Duanmu Palace.

East Wing, the study.

Zhao Yishi was speaking with his advisors when Shen Chong pushed the door open.

“Your Highness, a Tatar spy has been discovered at the Jade Flute Building.”

Zhao Yishi’s expression changed.

This morning the Ministry of War had just submitted a memorial requesting war. This evening a Tatar spy was discovered.

Originally His Majesty was still hesitating about whether to deploy troops, but with this—it was like a pillow arriving just when one was drowsy. This war would definitely be fought.

He stood up from his chair and said to his advisors, “You discuss this matter first and see if there’s any solution. I’ll make a trip to Father’s study.”

“Yes!”

The advisors all rose and bowed.

Zhao Yishi walked out of the courtyard, slowing his pace. Shen Chong quickly caught up and recounted everything that had happened at the Jade Flute Building in complete detail.

After finishing, seeing His Highness remain silent in contemplation, Shen Chong added, “Today Third Master gave this opportunity to the Marquis of Wu’an. The marquis has already entered the palace.”

“By doing this, Chengyu isn’t just handing a ladder to the Marquis of Wu’an’s household—he also hopes they can climb that ladder upward, obtain the general’s position, and lead troops into battle.”

Zhao Yishi contemplated for a moment. “It’s just unfortunate…”

“Unfortunate what?”

“Unfortunate that he forgot one thing.”

Zhao Yishi smiled self-mockingly. “My dear Uncle Prince is right here in the capital now—how could he miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?”

The incident happened before everyone’s eyes. Though Chengyu had surrounded the Jade Flute Building to prevent anyone from reporting to the Prince of Han’s residence, prevention could only work for so long.

At most, the Marquis of Wu’an and the Prince of Han would enter the palace one after the other. But the marquis’s military skills were a notch below the prince’s. He could serve as a lieutenant general, but as commander-in-chief…

There was absolutely no way he could sit in that position.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yishi quickened his pace. The situation had reached a critical point—no matter what, they had to find a way to block the Prince of Han from taking command.

The palace servants of Duanmu Palace, seeing the Crown Prince’s Heir hurrying past, didn’t dare greet him but only bowed from afar.

Before long, he reached the Crown Prince’s courtyard.

An attendant, having received word, hurried out to greet him. “Crown Prince’s Heir?”

“Where is Father?”

“The Crown Prince is… is at Consort Xu’s residence.”

“Go inform him that I have matters to discuss.”

“Is Your Highness’s matter urgent or not? If it’s not urgent…”

The attendant looked troubled. “Today is Consort Xu’s birthday. The Crown Prince said several days ago that he would celebrate for the consort. So perhaps…”

A basin of cold water poured over his head.

Consort Xu—a concubine the Crown Prince had taken three months ago.

Just sixteen this year, more delicate and beautiful than flowers.

In these three months, apart from appearing before Mother on the first and fifteenth of each month, the Crown Prince spent all other time at Consort Xu’s residence, favoring her nightly. He had even taken leave from morning court twice.

That day when the Crown Prince overslept again, Mother could bear it no longer and rushed to Consort Xu’s courtyard to remind the Crown Prince about morning court. The result? Three words: “Get out!”

Mother’s tears fell on the spot. Afterward, she grasped his hand and wept:

“Twenty-some years of marriage, and in the end I’m worth less than a concubine. How this chills my heart!”

“No need.”

Zhao Yishi’s jet-black eyes were icy cold. “I merely came to pay my respects to Father. Since he’s at Consort Xu’s residence, I’ll go back.”

“Then… Your Highness, take care.”

Just then, a cold wind came from somewhere. Zhao Yishi had hurried over still wearing the light robes from the study and couldn’t help but shiver.

His heart completely froze.

Turning, he saw the attendant Wang Yin hurrying over.

Zhao Yishi went to meet him. “What is it?”

Wang Yin lowered his voice. “Your Highness, word from outside—the Prince of Han has suddenly entered the palace.”

“Someone’s watching from the sidelines like a tiger eyeing its prey, wanting nothing more than to completely destroy Duanmu Palace, yet he still has the leisure for pleasure-seeking…”

Zhao Yishi had never resented anyone as much as he did right now.

“This empire—he doesn’t deserve to win it.”

Wang Yin and Shen Chong’s faces changed dramatically.

Wang Yin quickly looked around and urged, “Your Highness, mind your words!”

Your Highness, mind your words;

Your Highness, please endure;

Your Highness, he is still the Crown Prince after all;

Your Highness, he is your father!

Sorrow filled Zhao Yishi’s heart. He lifted his head—the night was dark, not a single visible star could be found.

“Shen Chong.”

He said softly, “Do you know why I like Li Buyan?”

Shen Chong replied, “Because she’s one of a kind.”

“No.”

Zhao Yishi’s long eyebrows lifted slightly. “She makes me feel that sometimes a person should live as recklessly and willfully as she does.”

Shen Chong: “…”

…

At this moment, Li Buyan had already returned to the separate residence, propping her chin on her hand as she watched the person sleeping on the bed.

This person’s face had never had much color to begin with, but now it was frighteningly pale. Her breathing was also shallower than usual—if you didn’t listen carefully, you couldn’t hear it at all.

Clearly, Zhu Xuanjiu’s heart demon had already begun consuming Yan Sanhe’s body.

Just then, Young Master Pei walked in.

He had just finished dinner and rinsed his mouth with tea. The corner of his mouth was still a bit damp. He wiped it with a handkerchief and said to Li Buyan:

“Hero Li, do you have something on your mind? Why did you only eat a few bites at dinner?”

“If Third Master Xie dies, what will you do?”

Young Master Pei: “…”

“You surnamed Li?”

Young Master Pei exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “Did you take a shit today or not? If not, go to the privy quickly and stop spewing crap from your mouth.”

“Would you die together with him?”

Li Buyan turned around, her gaze fixed directly on Pei Xiao. “Or would you live on alone, in pain and loneliness, until old age?”

Still spewing!

Young Master Pei was so angry his nose nearly bled. “Right now I want to die together with you—mutual destruction.”

Li Buyan suddenly stood up.

“What?”

Young Master Pei stumbled back several steps in fright, hugging himself protectively. “Mutual destruction is fine, but no hitting or killing.”

Li Buyan didn’t even glance at him, silently walking past him and out.

Young Master Pei: “…”

“Yan Sanhe, your maid is really not right. You sleep well, I’ll go coax her for you.”

Young Master Pei blew out the candle and scampered after her.

Looking up, he got a big fright.

Two people stood in the courtyard—one was Li Buyan, the other was Zhao Yishi.

“Huairen, how did you get here?”

Young Master Pei quickly pinched himself, thinking: I’m not dreaming, am I?

“Came to wait for Chengyu.”

Zhao Yishi answered Young Master Pei’s question but kept his gaze on Li Buyan. “And to ask Miss Li for a bowl of noodles.”

Li Buyan looked at Zhao Yishi for a long moment, then silently nodded.

“Mingting, notify me when Chengyu returns.”

“Oh!”

Pei Xiao’s response was distracted.

Hero can cook noodles?

How did he not know this?

Pei Xiao wanted to ask more clearly why they were waiting for Chengyu—had something happened?

But before he could speak, Zhao Yishi and Li Buyan had already walked out of the courtyard one after the other.

Watching their disappearing figures, he just felt inexplicably empty inside.

“I’ve never even eaten noodles made by Hero Li!”