In Chonghua Palace on New Year’s Eve, everyone was busy beyond measure.

Prince Han Zhao Yanjin paid respects at the small ancestral shrine early in the morning, then instructed the Princess Consort that he would see no guests today.

The Princess Consort knew her husband’s thoughts had been heavy these recent days. She didn’t dare say much, respectfully responding with a “Yes!”

In the study.

Dong Xiao poked at the charcoal in the bronze brazier and brewed two cups of hot tea.

The tea was just ready when Zhao Yanjin entered, his expression dark.

Dong Xiao set down the tea bowl and sat in the seat below him, also looking grave.

The situation had changed too quickly.

In just a few days, supporters on the Crown Prince’s side had multiplied daily, while those who’d secretly promised to stand behind Prince Han began wavering.

Prince Han suddenly found himself at a disadvantage.

“Your Highness, Boren has thought it over—there’s only one possibility.”

“Speak.”

“Someone deliberately leaked the matter of Your Highness being an ‘inauspicious star.'”

Zhao Yanjin stared at the steam rising from the tea bowl, his face dark and silent.

This was also his suspicion. Otherwise, given the Crown Prince’s cowardly nature, how could he make people defect?

No one in this world could bear the label of “inauspicious star”—not even princes and generals, not even those with illustrious military achievements.

“The root still lies with the Zhu family.”

Dong Xiao continued: “The Zhu family must be eliminated. We absolutely cannot allow His Majesty to continue trusting them.”

Zhao Yanjin slammed the table in frustration. “Unfortunately, the Zhu family has become aware. Our people can’t get close to them.”

The matter was quite strange.

Whenever hidden guards approached the Zhu residence, they’d either feel dizzy or nauseous. Move a dozen zhang away, and these symptoms vanished.

Not only was this matter strange, but Zhu Yuanmo himself wasn’t right either.

Supposedly for some unknown reason, his hair had turned white overnight, and he’d aged more than ten years.

At that moment, Dong Xiao suddenly stood and walked before Zhao Yanjin, speaking with conviction:

“Today when Your Highness enters the palace, seize the opportunity while His Majesty is pleased to make your move. Time is running out for Your Highness.”

Zhao Yanjin understood perfectly clearly.

As long as His Majesty didn’t allow him to accompany the imperial expedition, it would confirm him as an inauspicious star. Once confirmed as an inauspicious star, the entire momentum would be lost.

All his years of planning and careful effort would turn to bubbles.

“Rest assured, Boren. I will certainly act as opportunities arise!”

…

In Chonghua Palace, the festivities were at their height.

After working hard all year, only during these New Year days could palace servants relax slightly. On New Year’s Eve they either drank and feasted or gathered to gamble.

In the darkness.

Zhu Qing made another hand signal. Seeing it, the three behind him immediately dispersed.

Ding Yi headed south.

Huang Qi went north.

Li Buyan followed behind Zhu Qing, employing lightness skills to run swiftly across the rooftops.

Suddenly, Zhu Qing’s foot stopped and his body dropped flat against the tiles.

Li Buyan reflexively dropped flat as well.

Just as she was about to speak, Zhu Qing turned to look at her, signaling her to look ahead.

Li Buyan focused her gaze and her heart sank—disaster.

On a distant rooftop sat two people, each holding a wine flask, drinking leisurely.

Damn it.

The residence’s hidden guards were still on duty even during New Year—no wonder the divinations always came out inauspicious.

“What do we do?”

Li Buyan signaled with her hands.