through thick and thin

In the small kitchen in the backyard of Yuan's Clinic, a medicine drum gurgled, emitting a bitter aroma tinged with a hint of sweetness. Qin Yousi rolled up his sleeves, carefully watching the heat. This was a decoction prepared for Baili Hongyuan to treat an old ailment. He had recently been traveling back and forth between the city defense camp and the soon-to-be-completed Prince's Mansion. While his old injury hadn't recurred, his cough seemed to have worsened.

"Just let the people below do these things." A deep voice sounded behind him, with a hint of disapproval.

Qin Yousi didn't look back. He used a cloth to pad his hands and filtered out the medicine juice. He said calmly: "The people around His Highness may be good at fighting and killing, but they may not be as accurate as me in boiling medicine."

Baili Hongyuan stepped forward and naturally took the scalding bowl of medicine from her hand. Their fingertips touched, and they both paused. He looked at her cheeks, slightly flushed by the heat, and her focused profile. The area in his heart, tense from the courtroom, seemed to be infused with a warm current, and slowly relaxed.

"In the palace...I'm afraid things are going to change." He blew the hot steam from the medicine and spoke casually.

Qin Yousi picked up a clean cloth and wiped the stovetop without stopping. "The Empress Dowager has woken up, and Eunuch Chang has been secretly interrogated by her. Given her personality, she will never sit still and wait for death. I'm afraid the Emperor has also heard about this." She looked up at him, her eyes clear. "You've taken a very risky step."

Directly passing the bombshell of the Emperor's background to the Empress Dowager through Eunuch Chang was tantamount to igniting two huge powder kegs simultaneously. Regardless of who won or lost, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, who knew the secret and pushed for it, were very likely to be liquidated by the victor.

Baili Hongyuan held the warm medicine bowl to her lips, motioning for her to take a sip to test the temperature. This overly intimate gesture startled Qin Yousi slightly, her ears flushing, but she still took a small sip from his hand.

"Bitter." She frowned.

Baili Hongyuan then downed the remaining medicine from the edge of the bowl, his brows unfurrowed. "It's risky, but it's the quickest way to minimize the unrest in the court." He set down the bowl and gazed calmly at the gathering dark clouds outside the window. "Let them fight each other, and the royal family and the court officials will have a legitimate reason to intervene. If Prince Bao can follow the trend, he'll be restoring order, not plotting treason and usurping the throne."

He paused, his voice deepening. "As for us... Sisi, from the day I decided to stand by your side, there was no turning back. Emperor Sheng is suspicious and cruel. Even without the Qin family case, he wouldn't have allowed me to control the Censorate for long, much less allow a 'Prince' with the blood of two nations to truly threaten his imperial power. Resigning and seeking a title was merely a temporary retreat, a way to find a better opportunity. Now, it's simply bringing this inevitable confrontation forward and making it more thorough."

This was the first time that he analyzed his situation and choices so clearly. He was no longer the omnipotent Supervisor of the Supervisory Office or the aloof Prince Ning, but a man who was also struggling in the vortex of power and taking every step carefully.

Qin Yousi was deeply moved. She had always known of his dedication, but only now did she feel more deeply the careful consideration and heavy pressure behind each of his steps. He was fighting for a chance not just for her, but for their shared future.

"I understand," she said softly, reaching out to hold his hand, which was covered with calluses from years of wielding knives. "So, I must take better care of your health. The road ahead is full of uncertainties, and you and I both need to be strong to walk this path together."

Her hand was small and slightly cool, yet it held a resolute strength. Baili Hongyuan wrapped her hand tightly in his palm, and the coolness seemed to go straight to his heart.

"Okay." He responded, and all the words he wanted to express were melted into this one word.

At this moment, Gu Wu's figure appeared in the courtyard like a ghost, whispering, "Your Highness, young lady. News has come from the palace. The Empress Dowager has secretly summoned Prime Minister Su, Prince Yu, and Prince Bao to the palace. At the same time, our men have noticed unusual movements in the Imperial Guard's deployment, especially around the Cining Palace and the Yangxin Palace. There seem to be quite a few unfamiliar faces, seemingly... former members of the Xifeng Guard."

The emperor mobilized the remnants of the Xifeng Guard, whom he had secretly recruited after the death of Xichang Hou! This was a desperate move, ready to forcibly control the palace!

Baili Hongyuan's eyes suddenly became sharp, and he looked at Qin Yousi, and both saw seriousness in each other's eyes.

"As for Prince Bao..." Qin Yousi quickly calmed down and thought about countermeasures.

"Your Highness must be prepared, but the situation in the palace is extremely volatile." Baili Hongyuan pondered for a moment and instructed Gu Wu, "Have our troops in the Imperial Guard and the City Defense Battalion be on high alert and ready to respond at any time. Also, find a way to leak the news that the Emperor has deployed the West Wind Guard to Zhou You and Wei Chong."

"Yes!" Gu Wu took the order and disappeared in an instant.

Once again, they were alone in the courtyard, but the atmosphere was completely different. A storm was brewing.

Baili Hongyuan looked at Qin Yousi and suddenly said, "I might have to leave for a few days."

Qin Yousi immediately understood his intention. "You're going to the Northern Liang border camp?" The Northern Liang king's troops stationed on the border were his most direct and powerful card. If the capital completely lost control, this force would be their last resort and the greatest bargaining chip to force all parties to negotiate.

"Yes." Baili Hongyuan nodded. "With Prince Bao and Zhou You managing the situation in the capital, there won't be any major chaos for the time being. But I have to go there in person to ensure everything is safe." He looked at her, his eyes filled with worry. "After I leave, you..."

"I will take good care of myself and keep an eye on the situation in the capital." Qin Yousi interrupted him with a firm tone, "The information network of the clinic and the Oujiang boat gang is enough for me to protect myself and pass on information. You don't have to worry about me, just do what you have to do."

She was never a climbing trumpet creeper; she was a kapok tree beside him, standing beside him as a tree. When wind and rain came, they each took root, their branches touching, bearing the brunt of the storm together.

Baili Hongyuan looked at her deeply, saying nothing more, and simply reached out and gently embraced her in his arms. This embrace was free of lust, only the firmness of mutual support and the reluctance to part.

"Wait until I come back." He whispered in her ear.

"Okay." She snuggled up to his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat and feeling the precious support in this troubled time.

As night fell, a seemingly ordinary carriage silently drove out of the capital and sped northward. The lights at Yuan's Clinic remained on, like a small, yet incredibly resilient beacon amidst the turbulent sea.