After the meal, Little Six showed no intention of leaving. Compared to the cold and lonely prince's residence, he preferred staying by his master's side. There were always many people around his master, plenty of delicious food, and abundant laughter—it seemed even the air around his master felt warm.
Hua Zhi didn't urge him to leave but instead decided to test him. "In your opinion, is Wei Congwen's move a genuine surrender or a trap?"
"I've been thinking about this on the way here, and both seem possible," Little Six shared his thoughts. "Shortly after the new year, when you were assassinated and the investigation pointed to Wei Congwen, you called it off and let the matter drop. Wei Congwen is a smart man—he must have realized later that regardless of success or failure, he stood to gain nothing. If the assassination had succeeded, Brother Yan Xi would never have spared him. If it failed, he would have been the scapegoat. Fourth Brother has treated him as a disposable pawn from the start, so there must already be discord between them. Even if Fourth Brother were to ascend the throne someday, it's unlikely Wei Congwen would benefit. For his own sake and for the Wei Family, he must seek another path—and I am his choice. So, his intention to surrender to me is plausible."
Little Six looked at his master, unsure if his reasoning was correct.
Hua Zhi lowered her head and picked up her teacup. "Continue."
"Yes." Little Six organized his thoughts. "There's also a fifty-fifty chance it's a trap. After all, Wei Congwen is publicly known as Fourth Brother's faction member, so it would make sense for him to set a trap for me on Fourth Brother's behalf. However, given what I just said, since he knows he won't gain anything from Fourth Brother, he probably wouldn't wholeheartedly carry out such a task. So even if this is indeed a trap, he must have left us clues to dismantle it."
Hua Zhi gently rubbed her teacup. "Would you dare to use such a person?"
"I would."
"Oh?"
Little Six pursed his lips. "I've looked into Wei Congwen. Although he's always been suppressed by Old Master Hua, he is a capable man in his own right. The problem is he's too eager for quick success and always seeks shortcuts. Such a person can be used, but must be kept under tight control."
Hua Zhi smiled. The child's progress was truly astonishing, especially noticeable after not seeing him for some time. "When playing chess with Grandfather, I occasionally heard him discuss court affairs. Whenever Wei Congwen was mentioned, he would shake his head and say 'what a pity.' From what I know, Wei Congwen has an unreasonable old mother. His wife is the old lady's niece and shares her temperament. His son is somewhat better—though short-sighted and not particularly capable, he could still secure an official position and coast along relying on the Wei Family's influence. But his only grandson has been completely ruined by those two women. With no worthy successor for the Wei Family, how could he not be anxious? Setting aside these external factors, he could actually be considered half a capable official."
After a pause, Hua Zhi added, "That was Grandfather's assessment of him."
Little Six laughed. "Old Master Hua is truly broad-minded. Lord Wei has opposed him quite often."
Hua Zhi shook her head with a light smile. It was true that Grandfather was broad-minded and didn't hold grudges against the Wei Family, but in private he certainly didn't refrain from criticizing their improper family values. She decided not to mention such things that might tarnish Grandfather's image. "We can't let the current situation continue like this. We're too passive. Only when they become anxious and disordered will they make mistakes. We can't let them sit comfortably waiting for fish to bite."
"Understood."
Just as they were speaking, Chen Qing came running back in great haste, his breath ragged, showing how urgent the matter was.
Hua Zhi stood up. "What did you find?"
"The place is filled with grain and weapons! They've even prepared imperial coronation robes!"It really was as expected. Hua Zhi wasn't particularly surprised. When she saw that address, she had vaguely guessed it. Although the opposing side held the upper hand and controlled the Emperor, they couldn't keep the Emperor hidden forever. The court officials wouldn't allow it, and if the opposing side truly raised the banner of "cleansing the court to rescue the Emperor," they wouldn't be able to escape responsibility either. However, her own side remained steady, giving the opposition no openings to exploit, so the opposition had no choice but to create a mistake for them.
"Did you see anyone when you went there?"
"Yes, I even saw someone close to the Fourth Prince."
Hua Zhi frowned thoughtfully. "If it were up to you to decide, what would you do now?"
Without hesitation, Chen Qing replied, "Of course, take people to catch them red-handed!"
Hua Zhi's eyes lit up. She understood what the opposition was planning. "Report it to the authorities immediately."
Chen Qing was puzzled. "Report it to the authorities? But if we haven't caught anyone, reporting it won't harm them at all."
"We won't catch anyone. If we take people there now, we'll fall right into their trap. They'll play the victim and accuse us of preparing those things for rebellion. We'll turn their scheme against them. The Emperor hasn't appeared for a long time, and the officials are already worried. If we expose these things now, they'll become even more anxious to see the Emperor and will grow suspicious."
Hua Zhi's eyes sparkled. "They'll suspect that someone is plotting something treacherous. The longer the Emperor remains unseen, the more they'll suspect that he might have come to harm. When that happens..."
Chen Qing understood completely. He clasped his fists and said, "I'll go make the arrangements right away."
"Remember to use people who aren't openly connected to us. We can't let them shift the blame onto us."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi walked to the candle, removed the shade, and trimmed the wick to make the light brighter. Then she took out Wei Congwen's note again and examined it carefully. Her thoughts aligned with Little Six's: since Wei Congwen had already turned his back on them, he wouldn't stubbornly stick to one path.
When she felt something hard and smooth, she felt relieved. It had been dark that night, and she had been careless.
"Master, what did you find?"
Hua Zhi touched the spot and motioned for him to look. Little Six felt it. "Wax?"
"It seems like wax."
Little Six gently scraped off the thin layer of wax with his fingernail, revealing two words written in charcoal: "It's a trap!"
"Lord Wei indeed intends to surrender. If we ask him about the Fourth Prince, he'll probably tell us."
"Since he's already turned his back, even if he knows something, it's limited. But knowing a little is still good. Someone, call Chen Qing here."
Someone acknowledged and left.
Chen Qing was nearby arranging matters and came immediately upon hearing the summons.
"Please make a trip to the Wei Family. Tell him that his warning has been received by the Sixth Prince. Also, ask if there's anything else he can tell us. Wei Congwen recognizes you. If someone else went, he might not trust them."
"Yes, I'll go right away."
The rain still hadn't stopped. Hua Zhi walked to the door, and the wind lifted the hem of her skirt. "The Spring Examination is coming soon."
Little Six brought a cloak and draped it over his master's shoulders. "Do you think it will be held as scheduled this year?"
"That's not something I can decide. If the Emperor is well, it's fine, but if..."
In the silence, Little Six spoke up. "The scholars have already started arriving in the capital."
"You should discuss with the various ministers how to handle this matter." Hua Zhi turned to look at the young man, who stood as straight as a poplar tree. "Go back now. Keep your spirits up, and don't act impulsively when faced with problems.""Yes." Little Six bowed. "You've worked too hard. Please rest well and give your mind a break too."
"I know."
PS: By the time I got home it was already dinner time. Given my usual pace, I'm actually a little proud that I managed to produce a chapter today... The plot is progressing, dear readers, you might want to save up a few chapters to read later, though we're approaching a key development. Also, I have good news to share - Kongkong won the Popular Author Award, the most prestigious prize! It's all thanks to you readers who lifted me up there. Thank you everyone. Please continue to love me in the days to come, and I'll keep writing seriously to repay your support, just as I always have. Love you all, as much as you love me.
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