After the court session ended, Du Changfu immediately caught up with the Grand Censor, who was preparing to leave the palace.

He had been in contact with Li Sheng many times before, but it was different now; he was coming to pledge his allegiance. Li Sheng had long since seen his intentions and merely gave him a cool glance, saying, "Lord Du seems to have something to say to me."

Wiping his sweat, Du Changfu said in a low voice, "Lord Grand Censor, you saw it too. In court today, the Prince Regent dealt with Zeng Yi. Actually... this subordinate feels that Zeng Yi's crime did not warrant this."

Li Sheng sneered, "Even you can see that Zeng Yi did not deserve to die. But he can only be blamed for standing in opposition to Chu Jin."

Upon hearing this, Du Changfu shuddered, his voice growing even fainter. "This..."

"However, rest assured. He won't be triumphant for much longer," Li Sheng said slowly. "No matter what, he is merely a Prince Regent. His Majesty is only ill at present. Once the Immortal Master from overseas arrives, his position naturally won't last long."

Du Changfu nodded repeatedly. "Lord Li is right. I only heard that the court sent several envoys to find the Medical Saint. I wonder when they will return?"

Stroking his beard, Li Sheng said with complete confidence, "Soon."

The words had barely left his lips when someone behind them asked, "What will be soon?"

Hearing this voice, the obsequious smile on Du Changfu's face froze, and the Hu Tablet in his hand nearly slipped from his unsteady grip. He turned around stiffly, and before he could get a clear look at the person before him, his legs went weak, and he knelt in salute. "This subordinate pays his respects to the Prince Regent."

Chu Jin seemed to be just passing by after court. He glanced askance at him and said casually, "Rise."

Du Changfu scrambled to his feet. In the process, he inadvertently met the Prince Regent's gaze and, instantly breaking out in a cold sweat, lowered his head again.

Even those most dissatisfied with this Prince Regent had to admit that he possessed an exceptional appearance. Although his smile was deep, the inherent coldness and indifference in his bones diluted the androgynous softness of his beautiful features, revealing a sharpness that made people afraid to look at him directly. He was like a longsword, nonchalant and wielded with ease, hidden within its sheath, its sharp edge ready to be revealed at any moment.

"I trust you've been well, Lord Grand Censor." The Prince Regent looked at Li Sheng, his gaze flickering without revealing any emotion. "I saw that the two of you were conversing so pleasantly just now. I wonder what it was about?"

Li Sheng looked as if he didn't want to say more, so Du Changfu had to bear the pressure from both sides. Gritting his teeth, he braced himself and said, "In reply to the Prince Regent, this subordinate received an invitation to the hundred-day celebration for the young master of Lord Li's household a few days ago. I was just now asking about the date, and Lord Li said it would be ‘soon’."

Although he was newly appointed, he understood the surging undercurrents in the sea of officialdom. Li Sheng was clearly using this opportunity to force him to declare his stance.

Upon hearing this, the Prince Regent cast a light glance his way. Though a hint of a smile lingered on his lips, his eyes were bone-chillingly cold. "Oh? Did I ask you?"

Du Changfu's entire body stiffened, and he bowed even lower.

Ignoring the profusely sweating Du Changfu, Chu Jin switched to a very natural tone and said with a faint smile, "To think the little young master of the Grand Censor's household is almost a hundred days old. How could you not inform me of such an important day?"

Li Sheng sneered inwardly but showed nothing on his face. "Rest assured, Prince Regent, the invitation will be delivered to your manor in the coming days."

There was nothing improper in their words or tone, yet Du Changfu, caught between them, was suffering immensely. He wished he could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it, terrified of being caught in their crossfire. Then, a light, emotionless laugh came from above, making his scalp tingle.

The Prince Regent curled his lip and withdrew his gaze. "That's good, then. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you two."

After he left, the oppressive presence that clung to him like a shadow finally dissipated. Du Changfu let out a breath, feeling he could breathe much more easily now.

Li Sheng watched the Prince Regent's slowly receding back and suddenly said, "Lord Du, what kind of person do you think he is?"

Du Changfu was taken aback, then gave a wry smile. "Lord Grand Censor, this is the first time this subordinate has met the Prince Regent in person since taking office. To be honest, I am terrified of one day following in the footsteps of the previous Fengchang. If I fall into the Prince Regent's hands, would it not be a hopeless situation? Therefore, this subordinate sincerely wishes to align with you, Lord Grand Censor, for no other reason than to secure a way out."

Only then did Li Sheng slowly shift his gaze to him. After scrutinizing him for a moment, he said, "Very well."

His expression gradually grew cold as he asked, "Do you know the location for Great Qin's ritual sacrifice this year?"

"This..." Du Changfu paused, startled. "This subordinate does not know."

He then heard Li Sheng say after a pause, "Qiu Jiang."

Hearing this, Du Changfu's expression changed. "Qiu Jiang? Isn't that part of Yanling's..."

Although Great Qin had been established for five years, before that, the realm was not unified but divided into three powers: Old Qin, Yanling, and the State of Dai. Later, Old Qin conquered the State of Dai and annexed Yanling, establishing its new dynasty on this land and renaming itself Great Qin.

And Qiu Jiang was located in the former territory of Yanling.

To choose the former territory of Yanling for the ritual was simply too absurd...

Just as this thought flashed through his mind, he saw Li Sheng looking at him, a rare smile on his face. "This place was chosen by Chu Jin."

Du Changfu froze.

"The more people who know about this, the better. It would be best to let Grand Marshal Xu and those ministers who follow Chu Jin know as well." Li Sheng's smile widened, deepening the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. "Seven days from now, the cruise on the Qiu Jiang Painted Boat will be the perfect opportunity for their infighting."

Inside the palace gates, a woman dressed as a palace attendant hurried past. Reaching a corner, she took a smooth stone from her robes and began to tap it lightly against the palace wall. Her technique was skilled yet peculiar; at first, it sounded chaotic, but upon closer listening, one could discern a halting rhythm.

At the same time, a carriage was parked outside the palace walls.

A youth of fourteen or fifteen stood pressed against the wall. After carefully deciphering the message in the tapping sounds, he placed two fingers to his lips and let out a clear whistle, a vivid imitation of an oriole's cry.

Upon hearing it, the palace attendant departed quietly, as if she had received her orders.

The youth turned and climbed into the carriage, lifting the curtain to the rear compartment to reveal the figure inside. The man had a cascade of black hair tied high on his head. His dark robes spread over the seat like ink, the gold-threaded cloud patterns embroidered on them seeming to rise and fall like surging waves or the first clouds of dawn. When the youth entered, the man's face was slightly turned, his gaze fixed on some unknown spot outside the window as he languidly watched the scenery.

It was none other than the new Prince Regent of Great Qin, Chu Jin.

Hearing the movement, Chu Jin glanced over. "What is it?"

"After you left," Ting Xia said, sitting down opposite him, "the Grand Censor and Grand Master of Ceremonies Du spoke privately for a long time. It seems they were plotting something."

"Oh." Chu Jin turned his head back to the scenery. "Hardly surprising."

With a flick of the whip from the driver outside, the carriage began to move. Ting Xia watched the changing scenery and couldn't help but ask, "Where are you going?"

"To Xufang City, to prepare for the ritual in a few days."

Ting Xia frowned. "I still don't understand why you insist on this Qiu Jiang Painted Boat event. Everyone knows Qiu Jiang is former Yanling territory. If you insist on holding a ritual there, are you making an offering to..."

'Are you making an offering to Yanling?'

Ting Xia didn't say the last few words aloud. His voice stopped abruptly because Chu Jin had suddenly turned to look at him, his expression placid.

"Is that what they're saying outside?" Chu Jin asked.

Ting Xia was subdued by his glance but still replied irritably, "It's more than that; the rumors are running wild. They're saying you're a rebel of Great Qin, a traitor in the court, secretly colluding with the remnants of Yanling's army and old factions. I don't even need to investigate to know the Li Faction must be behind it."

"And Xu Ying? What's his reaction?"

"Grand Marshal Xu hasn't said anything, but some people are inevitably growing restless," Ting Xia said. "You haven't forgotten how many benefits you promised those people to secure your position as Prince Regent, have you? If you shake the foundations of Great Qin, you'll be threatening their interests. How could they not be anxious?"

"Men of small measure, not worth conspiring with," Chu Jin said, unconcerned. "Those who know me will naturally trust that I would willingly die for Great Qin. As for those with ulterior motives who are so easily provoked, I suppose they still hold a grudge against me for what happened in the past. To think they actually believe I would restore Yanling... heh."

He curled his lip slightly into an arc of utmost sarcasm.

Ting Xia knew what he was referring to and that it was a taboo subject, so he immediately fell silent.

"Once the visible enemies have been cleared away, it's time to guard against internal strife." Chu Jin glanced at Ting Xia, who was cowering like a quail. "Why do you think I'm holding a ritual at Qiu Jiang? Do you really think I have nothing better to do than make offerings to a fallen, vanquished kingdom?"

Ting Xia immediately tried to save face. "I was just being inconsiderate, wasn't I? If I could read your mind, why would I be a guard? I might as well be your strategist."

Hearing this, Chu Jin gave him a look that was not quite a smile and said, "Forget it. You'd only hold me back as a strategist."

After speaking, he ignored Ting Xia's reaction, picked up a grape from the tray, and unhurriedly peeled off its skin. ""Li Sheng wants to use this as a pretext to stir their suspicion of me and incite infighting among our own. A fine calculation on his part. But I'm afraid his plan is unlikely to succeed.""

"What are you planning to do?"

"The factions within Great Qin are complex right now. Besides the standoff between me and Li Sheng's group at court, the remnants of the State of Dai and Yanling are watching from all sides like hungry tigers. Regarding the Qiu Jiang Painted Boat affair alone, those from Yanling will surely see me as a thorn in their flesh and will certainly make a move."

Chu Jin calmly popped the translucent grape into his mouth, his voice steady. "When the time comes, three sides will converge. What a lively scene it will be. Why not use this opportunity to kill the rebels, eliminate the disloyal, and purge the remnants, striking fear across the realm?"

Even Ting Xia, who had been by his side for many years, felt a deep chill upon hearing this and was rendered speechless for a long time.

If Li Sheng knew this was Chu Jin's plan, he would likely regret it to his very core.

The carriage traveled on smoothly, no one aware that its occupant was plotting a great storm. The young Prince Regent picked up a handkerchief and casually wiped the juice from his fingertips. His gaze passed through the window screen, settling on some unknown point in the distance.

He propped up his chin, his tone strange and unfathomable—

"Yanling... It's been a long time since I've returned."