"My lord, please stop talking. The imperial physicians will arrive soon," Zhang Ying said, dabbing at the blood on the Emperor's lips with a handkerchief.
"I am fine, I... I will be fine," the Emperor struggled, attempting to sit up. Before he could, his body slumped, and he collapsed onto the dragon throne.
Xie Residence
Xie Jia Yan spent the entire night in the study. The door to the room was left ajar, and the wind rustling the beaded curtain occasionally broke the silence, but the pages of the book in his hand remained untouched for a long time.
After an unknown period, footsteps shattered the quiet night.
"Young Master, it is done," Liao Kong arrived under the cover of night, his body seemingly still carrying the scent of blood.
He must have changed his outer garments specifically for this visit, but Xie Jia Yan's keen sense of smell detected it nonetheless.
"You took action?"
"The Yao family hired assassins from the Shadow Sect. It was unavoidable!" Liao Kong stated concisely.
"The Shadow Sect? The Yao family has considerable influence," Xie Jia Yan's voice rumbled from his throat, laced with mockery.
"Does my lord wish to pay them a visit?" Liao Kong asked cautiously.
The Young Master had been planning for years, only wishing for the day when mother and son would be reunited. Now, that day had finally arrived.
"The time is not yet right. You may go and rest. Dispose of your inner garments as well."
"Yes!"
The chess piece Xie Jia Yan had been holding finally fell into place.
This was the unfinished game he had played with the Emperor that day. A move made without regret; he had won this game.
...
Yu Ming Yue waited in Cui Jiu Lang's courtyard until almost dawn before he returned.
The elegant Cui Jiu Lang seemed somewhat disheveled today, his anxious expression evident in his brow.
"Uncle!"
Upon seeing Yu Ming Yue, Cui Jiu Lang's face broke into a fond smile. "Moon, why are you up so early?"
"Uncle did not return all night yesterday."
Cui Jiu Lang chuckled. "Last night, Uncle drank too much with some friends and stayed at a friend's house."
"Which friend is so stingy that they wouldn't even offer Uncle breakfast?" Yu Ming Yue's words, though seemingly innocent, exposed Cui Jiu Lang's lie.
"I caused them trouble all night, how could I impose further?" Cui Jiu Lang said, though a hint of guilt flickered within him.
Sister was right; this child was not easily fooled.
"Uncle, what happened last night?" Yu Ming Yue decided to be direct.
"What happened?" Cui Jiu Lang feigned ignorance.
"Yesterday, the Qian Niu Guards left the city overnight, heading towards Mount Qian Shan. I fear someone has alerted a distinguished person," Yu Ming Yue's tone was neither hurried nor accusatory, yet it sent a jolt of alarm through Cui Jiu Lang.
Li Fu's message, sent back in the dead of night, mentioned seeing many Qian Niu Guards leaving the city, all heading towards Mount Qian Shan.
Mount Qian Shan was a royal temple. The deployment of so many Qian Niu Guards could only be due to that distinguished individual.
"Moon, you are still young. It is better for you not to know some things," Cui Jiu Lang sighed.
Last night's miscalculation had undone all his meticulous planning. If the situation in You Zhou had already succeeded, the Great Wei would likely fall into chaos.
If the realm descended into chaos, the Five Great Clans would be the culprits, and the Cui family would not escape blame.
"Uncle knows that the Yu family possesses an innate sense of direction, and my elder brother is particularly skilled. Therefore, with him around, the Seventh Prince would never get lost." Yu Ming Yue watched Cui Jiu Lang's expression intently.
Although Cui Jiu Lang appeared calm, a terrifying thought flashed through his mind.
That's right, he had forgotten such an important detail.
When Ming Jing was five, he could clearly discern directions while hunting with Cui Jiu Lang.
Not only that, but he could also locate his companions the fastest.
It was the time when San Lang, lost in the deep forest while playing, was guided by the five-year-old Ming Jing.
At that time, they all thought it was a fluke, how could a five-year-old child have such a strong sense of direction?
News from You Zhou indicated that Ming Jing was also missing. He must have gone to find the isolated Seventh Prince, and was now with him.
Then the assassins sent by the Wang family...