Since Xia Houzhe was going to assume Chu Ze’s identity, he naturally had to understand everything about him thoroughly to prepare for the future. Hence, the exchange about the hide-and-seek game was inevitable.

However, Chu Ze clearly told him he was asleep in the pavilion, yet now Emperor Chu claims it was at the rockery.

Did Chu Ze deceive him?

How old was he when that happened, seven or eight?

It’s too distant a memory to recall clearly.

If Chu Ze had such a cunning mind at such a young age, then over the years, were his compliance and meekness genuine, or merely a facade imposed by the need for the poisonous insect antidote?

If it was a facade, then might he have secretly planted spies around Xia Houzhe?

Xia Houzhe pondered the behaviors of the people around him over the past two years. The deeper he delved, the more terrifying his thoughts became.

Emperor Chu observed his expression, raised his brows, and said, "Looks like my seventh brother has pranked you. Did you know my father once had his fortune told by someone? It was said that he had the fate of Wenqu Xing descending to earth, meaning his mind was exceptionally astute."

Song Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised, "There’s such a thing?"

Xia Houzhe’s eyes flickered, his fingers curled slightly, revealing a mischievous smile.

That smile seemed to bring his whole face to life, as if he had transformed into another person.

Evidently, a person’s facial expression can alter their entire aura.

The youth before him now, sinister and gloomy, bore no trace of the previous obedience, replaced by defiance, sharpness, and coldness.

Song Zhiyuan watched in awe, secretly noting it down to discuss with Qian Yong later. As a Hidden Guard, one should also master subtle facial expressions.

"No matter how brilliant his mind is, he’s still a pitiful person, stripped of identity and possibly unable to live long." Xia Houzhe grinned evilly, "In the end, isn’t he still forced to collude with me? And you think, who suggested that birthday gift?"

Emperor Chu’s eyes half-closed, "So, that Shang Pu really is my seventh brother, huh? Where is he now?"

"Isn’t the Emperor heavenly skilled? Why don’t you personally go seek him? Or did Mr. Ning not guide your gaze to his whereabouts yet? Even with ample hints, you couldn’t find him. Your people are no better, right?"

This is reckless provocation, courting death.

"Insolent! Audacious!" Eunuch Zhou stepped forward and slapped Xia Houzhe twice.

Xia Houzhe laughed malevolently, rolling his tongue around the sweet and salty taste in his mouth, spat out a mouthful of blood, then licked his lips with an unconcerned demeanor of a dead pig not fearing the boiling water.

"The true Prince Min will appear sooner or later, but you, the pride of heaven, fall from the clouds into the mire, treated as a discard, even a chess piece. Are you content?" Song Zhiyuan remarked to Xia Houzhe.

Xia Houzhe spread his hands, "Don’t bother using provocative tactics on me. If you want to know anything, go investigate yourselves. As for me, am I not already discarded? You can kill or maim as you like; I can’t escape anyway. Regarding being a chess piece, since you’ve uncovered my real identity, what could Mr. Ning, the villain, possibly do to me?"

He sat on the bed, one foot on the bed and the other on the ground, adopting an arrogant posture that made one yearn to beat him.

Just a mere act like, "kill one of me, and there are thousands more" to stab the heart.

"So you put on a bluffing show really well. Never mind, you’re doomed to a fate of betrayal and serving as a pawn for others anyway. See how lively you act." Emperor Chu laughed angrily and gestured vaguely at him, "Playing cat and mouse with me? If you’re truly so magnanimous, why not bite your tongue and die now, watching from the heavens as your father’s old allies protect the young master, or perhaps the Ning Family rises to power?"