Behind them, the forest fire spread rapidly. In a short while, Mount Qinglong was engulfed in a sea of fire.

And on the back side of Mount Qinglong, across the Shunqing River, the residence of the Garrison Eunuch Yao Jin had completely fallen into chaos.

Eunuch He and Yao Jin had been catching up pleasantly when they suddenly saw the neighboring mountain catch fire. Black smoke spiraled upward, piercing straight into the sky, and ashes drifted across the great river on the wind, with quite a lot falling into the residence.

Yao Jin only took one look before withdrawing his gaze. "The climate in Hedong Prefecture is dry. It burns a few times every early spring, so it's nothing surprising. We are separated by the river here; the fire won't reach us, so there's no need to worry." He stood up to pour tea for Eunuch He. "Come, Director He, try this newly tributed tea of mine."

Eunuch He took a sip. "The dry weather this year is frightening. Since the beginning of spring, seven or eight forest fires have already been reported. Let's hope no lives are lost."

Yao Jin: "Probably not. Mount Qinglong is a desolate, uninhabited area..."

Before he could finish speaking, Director He violently spat out his tea, spraying Yao Jin all over. He began to cough violently and reached out to grab Yao Jin's collar button, almost lunging onto him. "Cough, cough, cough! What mountain did you say that was?"

"Uh, Mount Qinglong?"

Yao Jin replied tentatively. Eunuch He immediately tumbled and scrambled out of his chair, shrieking, "Men! Cross the river! Search the mountain! Put out the fire!"

Yao Jin supported him. "No, what's wrong? Is there something on that mountain?"

Eunuch He's eyes were practically splitting at the seams. "The Second Highness! The Second Highness is up there!"

Xiao Shao had told him before leaving that he was going to Mount Qinglong to collect folk songs and enjoy the scenery. Calculating the time, he should be on the mountain right now.

Yao Jin panicked. They were different from Song Luyang. Song Luyang was born into a proper aristocratic family and was a core fourth-rank official. His Hedong Song clan was deeply rooted with countless partisans in the court and among the public. Furthermore, if a prince had an accident while managing the floods, Song Luyang couldn't be entirely to blame. Even if Emperor Jianning wanted to deal with him severely, the Grand Secretariat would remonstrate.

However, the two of them were inner court eunuchs who had reached their current positions entirely relying on the emperor's favor. The only person they could rely on was the emperor. If Emperor Jianning's most favored prince died in their territory, let alone their future prospects, they wouldn't even be able to keep their lives under the emperor's wrath.

Yao Jin immediately got up, abandoning his tea, and mobilized all the forces under his command to cross the river and put out the fire.

Xiao Shao and Qi Yan were currently descending the mountain along a small stream.

With the mountain stream nearby, the temperature was still bearable. Both of them covered their mouths and noses with wet silk handkerchiefs, wringing them out every few minutes, so they weren't afraid of the smoke and dust for the time being.

Mount Qinglong was not large to begin with. Before long, they caught sight of the Shunqing River.

This great river separating the two towns meandered past. As it flowed beneath Mount Qinglong, the terrain became gentler and the water surface gradually broadened. There were countless sails on the river. Looking from afar, Xiao Shao saw a fleet of ships heading in their direction.

He took some damp mud from the stream and smeared it on his and Qi Yan's cheeks, hair, and clothes. In a short while, the two clean and tidy individuals looked utterly miserable and disheveled.

Afterward, Xiao Shao took out a fingernail-sized pill from his sleeve. It was brownish-dark and smelled fishy and foul. He examined it with disgust for a long time before tilting his head back and swallowing it.

Qi Yan was wringing out his handkerchief by the river and didn't see his actions. Xiao Shao paused for a moment to let it settle, then suddenly crossed his arms and said with a smile, "Little Tanhua, look at me."

Qi Yan looked up and was suddenly startled.

Xiao Shao was still smiling, but a bit of fresh blood spilled from his lips. The blood rolled down the corner of his mouth, forming a piercing scarlet trail. Then, he staggered two steps, his knees gave way, and he fell to his knees, leaning against a tree trunk unmoving.

Qi Yan was shocked, the handkerchief slipping from his grasp. Before he could even think, he half-knelt beside him. "Your Highness!"

Xiao Shao's chest heaved. He tried to speak, but another stream of bloody water spilled from his lips. His originally normal complexion gradually paled. A series of coughs were suppressed in his throat, compressed into painful groans, and blood gushed from his mouth and nose with the groans, sliding down his jaw. Before long, his chest was dyed red.

Qi Yan froze at first, and then visibly panicked, throwing himself in front of Xiao Shao. "Your Highness? Your Highness! ...What's wrong with you? What's happening?"

At this time, the rule-abiding and well-mannered little Tanhua could no longer care about the etiquette between master and servant. He grabbed Xiao Shao's arm and reached out to wipe the blood from his lips. The warm blood stained his fingertips, like magma, burning so much that the pads of Qi Yan's fingers trembled uncontrollably. He shiveringly untied his bundle, took out a waterskin and a handkerchief, and wiped the blood from Xiao Shao's jaw. But it kept flowing after being wiped clean, and flowing again after being wiped clean. Finally, more than half of the handkerchief was soaked through, filled with eye-piercing bright red.

Qi Yan clutched the handkerchief, panicked and at a loss.

Xiao Shao leaned weakly against the tree trunk, one hand clutching his chest, panting intermittently. His voice was hoarse and very light, his breathing barely detectable, as if he would draw his last breath in the next second.

Qi Yan had never seen Xiao Shao in such a state. He placed his hand on Xiao Shao's chest to help smooth his breathing. "Yao Jin's fleet has already landed and will be here momentarily. Your Highness, I will go guide them here..."

As he spoke, he got up to leave, but his wrist was grabbed. Then came a massive force, and caught off guard, Qi Yan fell back down beside Xiao Shao.

The dragging force was so great that it didn't show the slightest sign of weakness.

Xiao Shao had originally been resting his eyes weakly, but after yanking him back, he half-opened his eyelids and glanced across the little Tanhua's face. However, Qi Yan was full of panic and bewilderment and completely didn't notice this. He only gripped Xiao Shao's sleeve tightly, his fingertips turning pale with exertion, as if he would lose something extremely important the moment he let go.

And so, Xiao Shao closed his eyes and coughed up another mouthful of blood.

Qi Yan wiped it away with the handkerchief. Xiao Shao spoke weakly, "There's no need... to go look for them. They will... be here... in a moment."

Then he covered his lips with his hand and began to cough affectedly.

Qi Yan's voice was tight. "What should I do?"

He was indeed incredibly learned, and could speak with assurance about governing the country and managing state affairs, but facing a "dying" Xiao Shao, Qi Yan was completely at a loss. He only hated that he had never dabbled in medical books, proving himself to be a useless scholar.

Xiao Shao lifted his eyelids. "Come a little closer, my neck hurts."

Resting his crooked neck against the tree trunk, the wood was too hard and uncomfortably dug into him.

Qi Yan obediently moved closer.

So Xiao Shao tilted his head slightly and rested it on his shoulder.

The muscles beneath him twitched and suddenly tensed, but then quickly relaxed again. Xiao Shao found it amusing. He kept his eyes closed and didn't speak, simply nestling against the little Tanhua's neck. His soft hair slipped into the collar of his clothes, brushing against the skin on his chest, creating a ticklish, numb sensation. Qi Yan shivered but quickly calmed down again, allowing Xiao Shao to use his shoulder as a pillow.

Afterward, Qi Yan took out the handkerchief and wiped away the cold sweat from Xiao Shao's forehead. His expression was meticulous and focused, as if he were wiping an expensive antique. Xiao Shao fluttered his eyelids once and quickly closed them again, lazily enjoying Qi Yan's services.

On the other side, Yao Jin had finally searched his way here.

He led his men darting through the woods, looking up at the sea of fire on the mountain peak with absolute despair.

The paths in this area were complicated, with undulating terrain. If they hadn't studied the topographical map and located the stream, it would have been very easy to get lost in the mountains. And everyone knew that the Second Prince, Xiao Shao, was an ignorant incompetent. He certainly wouldn't be able to read a map. If he was scurrying around blindly in the mountains like a headless fly, there was a nine out of ten chance he had already burned to death, reduced to charcoal.

At this moment, he and Eunuch He felt as if they could already foresee their bleak end of being loathed by the emperor and spending the rest of their lives in misery.

An attendant carefully observed their expressions. "Eunuch, should we continue the search?"

Yao Jin gritted his teeth. "Search! Even if there's only the slightest possibility, we absolutely cannot give up!"

The group darted rapidly through the forest. The sound of black boots treading on fallen leaves rustled continuously. Xiao Shao, closing his eyes and concentrating, heard it clearly.

He looked up at Qi Yan. The little Tanhua's eyes had been red ever since they were at Prince An's tomb. He had managed to pull himself together, but now they were red again. Xiao Shao felt an inexplicable sense of smugness. 'Could it be he's upset for my sake? The decisive and ruthless Lord from the past life never had red eyes for anyone.' He squeezed Qi Yan's fingers and softly instructed by his ear, "When Yao Jin gets here in a moment, just keep up this expression. Leave the rest to me."

Qi Yan froze. A guard had already spotted them and shouted, "The Second Prince is here!"

Subsequently, a squad of men swarmed over in unison.

Yao Jin walked up to Xiao Shao and let out a sigh of relief. 'I've finally managed to keep my official hat,' he thought. However, before he could even reveal a joyful expression, Xiao Shao suddenly tilted his head and vomited a mouthful of blood.

That mouthful of blood struck heavily on the heart of the Great Garrison Eunuch, hitting so hard it made his heart stop momentarily. Yao Jin pushed everyone aside and threw himself beside Xiao Shao, wailing, "Your Highness! Second Highness? What's wrong with you? What is happening?"

Xiao Shao clicked his tongue internally, 'So noisy.' But his face remained ashen. He weakly raised his hand, appearing half-dead, completely drained of energy, and as frail as a dying old man.

"Eunuch Yao..."

Yao Jin grabbed his hand, not daring to breathe too heavily. "Yes, this servant is here! Speak, please speak..."

Xiao Shao: "This Prince is going to die... Carry me down... and then... call a doctor..."

"Yes, yes, yes, I'll get a doctor for you right away." Covered in a cold sweat, Yao Jin ordered his subordinates to cut down two bamboos on the spot and make a makeshift stretcher to carry Xiao Shao.

The road was bumpy. Xiao Shao coughed and spat blood, looking as if he was about to ascend to heaven on a crane. Yao Jin's heart was twisted into a knot. With every cough from Xiao Shao, his heart leaped a bit higher. By the time they finally carried him back to the residence and dragged the best doctor in the city over to treat him, the sun was already high in the sky.

The old doctor placed his fingers on Xiao Shao's wrist and carefully pondered for a moment. The people in the room held their breath, only to hear the old man sigh. "His Highness's pulse is extremely chaotic. At times it is floating, thin, and soft, like duckweed drifting on water. At other times, it is vigorous and robust, surging with strength. I have practiced medicine for over fifty years and have never seen such a bizarre pulse. It seems to be a sign of poisoning... I can only try my best. My lords, you must prepare yourselves for the worst."

As soon as his words fell, Yao Jin's knees gave out, and he almost collapsed to the floor.

At this time, Eunuch He also rushed in from outside. He and Yao Jin had split into two groups, each leading men to search, and he had only just received the news.

If Yao Jin was merely the Garrison Eunuch and a prince having an accident in his territory would merely incur the emperor's displeasure, then Eunuch He was Xiao Shao's personal eunuch on this trip, having received an imperial decree to accompany him to Hedong. If something happened to Xiao Shao, at best it would be considered incompetence, and at worst, dereliction of duty. Should Xiao Shao meet with any mishap, it would be a crime worthy of beheading.

Qi Yan had originally been by Xiao Shao's bedside wiping his sweat, but he was shoved aside by Eunuch He. The eunuch was in tears as he knelt before Xiao Shao's bed and cried, "Your Highness, my Highness! This old servant was only gone for a day, who harmed you into this state? You are of such noble and precious status, who would dare to poison you?!"

Xiao Shao had been happily enjoying the little Tanhua's service, only for the beauty to be pushed aside and replaced by a wrinkled, orange-peel-like old face right in front of his eyes. He almost broke character, but quickly restrained his expression. He coughed and delivered his prepared excuse: "After I came out of the Hedong prefectural office... I felt a bit dizzy. Later, on, cough cough cough, on Mount Qinglong, cough cough cough, I dug up some bamboo shoots to eat... and somehow, I..."

Saying so, he grabbed Eunuch He's hand. "Eunuch... Someone wants to... harm me... You have to help me investigate this thoroughly... This Prince wants to kill him... to vent my anger!"

Eunuch He nodded repeatedly. Thinking that if Xiao Shao died, the emperor would likely force him to be buried alongside him, a ruthless expression involuntarily surfaced on his face.

That person wasn't just after Xiao Shao's life; they were after his life too.

On the side, Yao Jin also spoke up, "Your Highness, rest assured. Although I don't have much ability, I am still the Garrison Eunuch of Hedong, and Eunuch He is connected to the Eastern Depot. The two of us will definitely find out for you exactly who is so malicious as to dare murder a prince."

Xiao Shao curled his lips imperceptibly.

He had put on this big performance for no other reason than to drag Eunuch He and Yao Jin down into the muddy waters.

As for why he did this: firstly, although Xiao Shao was an imperial envoy, he was an envoy for flood control. What he held in his hands was an imperial edict for building canals and dams. He could only mobilize the commoners repairing the river canals and had no authority to intervene in the Silver Case.

Secondly, although Xiao Shao was a noble prince, he had no real power in his hands. Yao Jin's military forces and Eunuch He's Eastern Depot were not at his disposal. Even if he blindly demanded it, these two would rather avoid trouble and absolutely wouldn't risk offending Song Luyang and the Crown Prince to work for Xiao Shao. They would inevitably slack off and just go through the motions. At that point, not only would he fail to uncover the truth, but he would also expose the fact that he was not a playboy, alerting the enemy and provoking the Crown Prince's wariness.

Therefore, the only way to order them around was to bind the two of them to him through mutual interests.

After all, the only ones capable of clashing head-on with Song Luyang in Hedong were the Garrison and the Eastern Depot.

And Xiao Shao's biggest bargaining chip was his own life.

To bait Song Luyang into acting against him, Xiao Shao deliberately discussed the Silver Case with Qi Yan at the banquet, deliberately bought an old horse under the surveillance of numerous spies around his residence, deliberately locked the horse at a bustling inn, and deliberately didn't return all night, leaving behind many flaws.

And seeing Qi Yan, the victim of the Qi family, and realizing that Qi Yan was very favored by Xiao Shao, Song Luyang—who was already guilty—became even more panicked and uneasy. After all, once the truth was found out, he would end up facing execution by slow slicing or being torn apart by horses, perhaps even implicating his nine familial relations. Thus, he took a desperate risk and set fire to the mountain, which brought about the ensuing drama.

With a prince poisoned in their jurisdiction and nearly dying, Eunuchs Yao and He would definitely investigate thoroughly; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to answer to the emperor. Since Xiao Shao said he felt dizzy at the Hedong prefectural office, Eunuchs Yao and He would have to investigate Song Luyang. Since he said he was poisoned after eating bamboo shoots on the mountain, Eunuchs Yao and He would have to thoroughly search Mount Qinglong. Furthermore, the more they investigated, the lighter their own culpability would be. The two would certainly put in all their effort to turn Hedong Prefecture upside down in their investigation.

When it inevitably implicated the private raising of death warriors, the Eighth Prince's Grand Tomb, and the matter of the mercury, Xiao Shao would then communicate with Grand Tutor Song. The old man would be responsible for submitting a memorial to state the situation and explain the suspicious points. At that stage, regarding the deeper secrets involving the Crown Prince, the Eastern Depot would have no choice but to investigate, whether they wanted to or not.

And Xiao Shao would simply need to stay by his imperial father's side, whimpering and groaning to play out his ruse of self-injury.

Now, the good show had just begun. Xiao Shao's ruse of self-injury had been thoroughly prepared. Under the watchful eyes of Eunuchs Yao and He, he continuously vomited blood, dyeing brocade handkerchiefs red one after another, and shivered while crying out that he was cold. Doctors examined him over and over again but remained helpless. Eunuchs Yao and He hovered around him in a panic, their hair turning gray from worry. The expressions of the two men grew increasingly sinister; they practically ground their molars to dust, wishing they could drag the mastermind out and hack him into ten thousand pieces.

They busied themselves before Xiao Shao's bed for an entire afternoon, taking care of everything personally. Xiao Shao was left dizzy from the noise but had to keep acting along. It wasn't until night fell that he finally chased the two away.

At this time, Qi Yan, who had been pushed aside, was finally able to sit back on the edge of the bed and continue wiping Xiao Shao's sweat.

He still wore that well-mannered and cautious look. Xiao Shao chuckled inwardly and came up with another wicked idea.

He coughed twice, spat a mouthful of blood, and then half-lifted his blanket, softly indicating, "Little Tanhua, I'm cold."