Chapter 31
This news shocked the entire palace.
This almost certainly confirms the charge of being a spy!
Consort Ning smiled, secretly overjoyed, waiting for Shao Sizhi to unleash his fury and plunge Qi Nian'an into utter ruin.
However, when Shao Sizhi arrived at the Chen Palace with a gloomy face and brought his men to confront him, Qi Nian'an remained unusually calm.
She didn't even look at the palace maid who accused her; she simply bowed to Shao Sizhi, then calmly took out a scroll and unfurled it in front of everyone.
It was indeed a border map, but instead of marking military deployments, it was marked with small circles and annotations.
"Wolf Smoke Ridge, March is barbecue season, amazing and delicious."
"Qingshui River, the grilled fish street in summer, the aroma wafts for miles."
"At Black Wind Pass, caravans frequently come and go, carrying foreign charcoal-grilled potatoes that make my mouth water."
Qi Nian'an's eyes were filled with resentment, but she found a trace of relief amidst her embarrassment.
"You must forgive a greedy girl who can't even leave the palace."
"It's just a matter of liking to eat, it's not a big deal."
Li Xiaoran raised her eyebrows and rested her chin on her hand, continuing to watch the show.
Every note is about food, meticulous and full of concern for food and hunger.
Next to the map are her notes on the local customs, culture, and resources of these places.
Nian'an raised her head, her gaze clear and upright, and looked at Shao Sizhi, then swept her eyes over the pale-faced Consort Ning: "Your Majesty is wise. As a concubine, I am unable to go to the border in person. I can only consult the classics and ask the palace servants who come and go, and record my humble opinions here, hoping that they may be of some benefit. But I did not know that since when has quenching thirst by looking at plums become evidence of a crime?"
She paused, her sharp gaze fixed on the trembling palace maid: "As for you... I remember you were expelled from the palace for stealing valuables. So, who is instructing you to slander me now?"
Before the palace maid could answer, Li Xiaoran walked in with someone else, who turned out to be the palace maid who had bumped into Yixing back then!
She had already been persuaded by Li Xiaoran, and knelt down with a thud, pointing at the nanny beside Consort Ning: "Your Majesty! It was her! It was the nanny beside Consort Ning who instructed me to put the sachet next to Her Highness! It was also she who later found me and asked me to find a way to spread the rumor of a spy!"
With witnesses and physical evidence, the reversal came too quickly!
Consort Ning panicked completely: "You're talking nonsense! Your Majesty, he's slandering me!"
Qi Nian'an gave her no chance to breathe, coldly saying, "Whether it's slander or not, an investigation will tell. Eunuch Liu, could you send someone to Consort Ning's palace to check the contents of this old woman's trunk to see if there are any similar Western Region items? Or, could you check the accounts of the Ningguo Duke's Mansion's dealings with Western Region merchants over the past six months?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Ning turned pale instantly and collapsed to the ground.
She finally realized what a terrifying opponent she had provoked.
Qi Nian'an was no longer the concubine who needed the emperor's protection. She had woven an invisible net, waiting for Qi Nian'an to walk right into it.
Shao Sizhi looked at Qi Nian'an, who was calm and composed and even managed to turn the tables on the Ningguo Duke's Mansion, with a complex expression in his eyes.
His remaining rationality and the slight trust he had in Qi Nian'an that he himself was unwilling to delve into made him forcefully suppress the impulse to act immediately.
When he stepped into the Imperial Palace, he had imagined many scenarios.
Perhaps it was Qi Nian'an kneeling on the ground in a panic, crying out her innocence; perhaps it was her forced composure but flawed explanation; or perhaps it was hysteria born of despair.
He never imagined it would turn out this way, but it was also within reason, as always, inheriting her style of absurdity and tranquility.
The hall was quiet, without the chaos I had imagined.
Qi Nian'an sat upright in the main seat, showing no sign of panic despite his sudden arrival.
She didn't even get up to bow immediately, but slowly put down her teacup and looked up at him.
Those bright eyes, which used to be filled with tenderness or occasionally tinged with grievance and stubbornness, were now like two bottomless pools of cold springs, calm and still, clearly reflecting his angry and scrutinizing figure.
The shock instantly extinguished most of Shao Sizhi's anger.
He had never seen such a chilling, bone-deep calm on her face.
Every word from his former lover struck Shao Sizhi's heart like a heavy hammer.
Guilt crept up on me like vines.
He recalled his coldness and probing towards her because of the sachet incident, and the jade ruyi he had given to Ning Yuran...
He had been so quick to believe the flawed framing and doubt her loyalty.
This distrust, under her open gaze, now appeared so despicable and ridiculous.
He looked closely at Consort Chen before him. She was no longer the carefree, unconcerned, lively, and bright woman in red.
She calmly analyzed the situation, accurately pointed out the suspicious points, and even... subtly guided his thinking with a kind of composure.
When did she become so...sharp and powerful?
This transformation was forged through countless disappointments and struggles that he could not see, all by himself.
A wave of indescribable bitterness and pity washed over him.
Beneath the shock, guilt, and scrutiny, a more hidden and indescribable emotion, like an undercurrent beneath the earth, quietly surged—a deep, throbbing attraction.
He had seen her charming and innocent appearance, her gentle demeanor, and her occasional stubbornness when she was being petulant.
But the Qi Nian'an before us, who displayed astonishing calmness, wisdom, and strength in the face of a tremendous crisis, was entirely new and unfamiliar, radiating a captivating charm that was impossible to look away from.
I don't think I ever really understood this infamous mad dog.
"Bring Consort Ning back to the palace. Without my decree, she is not to leave or come out. Madam, take her to the Censorate for rigorous interrogation!"
Shao Sizhi gave the order in a deep, cold voice.
The decree was issued swiftly and decisively, leaving no room for maneuver.
The once magnificent Ning Consort's palace gates were deserted overnight. The Ning Consort, who was once the most favored concubine in the six palaces, was like a withered leaf swept away by the autumn wind. She was ruthlessly stripped of her title and thrown into that gloomy and cold cold palace at the end of the palace.
The place where Consort Qi died
The palace servants were terrified and fell silent. Consort Ning and the Duke of Ning's mansion were completely finished this time.
The emperor's favor, it turns out, is so fickle.
When Qi Nian'an stepped into the Cold Palace, a chilling aura mixed with musty smells and dust hit her.
Compared to the splendor of the palaces outside, here there was only peeling vermilion paint, broken window frames, and boundless desolation.
The commoner, Ning, dressed in a worn-out palace gown, sat alone on the cold stone kang.
Her once bright and sparkling eyes are now dull and lifeless, like a pearl covered in dust; her beautiful face is now only filled with despair and hopelessness.
Hearing footsteps, she slowly raised her head and saw that it was Qi Nian'an. A mocking and desolate smile appeared on her lips.
"Consort Chen?" Her voice was hoarse, tinged with surprise. "What? Did His Majesty send you to see if I'm truly dead?"
Qi Nian'an dismissed everyone around him, leaving only the two of them in the empty, dilapidated palace.
She looked at her, her gaze calm yet scrutinizing: "It wasn't his order. I came of my own accord... to see you off."
"Give it to me?" Consort Ning chuckled softly, the sound echoing eerily in the empty hall. "The victor is king, the loser is villain; I have nothing to say. I only regret that I made a wrong move and couldn't..."
"Didn't you do anything?" Qi Nian'an interrupted her, taking a step forward, his gaze piercing. "Consort Ning, is your current situation truly due to your failure in the harem's power struggle? Are the forces behind you really willing to let you fade into obscurity?"
Consort Ning's pupils contracted sharply, and she turned her face away, saying, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You didn't know?" Qi Nian'an's voice was low, yet carried an undeniable pressure. "Your channels of communication with the outside world, those gold and silver of dubious origin, and the border general transfers you seemingly casually mentioned to His Majesty on several occasions... Do you really think no one noticed?"
She paused, then said, word by word, "It's the Cloud King, isn't it?"
The words "King of Clouds" resounded like thunder in Ning Yuran's ears.
She trembled and looked sharply at Qi Nian'an, her eyes filled with disbelief and a final wariness.
Qi Nian'an sighed, his tone carrying a subtle, complex emotion: "Tell me the truth, Ning Yuran. You're already in dire straits. Are you still going to keep a secret for the person who used you as a pawn and now discards you like trash? Your family might still have a chance to survive if you tell the truth."
"I don't know if you've heard of Consort Qi... You are different from her. If you surrender now, you may have a glimmer of hope."
"I didn't know her name when Consort Qi died. She was desolate and lonely. I was covered in her blood, and I was powerless to help her."
These last words shattered Ning Yuran's last line of defense.
Family—that was her initial reason for entering the palace.
It was also a shackle she could not escape.
Tears finally slid from her dry eyes, mingling with dust and leaving a disheveled mark on her face.
“It’s Prince Yun.” She lowered her eyes, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, yet filled with a desperate resolve. “He… he can’t wait any longer. His Majesty has been working diligently to strengthen the country and weaken the regional military governors in recent years, and he has long harbored resentment. While things seem stable in the court now, he has secretly replaced the generals in several key positions on the border… and provisions and weapons have already been secretly transported to his fiefdom…”
She raised her tear-filled eyes to look at Qi Nian'an, her gaze a mixture of a fleeting clarity and mockery: "Qi Nian'an, I know you are loyal to His Majesty. But telling His Majesty is useless... the tide has turned. Prince Yun has countless elite troops and generals under his command, and the time is ripe. At the latest... at the latest, he will raise an army... and rebel!"
"Boom—!"
Just then, a clap of thunder sounded outside the window, and a pale flash of lightning instantly illuminated Consort Ning's pale and distorted face, as well as Qi Nian'an's suddenly solemn expression.
The eighth day of next month!
Time is so tight!
After revealing this shocking secret, Consort Ning seemed to have all her strength drained away, collapsing to the ground and muttering, "He promised me that after it was done... he would grant me the position of Empress... How laughable, how utterly laughable... I can't even leave this Cold Palace..."
Looking at her curled-up figure on the ground, Qi Nian'an felt little pleasure, only a heavy sense of impending doom.
Without saying another word, she turned and quickly left this graveyard that had swallowed up countless youths and ambitions.
Behind them, the faint, desperate, and shrill cries of Consort Ning could be heard, but they were quickly drowned out by another rumble of thunder.
That very night, news arrived that Ning Shuren had hanged herself in the Cold Palace.
Qi Nian'an had no time to care about the fate of a loser.
Braving the torrential rain, she hurried toward the Imperial Study.
The oil-paper umbrella in his hand swayed precariously in the wind and rain, just like this seemingly stable dynasty, which was about to face a monstrous wave.
He had to meet with Shao Sizhi immediately.
When the King of Yun is about to rebel, war will break out.
The peace in the capital city will last for less than a month.
The death of Consort Ning was like a boulder thrown into a deep pool; the ripples on the surface have subsided, but the undercurrents are already surging beneath.
The air in the palace seemed to freeze. The usual soft laughter and chatter were replaced by a stifling silence. Even the eunuchs and maids who moved through the palace corridors hurried along, heads bowed, not daring to utter a word.
Everyone knew perfectly well that the silence of the Ningguo Duke's Mansion was not resignation, but rather the deathly stillness before the storm.
The thin veil separating the Prince of Yun from the Emperor has been completely torn down.
A storm that will determine the fate of the empire is brewing wildly both inside and outside the palace walls.
As dusk approached, the last rays of the setting sun, like blood, stained the glazed tiles of the palace with an ominous yet magnificent hue.
Shao Sizhi was gazing intently at a huge border map inside the palace, his fingertips slowly moving across it, deducing possible troop movements. He had been spending most of his time in the imperial study these days, discussing matters with his trusted ministers.
Only Qi Nian'an and the flickering candlelight remained in the Imperial Palace.
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the palace, carrying a barely perceptible hint of tension: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine Yi has arrived."
Qi Nian'an was practicing calligraphy when his hand holding the pen paused slightly. He looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Consort Yi?
Since Consort Ning entered the palace, this woman with the highest rank in the harem has been claiming to be ill and recuperating, avoiding seeing anyone. What is her intention in coming here now?
She calmly rolled up the calligraphy scroll and said in a deep voice, "Please invite the Imperial Concubine in."
The palace doors opened slightly, and Consort Yi appeared in the doorway. Her attire today was quite different from usual. She had shed her usual extravagant and splendid attire and was only wearing a calm, dark purple casual dress. All the hairpins and ornaments in her hair had been removed, and only a plain silver hairpin held her hair up. Her face was without makeup, revealing a pale and haggard appearance, as if she had just recovered from a long illness.
However, her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, no longer holding the condescending arrogance or calculating profundity of the past, but rather a resolute and solemn determination, as if she had burned her boats.
She waved her hand, signaling all the palace servants accompanying her to stay outside the hall, and then walked into the hall alone, step by step.
His steps were steady, yet carried immense weight.
The candlelight flickered inside the hall, illuminating the two women who had once been locked in a fierce rivalry, creating a subtle and tense atmosphere.
“Miss Qi,” Consort Yi began, her voice slightly hoarse. She didn’t even use her usual distant title of Consort Chen. “I… no, I have come here today not as a Consort, but as a woman of the Gao family, to express my feelings to you and to His Majesty.”
Qi Nian'an didn't reply, but just looked at her quietly, her gaze calm and composed, waiting for her to continue.
She knew that any unnecessary words at this moment could affect the direction of the conversation.
The Imperial Noble Consort Yi took a deep breath, as if to suppress the turmoil in her heart, and continued, "The matter of Consort Ning is both a warning bell and a death knell. Prince Yun, Shao Siyun, his disloyal intentions are now blatantly obvious, known to all. He has colluded with the Duke of Ning, planted his cronies in the army, and won over court officials; his power is already established. In the past…"
She paused, a complex and unreadable expression flashing across her face, a mixture of regret and helplessness. "In the past, I may have had selfish motives, always thinking of balancing the various factions in this harem, maintaining the honor and stability of my Gao clan, and perhaps... even harboring a sliver of delusion about that supreme position. But now, I understand clearly that if a wolf in sheep's clothing like Shao Siyun succeeds, this empire will surely crumble, the state will collapse, and at that time, not only will we lose our wealth and glory, but our lives, and even the entire Gao clan, will be reduced to dust in the chaos of war!"
Her voice suddenly rose, trembling slightly, a fear born of a genuine awareness of impending doom.
"Your Majesty is the rightful heir to the throne, the successor appointed by the late Emperor. Our Gao family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, and we will never collude with traitors!"
She looked intently at Qi Nian'an, her words clear and distinct: "I, Gao Lingyun, swear today, with the honor and lives of my entire family, that I will dedicate all my family's influence in the army to help His Majesty quell the chaos and eliminate the treacherous officials! From this day forward, the Gao family will follow His Majesty's lead without any disloyalty!"
After saying that, she lifted her skirt and was about to kneel down before Qi Nian'an.
"No!" Qi Nian'an reacted quickly, stepping forward to firmly support her arm and stop her from kneeling.
She felt a slight tremor in Consort Yi's arm, and her heart was also shaken.
The fact that the proud Consort Ruyi could adopt such a stance demonstrates the immense pressure exerted by Prince Yun and the unwavering determination of her to surrender.
Qi Nian'an helped her and led her to sit down on a chair. He sat opposite her, his gaze still scrutinizing her, but his previous wariness had subtly dissipated.
“Your Majesty is wise and righteous, and I am deeply grateful.” She spoke slowly, her voice calm yet solemn. “The Prince of Yun is powerful, and His Majesty certainly needs strong support right now. Your Majesty and the Gao family’s assistance is undoubtedly a timely help.”
She didn't immediately show complete trust; this was a political alliance, and she needed to confirm more details.
“However, there is one thing that Nian’an does not understand. Prince Yun must have extended olive branches to the Empress and the Gao family, so why did the Empress ultimately choose His Majesty? After all, judging from the current situation, Prince Yun seems to be… unstoppable.”
Upon hearing this, Consort Yi revealed a bitter and mocking smile: "Unstoppable? It's nothing but bluff, a mere show of force. Shao Siyun is stubborn, self-willed, and ungrateful. His promises are nothing but castles in the air. He needs our clan's troops to fight for him, but once he succeeds, he'll inevitably discard them. In his eyes, the Gao family is nothing more than a pawn to be used, to be discarded at any time. And Your Majesty..."
She looked at Qi Nian'an with a complicated expression. "His Majesty may be ruthless towards me, but he is at least a true wise ruler who acts with principles and keeps his promises. More importantly, His Majesty represents orthodoxy and righteousness. If we follow His Majesty, my Gao family will be heroes who protect the country; if we follow Prince Yun, even if we succeed, we will be traitors and villains, and our names will be infamous for eternity! I, Gao Lingyun, can see this clearly, and my father... can see it clearly too."
She lowered her voice: "To be honest, Miss, Prince Yun has secretly contacted my father, promising him a title and land after the matter is accomplished. But my father has been playing along and has not agreed. We have been waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity to show our loyalty to His Majesty. Consort Ning is dead, and I cannot wait any longer."
Qi Nian'an nodded slightly. The Imperial Concubine Yi's analysis was reasonable and consistent with her and Shao Sizhi's previous judgment.
The Gao family has deep roots in the military, especially in the defense of the capital region and the northern border troops. Their defection is enough to change the balance of power.
“In that case,” Qi Nian’an stood up, his expression solemn, “On behalf of His Majesty, I thank Your Highness and General Gao for their loyalty. This matter is of great importance, and I must inform His Majesty immediately. Please rest assured, Your Highness, His Majesty is a benevolent ruler and will not fail the Gao family’s choice today.”
She also promised: "In the future, within this palace, Nian'an is willing to work together with Your Highness to defend against foreign enemies. All the past events are like fleeting clouds."
A look of relief finally flashed in Consort Yi's eyes. She stood up and said solemnly, "Good! With your words, I am relieved. My father will handle matters outside the palace. As for matters inside the palace... we are deeply involved with Prince Yun, so we must be extra careful."
The two of them exchanged information and doubts in hushed tones within the flickering candlelight of the hall.
Former rivals have now formed a strong alliance.
Of course, there was also Li Xiaoran, who was staring in disbelief, pondering when Qi Nian'an had reconciled with Shao Sizhi.
This was a ceremony without a blood oath.
Consort Yi left quietly, her figure disappearing into the deepening night.
Standing alone in the hall, Qi Nian'an gazed at the deep night outside the window, knowing that this game of chess, which determined life and death, had finally entered its cruelest and most crucial final chapter.
A storm is really coming.
But this time, the prince who was not favored, Shao Sizhi, who murdered the emperor with a sword, was no longer fighting alone.
The night was as dark as ink, shrouding the palace in darkness.
Before the aftershocks of Consort Ning's death had completely subsided, an even more urgent undercurrent was already surging in.
Qi Nian'an knew that the King of Yun would not sit idly by and wait for his death, but she did not expect his counterattack to be so swift and direct, and to accurately find her most fatal weakness.
The air was thick with the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm.
Qi Nian'an dismissed his attendants and sat alone under the lamp, perusing ancient books, but his mind was not on the books at all.
The candlelight flickered, and a figure, almost blending into the shadows, appeared silently in the corner of the inner hall like a ghost.
That was no ordinary palace servant; her breathing was deep and her footsteps were silent, clearly indicating that she possessed considerable martial arts skills.
Qi Nian'an's hand holding the book paused almost imperceptibly, her heart clenched for a moment, and then she forced herself to regain her composure.
She didn't even look up, her gaze remaining fixed on the pages of the book, and said in a detached voice, "Your Highness, Prince Yun, have you finally decided to send someone?"
The dark figure paused slightly, seemingly not expecting her reaction, then let out a low sneer: "Your Highness Consort Chen is indeed intelligent. In that case, I'll get straight to the point."
His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing together, “His Highness has ordered that when the palace coup is launched, Your Highness must take advantage of your proximity to end Shao Sizhi’s life.”
Despite having anticipated it, hearing these blatant words of regicide still sent a chill down Qi Nian'an's spine, instantly spreading to every part of his body.
Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched quietly, her nails digging deep into her palms, using the stinging pain to maintain her composure.
The undercover agent continued, his voice carrying an undeniable threat and allure: "If Your Majesty succeeds in this matter, the day His Highness ascends the throne, the Empress's position will undoubtedly be yours. You will enjoy wealth and honor, and your glory will be shared with the nation."
The tone abruptly shifted, becoming icy cold, "If Your Highness is unwilling, or fails to act effectively and ruins His Highness's grand plan... then, Consort Ling will likely suffer some undeserved calamity. For example, I've heard that the head of the Li family has recently been feeling unwell..."
The words "Consort Ling" pierced Qi Nian'an's heart like an ice pick!
The softest corner of her heart.
As expected, the King of Clouds was ruthless and had accurate intelligence, which gave him a decisive advantage.
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Qi Nian'an's mind.
Anger, fear, worry—
It almost drowned her.
She couldn't refuse; refusing would mean immediate disaster for her family, it would alert the enemy, and all her previous efforts would be in vain.
She couldn't possibly agree wholeheartedly; that would be a betrayal of Shao Sizhi, a trampling of their friendship, and a path to her own destruction.
In the blink of an eye, she made her decision.
She slowly raised her head, her face drained of color, her lips trembling slightly, and her eyes revealing just the right amount of fear and struggle, as well as a trace of humiliation and resentment at being forced to submit under immense pressure.
She remained silent for a moment, as if engaged in a fierce internal struggle. In the end, as if completely defeated by the word "weakness," her shoulders slumped slightly, and her voice trembled almost imperceptibly: "...Your Highness...truly remarkable."
She took a deep breath, as if resigned to her fate, her tone carrying a calmness born from weighing the pros and cons, and even a hint of longing for power.
"Do I... have any other choice?" She paused, her gaze sharpening as she looked at the shadowy figure. "The throne? Empty words are meaningless. How can Your Highness guarantee that you won't discard me after the deed is done?"
The informant seemed quite satisfied with her reaction, and softened his tone slightly: "Your Highness is a wise woman. His Highness's word is law, how could he break his promise? Moreover, if Your Highness were to take the Phoenix Seal, it would be beneficial to His Highness in stabilizing the harem and appeasing the old officials. This is a win-win situation."
Qi Nian'an's face revealed a timely expression of desire for power, but this was quickly replaced by caution: "...His Majesty is heavily guarded, especially recently, with the secret guards never leaving his side. If we are to make a move, the timing and location must be absolutely perfect. When do you plan to launch your attack? Where should I act? What are the specific arrangements for the backup and the escape route? If these details are unclear, my rash action would be tantamount to walking into a trap. Not only would it jeopardize His Highness's important affairs, but I myself would also be in danger. Wouldn't His Highness's promise of the Empress's position be nothing but a mirage?"
She was completely calculating, wanting to accomplish the task while ensuring her own safety, even with a hint of dissatisfaction and skepticism: "Since Your Highness wants me to do such a major task that would exterminate nine generations of my family, shouldn't you at least let me know that I'm not being used as a pawn? If you just want me to act blindly, then I'm afraid I can't comply!"
The informant whispered, "Your Majesty has considered everything carefully. The specific time will be communicated at that time. The most suitable location is His Majesty's bedchamber or the Imperial Study, places Her Majesty frequents and where security is relatively lax. As for the rendezvous..."
He hesitated slightly, but still revealed some information: "Once the palace coup begins, chaos will ensue within the palace. At that time, your own people will be there to help Your Highness escape from danger. Your Highness only needs to prepare a deadly weapon and ensure that your trusted confidantes, such as that palace maid named Yixing, will not get in the way."
Qi Nian'an listened attentively, a cold smile playing on her lips, but she slowly nodded, a resolute glint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes: "Fine! I understand. As for the weapon... I will find a way. As for Yi Xing, I will handle that myself. I hope Your Highness... remembers your promise today!"
"His Highness never mistreats those who have rendered meritorious service." The undercover agent left behind these last words, then his figure flickered and disappeared back into the shadows, vanishing without a trace, as if he had never been there.
Is it really that hasty?
Qi Nian'an couldn't help but laugh. Only a few minutes had passed since she was arranged to assassinate the tyrant, and it was already settled?
A makeshift troupe.
Silence returned to the hall, broken only by the crackling of the burning candlelight.
Qi Nian'an maintained a stiff sitting posture until she was sure the person was really gone, then she suddenly relaxed, her back already soaked with cold sweat.
She stood up, supporting herself on the table, walked to the window, and gazed at the deep night outside, her heart still pounding.
I just walked on the edge of an abyss.
Any slight mishap in facial expression could be noticed by the other party, potentially leading to utter disaster.
But how long can this lie last?
The exact time of the palace coup is still unknown, and how many of the Prince of Yun's own people are still in the palace?
Every step was like walking on thin ice.
She's buried this nail way too deep!
She had to tell Shao Sizhi everything that had happened tonight without reservation.
At the same time, Li Xiaoran should be notified as soon as possible to find a way to eliminate the potential dangers of explosives-wielding assassins.
Qi Nian'an took a deep breath of the humid, hot summer night air, her eyes regaining their firmness and coldness.
The King of Yun regarded her as a pawn, but he did not know that she was no longer a puppet to be manipulated at will.
This dance of death on the edge of a knife has only just begun.
She decided to use a counter-strategy, leveraging her identity to infiltrate the tiger's den.
Uproot this traitorous party that intends to overthrow the country!
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