Something unusual must be going on!

A smart person can always think of the sixth or seventh step from the first step.

The appearance of a "petty thief" in the princess's study certainly wasn't to steal anything.

The study is full of poems written by Ji Shishi; there's no point in stealing them!

Even if Ji Xi wanted to capture Jiang Ming, she wouldn't use such a low-level method as sending a thief to eavesdrop on the rooftop...

From the moment Jiang Ming and Ji Shishi entered the study together until the person on the roof revealed their true colors, there was no sound whatsoever.

Otherwise, Jiang Ming would have been able to sense it.

This also shows that this guy had been lurking on the roof for a while.

The study is a place Ji Shishi frequents...

This means that his only goal could be to take Ji Shishi's life!

There is only one possibility that Ji Shishi might have been assassinated: the master behind the assassin wanted her to shut up and stop interfering with the king's decisions!

This is also why Jiang Ming wanted to keep that 'petty thief' in the princess's residence.

If this petty thief were handed over to the Court of Justice, his backers would definitely choose to kill him to prevent him from leaking information!

But who is the power behind this petty thief?

It's actually very simple!

All Ji Shishi needs to do is say who she favors in terms of succession!

In reality, many seemingly complicated things in life are essentially multiple-choice questions!

There aren't that many twists and turns!

If you're smart enough, you can peel back the layers and eliminate possibilities one by one to get the accurate answer!

Inside the carriage, Jiang Ming held Ji Shishi's small hand and earnestly explained the cause and effect to her...

Ji Shishi suddenly realized what was happening, gritted her teeth, and clenched her fists so tightly they cracked!

"What a slut! I've been so good to her all this time... and she's done this to me, boohoo!"

Ji Shishi nestled into Jiang Ming's arms, hugging his neck and sobbing, "My lord, you've awakened me from my dream today. If it weren't for you, I would have mistaken a wolf for a sister, boohoo..."

"oh?"

Jiang Ming listened to her words, kneaded Ji Shishi's small hand, and asked playfully, "Is she the Queen?"

"Um!"

Ji Shishi choked back tears and said, "My brother discussed with me the other day whether we could make the Third Prince the Crown Prince and depose the current Crown Prince..."

"oh......."

Jiang Ming nodded meaningfully: "So what did you say?"

Ji Shishi wiped away her tears and said, "I said the Crown Prince hasn't done anything seriously wrong. Rushing to depose him would be detrimental to the country..."

"hehe......"

Jiang Ming laughed and said, "That's it. Did you block their way?"

"My lord, have I said something wrong?"

Ji Shishi said aggrievedly, "I was just stating the facts and not targeting anyone. That Third Young Master is only 12 years old and is young and ignorant. If... something really happens to my brother, wouldn't he be nothing more than a puppet if he inherits the throne?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Ming laughed and said, "In this world, there is no right or wrong, only different perspectives. The Third Young Master is still young, which makes him easier to control! It seems that this Empress Yan... has quite the ambition!"

"That bitch!"

Ji Shishi gritted her teeth and said, "This time, I will definitely make my brother cripple her! And then..."

"No!"

Why?

"hehe!"

Jiang Ming, holding Ji Shishi, said, "Your brother is incredibly clever, but a little too clever. He's using checks and balances in the Yan court, making the officials choose sides. Whether they're biased towards the Second Prince or the Third Prince, they're all the Empress's people... The Crown Prince is weak, and the Empress is powerful. There aren't many ministers who truly side with the Crown Prince..."

He paused and continued, "The fact that the Empress Dowager dared to send someone to assassinate you shows that her power in the court is deeply entrenched, and any move she makes could have far-reaching consequences... If you act rashly, you might force her to take desperate measures! In that case, it's also possible that her confidants will launch a coup!"

"Hiss~!"

Upon hearing Jiang Ming's words, Ji Shishi trembled with fear.

"My lord, what should we do?" Ji Shishi cried in fear.

"Don't be afraid, baby..."

Jiang Ming gently patted Ji Shishi's arm and said, "Listen to your husband... As long as you do as your husband says, you will be absolutely safe... and you will always have the power to speak in the Yan court."

Jiang Ming suddenly referred to himself as "husband," which made Ji Shishi's heart flutter. She hugged Jiang Ming tightly and murmured sweetly, "Really?"

"hehe......"

Jiang Ming laughed and said, "This is nothing compared to annihilating a hundred thousand Xiongnu troops, right? Don't worry!"

"But......"

Ji Shishi bit her lip, looking troubled: "My husband, this was just something we talked about in private. My brother's health is failing, and he may not live long. The Crown Prince's health is even weaker. What if... in the end, her son still inherits the throne? What if I... cough... I was just discussing the matter with my brother, saying that the matter of deposing the eldest son and establishing the younger one should be handled with caution and not done rashly... and as a result, I almost suffered a fatal disaster!"

"hehe......"

Jiang Ming laughed and said, "This just proves that the Queen of Yan is impatient and a foolish woman! If she wants to maintain control of the situation forever, she must not let her sons succeed to the throne!"

"oh?"

Ji Shishi was taken aback, then sighed and asked suspiciously, "Then who should succeed to the throne?"

Jiang Ming chuckled and said, "Of course, it's people you can control..."

"People I can control?"

"right!"

Jiang Ming said, "My dear, we're of one mind, so naturally I'll side with you. As for that Ji Bochang... he's a fool, he listens to me 100%. If I tell him to go east, he wouldn't dare go west... If he were to succeed to the throne..."

Before Jiang Ming could finish speaking, Ji Shishi shook her head vigorously.

"That won't do!"

She frowned and said, "This Ji Bochang is a disgrace to our Yan royal family. He's a notorious incompetent good-for-nothing who knows nothing. If we let him be the ruler, wouldn't our Yan kingdom be finished? Moreover..."

Ji Shishi paused for a moment and continued, "His mother is still alive. If Ji Bochang becomes the King of Yan, that formidable old hag will become the Queen Mother, which will definitely be detrimental to me! This is absolutely unacceptable!"