Thinking of something, Hua Zhi added, "Try to keep the movements as quiet as possible, so no one can seize the opportunity to frame us."
"Yes." Chen Qing hesitated for a moment before asking, "Should we send someone to inform the Heir about the situation in the capital?"
Hua Zhi lowered her gaze. "No need. If he handles his affairs well, he won’t linger outside. If he doesn’t, knowing the situation in the capital will only make him anxious without being able to fly back. Why bother with such an unnecessary move?"
"As you command."
Gu Yelin smiled faintly to himself. Just anxious? More likely, his heart has frozen over. With this girl’s intelligence, how could she not see the implications of the current situation? She simply pities him. His disciple has a better fate than he did.
Hua Zhi had someone prepare paper and a brush. She needed to think more thoroughly. With so many people involved, she couldn’t afford a single misstep. Even if she felt uncertain or if things deviated from her expectations, she had to ensure her side could advance and retreat safely.
Now that Yan Xi was absent and Little Six was young and lacking influence, this was his weakness, but it was also an advantage. Precisely because his foundation was weak, even if someone tried to falsely accuse him of rebellion, the charge wouldn’t hold. As long as she eliminated any possibility of such accusations, the opposition would have no grounds to target them.
Meanwhile, the remnants of the Chao Li Tribe in the palace could serve as a pretext for cleansing the court. She didn’t need the five battalions in the capital to side with her; as long as she could use this reason to intimidate them and prevent them from being deceived by the opposition, it would be a victory.
As for the Imperial Guards...
Hua Zhi set down her brush and pondered. The commander of the Imperial Guards was Fu Gang, who was undoubtedly guarding the palace at this moment. Yan Xi had once said that although Fu Gang possessed the slickness typical of capital aristocrats, his character was relatively upright. If they could contact him...
It was useless. Hua Zhi dismissed the idea herself. If the Emperor were unconscious, there might be a chance to win him over. But given the current situation, it was unclear whether the Emperor was lucid, but at the very least, he was awake. As long as he was awake, Fu Gang wouldn’t risk striving for meritorious service for supporting the emperor.
Meritorious service for supporting the emperor?
Hua Zhi suddenly looked up. "Can the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince not enter the palace either?"
"In principle, that should be the case." Chen Qing frowned. "I’ll go confirm their whereabouts now."
"Be careful. Don’t reveal your tracks."
"Yes."
The night was deep. Seeing the room occupied by an elderly man and an injured person, Hua Zhi said, "Miraculous Doctor Yu, please go back and rest. If anything happens to the elder, we’ll send for you."
Miraculous Doctor Yu nodded. "Alright, I’ll be in the courtyard at the back."
"Yes."
After seeing Miraculous Doctor Yu out, Hua Zhi summoned the servant waiting outside. "May I stay in the adjacent room for the night?"
The servant, aware of her status, dared not be careless and replied with utmost respect, "Of course. I’ll have the maids tidy it up right away."
Although she had brought her own maid, Hua Zhi knew her place on someone else’s turf. She gestured for him to go about his business and returned to the room, where she bowed to Gu Yelin. "I’ll be next door. Please call for me anytime if you need anything, sir."
Gu Yelin gave a faint, almost imperceptible hum of acknowledgment. Hua Zhi assumed he was too weary, but as she turned to leave, she heard him say, "Don’t hesitate. Be decisive when it’s time. You must believe in your own judgment more than anyone else. Believe that no one will blame you, no matter the outcome."
Hua Zhi swallowed with difficulty. Yes, she was afraid.How could she not be afraid? With other matters, if she made a mistake, she could bear the consequences herself. But this one thing could not be wrong—if it were, everyone would end up on the executioner’s block. She alone could not shoulder such a burden; the idea of taking responsibility for one’s own mistakes simply didn’t apply here.
Yet even knowing the consequences, she had no choice but to press forward. Haoyue had already made her move, and she would leave no room for survival for their group. Even if they avoided it this time, there was no guarantee they could escape next time. Moreover, Haoyue was pregnant—that was her protective talisman. Not even the Empress Dowager could touch her! No one could bear the charge of endangering the imperial heir.
Hua Zhi turned to look at Gu Yelin. She had thought she’d hidden it well—at least, no one had noticed until now.
Gu Yelin’s eyes remained closed, yet he seemed to sense her movement, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. "Old emperors have always been prone to foolish acts. You’re fighting for all our lives—how could we bind your hands and feet? Do as you must."
Hua Zhi bowed deeply. She didn’t know what to say or how to express herself, so she chose to say nothing. If it came to the executioner’s block, she would be the first to ascend.
After dismissing the maids, Hua Zhi sat at the desk for a long while, her mind a complete blank, as if the invisible pressure in her heart had suddenly dissipated.
It was only after resting her head on the desk for some time that she managed to collect herself. She looked over what she had written earlier and continued organizing the clues.
At some point, Fu Dong had found her way to the kitchen. With little time to prepare anything elaborate, and knowing her young lady would be up all night, she first brought some sweet soup to sustain her, with broth simmering on the stove.
No one spoke. The maids moved quietly, making the room warm and comfortable. Some stood, some sat, keeping her company indoors. None of them were idle; though they hadn’t brought the account books with them, they each kept a mental ledger and had plenty to occupy themselves with.
Until a knock sounded at the door.
Hua Zhi looked up. "Chen Qing?"
"It is I, your subordinate."
"Come in."
The moment the door opened, Hua Zhi heard the sound of rain. Noticing Chen Qing’s damp hem, she realized it had started raining outside at some point.
"I’ve found out, Third Prince is at his residence. Fourth Prince has created the appearance of being present, but in reality, he is not there."
Something’s amiss!
Hua Zhi stood up and paced back and forth, trying to connect the threads. She must have overlooked something—but what?
Ying Chun handed over a dry cloth, which Chen Qing accepted with a soft word of thanks.
"Chen Qing, do you know if Fourth Prince... No, you went to Jin Yang." Hua Zhi looked at him. "Go ask someone about Fourth Prince’s recent movements—how often and how long he’s been entering the palace. And not just him; find out about the movements of his trusted aides as well. If it’s unclear, investigate immediately!"
"Yes."
Just as Chen Qing, his hair still damp, was about to leave, the young lady added, "Wait. Also investigate Consort Xu and her family. Don’t go too far back—start from around the time Haoyue became pregnant."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi sat down, leaning on the armrest of her chair. She realized what she had overlooked—the past connection between Haoyue and Fourth Prince!
If her earlier suspicions about Haoyue were correct, and she and Fourth Prince had once been husband and wife, then Haoyue would certainly be familiar with Fourth Prince’s preferences. If she wanted to change her fate and escape from the emperor’s side, seducing Fourth Prince would be the best move she could make while confined within the palace.Could the Fourth Prince refuse? He would not!
A prince who had eagerly plunged into this murky water at the tender age of fourteen—his ambition was plain for all to see. How could he possibly refuse such a move that would kill two birds with one stone?
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