Master Mingxin withdrew a thumb-sized white porcelain bottle from his wide sleeves.

Emperor Tai’an watched his movements quietly, seeing him open the stopper and drip two or three drops of colorless liquid into the washbasin.

Steam rose from the basin, but there appeared to be no other changes.

Master Mingxin’s gaze briefly met Emperor Tai’an’s, then he gave a slight nod to Head Eunuch Liu Chuan: “Eunuch Liu, take good care of His Majesty.”

Liu Chuan felt bewildered.

What did taking good care of His Majesty mean?

Hiss—could Mister Wang possibly be planning to splash this basin of water on His Majesty?

Though he felt this guess was too absurd, he still strode quickly to Emperor Tai’an’s side, staring intently at Master Mingxin’s movements, only to see him bend down and plunge his head into the washbasin.

Liu Chuan’s face showed shock, and he couldn’t help but look toward Emperor Tai’an.

Emperor Tai’an, beyond his surprise, revealed a thoughtful expression.

The others in the room were equally shocked, yet dared not show it. Without blinking, they watched Master Mingxin with his face buried in the water basin, nearly forgetting to breathe.

Master Mingxin finally straightened up.

The time had actually not been long, yet those whose gazes had fallen upon him felt as if much time had passed.

The room was quiet, with only a faint medicinal fragrance lingering at their noses.

Everyone’s gaze adhered to Master Mingxin’s face, but that face showed nothing except water droplets clinging to it. Even his expression remained calm and undisturbed.

Emperor Tai’an watched quietly, his expression gradually growing solemn.

Liu Chuan coughed: “Mister Wang, what are you—”

It wasn’t that his curiosity was heavy; he was asking on behalf of His Majesty, to spare His Majesty the anxiety.

Master Mingxin didn’t answer, but instead turned his back.

Liu Chuan: ?

Master Mingxin wasn’t deliberately keeping them in suspense, but rather feared the upcoming scene would frighten Emperor Tai’an into some mishap. He raised both hands to his ears and fumbled about, gradually pulling down that mask.

The palace servants standing at the doorway could just see Master Mingxin’s face. Seeing a layer of skin slowly peeled away by him, they nearly bulged their eyeballs out. Fortunately, the palace servants who could serve at the Emperor’s side had all undergone strict training and wouldn’t cry out in alarm.

The removed mask was tossed into the washbasin, and Master Mingxin slowly turned around.

It was a face both strange and familiar.

Strange because this face was completely different from Mister Wang’s; familiar because this face looked very recognizable.

Liu Chuan’s complexion changed drastically as he shouted to protect the Emperor.

Emperor Tai’an had already harbored some suspicions. The instant the guards rushed in, he immediately matched the face before him with one in his memory.

“Master Mingxin?”

Master Mingxin calmly performed a bow: “This commoner is indeed he.”

Emperor Tai’an waved his hand, signaling the guards to withdraw.

Liu Chuan was somewhat anxious: “Your Majesty—”

Emperor Tai’an frowned: “Stand down.”

The guards silently withdrew. Liu Chuan blocked Emperor Tai’an’s front, staring intently at Master Mingxin.

Emperor Tai’an was actually quite calm, even feeling several measures of excitement in his heart.

Master Mingxin suddenly revealing his true face was unlikely to be for assassination; it was more likely related to that imperial notice he had posted…

After a brief silence, Emperor Tai’an sighed: “The Master’s bearing is no less than in years past.”

“Your Majesty flatters me.” Master Mingxin’s tone was indifferent, clearly not one for idle conversation.

Emperor Tai’an had sat in this position for so long that he was very clear about how to handle different people, so he asked directly: “Master has been at My side for so long. Why do you suddenly reveal your true appearance today?”

“I heard Your Majesty was seeking this commoner.”

Emperor Tai’an’s heart stirred, his gaze burning as he stared at Master Mingxin: “Does the Master know why I seek you?”

“I can guess one or two reasons.”

Emperor Tai’an’s hand hanging at his side trembled, though his face maintained its calm: “Then what is the Master’s intention?”

Master Mingxin smiled slightly: “This commoner has revealed his identity. Your Majesty should understand this commoner’s meaning.”

Liu Chuan on the side very much wanted to rebuke him for his insolence, yet perceptively remained silent.

Emperor Tai’an, hearing these words, fell silent for a moment, yet still asked: “What I don’t understand is the Master’s reason for doing this.”

Changing his appearance and face, painstakingly coming to his side—the purpose need not be questioned. But why turn to support him instead?

After all, at present, he was the one in dire straits, at a disadvantage.

Emperor Tai’an truly couldn’t understand.

“Perhaps because of the urgent report I just saw.” Master Mingxin spoke with apparent ease, yet his heart was not calm.

Of course it wasn’t only because of that urgent report.

During those years of fleeing and hiding with Emperor Pingle, hearing news of Great Zhou recovering lost territories; after coming to Emperor Tai’an’s side, seeing a diligent and unremitting emperor; when pressed step by step by Northern Qi, choosing to face the difficulty head-on rather than ceding land to sue for peace… matter by matter, incident by incident, all had been shaking his resolve to support the former emperor.

Until that meeting with the young lady, those three questions left him no escape, forcing him to face his inner heart directly.

Peace and stability, freedom from foreign oppression—this was what that young lady hoped for, what the myriad common people hoped for, and also… what he hoped for.

So he cast off that false skin and became himself again.

Emperor Tai’an stared fixedly at Master Mingxin: “Is the Master not afraid?”

Master Mingxin smiled: “That is a matter for after breaking the formation.”

The implication being that after breaking the formation, his life and death would both be determined by Emperor Tai’an.

“Good, good!” Emperor Tai’an extended his hand, supported by Liu Chuan to stand: “I thank the Master on behalf of the myriad soldiers and common people.”

Master Mingxin responded politely. Even though Emperor Tai’an had changed his form of address, his inner heart remained completely undisturbed.

Since he had chosen to step forward, he had placed life and death beyond consideration, rather than trembling with fear and praying for the unpredictable imperial heart to spare him a way out.

“Can the Master depart immediately?”

“This commoner can leave at any time.”

Emperor Tai’an, disregarding his physical discomfort, immediately summoned various people to make arrangements.

As night fell, Emperor Tai’an finally had some leisure. The one massaging his head to ease his headache had been replaced by Liu Chuan.

“Your Majesty, Master Mingxin’s sudden appearance—could there be deception?”

Unlike the somewhat autocratic manner before the officials, this kind of casual conversation was not uncommon between Emperor Tai’an and his most trusted attendant.

Emperors also had the need to confide, only this need could not be directed at ministers, children, or consorts.

Emperor Tai’an kept his eyes closed, saying lightly: “Even if there is deception, we can only try.”

To capture Emperor Pingle, troops need not be many but must be elite. Compared to the gains should they succeed, this risk was worth taking.

Moreover, regarding this Imperial Preceptor who had once assisted his father emperor, he had some understanding.

After a long while, Emperor Tai’an’s weary voice sounded: “I trust My own judgment.”

Even if wrong, it couldn’t get worse.

A force of no more than a hundred elite soldiers, escorting Master Mingxin, quietly left the city and headed south.

The capital seemed little changed. The common people worried about the distant war, fretted over their immediate lives, and for the generous reward, tormented the officials of various government offices.

Lin Hao didn’t know about Master Mingxin secretly leaving the capital. Her emotions were quite low.

A’Shuo had never sent a letter. Her teacher had refused her proposal. What could she do next?

The feeling of having intention but lacking ability was like spring drowsiness, leaving one listless and dispirited, until this day when Du Qing took the initiative to seek her out.