After playing and teasing with Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong lay on the bed feeling somewhat tired. Leaning against Pei Wenxuan’s embrace, she finally remembered Shangguan Ya’s matter.

“I advised her because I understand her.”

Li Rong closed her eyes, her voice steady: “She’s still too young. She seems to understand everything, yet doesn’t realize that power can be fought for, but feelings cannot.”

“When I was young, I was stubborn. Whenever I hit a snag, I would retreat, claiming I didn’t value feelings. But the truth was I valued them too much,” Li Rong’s voice was somewhat weary and slow. “So I was too afraid to give, and too afraid to lose, until I didn’t even have the courage to fight for anything.”

“Su Ronghua and Miss Shangguan have opposing positions,” Pei Wenxuan patted her back thoughtfully. “It’s normal for Miss Shangguan to have concerns. Unless Su Rongqing changes his mind, or Su Ronghua fights Su Rongqing for control of the Su family for Miss Shangguan’s sake and defeats him—but either way, it seems impossible right now.”

Li Rong said nothing. Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment: “If Su Ronghua truly likes Miss Shangguan, he’ll find a way himself. Your Highness needn’t worry. There are many matters to attend to recently, Your Highness should rest well.”

Li Rong responded with a sound and closed her eyes to sleep.

The next day when she arrived at the Constabulary Bureau entrance, she saw Su Ronghua standing at the door again.

Seeing Li Rong approach, he raised his hand and called out with a smile: “Your Highness.”

As if nothing had happened.

Li Rong hesitated for a moment, nodded, and walked inside.

Over the following days, Su Ronghua came to stand guard at the Constabulary Bureau entrance every day, while Shangguan Ya brought Lin Feibai to attend various noble circles’ gatherings. As long as Shangguan Ya wasn’t working at the Constabulary Bureau, she would bring Lin Feibai to poetry gatherings and literary discussions. After several appearances, everyone knew about it.

But this kind of matter wasn’t something people could speak of freely, and certainly not to Su Ronghua. So Su Ronghua still stood at the Constabulary Bureau entrance every day, while many among the nobility had already begun secretly discussing whether the eldest miss of the Shangguan family had taken a fancy to the Xie family’s illegitimate son, Xie Feibai.

Given Shangguan Ya’s status, if she married Xie Feibai, it would obviously be using her status to elevate him.

Xie Feibai commanded twenty thousand troops in the southwest, but his identity was indeed unsuitable for public view. If Shangguan Ya married him with the Shangguan clan backing him, then Xie Feibai’s position in the Xie family would be incomparable to before.

However, why Shangguan Ya would use a marriage to be this person’s stepping stone puzzled everyone.

After all, with her status, she could even become Crown Princess. Aside from the two legitimate young masters of the Su clan, there was hardly anyone in all of Hua Jing who could match her. Marrying into the Xie clan was already beneath her station, let alone to an illegitimate son?

Thinking it over, people concluded that Shangguan Ya must have given her heart to Xie Feibai.

Besides love, there was no other reason that could result in such an absurd marriage.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the winter hunt. The night before the winter hunt, Li Rong obtained the entire winter hunt schedule.

By this time, the weather had completely turned cold. Charcoal fires were lit in the room. Shangguan Ya, Lin Feibai, Pei Wenxuan, Li Chuan, and others gathered together, watching as Li Rong received the entire winter hunt plan and arrangements from Zhao Chongjiu.

“Tomorrow’s winter hunt will be divided into three segments. First, Chuan’er will inspect the six armies and bestow rewards.” Li Rong turned her head to look at Li Chuan.

Li Chuan nodded: “The Ministry of Rites has informed me. I already know.”

“After that, each of the six armies will send one hundred men. Seven flags will be set up in the forest—one flag for each army, and another large flag deep in the forest. The six sides will ambush each other, competing to capture the large flag in the forest according to the rules. The time limit is two hours. At the hour of the Rooster, the number of flags obtained will be counted, and whoever has the most wins.” Li Rong looked at the paper and walked back to the table.

A map was spread across the table. She sat down and placed the entire schedule on the table.

“After counting the winners, by rights Father Emperor should reward the victors, but this year Father Emperor wants to give Li Cheng some face,” Li Rong said with a smile. “So it’s been changed to Li Cheng.”

“At that time, the victor will receive their reward at this position,” Li Rong raised her hand and lightly tapped a platform on the map. “This platform will completely expose Li Cheng. We’ll position archers at these three points,” Li Rong said, looking at Pei Wenxuan. “And place two assassins near Li Cheng to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

“What about Xie Chunhe?”

Shangguan Ya frowned. To Pei Wenxuan’s words, she smiled and said: “That’s a small matter. Recently, I’ve already administered a slow-acting poison in the home of the mistress Xie Chunhe frequently visits. On the day itself, a servant will place the catalyst in the tea. As long as Xie Chunhe drinks the tea, from the onset of poisoning to death won’t exceed fifteen minutes.”

“You’re using poison?” Lin Feibai was somewhat surprised. “These aristocratic families have extremely strict controls over poisoning. How did you manage it?”

Poisoning was not only extremely difficult in terms of bribing people to administer it. Even if you bribed someone willing to poison, the food these nobles consumed had to go through layer upon layer of poison testing before reaching them. If there was truly poison, it would be exposed during the testing phase.

Therefore, although poisoning was the easiest way to kill someone, each family still had to painstakingly plan assassination attempts.

“Has Young Master Lin ever heard,” Pei Wenxuan smiled as he poured tea for Lin Feibai, his voice steady, “of a poison called Xiang Meiren?”

Li Rong raised her head and glanced at Pei Wenxuan.

This poison Xiang Meiren wasn’t known to anyone until that year when Su Ronghua brought it into the palace to poison Qin Zhenzhen.

“This poison has eleven variations, all made from ordinary spices, placed in commonly used incense. Long-term exposure causes it to gradually accumulate in the bones, manifesting as consumption, with death certain within three years. If exposed for a short period and then supplemented with a catalyst, it will immediately activate. The most difficult thing to guard against with this poison is that each ingredient is extremely common and non-toxic. Including the catalyst, which is also the most ordinary food ingredient. It’s very difficult to prevent. Even after an incident occurs and an investigation is conducted, it’s very difficult to find where the poison came from.”

Back then, if Li Chuan hadn’t searched the world for extraordinary practitioners, Qin Zhenzhen’s death would likely have just been treated as an acute illness.

After Qin Zhenzhen’s death, the Xiang Meiren poison was collected by the imperial household. Those who knew this poison’s formula numbered no more than three in the entire realm.

Su Rongqing, who had been in contact with Su Ronghua; Pei Wenxuan, the investigator of the case; and Li Chuan, who had brought the poison master into the palace with him to cultivate immortality and refine elixirs.

Now that they had been reborn, as long as Su Rongqing didn’t intervene too much, Xiang Meiren was almost impossible for anyone to counter.

“But what if the poisoning isn’t successful?”

Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan, receiving Li Rong’s gaze, understood her concerns.

Pei Wenxuan smiled: “If Prince Su has an accident, there must be treasonous individuals on the scene. At that time, with chaos erupting at the training ground, if a few people die, wouldn’t that be normal?” As he spoke, Pei Wenxuan looked at Lin Feibai. “Young Master Lin should be more proficient in such matters than I am.”

Lin Feibai was originally a born assassin. Killing someone silently amid chaos was the simplest thing.

“However, to ensure nothing goes wrong,” Pei Wenxuan smiled, “tomorrow at the training ground, the livelier the better. When everyone’s attention is focused on something, it’s always easier to get things done.”

“I’ve spoken to my aunt about this matter.”

Shangguan Ya suddenly spoke. Everyone looked over, their gazes carrying a hint of doubt.

“Tomorrow during the six armies’ competition, my aunt will persuade His Majesty to temporarily add a polo match, promising that whoever wins first place can receive a reward. At that time, Lin Feibai will participate. If you’re worried about Su Rongqing making any moves, have Lin Feibai challenge him to compete, force him onto the field. When everyone’s eyes are on the competition,” Shangguan Ya looked at Pei Wenxuan, “you make your move.”

“Good.”

Pei Wenxuan applauded: “That’s settled then.”

“At that time, if I can win,” Lin Feibai’s expression was calm, “I’ll request to marry Miss Shangguan. Once Xie Chunhe dies, before the funeral, Miss Shangguan will help me take control of the Xie family.”

“And if you can’t win?” Shangguan Ya asked with a half-smile. Pei Wenxuan was also somewhat curious. Lin Feibai glanced sideways at Shangguan Ya: “I’ll break the rules and beat him.”

“Excellent!” Hearing these words, Pei Wenxuan was very pleased. “Brother Feibai, if you truly beat him, I’ll give you a treasured sword…”

“Ahem.” Li Rong coughed lightly. The smile on Pei Wenxuan’s face froze, then he composedly reined in that uncontrollable joy, saying calmly: “Everything is entrusted to Young Master Lin.”

“No problem.” Lin Feibai nodded. “In the future, Lord Pei should speak well of me before Her Highness and provide more military provisions.”

While several people were discussing tomorrow’s schedule at Li Rong’s home, Huale, wearing a cloak, crossed through the narrow corridor in the night. Stopping at the end, she faced a woman in prison garments who looked somewhat weary in the cell, calling out softly: “Mother Consort.”

Consort Rou raised her head and watched as Huale removed the hood from her head, revealing a determined expression: “Everything is prepared. Once I kill Li Chuan tomorrow, I’ll rescue you.”

“Good child.” Consort Rou’s eyes revealed a loving gaze. She stood up, walked to the door, reached out her hand, and grasped Huale’s cold hand. “You’ve suffered.”

Huale shook her head: “Being able to protect Cheng’er is most important. This bit of suffering is nothing.”

“How have you arranged things?”

“Minister Su helped me,” Huale said, her face showing some shyness. Consort Rou’s movements stiffened, then she heard Huale say softly: “Your daughter took your token but had no leads. Su Rongqing found me and said he could help. Tomorrow’s assassination of Li Chuan is all arranged, but…”

Huale frowned.

“But what?” Consort Rou was somewhat worried. Huale’s eyes showed dissatisfaction: “He won’t let me touch Li Rong. He says Li Rong still has other uses. Once Li Chuan dies, what use could Li Rong have? I think he must be confused, taken in by Li Rong’s face, right?”

As Huale spoke, she felt somewhat uncomfortable and added: “But Minister Su isn’t someone who judges by appearance. I don’t know what use Li Rong could have…”

Consort Rou quietly watched Huale alternately criticize and then speak well of Su Rongqing. She smiled and raised her hand to brush Huale’s hair: “No matter what he wants to do, the people are yours. You just do what you want, right?”

Huale looked up in surprise. Consort Rou looked at her and said softly: “Foolish child, don’t listen to everything men say. These men speak one way but think about someone else in their hearts—you don’t know. If you want to kill Li Chuan, the best method isn’t to directly assassinate him.”

“Then what is it?”

“Tomorrow at the training ground, everyone will protect Li Chuan because everyone knows Li Chuan is the target, so everyone will pay attention to Li Chuan. But Li Rong is female family, so she’ll definitely escape at the first opportunity. At that time, deploy all your elite forces around Li Rong and force her into the forest. Spread word to Li Chuan that if he doesn’t go save his sister, you’ll kill Li Rong.”

“Will Li Chuan come to the rescue? He’s not a fool.” Huale found it somewhat incredible.

Consort Rou smiled: “He will go.” Consort Rou’s eyes held some pity. “Dying at an age when he knows nothing of suffering is, for him, also a kind of fortune.”

“Alright.” Huale nodded. She frowned: “It’s just that I’m afraid I don’t have enough manpower…”

“Just go do it.” Consort Rou’s voice was gentle. “There will be people to help you.”

“People?” Huale looked at Consort Rou in confusion. “Who?”

Consort Rou smiled and turned toward the direction of the imperial palace. A lantern hung on the tallest Northern Swallow Tower of the palace, its light gently swaying in the distance, complementing the stars in the sky.

Huale followed her gaze. Consort Rou watched quietly for a while, then turned to look at Huale: “Go now, don’t delay.”

Huale nodded, not doubting her. She raised her hand to put on her hood and said softly: “Then I’ll go, Mother Consort. Please take good care of yourself.”

With that, she turned and walked back into that long corridor, like the mouth of a giant serpent.

Consort Rou watched her daughter gradually disappear into the darkness. After a long time, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She knew she would succeed.

There would be people to help her—countless people who wanted Li Chuan dead would, in the shadows, help her do everything.

They didn’t need Huale to do anything. What they needed was for Huale to bear everything after Li Chuan died.

It’s just that people always have choices. She had chosen power and influence, which meant on this path, some things were destined to be sacrificed.

The stars in Hua Jing’s sky appeared and disappeared behind the clouds. On the northwestern border that same night, the weather was also clear with a bright moon and few stars.

Qin Lin led Cui Qinghe to stand on a mountain cliff, gazing far into the distance toward where Xiao Su’s troops were stationed.

The wind made their garments flutter loudly. Cui Qinghe looked at the distant lights and said softly: “The soldiers just reported that Xiao Su mustered troops and departed toward Hua Jing tonight.”

“How many men?”

Qin Lin didn’t turn around, his expression calm.

“Thirty thousand. Two thousand remain to guard the northwest.”

“Thirty thousand, huh.”

Qin Lin spoke leisurely. Cui Qinghe lowered his eyes to look at the lightly swaying grass on the ground: “Do you truly plan to intercept Xiao Su as Princess Pingle instructed?”

“Otherwise?” Qin Lin turned to look at Cui Qinghe with a light smile. “Did you think Princess Pingle helped us so much without a price?”

“But Xiao Su carries His Majesty’s imperial decree.”

Cui Qinghe frowned: “When the time comes, you’ll be committing treason.”

“So what?”

Cui Qinghe’s expression was calm. He gazed quietly at Qin Lin: “Alin, I’m worried about you.”

“If you’re worried about me, just help me keep watch over the twenty thousand men stationed in the northwest.”

Qin Lin turned to look into the distance: “Her Highness saved the Qin clan. Naturally, I cannot fail her.”

Cui Qinghe said nothing. He stepped forward, standing behind Qin Lin.

“Moreover, with Her Highness and Pei Wenxuan’s intelligence, I trust them. Qinghe, don’t worry. If something truly happens, just leave Great Xia directly from the northwest and head west.”

“I’m sorry.” Cui Qinghe’s voice was very low. Qin Lin sensed something wrong, but before he could turn around, a sharp blade suddenly pierced through his body. Cui Qinghe’s hand trembled slightly. He stared at him with reddened eyes: “I don’t want to leave.”

As soon as the words fell, Qin Lin pulled out the blade and swung it directly. Cui Qinghe rapidly retreated several zhang. Dozens of people leaped from the dense forest and pounced toward Qin Lin!

Two guards protected Cui Qinghe. Cui Qinghe stared at Qin Lin, who was fighting and retreating against a dozen assassins. Qin Lin swept him a wolf-like glance, covered his wound, and charged into the dense forest.

“Young Master Cui,” the guard protecting Cui Qinghe said respectfully, “what should we do next?”

“Return to camp.”

Cui Qinghe raised his hand to wipe the bloodstain from his face. Looking in the direction where Qin Lin had escaped, he turned around with his sword, saying coldly: “Clean house.”

After speaking, Cui Qinghe led his men down the mountain with their swords.

Not long after, Xun Chuan, who was writing a letter to Li Rong in his room, heard an urgent cry.

“My lord!” A guard rushed in with his sword: “General Qin was ambushed on the cliff and fell. Lord Cui says there’s an inside collaborator who harmed the General. He’s sealed the military camp and is now heading toward us. My lord, flee quickly!”

At Xun Chuan’s words, his hand trembled. He only had time to write one line: “Qin Lin ambushed,” before hearing footsteps outside.

Xun Chuan folded the letter, hastily handed it to the guard, and said in a low voice: “Go quickly. Send this letter to Her Highness by express delivery.”

After speaking, Xun Chuan grabbed a sword from the side and rushed out with his men.

As soon as she charged out of the tent, she saw Cui Qinghe leading people standing before the tent. Cui Qinghe’s expression was calm as he spoke coldly: “Lord Xun, the General has been ambushed. This official is ordered to supervise the army and apprehend all suspects. Please cooperate, Lord Xun. Remove your armor, abandon your sword, and make a trip to the military camp.”

Xun Chuan said nothing. She gazed quietly at Cui Qinghe: “Big Brother Cui, don’t you know who I am?”

Cui Qinghe’s expression shifted slightly, but he only raised his hand.

The soldiers received the order and immediately attacked Xun Chuan with their blades. Xun Chuan’s expression changed slightly as she said: “You betrayed Big Brother.”

“I’m sorry.”

Cui Qinghe’s tone was calm: “I want to return to the Cui clan. You cannot help me. Only one person can.”

As he spoke, Xun Chuan parried an attacker with her sword. In three steps taken as two, she bent down, raised her sword to cut the rope tying the horses. The horse cried out and bolted. She stepped on a flagpole, used the flagpole’s force to leap vigorously onto the horse, then amid everyone’s cries of alarm, galloped toward the outside.

Cui Qinghe hadn’t expected Xun Chuan to charge straight out. His expression immediately changed as he shouted: “Chase her! Bring her back!”

Hearing this, Xun Chuan didn’t look back. She looked toward the bright moon in Hua Jing’s direction and rushed urgently toward the distant dense forest.

She had to find her older brother.

Hua Jing was still waiting for Qin Lin.

Her Highness was still waiting for Qin Lin!