Right—why would it be Yan Sanhe?

Shen Chong was full of doubts. “Your Highness, is she truly one of the twins from Begonia Courtyard?”

Zhao Yishi smiled faintly, thinking of something.

Back then, to find concrete evidence, Xie Daozhi sent someone to investigate Begonia Courtyard. Who would have known that person disappeared without a trace—neither living person nor corpse could be found?

Because of this incident, Xie Daozhi concluded that Begonia Courtyard not only hid secrets but also had guardians protecting those secrets. Only then did he agree to take action.

“She should be the twin sister from Begonia Courtyard, Zheng Huaiyou.”

“In that case, the hundred and eighty members of the Zheng family died justly. Zheng Yu’s death in battle was even more justified! But Your Highness…”

Shen Chong continued, “How did she escape from Begonia Courtyard back then? Who raised her?”

Zhao Yishi walked to the window, hands clasped behind his back as he looked at the night scene outside. After a long time, he finally said:

“Those questions you ask aren’t important. What’s important is—who taught her these abilities to dissolve obsessions and resolve heart demons?”

Before Shen Chong could react, he heard the Crown Prince ask again, “What’s important is—through dissolving obsessions and resolving heart demons, what goal does she want to achieve?”

Shen Chong’s mind exploded instantly. “Your Highness?”

Zhao Yishi slowly turned around. “If I remember correctly, she came to the capital to dissolve her grandfather’s obsession and resolve his heart demon, which is why she found the Xie family.”

Shen Chong nodded. “Third Master said this.”

Zhao Yishi: “After that, Old Madam Ji developed a heart demon. Chengyu and Mingting followed her to Nanning Prefecture. Do you remember what Third Master told me when he returned?”

Shen Chong thought for a moment.

“Third Master said Old Madam Ji and Wu Guanyue were childhood sweethearts. She learned that the Zheng family case was Wu Guanyue’s doing. She feared the court would discover her relationship with Wu Guanyue.

Feared that one day the fugitive Wu Guanyue would come to her door seeking refuge. Feared it would affect her son’s official career, feared it would affect the Ji family’s wealth and glory. So she lived in constant fear, and prolonged worry became a demon.”

Zhao Yishi: “Was Wu Guanyue actually involved in the Zheng family case?”

With this question, alarm rose in Shen Chong’s heart.

Zhao Yishi: “Next came the heart demon of Jing Chen at Shuiyue Nunnery.”

Shen Chong quickly nodded. “Jing Chen was the Deposed Crown Prince’s fellow disciple.”

Zhao Yishi: “After that came the Zhu family’s heart demon. Yan Sanhe was abducted by Prince Han. I was the one who went to Prince Han’s manor to demand her return.”

Shen Chong: “This heart demon involved the Deposed Crown Prince.”

Zhao Yishi: “Most recently, it was the Zheng family’s heart demon.”

Only now did Shen Chong truly understand. “These heart demons, circling around and around, are all related to the Zheng family and the Deposed Crown Prince.”

Zhao Yishi’s eyes were heavy. “And also related to Yan Sanhe’s background!”

Shen Chong drew in a sharp breath. “Your Highness guessed correctly—Yan Sanhe’s resolution of these heart demons has a purpose.”

Zhao Yishi: “Come, guess what her purpose is?”

“…”

Shen Chong said somewhat weakly, “Is it… to bring the truth about the Zheng family case to light?”

Zhao Yishi chuckled softly, though the smile only stayed on the surface. “I’m afraid that’s only one of her purposes.”

Shen Chong’s eyes widened slightly. “What’s the second?”

“To repay kindness with kindness and vengeance with vengeance.”

Zhao Yishi: “Look, wasn’t Xie Daozhi one of them?”

Shen Chong thought of Yan Sanhe secretly investigating that dwelling in the western suburbs and blurted out, “Your Highness, her next target is you!”

Zhao Yishi smiled, that smile seeming to grow on his face.

“Before she came to the capital, what was my relationship with Chengyu and Mingting like?”

“Your Highness, Third Master, and Young Master Pei had no secrets between you—you were like real brothers. Third Master and Young Master Pei would invite Your Highness to drink on the pleasure boat whenever they had time.”

“And after she arrived?”

“Third Master and Young Master Pei came to see Your Highness less and less often.”

“Xie Daozhi has already taken responsibility for everything, yet she still secretly investigates. Why?”

Shen Chong: “…”

“Because she’s of imperial blood. She clearly knows Xie Daozhi didn’t have sufficient reason to go this far for the empire and society.”

Zhao Yishi: “She guessed that behind Xie Daozhi, there must be imperial family members who benefited from this affair. If not the Emperor, then me. So her next step will be…”

“What will it be?”

“Probably to expose me, to make my actions known to the world, to let everyone know that the gentle and refined Crown Prince…”

He smiled. “…is the true mastermind behind the Zheng family bloodbath!”

Cold sweat broke out on Shen Chong’s forehead in a thin layer.

He’d followed the Crown Prince for many years and seen all kinds of women, but one as clever, as bold, and as calculating as this was absolutely unprecedented!

“Your Highness, someone like this absolutely cannot be left alive. If we keep her, she’ll be a disaster!”

Zhao Yishi didn’t respond. After a long time, he said quietly, “Come walk outside with me.”

…

In the deep night mountain air, tree shadows swayed and cool breezes rustled.

A bright moon hung on the treetops.

Moonlight like water spilled across Zhao Yishi’s face. If not for the hint of ruthlessness at the corner of his eyes, that face would truly be like warm jade, impossible to look away from.

Shen Chong followed behind Zhao Yishi, one step behind—this step was the proper distance for a servant.

Zhao Yishi had only made exceptions to this distance for two people.

“Tell me…”

He slowly began, “Has Yan Sanhe told Chengyu and Mingting about your killing of Yan Xi?”

Shen Chong: “Third Master rushed to request resignation from Your Highness. I’m afraid…”

“It seems I’ve become someone Chengyu desperately wants to avoid.”

Zhao Yishi seemed to be speaking to Shen Chong and to himself. “No different from a flood or savage beast.”

After hearing this, Shen Chong could only wipe the cold sweat from his forehead again.

“Tell me again…”

Zhao Yishi: “How much do Chengyu and Mingting know about Yan Sanhe’s background? Do they know nothing at all, or do they know everything?”

Shen Chong didn’t dare answer. “This… this servant cannot guess.”

“If they know nothing at all, then Chengyu’s request to resign today is understandable—it’s nothing more than a matter of the heart. But if they know everything…”

Zhao Yishi’s voice was as light as a breeze. “Then he has betrayed me.”

Shen Chong’s cold sweat increased. He didn’t dare say another word, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.

If Third Master knew Yan Sanhe’s identity, it wasn’t just a betrayal of the Crown Prince—he’d betrayed the Xie family too.

Xie Daozhi was the mastermind behind the Zheng family case.

Yan Sanhe forced Xie Daozhi to commit suicide because of the Zheng family case.

By rights, these two were mortal enemies.

The Xie family raised Third Master for twenty-one years. For Third Master to abandon family and career for an enemy—he was an unfilial son. To betray the Crown Prince—he was a disloyal subject.

“Continue…”

Zhao Yishi: “…When did they become fully aware of Yan Sanhe’s background?”

Shen Chong answered cautiously, “After going to the palace?”

Zhao Yishi shook his head. “I think not. The nun’s heart demon, the Zhu family’s heart demon, the Zheng family’s heart demon—which of these has nothing to do with Yan Sanhe’s background?”

“You mean they knew long ago but kept it hidden from Your Highness?”

The cold light ahead shot straight at him. Shen Chong quickly covered his mouth in fright.

Zhao Yishi withdrew his gaze, turned around, and paced slowly.

In the late Emperor’s final years, he listened to Daoist priests who said absorbing the essence of sun and moon could prolong life. He often pulled him along for walks under the moon.

What the late Emperor spoke of most was the relationship between sovereign and subject.

First there is father and son, then there is sovereign and subject. With sovereign and subject comes superior and inferior. With superior and inferior comes respect and status.

One who can speak fully to his lord above and work diligently for the people below, who can cultivate righteousness and follow orders—this is a loyal subject.

Zhao Yishi let out a long breath. “Shen Chong.”

“Present!”

“Prepare horses. I must return to the capital immediately.”

Shen Chong was shocked. “Your Highness, you’re still in mourning at the mausoleum.”

“Whether they’re disloyal subjects or traitors, I must investigate to make a determination. Otherwise…”

Zhao Yishi’s dark eyes were filled with gloom.

“…how can I decide whether they stay or go?”