Is the enemy in the dark while we are in the light?

Chen Zhennan is least afraid of this; he has never had the intention to harm others, but he has never lacked the intention to guard against others.

"When has it never been the case that the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light? The solution is simple: only by using ourselves as bait can we gradually draw the enemy to the surface."

Song Yunyang was taken aback, then frowned and said, "Brother Nan, it's always like this. Aren't you tired? As an emperor who is destined for great things, finding a substitute is important. You should have someone else do what you want to do."

"Why."

Chen Zhennan sighed deeply and slowly explained, "Who should I let do it for me? Shiyu? Or someone else? Yunyang, there are many people who are willing to die for me, but I can't use them, so it's better for me to do it myself."

Song Yunyang listened and, although he did not quite agree with Chen Zhennan's point of view, he realized that Chen Zhennan was right in the end. Although this was not the way of a ruler, it was the way of a gentleman.

With that, Chen Zhennan led Song Yunyang to Huaming Palace.

This was once the empress's palace that Jiang Wenyu prepared for Song Yunyang, but the wheel of fate led Song Yunyang to become Chen Zhennan's partner.

This place was once Jiang Wenyu's harem, and every corner may hide unknown secrets.

Chen Zhennan took a deep breath and ordered all the eunuchs and maids in the palace to be driven out and replaced with members of his special forces team.

He couldn't tolerate being watched even in his palace, otherwise he would become invisible.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled patterns on Song Yunyang's sleeping face.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she could feel Chen Zhennan's worries even in her dreams.

Chen Zhennan quietly got up, being careful not to wake her, and slowly walked out of the palace.

At the palace gate, Yan Shiyu stood like a statue, having waited for a long time, his eyes revealing a hint of anxiety.

Upon seeing Chen Zhennan emerge, Yan Shiyu hurriedly clasped his hands in a fist salute and slowly walked forward.

"Your Majesty, I have discovered that many palace maids and eunuchs are suspicious. They may all be spies for that mysterious organization, but there is no evidence to prove that they are traitors."

Chen Zhennan nodded slightly. He had expected this to happen. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by deep thought.

“These eunuchs and palace maids are nothing but pawns. Capturing them won’t do any good; it will only alert the enemy.” Chen Zhennan’s voice was calm, yet it revealed an undeniable determination.

Yan Shiyu nodded slightly. He knew that Chen Zhennan was meticulous and made every move with extreme caution.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Chen Zhennan smirked and said in a deep voice, "Stop flattering me, Shiyu. Don't focus on these eunuchs and palace maids. Keep an eye on the officials in the court; they are the real threat."

A glint of light flashed in Yan Shiyu's eyes, and he immediately understood Chen Zhennan's meaning.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I know what to do."

After a pause, Yan Shiyu suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, Xiang Hao has been sent to prison, but the prison guards have not been replaced. Should we replace them with our special forces brothers? Xiang Hao knows too many secrets. If he is rescued, it may be detrimental to us."

Chen Zhennan thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"What we're worried about now isn't Xiang Hao being rescued, but rather protecting his safety so that he won't be killed and silenced by that mysterious organization."

Chen Zhennan's biggest concern right now isn't Xiang Hao or any ambush or assassination attempt, but Song Yunyang's safety.

The extent of this mysterious organization's power is unknown, but the fact that they could get a high-ranking official like Xiang Hao to risk his life for them, and that none of their members had been discovered, is truly remarkable.

“There must be people from the other organization in the palace. I need to think of a way to get Yunyang to leave, otherwise I won’t be able to act freely.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Shiyu raised his head slightly and pondered, "Should I send someone to escort the Empress away?"

Chen Zhennan scoffed and said with a wry smile, "Let her go? Do you think she'd leave if I didn't die?"

Chen Zhennan knows Song Yunyang's personality too well; she's the kind of person who would rather die than accept something as it is.

"Alright, go make the arrangements. Make sure to keep a close eye on Xiang Hao. Don't let him die. He definitely still has secrets he hasn't revealed."

Yan Shiyu hummed in agreement, then hurriedly turned and left, heading towards the prison.

...

The palace prison was cold and damp.

Water droplets hanging on the wall shimmered eerily in the dim light, and the air was filled with the smell of mildew and despair.

Xiang Hao huddled in the corner, his heart filled with unease and fear.

Although the clues he wrote down might make Chen Zhennan let him go, he was also worried that Chen would kill him to silence him.

Moreover, Xiang Hao was even more worried that his leak of information would be discovered by the mysterious organization, leading to his death.

As darkness fell, the cell was almost completely dark, with only a few faint rays of light filtering through the high windows, barely illuminating the small space.

Xiang Hao's thoughts were in turmoil, and his heartbeat was exceptionally clear in the silence.

Just then, footsteps came from not far away, slow and heavy.

A jailer walked slowly, carrying a three-tiered lunchbox in his hand. His shadow stretched long in the dim light.

The jailer walked to Xiang Hao's cell, opened the wooden door, placed the lunchbox in front of Xiang Hao, and left a lamp on.

"Dinner is ready, Your Excellency."

The jailer's voice was devoid of any emotion, as if he were simply carrying out a routine task.

Xiang Hao raised his head and looked at the jailer, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes.

After the jailer left, Xiang Hao hurriedly opened the lunchbox, and a fragrant aroma wafted out, making his stomach rumble loudly.

However, just as he was about to feast, several rats suddenly ran over, their eyes gleaming with greed in the darkness.

Xiang Hao's expression changed, and a nameless fear welled up in his heart.

Despite being a high-ranking official, he was terrified of these tiny creatures and could only watch helplessly as the rats devoured his food.

The lunchbox contained a very generous amount of food, including meat, vegetables, and even a bottle of wine.

Xiang Hao shakily took the wine jug from the group of rats. Just as he was about to drink, the jug was at his lips when he suddenly stopped.

The rats that ate his food began to convulse, their bodies gradually stiffened, and they all died, foaming at the mouth.

Xiang Hao trembled with fright at the sight, and the wine pot fell to the ground and shattered. The wine spilled all over the ground, mixing with the dead rats and emitting a nauseating smell.

"What...what's going on?" Xiang Hao's voice trembled, his eyes filled with fear and confusion.

Who exactly wants to kill me?

Chen Zhennan?

Or is it someone from the organization?

Xiang Hao's heart pounded like a drum, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his eyes darted around the cell, searching for a possible way out.

However, there were only cold walls and locked iron gates, devoid of any sign of life.