Xiao You invited him in and closed the latticed door. The two sat on the kang bed, and Liu Zhou pulled out a still-warm paper package from his breast pocket while Xiao You took a teacup to pour wine.

After taking a sip of wine, Xiao You said, “The old Marquis of Changxing is truly shrewd, keeping the foresight to ask the Minister of War for help. Did you go to Zhao Yinchi’s mansion?”

Liu Zhou laughed heartily, “After leaving, I went to Mingzhao District where Zhao Yinchi’s mansion is located, wandered around the neighborhood market, and even had several extra drinks at Huanglao Tavern. I calculated that by that time, Prince Rui should have already executed the Marquis of Changxing, so only then did I go to Lord Zhao’s residence to deliver the message. He had 6,000 Divine Mechanism troops and 2,000 Brocade Guards lying in ambush at Huangji Hall, and secretly stationed crossbowmen as well. If they still couldn’t take down the Marquis of Changxing with all that, it would truly be incompetence.”

Xiao You shook his head with a smile, “Prince Rui is indeed incompetent. If we hadn’t helped him, how could he have persuaded the Divine Mechanism troops…”

Liu Zhou sighed, “After tonight, the Marquis of Changxing’s household will likely begin to decline. The heir is young and physically frail… Speaking of the heir, I just remembered someone I met at Huanglao Tavern… Guess who I encountered!”

Xiao You didn’t even raise his eyelids, “I don’t want to guess. If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t.”

Liu Zhou, brimming with pride, couldn’t help but tell Xiao You, “I met a servant who had been released from the Gu family… not the Gu family from Daxing, but the Shi’an Gu family of the former Imperial Physician Gu. He told me quite a bit about their eldest miss… the one whose boudoir the heir entered!”

Such gossip within the city was common, as people had an extraordinary interest in the affairs of officials and nobles, which wasn’t surprising at all.

Liu Zhou grew somewhat anxious, “Please don’t disbelieve me. This person truly was released from the Gu household. Their master relocated, and many of the original servants were let go.”

“He said their Miss Gu is quite formidable. To prevent concubines from competing for favor, she helped her father select concubines. Later when her mother died, she drove this favored concubine to a side courtyard and even forced her to shave her head and become a nun… That concubine was pregnant, and lost the child, becoming mentally unstable. When their eldest miss managed the inner courtyard, there was a steward who refused to obey her instructions… she had guards break his legs and throw him out. Tsk tsk, if the heir truly likes such a woman, perhaps within days of marrying her, the house will be in complete chaos!”

Liu Zhou didn’t care how exaggerated the servant’s words might be; he blurted everything out to Xiao You. In truth, everyone knew these stories were half-true and half-false, but the way he told them with such animation was truly captivating.

He hadn’t expected that after hearing his words, the smile on Xiao You’s face would disappear.

As Xiao You listened, he felt something was wrong… Didn’t Gu Jinchao ask him to treat Concubine Song’s illness? That Concubine Song wasn’t ill, yet she had him prescribe a nourishing formula… How could this concubine have lost her child and become mentally unstable? That Miss Gu was a gentle and kind person; how could she possibly have broken a steward’s legs and thrown him out?

Xiao You suddenly recalled that Gu Jinchao had once asked him about what medications might interact or counteract each other. She was worried the concubine might accidentally consume something…

Could it be that at that time, Gu Jinchao wasn’t asking him to save the concubine, but planning to harm her?

Xiao You also thought about what Liu Zhou had mentioned about the heir entering Gu Jinchao’s boudoir. He couldn’t understand the connection between the two events, but the more he thought, the more suspicious he became. If Gu Jinchao was such a deeply calculating person, why did Ye Xian go to her?

He didn’t know, but one thing was certain: it wasn’t for romance!

What did Ye Xian’s actions mean? Thinking this way, Xiao You broke into a cold sweat. How could he forget that Ye Xian’s attendant Li Xianhuai had superb martial skills? Who could follow them without being discovered… unless they deliberately allowed it to be known?

Xiao You suddenly stood up, “Liu Zhou, something’s not right… You… you should quickly go to the Imperial City and check. If Prince Rui succeeds, he will open the palace gates. If he fails, the gates will certainly remain tightly shut!”

Liu Zhou was quite puzzled, “Has sir thought of something amiss… Prince Rui should have already slain the Marquis of Changxing by now. You needn’t worry.”

Xiao You glared at him, “Go quickly! If it’s too late… beware for our lives!”

Xiao You also hoped he was overthinking. He comforted himself that the heir was merely speaking with Gu Jinchao. How could it be such a coincidence? A young lady from a secluded household, no matter how capable, how could she know about court affairs…

Liu Zhou was also frightened by Xiao You’s reaction, but whatever Master Xiao said always had its reasons. He hurriedly stood up, put himself in order, and went out again.

Xiao You paced around the room, only to see Liu Zhou return sheepishly.

“Sir, no need to go. The Marquis of Changxing has returned…”

Xiao You’s face paled, and Liu Zhou quickly added, “Don’t worry, he was carried back with severe injuries. The heir requests you to treat the marquis.”

Xiao You breathed a sigh of relief… that meant the plan had succeeded to some extent.

His expression eased slightly as he asked Liu Zhou, “Has there been any result regarding the rebellion plot… did it succeed?”

Liu Zhou shook his head and whispered, “I don’t know. I saw that all the guards with the marquis were wounded; perhaps they fought their way out… You should hurry to Yude Hall to check. If you’re late, the heir might become suspicious…”

Xiao Qishan had a servant come in to prepare his medicine chest, then headed to Yude Hall where the Marquis of Changxing was located.

Yude Hall was brightly lit, with servants and maids constantly entering and exiting with copper basins. The main hall, side rooms, and rear chambers were all heavily guarded by Iron Cavalry troops, impenetrable. Lady Gao, Lady Ye who had rushed back from the Gu family, and the old marquis were now standing in the western side room. Imperial physicians constantly emerged from the eastern wing room, each with a grave expression. Zhao Yinchi stood under the veranda speaking with Ye Xian, then Zhao Yinchi departed, and Ye Xian entered the western side room.

The old marquis’s eyes were bloodshot, yet being a man of iron and blood, he shed blood but not tears, forcing himself not to drop a single tear. Lady Gao, however, embraced Lady Ye, crying softly. Seeing the elderly and the women and children of the family, Ye Xian remained silent for a moment.

For the Marquis of Changxing’s household… it was time for him to shoulder responsibility.

Tutor Wei entered with a solemn expression, saying, “Master Xiao has arrived…”

Ye Xian said, “Quickly invite the master in.” He walked out to meet Xiao You, with a sorrowful expression saying, “Master, you’ve come at the right time. Please quickly examine my father. Prince Rui went too far, actually ambushing my father outside Huangji Hall. My father was hit by an arrow while breaking through… the situation is extremely critical!”

Xiao You pressed his hand in a gesture of reassurance, comforting him gently, “Don’t be anxious, your master is here.”

Ye Xian led him into the eastern wing room where the Marquis of Changxing lay on a red wooden bed, the bed curtains hooked back with silver spoons. His face was as pale as paper, clearly showing signs of excessive blood loss.

Two imperial physicians still stood by the bed. The arrow in the marquis’s chest had already been removed, and they were bandaging the wound.

Xiao You’s expression grew serious as he stepped forward to check the marquis’s pulse. The two imperial physicians retreated to the side, somewhat surprised as they looked at Ye Xian, wondering who this person was who dared to take their place. Ye Xian gestured for them to leave first.

Xiao You closed his eyes, carefully listening to the marquis’s pulse, then released the marquis’s hand and unfastened his clothes to examine the wound. He told Ye Xian, “This arrow is suspicious… it should be poisoned. Fortunately, it missed by a fraction and didn’t damage the heart or lungs. Get the silver needles from my medicine box and heat them in the fire.”

Given Xiao You’s superior medical skills, after treating the Marquis of Changxing, he quickly stopped the bleeding, and the Marquis’s breathing became more stable.

Xiao You was still quite hesitant inwardly. If the Marquis of Changxing didn’t die, then Prince Rui wouldn’t have succeeded in eliminating the Marquis’s influence. He would likely need to continue staying at the marquis’s mansion and naturally would have to do his best to treat the marquis’s wounds… If he caused the marquis to die, the old marquis would probably not spare him.

“We must wait. Only if the condition doesn’t worsen within two days will the marquis’s life be considered saved,” Xiao You told Ye Xian. “I’ll prescribe to replenish the marquis’s qi and blood, which should help him recover faster.”

Ye Xian looked worriedly at the Marquis of Changxing, gratefully whispering, “Thanks to you, master… otherwise, my father might have been in mortal danger.”

Xiao You sighed, “As master and disciple, such formalities are truly unnecessary.”

Xiao You went to the study to write the prescription, and Ye Xian’s expression immediately turned indifferent. Soon after, Li Xianhuai entered and told him, “This servant has already apprehended Liu Zhou and the others. Lord Zhao came by to say that everything at Huangji Hall had been handled. The rebellious Divine Mechanism troops’ commander and soldiers have all been thrown into prison. The empress’s quarters are being guarded by Five Military Camp troops… Prince Rui’s private troops stationed at East Ring Mountain have also been incorporated into the Iron Cavalry.”

Ye Xian nodded and said, “…I understand.”

The two left the eastern wing room. Xiao You had already written the prescription, completely unaware that everything in the distance had been quelled, and Prince Rui’s faction had been eliminated overnight. The remaining minor figures wouldn’t be able to stir up any trouble.

He handed the prescription to Ye Xian, saying, “Brew medicine according to this prescription for internal use. This one is for an external poultice.”

Ye Xian accepted the prescription and called the steward over to follow it and prepare the medicine. Then he said to Xiao You, “It’s the middle of the night, and I’ve troubled you. Why don’t you go back and rest first? I’m afraid I still need to watch over my father.”

Xiao You sighed, seeing that Ye Xian still looked somewhat gloomy, and said, “You should also sleep for a while; don’t exhaust yourself.”

Ye Xian forced a smile, “Don’t worry, disciple remembers.”

Xiao You turned and walked toward the door. He was indeed a bit tired and wanted to return to the western wing to sleep, and then discuss tomorrow’s matters.

Ye Xian watched as Xiao You walked onto the bluestone path in the courtyard, then reached toward Li Xianhuai and said calmly, “Give me the crossbow.”

Li Xianhuai was stunned for a moment. What did the heir mean?

Thinking of all that Xiao You had done, he said nothing and placed the crossbow from his waist into Ye Xian’s hand.

Ye Xian raised the crossbow with a faint smile, casually aiming at Xiao You’s back.

The crossbow bolt whistled through the air with a sharp sound. Xiao You felt a chill on his back and turned around in disbelief. His eyes widened as he tried to look at Ye Xian standing under the veranda – his disciple – who was holding a crossbow, watching him expressionlessly.

Yet his eyes were cold and cruel.

He opened and closed his mouth, “No… impossible…” How could Ye Xian dare to kill him? How could Ye Xian kill him?

Before he could voice his further questions, blood gushed from his mouth. Weakened by blood loss, he staggered and fell to the ground, noticing that none of the Iron Cavalry officials and soldiers around came forward to inquire. He kept his eyes wide open, staring at Ye Xian as if he had never truly seen his disciple.

He was still wrong – Ye Xian was the truly ruthless one!

Who else had such resolve? One moment asking him to treat the Marquis of Changxing, the next shooting an arrow to kill!

Xiao Qishan was very unwilling; he struggled to approach Ye Xian, wanting to say something more, but despite using all his strength with his hands and feet, he could no longer stand.

Finally, he could struggle no more. In his last moment of death, his face surprisingly showed an expression resembling sadness.

Ye Xian watched as his master’s corpse gradually stopped struggling, his expression surprisingly indifferent. He said softly to the guard, “Drag him out and bury him in the wasteland… let’s just pretend this person never existed in the Ye family.”

By now, the stars were set in the west, the sky turning a deep blue, and one could faintly hear the sound of the night watchman’s clapper.