Xiao Shi looked at her son. A mother knows her child best, and she understood that his question wasn't born of naivety.
"You don't trust me?"
"Mother, I trust you. That's why I'm here with you." Gu Yanze lowered his head, fiddling with the hem of his robe. "But what about you? In your heart, does your son hold even the slightest importance?"
"You are my son, my very life, Ze'er! Your words are breaking your mother's heart!" Xiao Shi pointed at Hua Zhi. "Just because of her instigation, you actually believe this?"
"If Grand Tutor appears, all problems would be solved, wouldn't they? If Grand Tutor is truly innocent, what is there to fear?"
Xiao Shi was rendered speechless, momentarily at a loss for words.
Gu Yanze lifted his head and asked softly with a bitter smile, "Even knowing that what lies before your son is a path of death, did you ever hesitate?"
"Ze'er, your mother never intended to sacrifice you!"
"You not sacrificing me doesn't mean others won't! If others want my life, can you truly protect me?"
"Of course! Who would dare!" The moment the words left her mouth, Xiao Shi knew she had made a mistake. She looked at her son in disbelief. "You're actually helping outsiders to trap me into speaking?"
Gu Yanze's smile was uglier than tears. "So you really are from the Chao Li Tribe."
Xiao Shi didn't respond, turning instead to face Hua Zhi. "Grand Tutor, what skillful methods you have."
Hua Zhi nodded with a cheerful smile. "You flatter me. There's no rule in this world that allows you to exhaust all conspiracies and schemes while we must remain upright and honorable. Compared to what you've done over the years, this is nothing."
"What can you do even if you know now? It's already too late." Xiao Shi sneered as she took several steps forward. "Father has already made all arrangements, yet you can't even find where they are. Daqing is doomed!"
"Do you think I don't know where they are?" Hua Zhi lifted her chin slightly. "The most dangerous place is the safest place. They're right here in the palace."
A flicker of astonishment passed through Xiao Shi's eyes, though it vanished in an instant. Hua Zhi, who had been watching her closely, caught it clearly. She had only meant to bluff her, but they were actually in the palace!
Having obtained what she wanted, Hua Zhi didn't waste any more time here. Without another word, she turned to leave.
At that moment, Xiao Shi suddenly lunged at Hua Zhi's back. Just as she seemed about to succeed, a triumphant smile spread across Xiao Shi's face. Father had sent so many people who failed to accomplish this, yet it would ultimately be achieved by her!
But she didn't know that Hua Zhi was never a careless person, especially when facing someone who had caused both Yan Xi and Shaoyao significant losses. She remained constantly vigilant. She remembered Yan Xi saying that Xiao Shi came from a martial arts family and knew martial arts.
When she sensed something wrong behind her, she made a gesture toward the shadows and gripped a dagger in her hand. She waited until Xiao Shi's move was fully committed before sidestepping, simultaneously thrusting the dagger fiercely toward her. Xiao Shi had no time to avoid it and took the blow directly, then rolled on the ground. But she couldn't escape. Hua Zhi was accustomed to this technique. Being a woman herself, she had anticipated that Xiao Shi would do the same. Seizing the opportunity, she pursued and stabbed Xiao Shi in the thigh. Xiao Shi cried out in pain, dragging her injured leg as she retreated clumsily.Hua Zhi swiftly followed up, slashing the woman's other leg with her dagger before withdrawing. Though she desperately wanted to kill this person, she couldn't actually murder Ling Wang's woman within the palace grounds. Making her suffer first was acceptable, which was why she hadn't let the shadow guards intervene. While the shadow guards could easily subdue her, their status prevented them from injuring her - that would have been far too lenient.
The door was thrown open abruptly as the Crown Prince strode in, first discreetly examining the Grand Tutor to confirm he was unharmed before issuing a low command, "Restrain her."
Gu Yanze pushed himself up using the armrest and knelt toward the Crown Prince, wisely remaining silent. His stance had already been made clear earlier - any additional words now would be superfluous.
Hua Zhi endured the pulling pain in her shoulder as she looked at the figure on the floor. Born with a clever mind, but unfortunately corrupted. Otherwise, His Highness could have gained another capable ally.
The Crown Prince stepped forward and personally helped up the person who stood more than a head shorter than him. "This matter doesn't concern you, cousin. Please rest in the palace for now. Lai Fu."
"Your servant is here."
"Arrange a palace residence for my cousin and assign some efficient attendants."
"Yes."
This effectively placed him under direct surveillance, yet the Crown Prince executed it so transparently that even those aware of his precautions couldn't criticize the action.
Gu Yanze understood the situation perfectly and allowed himself to be led away by Lai Fu.
The Crown Prince gently supported the Grand Tutor's arm as they walked out. "Since they're in the palace, this becomes simpler. We'll turn every stone to find them."
The procession filed out, seemingly ignoring Ling Wang who appeared to have aged ten years in an instant outside. Hua Zhi did glance at him, feeling nothing but satisfaction. You were the one who forgot your marriage vows and disregarded conjugal affection first, then injured Yan Xi and Shaoyao. This small setback is nothing compared to the decades of regret that will gnaw at your heart and keep you awake at night.
"Your Highness, let's proceed to the side hall."
Understanding her meaning, the Crown Prince led the group to the sand table.
Smoothing over the previously created terrain, Hua Zhi picked up the long pointer and began sketching the capital's topography around the edges. She felt grateful her injury was to her left hand.
After a moment, she handed the pointer to the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, please map the imperial palace."
The Crown Prince didn't decline - only he could depict the palace without facing charges of spying on the monarch.
Hua Zhi studied the various palace structures, considering where the Wise Man might be hiding.
The Grand Tutor frowned. "Can we work from the premise that he entered the palace but never left? The Wise Man is far too important to the Chao Li Tribe to have come alone."
"We can investigate that angle, but I doubt it will prove useful. If our opponent has taken this step, they must have prepared thoroughly and won't leave us any handles.As a royal family member serving as an auxiliary minister, the Grand Tutor frequently had audiences with the Empress Dowager and possessed considerable knowledge of palace affairs. "Since the late emperor's passing, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has confined all imperial consorts to the rear palaces, forbidding them from moving about freely or approaching the front sections. This means there should be many vacant palaces currently."
The Crown Prince nodded slightly, using the pointer to indicate several palace buildings. "Attendant!"
"Your servant is here."
"Order Fu Gang to lead the Imperial Guards in thoroughly searching all vacant palaces."
"Yes."
After the attendant departed, the Crown Prince added, "Dark One."
Dark One appeared soundlessly and knelt prostrate.
"While Fu Gang attracts attention openly, dispatch a team for covert investigation."
Dark One acknowledged the order and vanished.Hua Zhi nodded with considerable approval. Excellent. The Crown Prince would not become a puppet as she had feared. He had his own thoughts and was increasingly developing his own judgment. If he was already like this now, he would only become more so in the future. No one would be able to lead him by the nose. Very good.
"Your Highness, wet nurse Yu Xiang requests an audience."
The Crown Prince glanced at the water clock. At this hour...
"Let her in."
Yu Xiang’s expression was unusually panicked. She stumbled over the threshold, nearly tripping, and even forgot her formal courtesies. In a strained voice, she cried out, "Your Highness, Her Majesty has fainted!"
PS: One update today. I need to take a breather—there’s too much to write, and I feel I’ve been rushing a bit. Feel free to guess what happens next in the book review section, ladies.
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