Three days had passed in the blink of an eye.
The capital city that day was bustling with noise. Ever since Le Yuanhou was brought into the city under custody three days before, the noise from outside had never stopped. Everyone was waiting to see the fate of the once honorable and esteemed Le Yuanhou.
Or to put it more accurately, everyone was waiting to see how this game of power between King Yu and the Emperor would conclude.
As soon as Le Yuanhou was brought back, he was put under the supervision of the Dali Temple. There were even rumors that he would be publicly beheaded mid-month. This fate seemed to be shared by all the 200 members of his household, both masters and servants.
The wrath of the king is truly fearsome.
But just as everyone was speculating about the Emperor’s thought, that day’s Emperor had already departed incognito to visit the Qingyuan Temple.
Xin He had received this news three days before, so it was obvious she would also go today.
While dressing Xin He’s hair, Shulan said, "Madam, should we depart earlier today? The Emperor has already left the palace and is probably going to ascend the mountain in an hour’s time."
Xin He, however, seemed unhurried and replied calmly, "So what if he has gone up the mountain? He is probably just going to see Lady Sun. There’s no rush."
"You’re not in a hurry? Although Lady Sun has accepted your conditions, she is a very cunning and shrewd individual. I fear that she may have some tricks up her sleeve. Madam, you might be caught off guard! Perhaps it would be better if you went first to keep an eye on her."
Xin He gave Shulan a light laugh. "You’ve become quite clever."
Surprised, Shulan asked, "Why do you say that?"
"Because you’re right. Sun, she’s cunning and not easily controlled," Xin He answered softly.
Upon hearing this, Shulan was taken aback at having guessed correctly. She hurriedly said, "In that case, we can’t wait any longer. We have to hurry up the mountain and keep an eye on Lady Sun, so she doesn’t dare to make any rash moves!"
Now that Ji Xinhe was in the capital, it was no longer as simple as it was back in Yu State. Any small misstep could lead to danger. The Emperor had arrested Le Yuanhou with his ultimate goal being Marquis Mu Houchu. If Ji Xinhe’s presence in the capital was discovered, the consequences could be unthinkable.
However, Xin He simply shook her head. "Considering Lady Sun’s cunning, do you think that she would be unable to make a move if she was being watched? If she did not have such capabilities, how do you think she has solidified her position in Le Yuanhou’s mansion over these past twenty years without arousing my father’s suspicion?"
Actually, seven years ago, when Ji Xinhe was at Le Yuanhou’s mansion in the capital, she had wanted to expose Lady Sun’s true identity. However, she couldn’t because Lady Sun’s roots in the mansion were too deep, and her father trusted her too much. Without evidence to dislodge her position, a woman like Lady Sun, who had such a clever plan and strategical mind, couldn’t be easily compared to an ordinary person.
It’s also for this reason that Ji Xinhe understood just how dangerous this woman could be.
Upon hearing this, Shulan’s face turned slightly pale. "Then... what should we do?"
Looking at Xin He’s calm demeanor, Xiaoyu didn’t seem worried at all. "Madam has a plan," she said.
Immediately Shulan turned to look at Ji Xinhe, her round eyes filled with anxiety.
How could she not be anxious? Ever since the first day in the capital, she had been on edge. Any slip-up could lead to a huge mistake. If anything happened to the princess, what would they do?
A faint smile appeared on Xinhe’s lips. She said softly, "Though it’s true that Lady Sun is clever, there’s a saying - cleverness may overreach itself. If she refuses to submit quietly and wants to engage in some petty tricks, we just need to stay one step ahead. We can potentially trap her in her own game."
Xiaoyu nodded gently. "Now that Madam has seen through Lady Sun’s intentions in advance, we won’t be left completely on the backfoot. But our goal this time is to save Lord Marquis. In order to save Lord Marquis, we have to rely on Lady Sun. If Lady Sun is not willing to cooperate, I’m afraid..."
Xinhe said calmly, "She’s unwilling only because she believes she has other options that allow her to take a better path. Rest assured, once I cut off her retreat, she’ll willingly come to me."
Lady Sun was a smart woman, and dealing with a smart person sometimes saved her trouble.
Seeing as if she understood something, Xiaoyu gently nodded. "This servant understands."
"Call Ling Yu in," Xinhe said after pondering for a moment.
Marquis Mu’s secret guards were divided into ranks. Those with the surname Ling were first-class secret guards, of whom there were only three: Ling Feng, Ling Yu, and Ling Yan. Ling Yu and Ling Yan had also followed her to the capital this time because Ji Xinhe didn’t want to worry Marquis Mu. She accepted everything he arranged, otherwise, she might not have been able to leave Yu State’s border at all.
Upon rushing in, Ling Yu bowed and said, "Madam."
Xinhe spoke, "Go to the Qingyuan Temple and look for Lady Sun directly. Tell her that the Emperor has already left the palace for Qingyuan Mountain and she must find an opportunity to meet with him. She then has to obtain the Emperor’s trust and help me save my father. Otherwise, her daughter’s life will be in danger."
Ling Yu answered, "Understood, Madam."
"Leave now, make sure to deliver the message before the Emperor arrives. There’s no need to linger. Once you have finished, return immediately."
Ling Yu hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is there no need to keep watch?"
As Xinhe approached him and lowered her voice, she said, "After delivering the message, come down the mountain and head directly to the end of Lotus Alley on Zhuque Avenue. Do you remember the courtyard house there?"
Ling Yu’s eyes flashed with understanding, as if he suddenly realized something. He nodded and answered, "Understood."
"Go ahead." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Ling Yu left, leaving Shulan confused. "Why did Madam ask him to go to the courtyard house on Lotus Alley?"
Xinhe replied casually, "Just to be safe."
Xiaoyu explained, "Madam is afraid that Lady Sun might use the chance to have someone follow Ling Yu, thus revealing Madam’s location in the capital. If that happened, she might try to garner the Emperor’s favor by revealing this information and then take advantage of Madam."
Xinhe said, "It might not necessarily happen, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If Lady Sun sticks to her own business, our precautions would be in vain. If she makes it easier for herself, it will also be easier for me."
If she doesn’t play by the rules...
Ji Xinhe snickered coldly, let’s just wait and see!
"Xiaoyu, arrange for a sharp servant to go to the Qingyuan Temple. He doesn’t need to go with Ling Yu, just make sure he keeps an eye on all of Lady Sun’s activities," continued Xinhe.
Xiaoyu responded with a smile, "Madam first sent Ling Yu to the mountain to deliver a message to Lady Sun. If Lady Sun has any ulterior motives, she will surely send someone to follow Ling Yu. On one hand, she aims to find out where Madam is staying, on the other hand, to confirm Ling Yu has left so she can freely engage in secret activities with the Emperor. What she doesn’t know is that Madam has also arranged others to keep an eye on her every move."
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