After this conversation, Duke Wangguo was extremely pleased.

He had already agreed that after the annual sacrificial ceremony ended, he would marry Zhao’er to Na Yan.

In the future, when Na Yan ascended to the throne, Zhao’er would be the Queen.

This would truly fulfill the divination the fortune-teller had made.

Zhao’er would bring him success in life!

Over the next few days, Na Yan was busy managing the annual sacrificial ceremony on his end, while Marquis Pingyang began secretly plotting rebellion on his.

A rebellion had to be executed meticulously.

Marquis Pingyang summoned Li Qiao to scheme in his room.

He instructed, “There are only ten days until the annual ceremony. You must hurry and replace the guards around the Great King, arranging our own people. When the time comes to act, things will be much more convenient.”

Li Qiao said, “Your son understands. I’ve already been making arrangements in secret. Switching out a batch of guards is simple, but even though the Great King is gravely ill, he’s still very lucid. To avoid being discovered, we can only proceed slowly.”

“In any case, be careful. We absolutely cannot miss this opportunity.”

“Yes.”

Marquis Pingyang said, “There’s also one more critical point—on the night of the annual ceremony, we must throw the palace into complete chaos.”

“Complete chaos?”

“That night, the sacrificial platform will certainly be lit with red lights and fireworks will be set off everywhere. You must find a way to start a fire halfway through the ceremony. With a sudden fire, the sacrificial platform will inevitably fall into chaos. Then take advantage of the confusion and have your people escort the Great King from the Sacrificial Platform to Tongzhi Hall under the pretense of protecting him. I’ll be waiting inside in advance. The edict for abdication is already prepared. As long as the Great King affixes his seal, and then we ensure his illness becomes fatal, we’ll have achieved great success.”

A smile of certain victory played at the corners of Marquis Pingyang’s mouth.

As if he could already see his grand ambitions realized!

The plan was now thorough, and success was within reach!

But Li Qiao still had a question. “What about the Second Prince?”

Marquis Pingyang’s eyes sharpened. “He cannot be left alive!”

“Kill him?”

“Since we’re creating chaos, let’s make the situation thoroughly chaotic. You should understand what needs to be done.”

Li Qiao certainly understood!

If rebel forces from the previous dynasty appeared on the night of the annual ceremony, setting fires and killing people, and the Second Prince Na Yan perished, no one would suspect anything!

Marquis Pingyang looked at him and patted his arm, saying, “At this time, you absolutely cannot have the mercy of a woman. Only by eliminating those who stand in our way can we rise above others.”

Hmm?

Li Qiao vaguely felt these words contained another meaning. “Rise above others? Father, you mean?”

“Don’t ask so many questions. Just act according to the plan. Right now, the Third Prince has already placed all his forces under my command. Everything is within my control! As for you, you must quickly arrange for our troops to secretly arrive within Gaoding City. Wait until the night of the annual ceremony, then close the city gates. At that time, both inside Gaoding City and inside the palace will be filled entirely with our people!”

“To close the city gates requires A Cheng’s cooperation.”

“Exactly! That’s precisely why we arranged for A Cheng to take over the City Guard Department back then—wasn’t it to facilitate our army entering the city at this very moment!”

But—

Li Qiao said with difficulty, “I’m afraid it will be very difficult to persuade A Cheng.”

Marquis Pingyang said, “No need to persuade him! Because of Gong Shilin’s matter, he still bears resentment toward us, so we cannot let him know about this, lest it ruin everything!”

“Then what should we do?”

“You must find a way to have him temporarily hand over the actual authority of the City Guard Department to you.”

Li Qiao understood.

He didn’t delay any further. Knowing that Li Cheng should still be at the City Guard Department at this time, he went to find him.

Marquis Pingyang sat in his chair, the corners of his mouth containing an extremely sinister smile.

He picked up the hot tea at his side and took a sip.

The tea’s fragrance was rich!

Sweet upon entering the mouth.

Then he set down the teacup.

The bottom of the cup struck the desk with a crisp sound.

He uttered a sentence: “No one is willing to remain a subject for life!”

City Guard Department.

Song Zhi couldn’t leave the Second Prince’s Residence, so Li Cheng had spent these past days constantly searching for Jingrong and Ji Yunshu’s whereabouts.

But the guards at the city gate all said they hadn’t seen them leave the city.

A minor official came to report again. “Lord Li, Master Ji truly hasn’t left the city. If she had left the city, we would know.”

With helplessness!

Because this was already the many times he’d been asked.

Li Cheng sat in the pear blossom chair, his body leaning toward the desk in front of him, his eyes carrying a trace of hope. “So they’re still in the city?”

“We’ve also searched everywhere in the city according to your orders. We’ve been to all the major inns, but there’s nothing. Even the residence where they previously lived—we go there every few hours, but still nothing.”

Just as he finished speaking, Li Cheng slapped the table. “How can perfectly fine people just disappear like this? You must have missed something in your search.”

“My lord, we’ve really searched thoroughly everywhere. Please… don’t make things difficult for us.” The minor official’s voice grew smaller and smaller.

Li Cheng glared at him.

Extremely displeased in his heart.

No matter how he pondered it, he couldn’t figure out where they had gone.

Could it be… something had happened?

At this thought, he became deeply worried.

At this moment, someone arrived at the door.

“A Cheng!”

Li Qiao had come.

He wore official robes, imposing and dignified.

Clearly he wasn’t here to discuss private matters.

The minor official quickly bowed. “Lord Li.”

Li Qiao waved his hand. “You may leave first.”

“Yes.”

The minor official was only too glad to leave quickly, to avoid Li Cheng forcing him to search the entire city for people again.

And getting scolded when he couldn’t find them.

Because of Gong Shilin’s matter, Li Cheng had developed a barrier with Li Qiao.

He turned away. “What are you doing here?”

Then gave Li Qiao the back of his head.

Li Qiao entered and said, “The year’s end is approaching. You’re responsible for the city’s safety, so I’ve come to remind you that you must increase the manpower at the city gates.”

Hmph!

“Of course I know. I don’t need you to remind me.”

“You’ve always been rash in handling matters! And lacking stability. Previously when the Second Prince was attacked at the lantern festival, you only knew about it after the fact. When I came over just now, I heard them saying you seem to be having them search for people. This is the City Guard Department, not the Ministry of Personnel!”

The corner of Li Cheng’s eye twitched. He turned to look at Li Qiao’s stern expression and said, “Let’s speak plainly. You don’t need to beat around the bush. What exactly is the matter?”

They were blood brothers after all!

He could still sense what his older brother was thinking.

Li Qiao said directly, “New Year’s Eve is also the palace’s annual ceremony. I feel there cannot be any problems. But look at you now—distracted all day, who knows what you’re doing? If something really happens in the city at that time, no one can take responsibility. Father and I can’t protect you either! I don’t want to see you bring disaster upon yourself, so during this period, it would be more reliable if I send people to watch over Gaoding’s city gates. After the annual ceremony passes, I’ll return the actual authority to you.”

He stated his true purpose!

Li Cheng listened and pondered for a long while.

But the person before him was his older brother after all—he couldn’t possibly harm him.

Helping him was only natural!

Moreover—

He waved his hand dismissively. “Whatever. Do as you please. I don’t want to be this official anyway.”