On the other side, several guards joined forces to attack an assassin.

They worked together seamlessly, sometimes attacking, sometimes defending, forcing the assassin to retreat step by step.

Finally, one of the guards seized the opportunity and knocked the assassin to the ground with a powerful punch.

Gradually, the assassins were cornered. They began to panic, wildly slashing with their weapons.

The guards fought with increasing ferocity and eventually subdued the assassins one by one.

Seeing no hope of escape, they suddenly gave an order and committed mass suicide, their blood splattering everywhere.

The guards were stunned; they hadn't expected these assassins to be so ruthless.

Qi Guze frowned, a vague unease creeping into his heart. The origins and motives of these assassins remained a mystery.

In the darkness of night, Qi Guze stood in the center of the devastated battlefield, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He didn't know when the next assassin's attack would come, nor what kind of conspiracy and truth lay behind it.

Moonlight spilled into the courtyard, casting a silvery glow that gilded Qi Guze's dark robes with a mysterious luster.

He stood there quietly, his eyes deep and penetrating, as if he could see through all pretense.

The assassins lay on the ground, their faces filled with resentment and confusion, seemingly unable to understand why they had been defeated by a seemingly ordinary man.

Qi Guze's face was expressionless, his eyes were calm as still water, as if everything was under his control.

But only he knew that his heart was actually in turmoil.

He tried hard to suppress his emotions and not let any fluctuations show.

"Go check these assassins for anything that might identify them," Qi Guze ordered in a deep voice.

Although his voice was deep, it carried an undeniable authority.

The guards immediately sprang into action, carefully examining each assassin, but after a thorough search, they found nothing.

"Reporting to Master, these assassins did not carry any identification items," a guard stepped forward and reported.

Qi Guze frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

He didn't understand who sent these assassins, or what their purpose was.

The atmosphere in the courtyard grew increasingly tense, and the moonlight seemed to grow even colder.

Qi Guze took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner turmoil.

He knew that this assassination attempt was just the beginning, and bigger challenges were yet to come.

Qi Guze's brows were furrowed, like two dark autumn clouds pressing down on his forehead, making his already deep eyes even more gloomy.

A sense of unease welled up inside him, as if an invisible hand had squeezed his heart.

Those assassins were clearly not simple in origin, and their purpose was far from what it seemed on the surface.

Qi Guze's intuition told him that there must be some unspeakable secret hidden behind these assassins. It could be a conspiracy, a trap, or even a disaster he could not imagine.

He sent his guards to investigate the identities of these assassins and uncover the secrets behind them.

However, as time went by, no news came.

Qi Guze grew increasingly anxious, his mood as lonely and heavy as the withered old tree in the courtyard.

The atmosphere in the courtyard grew increasingly oppressive, as if an invisible pressure was weighing on everyone's hearts.

It was a silent stillness, an unspeakable fear.

A somber atmosphere hung in the air, as if foreshadowing an impending storm.

Qi Guze's expression grew increasingly serious, and his eyes revealed an ominous premonition.

He had a feeling that something was about to happen, a feeling that made him uneasy, as if an invisible sword was hanging over his heart.

His hand gripped the carved longsword tightly, the tip of which carved a deep mark on the courtyard ground.

His fingernails dug deep into his palms, the pain bringing him to his senses slightly. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his unease.

However, a sense of unease spread through his heart like wildfire. He knew he had to find out the identities of those assassins as soon as possible and uncover the secrets behind them.

Otherwise, he couldn't imagine what would happen.

Under the warm spring sun, Anan suddenly appeared in front of Qi Guze's mansion. His face wore a fake smile, like the warm winter sun, which was warm but also a little dazzling.

"Uncle, you have suffered a lot while you were away. You must come back soon and take charge of the affairs of the court."

Anan's voice was gentle, as if he genuinely cared about Qi Guze's well-being.

Qi Guze sat upright on the wooden chair, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his eyes deep, as if he could see through all falsehoods.

He chuckled lightly, a mocking smile curving his lips. "Anan, I'm truly flattered by your words. I'm just a commoner; how could I dare trouble you to come and inquire about my well-being in person?"

Anan's smile was somewhat stiff. He had known for a long time that Qi Guze was a smart man, but he hadn't expected him to be so perceptive as to see through his disguise.

He was secretly on guard, but still wore a smile on his face. "Uncle, you flatter me. You are my father's own brother. How can the affairs of the court be without your involvement?"

Qi Guze nodded slightly, indicating his agreement with Anan's statement.

He knew perfectly well that Anan's visit was nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing, with no good intentions.

Although he had no evidence of the previous assassination attempt, he had a vague feeling that it was related to Anan.

"The assassination attempt last time was truly heartbreaking." Anan seemed to suddenly recall something, his expression filled with grief. "The murderer was so brazen, daring to lay a hand on the Imperial Uncle."

Qi Guze's eyes flashed, but he concealed his doubts without showing any emotion.

He knew that Anan was testing his reaction, so he replied casually, "Yes, I didn't expect it to turn out this way either. However, I believe the court will find out the truth as soon as possible and give me an explanation."

Anan's eyes flickered; he hadn't expected Qi Guze to be so calm and composed.

He became even more certain that Qi Guze already knew something.

He subtly changed the subject, "Uncle is right, the court will definitely find out the truth. By the way, how have you been doing out there all this time, Uncle?"

Qi Guze sneered inwardly, but remained calm on the surface. "Life outside may be a bit tough, but it's also quite comfortable. Anan, you don't need to worry."

Anan nodded. "In that case, I won't bother you any longer, Your Majesty. Please take good care of yourself while you're away."

After saying that, he got up to take his leave.

Watching Anan's departing figure, a deep light flashed in Qi Guze's eyes.

He knew that his confrontation with Anan had only just begun. He needed to be much more careful to survive in this game of power.