Mingyue had followed Xuan Pei for so long, and with her background in the Brocade-clad Guards, she could vaguely guess the general situation. Indeed, Xuan Li's sudden move, seizing control of the situation, might appear to give him the upper hand. But Mingyue knew that wasn't the case.
The handsome young boy before her had likely discerned Xuan Li's intentions long ago. Though it seemed unbelievable and inexplicable, Mingyue knew Xuan Pei had been preparing to deal with Xuan Li for a very long time—since the days when everyone dismissed him as a worthless, dispensable prince. Yet it was this "worthless prince" who had laid out an impeccable strategy. When Xuan Li arranged for someone to poison the Emperor, Xuan Pei had known all along. But he neither spoke nor acted, as if completely unaware, making no move to stop it.
Responding to change with constancy, using others to eliminate his enemies, and deceiving his opponent—Xuan Pei had executed everything flawlessly. Every contender for the throne must step over the blood of the previous emperor; kinship and flesh meant nothing. For Xuan Pei to vie with Xuan Li for that position, the first step was to bring down the current Emperor.
Xuan Li had acted, while Xuan Pei had done nothing—thereby using Xuan Li's own hand to achieve his goal. More importantly, Xuan Li would now believe Xuan Pei knew nothing—because anyone who knew would never remain passive. But what Xuan Li failed to anticipate was that Xuan Pei did know, and he had done everything.
For an adult, accomplishing all this might seem unremarkable—especially for someone as ambitious and adept at concealment as Xuan Li. But Xuan Pei was still a boy, not yet of age. For a youth to possess such cold, ruthless methods, the composure and foresight of an emperor, marked him as no ordinary person. After discovering his son's talents, the Emperor had treated Xuan Pei well. Most who suddenly received their father's affection would cherish it deeply.
But Xuan Pei did not. He watched indifferently as the Emperor marched step by step toward death, showing not a flicker of emotion. The imperial family was known for its heartlessness, but his calm detachment sent a chill down Mingyue's spine. The boy's demeanor made him far more suited to be a ruler than Xuan Li ever was.
What Mingyue didn't know was that Xuan Pei hadn't always been so resolute. Having lived through a past life, he understood the nature of imperial family bonds all too clearly. The Emperor valued him only for what he now embodied—without these qualities, he would still be that worthless prince. As for Jiang Ruan's tragic fate in the palace in their past life, the Emperor bore no small share of the blame. In Xuan Pei's eyes, Jiang Ruan was his only family; the Emperor was merely a ruler, not a father. And his lifespan had already been decided in that past life—he would die at the hands of his own son, Xuan Li. Xuan Pei intended to exploit this, not disrupt it.
He took a slow, deep breath before speaking. "Xuan Li's next move will undoubtedly be the Imperial Edict. To secure the edict naming him Crown Prince, he will act swiftly and unexpectedly—it's his signature tactic."Mingyue felt somewhat puzzled. From Xuan Pei's tone, it seemed as though he had been contending with Xuan Li for many years and understood him very well. But when had Xuan Pei ever directly confronted Xuan Li? It was merely a case of indirect confrontation, with both sides currently locked in a stalemate. Even so, she asked, "What does Your Highness think we should do?"
Xuan Pei chuckled softly. With his delicate features, the faint smile at the corners of his eyes carried an indescribable charm, somewhat resembling Jiang Ruan. "No need to pay them any mind. We can also play the game of 'beating the grass to startle the snake.'"
...
Eunuch Li stepped out of the Emperor's bedchamber and cast a worried glance inside. The Emperor's health had begun deteriorating long ago—this much he had known. Back then, he had simply assumed it was due to old age, the inevitable toll of time. Every ruler would grow frail; it was unavoidable. Yet... the Emperor's collapse had been far too sudden.
Right before the eyes of the entire court, he had abruptly fallen. For the officials of the Da Jin Dynasty, this was enough to serve as a signal—one that heralded a coming storm. Having spent so many years in the palace, Eunuch Li knew that an era was coming to an end. This was an inescapable truth. With the Emperor's passing, he, the longtime attendant, would naturally follow. Eunuch Li was not afraid of death. What he feared was the uncertainty before everything was settled.
Throughout the Da Jin Dynasty's history, whether or not succession involved bloody struggles, the Crown Prince's position had always been secured before the previous Emperor's passing. But the current situation was different. The Crown Prince's seat remained vacant, meaning that once the Emperor passed, the court would inevitably descend into chaos. Coupled with the Southern Borderlands' schemes, the circumstances could not be more unfavorable. The Emperor would never allow such a thing to happen—yet he had done precisely that. Just when everyone thought he would swiftly appoint a new Crown Prince, he had sidelined both princes, making no decision at all.
Perhaps the Thirteenth Prince, Xuan Pei, was too young to take it seriously and thus remained inactive. But Eunuch Li could see clearly that the Eighth Prince was growing restless—his faction was rapidly expanding. He might also be wondering: why hadn't the Emperor named a Crown Prince?
Why?
It was because of that person. Eunuch Li sighed, his gaze suddenly aged. Only he knew the Emperor's true intentions—perhaps that person knew as well. But with an unyielding resolve, that person had rejected the Emperor's plans, unwilling to accept his arrangements.
That person... Eunuch Li sighed again, longer this time. In all his years, he had never sighed as much as he had these past few days. Had it been anyone else, Eunuch Li could have believed that no one could defy the Emperor's will—whether for the sake of the realm or the allure of the throne. But that person, the one who always acted on his own whims and disdained everything else, would likely walk away without a second thought.What would be the outcome when two equally strong-willed individuals clash? Eunuch Li no longer wished to ponder it—just the thought gave him an unbearable headache. Over the past few days, many had subtly probed him for information, and the spies sent by the Eighth Prince had also been trying to extract details from him, whether intentionally or not. Eunuch Li was a smooth operator who had navigated the palace safely for decades, earning a measure of respect from everyone. Yet now, he found himself truly at a loss, trapped in what felt like an inescapable deadlock. He was beginning to feel his age.
At this moment, Eunuch Li’s thoughts involuntarily drifted to someone from his past—a man who had entered the palace around the same time as him. Back then, Eunuch Li had been an obscure little eunuch, while the other was a scholar from the Imperial Academy. He couldn’t recall how they had become friends. By the time Eunuch Li had begun to establish himself in the palace, that man had already risen to prominence as the celebrated Tanhua scholar, basking in the glory of his success. Eunuch Li had always harbored a faint envy toward him. Yet, at the height of his flourishing career, the man had abruptly resigned and retreated into seclusion over a single incident, leaving his bewildered colleagues behind.
Only Eunuch Li understood why he had left. That man had seen the situation with perfect clarity—perhaps he had even foreseen the current turmoil back when he resigned. He had withdrawn from the raging current early, escaping this chaotic predicament long ago. If he were here now, how would he handle such a situation?
"Father, Father," Little Chenzi called timidly. Eunuch Li snapped back to reality, realizing he had lost himself in distant thoughts. Why had his mind wandered there so suddenly? Was it truly because he was getting old?
Eunuch Li sighed. Little Chenzi, seeing his distress, tried to comfort him: "Father, are you worried about His Majesty’s health? The Emperor is protected by the divine dragon—he will surely overcome this misfortune. Everything will be fine. Please don’t trouble yourself too much."
Little Chenzi had been personally mentored by Eunuch Li. It was common knowledge that eunuchs could not have children, but not all of them accepted this fate without resistance. Eunuch Li had always treated Little Chenzi well. Once, when the young eunuch had made a grave mistake, Eunuch Li had intervened with a few words and saved his life. In gratitude, Little Chenzi had acknowledged him as his adoptive father. Now, seeing Eunuch Li not his usual self, he naturally sought to offer comfort.
"Ah," Eunuch Li sighed again, looking at the young man before him. How much longer could he remain in his position? As for this reckless and naive youth—had it not been for his protection, the boy would have perished countless times in the treacherous depths of the palace. Once he was gone, who would shield Little Chenzi from misfortune? A pang of melancholy struck him. He met the young eunuch’s gaze and said, "These days, it’s best if you stay out of sight. If possible, I’ll arrange for you to leave the palace temporarily—say you’re returning home for a funeral or something. Just don’t stay here."
"Why?" Little Chenzi asked, puzzled. "Father, His Majesty’s poor health has nothing to do with us servants. Why must I leave the palace?"
"Don’t ask too many questions," Eunuch Li snapped. The rule of survival in the palace was simple: the more you knew, the sooner you died. This was common knowledge, yet this foolish boy remained oblivious, charging headlong into danger time and again."Godfather, what do you think the situation in the palace will be like next? Are the Eighth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince about to clash? The other day when I was working outside, the Eighth Prince even praised me, as if he wanted to transfer me to his palace. Maybe I’ll get an opportunity too." Xiao Chenzi didn’t hide his excitement at all, as if he would immediately rush over should Xuan Li extend an olive branch to him. This wasn’t uncommon—none of the young eunuchs in the palace wished to remain obscure forever. They all hoped to make a name for themselves, and at the very least, the position of Chief Eunuch held enough allure. Xiao Chenzi’s bold declaration of his plans wasn’t so much an expression of ambition as it was... somewhat foolish.
Eunuch Li, however, was startled upon hearing this. He understood the Emperor’s intentions better than anyone. If Xiao Chenzi truly sided with the Eighth Prince—or even showed the slightest hint of goodwill—he would inevitably be implicated. Eunuch Li had always been tight-lipped; everyone who tried to pry information from him had failed. But now, faced with his godson, his years of caution were overcome by reluctance. He pulled Xiao Chenzi aside and whispered urgently, "Keep your voice down. Stay out of these matters, and don’t agree to anything from the Eighth Prince’s side."
"Why?" Xiao Chenzi asked curiously.
This boy always had to ask why. Eunuch Li grew anxious, but without a clear explanation, he feared Xiao Chenzi wouldn’t abandon his plans. Helpless, he muttered vaguely, "No one can guess His Majesty’s intentions. The Eighth Prince isn’t the chosen one. Don’t bring trouble upon yourself."
A single sentence—yet a clever person would immediately grasp Eunuch Li’s meaning. His words made it clear: the Emperor’s favor did not lie with the Eighth Prince. Choosing the Eighth Prince meant choosing the losing side. Eunuch Li added, "Remember what I told you today. Never speak of this to anyone else."
Xiao Chenzi nodded, his heart pounding. Even he, as foolish as he was, could read between the lines. This was the first time in decades of serving the Emperor that Eunuch Li had acted contrary to his role as Chief Eunuch—divulging the Emperor’s intentions to an outsider. No matter how shrewd and detached he usually was, when it came to his godson, he treated him like his own flesh and blood, unwilling to let him walk into ruin.
After saying this, a young eunuch outside announced that Empress Dowager Yide of Cining Palace had summoned him. Eunuch Li left at once, unaware that behind him, Xiao Chenzi slowly raised his bowed head. The face that usually appeared simple and dull now bore no trace of its usual foolishness—instead, it was inscrutable. His gaze flickered briefly before he lowered his head again and walked out as if nothing had happened.
…….The Emperor's critical illness in the palace caused an uproar in the imperial court, but the matter didn't end there. One incident followed another—Eunuch Li had disappeared. As the chief eunuch serving the Emperor, he had always been responsible for the Emperor's daily needs and was the person who knew the Emperor best. His disappearance even alarmed Empress Dowager Yide. The night guards reported that no one had been seen leaving, so Eunuch Li must still be within the palace.
After nearly turning the entire palace upside down, someone finally discovered Eunuch Li's body in a dried-up well behind Jingyang Palace. There were no other marks on the body, and a suicide note was even found on him—Eunuch Li had drowned himself. How could a chief eunuch have committed suicide by jumping into a well? His note only vaguely expressed regret for failing to accompany the Emperor to the end. However, those with ulterior motives speculated that Eunuch Li, seeing the Emperor's impending demise, had been overwhelmed with grief and fear, leading him to take his own life.
Though this explanation seemed somewhat implausible, it wasn't entirely impossible. As the chief eunuch, his fate was naturally tied to the Emperor's. The coroner had already confirmed that Eunuch Li had indeed drowned himself. Why now, of all times, when the Emperor was critically ill? What else could it be? Most importantly, no other reason could be found for the chief eunuch's suicide.
After all, Eunuch Li had been the chief eunuch in the palace for many years, and even if he had no great achievements, he had certainly worked hard for the Emperor. But he had no remaining relatives. A young eunuch stepped forward, claiming to be Eunuch Li's adopted son and volunteering to handle the funeral arrangements. This display of loyalty earned the young eunuch praise from his superiors, and Eunuch Li's wealth and silver naturally passed to him. The young eunuch, Xiao Chenzi, gained favor because of this and even began to resemble the chief eunuch of old.
When news of Eunuch Li's death reached Jiang Ruan, she was discussing account books with Butler Lin. Since the report came from the Brocade-clad Guards, Butler Lin was not excluded. Eunuch Li's death was undeniably abrupt. As Jiang Ruan pondered this, she suddenly noticed that Butler Lin also seemed distracted—a stark contrast to his alert demeanor just a quarter-hour earlier when they had been discussing the account books. It was rather strange. Jiang Ruan studied him carefully and even detected a hint of sorrow in his eyes.
Sorrow? Jiang Ruan's gaze flickered, and she spoke up, "Butler Lin?"
Butler Lin snapped back to attention, as if only just realizing his lapse, and momentarily seemed at a loss. Flustered, he quickly said, "Ah—Young Madam, this old servant has been negligent."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "No need to blame yourself. Hearing such shocking news from the palace, it's only natural to be momentarily stunned. I, too, was startled just now. Butler Lin seemed lost in thought about this matter—what are your thoughts on it?"Butler Lin gave a dry laugh and was about to say that with his limited knowledge, he couldn't possibly discern the intricacies of the matter. But meeting Jiang Ruan's gaze, the words died on his lips. Her eyes were as usual—gentle yet sharp, almost piercing through one's very soul. It seemed she had long noticed his unease and keenly grasped it; now she was merely voicing it aloud. When it came to reading people's hearts, no one surpassed the princess of their own prince's manor.
Straightening his expression, Butler Lin shed his earlier awkwardness and instantly seemed like a different person. "Eunuch Li has held his position for many years and weathered countless storms. He would never take his own life over a momentary matter. Leaving behind a suicide note filled with trivialities is full of flaws. This old servant dares to speculate that Eunuch Li did not commit suicide but was murdered and made to look like he took his own life." Though he tried to restrain it, a trace of anger still seeped into his tone.
Jiang Ruan nodded slightly and said softly, "Indeed. Then, Butler Lin, who do you think killed him?"
"Eunuch Li rose to the position of chief steward because of his shrewd and astute mind. Ordinary people couldn't deceive him—only someone close could have done it. This person must have been so trusted by Eunuch Li, someone he interacted with day and night, that he let his guard down completely. Without a doubt, Eunuch Li was killed by one of his own!"
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