In the study.

Wen Shaoxing sat at his desk, holding a calligraphy brush, sketching on the rice paper. When Liu Xing returned, he asked casually, "Did you tell her everything?"

"Your Highness, Yan Li already understands Your Highness's intentions. Please rest assured," Liu Xing replied respectfully, kneeling on one knee.

"Hmm," Wen Shaoxing nodded at the desk, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"If she comes looking for me again, just stop her without informing me."

For three whole days, she acted as if nothing had happened, completely unconcerned about the events of that night. And the person behind her remained calm, managing to refrain from contacting her and proceeding to the next step.

Wen Shaoxing didn't want to sit idly by and wait for his death, so he found a pretext to make her feel a sense of crisis and force her to take the initiative.

But how could he let her have her way? Naturally, he would find ways to make things difficult for her, to let her know that he was not someone she could easily manipulate.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xing responded as if he had expected it, without the slightest hesitation: "Yes."

It seems he was right. Yan Li really did do something outrageous that night, otherwise the prince wouldn't be avoiding her so much, not even wanting to see her.

He only hoped that Yan Li would heed his advice and not make the same mistake again.

At this moment, Liu Xing was unaware that his thoughts were completely contrary to those of his master. He simply sighed inwardly and slowly withdrew.

As soon as Liu Xing came out, Liu Shi, who was waiting in front of the door, grabbed him by the neck and pulled him aside. "Well, did Your Highness assign you any new tasks?"

Do you need my help?

Caught off guard, Liu Xing nearly fainted from the shock. His face flushed red instantly. After regaining his senses, he slapped Liu Shi's hand away and took a deep breath of fresh air.

"The prince instructed us to stand guard at the entrance."

Liu Shi nodded, but seeing Liu Xing's expression, which didn't seem to indicate that he had finished speaking, he asked, "That's all?"

Knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, Liu Xing said, "Stop Yan Li while you're at it."

I thought there would be a large, live debris flow: ?

"Stopping Yan Li?" Liu Shi felt his ears must be broken, otherwise how could he hear such outrageous words? He picked at his ears and then leaned closer:

"Why?"

"Yan Li was supposed to keep watch last night, but today we're being asked to stop him. There must be a reason."

Liu Xing touched his neck and rubbed it a couple of times. "The prince's meaning is beyond our comprehension."

"Perhaps they felt that Yan Li was a woman, no matter what, and it was inconvenient for her."

With the truth he had guessed in his heart, Liu Xing was determined to keep this secret to himself. He spoke casually, and Liu Shi, who heard this, rolled his eyes slightly and nodded.

Obviously, they didn't believe that reason.

Seeing that Liu Xing was unwilling to talk about it, he didn't ask any further. In any case, if there really was something going on, the truth would come out sooner or later.

Let him find out later if he wants to.

The more he knew, the faster he would die; he wanted to live longer.

…*…

Two people, four eyes, took turns on guard, afraid that Yan Li might suddenly appear in their sight.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye, and they breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Inside the room, Wen Shaoxing looked at the food on the table but had no appetite. He waved his hand and had it taken away.

As I stood up, I glanced outside again out of the corner of my eye.

How could a regent who is now merely a figurehead possibly have any guests visiting him? Only assassins would be interested in visiting him.

If it weren't for the mansion bestowed upon him by the late emperor, which provided him with a place to stay, he would be in a terrible state by now.

The only reason to blame Wen Shaoxing is that he is a genuine cripple. Otherwise, the throne would never have fallen to a child, and he would not have needed to act as regent, yet he still doesn't get any benefits.

Outside, the dazzling sunlight cast a restless atmosphere in the air; just a glance at it could make one irritable and agitated.

Wen Shaoxing couldn't help but sneer when no one arrived. He became even more curious about whose side Yan Li was on. He had made his suspicions so obvious, yet she wasn't in a hurry to show him her loyalty.

Did she think he wouldn't kill her?

He tightened his grip slightly, slamming the brush down heavily onto the white paper. Looking at the thick ink spreading out, his mood instantly soured.

Before long, the sound of crumpling paper could be heard.

"Is His Highness in a bad mood today?" Liu Shi noticed the untouched plate being taken out and heard the commotion inside. He tugged at Liu Xing beside him and muttered softly.

Liu Xing simply shook his head, equally puzzled as to the reason for the prince's anger.

When he returned to report to the prince today, he seemed to be in a good mood. How could he have changed so suddenly in just two hours?

Could it be that he saw some book that touched on a painful memory for the prince?

"Liu Xi."

Before Liu Xing and Liu Shi could discuss it, Wen Shaoxing's voice rang out from inside the room. Liu Xing glanced at Liu Shi and then went inside.