Xie Chao had been on horseback from dawn till dusk, not daring to close his eyes for even a moment. Exhausted to the bone and having run half to death, he had barely managed to cry out a few sentences before fainting.

Yao Ying brought him back to the residence and had the manor’s physician tend to him. She walked into the study and had Xie Qing fetch the maps of Qing County.

According to Xie Chao’s description before losing consciousness, Li Zhongqian had been ambushed in the river valley of Qing County and was gravely wounded. After being surrounded for several days, no rescue arrived. Before falling unconscious, he had dispatched several men skilled in swimming to break through and seek help.

Xie Chao was one of them. They had escaped through layer upon layer of enemy blockades, but were discovered along the way. He was the only survivor.

Looking at the map, Yao Ying grew suspicious: “Why did Second Brother insist on having Xie Chao return to the capital for help?”

Zhao Tong, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince’s armies were all closer to Li Zhongqian – why would he bypass the closer option for a more distant one?

Xie Qing, having never been to war, didn’t understand military matters. He frowned in thought but remained silent.

Xu Biao snorted coldly, his hand missing two fingers slamming heavily on the desk as he cursed, “Because the Prince doesn’t trust the Third Prince or Zhao Tong! If they sought help from the Third or Fourth Prince, the Prince and his men would truly be annihilated!”

He suddenly slapped his forehead.

“I suspected it before – the Prince was only supposed to be escorting supplies this time. How could he encounter an ambush so far from the front lines? Someone must have betrayed him, deliberately leading him into a trap! Then they made excuses, not sending troops to search along the river, finding a few corpses, and declaring the Prince’s entire force lost – they never intended to rescue him at all!”

Yao Ying’s hands clenched into fists within her sleeves.

A trap, another trap.

Was Li Zhongqian destined to die on the battlefield?

Even though she had prevented him from going to Liangzhou a year ago, was he still fated to die in battle a year later?

Just because Li Xuanzhen wanted him dead because he was Li Xuanzhen’s greatest threat, was his death inevitable?

She had to save Li Zhongqian.

No matter the cost.

Yao Ying closed her eyes briefly, calming herself to organize her thoughts.

Zhao Tong was an old general, mediocre in character, who didn’t favor any prince – he wouldn’t harm Li Zhongqian… but he wouldn’t save him either.

The Third and Fourth Princes’ minds were difficult to read. Both would eventually be poisoned to death by cruel officials on charges of rebellion, though whether they had rebelled, no one could say for certain.

If the Third and Fourth Princes joined forces to harm Li Zhongqian, Zhao Tong would merely stand by and watch.

Why did they want to harm Li Zhongqian?

To compete for succession?

Or to curry favor with Li Xuanzhen?

Or perhaps this was all Li Xuanzhen’s poisonous scheme? Had the Eastern Palace already laid out an inescapable net, just waiting for Li Zhongqian to head south?

Yao Ying smiled self-mockingly.

In this life, Li Xuanzhen had harmed Li Zhongqian before, though not using those underhanded tactics described in the book. So she had naively thought that as long as those events didn’t occur, she could dissolve Li Xuanzhen’s hatred.

After all, Li Xuanzhen wasn’t purely evil.

Yao Ying had failed.

Li Xuanzhen wanted her to replace Zhu Lvyun in marriage – he had arranged for the Yelu Chieftain to enter the palace to watch the Buddha’s Birthday ceremony. Although he had stopped her at the last moment, it couldn’t change the fact that he had schemed to have her marry in Zhu Lvyun’s place.

Li De was cold and ruthless, governed by logic rather than emotion. The only person in this world who could shake his resolve was his first wife, Lady Tang. Li Xuanzhen hated Li De, yet he was the person most similar to Li De – he could lose all reason for Zhu Lvyun, stopping at nothing.

She shouldn’t have harbored false hope.

Two knocks sounded at the door, and an escort announced that Xie Chao had awakened.

Yao Ying immediately went to see Xie Chao, asking him about the specific circumstances.

Perhaps due to having just taken medicine, Xie Chao was in a daze, his reactions slow. Whatever she asked, it took him a long time to give a vague answer.

The physician said Xie Chao was simply exhausted.

Xu Biao grew impatient, pushing aside the physician and grabbing Xie Chao’s collar as he roared, “Who exactly ambushed the Prince?”

Xie Chao shook his head: “This lowly one doesn’t know either.”

“You said the Prince was wounded? How many days has he been unconscious? How many men do you have left? How many enemy troops are there?”

Xie Chao looked bewildered.

“Fool! What do you know?” Xu Biao was furious, punching the wall so hard the roof beams shook.

Xie Chao didn’t dare make a sound.

The other guards exchanged glances.

Yao Ying’s brows furrowed slightly. She gestured for the guards to pull Xu Biao away, then walked to the bed and looked down at Xie Chao with her large, elongated eyes, their corners slightly upturned, rippling like autumn waters.

“Why are you pretending to be confused?” she asked.

Xie Chao lowered his head in shame.

Yao Ying had already guessed somewhat, her heart filled with mixed emotions: “Did my brother instruct you… no matter what happened, not to alarm me?”

Xie Chao trembled and struggled to kneel on the ground: “Princess, please forgive me.”

Li Zhongqian had been gravely wounded. Before losing consciousness, he had instructed Xie Chao to immediately seek help from the Chancellor upon returning to the capital, and not to alarm the Seventh Princess. When he saw the Seventh Princess at the relay station, he desperately rushed to her for help in his panic. Now that he was clear-headed and remembered Li Zhongqian’s instructions, he dared not reveal too much, wanting to wait for the Chancellor to arrive before speaking.

Yao Ying sighed softly.

Even at the point of life and death, Li Zhongqian was still thinking about keeping her uninvolved.

At nine, he had been quiet and reserved; at eleven, violent and gloomy; at twenty, unrestrained and dissolute. Yet no matter which Li Zhongqian he was, he had always firmly stood before her, shielding her from wind and rain, holding up a clear sky of peaceful days, letting her grow up carefree in these troubled times.

“You were only following orders, what crime is there in that?” Yao Ying sighed, “Tell me, how was my brother wounded, and how serious is it?”

She slightly emphasized her tone, “My brother’s life hangs by a thread. The prince’s residence is now under my command, and the Chancellor follows my orders as well. Answer whatever I ask without any concealment. If you delay matters, I will hold you responsible.”

Xie Chao thought for a moment, then responded: “Princess, those who ambushed us were from Southern Chu! They disguised themselves as river bandits, burned our supplies, and when the Prince pursued the enemy, he was hit by their poisoned arrows. Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he was completely paralyzed and couldn’t move. The Southern Chu forces turned back to attack, and the Prince was stabbed several times…”

At this point, he secretly glanced up at Yao Ying. Seeing that although she had turned pale, she hadn’t been frightened into panic – her expression remained steady as she stood firmly – he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued.

“Before the Prince lost consciousness, he had me and several others swim out of the valley to seek help. The Prince also had me deliver a message to the Chancellor, saying the Third and Fourth Princes couldn’t be trusted.”

Yao Ying returned to the study and carefully examined the maps.

The terrain along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River was complex, with Southern Chu, Wei Dynasty, and several local powers intertwined. The location where Li Zhongqian was ambushed was very close to Huangzhou, which was occupied by Southern Chu.

Xie Chao said Li Zhongqian was grievously wounded and unconscious, in a dangerous situation with only a few dozen guards remaining.

Southern Chu had them surrounded in the river valley – they couldn’t escape even if they had wings, and couldn’t hold out for more than a few days.

It was even possible that Li Zhongqian had already met with disaster while Xie Chao was making his way back.

Yao Ying recalled his words before leaving.

He had said as long as he could return alive, he didn’t mind surrendering.

It sounded simple, but the situation on the battlefield wasn’t something he could control, and he was already unconscious. Since Southern Chu had disguised themselves as river bandits for the surprise attack, they likely hadn’t planned to leave any survivors.

Soon after, the Chancellor hurriedly arrived, having already met with Xie Chao.

Yao Ying asked: “Which generals in court can be trusted?”

The Chancellor seemed to want to speak but held back.

Yao Ying frowned, looking at him: “Uncle Hu, what did my brother instruct?”

If Li Zhongqian hadn’t given the Chancellor instructions on how to respond beforehand, why would he need Xie Chao to return to the capital for help?

The Chancellor’s lips trembled, tears flowing freely.

Yao Ying was startled.

The Chancellor wiped his eyes, sobbing as he said: “Princess, there are no trustworthy generals at court at all! The Prince had Xie Chao return to seek help, not to have this old servant run around on his behalf, but to remind this old servant…”

Yao Ying gripped her fingers tightly: “Remind you of what?”

The Chancellor raised his sleeve to wipe his tears: “The Prince said, if he sent his guard back to the capital, it was to remind this old servant to escort you away, as far as possible, without a moment’s delay!”

The bitterness she had barely suppressed came crashing down like a tidal wave. Yao Ying could hardly bear it, swaying twice before steadying herself against the desk.

There was no backup plan.

No clever strategy.

No allies.

Xie Chao’s thousand-li dash wasn’t to seek help, but only to ensure she could escape quickly and hide far away before news of his death reached the capital.

This was the only thing Li Zhongqian had kept firmly in mind before losing consciousness to the poison.

Yao Ying bit down hard on her teeth, tilting her head back to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.

Now was not the time for grief – Li Zhongqian’s life hung by a thread. She had to think of a way to save him. The longer they delayed, the more hope would fade.

Yao Ying spread out paper and picked up her brush to write a letter.

The Chancellor wept: “Princess, you really must leave now… The Prince even sent Xie Chao back – if you don’t leave and something happens, how can this old servant answer to the Prince?”

Yao Ying’s writing hand trembled continuously. “I’ll write several letters requesting aid. Have people deliver them with tokens, riding the manor’s best horses.”

The Chancellor knew he couldn’t persuade her. Weeping, he nodded and had strong servants deliver the letters as soon as she finished writing them.

In the afternoon, Xie Qing brought back the first reply.

Yao Ying immediately took the letter and opened it. After reading, she sighed in disappointment.

She continued to wait.

Several houses replied one after another, some remained silent, while others immediately closed their doors and refused to accept the letters when they saw the prince’s manor escorts arrive.

Yao Ying opened the replies one by one, her face growing increasingly pale.

The letters contained only perfunctory words of comfort. Li Zhongqian was the Crown Prince’s greatest threat – no one dared extend a helping hand.

The Chancellor quietly wiped his tears.

Xu Biao counted the manor’s guards and requested permission to fight from Yao Ying: “We were all once wandering fighters. The Prince didn’t care about our backgrounds and gave us prospects. Now that the Prince is in trouble, we can’t just sit here.”

The Chancellor hurriedly wiped his tears: “No, you were left behind by the Prince to protect the Princess! If you leave, who will protect her?”

Xu Biao choked, unable to respond.

Yao Ying finished reading the last reply and walked to the courtyard steps, looking up at the sky.

The Southern Chu were skilled with poisons. Li Zhongqian had first been hit by poisoned arrows, then wounded by blades. Now surrounded, his life hung by a thread. Every moment of delay made his chances of survival more remote.

She couldn’t afford to wait.

The Chancellor stamped his feet: “What if we begged His Majesty? Would the Emperor send men to save the Prince?”

Yao Ying shook her head.

Li De would certainly send troops, but would the people he sent actually save Li Zhongqian?

At the front were Zhao Tong, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, and the ruthless Southern Chu forces. At the rear were generals who dared not offend Li Xuanzhen. No matter who was sent to rescue Li Zhongqian, they would only need to delay for a day or two, and Li Zhongqian would certainly die.

Moreover, the frontline situation was complex. The Wei army surely had Southern Chu spies. Even if rescue forces sincerely wanted to save Li Zhongqian, the Third and Fourth Princes would certainly interfere and sabotage their rescue efforts.

The Chancellor wept in despair: “Is there no way at all?”

Yao Ying raised her eyes, determination flashing in her jet-black pupils.

“There is one way.”

Everyone in the courtyard looked up at her.

Yao Ying stood in the cool evening of late summer and early autumn, her skin like fresh snow, her hair like lacquer, a faint halo surrounding her.

“Prepare horses. We’re going to the Eastern Palace.”

The Chancellor, Xu Biao, and the other escorts all stared in shock.

Only Xie Qing turned silently without hesitation to prepare a mount for Yao Ying.

Before leaving, Yao Ying first returned to her room to fetch something, tucking it into her sleeve.

The Chancellor chased her to the manor gate: “Princess, better not go to the Eastern Palace. We’re like fire and water with them – how could His Highness the Crown Prince possibly help save the Prince? You’ll only be humiliated by that Wei Ming.”

Yao Ying mounted her horse.

“Li Xuanzhen will agree to save him,” she gripped the reins and lightly kicked the horse’s belly, “because I know what he wants.”

The Wusun horse galloped into the golden dusk.

It was already twilight. Drum beats echoing from north to south resounded above the checkerboard of wards, while the sunset burned brilliantly, dyeing the densely packed palace roofs and pavilions within the majestic walls with a layer of bright rouge.

Xie Qing escorted Yao Ying to the Eastern Palace and presented their token.

The guard went in to announce them and soon returned with a cold response: “His Highness is not at leisure. The Princess should return.”

Yao Ying dismounted and said: “Please go announce again that I wish to see the Crown Princess.”

Hearing her voice, the guard’s demeanor immediately softened. Not daring to look at her directly, he went to announce them again. When he returned, he was accompanied by Crown Princess Zheng Biyu’s maid.

The maid led Yao Ying directly to the inner hall, smiling brightly: “You’re an honored guest! When Her Highness heard you had come, she was overjoyed!”

Yao Ying remained silent, her expression unchanged.

In the inner hall, hearing of Yao Ying’s arrival, Zheng Biyu hurriedly changed her clothes and personally went to the curved corridor to receive her.

These days she had been troubled by the events at the Buddha’s Birthday ceremony. After Pei Gong had protected Yao Ying, she had written to explain that she hadn’t known about it beforehand. Yao Ying hadn’t replied, leaving her very uneasy.

Zheng Biyu knew she and Yao Ying weren’t of the same faction, but she still didn’t want Yao Ying to look down on her.

Seeing Yao Ying’s graceful figure appear by the lotus pond in the distance, Zheng Biyu stepped forward to welcome her: “Why has Seventh Sister come at this hour?”

Yao Ying got straight to the point: “I wish to see Eldest Brother.”

Zheng Biyu’s face showed difficulty: “Seventh Sister… I know why you’ve come. His Highness won’t see you.”

At present, all the civil and military officials, and noble families of the capital – none wanted to see Li Yao Ying because they all knew she would certainly ask them to save Li Zhongqian.

Whether Li Zhongqian lived or died, no one would help – they didn’t want to offend Li Xuanzhen.

The Eastern Palace officials especially hoped Li Zhongqian would die in the south. Wei Ming had been trying these days to confirm the news of Li Zhongqian’s death, delaying court efforts to send rescue forces.

How could Li Xuanzhen possibly see Li Yao Ying when she came seeking him now?

Yao Ying stood beneath the courtyard’s massive ginkgo tree, saying: “I’m sorry to trouble Sister-in-law. Please just relay a message for me – I’ll wait here.”

Zheng Biyu sighed and instructed her maid to convey the message: “Tell His Highness that the Seventh Princess seeks an audience.”

Shortly after, the maid returned.

“My lady, Chancellor Wei says His Highness is discussing important matters with the Commander and others, and has no time for visitors.”

Zheng Biyu looked apologetically at Yao Ying: “Seventh Sister, we are both women of the inner court – matters of the battlefield are not for us to decide. Don’t be too sad; tell me if you have any difficulties.”

Yao Ying lowered her head and took something from her sleeve, handing it to the maid.

“Please take this to the Crown Prince.”

…

In the Eastern Palace’s front court.

The inner hall was brightly lit. Li Xuanzhen was discussing matters with Chancellor Wei Ming, Commander Qin Fei, and others.

As Zhu Lvyun’s wedding day drew closer, Li Xuanzhen’s expression grew increasingly dark and his temper more volatile, though he still restrained himself from killing the Yelu Chieftain outright.

Qin Fei and the others silently prayed to Buddha. Seeing Li Xuanzhen’s distraction and knowing he was daily troubled by Zhu Lvyun’s matter, they dared not speak up to remind him.

Suddenly, the maid’s voice came from outside the window, saying the Seventh Princess sought an audience.

Qin Fei and the others exchanged surprised glances: They’d heard the Seventh Princess had been running around on the Second Prince’s behalf lately – had she exhausted all options and finally come, in desperate straits, to beg the Crown Prince?

Wei Ming’s eyes flickered twice as he walked to the door to rebuke the maid.

The maid turned and left but soon returned, presenting something wrapped in a silk handkerchief: “Your Highness, the Seventh Princess says she has something for you to see without fail. If you don’t look at it, she’ll keep waiting.”

Wei Ming’s eyes blazed with keen interest.

Before he could examine what the maid was holding, Li Xuanzhen raised his head, his face dark, and waved his hand, saying coldly: “You all go out first.”

Wei Ming had no choice but to withdraw from Qin Fei and the others.

The maid brought the silk-wrapped item before Li Xuanzhen.

The room was bright with candlelight.

Li Xuanzhen’s brows furrowed slightly as he opened the silk wrapping.

In the flickering candlelight, a crude, aged clay figure of indistinct features lay quietly on the desk.

Li Xuanzhen’s gaze grew dim, his narrow phoenix eyes seeming to merge with the boundless night.

“What did the Seventh Princess say?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

The maid bowed and said: “The Seventh Princess said, ‘A’Yue is still waiting.'”

As soon as the words fell, there was a tremendous bang. Li Xuanzhen suddenly flew into a rage, drawing the long sword hanging on the wall and with one stroke splitting the clay figure into powder.

The maid’s soul nearly fled her body as her knees gave way and she fell to the ground.

Li Xuanzhen’s face was gloomy as he stared at the scattered fragments on the desk for a long while. Then he strode out of the front court, still carrying the razor-sharp sword.

In the gathering darkness, the sword tip flashed coldly.

Palace maids and eunuchs who saw Li Xuanzhen in his fury trembled in fear, hurriedly making way.

Li Xuanzhen walked straight into the inner court. Shadows flickered before the corridor. Li Yao Ying stood before the steps. Hearing footsteps, she raised her head and looked over.

Her gaze was calm.

These were the eyes that became crescent moons when she smiled, and peach petals when she didn’t – eyes that no one could resent.

Li Xuanzhen strode over, raising his sword.

The maids and eunuchs in the courtyard stood frozen in shock, not daring to move.

Zheng Biyu’s eyes widened, nearly crying out as she blocked Yao Ying: “Da Lang! Have you gone mad? Seventh Sister is your sister!”

Li Xuanzhen stepped forward, his handsome face shrouded in gloom, dark fury surging in his eyes.

Zheng Biyu had never seen him like this and was stunned.

In the silent confrontation, Yao Ying also stepped forward.

She raised her head to look at Li Xuanzhen, meeting his icy gaze, and said softly: “Brother Changsheng.”

Li Xuanzhen stared at her coldly, his gaze like knives.

Yao Ying seemed not to see the sword Li Xuanzhen was pointing at her. “Brother Changsheng, A’Yue wants to make a deal with you.”