Minister of Personnel, Su Residence, within the secret chamber.
The flickering candlelight on the desk illuminated an elderly man as his voice, aged yet steady, slowly spread, “Have all arrangements been made?”
Su Huaixin stood bowed at the side, answering truthfully, “Father, everything is proceeding according to plan. Ye Yun only has a few Hidden Guards with her. Once we strike, it will be resolved within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Even if they investigate Ye Yun’s death thoroughly afterward, there will be no clues to trace. The Ye family guards the Northern Border, and Ye Yun’s assassination could easily be blamed on spies or assassins from the Northern Xuan Kingdom.”
“These details are unimportant. What matters is ensuring Ye Yun is successfully killed. Although we have control over Ye Yun’s movements and occupy the perfect position to strike, do not be careless. The Hidden Guards of the Protectorate Duke’s Residence must be handled with caution.”
Su Shen’s cold, stern voice stated, “This operation must eradicate the root of the problem. As long as Prince Chen is not by her side, the strike must be swift, precise, and ruthless. There must be no failure.”
“It’s just unexpected that Prince Chen cares so much about Ye Yun. Our people dare not act recklessly.”
“Shen Ye, the legitimate son of Duke Shen, is already on his way back to the capital. From what I know, Duke Shen himself is not returning to the capital to report on his duties this time. It’s likely there are other movements on the southern border with the Southern Chu. Prince Chen will be going to the Imperial Study for the next few days.”
“Father, rest assured. The people we have arranged will not miss the opportunity,” Su Huaixin affirmed.
Su Shen said in a deep voice, “Prince Chen, though not holding an official court position, is mistakenly seen by the uninformed as an idle prince. In reality, the Emperor holds his younger brother in high regard. What Prince Chen has access to, even I, the Minister of Personnel, the Secretariat Director, and the Palace Attendant may not know.”
Su Huaixin responded, “Father is right. Regardless of whether Prince Chen has such intentions, the marriage between Prince Chen’s Mansion and the Protectorate Duke’s Residence remains a hidden danger to Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince. The Protectorate Duke’s Residence cannot be used by the Crown Prince, nor can it become an asset to others. Today’s actions are preparations for the future. In the plans to come, Prince Chen must also be dealt with cautiously.”
“Focus on the present matters first,” Su Shen glanced at Su Huaixin. “Also, the Empress’s intention is that after the Crown Prince’s engagement with Ye Yun is dissolved, the position of Crown Princess will still be reserved for Ying Er. She is being raised under your care, so you must devote more effort to her education.”
“Yes, I understand.”
At this moment, in Su WanYing’s bedchamber in the rear courtyard of the Su Residence.
Xing’er, the maid attending to Su WanYing, softly reminded her, “Miss, it’s late. You should rest.”
How could Su WanYing sleep? These past few days, the news about Ye Yun… “That wretch, how could she possibly gain Prince Chen’s favor? He actually entered into an engagement with that wretch so quickly. Before, she relied on her status as the legitimate daughter of the Protectorate Duke’s Residence to suppress me. If she becomes the Consort of the Prince of Imperial Order, and I become the Crown Princess in the future, I would actually become that wretch’s junior. How detestable…”
Xing’er was well aware of why her young lady was angry. She gently reminded her, “Miss, no matter what, she won’t have the chance to smoothly enter Prince Chen’s Mansion. Have you forgotten the Empress’s plans? You need to be patient.”
Su WanYing felt she was nearly driven mad with rage, having forgotten this matter. After calming herself, she looked at Xing’er, “You’re right. Empress Aunt would never allow Prince Chen and the Protectorate Duke’s Residence to form a smooth marriage alliance. Prince Chen cannot be touched, so Ye Yun has only one path left—death.”
“That’s right, Miss, you can rest assured. Ye Yun’s glory won’t last much longer. Miss, let this servant attend to your rest.”
…
That day, Ye Yun came to the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion as usual. However, over the past couple of days, Mo Qingchen seemed very busy—she had hardly seen him. Nevertheless, the medicines she had refined these days were more than sufficient for both confronting enemies and self-protection. Even if the opponents had poison masters, her antidote pills could ensure complete safety. It was worth the great effort she had expended refining them these past days.
Manager Xu saw Ye Yun emerge from the refining room and hurried over to greet her, “Miss Ye, have you finished your refining for today?”
Ye Yun smiled without revealing any depth, “I’m merely interested in elixir making, just dabbling for fun. What do you think, Manager Xu?”
Manager Xu understood clearly. Although he wasn’t an elixirist, having been at the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion for so many years, he had a basic understanding of medicinal principles. The ingredients she had him prepare for her refining sessions—not even ordinary elixirists could handle them with ease, let alone master elixirists. He smiled at the person before him, “I understand.”
Ye Yun then left the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion and boarded the Protectorate Duke’s Residence carriage.
Lingzhi sat beside her, “Miss, you said you’ve become a true elixirist, so why did you…”
“There’s no need to hide the truth among our own people, but we must exercise restraint in front of outsiders. No need to let everyone know. This Manager Xu is a clever man and quite decent. When I put it that way, he naturally knows how to handle it.”
“Miss is so thoughtful and meticulous. This servant is ashamed of my own inadequacy.”
As these words settled, suddenly the coachman’s voice came from outside, “Miss, there’s something unusual about our route back to the residence today. Please remain seated securely in the carriage and leave everything to us.”
Ye Yun wasn’t concerned. Ever since the hidden guards who had been secretly following her were replaced with a new group—clearly more powerful than the previous ones—she had guessed the general situation. Since ancient times, the identity of imperial uncle had always been highly sensitive. Given her connection with Mo Qingchen, how could she not anticipate this? Prince Chen’s Mansion was profoundly unfathomable to begin with, and her Protectorate Duke’s Residence’s strength shouldn’t be underestimated either. Their marriage alliance—in the Imperial Capital where imperial power concentrated—would inevitably make certain people restless. However, directly targeting Mo Qingchen wasn’t a wise move, while targeting her, the sickly young miss, was naturally the best choice. If she died, the marital relationship between Prince Chen’s Mansion and the Protectorate Duke’s Residence would automatically dissolve.
She had been worrying that no one would come forward to test the medicines she refined. Immediately, she pulled out a small white porcelain bottle from her sleeve and handed it to Lingzhi, “Take this out to the coachman. If any situation arises later, have him distribute the pills inside to our people. They just need to keep the pills in their mouths.”
Lingzhi promptly complied. The moment Lingzhi withdrew back into the carriage, the carriage suddenly jolted to a halt, causing her to tumble down into a seated position.
Ye Yun raised her hand and pushed aside the curtain beside her. Heh, these people really knew how to pick their spot. Usually, this place indeed had few passersby, but it shouldn’t be completely devoid of people.
It seems they had cleared the area beforehand. In an instant, dozens of black-clad swordsmen surrounded the carriage, but the Hidden Guards secretly protecting her also emerged to form a defensive perimeter beside the carriage.
She noticed the coachman had already distributed the medicine she gave him among the guards. Casually retrieving another porcelain vial, she poured several translucent Elixirs into her palm, their faint fragrance already subtly permeating the air.
“Don’t worry, Miss. We’ll hold them off while you seize the chance to escape.”
From the opposing side came a voice dripping with icy menace, “Escape? Do you really think you can get away?”
Ye Yun sensed the encroaching threat and instantly crushed the Elixirs in her hand. The delicate fragrance abruptly intensified into a rich aroma, rapidly spreading outward from the carriage.
“Where is this scent coming from…”