In Prince Cheng’s Manor, Yan Qi’s face was cold and stern. He threw the memorial documents in his hand at the faces of Lu Xiao and Mao Qing, his entire demeanor dark and intimidating.

“Useless! How many days has it been? A living person! Yet you can’t find even a single trace!”

With Zhu Yu Cheng dead, Yan Qi was naturally unwilling to give up. That eunuch called Wan Xi hadn’t opened his mouth, and Yan Qi wouldn’t abandon the pursuit. Over these many years, since Prince Jin’s downfall last year, who would have thought it would give Yan Che a stepping stone? Who said becoming Crown Prince guaranteed becoming Emperor? Throughout history, how many Crown Princes have been deposed?

Yan Qi had thought he would have to wait much longer for this opportunity, but unexpectedly, it came so quickly! That corpse discovered in Prince Jin’s rear courtyard was like sweet rain after a long drought!

He certainly wouldn’t let this long-awaited opportunity slip away!

Although Zhu Yu Cheng was dead, the matters from back then couldn’t possibly have been done by him alone. Zhu Yu Cheng had been a senior servant with some standing, but he was the Empress’s man. Running into Yan Qi’s hands, death wasn’t necessarily a bad ending for him.

Over the years, Zhu Yu Cheng’s greatest hobby had been taking on disciples and adopted sons. The disciples were eunuchs, while the adopted sons were low-ranking guards in the Imperial Guard.

For a man who had lost his roots, the greatest regret besides being unable to sleep with women was the inability to continue the family line. Therefore, Zhu Yu Cheng’s adopted sons had to be complete men. As the head eunuch of the Imperial Punishment Office, even the low-ranking guards of the Imperial Guard had to bow before him. Choosing someone suitable and having them kneel to call him father wasn’t a difficult matter.

That Wang Han was one of them. While Zhu Yu Cheng had quite a few adopted sons, only Wang Han had suddenly disappeared recently. The others had either left the palace earlier or been promoted elsewhere. Yan Qi had investigated them all. For Song Xi Wen’s corpse to leave the palace, the most crucial factor was the guards at the various palace gates. A year ago, Wang Han happened to be the captain of the guard at West Hua Gate. Though not a high position, it was absolutely useful, especially after building good relationships with the Imperial Guard brothers, smuggling items out of the palace went unchecked.

Calculating everything, Wang Han was the most suspicious one. Yet he had fled, and Yan Qi’s men hadn’t found him after searching for several days and nights!

Lu Xiao was Yan Qi’s most trusted strategist and the Chief Secretary of the prince’s manor, while Mao Qing was the Cavalry Commander. All the soldiers under Yan Qi were managed by Mao Qing. For this search, Yan Qi had employed both men, but after so many days, there was still no news. Yan Qi wanted to flay them alive!

Lu Xiao said with a bitter expression, “Your Highness, when we sent people to find Wang Han’s uncle, that person had already fled. The Empress must have arranged everything beforehand. Please calm your anger, our brothers are searching day and night, we will find him!”

Yan Qi gave a cold laugh while looking at Lu Xiao, “How wonderfully naive you are?! Huh?! Tell me how many days it’s been! Though Father Emperor reprimanded the Empress last time, that little eunuch hasn’t said a word! Do you know I’ve already lost face?! The Empress is now leisurely drinking tea and admiring flowers in the palace as if nothing happened that day. Now there are people in court saying I’m fabricating facts to frame the Empress! Are your ears deaf and eyes blind?!”

When Yan Qi was in a rage, no one dared to talk back. Lu Xiao listened with sweat covering his head, taking all the angry scolding head-on, “Yes, yes, yes, Your Highness’s scolding is justified, it’s all this worthless one’s incompetence, all this worthless one’s incompetence—”

Yan Qi gave another cold “Ha!” and seeing Lu Xiao’s submissive manner, couldn’t continue scolding. He turned to look at Mao Qing, “And you, are my soldiers not good enough for you? Do you want me to transfer the Imperial Guard patrol unit to you? So everyone knows I’m using my private army to search for someone?!”

Mao Qing immediately knelt. Unlike Lu Xiao, he spoke directly at this moment, “Your Highness, Wang Han left no traces, and our men received the news too late. It’s like searching for a needle in the sea now, truly difficult.”

Yan Qi gave another cold laugh, but looking at Mao Qing’s wooden and solemn square face and big ears, he didn’t know how to scold him. He slammed the table hard, “Fine, you mean this person just can’t be found?”

Lu Xiao quickly looked at Mao Qing, “No, no, no, Your Highness, we just need more time—”

Yan Qi crossed his arms, looking at Lu Xiao leisurely, “Alright, how many more months?”

Lu Xiao was blocked by these words and said with a bitter smile, “This humble one guesses we’ll have news in two or three days. Our men have left the city now, pursuing in the direction Wang Han might have gone. He’s a living person, and he’s fleeing for his life, he can’t leave no trace at all. It’s not yet the New Year season, there aren’t many people traveling in a hurry…”

Yan Qi squinted his eyes, grinding his back teeth. If tearing apart these two useless people could find the person, he would do so without hesitation. Taking a deep breath, Yan Qi wasn’t just about losing his temper, “Have you found out about the eunuch who died a few days ago?”

Hearing this, Lu Xiao immediately took a deep breath, “We found out. This person was in charge of the internal palace’s procurement duties, promoted by the Empress herself five years ago. Although he had no connection with Zhu Yu Cheng, he could be considered one of the Empress’s trusted people in the internal palace. This person was usually careful in his words and actions and rarely visited Kunning Palace. However, his subordinates said that even when the Empress wasn’t present, he was very respectful toward her. Once, when a eunuch privately discussed how the Empress was harsh to palace people and it reached his ears, he called that person in, scolded him severely, and fined him a month’s salary.”

Yan Qi gave a cold laugh. There were too many in the palace who curry favor and flatter, but few who put on such an act when their master wasn’t present. He wasn’t considered close to the Empress, but at this critical moment, his sudden accidental death made Yan Qi pay attention even if he didn’t want to. However… the person was dead, dead men tell no tales.

Yan Qi tightly clenched his fists, feeling a fire burning uncomfortably in his chest, neither rising nor falling.

Just as he was holding back his anger, suddenly a shadow flashed in from outside, “Your Highness, someone has delivered a letter.”

A letter?! Yan Qi waved his hand for Mao Qing to rise, indicating to bring the letter forward.

Lu Xiao hesitantly stepped forward, “Your Highness, be careful—”

Yan Qi smiled wickedly and snatched the envelope, “It’s just a letter, could it contain some killing move?”

As he spoke, Yan Qi opened the envelope and pulled out the letter paper inside.

The letter was brief, but it immediately changed Yan Qi’s expression.

Lu Xiao and Mao Qing exchanged glances, both uncertain for a moment. Lu Xiao couldn’t help asking, “Your Highness, who sent it?”

Yan Qi slammed the letter on the desk with a “pa” sound, his entire being seemed filled with rage. He swept a cold glance over Lu Xiao and Mao Qing, saying frostily, “The person you keep saying you can’t find has now been found by others!”

Lu Xiao and Mao Qing’s expressions changed dramatically, both exclaiming, “How is this possible!”

Yan Qi crushed the letter into powder with one grab, giving another cold laugh, “Whether it’s true or not, I’ll know when I go meet them!”

Lu Xiao looked suspicious, “Where is Your Highness going?!”

Yan Qi gritted his teeth, squinting, “To pay a visit to my Seventh Brother!”

The Emperor’s seventh prince had died young years ago, so the seventh brother Yan Qi mentioned was naturally Yan Chi, who ranked seventh among the clan’s heirs. Lu Xiao’s expression changed dramatically, “How is this possible—”

Yan Qi glared at Lu Xiao, “Go prepare the carriage!”

Lu Xiao wanted to say more but dared not, hurriedly going to prepare the carriage.

……

……

It was now dusk, and Yan Qi rode in his carriage out through the side gate, quickly disappearing into the dim light. The carriage followed small paths heading east, winding around for a long time before reaching Prince Rui’s Manor.

He had been to this residence just days ago.

Yan Lin was his royal uncle, and at his uncle’s funeral, he naturally had to attend.

When he came then, the desolation of Prince Rui’s Manor had deeply shocked him. The mourning atmosphere with white mourning clothes and flowers had even made his spine cold. He had silently thought then that he would never let Prince Cheng’s Manor see such a day.

Now, he had come here again.

The mourning banners had been taken down, but the manor still seemed empty and desolate.

Although Prince Rui’s Manor hadn’t often been occupied before, the King of Cheng vaguely remembered its magnificent glory.

That was many years ago when his uncle returned from the frontier to report for duty. Mounted on a tall horse, he was imposing and awe-inspiring. At that time, he vaguely felt that Yan Lin on horseback seemed even more elevated than his father the Emperor. Behind him followed a line of Northwestern Army generals, those men, those mighty men of brilliant military achievements, each looking up to Yan Lin with reverence. This was something his father the Emperor sought but could not obtain. From that moment on, Prince Rui’s Manor became somewhat unattainable, he almost forgot that he was born noble as an imperial prince.

Yan Qi got down from the carriage and looked again at the side gate of Prince Rui’s Manor, covered in cobwebs and dust.

Under the pink-colored sky, Prince Rui’s Manor was as quiet as a tomb, and this pitch-black small door couldn’t even compare to the door frame of an ordinary official’s household. Glory once gone never returns, especially when the master of the house has just passed away.

Thinking of this, Yan Qi’s lips didn’t show a mocking thin smile.

Because he hadn’t expected that letter from earlier to come from the young master of this manor.

An eagle with broken wings, unable to even fly, yet dares to snatch food from a tiger’s mouth?!

Squinting his eyes, Yan Qi signaled his guard to step forward and knock. As soon as the door frame was knocked, someone opened it from inside. With a creaking sound, an unfamiliar guard stood inside the door, respectfully saying, “Greetings to Your Highness, please—”

This was the appearance of having been waiting for a long time. Yan Qi entered Prince Rui’s Manor without comment.

Yan Qi had grown up in the palace since childhood, and later Prince Cheng’s Manor was extremely luxurious, so much so that he thought all royal prince manors should be like this. But coming here a few days ago, he finally realized that many royal prince manors only had a good-looking door frame.

Yan Qi’s heart sank coldly. Would an eagle that dares to snatch from a tiger’s mouth perhaps not be injured at all?

“Your Highness, the master is waiting ahead—”

The guard pointed to a waterside pavilion not far away, and Yan Qi walked up leisurely.

This pavilion was built on a high platform, with an exceptionally open view. As he walked up, he could increasingly see that this manor’s construction was no worse than his Prince Cheng’s Manor, but the manor’s master had made the frontier his home and hadn’t returned for many years, so coming and going, this manor had become vacant and desolate.

After walking a few more steps, Yan Qi saw Yan Chi.

Yan Chi wore a flowing black wide-sleeved robe, standing at the pavilion railing with his back to him. The cool night breeze lifted his robe hem, and Yan Qi vaguely felt Yan Chi’s silhouette resembled a black eagle about to take flight…

A chill inexplicably ran through his heart, and that last bit of disdain and contempt in his heart completely disappeared.

Who were those people outside spreading rumors that Prince Rui’s heir was devastated by his father’s death?!

“Still you, Seventh Brother, who has such refined taste—”

Yan Qi climbed the last step and saw the fine wine and dishes on the stone table.

Yan Chi turned back from the railing, his chiseled features appearing ethereally indifferent in the reflection of the corridor lanterns.

Pulling at the corner of his mouth, Yan Chi didn’t bow, but just leaned against the railing, saying very casually, “Fourth Brother comes with anger, it seems you’ve indeed encountered difficulties.”

Yan Qi felt he had concealed all his emotions, yet Yan Chi still saw through them.

Yan Qi glanced at Yan Chi, first picking up the wine pot on the table and filling himself with a cup. He lifted the cup and drank it down, then smacked his lips, “It’s Northwestern Shaojiu—”

The strong alcohol burned like hot coal down his throat. Yan Qi, accustomed to the palace’s refined spirits, almost couldn’t help but cough, but before the composed and calm Yan Chi, he absolutely couldn’t show any weakness!

Putting down the cup, Yan Qi walked to Yan Chi’s side.

“Inviting me here today, presumably not just for drinking.”

Yan Qi’s voice was somewhat hoarse, the burning sensation still hadn’t passed.

“You’re quite bold, actually asking me to meet at your manor.”

Yan Chi turned around naturally, and the two suddenly stood shoulder to shoulder, their gazes seemingly cast toward the distance.

Looking from this direction, it was exactly toward the imperial palace.

Yan Chi said lightly, “Fourth Brother is not a timid person. If you were afraid, you wouldn’t have come.”

Yan Qi snorted, “No need to provoke me with such words. You know what I’m anxious about. If you can help, don’t waste words. This favor, I’ll naturally remember.”

Yan Chi suddenly laughed, his ambiguous smile carrying a coldness, with an indescribable pressing feeling. He wasn’t someone with a wicked appearance like Yan Qi, but just this laugh made Yan Qi smell the scent of blood and dust.

“What are you laughing at?”

With this question, Yan Qi knew he had lost the advantage.

Yan Chi was still unhurried, but he had become anxious…

Yan Chi raised his chin slightly, “Fourth Brother, in your eyes, does Prince Rui’s Manor now not even qualify to set conditions?”

Yan Chi’s voice was light, his tone carrying some sighing and mockery.

Yan Qi’s brows furrowed, yet he pressed his lips tight as expected.

Prince Rui’s Manor was indeed somewhat empty and dilapidated, but he knew in his heart that even if Prince Rui’s Manor became ruins, as long as these four words were spoken, other places might not react, but the Northwestern territory would surely tremble!

He had still been somewhat contemptuous. Yan Qi withdrew his gaze, “What conditions do you want to set?”

“What I want, Fourth Brother naturally knows. What Prince Rui’s Manor has shed blood and sacrificed for generations, isn’t it just that small piece of land?”

Yan Chi spoke lightly, even carelessly, yet had certainty about having Yan Qi cornered. This feeling made Yan Qi very uncomfortable as if Yan Chi’s hand was on his throat.

He gritted his teeth and simply let his anger spill out, “Small piece of land?! The Northwest is the frontier pass, you want not just that small piece of land, but also those hundred thousand troops, right? Yan Chi, have you gone mad?”

Yan Chi didn’t speak, his statue-like profile especially handsome and intimidating in the night.

Silence meant he wasn’t satisfied. Yan Qi snorted a laugh, “Yan Chi, don’t act like this. You’re now in the capital, the Northwestern Army is thousands of miles away. Even if you’re setting conditions, you should show some sincerity. If I don’t want the person in your hands, it’s no loss to me, but you would lose an opportunity.”

The corner of Yan Chi’s mouth curved slightly, “Looks like you’ve already decided on your bargaining chips?”

Yan Qi laughed coldly, “Don’t be too greedy. Uncle is gone, you can’t swallow the Northwest in one bite. Moreover, the military power of the Northwest is sensitive, I don’t believe you don’t know this. If I were you, I’d first secure the manor’s title. Once the case in the Northwest shows some development, if Uncle becomes implicated, you might find it difficult even to inherit the title.”

Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, seemingly taking these words to heart. Yan Qi continued, “There aren’t many people in court who can speak for you at this critical moment, but if we can talk pleasantly, I can arrange things for you. You inherit the title first, we’ll discuss other matters later. I know you’re not content, but I advise you to give up thoughts of the Northwestern Army.”

After a pause, Yan Qi continued, “This is Fourth Brother’s advice to you.”

The advice between brothers naturally needed to be more heartfelt.

Yan Chi laughed again, “Trading a title for an insignificant character, it’s not impossible.”

Yan Qi’s brows relaxed, just thinking Yan Chi had agreed with him, but unexpectedly, Yan Chi continued, “However… the Empress is also sending people to find this person. In that case, isn’t this person worth a bit more?”

Yan Qi suddenly narrowed his eyes, “Since you came to find me, you must know I’m the one who can help you most. If you insist on being greedy, be careful not to get benefits from either side. Prince Rui’s Manor is now as precarious as eggs piled up. Do you want to try?”

Yan Chi immediately laughed, “When it comes to military strategy, I’m still three points better than Fourth Brother. Does Fourth Brother know who loses in a three-way standoff?”

Yan Qi’s eyebrows rose high. Yan Chi said, “It’s the one who watches the opportunity slip away.”

Yan Qi’s lips pressed extremely tight. Originally it was his struggle with the Eastern Palace, but Yan Chi suddenly stepped in. Yan Chi’s words made sense to him – the Northwestern Army had been controlled by Prince Rui’s Manor for many years, and with Yan Lin dead, it wasn’t surprising that Yan Chi had such thoughts. However, no matter what, he would never fully help Yan Chi reclaim the Northwestern Army; that would be like letting a tiger return to the mountain.

But he had no possibility of reconciling with the Crown Prince.

In comparison, if the person before him became his aid, what chance would the Crown Prince have?!

Yan Qi took a deep breath, “What else do you want?! In the short term, you can’t return to the Northwest to command troops!”

This point was clear to everyone, and obviously, Yan Chi had no intention of arguing this point with him.

He pondered for a moment, seemingly thinking how to modify his demands. After a while, he said lightly, “Zheng Xin Cheng is Fourth Brother’s man, right—”

Yan Qi’s heart suddenly jumped, “You… you know?!”

Yan Chi curved his lips, “Then let him help me protect a few more people. I can’t go to the Northwest, my greatest concern is those brothers of mine. Lin Xu Gui who went there this time has ill intentions, I don’t want Father to be restless in his grave.”

Yan Qi had another breath stuck in his chest.

Lin Xu Gui naturally had ill intentions, but was Zheng Xin Cheng any better?!

He specifically wanted Zheng Xin Cheng to take advantage of Lin Xu Gui’s opportunity, using Lin Xu Gui’s banner to sweep away Prince Rui’s old party, cultivate his people, insert the newest positions, and seize as much actual control of the Northwestern Army as possible. But now that Yan Chi made this request, it was like asking him not only to give up eating the fat sheep that was in his mouth but also to return the treasures he had already pocketed…

Yan Qi felt waves of pain in his chest, and his back teeth were almost ground to pieces!

Yet Yan Chi gazed at the moon in the wind, completely unaware that his one sentence would make him swallow so much blood with such composure and leisure.

Yan Qi had always thought himself a wicked person, but now he suddenly felt that this Northwestern Army young general who returned from the Northwest, looking quite proper, was even less human than him!

“You… let me think about it…”

Yan Chi made no response, turned around, and poured two more cups of wine, “Of course, Fourth Brother can consider for as long as you want, of course, before I change my mind—”

As he spoke, he brought a cup of Shaojiu before Yan Qi.

Yan Qi looked at the full cup of strong liquor, feeling his throat still burning, yet not daring to refuse the wine – where was his usual manner? So Yan Qi grabbed it and drank it down in one gulp again. The burning pain spread from his throat to his abdomen. He watched with a stiff back as Yan Chi savored the strong liquor unhurriedly with relish…

Yan Chi looked at Yan Qi with surprise, “Didn’t expect Fourth Brother to have such good alcohol tolerance. This wine is the finest among Shaojiu. In the Northwest’s heavy snow and ice, we only drink it when patrolling outside. Those who can drink it stay warm all night with one cup, those who can’t might as well be drinking poison… Fourth Brother in the capital has surprisingly developed such good tolerance…”

Yan Qi: “…”

Seeing Yan Chi about to fill his cup again, Yan Qi gritted his teeth and snorted, heavily put down the cup, and strode away!

Yan Chi laughed thinly behind him, “If Fourth Brother likes it, I’ll have people send two jars to your manor tomorrow!”

Yan Qi walked even faster, the burning in his throat truly feeling like he had been poisoned!

Detestable! Truly detestable!

As Yan Qi fled-like departure, the smile at the corner of Yan Chi’s mouth finally faded. He raised his cup, the strong liquor flowing down his throat like a spring, almost without any lingering fragrance, the liquid pouring down like a knife, but Yan Chi felt nothing anymore. This wine was indeed like poison to ordinary people – Yan Qi’s drinking would probably make his stomach bleed, but for him, it had long become familiar.

He remembered particularly clearly, five years ago, a new soldier who left the frontier with him to patrol the cold plains, because he couldn’t drink this Shaojiu, was frozen to death on the ice plains outside.

Thinking of this, Yan Chi poured himself another cup.

The wine’s aroma was pungent, unlike the rich and lingering palace spirits, only having the harsh burning of the Northwestern cold wind. The dim lamp cast a shadow on the wine cup, Yan Chi’s hand moved slightly, and the wine rippled, suddenly transforming into scattered starlight. For a moment, the Northwest’s beacon fires, and the Northwestern brothers, and Prince Rui’s faces all flash by. Yan Chi narrowed his eyes and poured himself another cup!

His throat burned down, burning him until his body warmed somewhat.

The cold blood in his heart warmed up, flowing bit by bit to his limbs and bones.

Bai Feng strode in from outside, “Master, Prince Cheng didn’t head back to his manor, he should be going to see Minister Yang Han at the usual entertainment district…”

Yan Chi threw down his wine cup, his eyes instantly flashing with cold light.

This was the only option. Now, unless the Emperor spoke up, no one could let him command troops in the Northwest.

But the Emperor…

Yan Chi laughed coldly in his heart, “There will be news within two days at most.”

Bai Feng hesitated slightly, “He won’t tell Chong Zheng Palace about these matters, will he?”

Yan Chi shook his head, “Unless he no longer wants the Crown Prince to step down.”

“Master just mentioned wanting to return to the Northwest, but Prince Cheng probably—”

Yan Chi raised his chin, “The Zhou people have a habit—”

Bai Feng made a sound of acknowledgment, not understanding Yan Chi’s meaning, then heard Yan Chi continue slowly, “When you want fifty gold, the number you ask for should be one hundred gold.”

Bai Feng’s eyes brightened, immediately understanding.

“Are all the people ready?”

Yan Chi suddenly asked, and Bai Feng immediately replied, “Rest assured, Master, everything is foolproof.”

……

……

After leaving Prince Rui’s Manor, Yan Qi first asked angrily, “Is anyone following?”

By now night had fallen, and only the East and West Markets and various pleasure quarters still had their strange lights in the entire capital. The small road they were traveling was pitch black, and in the night’s loneliness, only the carriage’s creaking was particularly jarring.

“Your Highness, rest assured, no one is following—”

Yan Qi was relieved, but his chest was extremely uncomfortable from that anger, “Go to Yang Han’s place, use the back door!”

For this matter, Yang Han was the first person Yan Qi thought to consult. Years ago, Yang Han received great kindness from Feng Ling Su and the Loyal Duke’s Manor. Over these years, though appearing as a moderate pure official on the surface, privately, his support was especially strong. He didn’t know how Yan Chi knew this point, but since Yan Chi knew, he could come here after leaving Prince Rui’s Manor tonight.

Because Yan Chi’s conditions made him too hesitant!

When leaving Prince Rui’s Manor earlier, he was even thinking about where Wang Han might be, but after a cup of Shaojiu, it directly dispelled his thoughts of snatching someone at the manor. To dare to invite him to Prince Rui’s Manor so openly, Yan Chi had already made all preparations! Yan Qi gritted his teeth – for many years, many years no one had dared to threaten him so blatantly!

Yet peculiarly, he had indeed been threatened…

For the mighty Prince Rui’s Manor, inheriting the title was a small matter, but saving the Northwestern people was a big matter. Whether there were other schemes and calculations in this, Yan Qi couldn’t be sure, and with Yan Chi’s temperament, he dared not make optimistic plans.

The carriage passed through the night and soon arrived at Yang Han’s residence. The guard went to knock on the door, and the doorkeeper strangely opened it. The guard said something in a low voice, the doorkeeper was startled and immediately hurried inside. Soon, heavy and messy footsteps came to the door. The forty-something Yang Han was usually refined, but now also showed some fluster.

“So late, why has Your Highness come?”

Yang Han walked to the carriage’s side and bowed with cupped hands. The curtain lifted, and Yan Qi said coldly, “Is the manor quiet?”

Yang Han quickly nodded, “Your Highness, please come inside to talk, everything is arranged!”

Yan Qi made a sound of acknowledgment and jumped down from the carriage. Yang Han followed behind, somewhat hesitantly saying, “What matter brings Your Highness here? Are you ill? Why is your voice so hoarse?”

Yan Qi, who had been striding forward, stumbled and nearly fell. He turned back to glare at Yang Han, “Important matters!”

With those two words, Yan Qi headed to his study without looking back. Yang Han inexplicably widened his eyes, truly not understanding why his concern for his master had earned such anger…

……

……

In the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s Manor, Yan Che frowned and said, “The person has already left. Yan Qi is searching, but he probably won’t find him.”

Qin Shu let out a breath and said somewhat puzzledly, “About that matter, even if the Empress hadn’t intervened, Prince Jin couldn’t have cleared his name, after all, everyone saw it in public unless the killer could be found.”

Yan Che narrowed his phoenix eyes. Qin Shu realized he had said too much and quickly said, “However, everything is settled now. The court officials will discuss it for a few days and then let it pass. Just don’t know how Prince Cheng will make trouble next. Song Xi Wen’s corpse needs a reasonable explanation, otherwise, with Prince Cheng’s temperament, he certainly won’t let it go easily.”

Yan Che knew this point all too well. “Without an explanation, we’ll create a reasonable one.”

Qin Shu frowned slightly, quickly understanding, “Good, then this humble official will arrange it.”

But Yan Che shook his head, “You don’t need to do this, let Zheng Bai Shi do it.”

Qin Shu’s heart skipped a beat, but he said, “Such matters, Brother Zheng probably…”

Yan Che gave an ambiguous smile for a moment. His looks had the handsomeness common to the royal family, especially his sword-like eyebrows that flew into his temples, particularly showing his imposing presence. But in these two years, the aura around him had become increasingly gloomy. This smile now had several parts forest-like chill of a knife hidden in laughter, “He’s originally the one handling this matter, letting him do it is more convenient than having you do it.”

The reasoning was certainly this way, but Zheng Bai Shi had been an official for many years. Although considered part of the Crown Prince’s faction, he still had his integrity. Having him do such things, who knew if he would be willing?

“At this point, those things don’t matter anymore.” After a pause, Yan Che continued, “These days, he has spoken well of Li Mu Yun to me several times. What do you think of Li Mu Yun as a person?”

This question made Qin Shu alert again. The master only had one, moreover, this master had a gloomy and suspicious temperament. Whoever he considered his confidant would be able to prosper in the future. Qin Shu quickly reviewed Li Mu Yun’s life history in his mind and said, “Brother Mu Yun… is naturally a good choice. Regarding background, he has similarities with the former Shen Yi, he’s a good candidate for winning the hearts of humble-born officials. Regarding position, he’s now the Minister of Justice at the third rank, very rare at his age, and can be considered capable. However…” Qin Shu glanced at Yan Che, “His thoughts are somewhat unpredictable.”

Yan Che looked at Qin Shu, indicating him to continue.

Qin Shu then said, “Last year in Prince Jin’s matter, somehow Shen Yi got involved. Logically, Shen Yi had promoted him and was half a teacher to him, but at that time he submitted a memorial that caused Shen Yi’s entire family to be ruined. This humble official feels… this person, if used well, is a sword, if not used well, might wound oneself.”

Yan Che immediately frowned. He didn’t speak for a while, “Shen Yi…”

Qin Shu didn’t hear Yan Che finish speaking and felt somewhat uneasy. After a while, he only heard him murmur these two words as if there were words on the tip of his tongue that he forcefully suppressed. Eyes turning, Qin Shu knew that Shen Yi had almost become Yan Che’s father-in-law, and immediately said, “If Shen Yi hadn’t prepared to flee with his family, probably such a tragedy wouldn’t have happened. This person was truly such a pity…”

Qin Shu looked at Yan Che and strangely felt Yan Che’s expression seemed even worse.

Yan Che stood up, “Didn’t your manor receive several pots of Persian chrysanthemums?”

This question meant he was going to view the flowers. Qin Shu raised his lips and immediately said, “Your Highness, please. They sent them two days ago. This humble official originally planned to send them to the Empress but then learned tribute gifts had already been sent in earlier, so I kept them.”

Yan Che said nothing, walked out of the study door, and headed straight toward the flower garden. His expression was heavy, but looking at the direction he was going, Qin Shu’s brows suddenly furrowed slightly, unconsciously wondering, had Qin Wan left the manor today?

……

……

Of course, Qin Wan hadn’t left the manor today. She was preparing to change a set of acupuncture methods for Yan Ze, but this set of methods was very unfamiliar to her. Today she needed to study it carefully in the manor. Early in the morning, Qin Wan had found all the acupuncture books, looked through them one by one, and then drew diagrams herself. Drawing diagrams wasn’t enough; she also planned to try it on real people.

Fu Ling’s face was bitter as she begged repeatedly, “Miss… Miss spare this servant… This servant fears pain, pain is what this servant fears most… Miss needle Ban Xia instead…”

Qin Wan sighed, “They’ve all been needled, you’re the only one left. Just relax, it won’t hurt.”

Fu Ling didn’t believe it, seeing the cold glinting needlepoint made her nervous…

“Miss, why doesn’t this servant call in some little maids?”

Qin Wan had needled Ban Xia and others, needled Bai Ying, even her elbow had several large red spots, but acupuncture was different for each person. Without trying on more people, how could she dare to try on Yan Ze’s face? Yan Ze was a patient!

Moreover, a patient whose affected area was in the most delicate part of the body—

Qin Wan held the needle in her left hand and a medicine pack in her right, raising her chin, “All of you, hold her down for me. I see she’s been saying her digestion isn’t good lately, I’ll treat her, just two needles!”

Fu Ling was about to cry. Seeing Ban Xia really coming to catch her, she was so scared she turned and ran outside, “Miss, that was because this servant ate too much, Miss, this servant will call someone for you right away, don’t needle this servant…”

Fu Ling ran while shouting, and all the little maids in the courtyard burst into laughter.

Qin Wan walked to the door holding the needle, saw Fu Ling truly run out of the courtyard gate like a flash, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “This girl, it’s just a needle, what’s there to hurt about? Did it hurt you all?”

Ban Xia and others all shook their heads, but seeing the long needle in Miss’s hand still made their hearts nervous.

Bai Ying was also slightly amused by Fu Ling’s behavior, but she knew that she and Miss were naturally unafraid of these things, Fu Ling was just a delicate girl, and as for Ban Xia and the others, who wouldn’t be afraid of those cold glinting needle points?!

Qin Wan said helplessly, “Go call her back. The little maids outside aren’t from my courtyard, how can we call them in to be needled… I’ll just try it on myself.”

Hearing this, Bai Ying hurriedly said, “Miss, let this servant try.”

Ban Xia and others also came forward, “Miss, needle us, needle us…”

Qin Wan laughed upon hearing this, “Forget it, you all wait here, I’ll call you when I need you. This set of needling methods…”

Halfway through speaking, suddenly a shadow flashed at the courtyard gate. Everyone thought Fu Ling had returned, but unexpectedly a little maid peeked into the courtyard. The little maid’s face was anxious, “Ninth Miss! Not good, Sister Fu Ling just collided with the Marquis in the flower garden, she’s being punished to kneel right now…”

Qin Wan’s steps turning back into the room halted! Fu Ling collided with Uncle?!

In the past, Qin Wan was certain Qin Shu wouldn’t quibble with a little maid, and Fu Ling wouldn’t do anything outrageous, but now Qin Wan wasn’t so certain. After all, Qin Shu was angry with her, and that anger might well be taken out on Fu Ling!

Qin Wan handed the needle to Bai Ying and stepped forward saying, “What happened? How did she collide with Uncle?”

The little maid was somewhat afraid and said softly, “Ninth Miss, this servant is a sweeping maid in the flower garden. Usually, Sister Fu Ling is so kind to this servant. Just now when this servant passed by the flower garden, I saw Sister Fu Ling kneeling before the Marquis. This servant doesn’t know what happened, but seeing Sister Fu Ling looking so pitiful, this servant wanted to tell you!”

This was the benefit of Fu Ling’s warm and friendly nature toward everyone!

Qin Wan dared not take it lightly and quickly said, “Where are they? Quickly take me there!”