Su Mansion.

Lin Xiaoyue returned to find the courtyard in disarray, with maids and servants bustling in and out to tidy up. Her heart tightened, and she grabbed Ah Nuan, heading straight to Yuehua Residence.

She lifted the curtain and entered the room, only to see Su Qing sitting on the couch with his eyes closed, looking slightly pale, and his right arm bandaged, blood seeping through.

Lin Xiaoyue’s breathing paused, "Mr. Qi, you’re hurt?"

Upon hearing her voice, Su Qing slowly opened his eyes, meeting Lin Xiaoyue’s worried gaze.

He then looked at Ah Nuan beside her, confirmed that both mother and daughter were safe, and asked, "Why are you back so early?"

Lin Xiaoyue said, "I heard from Wen Wan last night that someone came to assassinate you, Mr. Qi fought them off. I was worried, so I rushed back home early."

Saying this, she sat beside Su Qing on a stool, gently took his arm, nearly in tears, "Does it hurt? Did you see a doctor? What did the doctor say, is it serious?"

Her heart was anxious, asking a string of questions, making her speech increasingly incoherent.

"The doctor has seen it and applied medicine for bandaging, it’s not serious." Su Qing withdrew his arm, "But you, rested at Changning Marquis Mansion overnight, have reconciled with the Commandery Princess, haven’t you?"

Lin Xiaoyue felt somewhat embarrassed, recalling what Wen Wan had said, "Wen Wan didn’t mind me scolding her at all, saying that couples quarrel, let alone friends, it’s normal to argue and fight. The important thing is, after arguing and fighting, we can still be friends, rather than being strangers forever."

Su Qing smiled faintly, "The Commandery Princess’s personality is quite open-minded."

Lin Xiaoyue knew that, comparing herself to Wen Wan, she appeared particularly petty, "Mr. Qi hasn’t had breakfast yet, seeing the servants busy cleaning the courtyard, they won’t be free. How about I personally cook today and make you a delicious meal?"

Su Qing smiled softly, "Alright."

...

Although Su Qing was injured after a fierce battle, he eventually prevailed, helping the Jinyi Guard capture several undercover agents, who are now undergoing intense interrogation in the Imperial Prison.

The post house was shrouded in gloom and doom.

Without undercover agents, it equates to severing all intelligence sources. Imperial Concubine Li Yuan lay on the bed, already severely injured and not yet recovered. The fire incident at the post house scared her, and coupled with the shocking news of the undercover agents’ base being destroyed, she looked on the verge of collapse, terrifyingly pale.

Several envoys had just visited her, and now each returned to their rooms, leaving only Fu Zichuan accompanying her, gazing at Li Yuan worriedly, "The Thousand Autumn Banquet of Emperor Chu has passed, the current situation is unfavorable for us. Your Grace might as well rest for a few more days, once the wounds are more healed, depart for Bei Yan immediately."

Li Yuan rubbed her temples, where a constant throbbing was felt.

Her trip to Chu Country was to personally take Amuer away, unexpectedly falling into Emperor Chu’s trap repeatedly, ending in this state, unwilling to return defeated.

Closing her eyes, Li Yuan said weakly, "Emperor Chu made me suffer such a loss, can’t not let him pay some price, right? Now without undercover agents, the guards I brought are unfamiliar with the Capital, inconveniencing us to act. This matter can only be delegated to you."

Fu Zichuan’s expression was grave, clasping his hands in salute, "Your Grace just needs to command, and I will do my utmost to complete the task."

"Didn’t you mention before? Princess Yong’an is problematic." Li Yuan said, "You concealed from me the fact of meeting her, I won’t pursue it. If you truly like her, just take her back to Bei Yan."

She really wanted to find out what oddities that woman carried.

If there were, then find a way to use her, it would surely enhance their strength.

If not, leveraging Princess Yong’an’s status, using her to threaten Emperor Chu into handing over Amuer would be adequate bargaining power.

Fu Zichuan’s handsome face stiffened slightly, "Your Grace misunderstood, I don’t..."

"Enough, you may retire." Li Yuan waved her hand, fatigue apparent in her eyes.

...

After taking a major hit, Li Yuan showed no significant movement over the next couple of days, leaving Wen Wan with more leisure, entering the palace daily to greet Emperor Xuanjing, check on military progress and epidemic control, then visit Yikun Palace briefly before returning home.

As the weather grew colder, without any invitations from the mansion, Wen Wan was too lazy to go out, staying in her small bed, accompanying Zhao Xunyin in knotting and chatting.

"Jia’s wedding is next month," Wen Wan said. "I must go and see her off then."

Zhao Xunyin listened and smiled, "Yun Liulang is a groom many families dream of having. This girl is blessed. When he chose his wife, it made headlines across the entire Capital. On the day the betrothal gifts were presented, the gates of the Western Marquis Mansion were surrounded layer upon layer by curious onlookers. I found this spectacle grander than marrying a Princess."

Wen Wan expressed some regret, "It’s a pity I couldn’t see what grand gifts the Yun Family brought."

When the Yun Family came with the betrothal gifts, Wen Wan had just divorced not long before and was under the whole Capital’s scrutiny, it was inappropriate to appear at the Western Marquis Mansion, not to mention, she was not in the mood then.

"The Yun Family naturally came with great pomp," Zhao Xunyin’s tone shifted. "However, for two people to live together, what matters is their interaction and adaptation. These superficial things only hold momentary fame. The future depends on themselves."

Wen Wan nodded in agreement, "Jia was blind once; hopefully, she won’t be blind again. She and Tang Yuan..." At this point, Wen Wan remembered Xu Jia once telling her that she had a very long dream, in which Tang Yuan lied about marrying her to ensure Jiang Qingyu’s entry into the household smoothly.

Smiling privately, Wen Wan said, "Those two stopped the loss in time."

When Xu Jia and Tang Yuan divorced, Zhao Xunyin was not in the Capital. She was not one to gossip, rarely probing into others’ private matters. Therefore, to this day, she still did not understand how the two broke up just a month after marriage. She made no judgments, only saying, "Though indirectly, you’re somewhat her sister-in-law. You should gift her some adornments. I have prepared the gifting items; pick a day to go."

"Tomorrow," Wen Wan lowered her head, still weaving lace with her hands. "Looks like tomorrow should be clear. I fear the cold, so I’ll stay at the mansion today to keep mother company."

As the mother and daughter were chatting, Dou Kou suddenly lifted the curtain and entered. After greeting the two, she reported, "Princess, there’s a man on a tall horse outside saying he wants to see you."

Zhao Xunyin paused, "Did you get a clear look at him?"

Dou Kou shook her head, "I did, but I don’t recognize him."

Zhao Xunyin was puzzled, "What kind of person comes to see Wanwan?"

In these special times, both the court and the public have quite a few opinions about Wanwan. Someone suddenly coming to see her needed caution for safety.

Wen Wan set down the lace she was working on, reclined on a small couch, evidently not planning to go out, "Tell him, as Princess I do not see unfamiliar men." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Dou Kou opened her mouth, planning to say something but did not dare to. Ultimately, she had to turn and leave, passing Wen Wan’s words to the black-clad man outside the West Corner Gate.

After a short while, Dou Kou returned to the Liufang Courtyard and announced, "Princess, that man said he is Prince Liang’s Heir, and he wants to..."

Dou Kou blushed and seemed unable to continue.

Zhao Xunyin was nearly frantic with worry, "What on earth does he want with the Princess?"

Dou Kou lowered her head even further, "The Heir said he came to talk to the Princess."

Zhao Xunyin’s face darkened instantly, furious, "This gallivanting good-for-nothing, he’s simply audacious. Get him thrown out! The Changning Marquis Mansion is not a place for his antics!"

Wen Wan, however, laughed quietly, without much concern.

Zhao Xunyin looked at her puzzled, "Wanwan, what’s so funny?"

Wen Wan replied, "I was just worried about not finding bait, but here is the fish, delivering itself."

She then instructed Dou Kou, "Take him to the Tinglan Water Pavilion."

After Dou Kou went out, Zhao Xunyin furrowed her brow, "Wanwan, are you really going to see him?"

Last time, taking someone to the mansion seemed inappropriate, and now openly inviting him in again, Zhao Xunyin worried about outside gossip.

Zhao Xunyin truly did not want the ignorant folks outside to curse her daughter anymore.

Wen Wan smiled at her mother, "Mom, ever since I decided to stay in the Capital, I knew the road ahead would be hard to walk, but I must. If I were just seeking comfort, then there was no need to divorce during that memorial hall drama, nor let the rumors of me and His Majesty’s various affairs spread. I’ve tarnished my reputation just for convenience. I have already become the seductive witch bewitching the master, what more could they say?"

Zhao Xunyin sighed, "I know it’s difficult for you, and even more heartbreaking for me, but Third Son... Alas, as long as there’s no danger, follow your heart in what you do, hoping you can assist the new emperor in accomplishing his grand ambitions soon and reunite with Third Son."

"It will happen, and that day isn’t far off." Wen Wan nodded with a smile.

Leaving the Liufang Courtyard, she went straight to the Tinglan Water Pavilion, seeing from a distance a tall, handsome man sitting inside, wearing a black cross-collar long robe. It was Fu Zichuan.