With no one left to act spoiled and clingy, the room instantly fell silent.

Elder Brother Da got up and walked over to prop open the window. Accompanied by the gentle sound of strings and flutes, he waited a moment before seeing the twelfth—sitting cross-legged—board the small boat and leave. He was resting his chin in his hands, still looking rather unhappy, showing just how bad his mood was today.

Watching him leave, Elder Brother Da raised his head to look at the brightly lit capital city in the distance.

The great Da You, flourishing for two centuries, appeared splendid and prosperous on the surface, but inside it was riddled with countless wounds. In another reign, when the blessings left behind by Emperor Qi Zong completely faded, Da You’s decline would become irreversible.

The teacher had planned every detail of the current situation thoroughly—whether it would succeed in the end…

Shi Er, it’s up to you now.

The door gently opened and closed. A soft female voice came through: “My lord, no tails.”

Elder Brother Da lowered the window sash and returned inside to pick up a book again. “What do you think of Zhu Ran?”

“I think he’s hiding his true abilities. He seems easygoing and gets along with everyone, but after several interactions, I haven’t gotten any useful information from him.”

“Knowing he’s pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger is already a gain. Since we know what kind of person he is, we must not act rashly.”

“Yes, I’ll remember that.”

Seeing that his master had no further instructions, the woman quietly slipped away. After passing through one heavy door, she was still in a room; beyond the second door was her own chamber; the third door led to the boat cabin, where her personal maid waited.

Just after stepping outside, she nearly collided with someone walking quickly toward her. She swayed like a fragile willow branch and nearly fell to the side. Her maid cried out in surprise and hurried to support her.

“Oh no, Miss Qimeng, are you alright? It’s all my fault!” The man’s eyes lit up when he saw Qimeng, and he stepped forward apologetically, one hand sneakily reaching for hers.

Qimeng immediately slapped his hand away and scolded, “Don’t think you can take advantage of me.”

“Who would dare take advantage of Miss Qimeng? If anyone tries, I’ll fight them for you.” The man grinned playfully. “Miss Qimeng, you’re so beautiful today I can’t take my eyes off you.”

“Am I not beautiful on other days?” Qimeng smiled, lightly brushing her temple hair, her gaze both teasing and charming. “Liu Gongzi, if you don’t explain yourself, you’ll have to swim back to shore today.”

“Miss Qimeng is always beautiful, but today you’re so stunning you’ve got me drunk. I can’t even speak properly. Please, help me up.”

The man tried to put his arm around Qimeng’s shoulders, but she twisted her waist, slipped past him, and walked ahead. She looked back and covered her mouth to laugh, “Liu Gongzi, don’t think you can shirk responsibility—I’ll complain about you.”

“Oh, Miss Qimeng, have mercy, have mercy!” The man quickly chased after her.

Miss Qimeng was different from the other boat girls; she always picked her clients, not the other way around. Those who could get on the boat all spent big money and sweet talk, hoping to get her to beckon with a finger.

According to rumors, Qimeng hadn’t hosted a guest overnight in over two months. If someone managed to stay, it was a huge honor!

Today, everyone was putting all their effort into impressing Miss Qimeng and winning her favor. If others found out that someone secretly followed her after she left, they would be thrown off the boat.

A boat full of romantic affairs—who would know?

No one.

---

At the time, Shi Buyu and Yan Shi’an had made all preparations, but days passed and all remained calm.

Shi Buyu stared at Zhu Ling’s sheet of xuan paper for a long time before calling Yan Shi’an over.

“Nothing unusual?”

Yan Shi’an shook his head. “I paid special attention—nothing.”

“It’s not easy to act in the capital.” Shi Buyu paced back and forth, then said after a moment, “If the mountain won’t come to me, then I’ll go to the mountain. The weather’s good these days. Arrange for some people to go out and play.”

Yan Shi’an understood—too many restrictions in the city meant the opponent could only move once they left the city.

After a moment, he asked, “Should we invite Qinghuan?”

Shi Buyu was very pleased—apparently, not only she thought Qinghuan was useful, but her brother did too!

However…

“She’s a princess after all. Kidnapping people in front of her would force her to investigate. It’s best not to let her come into contact with the emperor for now.”

Yan Shi’an nodded—then they would put that aside for the moment.

Now, it was his turn to make a move.

Yan Shi’an took a deep breath, touched the protective items on his body, then confirmed one by one the items Shi Buyu had given him, even memorizing the order to use them, before sending out the invitation.

Outside the city, there were thousands of manors around the capital. Among them, the manors at the foot of the southern mountains were so expensive they were nearly impossible to buy. Underground, a hot spring bubbled up, its source controlled by powerful and influential people. Those weaker in strength managed to get property near the spring and built manors that drew in the hot spring water. Coming there in winter to escape the cold was a supreme comfort.

Yan Shi’an held the deed to one such hot spring manor.

“This is really a life fit for immortals. I must ask Yan Shi’an for this place later. Whitebeard can come enjoy it too,” Shi Buyu said as she arranged things ahead of time. She lay naked under the water, the warm spring enveloping her body, making her drowsy with comfort.

Wanxia was smoothing her hair and said, “This is just water drawn from the spring. You can ask the eldest young master if he has a residence here. Maybe he owns the spring source itself—that would be even more comfortable.”

“Elder Brother Da definitely has one. He just wants to tire my muscles and make me suffer, so he won’t give it to me.” Shi Buyu turned over and lay on her stomach, asking her nurse to massage her back. She had been working hard recently!

Wanxia didn’t expose the lady’s laziness and indulgence—she just applied a little extra pressure, making Shi Buyu moan loudly.

Yan Shi’an, in the neighboring room, heard this and knew Shi Buyu was being “handled” by her nurse. Coupled with the unusual music, he went over the plan one more time.

October 28, The Elegant Gathering at Taosheng.

This was Young Master Shi’an’s first time hosting such a gathering, and many responded. Every invitation was accepted, and Taosheng Manor had never been so lively.

As the host, Yan Shi’an made sure everything was in order. When the wine was flowing, he reclined in a round chair, nearly dozing off.

“Oh dear, Young Master, why are you lying here? Let me help you back to your room to rest!”

Here they come.

Yan Shi’an slightly opened his eyes and looked at two unfamiliar men. His heart involuntarily quickened. He had taken the initiative in this trap, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t nervous.

The men who served him closely were conveniently absent. Those who half-supported, half-forced him sighed in relief as they helped him hasten away.

They stopped in a secluded spot. When he felt someone cover his mouth and nose with a handkerchief, Yan Shi’an held his breath. Once the hand released, he immediately took slow, deep breaths. His head felt a little dizzy.

He felt someone put a cloak on him, the hood covering his face. He let them move him like an unconscious person, his eyes half-closed as they carried him away from the manor.