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Yang Xu was well aware of his intentions in sending Liu Yuan to the Royal Horse Supervisor's office.

He had always allowed his adopted sons to engage in open and covert struggles for power. With age, he feared nothing more than traitors who ate from both sides. The mutual supervision and hindrance among his sons gave him the most comfort.

Yet, he never expected such cunning from a captivating and gender-bending performer.

Not only did Liu Yuan become involved with Gui Zhong, but he also managed to have the Chief Censor from the Board of Supervisors personally plead for his life at the Supervisor of Ceremonies.

Pei Shunnian could not tolerate betrayal. Gui Zhong was a pawn the Emperor had sent to defy him. He endured not being able to touch Gui Zhong, but now even Liu Yuan was out of bounds.

After so many years as the Grand Seal Bearer, he had never felt so humiliated.

Fixing his gaze on Liu Yuan's luxurious face for a moment, Pei Shunnian slowly clenched the jade ring in his hand.

"Do you know why I summoned you here?" he asked.

"I am clueless, and I hope Lord Ancestor will enlighten this servant," Liu Yuan replied with a charming smile, his vermilion mole between his brows shimmering with an eerie radiance.

Pei Shunnian had never favored those with overly seductive appearances. He averted his eyes, hiding the disgust in them, and said, "The Emperor sent you to Yangzhou as a military supervisor. Were there any other tasks assigned?"

Yangzhou was one of the wealthiest prefectures in Great Yin. Back when Yang Xu had served as a military supervisor there, he had amassed considerable wealth. Naturally, most of that money had been offered as tribute to Pei Shunnian.

With age came caution.

When Emperor Jiayou assigned Liu Yuan to be the military supervisor in Yangzhou, Pei Shunnian first wondered if the Emperor intended to settle old scores with him.

Liu Yuan maintained his cheerful smile. "Don't worry, Your Ancestor. His Majesty is concerned about the pirate threat in Yangzhou, so he has sent me there."

Unable to discern whether Liu Yuan's words were sincere or deceitful, Pei Shunnian grew increasingly wary. He was contemplating how to reprimand Liu Yuan when the mysterious figure spoke again. "Does Your Ancestor know whom Father-in-law asked me to sing for last year?"

Pei Shunnian narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

"The Left Supreme Commander of the Qi family."

Upon hearing this, Pei Shunnian's anger could no longer be contained. He slammed his hand onto the side table with a loud "slap."

Idiot!

To secretly conspire with Qi Heng behind his back, did they really think he was too old and blind to see through their tricks?

No wonder his downfall was so swift. That fool must have assumed that His Majesty's health was failing, thus secretly aligning himself with the Qi family, hoping to secure his position as Grand Censor under the Second Prince's reign.

He truly didn't understand His Majesty.

The Emperor's stance on Empress Qi and her family had always been ambiguous. Pei Shunnian was still unsure if His Majesty intended to keep the Qi family or not.

With His Majesty's health deteriorating day by day, if the Qi family wasn't eliminated soon, unless the Second Prince succeeded the throne, the moment the First Prince ascended, the scene of the vassals surrounding the capital to seize the imperial power would undoubtedly repeat itself.

Then, the entire Great Yin would plunge into civil unrest.

It was precisely because of the Emperor's inaction against the Qi family that Yang Xu wrongly assumed His Majesty favored the Second Prince, hastily pledging allegiance to the Qi family.

Truly, he had a shortsighted vision.

Pei Shunnian felt a chill run down his spine. Would His Majesty suspect him of colluding with the Qi family too?

The old eunuch's face alternated between pale and flushed, and soon he was drenched in cold sweat.

Liu Yuan reassured with a smile, "Ancestral Lord, rest assured. Viceroy Noble has already informed His Majesty that this traitor Yang Xu acted behind your back, and you were also kept in the dark."

Pei Shunnian looked at Liu Yuan with a complicated expression, his withered face now bearing a hint of resignation.

At this moment, if he still couldn't guess that Gui Zhong was the Emperor's man, then all those years serving as the Grand Censor would have been for naught.

If Gui Zhong was indeed the Emperor's man, then to whom did this enchanting figure belong—Meng Zong or the Emperor?

Forget it, forget it. He was about to step down from his position as the Grand Censor anyway; who this mysterious person served no longer mattered to him.

With a lack of enthusiasm, Pei Shunnian said, "Leave now and carry out His Majesty's orders diligently."

"Aye."

Liu Yuan withdrew, leaving the office of the Supervisor of Ceremonies. As he exited, he happened to catch sight of Mu Rong striding hastily towards the Meridian Gate, presumably on his way out of the palace to return to the Duke of Guardian's residence.

It was almost the fifth hour of the afternoon, and Miss Ren had likely finished her archery practice by now.

A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of Liu Yuan's lips.

The old Secretary of State had a fondness for Minister Gu, while Chief Censor Meng held Minister Gu in high regard. Even Liu Yuan himself admired this official quite a bit.

Today, if he hadn't intervened in Rong Shu's matter, who knows, General Mu might have already succeeded in winning half of her affection.

Twirling the ring on his finger, he called over a nearby eunuch and said with a smile, "Continue to have Prince An invite General Mu to the palace tomorrow to teach him archery."

Gu Changjin was unaware that Liu Yuan had already arranged Mu Rong's schedule for the following day.

As soon as he finished his duties and got into his carriage, Chang Ji informed him, "Master, we've found out about General Mu."

"Tell me."

Chang Ji studied him and spoke with a serious tone, "General Mu doesn't have any concubines or secret lovers in Datong Prefecture. There are also no rumors of any favorites at the pleasure houses. From what I can tell, General Mu is still inexperienced and seems to be someone of propriety."

Gu Changjin knitted his brows at him.

Chang Ji shrank back slightly before continuing, "There's one more thing, Master. I've heard that Madam is also planning to go to Yangzhou. This news came from the Guardian General's estate, so it should be reliable."

She's going to Yangzhou?

Gu Changjin's gaze froze for a moment, and he unconsciously clenched the teacup in his hand.

After a moment of silence, he asked softly, "When is she planning to leave?"

Chapter 44

Chang Ji scratched his cheek. "Well… your servant truly doesn't know. Young Lady might choose an auspicious day to set off, perhaps the very best day?"

Gu Changjin didn't respond.

Chang Ji ventured, "Shall we change the departure schedule, Master? Young Lady will have to visit the ferry to book a boat before she leaves. We'll know her exact departure date then."

Gu Changjin fell silent for a while before shaking his head. "No need to change it. Proceed with the original plan."

The next evening, as the golden sun sank in the west, a convoy of merchants left the city gate.

Half an hour later, Liu Yuan and Pan Xueliang received word that the merchant convoy had departed from the capital, hidden within its ranks.