Just as Feng Yue was desperately trying every possible way to pray for a bolt of lightning to strike precisely on Yin Gezhi’s forehead, an imperial decree arrived before the thunder, exploding across the Filial Prince’s mansion with an earth-shattering “BOOM.”

“By Heaven’s Mandate, the Emperor decrees: Our eldest son Yin Chenbi, accomplished in both civil and military arts, has deeply won Our favor. We hereby appoint him as Imperial Inspector, to journey to the Bashan region and observe the conditions and sentiments of Our people on Our behalf. He shall depart by month’s end without delay. So be it.”

The kneeling crowd erupted in bewildered whispers while Yin Gezhi’s expression darkened. He looked up at the chief eunuch without reaching for the decree.

Bashan was a desolate and dreary place, far from civilization. Though it was called an inspection tour in pleasant terms, in harsh reality, it was nothing but exile. All that flowery talk about being accomplished in both civil and military arts and winning imperial favor was just pretense. He had fallen from grace, and this was merely an excuse to send him far away. Once he left Liandu, he would have no means to intervene in the Guan family case.

Though he understood the purpose, the Emperor’s ruthlessness in choosing exile shocked him to his core. That his father could go to such lengths was truly unexpected.

“Your Highness, do you intend to defy this decree as well?” The chief eunuch looked down at him with a raised chin, shaking his head slightly with obvious disdain. “The Emperor’s authority cannot be trampled at will, even between father and son.”

His gaze shifting subtly, Yin Gezhi reached out to accept the decree, slowly prostrating himself: “This son thanks Father Emperor for his great favor.”

Feng Yue, hiding to the side, was utterly shocked. She knew Emperor Wen was cruel, but even tigers don’t eat their cubs – how could he bite his son with such sharp teeth? Half of Wei’s territory had been preserved through Yin Gezhi’s efforts. Moreover, he had painstakingly engineered the alliance between Wu and Wei, all to protect Wei. Yet this old emperor, in a moment of displeasure, would exile him to the desolate Bashan.

Indeed, people’s feelings cannot be trampled at will, even between father and son.

After the eunuchs departed, Yin Gezhi rose to his feet. Guanzhi was frowning and about to speak when he witnessed his master casually toss the golden silk-wrapped imperial decree into a nearby flower pot.

Everyone: “…”

Stretching his neck slightly in fatigue, Yin Gezhi said coldly, “Perhaps I’ve been away too long, making him think I lack the strength to resist no matter how he treats me.”

Guanzhi started, then brightened with understanding: “Master doesn’t plan to go to Bashan?”

With a cold smile curling his thin lips, Yin Gezhi said, “I appreciate Father Emperor’s kind intention to send me sightseeing, but we have unfinished business.”

As he spoke, he caught sight of Feng Yue hiding nearby.

Feng Yue blinked, pretending she hadn’t seen anything, and turned to enter her room.

She should be thinking about how to contact people outside, why should she care about Yin Gezhi’s fate?

The Emperor’s decree caused an unprecedented uproar in court. The Crown Prince’s faction strongly supported it, while others vehemently opposed it. Wei was in dire need of talent at this time – how could they exile a pillar of state like the Filial Prince?

Shi Hongwei stepped forward to speak: “The Filial Prince acts willfully and defiantly. Even with talent, he is unfit for important duties.”

When the usually silent Grand Secretary spoke up, the opposing voices diminished somewhat, though some remained steadfast in their opposition.

Seeing so many support the Filial Prince, the Empress grew increasingly uneasy. She pulled Yin Chenyu aside: “You need to plan carefully for yourself now.”

Yin Chenyu was anxious. His advisors offered many suggestions, and finally, a silver-tongued one convinced him to mobilize the city guard to surround the Filial Prince’s mansion.

The Filial Prince had already lost the Emperor’s favor. With the Empress’s pillow talk and Shi Hongwei’s counsel, the Emperor’s wariness of Yin Chenbi would only grow deeper. Even if he mysteriously lost an arm or leg, the Emperor probably wouldn’t care much.

Yin Chenyu didn’t dare to kill his royal brother, but he thought he could cut off one of his hands. Traditionally, the disabled couldn’t become emperor. If he lost a hand, his position as Crown Prince would be secure, and none of the other princes could shake his status.

The plan seemed sound enough, but he had no military authority. The only forces he could command with his Crown Prince status were the city guards. As mentioned before, Yin Chenyu was mediocre and not very bright. Following his advisors’ suggestions, he acted impulsively without considering the consequences of failure, ordering Lian Heng to surround the Filial Prince’s mansion at midnight.

When Yin Gezhi was awakened, he found Lian Heng standing in his room with a grave expression.

“Your Highness, General,” he said, “The Second Prince ordered me to surround this place. The men are almost here.”

Yawning deeply, Feng Yue asked with half-opened eyes, “Is he sick? What’s he doing surrounding this place in the middle of the night?”

Lian Heng shook his head: “I don’t know.”

Yin Gezhi put on his robes and rose, holding a plum blossom lamp. With lazy eyes, he said, “Many things can only be done at night, so naturally they come at night. Nothing strange about it. Looks like he’ll take a while to arrive, let’s sleep a bit more, otherwise we’ll be up all night.”

The latter half was directed at Feng Yue. After speaking, he went back to lie down, showing not the slightest hint of concern.

Feng Yue thought, if this master wasn’t worried, why should she be? So she also lay back down to continue sleeping.

Lian Heng was dumbfounded, looking between the inner chamber and the general lying outside, his eyes full of terror. After some thought, he quietly left, closing the door behind him with utmost care.

Yin Chenyu hadn’t wanted to come initially, but his advisors said only his presence could keep Lian Heng in check and prevent him from talking out of turn. So Yin Chenyu came trembling, constantly grabbing those beside him to ask: “They’re surrounded? Elder Royal Brother is skilled in martial arts, he didn’t resist?”

“Your Highness, he didn’t resist. Commander Lian must have subdued him.”

Lian Heng was that capable? Yin Chenyu felt somewhat relieved. Seeing they had reached the Filial Prince’s mansion, he carefully got off his carriage and walked in with trepidation.

The mansion was completely quiet, with only servants and maids standing in the courtyard, all looking half-asleep as if their sweet dreams had just been disturbed. It seemed less like they were under siege and more like he had disturbed their peaceful night with an unexpected visit.

Yin Chenyu was stunned, asking nervously: “Where is Royal Brother?”

Lian Heng came forward and bowed: “The Prince is in the main hall.”

With excitement showing in his eyes, Yin Chenyu headed toward the main hall.

He had lived under Yin Chenbi’s shadow for far too long. Since childhood, people around him had constantly said: “Look at the Crown Prince…”

“The Crown Prince excels in both civil and military arts, such extraordinary talent! But you…”

“The Crown Prince gets up before dawn to practice martial arts, why are you still sleeping?”

Crown Prince, Crown Prince – even in his dreams, people kept mentioning the Crown Prince incessantly. He had already given up hope, lacking both Yin Chenbi’s talent and dedication. He had accepted being inferior. But unexpectedly, one day Yin Chenbi would be under his feet, bowing to him and calling him Crown Prince.

Yin Chenyu felt this was a heaven-sent opportunity to revenge his years of torment caused by Yin Chenbi. Right now, Yin Chenbi must have lost that proud look, probably tied up nervously in the main hall.

Thinking of such a scene, Yin Chenyu quickened his pace, eagerly walking to the main hall’s entrance. He pushed open the door to find-

Complete darkness inside.

Startled, Yin Chenyu immediately shouted: “He’s escaped, after him!”

“Yes!”

This loud voice thundered through the quiet mansion, startling both Lian Heng and the two people sleeping soundly inside.

“He’s here?” Relighting the plum blossom lamp, Yin Gezhi came out drowsily, looking down at Yin Chenyu in the doorway, saying softly: “For a late-night visit, why don’t we sit inside to talk?”

Yin Chenyu stumbled back two steps. Staring at the man before him, he asked Lian Heng in a low voice: “Why didn’t you tie him up?!”

Lian Heng frowned, saying awkwardly: “Your Highness, aside from the fact that the Filial Prince has committed no crime warranting restraint, even if he should be bound, I am no match for him.”

Face turning pale with shock, Yin Chenyu instantly hid behind Lian Heng, saying fearfully: “Royal Brother…”

“Hmm?” Leaning lazily against the doorframe, Yin Gezhi casually glanced at the twenty-some guards blocking the door, smiling lightly: “It’s very dangerous for the Crown Prince to go out at night. Bringing so few guards hardly ensures your safety. When you return later, let my mansion’s guards accompany you.”

Twenty-some people were considered few in his eyes?! Yin Chenyu shook his head in terror, stammering: “N-no need. I’m about to leave now.”

“Leaving so soon?” Looking at him in confusion, Yin Gezhi asked, “Didn’t you have something to discuss with me?”

“…N-nothing important,” swallowing hard, Yin Chenyu shook his head, “Just heard Royal Brother was leaving, came to say goodbye.”

Glancing at him, Yin Gezhi said kindly: “That’s thoughtful of you.”

“Well… then I’ll head back first.” Yin Chenyu turned to flee!

“Your Highness!” His advisor hurriedly blocked him, saying softly: “We brought over a hundred soldiers! After all this trouble tonight, how can you leave right after arriving?”

Looking fearfully at Yin Gezhi, Yin Chenyu whispered: “Lian Heng says he can’t beat him, so who can? If we can’t capture him, how can we cut off his hand? Better not provoke him, or he might kill me instead!”

The advisor said in exasperation: “You are the heir to the throne, how can you be so cowardly! Though his martial arts are superior, he’s not supernatural. With so many people attacking at once, even the strongest can be overwhelmed. You’ve come all this way, you can’t leave empty-handed!”

Gaining some courage, Yin Chenyu pressed his lips together, hesitated for a moment, and then said: “Then you give the order, I want to stay far away.”

The advisor was stunned, sighing inwardly at his master’s cowardice, but gritted his teeth and turned around, shouting: “Seize the Filial Prince!”

“Yes!” The men outside responded in unison.

Yin Gezhi’s expression didn’t change. He simply stepped out of the room, pulling the door closed behind him.

Feng Yue inside was somewhat dumbfounded, quickly rushing to the door to peek through the carved patterns.

Dozens of soldiers poured in from outside the courtyard, all with drawn weapons pointed at Yin Gezhi. The bolder ones in front had already charged, their blades aimed at his neck.

What were they doing?! It was bad enough for a father to devour his son, now brothers were fighting each other?

Looking at Lian Heng standing by the door, she gritted her teeth and called softly: “Commander Lian!”