“Lord Lu, Lord Xiang, Lord Nie.”

Yun Chu greeted each one in turn.

Among these three, Lord Lu had always held the position of Junior Tutor, while Lord Xiang and Lord Nie had both been promoted by Chu Yi from the Six Ministries.

Since they were people Chu Yi recognized, Yun Chu would naturally trust them as well.

“The Crown Princess summoned us here regarding the Prince Regent’s matter, I presume.” Lord Lu sighed. “Even Lord Zhou from the Censorate’s death remonstrance couldn’t change the Emperor’s decision. I’m afraid this matter cannot be reversed.”

Yun Chu said softly: “Do you know why Father Emperor trusts Chu Rui so much?”

Lord Xiang hurriedly pressed: “Why?”

Yun Chu’s voice grew heavy as she recounted the entire matter of the Emperor being poisoned with the insect.

All three men’s eyes widened.

They knew of poisonous insects, but had never imagined such a thing would happen to the current Emperor.

“Right now, the only solution is to kill the child insect in Chu Rui’s body, then kill him once and for all.” Yun Chu enunciated each word. “I wonder what you three lords think?”

If Chu Rui hadn’t been enfeoffed as Prince Regent, the three lords might still doubt the veracity of Yun Chu’s words.

But the Emperor’s every word and action at court today was truly too outrageous, completely different from his usual style of handling affairs.

In their understanding, although the Emperor had no great talent, he wouldn’t err on major matters of right and wrong, and was very concerned about how history books would record him. He absolutely wouldn’t do things that would invite impeachment and disdain.

The Emperor could be considered a qualified guardian emperor.

But today’s events had set everything on a path of no return.

Only poisonous insects could explain all this.

“This is a matter of great importance.” Lord Lu’s gaze was grave. “Why not invite the Grand Tutor, Grand Mentor, and Grand Guardian—have all three lords come discuss this together?”

Yun Chu spoke: “I only trust you.”

She had once trusted Grand Tutor Xu. Early this morning, she had someone send a message to Grand Tutor Xu.

But Grand Tutor Xu said that Chu Rui was trying to win him over, giving him seven days to consider. He didn’t know whether he would turn to Chu Rui’s side.

Before that, he wouldn’t participate in any of Yun Chu’s secret plots.

Yun Chu smiled bitterly.

Chu Rui must have threatened Grand Tutor Xu with the Xu family members, which was why Grand Tutor Xu was so conflicted.

Seven days—just seven days.

Regardless of whether Grand Tutor Xu compromised, it would be a heavy blow to her.

If Grand Tutor Xu refused, the Xu family members would be in trouble.

If Grand Tutor Xu agreed, the Eastern Palace would have one more formidable enemy.

“Before the Crown Prince went on campaign, he left me three thousand shadow guards.” Yun Chu’s voice was very low. “Before my father went to the Western Frontier, he also left me one thousand shadow guards. These shadow guards can each fight ten—if that’s still not enough…”

She paused. “Although Chief Fan has already been stripped of his position, he and his father commanded the Imperial Guards for twenty years. Of the eight thousand Imperial Guards… at least half could be persuaded to serve him.”

“Good!” Lord Nie’s blood surged. “That traitor Chu Rui dares harm the Emperor and covet the throne—he deserves death! Since we have shadow guards at our disposal, we need to find an opportunity to get Chu Rui to leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Only then will it be convenient to act!”

Lord Lu shook his head: “The Crown Princess summoned us here to plot in secret—Chu Rui definitely knows the Crown Princess wants to deal with him. He absolutely won’t separate from the Emperor.”

“The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching…” Lord Xiang spoke. “Now that the Emperor is seriously ill, we can use the Mid-Autumn Festival to hold a heaven worship ceremony. At that time, the Emperor must appear. Find an opportunity to draw the Emperor away, then make our move… I’m on good terms with Lord Yu from the Ministry of Rites. Have Lord Yu petition for the heaven worship matter.”

Lord Nie immediately said: “I’ll rally several lords to petition together.”

Lord Lu stood up: “Drawing the Emperor away will be somewhat difficult. If something happened to that Miss Li, would the Emperor leave?”

“As long as Chu Rui is there, Father Emperor’s wits are completely led by Chu Rui.” Yun Chu paused before speaking. “This matter, I’ll leave to my elder brother—have him knock the Emperor unconscious.”

The four plotted in the Office of the Heir Apparent for two hours, finalizing all the details.

Returning to the Eastern Palace, it was mealtime.

Yun Chu had no appetite.

She happened to receive a letter from Chu Yi.

When he wrote it, it should have been three days ago—he still didn’t know about court affairs.

Yun Chu carefully wrote everything that had happened from last night until today in a letter. Rather than letting that man’s imagination run wild, it was better to tell him everything at once.

After sending the letter.

She had a good sleep.

Only with sufficient rest could she accomplish great things.

She was just preparing to have someone leave the palace to invite her elder brother Yun Ze into the palace.

Then she saw Tingshuang hurry over to report: “Crown Princess, Prince Zhuang—the Prince Regent has arrived.”

Yun Chu’s eyes turned cold as she stood up.

Walking to the front, she saw Chu Rui standing under a flowering tree in the Eastern Palace’s front courtyard, admiring flowers, playing with petals in his hand.

Dressed entirely in white robes with a frail appearance—where could one see he was the newly appointed Prince Regent?

Hearing movement, Chu Rui turned his head and smiled: “Crown Princess.”

“Prince Regent…” The corners of Yun Chu’s mouth held a playful smile. “To dare come to the Eastern Palace alone—it seems this Prince Regent has quite a few shadow guards following him. That helpless sickly person from two years ago has now become the Prince Regent controlling court politics. If the Empress Dowager knew from beneath her grave, she would surely be very pleased.”

Chu Rui walked closer to Yun Chu step by step: “Back then, when I had the Empress Dowager petition the Emperor to marry you, it wasn’t just empty words. You can reconsider now.”

Hearing this, Yun Chu laughed outright: “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Life’s pleasures must be enjoyed to the fullest. If you want to do something, then do it—otherwise dying without having done anything would be too regrettable.” Chu Rui reached out and hooked a strand of Yun Chu’s hair. “The first half of my life was too bitter. For the second half, I want to live freely. Is that wrong?”

Just then!

Yun Chu suddenly drew a short sword from her sleeve.

She stabbed toward Chu Rui’s abdomen.

But.

She was blocked.

Chu Rui was actually wearing armor close to his body.

“Is this all the Crown Princess has?” Chu Rui gripped her wrist and drew out the short sword. “After gathering the Eastern Palace advisors to talk for so long, you couldn’t come up with a plan and still need the Crown Princess to personally kill me?”

Yun Chu stared at him coldly: “I know you want to restore the empire that belonged to your father, but what doesn’t belong to you will never belong to you. You’d better abandon this notion immediately.”

“Even if this empire doesn’t belong to me, it won’t belong to Chu Yi either.” Chu Rui’s face still held a smile. “Right now, I control the Son of Heaven to command the lords. With one command, I can make your Yun family suffer eternal calamity. Yun Chu, marry me, and I’ll make you the most noble woman in this world.”

“Ptui!”

Yun Chu, a noble young lady, had never made such a gesture before, but she truly couldn’t help it.

Her eyes were full of disgust. “You once said I resemble your elder sister. To marry a woman who resembles your elder sister—that’s truly disgusting.”

“You!”

Chu Rui grabbed Yun Chu by the throat.

His eyes were profoundly dark. “It’s precisely because you resemble my elder sister that I’ve been so indulgent with you. Otherwise, I would have had the Emperor issue an edict long ago deposing you as Crown Princess!”

“Then I should thank the Prince Regent!”

Yun Chu broke free from his grip.

She was secretly alarmed.

Chu Rui actually had such great strength.

Outsiders all said he was sickly, but he had probably started practicing martial arts from a very young age, started plotting all this from the beginning.