The Emperor had decided to send troops, so naturally the ministers could not leave the palace for now. While everyone was discussing in low voices which troops would be most suitable to mobilize, Qi Xiao withdrew from the hall.

Jiang Deqing had been waiting outside the hall. Seeing Qi Xiao come out, he hurried over to greet him. Qi Xiao pretended to need the restroom and, leaning on Jiang Deqing, walked to a secluded spot. Avoiding the others, Qi Xiao lowered his voice: "Find a way to send a message to Bairen outside the palace, telling him... the Emperor is going to dispatch troops. I'll try my best to delay the provisions, but three days at most. After three days... I'll think of something else. Tell him to protect himself first and be very careful."

Having been immersed in the palace for many years, Jiang Deqing naturally understood the severity. Hearing this, his heart sank. Looking around, he asked in a low voice: "Is there... no other way?"

Qi Xiao's eyes were full of resentment. Jiang Deqing understood in his heart and shook his head, saying softly: "This servant understands. But now we must avoid suspicion. If the Emperor finds out it was Your Highness who leaked the news... the consequences would be unthinkable. This servant will have Fuzi find Xi Xiang in a moment. With the Lingnan Prince's household in mourning, the Internal Affairs Department will surely send people to deliver funeral items. Have Xi Xiang go and tell him. Your Highness can rest assured."

"Your Highness..." After all, he had been attending to him for over a year. Jiang Deqing couldn't bear it in his heart and said softly: "Is there really... no other way? If troops are dispatched, the heir's succession will be hopeless, and the millions of people in Lingnan will also..."

Qi Xiao's thin lips were tightly pursed. Of course he knew all this! But what could he do? Wenyu had rebelled, could he rebel too? And even if he did, was there any guarantee of victory? No! Since there wasn't, what good would it do to vent his anger? It would only send more people to their deaths!

Qi Xiao's eyes reddened. At this moment, no one was more upset than him! He clearly understood the cause of Wenyu's matter. He had planted the seeds of this disaster himself, but... the consequences had fallen on Bairen. Qi Xiao closed his eyes. Karmic retribution was indeed inescapable.

Qi Xiao took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Go make the arrangements. As for other matters..." Qi Xiao paused and didn't continue. He turned and headed back to the main hall.

Jiang Deqing acknowledged the order and left with a stamp of his foot.

In the Lingnan Prince's manor, Shunzi was leaning against a pillar outside the front hall, looking coldly at Cen Chaoge. Qi Xiao had instructed before that it was better to wrongly kill ten thousand than to let a single one escape.

Although Shunzi had never met this person, for some reason, he looked down on him from the bottom of his heart. The dagger in his arms was eager to act. If he hadn't seen how much Bairen valued him, Shunzi would have made his move long ago.

Bairen was writing a secret letter in the inner room. It was inconvenient for Cen Chaoge to keep watch inside, so he also came out. He glanced at Shunzi and frowned: "Why aren't you attending outside?"

Shunzi was wearing short, plain clothes and looked no different from an ordinary carriage driver. He was used to looks like Cen Chaoge's and didn't mind. He turned his head, spat out the grass blade between his lips with a "ptui", and said indifferently: "The master ordered me to guard the young prince at all times. Now I'm seventeen steps away from the young prince, which is already the limit."

Cen Chaoge frowned. He was about to reprimand him when he suddenly remembered the scene he had accidentally stumbled upon in the Crown Prince's study last year. He instantly understood and said tremblingly: "You are... you are the Crown Prince's man?"

Shunzi raised an eyebrow and glanced inside, thinking Bairen had told him. He didn't mind and nodded. Who knew that after hearing this, Cen Chaoge became even more distraught.

Shunzi most despised such irresponsible, weak scholars. Recalling what he had just heard, that this man had abandoned his old father to escape on his own, he felt even more disgusted. He leaned closer to the inside, crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, still staring intently at Bairen, no longer paying attention to him.

The days of rushing had made Cen Chaoge forget that the person inside was no longer his childhood sweetheart, but had become the Crown Prince's male lover. Cen Chaoge's face turned pale as he sighed endlessly. Bairen was probably forced to rely on the Crown Prince for the sake of livelihood. If that was the case, he could probably understand the helplessness of abandoning him back then.

While Cen Chaoge was lost in a myriad of worries, news came from outside that someone from the Internal Affairs Department had arrived. Hearing this, Shunzi walked a few steps forward. He knew Xi Xiang was one of their own, but Bairen didn't know. Fearing a delay, Shunzi turned and entered the inner hall, saying in a low voice: "Young Master... someone from the Internal Affairs Department is here. Perhaps the young prince should go meet them."

Shunzi lowered his voice: "The Crown Prince can't come in person. He might have entrusted someone to bring a message."

Bairen nodded. Without waiting for the ink to dry, he folded the letter on the desk. Having no time to find an envelope, Bairen casually picked up a lamp and dripped some wax on the folded letter as a makeshift seal. He handed the letter to Shunzi and said in a low voice: "Find a chance to deliver this to the Crown Prince."

Shunzi nodded and took the letter, tucking it into his bosom.

Bairen followed Shunzi out of the hall. He glanced at Cen Chaoge and said, "Many people here have seen you... be careful and don't show yourself. Just stay inside."

Cen Chaoge nodded. Bairen took the white cloth Shunzi handed him and tied it around his forehead, then left.

Outside, it was almost dawn. The maids and servants in the courtyard were busy covering everything with white cloth and tying black silk. In the main courtyard, Xi Xiang was talking with the old steward of the prince's household. Seeing Bairen come out, he hurried forward to pay his respects: "Young Prince, my condolences..."

Bairen waved his hand. Xi Xiang stood up and handed a black letter to Bairen with both hands, sighing deeply: "The Emperor, upon hearing of the King's passing, was heartbroken and grief-stricken beyond words. He specially ordered this servant to deliver some offerings. The Emperor advises the young prince to restrain his grief and not to weep to the point of harming his health. Also, he asked this servant to inquire if the household lacks anything. The young prince need not be polite and can speak directly."

Bairen was about to say there was no need when he felt someone touch his wrist. He glanced at Shunzi and changed his words: "The Emperor's grace is immense. This subject is overwhelmed with fear and humility. Now that my late father has passed, Bairen feels as if the sky has collapsed and the earth has crumbled. I no longer know how to manage..."

Xi Xiang sighed: "If the young prince doesn't mind, why don't you let this servant take a look inside and see how the preparations are going? This servant has handled several major events of weddings and funerals in the palace. I dare not claim expertise in other matters, but I can still be of some help in this regard."

Bairen lowered his eyes: "In that case, many thanks to you, sir."

The group walked inside. After entering the inner courtyard, Shunzi turned around and bolted the courtyard door, saying in a deep voice: "There are no outsiders inside now. Sir, what is the situation in the palace now?"

Bairen was startled: "Sir, are you..."

Xi Xiang dropped his usual distant demeanor in front of others, bowed deeply, and respectfully said, "Your Highness need not be surprised. I was originally a disciple of Eunuch Jiang Deqing. My life was miserable, and I almost couldn't survive in the palace back then. It was thanks to Empress Xiaoxian and my master that I am here today.

"When the imperial tombs collapsed and the court underwent drastic changes, my master feared that my future would be delayed, so he stopped associating with me in public. But my heart has always been tied to the Crown Prince. Your Highness need not have the slightest doubt. If there is anything, just give the order and I will do it."

Bairen turned to look at Shunzi, who nodded. Bairen felt relieved and hurriedly said to Shunzi, "Give me that letter..."

Shunzi took out the letter and handed it to Bairen, who quickly stuffed it into Xi Xiang's hand, lowered his voice and solemnly said, "Please, sir...bring this letter to the Crown Prince, it must be fast, it must be fast!"

Xi Xiang hurriedly agreed, tucking it into his bosom while saying, "The Crown Prince asked me to come and tell Your Highness..."

Xi Xiang sighed, "His Majesty has decided to send troops. The Crown Prince has done his best, but...rest assured, Your Highness, the Crown Prince said he will delay the provisions for at least three days. Within these three days, the Crown Prince will surely come up with a countermeasure. Your Highness must not be anxious."

As expected, Bairen took a deep breath and shook his head, "No need to comfort me. If His Majesty wants to send troops, His Highness cannot stop it...No matter, as long as you deliver the letter for me."

Xi Xiang nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Also...His Highness is deploying people to come over. Since His Majesty has decided to send troops, he will definitely have Your Highness under watch. It's just unknown when they will come, probably the day before the troops are dispatched. His Highness said if it's house arrest, then it's fine.

"If His Majesty asks Your Highness to enter the palace, then Your Highness must find a way to delay, whether it's pretending to be sick or pretending to be crazy, it doesn't matter what you pretend to be, just one thing - no matter what, you must delay until the Crown Prince arrives. If they come at you hard, then Your Highness should also respond in kind. If anything goes wrong, the Crown Prince will have words for His Majesty on his end. Your Highness just needs to preserve yourself."

Upon hearing this, Bairen's eyes instantly turned red. He nodded and said hoarsely, "Tell the Crown Prince...to rest assured."

Xi Xiang nodded. He was also very anxious in his heart. He thought for a while and then rambled on for another half a day. Just as he was about to take his leave, he heard someone gently knocking on the door outside. Xi Xiang was startled and said in a low voice, "Who is it?"

Bairen shushed him and went to open the door himself. He saw Cen Chaoge outside, holding a red lacquered food box. He said in a low voice, "You haven't had a drop of water all night, your body can't take it, have some porridge..."

Bairen's tense heart suddenly relaxed. How could he have the mood to drink porridge? He shook his head and turned to the inner room, "It's nothing, this is my old subordinate from Lingnan, it's fine."

Xi Xiang came out and his heart sank when he saw Cen Chaoge. Why did he come back?!

Cen Chaoge was also stunned when he saw Xi Xiang. Just as Xi Xiang was about to change the subject, Shunzi took a step forward, dagger drawn from his bosom, directly placing it across Cen Chaoge's neck.

Shunzi's eyes were filled with murderous intent as he said coldly, "Delivering porridge? More like eavesdropping. This matter is related to the life and death of the Crown Prince. I have to be on guard. Anyway, this person has already delivered the great seal, and has no more use. Why don't you let me finish him off to avoid future trouble."

Cen Chaoge cried out, "No...I didn't hear anything! I didn't! I..."

Bairen hurriedly intervened, "No...his father died for me. The Cen family only has him as the sole male heir. He can't be harmed again!"

Shunzi snorted coldly, pushed the person away, and Cen Chaoge was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat, panting incessantly. He retreated all the way back until he was leaning against the door frame before stopping. But this shock had cleared his mind, and in a flash, he understood. Pointing at Xi Xiang, he said in a trembling voice, "You...you are the Crown Prince's man, you...back then, back then..."

Xi Xiang was shocked in his heart, regretting his carelessness. But how could he have known that Cen Chaoge would come back again?!

Bairen looked at Cen Chaoge in confusion. Cen Chaoge said hoarsely, "It was him back then! It was he who lured me back to Lingnan! He said he had connections...then it just so happened that the Crown Prince caught him for embezzlement and returned the bank notes I sent! Making me lose face in front of you! This was all a play by the Crown Prince, it was the Crown Prince! The Crown Prince...he knew long ago that you and I were close, so in order to snatch you away, he deliberately lured me back to Lingnan!!"