Just as when she left the palace, Jiu Yue returned with equal discretion.
When Emperor Yan suddenly heard Eunuch Mao announce that Her Highness the Crown Princess requested an audience, he couldn’t help but ask, "Are you sleepwalking today?"
Zhaoning wasn’t supposed to arrive until noon.
Yet the next second, Jiu Yue peeked in with a mischievous grin.
"Imperial Father!"
Emperor Yan: "..."
He turned to Eunuch Mao. "Perhaps it is I who am sleepwalking."
Not only had Zhaoning returned to the palace, but she was also lively and energetic, her complexion even better than when she had first come back.
Eunuch Mao tactfully withdrew, while Jiu Yue stifled a laugh. She pulled out a piece of hawthorn cake from somewhere and presented it like a treasure. "Imperial Father, try this! It’s a bit crumbled from being carried around… but the flavor is still there."
Emperor Yan eyed the suspicious pile of what looked like pastry crumbs, his eyelid twitching slightly.
Despite his expression of distaste, he still accepted the oil-paper package and took a bite, humoring her.
"Not bad… bought from the foot of Golden Jade Ridge, wasn’t it?" Emperor Yan gazed at her affectionately and smiled. "If you like it, just have Wu Liang fetch more. It’s not that far."
"It’s not that I particularly like it—I just wanted to bring some for you to try." Jiu Yue leaned over to brush the crumbs from his beard, smiling sweetly. "Do you like it, Imperial Father?"
"A taste is enough; no need for indulgence." Emperor Yan answered honestly, his eyes never leaving her as he scrutinized her carefully. Then, with concern, he asked, "Is there any lingering poison in your system?"
"Don’t worry!" Jiu Yue immediately demonstrated her vigor by bouncing around energetically. "I’m strong as an ox! A little poison can’t take me down!"
Emperor Yan’s eyelid twitched violently. "...Speak properly. Get down from the rafters first."
"Oh." Jiu Yue obediently sat back down.
Emperor Yan sighed, a trace of heartache flashing in his eyes. "It was still my oversight… I never imagined they would dare act so brazenly. They deserve death!"
Jiu Yue’s expression faltered slightly, and she seized the moment to ask, "Imperial Father, has there been any progress in the poisoning investigation?"
"Yan An only identified the type of poison…" Emperor Yan avoided elaborating and instead said, "Zhaoning, leave this matter to me. I’ll give you an answer—don’t trouble yourself over it."
Jiu Yue hesitated, but before she could speak, he continued, "The horse sent by Eastern Yue is still in the stables. I’ll have Shen Chuan accompany you to ride it."
"But Imperial Father, I—"
"I know. Don’t worry—as long as I’m here, nothing will happen." Emperor Yan patted her shoulder. "Go on. I still have matters to attend to… Eunuch Mao will escort you back."
Jiu Yue was momentarily taken aback but ultimately left under Emperor Yan’s watchful gaze.
Eunuch Mao accompanied Jiu Yue back to the Eastern Palace, only to then take Sima Qing away with him.
Jiu Yue quickly realized that Emperor Yan must have taken the bait Sima Qing had subtly cast earlier.
"Don’t worry," Sima Qing reassured her before leaving. "Wait for me to return."
...
In the imperial study.
Emperor Yan’s expression was far less amiable when facing Sima Qing.
"Has Zhaoning truly fully recovered?" Emperor Yan demanded.
"Her Highness is completely healed," Sima Qing replied calmly. "Your Majesty need not worry about the upcoming hunting assembly."
Emperor Yan exhaled heavily. "If it weren’t necessary, I’d find an excuse to keep Zhaoning from appearing at all."
The poisoning incident had left him deeply unsettled—he couldn’t shake the fear that Zhaoning was constantly in danger.
But Sima Qing lifted his gaze and said, "If she doesn’t appear, how will we lure the snake out of its hole?"
Emperor Yan frowned. "You intend to use Zhaoning as bait?"
"This is our only chance," Sima Qing said, lowering his eyes. "One calculated risk could secure her safety for the rest of her life. Your Majesty understands the stakes."
Of course, Emperor Yan understood.
But the thought of the danger involved made it difficult for him to accept.
"I don’t care." Emperor Yan flicked his sleeve and glared. "If bait is needed, I’ll be the one to take the risk. Devise another plan—keep Zhaoning out of it."
Sima Qing: "..."
After taking a sip of tea, Sima Qing spoke again. "Your Majesty, let’s discuss this again once you’ve calmed down."
Emperor Yan’s willingness to act as bait was one thing—whether Lv Jinge would dare strike was another.
Had they spent years scheming for the crown prince’s position because they lacked the audacity to target the emperor directly?
Of course not.
The emperor ruled a nation, and the court’s power structure was far more complex than that of the martial world. For a mere martial sect to dare assassinate a sovereign would provoke the court’s wrath, dragging the entire martial world into chaos.
The martial world had no shortage of masters, but could they withstand the might of an imperial army?
For the Rakshasa Gang, targeting the crown princess was already an act of madness.
Still, considering another possibility, Sima Qing cast a meaningful glance at Emperor Yan.
"Besides, Your Majesty has your own schemes to attend to. Leave Her Highness’s affairs to me."
Emperor Yan eyed him skeptically.
Sima Qing brushed off his robes and rose slowly.
"Your Majesty need not look at me like that. I made my intentions clear before ever setting foot in Great Yan."
"By duty and by heart, I will strive to secure her future."
"Whether you believe me or not is up to you."
Emperor Yan’s mood darkened.
"You’d better keep your word." He snorted coldly. "Your time is limited. If you dedicate yourself to eliminating Zhaoning’s threats, I’ll ensure you depart with dignity."
Dignity…
The warmth in Sima Qing’s eyes faded as he smirked.
"If the dignity Your Majesty speaks of means another man taking my place by Her Highness’s side, then I’m afraid I must decline such an honor."
Emperor Yan: "..."
After a pause, Emperor Yan retorted, "Why the rush? If Zhaoning doesn’t favor him, do you think I’d force her?"
"Besides, it’s just horseback riding." Emperor Yan said sternly. "Shen Chuan is a master rider. With him instructing her, I can rest easy."
"Ah, so it’s his riding skills that are exceptional." Sima Qing nodded in understanding. "How fortunate. My own skills are mediocre—if General Shen is willing to teach, I’d be honored to learn as well."
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and strode out without a care.
Emperor Yan: "..."
That old fox! How dare he try to seduce Zhaoning with his looks!
"Mao Dequan! Mao Dequan!" Emperor Yan immediately summoned his eunuch. "Go, invite the Eastern Yue crown prince! He’s been feeling guilty, hasn’t he? Take him to the stables—let him watch Zhaoning tame that horse!"
Naturally, Jiu Yue didn’t wait idly in the Eastern Palace for Sima Qing’s return.
She had her own matters to attend to.
At the royal stables, Jiu Yue stood in sleek riding attire, looking particularly dashing.
Behind her was Shen Chuan, clad in black riding gear, while Fu Yan’an stood to the side in a blue robe.
The Shen family was a military lineage, and Shen Chuan was the most outstanding of the younger generation, also a close friend of Fu Yan’an.
Fu Yan’an had come specifically to watch his friend teach their elusive cousin how to ride.
"Your Highness, the black steed gifted by Eastern Yue is indeed a rare breed, but its temper is fierce…" Shen Chuan explained patiently as Jiu Yue listened.
Jiu Yue knew how to ride, but she wasn’t sure about her ability to tame a wild horse—she had never tried before.
Moreover, the thought of that black horse’s disdainful look that night made Jiu Yue’s lips twitch.
This horse was clearly a troublemaker.
So Jiu Yue listened intently.
By now, the group had arrived at the stables. The black horse was tied up separately, its trough filled with premium hay untouched, the entire animal looking utterly listless.
Fu Yan’an couldn’t help but step forward, rubbing his chin as he asked Shen Chuan, “Is this horse sick?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Shen Chuan’s expression shifted. “Step back, now!”
The previously lethargic black horse suddenly reared up, its muzzle lunging toward Fu Yan’an.
Fu Yan’an froze, but Jiu Yue, quicker to react, swiftly yanked him aside.
Then, staring into the horse’s face… Jiu Yue strangely detected a glint of mischief in its large, fluttering eyes.
The black horse even let out a mocking “laugh,” its gaze toward Jiu Yue brimming with the same contempt as that night.
Jiu Yue: “…”
Behind them, Shen Chuan was about to warn her when Jiu Yue, deadpan, reached out and slapped the horse across its muzzle.
Shen Chuan: “…”
Fu Yan’an, still stumbling from being shoved aside: “…”
