After entering the room, Lan Linxue changed into a lighter, blue silk robe and leaned against the bed. However, she did not rest at all. Instead, she was playing with a small sandalwood carving, her eyes filled with calculation and interest.

Shuanghua stood beside him, not saying a word, but gently wiping her dagger with a tender expression, as if she were caressing a lover's cheek, careful and gentle.

"Have someone keep an eye on Gao He for the next few days!" Lan Linxue gave the order in a low voice.

Shuanghua paused, then glanced coldly at Lan Linxue. "Gao He? Hasn't he always been fairly obedient? Why are you looking at him?"

Lan Linxue curled her lips into a wicked smile and said lazily, "Kill him!"

Shuanghua instantly sheathed her dagger, her expression unchanged, but her voice grew even colder as she asked, "Should we make our move now? After all, he's the Emperor's man. If we act rashly, what will happen to the Emperor..."

"It's precisely because he's that old man's man that I have to eliminate him first." Lan Linxue sneered, a sharp glint in her eyes. "These past few years, this old bastard has become increasingly arrogant, relying on being the old man's eyes and ears. He thinks I've forgotten, seeing that I had Xiao Linzi relay two messages and then beat him to death? Hmph! Now even a rat in the Crown Prince's residence can't hide, let alone what we're about to do?! Kill! He must be killed!"

Lan Linxue spoke the word "kill" with unwavering resolve, her voice radiating a chilling aura.

"But……"

“No buts!” Lan Linxue raised her hand, interrupting Shuanghua’s words. “Since Shi Mengjian didn’t fall into our hands, let’s adjust our plan and start with Gao He! We came to Jiangnan to kill people anyway, so we won’t lose money no matter who we kill! Besides, I’ve already given Qin Kou’er a hint. If she’s smart enough, she’ll understand what I mean and lay the groundwork for us.”

Thinking of Qin Kou'er, Lan Linxue felt a faint warmth rise in his chest, and the warmth he had felt on those red lips made him even more eager to see her reaction. He didn't know why, but he was certain she would understand his meaning.

“Good! I’ll send someone to keep an eye on Gao He!” After a pause, Shuanghua spoke again, “We’ve got leads on the people we arrested with Hu Feifan. One of them has been recognized by our people.”

"Oh? Who is it?" Lan Linxue raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised this time.

"This person participated in the selection for the Palace Guard back then, but failed. One of us knew him. He was said to be from the kidnappers' camp in the capital, but we lost contact with him after that." Shuanghua spoke concisely, without saying a word of unnecessary elaboration.

"The 'Trafficking Battalion'? That's Fifth Brother's men!" Lan Linxue sneered. "I knew it! Fifth Brother has always followed Hu Tianyong's lead. How could he remain indifferent when Hu Feifan came to Jiangnan alone to do such a big thing? It turns out he sent so many experts with him! I guess he can't sit still anymore and is about to jump out!"

"Seventh Brother and Ghost Head have already led their men to the dikes in secret. They've buried everything, just waiting for the rainy season to come. Then they'll breach the dikes and flood the fields." At this point, Shuanghua glanced at Lan Linxue. "Master, are you sure you've thought this through? Once these dikes are opened, at least four counties downstream will be littered with corpses. If the people of Jiangnan start a rebellion, it'll be no small matter!"

Lan Linxue's eyes flashed, fixing on Shuanghua with a sharp, almost scathing gaze, as if she wanted to peel away her skin and bones. "Hu Tianyong has controlled the government for over a decade, siphoning off millions of taels of silver from Jiangnan! And he still puts on a benevolent face every day to buy people's hearts. He took the money, he bought the hearts of the people. The one who sits on the throne is surnamed Lan, but the one who commands the country is surnamed Hu! The old bastard wants to keep him alive, but I'm determined to destroy him!"

At this point, Lan Linxue suddenly stood up, exuding an aura of charisma. "Isn't the officialdom in Jiangnan an ironclad fortress? This time, I'm going to challenge it! If Heaven won't breach the dikes and flood the fields, then I'll do it for it! All the deaths will be pinned on Hu Tianyong! Hmph, those youngsters in the palace have been itching for trouble to make a profit in Jiangnan. Since they all have the desire but not the guts, then I'll do it! Once the officialdom in Jiangnan collapses, all sorts of demons and monsters will jump out! This time, I'll make sure that old man on the dragon throne can't even sit still! Proceed according to plan, and wait for my news!"

Frost Flower sighed inwardly, but answered crisply, "Yes!"

After Lan Linxue finished issuing the warning, she waved to Shuanghua and said somewhat irritably, "Go out, I want to sleep for a while!"

After saying that, Lan Linxue lay down on the bed without taking off her clothes or slippers and covered her eyes with her arms.

Shuanghua bowed respectfully and walked out without saying a word. Just as she was about to reach the door, Lan Linxue's cold voice rang out again:

"Tell Lao Qi and Gui Tou, save as many people as possible who have been swept away by the flood. If they can't be saved, blame God for being blind!"

Frostflower was annoyed. She turned around and said, "Didn't they say all the deaths were blamed on Hu Tianyong? Why do we need to save him?"

Lan Linxue grabbed a nearby cushion and threw it at Shuanghua, roaring, "It's our Lan family's people who are dying, of course the Hu family doesn't care! Are you saying that if everyone drowns, I'll be a lone emperor? Get out!"

Frostflower picked up the cushion from the ground in a huff, placed it on the chair next to her without a word, turned around and went out, slamming the door shut with a bang.

Lan Linxue raised her head, wanting to curse again, but all that remained was a room full of empty air.

"None of them are easy to deal with!"

I pulled the blanket over my head and went to sleep!

While Lan Linxue was sleeping, Qin Kou'er was smiling and greeting people under the bright sun.

“Miss Qin, the Crown Prince is displaying his power, so you’ll have to take extra care of him.” With that, Jiang Ming leaned closer to Qin Kou’er and whispered, “After all, we’re both from the Jiangnan water towns; Pavilion Master Qin will surely understand the importance of helping each other!”

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