Song Zhiyu stopped and handed the bottles and jars from the medicine box to Lu Bai, whispering, "Deliver these medicines to the Princess's residence, and remember not to let anyone find out."

She can't enter the palace now, and she doesn't know the condition of the Emperor Yun, so she can only send all the necessary medicines to the Princess's residence.

Besides, once she enters the palace, how will those people take action?

"This servant understands." Lu Bai nodded emphatically, knowing the situation was urgent, and ran out of the mansion in three steps.

Song Zhiyu stared at Lu Bai's retreating figure, her eyes gradually narrowing. Su Ying mustn't disappoint her.

*

Xian'an Prefecture, Study.

"My lord, with His Majesty and the Crown Prince both in trouble, the palace is in complete chaos. This is the perfect opportunity for us to make our move." The confidant could not hide his joy. They had been planning for years, and now they finally saw hope.

Prince Li waved his hand, having already made his own plans, "No rush, I want to rightfully take that seat."

Zhou Xingzhi was clever all his life, but in the end he still fell victim to him.

"If I'm not mistaken, the Xuanming Pavilion should have received the news by now. We just need to sit back and reap the benefits." King Li wanted to ascend the throne but didn't want to be criticized by the people and end up with the infamy of plotting to usurp the throne.

In that case, it would be better to let that person from the Xuanming Pavilion make the first move. Then, he could use the pretext of capturing rebels to lead his troops into the palace, rightfully take over the throne from his father, and gain both fame and fortune—a win-win situation.

"Your Majesty is wise." Even his trusted confidants had to admire the Prince's shrewdness; he had almost figured out everyone.

Li Wang raised the corners of his lips, his eyes revealing a ruthless glint.

To achieve great things, one must be ruthless in using any means necessary.

He didn't originally intend to be so ruthless, but his father was too biased. If he didn't fight for himself, he would never get what he wanted.

Thinking of Emperor Yun, Prince Li's heart stirred slightly, "Has Father Emperor awakened?"

"No, no one has been able to detect anything amiss with our medicine." The confidant said confidently, believing that as long as they didn't want Emperor Yun to wake up, he would never wake up.

Prince Li sneered, "Keep a close eye on Song Zhiyu. That woman is quite capable; you mustn't let her ruin my plans."

"I understand. Without a summons, Song Zhiyu cannot enter the palace, and even the Princess cannot bring her in."

The confidant was well aware of Prince Li's wariness of Song Zhiyu. After all, someone who could scheme against Prince Li and even make him suffer losses was no pushover.

Not to mention Song Zhiyu's superb medical skills, which even he found astonishing.

*

Three days have passed since the news of the Crown Prince's disappearance reached the capital. The entire palace is silent, but the undercurrents beneath the calm surface are increasingly alarming.

It would be a lie to say that Song Zhiyu wasn't anxious at all, but she had even more faith in Zhou Xingzhi's abilities.

What she needs to do now is to protect the capital and prevent others from taking advantage of the situation.

Between water and clouds.

Song Zhiyu burned the letter she had just glanced at without the slightest hesitation.

“Miss, this Prince Li is truly cunning. He wants both a high position and a good reputation. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Lu Bai said indignantly, clearly having also seen the contents of the letter.

Song Zhiyu slowly wiped his slender fingers, his tone calm, with a hint of a smile, "If we were to act rashly, that wouldn't be the way of Prince Li."

Lu Bai seemed to understand but not quite, "Then, Miss, what should we do next?"

"Wait." Song Zhiyu placed a silver ingot on the table, got up, and left the private room.

If the King of Li can tolerate it, then the one from the Xuanming Pavilion cannot.

The master and servant had just stepped out of Yunshui Pavilion when they bumped into Shen Jinshu, who was coming from the opposite direction.

"Second sister, it's been a long time! How have you been lately?" Shen Jinshu's eyes were full of schadenfreude, as if she had heard some news.

Perhaps feeling that the current situation was in their favor, they lost their usual caution and couldn't help but dance in front of Song Zhiyu.

"Compared to Consort Shen, that is naturally better."

Song Zhiyu chuckled, and seeing Shen Jinshu's increasingly unpleasant expression, she continued to add insult to injury, "I almost forgot, you are no longer the concubine of the Prince of Li."

"Song Zhiyu, what's there to be so smug about? Fortune changes, and it's not certain who will win or lose." As if she had thought of something, Shen Jinshu covered her mouth and chuckled twice, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

"Smack!"

Lu Bai slapped away Shen Jinshu's hand that was pointing at Song Zhiyu, "How dare you! You don't even bow in front of the county princess!"

Shen Jinshu covered her reddened hand and looked at Lu Bai with eyes that seemed to be poisoned.

Once His Highness ascends the throne, she will definitely skin that wretched girl alive.

“Miss Shen, you are no longer the concubine of the Prince of Li. Why do you not bow to the County Princess? Is the Shen family’s upbringing all these years a joke?” Lu Bai couldn’t stand Shen Jinshu’s arrogance in front of her young lady. She put her hands on her hips and was about to point her finger at Shen Jinshu and curse her.

Shen Jinshu tried her best to suppress the anger in her heart, curtsied gracefully, and had a faint smile on her face, showing that she could bend and stretch.

"It was my oversight, and I hope the county magistrate will not hold it against me."

Song Zhiyu raised an eyebrow slightly. If she hadn't seen the humiliation and malice hidden deep in Shen Jinshu's eyes, she could have easily fooled anyone with this demeanor.

“Perfect, I also like the wheel of fortune to turn, to turn to the very end.” Song Zhiyu walked past Shen Jinshu, glanced at her sideways, and gave her a half-smile.

Shen Jinshu's lips curled down, and she moved her red lips as if to speak, when a strong force suddenly pushed her backward from her shoulder.

"What do you want to do to Zhiyu?" A cold male voice entered her ears. Shen Jinshu looked at Shen Yanxi, who had just pushed her to the ground, in disbelief, her hands trembling with anger.

"You should ask Song Zhiyu what he wants to do to me."

Facing the mocking gazes of those around her, Shen Jinshu was extremely embarrassed. "Fourth Brother, you used to love me the most, and you even said I would be your sister for life."

"I was blind before, mistaking a pearl for a fish eye, and spoiled you, this fake, to the extreme, and did so many things to hurt Zhiyu."

"I won't be stupid again. My sister will always be Zhiyu." Shen Yanxi didn't even glance at Shen Jinshu. The more he loved Shen Jinshu before, the more he hated her after learning the truth.