Li Rоng аnd Реi Wеnхuan had bееn рlауing around, and fееling somewhаt tired from lуing in bеd, Li Rоng lеаnеd against Рei Wenxuan’s chest bеfоre finаlly rеmеmbеring Shаngguan Yа’s situаtiоn.
“I аdvisеd her bеcause I undеrstаnd her.”
Li Rоng closed hеr eyеs, her voiсе саlm. “Shе is still tоо young, аs if shе understаnds еvеrything, уet shе dоesn’t reаlizе that рower cаn be fought for, but fееlings сannоt.”
“When I was yоung, I wаs stubbоrn. I’d retrеаt аt thе first sign оf trоuble, сlаiming I didn’t cаre аbout feеlings, when in truth, I саrеd toо muсh,” Li Rоng wаs tired, her voiсe slow. “So I was toо afraid to givе, too аfraid tо lоse, аnd didn’t even have the courage to fight for it.”
“Su Ronghua and Lady Shangguan are on opposing sides,” Pei Wenxuan patted her back, thinking it over. “It’s normal for Lady Shangguan to have concerns. Unless Su Rongqing turns back, or Su Ronghua fights for control of the Su Clan and removes Su Rongqing for Lady Shangguan’s sake—but neither seems possible at the moment.”
Li Rong said nothing. Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment. “If Su Ronghua truly likes Lady Shangguan, he’ll find a way himself. Your Highness need not worry. There’s been a lot going on lately, so rest well.”
Li Rong hummed in agreement and closed her eyes to sleep.
The next day, when she arrived at the Supervisory Department, she saw Su Ronghua standing at the entrance again.
Seeing Li Rong approach, he raised his hand and called out cheerfully, “Your Highness.”
As if nothing had happened.
Li Rong hesitated for a moment, nodded, and walked inside.
In the following days, Su Ronghua came to wait at the Supervisory Department entrance every day, while Shangguan Ya took Lin Feibai to various high-society gatherings. Whenever Shangguan Ya wasn’t handling affairs at the Supervisory Department, she brought Lin Feibai along—to poetry gatherings, elegant conversations—and after a few appearances, everyone knew.
But such matters were not openly discussed, much less mentioned to Su Ronghua. So Su Ronghua continued to stand at the Supervisory Department entrance every day, while many among the nobility began to whisper: Had the eldest daughter of the Shangguan Clan taken a liking to Xie Feibai, the illegitimate son of the Xie family?
Given Shangguan Ya’s status, marrying Xie Feibai would clearly be using her position to elevate him.
Xie Feibai commanded twenty thousand troops in the southwest, but his status was indeed unsightly. If Shangguan Ya married him, with the Shangguan Clan backing him, Xie Feibai’s standing in the Xie family would be incomparable.
But why would Shangguan Ya use a marriage to elevate someone like this? No one could understand.
After all, with her status, she could even become the Crown Princess. Apart from the two legitimate sons of the Su Clan, few in all of Huajing could match her. Marrying into the Xie family was already lowering herself, let alone to an illegitimate son?
Everyone thought it over and concluded that Shangguan Ya must have fallen for Xie Feibai.
Aside from love, there was no other reason for such an absurd marriage.
Soon, the Winter Hunt arrived. The night before, Li Rong received the entire schedule for the event.
By then, the weather had turned completely cold. Charcoal fires were lit in the room, and Shangguan Ya, Lin Feibai, Pei Wenxuan, Li Chuan, and others gathered together, watching as Li Rong took the Winter Hunt plan from Zhao Chongjiu.
“Tomorrow’s Winter Hunt will be divided into three parts. First, Chuan’er will greet the Six Armies and grant them rewards.” Li Rong turned to look at Li Chuan.
Li Chuan nodded. “The Ministry of Rites has informed me. I already know.”"Afterwards, each of the Six Armies will send one hundred men to set up seven flags in the mountain forest—one flag per army—and place a large flag deep within the woods. The six sides will ambush each other, competing to seize the large flag in the forest according to the rules. The time limit is two hours, and at dusk, the number of flags obtained will be counted, with the side having the most declared the winner." Li Rong looked at the paper as she walked back to the table.
A map was spread across the tabletop. She sat down and placed the entire process on the table.
"After tallying the winners, it should normally be my father who rewards the victors, but this year, my father wants to give Li Cheng some face," Li Rong said with a smile. "So it will be Li Cheng instead."
"At that time, the winner will receive their reward at this location," Li Rong raised her hand and lightly tapped on a raised platform marked on the map. "This platform will completely expose Li Cheng. We will set up archers at these three points," Li Rong said, looking at Pei Wenxuan. "And place two assassins near Li Cheng to ensure nothing goes wrong."
"What about Xie Chunhe?"
Shangguan Ya frowned, but Pei Wenxuan smiled and said, "That's a minor matter. Recently, I’ve already administered a slow-acting poison at the home of Xie Chunhe’s frequent mistress. On the day, a servant will add the catalyst to his tea. Once Xie Chunhe drinks it, from the onset of poisoning to death, it won’t take more than a quarter of an hour."
"You used poison?" Lin Feibai was somewhat surprised. "These great aristocratic families are extremely strict about poison control. How did you manage it?"
Poisoning, not to mention how difficult it is to bribe someone, is a risky endeavor. Even if someone is bribed and willing to administer the poison, the food and drink of these nobles are tested layer by layer before reaching them. If there truly is poison, it would be exposed during the inspection.
Thus, even though poisoning is the easiest way to kill, families still go to great lengths to plan assassinations.
"Have you ever heard, Young Master Lin," Pei Wenxuan smiled as he poured tea for Lin Feibai, his voice steady, "of a poison called Fragrant Beauty?"
Li Rong glanced up at Pei Wenxuan.
The poison known as Fragrant Beauty was only discovered after Su Ronghua used it to poison Qin Zhenzhen in the palace.
"This poison has eleven variations, all made from common spices and placed in everyday incense. Prolonged exposure slowly accumulates in the bones, manifesting as consumption, and death within three years is certain. If exposed for a short period and combined with a catalyst, it will immediately take effect. The most difficult aspect to guard against is that each ingredient is extremely common and non-toxic. Even the catalyst is a common food ingredient. It’s hard to prevent, and after the incident, even if investigated, it’s difficult to trace where the poison came from."
Back then, if Li Chuan hadn’t searched the world for unusual talents, Qin Zhenzhen’s death would likely have been treated as a sudden illness.
After Qin Zhenzhen’s death, the poison Fragrant Beauty was taken into the imperial collection. Those who know the formula for this poison number no more than three in the world.
Su Rongqing, who had contact with Su Ronghua; Pei Wenxuan, who handled the case; and Li Chuan, who brought the alchemist into the palace to practice immortality and refine elixirs with him.
Now, reborn, as long as Su Rongqing does not interfere too much, Fragrant Beauty is almost impossible to counteract.
"But what if the poisoning doesn’t succeed?"
Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan. Meeting her gaze, Pei Wenxuan understood her concern.Pei Wenxuan smiled. "When Prince Su meets with misfortune, there will inevitably be conspirators present. When chaos erupts on the drill ground, a few deaths would be normal, wouldn't they?" As he spoke, Pei Wenxuan looked at Lin Feibai. "Young Master Lin should be more proficient in such matters than I."
Lin Feibai was originally an assassin by trade—killing someone quietly amidst chaos was as simple as could be.
"However, to ensure nothing goes wrong," Pei Wenxuan continued with a smile, "tomorrow on the drill ground, the more lively it is, the better. When everyone's attention is focused on something, it's always easier to get things done."
"I've already discussed this matter with my aunt."
Shangguan Ya suddenly spoke up, and everyone turned to look at her, their gazes tinged with confusion.
"During tomorrow's Six Armies competition, my aunt will persuade His Majesty to add an impromptu polo match, promising a reward to the winner. Lin Feibai will participate then. If you're worried about Su Rongqing making any moves, have Lin Feibai challenge him to the field and force him onto the court. When everyone's attention is on the match," Shangguan Ya looked at Pei Wenxuan, "you'll make your move."
"Good."
Pei Wenxuan clapped. "Just like that."
"If I win then," Lin Feibai said calmly, "I'll request to marry Miss Shangguan. Once Xie Chunhe is dead, before the funeral, Miss Shangguan will help me take control of the Xie family."
"What if you don't win?" Shangguan Ya asked with a faint smile. Pei Wenxuan also seemed curious. Lin Feibai glanced sideways at Shangguan Ya. "Then I'll foul and hit him."
"Excellent!" Pei Wenxuan was delighted upon hearing this. "Brother Feibai, if you really hit him, I'll gift you a fine sword..."
"Ahem." Li Rong coughed lightly. Pei Wenxuan's smile froze on his face, then he calmly reined in his unrestrained joy and said placidly, "Everything will be left to Young Master Lin."
"Easy enough," Lin Feibai nodded. "In the future, Lord Pei can put in a good word for me before Her Highness and increase our military provisions."
While the group was discussing tomorrow's plans at Li Rong's residence, Hua Le, draped in a cloak, walked through a long, narrow passageway in the night. She stopped at the end, facing a woman in prison clothes who looked somewhat weary in the cell, and softly called out, "Mother."
Consort Rou looked up, watching as Hua Le removed her hood, revealing a resolute expression. "Everything is ready. Once I kill Li Chuan tomorrow, I'll rescue you."
"My good child," Consort Rou's eyes filled with tender affection. She stood up, walked to the door, and reached out to hold Hua Le's cold hands. "You've suffered."
Hua Le shook her head. "What matters most is protecting Cheng'er. This little hardship is nothing."
"How have you arranged it?"
"Vice Minister Su helped me," Hua Le said, a hint of shyness appearing on her face. Consort Rou stiffened slightly as Hua Le continued softly, "I took your token but had no clear plan. Su Rongqing found me and said he could help. Tomorrow's assassination of Li Chuan is all arranged, except..."
Hua Le frowned.
"Except what?" Consort Rou asked with concern. Hua Le's eyes showed dissatisfaction. "He won't let me touch Li Rong, saying she still has other uses. Once Li Chuan is dead, what use could Li Rong possibly have? I think he must have lost his mind, taken with Li Rong's face, perhaps?"
As she spoke, Hua Le felt somewhat uncomfortable and added, "But someone like Vice Minister Su isn't the type to be swayed by looks. I don't know what use Li Rong could have..."Consort Rou watched quietly as Hua Le alternated between cursing and defending Su Rongqing. She smiled faintly, reaching out to stroke Hua Le's hair. "No matter what he intends to do, he is your man. Can't you just do as you please?"
Hua Le looked up in surprise. Consort Rou gazed at her and said softly, "Silly child, don't always listen to men. These men say one thing, but who knows who they're really thinking of in their hearts? If you want to kill Li Chuan, the best way isn't to assassinate him directly."
"Then what is?"
"Tomorrow at the Drill Ground, everyone will be protecting Li Chuan because they all know he's the target, so all attention will be on him. Li Rong, as a woman, will surely try to escape first. At that time, deploy all your elite forces around Li Rong and force her into the woods. Then send word to Li Chuan that if he doesn't go save his sister, Li Rong will be killed."
"Will Li Chuan really go? He's not a fool," Hua Le said incredulously.
Consort Rou smiled. "He will go." There was a hint of pity in her eyes. "To die at an age ignorant of suffering is a kind of fortune for him."
"Alright," Hua Le nodded, then frowned. "But I'm afraid I don't have enough manpower..."
"Just do it," Consort Rou said gently. "Someone will help you."
"Someone?" Hua Le looked at Consort Rou in confusion. "Who?"
Consort Rou smiled and turned toward the direction of the palace. On the highest point of the palace, the Northern Yan Tower, lanterns hung, their light swaying gently in the distance, mingling with the stars in the sky.
Hua Le followed her gaze. Consort Rou watched quietly for a moment before turning back to Hua Le. "Go now, don't delay."
Hua Le nodded, without suspicion. She put on her hood and said softly, "Then I'll leave, Mother. Take care of yourself."
With that, she turned and walked back into the long, serpentine corridor.
Consort Rou watched as her daughter gradually disappeared into the darkness. After a long while, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She knew she would succeed.
Someone would help her—countless people who wanted Li Chuan dead would assist her from the shadows.
They didn't need Hua Le to do much; all they needed was for Hua Le to bear the consequences after Li Chuan's death.
But everyone makes choices. She had chosen power, and on this path, some things had to be sacrificed.
The stars above Huajing flickered in and out behind the clouds. That night, on the northwestern border, the moon was bright and the stars sparse.
Qin Lin stood on the cliff with Cui Qinghe, gazing into the distance toward Xiao Su's garrison.
The wind whipped their robes loudly. Cui Qinghe looked at the distant lights and said softly, "The soldiers just reported that Xiao Su has mobilized troops and is heading toward Huajing tonight."
"How many?"
Qin Lin didn't turn around, his expression calm.
"Thirty thousand, leaving twenty thousand to guard the northwest."
"Thirty thousand," Qin Lin murmured thoughtfully.
Cui Qinghe lowered his gaze to the gently swaying grass on the ground. "Do you really intend to intercept Xiao Su as Princess Pingle instructed?"
"Why not?" Qin Lin turned to Cui Qinghe with a light smile. "Did you think Princess Pingle helped us so much without expecting anything in return?"
"But Xiao Su is acting on the Emperor's orders," Cui Qinghe frowned. "If you do this, you'll be committing treason."
"So what?"
Cui Qinghe's expression remained calm as he looked steadily at Qin Lin. "A-Lin, I'm worried about you.""Worry about me? Just keep an eye on the twenty thousand troops I stationed in the northwest for me."
Qin Lin turned to look into the distance. "Her Highness saved my Qin clan, so I cannot fail her."
Cui Qinghe did not speak. He stepped forward, standing behind Qin Lin.
"Moreover, with Her Highness and Pei Wenxuan's intelligence, I trust them. Qinghe, rest assured. If something truly goes wrong, you can leave Great Xia directly from the northwest and head west."
"Sorry," Cui Qinghe's voice was very low. Qin Lin sensed something amiss, but before he could turn around, a sharp blade suddenly pierced through his body. Cui Qinghe's hand trembled slightly, his eyes red as he stared fixedly at him. "I don't want to leave."
As soon as the words fell, Qin Lin drew his sword and swung it straight at him. Cui Qinghe swiftly retreated several yards, and dozens of men leaped out from the dense forest, charging toward Qin Lin!
Two guards shielded Cui Qinghe. Cui Qinghe watched Qin Lin, who was fighting and retreating against over a dozen assassins. Qin Lin glanced at him like a wolf, clutched his wound, and rushed into the dense forest.
"Young Master Cui," the guard protecting Cui Qinghe said respectfully, "what should we do next?"
"Return to camp."
Cui Qinghe raised his hand to wipe the bloodstain from his face, glanced in the direction Qin Lin had fled, then turned around with his sword in hand and said calmly, "Clean up the traitors."
After speaking, Cui Qinghe led his men down the mountain with swords drawn.
Not long after, Xun Chuan, who was in her room writing a letter to Li Rong, heard a frantic cry.
"Sir!" A guard rushed in with his sword. "General Qin was assassinated and fell from the cliff. Lord Cui says there was an inside job that harmed the general. He has sealed off the military camp and is heading toward us now. Sir, you must leave quickly!"
Xun Chuan's hand trembled. She only had time to write one sentence—"Qin Lin assassinated"—before footsteps sounded outside.
Xun Chuan folded the letter, hastily handed it to the guard, and whispered, "Go quickly. Send this letter urgently to Her Highness."
With that, Xun Chuan grabbed her sword from nearby and led her people out.
As soon as she rushed out of the tent, she saw Cui Qinghe standing in front of it with his men. Cui Qinghe's expression was calm as he spoke coldly, "Sir Xun, the general has been assassinated. I have been ordered to oversee the army and arrest all suspects. Please cooperate, Sir Xun. Disarm and surrender your sword, and come with us to the military camp."
Xun Chuan did not speak. She quietly stared at Cui Qinghe. "Brother Cui, don't you know who I am?"
Cui Qinghe's expression shifted slightly, but he merely raised his hand.
The soldiers, receiving the order, immediately charged at Xun Chuan with their swords. Xun Chuan's face paled slightly as she said, "You betrayed my brother."
"Sorry."
Cui Qinghe's tone was calm. "I want to return to the Cui clan. You cannot help me—only one person can."
As he spoke, Xun Chuan parried the attackers with her sword, took three quick steps, bent down, and cut the reins tethering the horses. The horses neighed and bolted. She stepped onto a flagpole, used its force to leap onto a horse, and amid the shouts of the crowd, galloped away.
Cui Qinghe had not expected Xun Chuan to charge out directly. His expression changed instantly as he shouted, "Chase her! Bring her back to me!"
Hearing this, Xun Chuan did not look back. She gazed at the bright moon in the direction of Huajing and raced toward the distant dense forest.
She had to find her brother.
Huajing was still waiting for Qin Lin.
Her Highness was still waiting for Qin Lin!
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