When Ji Wuyu entered the secret chamber, the entire chamber reeked of blood. By the dim candlelight, his subordinates bowed to Ji Wuyu and left only after receiving permission.

Ji Wuyu took a few steps forward and then saw what was in front of him clearly.

Green Bamboo was tied up, steel needles pierced her wrists, and her whole body was covered with dense whip marks and blood. She looked extremely miserable and was on the verge of death.

Upon hearing the voice, Green Bamboo struggled to raise her head, only to meet Ji Wuyu's almost icy gaze. Her pupils suddenly contracted.

Ji Wuyu smiled gently: "You're late, but since you were entertained by the guards of the Yongle Marquis's mansion, is there anything you want to tell me, such as about your plot to harm Qing'an?"

"I can give you three chances, Green Bamboo."

Ji Wuyu's smile remained unchanged, still gentle and refined, like a noble young master. He sat down on a chair to the side, casually picked up a long sword from the side, pressed the hilt with one hand, and touched the ground with the tip of the sword.

"I...I didn't..."

"Two rounds left."

"It was her, for me... I hate her..."

The intense hatred in Green Bamboo's eyes was clearly directed at Ruan Qing'an, or more precisely, at the original owner of this body. She gritted her teeth, writhing in agony.

Upon hearing this, Ji Wuyu lowered his head, his knuckles gripping the knife, making a crisp sound. The smile on his lips grew increasingly gentle, yet it seemed as if he could pierce the heart of Green Bamboo with his longsword at any moment.

It was an almost tangible sense of oppression...

He said softly, "This is your last chance, Green Bamboo."

"..."

For a moment, Green Bamboo dared not speak again. Ji Wuyu, who was sitting in his original position, pointed the tip of his knife at her. Only then did Green Bamboo realize that the person in front of her was the Ninth Prince, and that her life here was no different from that of grass.

She will die, she really will die!

Ji Wuyu's smiling yet frightening voice rang out: "Hurry up, my patience isn't very good, especially now."

"I...I'll talk."

Green Bamboo was so frightened that tears streamed down her face. She said, "Ruan Qing'an's health suddenly deteriorated. Someone bribed me to deliver medicine to Ruan Qing'an every day according to their prescription."

"This time, the person who was in contact with me told me that it was time to close the net, so he gave me the powder and told me to use it no matter what."

After hearing what Green Bamboo had to say, Ji Wuyu put down the knife in his hand. His narrow eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the coldness within them: "Alright, I understand. I won't kill you. Let the Marquis handle the rest."

After saying that, Ji Wuyu stood up and walked outside.

At that moment, Ruan Changhong was guarding the door, looking at him anxiously as he came out: "How was it, Your Highness? Did you get any answers?"

"Green Bamboo's approach is the way to wrap things up."

Ji Wuyu pressed his temples and said, "It must be Father Emperor's method. This method is exactly the same as the one used to deal with you, Lord Marquis, back then."

Ruan Changhong also realized this. It was clear that Ji Hao had discovered Ruan Qing'an's influence on him and Ji Wuyu, so he immediately used this backup method, which was the handle that had been restraining Ruan Changhong for so many years.

Ji Hao must be laughing in his sleep to think he could actually deal with Ji Wuyu.

Ruan Changhong said with a headache, "I'll go to the palace to ask for medicine. Qing'an's condition can't be delayed any longer; she can't die."

"I'll go, Your Excellency, don't worry."

Ji Wuyu gave a slight bow, and without waiting for Ruan Changhong's consent, he immediately ordered a carriage to be driven to the palace—if he hesitated to act for fear of harming the innocent, it would play right into Ji Hao's hands.

Is Nguyen Chang Hong afraid of Nguyen Thanh An's death?

Ji Hao was also afraid; he was afraid of dying together with Ruan Changhong. However, Ruan Changhong was too worried to risk Ruan Qing'an, and as for Ji Wuyu—he risked himself.

When the carriage stopped in front of the palace gate, Ji Wuyu looked up at the solemn palace and said, "Let's see who is more ruthless, Father."

...

Inside the palace, Ji Hao, wearing only a thin outer garment, was warming himself by the fire, leaning against the table as he reviewed memorials. Eunuch Zhao jogged in from outside the palace and knelt before Ji Hao to pay his respects.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Ninth Prince requests an audience."

"He's finally here. Let him in."

As Ji Hao spoke, a strange light flickered in his eyes. A moment later, Ji Wuyu walked in from outside the hall. His etiquette was still impeccable, but his dark eyes held only a hint of coldness.

Seeing this, Ji Hao couldn't help but snort coldly and threw the memorial in his hand onto the table: "He really is a born rebel."

"I dare not accept such praise; I am not as worthy as Your Majesty."

Ji Wuyu's smile was gentle, but his words were unpleasant to hear.

Clearly, Ji Hao was also uncomfortable with what he heard, and his face suddenly turned cold. But after a moment, he suddenly chuckled and said, "Alright, I know what you're here for. I didn't realize it a year ago, but you actually have some ulterior motives."

"You've allied with the Yongle Marquis's mansion, used the Yongle Marquis's favorite, Ruan Qing'an, and obtained military power on the border. Now you've even managed to threaten me to the point that I dare not touch you for the time being. But... now you're showing your true colors. Do you really think I can't do anything to you?"

"Father, please do as you please."

Ji Wuyu said nonchalantly, and bowed slightly: "You don't need to think that Marquis Yongle will back down. I will take full charge of this matter. Since Father has other plans, you might as well speak frankly."

Upon hearing this, Ji Hao narrowed his eyes and stared at Ji Wuyu. This was the first time he had ever looked at his son so seriously. In fact, when Ji Wuyu suddenly rose to prominence, Ji Hao had thought that Ruan Changhong was giving him guidance behind the scenes, including on the battlefield. But now it seemed that was not the case.

Suppressing his apprehension, Ji Hao said, "Have you found a way to treat the poison in Ruan Qing'an's body? It's been accumulating for over ten years. Unless there's a specific antidote, she's doomed."

"It seems that Father has this antidote."

Ji Wuyu lowered his head and sighed, seemingly resigned to his fate.

Ji Hao laughed: "Do you really think I'm like those fools? Ninth Prince, I can crush you easily, but do you want Ruan Qing'an to die with you, huh?"

"What does Father Emperor wish to do?"

"I know everything that's happening in the military camp."

Ji Hao spoke slowly, clearly looking confident of victory. He continued to review the memorials, saying, "Because Ruan Qing'an was poisoned, Marquis Yongle wanted to ask me for the antidote. However, you, Ninth Prince, were dissatisfied with this matter and resolutely broke with Marquis Yongle, leading your army to besiege him."

"Ninth Brother, what do you think of this?"