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Yun Chu left the residence at the third quarter of the si hour (around 9:45 AM).
After having breakfast, Ya Xiang and Jiang Xiang set up a guqin for him in the courtyard of Hanmei Residence. He was idly plucking the strings when a servant from the front yard came to report that someone from Prince Changling’s manor had arrived.
Yun Chu asked, “Did you tell him that Her Highness the Eldest Princess has left for court today?”
The servant scratched his head, puzzled. “I did, but he said he’s not here to see Her Highness—he’s here for you, Master.”
“For me?”
Yun Chu frowned slightly.
“Yes, he’s waiting at the gate.”
Yun Chu was momentarily silent, recalling Prince Changling from his past life.
This was a man whose stance he had never fully understood. He appeared detached from worldly struggles, yet he opposed Li Yunli at every turn. Before Yun Chu launched his rebellion for revenge, he had always believed Prince Changling harbored ambition.
As the late emperor’s younger brother, Prince Changling was the only one in the imperial clan capable of taking on the responsibility of regency, given that the emperor’s sons were still young.
Had the late emperor made a different choice, he could have named Prince Changling the Crown Prince Regent, making him the emperor instead.
Though he had remained in the shadows, Yun Chu knew of his ambitions.
Because in his past life, they had once cooperated.
After Li Yunli left for Yongzhou, Prince Changling exchanged letters with Yun Chu, helping him reunite with his old subordinates.
In return, Yun Chu was to keep Li Yunli occupied so she would have no time for military or political matters.
At the time, Yun Chu thought this was just Prince Changling’s way of seizing power. Trapped in his own cage and desperate for an opportunity, he agreed to the alliance.
He fulfilled his end of the bargain, and Li Yunli ultimately became distracted from state affairs. But Prince Changling never made any significant moves.
He remained obscure, so even though he had once aided Yun Chu’s revenge, he never attracted much of Yun Chu’s attention.
Now, in this life, Li Yunli had already returned from Yongzhou, yet Prince Changling had specifically chosen a time when she was absent to seek him out?
Yun Chu’s guard went up once more.
“I see.” He responded indifferently to the servant, then stood up and headed out.
The walk from Hanmei Residence to the main entrance was short. Yun Chu found that it wasn’t Prince Changling himself waiting for him, but one of his retainers.
He had barely interacted with this man in his past life, but had heard of him.
“Mr. Sikong.” Yun Chu addressed him.
Sikong Nan nodded slightly. “Apologies for troubling you, Master Yun. My lord invites you to meet him at Shuiyue Pavilion.”
Shuiyue Pavilion was in the southwestern corner of the capital. The journey there would require horseback riding.
Yun Chu lowered his gaze, his voice calm. “I have no dealings with Prince Changling. Moreover, Her Highness is not at the residence today—it would be improper for me to leave without permission.”
Sikong Nan chuckled. “We anticipated that Master Yun might decline. My lord instructed me to pass along a message: Would you be willing to come if it concerns the former subordinates of the Third Prince of Wei?”
Yun Chu blinked lightly.
As expected.
In his past life, Prince Changling’s involvement in reuniting him with his former men was likely more than just assistance—it was pivotal.
A faint smile curled Yun Chu’s lips.
Seeing his reaction, Sikong Nan knew he had his attention.
He bowed. “I shall await you at Shuiyue Pavilion.”
“Alright.”
Yun Chu agreed in front of Sikong Nan and ordered a horse to be prepared.
Shuiyue Pavilion was only a street away from Prince Changling’s manor.
Sikong Nan had already arranged a private table.
Standing by the window on the second floor, Yun Chu could see Prince Changling’s residence in the distance. It wasn’t far at all.
He turned back, smirking. “Since you chose such a location, why not invite me to the manor instead? Afraid I’ll dirty your esteemed grounds?”
Sikong Nan poured him a drink. “You jest, Third Prince. Discussions of confidential matters require discretion. It wouldn’t do to make such things too public.”
Yun Chu had come to find out what Prince Changling wanted. If it was a threat to Li Yunli, he intended to crush it before it took form.
He took a few steps back to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
“I’m here. When will Prince Changling arrive?”
Sikong Nan replied, “My lord is occupied with other matters. Today, I will discuss the issue with you on his behalf.”
His tone was natural, without the slightest hint of apology for Prince Changling’s absence.
Yun Chu remained silent, watching him.
If Sikong Nan was so composed, it meant he was confident that what he had to say would interest Yun Chu.
Sikong Nan smiled. “Forgive me, Your Highness. Please, eat.”
Yun Chu averted his gaze and symbolically picked up his chopsticks.
Sikong Nan toasted him. “I heard that during the Eldest Princess’s trip to Yongzhou, Your Highness secretly met with Chancellor Zheng before being captured and brought back by Her Highness?”
Yun Chu paused for a moment before chuckling. “Prince Changling’s reach is impressive—even this is known?”
Sikong Nan waved a hand. “No need to be upset. We have our ways. Surely, Your Highness wouldn’t want to continue living under a woman’s authority after meeting Chancellor Zheng?”
The more Sikong Nan spoke, the more Yun Chu suspected that there was far more to the story than he had realized.
Suppressing his thoughts, he put on a displeased expression.
He played the part of a man who was unwilling to admit his frustrations but couldn’t hide his resentment—impatient, irritable, and hostile.
“What exactly do you want?”
Sikong Nan immediately flattered him. “Your Highness is a man of great ambition. Enduring hardship is the price of success. My lord has heard of how you swiftly regained the Eldest Princess’s trust after being taken back from Yongzhou. That is proof of your resilience. Thus, my lord wishes to form an alliance with you.”
Yun Chu smirked inwardly.
So, once again, Prince Changling wanted him to beguile Li Yunli and keep her distracted?
Feigning curiosity, he pressed on. “What grand plan? And how does it relate to my former subordinates?”
Sikong Nan lowered his voice. “We both know that although the state of Wei has fallen, Your Highness is still alive. Many among the remnants of the restoration faction still hold hope. Chancellor Zheng is proof. We can help you reunite with your people.”
Yun Chu swirled his wine cup, as if tempted.
But then he paused. “No one does business without profit. This is treason—what resources does Prince Changling have, and why would he help me?”
Sikong Nan produced a letter bearing Chancellor Zheng’s seal.
Reading through it, Yun Chu’s expression remained unchanged, but his mind raced.
So Prince Changling had been working with Chancellor Zheng?
And their plans involved the upcoming spring hunt?
Sikong Nan finally revealed their condition: “Your Highness only needs to persuade the Eldest Princess to attend the hunt next month.”
Yun Chu narrowed his eyes. “Just that?”
He knew it wasn’t that simple.
“The less you know, the safer you are,” Sikong Nan said with a smile.
Yun Chu leaned forward, his voice low. “Prince Changling—do you want the Eldest Princess dead?”