pei looked at him, her tone calming: “Why say such things? You’re the person I rely on most. Would I kill you over a few rumors?”

Ying Chu sighed: “Your Majesty, the court and the realm are currently unstable, with rumors spreading everywhere. The situation is very unfavorable to Your Majesty. If I continue to remain by Your Majesty’s side, it will only make everyone recall the bloody deeds I once did. Your Majesty knows this very clearly herself, doesn’t she?”

Empress Pei stood up, her gaze sharply looking at him: “These aren’t the truth. I want to hear the truth!”

Ying Chu said: “This is the truth. I just suddenly realized that time is merciless. In a blink of an eye, so many years have passed, yet I’ve never done anything for myself. This time, please allow this humble servant this indulgence. After leaving here, I’ll travel the world and do what I want to do.”

Empress Pei was startled, then suddenly sat back in her seat. She seemed to understand something and said in a low voice: “I know what truth you haven’t spoken. You’re testing me because you don’t trust me, isn’t that right?”

Ying Chu looked at Empress Pei and remained silent for a long while. Empress Pei laughed coldly: “This scheme isn’t very clever. Guo Jia can’t predict everything, but what she calculates most accurately is your thoughts. You clearly knew keeping the painting on your person was very improper, and you knew this painting’s origins were unclear, yet you still brought it to the banquet. You clearly wanted to let me see, didn’t you? You wanted to let everyone know, or perhaps you wanted to push me to the extreme to see whether I would actually kill you. Am I right?”

Empress Pei’s thoughts were sharp, hitting the nail on the head. Ying Chu slightly closed his eyes, then finally opened them and looked quietly at Empress Pei: “Yes, Your Majesty. This humble servant wanted to know whether you would kill me because of this!” He was using over ten years of friendship to gamble on Empress Pei’s cold heart. He wanted to know how important he was in Empress Pei’s heart, whether he was important enough to outweigh those rumors unfavorable to Empress Pei.

Empress Pei remained silent, finally only saying calmly: “Ying Chu, I cannot let you go. Now the Pei family can no longer be relied upon, and the Crown Prince is incompetent. You’re the only one left by my side.”

Ying Chu looked at Empress Pei, his gaze very gentle. After all these years, he’d always accompanied her. He knew Empress Pei relied heavily on him, entrusting him with nearly everything. But this didn’t mean Empress Pei trusted him. This woman would never trust anyone. Precisely because he’d been by her side too long—so long they understood each other completely—he understood Empress Pei even better than he understood himself. Yet he still wanted to gamble! How foolish this was! Seeing Empress Pei’s expression, Ying Chu finally knew her choice. He sighed soundlessly and looked at Empress Pei: “Your Majesty, you no longer need this humble servant by your side.”

Empress Pei suddenly became furious: “Don’t talk nonsense! If I don’t want to let you go, you absolutely have no way to leave the capital!”

Ying Chu smiled slightly: “Your Majesty, all these years I’ve been by your side. My feelings for you are bone-deep and eternally unforgettable. And I’ll be loyal to Your Majesty for my entire life, never betraying you. Leaving this time is also to protect Your Majesty. If I continue to stay here, those people will pour more dirty water on you.” Saying this, he looked at Empress Pei unmoving. He wanted to know whether she would forcibly keep him, or kill him. All these years, from before Empress Pei married, even when she was just a pampered young girl, he’d been by her side. Later she married into the palace. He watched her pour her heart into the Emperor. He watched her gradually discover the truth of this marriage. He watched her step by step become cold and cruel. He watched her resentful, watched her hurt, watched her suffer, watched her struggle. Finally, he watched her become emotionless, like a cold stone statue, eliminating opponents root and branch with laughter and conversation. Ying Chu had always woven a vast net for her, protecting her all the way to now when she’d climbed to this position and sat securely. None of this could be separated from his assistance. For her, he’d killed countless people, his hands stained with uncountable blood. Sometimes in midnight dreams, he felt himself lying in cold fresh blood. Human blood should be scalding hot, yet that red liquid in his memory had no temperature whatsoever. He’d done too much for Empress Pei and knew too much. Sooner or later, this person would kill him. He understood this too clearly, yet he’d still walked to today for her sake.

Empress Pei looked at Ying Chu and suddenly felt unprecedented emptiness and loneliness. This had nothing to do with her feelings for Ying Chu. The person before her was merely a tool. People couldn’t possibly develop feelings for tools—it was just that having used it so smoothly, suddenly losing it would feel uncomfortable. She said slowly: “People have their own aspirations. I won’t force you. But if you leave like this, I’ll worry you’ll serve someone else.”

Ying Chu slowly bowed and said solemnly: “Your Majesty, Ying Chu will never align himself with anyone else in this lifetime. Please rest assured on this point. I’m willing to swear on my own life.”

Empress Pei looked at him solemnly, remaining silent for a long while.

The hourglass in the great hall trickled away grain by grain. Empress Pei’s expression slowly returned to its former coldness, but her face smiled: “Ying Chu, I know you’re utterly devoted to me. Even if you leave this time, you won’t serve others. How about this—I’ll arrange an idle position for you in Wangzhou. After two or three months when matters fade, you can return. By then, everyone will have stopped pursuing this matter.”

Ying Chu sighed lightly. He understood Empress Pei too well and knew what she meant after saying this—she refused to let him leave. Yes, this blade of his had already done too much. If utilized by others, wouldn’t that be an extremely dangerous matter for Empress Pei? How could she easily let go? Ying Chu knew this full well. He only sighed slightly: “Yes, I obey Your Majesty’s command.” Then he slowly withdrew.

Empress Pei watched him leave, then suddenly laughed coldly. Female Official Cheng at her side had been watching everything impassively. She asked in a low voice: “Your Majesty, once Lord Ying leaves, he’ll be like a kite with a broken string—he’ll never return.”

Empress Pei glanced at her coldly: “How could I not know this?”

Female Official Cheng quickly said: “Since Your Majesty knows, why not…”

She didn’t finish her words, but Empress Pei naturally understood her meaning. She pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled slightly: “You can arrange this matter.”

Female Official Cheng quickly responded: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

After Female Official Cheng withdrew and had just reached the darkness, she was suddenly embraced by someone. Startled, she quickly said: “Who?”

She heard a familiar voice laugh: “At this hour, besides me, who else would it be?”

Female Official Cheng quickly knelt and bowed: “So it’s Your Highness the Crown Prince.” The Crown Prince lifted her chin, carefully caressing that smooth jade-like curve, his face smiling slightly: “What did Mother Empress say?”

Female Official Cheng quickly said: “Following Your Highness’s instructions, I advised Her Majesty. She said I should arrange everything. This servant will now go find suitable personnel.”

The Crown Prince’s smile deepened: “Since Mother Empress has such thoughts, did she tell you where Ying Chu’s weakness lies?” Female Official Cheng was startled, then looked at the Crown Prince but said nothing. The Crown Prince smiled: “Rest assured. If I ascend the throne as Emperor in the future, you’ll definitely be one of the four imperial consorts in the rear palace.”

Female Official Cheng’s face lit with joy, but she said impassively: “Then please lean closer, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince indeed leaned closer. He heard the woman say a few words. The Crown Prince’s smile became greatly delighted: “Excellent, excellent!” At this moment, his expression was extremely pleased, clearly very happy to have seized Ying Chu’s leverage. Immediately, he said in a low voice: “In that case, you arrange for people to handle it. I’ll assist you properly. No matter what, we’ll ensure Ying Chu never sees tomorrow’s sun!”

After the Crown Prince finished speaking, Female Official Cheng quickly responded: “Yes, Your Highness!” In whispered conversation, the two figures gradually disappeared into the darkness.

In the palace, Empress Pei now sat alone in the great hall lit by countless candles, her expression utterly lonely. This was the first time she’d felt this emotion, as if overnight both son and loyal subject had left her. After a long while, she only sighed: “Li Weiyang, ah Li Weiyang, to be able to force me to a position where everyone betrays and abandons me—you truly make one look at you with new eyes!”

At this moment, the very person Empress Pei was thinking about was in the study teaching Minzhi to read. She held Minzhi’s hand, teaching very seriously until Guo Dao entered with a half-smile: “It’s so late—still not resting?”

Li Weiyang glanced at Minzhi and noticed him rubbing his eyes with his small fists. Only then did she smile slightly at the wet nurse: “Take Young Master back to rest.” The wet nurse acknowledged and left carrying Minzhi.

Guo Dao came forward smiling: “What’s wrong? Too excited to sleep, so you’re dragging little brother to study here?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “I am a bit excited, but… Fifth Brother performed well today.”

Guo Dao blinked, saying proudly: “What do you mean performed well? My palms were sweating cold—I was afraid he hadn’t hidden that painting on his person at all. I deliberately kept one in my own bosom. When the time came, I’d just pretend to bump into him and say the painting fell from his chest! Framing and entrapment—I still have my methods!”

“So there was a backup plan!” Li Weiyang smiled. “Fifth Brother’s thoughts are truly meticulous!”

But Guo Dao couldn’t help asking: “But I still don’t understand. Though this move can damage Empress Pei’s reputation and make Ying Chu unable to establish himself in the capital, it won’t take his life. What exactly do you want to do?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Having done such a thing, Empress Pei will never keep him. She’ll probably have him killed soon. I believe after following Empress Pei all these years, only Her Majesty the Empress knows where his fatal weakness lies. Dying by our hands is ultimately meaningless. Dying by the hand of the Empress he most trusts and serves most loyally—that’s a worthy death!”

Hearing this, Guo Dao couldn’t help being startled: “What you want is really as simple as his death?”

The candle flame flickered. Li Weiyang walked to the table and casually trimmed the wick before turning back: “Naturally it’s that simple. Otherwise, what does Fifth Brother think I should do?”

Guo Dao narrowed his eyes and looked her up and down for a moment before saying: “I think keeping Ying Chu alive would be more interesting than having him die!”

Hearing Guo Dao say this, Li Weiyang focused and thought carefully before smiling: “Fifth Brother makes a good point. But this is somewhat risky.”

Guo Dao said in a low voice: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained! If we don’t keep Ying Chu, when will we be able to topple Empress Pei?”

Li Weiyang sighed softly: “If Fifth Brother truly harbors such thoughts, you’ll need to act quickly. Otherwise, I’m afraid it will be too late.”

The meaning of these words was… Guo Dao’s expression couldn’t help changing. Then he turned and quickly walked out.

Zhao Yue at the side only now spoke, asking carefully: “Miss, why can this servant no longer understand what you and Fifth Young Master are saying?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “If you don’t understand, so be it. It’s getting late—let’s sleep well. Tonight outside will surely be lively!”

The imperial palace. The sky was originally clear, but suddenly a dark cloud covered the entire moon.

Ying Chu glanced at the sky. That half of his handsome face revealed a trace of faint smile. From the distance came footsteps. Several eunuchs walked over carrying a large chest. The leader hurried several steps to stand before Ying Chu and bowed: “Lord Ying, this is a gift Her Majesty the Empress sends you. Where should we place it?”

Ying Chu glanced coldly at the chest, his expression calm: “Look where there’s space in this room and just put it anywhere.” Clearly completely indifferent.

That eunuch was somewhat surprised. This chest was full of gold, silver, and jewels—Empress Pei had heavily rewarded Ying Chu, yet he seemed completely unconcerned about what the chest contained. The eunuch said no more, only directing the others to carry the chest into the main room. While people carried the chest in, he walked to Ying Chu’s side and lowered his voice: “My lord, Her Majesty said if you have any needs in the future, just let Her Majesty know anytime. She’ll definitely do everything in her power to handle it for you.”

Ying Chu laughed softly: “Her Majesty’s great kindness—even if Ying Chu’s brain were dashed to pieces, I couldn’t repay it. Please convey my thanks to Her Majesty on my behalf.”

The eunuch chuckled: “We both serve Her Majesty. Naturally I trust you. Rest assured, Lord Ying, I’ll relay your words to Her Majesty exactly as spoken.”

Seeing the others emerge from the room, the eunuch said in a shrill voice: “Then I’ll take my leave. Lord Ying, the carriage to send you on your way is already waiting outside the palace. I wish you a smooth journey.”

Ying Chu smiled slightly, merely cupping his hands: “Safe travels, Eunuch.”

After they’d gone far, Ying Chu stepped back into the room and casually closed the door. The chest placed in the room looked heavy and substantial. He walked over and casually opened it, seeing the chest full of gold, silver, and jewels. That brilliant light illuminated the entire room.

Ying Chu laughed coldly. After following Empress Pei all these years, this was all he’d obtained in the end. Though she’d long known he had absolutely no interest in these worldly possessions, she still sent them. Was it to silence him, set her own mind at ease, or hoping through these favors he wouldn’t develop second thoughts?

Ying Chu no longer glanced at those gold, silver, and jewels. He merely rinsed his hands in a wooden basin at the side, then pulled a small ceramic bottle from his bosom and walked to the wall corner. Lifting the long red silk placed there, he revealed more than ten small ceramic bottles. He examined them and selected the third bottle. Slender fingers pulled open the stopper and reached inside. Before long, he’d caught a still-living insect. The insect was entirely red, still chirping, not very large. Ying Chu caught it and held it before his eyes for careful examination. That half of his handsome face bore a very gentle smile, his gaze extremely tender, as if what he was looking at wasn’t a strange insect still struggling, but his beloved.

As if sensing its impending death, the insect struggled futilely, then bit Ying Chu’s finger. Bright red liquid seeped from his wound. Then an even more bizarre scene appeared. After the insect contacted Ying Chu’s blood, it struggled even more violently. Accompanying its pitiful cries, wisps of blue smoke rose. In just moments, this entirely red insect stopped moving, and its body color changed from bright red to dark purple in this brief time.

Ying Chu examined it like a perfect work of art, his gaze revealing hidden satisfaction. He took from his bosom a small bottle only thumb-sized, lifted the lid, and gently placed the insect inside.

Next, he grabbed a pure black small insect from the fourth ceramic bottle. This insect was only grain-of-rice sized, also alive, but stuck together by a muddy substance. Like a wriggling sesame ball rolled into a mass, it emitted mournful sounds in his palm. He repeated the process. With crackling sounds, his blood fused with this sesame ball. A strange bloody smell filled the air—extremely strong and choking. Ying Chu remained unmoved and tossed the black insect into the bottle as well.

Next, he selected items from the jars one by one. After processing, he placed them all into that small-finger-length ceramic bottle. These were all parasitic venomous insects. Every day, Ying Chu collected them and placed them in those earthen jars in the wall corner. These jars had been soaked in Ying Chu’s own fresh blood when fired, letting the blood seep into the clay before being made into jars. Then he daily fed these parasitic insects with blood. Every month, he’d open them for cleaning, burning dead insects to ash and placing them back in the jars. Generally, it took half a year of raising before they took form. The parasitic insects in these jars… had been raised for a full seven or eight years.

Of course, parasitic insects couldn’t be raised casually. If the person raising them lacked skill in parasitic arts, the insects would also devour their master. Then only death awaited. So Ying Chu rarely used these insects unless reaching a critical juncture. By the time Ying Chu finished, his room was already filled with a strange aura. He walked to the window and opened it, letting that trace of bloody smell mixed with stench gradually dissipate. Cool breezes blew into the room, refreshing the air. Ying Chu’s eyes looked toward the red roses planted in the courtyard. He discovered that in just moments, these plants had already withered, and leaves fallen from the ginkgo tree had piled thickly on the ground. Fortunately, the sky had darkened—the changes here wouldn’t attract outsiders’ attention.

He looked up at the moon and sky, seeing the bright moon hanging high but blocked by dark clouds, making the sky appear somewhat dim and unclear. Ying Chu muttered to himself: “Should I leave?” The forest moonlight illuminated his half-handsome profile, adding a touch of eerie aura.

Ying Chu left the palace that very night. After exiting, he dismissed the carriage and went alone in the opposite direction, head lowered hurrying forward while quietly thinking about his own concerns. The night market hours had already passed. The entire marketplace was very quiet, every household’s doors and windows closed. On the entire street besides his own footsteps, other sounds were nearly inaudible. Walking along, he suddenly stopped. At the alley entrance stood a black-clothed person. That tall, slender figure carried a strong killing aura. That trace of familiar bloody smell also made Ying Chu immediately realize the visitor meant no good.

Ying Chu’s martial arts were very high. Without turning back, he knew someone also stood behind him, blocking both sides simultaneously. Laughing coldly, his body rose into the air. His toes touched ground as he prepared to borrow the nearby dwelling to escape. Just as his form leaped up, a bowstring twanged softly. He turned his head slightly—a sharp arrow grazed his neck and flew past urgently. Fortunately, he dodged in time. He rolled sideways, tumbling away across the roof tiles. Wind whooshed past his ears. Several black-clothed people had already surrounded him. Ying Chu’s body nimbly dodged the opponent’s aerial strike, and that surge of strong palm wind also greatly surprised him. Almost simultaneously, four long swords thrust straight at his back. He shouted loudly, concentrating internal force to his back. Those four sharp blades stabbing his spine actually all broke off forcefully.

In an instant, Ying Chu struck like wind, his movement like lightning. One palm hit two of the people attacking from behind. They also fought with suicidal tactics, attacking him together recklessly. Under continuous attacks, Ying Chu felt his five internal organs and six bowels seemed displaced, blood and energy churning. Blood sprayed from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose all at once. But he wasn’t afraid. He only laughed coldly: “You think you can kill me like this?”

Those several black-clothed people said nothing, already pouncing together. During the entanglement, four people completely trapped his hands and feet, preventing him from moving easily. Ying Chu himself possessed immense strength, but these people were also supreme experts, forcing him unable to move momentarily. Just then, the fifth person leaped into the air and “pffft”—sprayed a shower of fine-as-ox-hair, blue glowing needles, completely disregarding his own companions’ lives in his movements. Ying Chu couldn’t retreat in time. In moments, his arm, chest, and legs had been struck by these poison needles. He roared angrily. The four people originally gripping him were all shaken away by his internal force.

Under the eaves, someone shouted loudly: “Shoot!”

Thus arrows flew like rain, crossbow sounds echoing. Countless sharp arrows shot toward Ying Chu. Ying Chu couldn’t retreat backward because behind was a trap, and above, below, left, and right were all ambushes—fundamentally no path existed. No matter which choice he made, only death awaited. But Ying Chu laughed urgently, grabbed one person and casually held him in front as a shield. That person became a pincushion in moments. Ying Chu tossed the person aside, leaped into the opponent’s encirclement. The assassins hadn’t yet rejoiced when they saw Ying Chu had already drawn a long sword—swish, swish, swish—cutting down dozens in succession.

“Crack”—powder flew, turning out to be lime. Ying Chu suddenly turned to block most of it, but still half his body was covered in grayish white. Some lime drifted into his eyes. As he wiped his eyes with his sleeve, his right chest was stabbed by someone’s sword. He suddenly widened his eyes, roared angrily, and swung the long sword to split that person in two.

At this moment, more people stabbed toward his right chest. No matter how formidable Ying Chu was, he couldn’t resist that overwhelming, tiger-like fierce attack. Very quickly, the attackers had surrounded this road as tightly as an iron barrel. Though Ying Chu had an undying body, this didn’t mean he felt no pain. Especially as the opponents seemed to have seized his weakness, knowing he was allergic to nether grass. The hidden weapons stabbing over and the lime just now all contained components of nether grass. Unknowingly, his entire body had become numb—the poison was taking effect.

He gritted his teeth tightly, fighting bitterly while thinking of escape strategies. Just as he teetered on the brink of danger, suddenly from the shadows flashed a gray-clothed person. He threw out a red pellet. Immediately two thunderous booms sounded. Billowing smoke rolled forth, obscuring everyone’s vision completely. Ying Chu saw the opportunity and immediately rushed toward a direction he’d already spotted. He fled in panic, choosing no particular path. After fleeing for a long time, he couldn’t break through the encirclement. Suddenly a dark shadow appeared before him. Momentarily anxious, he wanted to slash over with one sword. Who knew the other party waved lightly at him in indication? Ying Chu was startled. The other party actually led him twisting and turning. Before long, they’d reached a residence’s entrance.

Ying Chu looked in surprise, not knowing the other party’s origins, why they would save him, and this person had disappeared at the entrance—clearly deliberately leading him to this place.

This residence seemed uninhabited. The entrance had no guards either. He walked all the way in, hearing nothing but his own footsteps. Not until entering the main room did he see very familiar people. He couldn’t help laughing coldly: “Did you send those assassins?”

Li Weiyang looked at Ying Chu’s thoroughly disheveled appearance and that body full of lime powder, then smiled lightly: “Lord Ying, you overestimate me. Where would I have the idle effort to pursue and kill you? Looking at Lord Ying’s condition, you seem seriously injured. Do you need to find a physician to examine you?”

Li Weiyang’s words sounded like genuine concern, but Ying Chu was no fool. He absolutely wouldn’t believe her. He only stared at her with cold eyes: “You still haven’t answered what I said!”

Guo Dao at the side said calmly: “If we wanted to kill you, why would we send someone to rescue you just now? Snatching someone from under the Crown Prince’s hand isn’t so easy. We all took enormous risks. Lord Ying, please don’t be ungrateful!”

Ying Chu laughed coldly: “You would be so kind-hearted? Saving me for no reason?”

Even if red rain fell from the sky, he wouldn’t believe Li Weiyang would be merciful. This woman was cold and ruthless in her bones, just like Empress Pei. For her to meddle in others’ business would truly be seeing ghosts! Falling into her hands could be worse than falling into the Crown Prince’s!

Li Weiyang smiled lightly: “Lord Ying, you truly misunderstand. This time we really did rescue you from the Crown Prince’s hands, and with genuinely good intentions.”

Ying Chu stared at her, his gaze flickering uncertainly: “What exactly is your purpose!”

Li Weiyang and Guo Dao exchanged glances. Guo Dao smiled: “Just inviting Lord Ying to be our guest.”

Ying Chu instinctively retreated a step. However, having just been injured, with lime residue in his eyes making even people’s shadows blurry, at this moment this residence appeared quiet on the surface but who knew how many experts lay in ambush inside—how could he escape?

Li Weiyang showed three parts surprise: “Isn’t Lord Ying impervious to weapons? Last time so many archers attacked you yet you emerged unscathed. How did you get injured this time?”