Fu Su was furious.

But he exerted his utmost effort to adjust his emotions in the fastest time possible.

At the very least, he had to control his emotions before his tutor, because the youth in his arms looked so helpless and confused.

Fu Su’s heart felt as if it had been carved into several pieces by a knife. He had been raised right under his nose, yet was still silently abducted—this was simply utter humiliation!

While his subordinates thoroughly investigated this strange estate, Fu Su carefully examined whether his tutor had any wounds. Although he’d only been missing a few hours—the sky hadn’t even brightened yet—killing someone required only an instant, let alone after these several hours had passed.

The green robe on the youth’s body showed no signs of being torn or bloodstained, only looking somewhat dirty, perhaps from lying on the ground. The wear on the elbows and back was considerable. Fu Su speculated it might have been formed by someone dragging him across the ground, because his Minister’s robes were all new clothes personally made by Caiwei, even though she had long been permanently stationed at the weaving workshop.

The green-robed youth’s face was deathly pale, his body temperature cold. Fu Su had Gu Cun immediately bring blankets to wrap the green-robed youth entirely. When Fu Su slightly released him, he noticed the yin-yang sui clutched in his hands and was startled into a daze for a moment.

Guessing his tutor must have been knocked unconscious and abducted while going to the courtyard to collect moon dew, Fu Su cursed under his breath and reached to touch the back of the green-robed youth’s head.

No swelling, no wounds either.

Fortunately. Fu Su breathed a sigh of relief. The person was mostly fine, no obvious external injuries, just somewhat mentally dazed. Although the Imperial Physician he’d brought had no use, he still called him over to examine everything. After confirming this estate was completely empty with no clues, he left with a dark expression.

The Eldest Prince’s carriage cabin was much more spacious than ordinary ones. Fu Su held the green-robed youth leaning inside, while Gu Cun also entered the cabin to help serve tea and water.

After drinking a mouthful of warm soup, the green-robed youth’s consciousness seemed to be awakened along with it. He spoke: “What time is it now?” His voice was hoarse beyond recognition. The first attempt made no sound at all—he had to repeat it before barely being understood.

Fu Su was startled and quickly passed over the soup in his hands, letting him drink more to moisten his throat. However, worried about his tutor’s safety, he hadn’t noticed what hour it was now. Gu Cun beside him timely reported: “Past the chou hour.”

The green-robed youth drank several mouthfuls of lotus seed soup, his breathing recovering somewhat, and continued asking: “What year, what month, what day?”

Fu Su and Gu Cun exchanged glances, both seeing worry and confusion in each other’s eyes. No one could have imagined the green-robed youth’s first question after rescue would be this. But Fu Su still answered: “The thirty-third year of the First Emperor, the thirteenth of the seventh month. Oh, today should be the fourteenth of the seventh month.”

The green-robed youth very slowly closed his eyes, then very slowly opened them. This blinking motion was slowed several times over—a seemingly ordinary action that, when performed by him, looked abnormally heart-wrenching to watch.

Fu Su thought he was tired and patted his arm soothingly, saying gently: “It’s all over now. Rest well first.”

The green-robed youth shook his head, struggling to sit up himself. He temporarily didn’t understand why he had clearly spent over three years alone in the Qian Character Cell, yet in reality only several hours had passed since his disappearance from Gaoquan Palace. But he had to tell Fu Su clearly who was responsible.

“It was Zhao Gao.”

When Fu Su heard these three words, his handsome face changed slightly, but his expression wasn’t overly surprised. After all, those who dared do such things could be counted on one hand. With a bit of thought he could guess—otherwise he wouldn’t have found his tutor so quickly and smoothly.

Seeing them begin discussing a more serious topic, Gu Cun consciously left the cabin. Fu Su watched through the curtain as he descended from the carriage, then moved closer to the green-robed youth and asked in a lowered voice: “Did he do anything to you?”

The green-robed youth hesitated for a moment.

But just this instant’s pause was seen by Fu Su. He gripped the youth’s shoulders, not allowing any thought of concealment.

“Nothing major. He merely used the excuse of having me test medicine for Master.” A bitter smile appeared on the green-robed youth’s pale cheeks.

Fu Su’s expression stiffened. He immediately called loudly for the Imperial Physician to come examine his pulse, afraid Zhao Gao had tampered with the pills.

The green-robed youth didn’t stop him. He was still somewhat confused at this moment. The logic he’d deduced in the Qian Character Cell was completely overturned at this instant and needed reorganization.

When they returned to Gaoquan Palace, the eastern sky had already begun showing fish-belly white. Just after dismounting, Ying, who hadn’t slept all night, rushed over, repeatedly calling “A Luo”—the scene became even more chaotic.

Because Caiwei had been taken by the weaving workshop years ago, the green-robed youth hadn’t recruited any more maids, trying to be as self-sufficient as possible in everything. After all, what he dealt with were the empire’s highest secrets—casually arranging anyone wasn’t very safe. Ying didn’t mind doing trivial matters losing his status, except this lord was even lazier—who attended whom was uncertain.

Fu Su found Ying adding to the chaos and directly had Gu Cun send the green-robed youth to his own sleeping chamber for settling, while he went to arrange people to handle some cleanup matters. This kidnapping began in moonlit night and ended before daybreak, so the disturbance wasn’t large, but falling in interested eyes might stir up huge waves.

Fu Su wasn’t afraid of these things, only this incident made him vigilant—future plans also needed revision accordingly.

He was so busy he worked until full daylight, even going to Xianyang Palace to see Father Emperor. When he returned to his sleeping chamber for a meal, it was already afternoon. He discovered his tutor also hadn’t slept, holding a scroll of bamboo slips, leaning by the latticed window quietly sunning himself.

The green-robed youth had changed into a blue-green robe, his washed long hair still not fully dry, draped behind him.

“Why haven’t you rested yet?” Fu Su pressed his brow. Having kept his nerves taut, returning to his chambers where he needn’t be on guard, he inevitably revealed some fatigue. Before entering he’d already heard attendants report his tutor hadn’t rested since returning.

The green-robed youth only smiled without answering.

He’d slept enough—naturally didn’t dare sleep again, afraid that closing his eyes, upon reopening them, he’d return to that terrifying Qian Character Cell, trapped in darkness with nowhere to call for help.

Moreover, one matter made him increasingly restless the more he thought about it—this was also the question he’d repeatedly contemplated during over three years of torment in the Qian Character Cell.

If Zhao Gao was his senior martial brother, then his motive for appearing beside the First Emperor was extremely suspicious. After the First Emperor unified the six states, his temperament greatly changed—he began seeking immortals and asking about the Way.

And after Hu Hai, not a single child was born again…

Also, why had the Imperial Star dimmed…

Additionally, that tin danglou previously given to Wang Li—for whom did it actually block calamity?

Question after question made the green-robed youth’s heart tangled as messy hemp.

“Bi Zhi, you’ve suffered.” Fu Su’s voice was hoarse, not knowing how to begin. His tutor was blocking calamity for him, yet within the recent period, he still couldn’t act rashly. Fu Su stood dejectedly, letting powerlessness surge over him. He sighed: “I’m truly useless.”

“This is the path I chose. Even if covered with thorns, barefoot, weaponless, I must fearlessly continue walking.” The green-robed youth steadied himself, the corners of his lips curving into a serene smile.

Fu Su was shocked by the determination in his words, knowing any consoling words he said now would be pale and powerless. He could only silently make a vow in his heart: he would properly remember this feeling—in the future, he definitely wouldn’t fail his minister.

“Has there been any change?” The green-robed youth also didn’t want to continue this topic, finding an excuse to diverge.

“Bi Zhi, Father Emperor plans to establish Li Si as Prime Minister.” Fu Su sat cross-legged before the bed, following his tutor’s gaze toward the pond in the courtyard. This news shouldn’t be spoken now to trouble his tutor, but having just visited Father Emperor at Xianyang Palace, his thoughts were chaotic and urgently needed to confide.

The green-robed youth had been notified by Chaofeng when he went to see Father Emperor, so hearing this wasn’t overly surprised. Chaofeng and the sparrowhawk’s intelligence reports were also indispensable weapons when he strategized. But thinking now—if he wasn’t the only person in the palace who could hear Chaofeng and the sparrowhawk’s voices, wouldn’t this weapon also be available for others’ use?

Steadying himself, the green-robed youth didn’t let his mind wander to other matters. He released the bamboo slips in his hands and said lightly: “Finally.”

Fu Su sighed. Yes, finally it came.

The process of gradually grasping the Great Qin Empire’s power was like climbing a mountain. Standing at the mountain peak was naturally his Father Emperor, and his ultimate goal was also standing at the mountain summit. Moreover, this position was extremely narrow—narrow enough for only one person to stand.

So exactly what position would he climb to before arousing the First Emperor’s vigilance, and what kind of reaction would the other make? He and his tutor had repeatedly deduced these many times.

Power division was one possibility—also the most reasonable response.

As expected, the First Emperor also did this, pushing Li Si to the Prime Minister position, equivalent to entrusting someone to manage the household. Actually, what Li Si would do wasn’t different from what Fu Su had done these years.

“He’d rather trust an outsider than trust his own son.” Fu Su laughed lowly, but his words carried indescribable bleakness.

“Because the hundred officials cannot honor Li Si as sovereign.” The green-robed youth knew Fu Su wasn’t ignorant of this reason but still spoke consolingly.

Fu Su was silent for a moment, the dejected expression on his face swept clean away, both eyes tinged with an excited flush.

“Bi Zhi, probably next year, at latest the year after, we’ll be leaving Xianyang.”

The green-robed youth tightly clenched his right fist once, then slowly released it, his face revealing a relieved smile.

Although establishing a prime minister was only an initial idea—a prime minister couldn’t be established just by saying so—but at latest next year, court power would tilt considerably toward Li Si’s side. And Fu Su obviously used this concession to make an interest exchange with the First Emperor, with the goal being control of the military.

This was also what they’d discussed before—going to the northern borders. There lay not only Qin’s bravest armies but also Meng Tian, loyal to Fu Su, and potential supporter Wang Li. It could be said that if Fu Su wanted to control military forces, that would be the ideal place.

Facts proved the First Emperor still didn’t want to delegate power to Fu Su—even having Zhao Gao privately issue warnings.

Like when climbing a mountain peak, if this path ahead had obstacles with no possibility of advancing further, then change angles, cut through thorns, continue climbing.

Fu Su’s refined handsome face was full of determined resolution to obtain his goal. Soon, very soon.

When he returned to Xianyang from Shangjun Prefecture, would be his time to ascend the throne.

And then, no one would dare act wantonly toward those beside him anymore!

End of Chapter 9