Fifteen days after the theft in Qishi Town, a rare guest arrived at the Fifth Prince's residence. Li Yan, the Minister of Justice, hurried through the gates without even straightening his robes.
Xue Liulan stood at the entrance of the main hall, watching him approach.
"Your Highness." Li Yan bowed.
"Minister Li. Please, sit." Xue Liulan gestured to the guest seat. Li Yan's expression was hesitant, his words caught in his throat. Xue Liulan's eyes narrowed.
"What brings you here, Minister?"
Li Yan looked up, then glanced at Little Dingzi, who stood waiting for orders.
Xue Liulan understood. "Little Dingzi, fetch the good tea I received the other day. We cannot neglect such a rare guest."
"I dare not impose," Li Yan said, bowing again. "It was my fault for not visiting sooner."
"Hahaha." Xue Liulan laughed, helping him up. "They say Minister Li is a serious man who never jokes. I see the rumors are true."
Li Yan gave an awkward laugh as Little Dingzi left.
"Sit." Xue Liulan waved a hand. "We are alone now. No need for formalities. You usually keep your distance for fear of our seventh brother's suspicion. Since you are here in person, something must have gone wrong on his end."
"Your Highness is wise." Li Yan lowered his voice. He took a dark iron token from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. "The Seventh Prince had this sent back, riding day and night. I brought it to you the moment I received it."
Xue Liulan took the token. It was engraved with the totem of the Yanyun. A command token for their death squads.
He felt a chill. So Sayatu didn't just send soldiers. He sent assassins.
But holding the token, he also felt a wave of relief. The mission was a success. Yi must have made it out.
He smiled. "Our seventh brother is capable indeed, to steal such a secret object."
"The Seventh Prince only located it. The one who retrieved it was the man sent by the Princess Consort," Li Yan said, his voice dropping even lower. "The Seventh Prince praised his skill."
Xue Liulan nodded. Yi's skill was worthy of praise. But Li Yan still looked troubled.
"Speak freely, Minister." Xue Liulan's smile faded. A bad feeling was rising in his chest.
In his letter, Xue Feiyan had told Li Yan to delay reporting the news about Yi. If there was a misunderstanding, it would look like he had sent Yi into a trap to weaken Xue Liulan.
"The Seventh Prince's message said… the man was poisoned. His whereabouts are unknown." Li Yan gritted his teeth and told the truth.
"What?" Xue Liulan's voice cracked. "Unknown?"
"Yes. He was poisoned as he escaped with the token. The Yanyun searched Qishi Town and the surrounding area, but found nothing."
"So… neither alive nor dead?" Xue Liulan frowned.
"Correct. The Seventh Prince searched privately as well, but found nothing." Li Yan sighed.
Xue Liulan slumped back in his chair, staring at the floor. He had promised her. Even if we abandon the mission, Yi will return safely. How could he tell her this? After Liu and Xing… this might kill her.
"What poison was it?" he asked, forcing his voice to remain calm.
"I heard it was called 'Falling Snow'."
Xue Liulan's hand clenched on the armrest, his knuckles white.
When he was training in Chengyan Valley, he had learned of the world's ten deadliest poisons. Falling Snow was ranked seventh. No one survived more than three hours without the antidote. Even the Physician Saint couldn't save them after that.
And worse, after death, the body turned white as snow. In winter, such a corpse would never be found.
"How did you get the token, then?" His voice was tight, suppressed emotion vibrating in every word.
"He handed it directly to the Seventh Prince, then left without a word. It was only later, when the Khan mentioned it, that the Prince learned he had been poisoned."
Li Yan watched him, puzzled. The prince was usually so composed. Now, he looked shaken to his core. Was that man so important?
"So, what is your plan, Your Highness?" Li Yan asked carefully.
Xue Liulan rubbed his nose, then gave a short, dry laugh. "Since my brother has done his part, I won't miss my cue. Rest assured, Minister."
"Yes." Li Yan bowed. This was not the perfunctory agreement of the past. Xue Liulan's word now carried the weight of gold. Since the prison incident and Murong Jin's pregnancy, the prince had changed. He was decisive, ruthless. A force to be reckoned with.
After Li Yan left, Xue Liulan rubbed his forehead. He wasn't worried about the plan. He was worried about how to tell Murong Jin.
"Hanlu."
"My lord." The shadow guard appeared.
"Take this token. Give it to the best master of disguise in the Fifteen."
"Your orders?"
"This token commands the Yanyun death squads. Use it to order the sleepers in Jindu to attack the Imperial Palace."
"Assassinate the Emperor?" Hanlu was shocked.
"No. Just a lure. We'll lead them into a trap and wipe them out."
"And the palace defenses?"
"I'll handle it." He tossed the token to Hanlu. "Go."
"Yes." Hanlu vanished.
Xue Liulan stood at the door. "Little Dingzi."
The eunuch ran over. "Master?"
"Go to the palace. Invite Eunuch Guo for a visit tomorrow."
"Yes. But… under what pretext?" A prince summoning a eunuch required a reason, especially one as powerful as Guo Shangzhong.
"Tell him… as a prince, I wish to reward him for his diligent service during the Emperor's illness."
"Understood."
Xue Liulan stood alone. Should I hide this from her? Better to let her worry than to break her heart completely.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached. Ning Bi came running down the corridor, nearly colliding with him.
"What is it?" His heart leaped into his throat. "He Chengjian! Summon the physician!"
"What happened to Murong Jin?" he demanded, grabbing Ning Bi's arm.
"My lord… my lord, come quickly! The Princess Consort!" Ning Bi gasped, tears streaming down her face.
"Speak clearly!"
"Die Man… she went to the Ninghe Courtyard. I don't know what she said, but now Her Highness…"
He didn't wait for the rest. He shoved past her and ran toward Murong Jin's courtyard.
Die Man. If you have harmed her or our child, I will not forgive you. Not for anything.