“I’ve recently heard that during the spring planting season, all the able-bodied young men in the farming households have disappeared. I’m keeping an eye on the princes on His Majesty’s orders.” After saying this, Zhou Zhizhi looked at Xiao Dongyang with a meaningful gaze.

"I'm afraid that some prince, eager to ascend to the throne, might accidentally offend the emperor and end up being demoted to a commoner."

"I urge Your Highness to take heed of this."

After finishing her sentence, Zhou Zhizhi didn't even glance at the Crown Prince Xiao Dongyang's multicolored face. She leaped straight out of the window and headed straight for the home of Wu Chi, the richest man in the Great Xiao Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the eldest prince, standing to the side, also lost the desire to embrace the soft, fragrant woman.

"I have other matters to attend to today, so I'll be leaving now." The eldest prince arrived at Qi Chenge's room less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and without saying a word to her, he left Qi Chenge behind.

"This servant will wait here for the Crown Prince."

"I hope Your Highness will not forget me." Qi Chenge never dared to force Xiao Dongyang to stay. Even though she was reluctant to part with him, she could only obediently bow and respectfully see the prince off.

After the eldest prince left, Qi Chenge was alone in the room. She almost tore her handkerchief to shreds in her hands, silently cursing Zhou Zhizhi in her heart.

If it weren't for her interference, the First Prince would surely have spent time with her today. She could have taken the opportunity to whisper in his ear, and perhaps then persuaded him to redeem her and let her leave this awful place.

After leaving Liuxiang Tower, the eldest prince instructed his coachman to return home.

All the way there, I kept thinking about what Zhou Zhizhi had said earlier, wondering what it meant.

Someone's secretly forming an army? My father suspects it's me, so he's having Zhou Zhizhi keep an eye on me!?

To recruit soldiers and build an army without authorization—I wonder which of my imperial brothers dared to do such a thing? Now that I have this leverage over you, don't blame me for being ruthless.

The eldest prince, Xiao Dongyang, fell into the trap set by Zhou Zhizhi step by step. Zhou Zhizhi deliberately let the eldest prince know that someone was secretly recruiting soldiers and building an army, eager to become the king of the country.

This can effectively deter Xiao Dongyang, forcing him to shift his focus to countering Xiao Nangua.

Because with Xiao Xiyou's current strength, he doesn't have enough power to accomplish this.

Furthermore, now that Xiao Xiyou has severed ties with Xu Cang, the Third Prince will need to devise a new strategy if he wants to pin the blame on Xiao Xiyou.

At this moment, the eldest prince intervened, causing them to fight amongst themselves, which conveniently gave Xiao Xiyou and Zhou Zhizhi time to observe the situation and make plans.

"Mother, I have received some wonderful news!" The eldest prince rushed to Consort Lan's palace without even returning to his own residence.

"What's the matter that you're in such a hurry? Come on, sit down and have some water first." Consort Lan poured a cup of tea for the First Prince with a smile.

"The third prince, Nasi, has secretly recruited soldiers and built an army behind Father's back. It seems he can't wait any longer and is planning to take the risk of rebellion."

The eldest prince hurriedly told Consort Lan everything he knew, "Mother, you know, such a big thing must have caused quite a stir. How could he possibly have kept it from us?"

"What did you say?" Consort Lan was greatly shocked by Xiao Dongyang's words.

After all, the Empress's family is currently enjoying great power, and the Third Prince is incredibly influential in the court, wielding absolute power. Half of the court's supporters have been brought under the Third Prince's command. There is really no need for Xiao Nan to do something so foolish as to leave the enemy with a handle against him. This is not like his usual style of doing things.

Consort Lan, having spent many years in the inner palace, is far more intelligent than the First Prince.

"Where did you get this information from?" Consort Lan held the eldest prince's hand and slowly asked the question that had been on her mind.

"It's the Imperial Advisor Zhou Zhizhi. She stopped me today, saying she was ordered by the Emperor to supervise the princes and find out who was behind the recruitment of soldiers."

“I haven’t done such a thing. A fool like Xiao Xiyou is isolated and helpless in the court and has no chance of accomplishing such a great feat without everyone’s notice. So it seems that only the Third Prince is left.”

Xiao Dongyang confidently finished explaining his reasoning and looked at his mother with certainty.

“What you say makes sense, but this matter is too strange. You must not act rashly. Let your mother go to the Emperor to find out the truth.”

After hearing Xiao Dongyang's words, Consort Lan felt that something was off about the matter, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"It's just that since your father fell ill, he has been summoning his concubines less and less often, and in recent days it has been even less, with him not seeing anyone at all."

"Mother, it will probably be some time before we can see your father."

"Yang'er, you must remain calm. Even if we don't get involved in this matter, we shouldn't be too eager to bring down the Empress and the others, or we'll only end up getting ourselves into trouble."

"We should wait until Mother sees your father, the Empress, before we discuss everything further."

Consort Lan knew very well that Xiao Dongyang was impatient, so she repeatedly warned him, fearing that he might act rashly and make things worse.

"Very well, then I will wait here for news from my mother." Xiao Dongyang nodded, indicating that he would follow Consort Lan's instructions.

"Then I shall take my leave." Xiao Dongyang bowed and left Consort Lan's bedchamber in a good mood.

Meanwhile, Zhou Zhizhi rushed straight to Wu Chi's house, not even bothering to go through the front door, and landed in front of Wu Chi in a flash.

Reasonable words and persuasion, threats and inducements—none of them work, right? You have to abandon your personal integrity to enjoy a happy life.

Zhou Zhizhi thought angrily, and she didn't give Wu Chi a good look when she saw him. Although Wu Chi was just too eager to help Bao, if he told her the truth, everything could be discussed. There was no need for him to play her for a fool and waste her life!

This is truly her fate!

"How dare the richest man in the country, Wu, make fun of me and even drag the prince into it as a shield!"

Zhou Zhizhi immediately used the charges and official authority to intimidate Wu Chi, taking advantage of his fear of making enemies with officials as a businessman, hoping to resolve the matter quickly and obtain the "Northern Darkness Divine Skill".

But Wu Chi is different from other businessmen. He is obsessed with martial arts and loves martial arts more than doing business. The reason why he was able to become the richest man in the capital city where land is so valuable is mainly due to the assets left by his ancestors and the hard work of his father.

“Even if the Emperor himself came, he would not take anything from the common people in broad daylight.” Seeing that his plan had been exposed, Wu Chi decided to stop hiding it and make his stance clear.

"You can have this supreme martial arts manual, the 'Northern Darkness Divine Art,' but only if you spar with me first and let me see if you're qualified to read it!"

"Otherwise, even if the King of Heaven himself came, he wouldn't get his hands on this book!"

Wu Chi looked at Zhou Zhizhi with disdain. After all, she was just a woman, thin and weak, and probably only knew some superficial skills. She was not good enough to be compared with a martial arts prodigy like himself.