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At midnight, at Jingyang Palace...

The imperial concubine took the tea offered by the palace servant, but put it down before she could even bring it to her lips.

"My son, your father is forcing you to go to Jingmeng Mountain to suppress bandits. You should pretend to be seriously ill and bedridden so you can't go."

She lowered her voice, fine lines furrowing between her brows, and obvious worry showing on her beautiful face. "It's too dangerous. The bandits there are ruthless killers. They've been entrenched in Tiger Head Stronghold for over a decade, and countless generals have failed to wipe them out. How could he possibly send you there..."

"Mother, are you faking illness?"

What are your thoughts?

Xie Jingxing shook his head speechlessly.

That emperor, the supreme ruler, isn't a fool!

Mother is being too naive!

The Imperial Concubine paused, but finally couldn't help but say, "Your father is getting senile."

Isn't this blatantly trying to embarrass you?

To do something you know is impossible!

Xie Jingxing raised his eyes, his voice not loud, but like a thin blade cutting off the words, "Mother, be careful what you say!"

Be careful, the walls may have ears.

The imperial concubine was startled, then lowered her eyes and tightened her grip on the handkerchief.

Of course she knew she shouldn't have said that.

The Empress had passed away many years ago, leaving the position of Empress vacant. Although she held the position of Consort and managed the affairs of the six palaces, she was not the Empress in the end.

The emperor is suspicious; he even guards against his own son, let alone his wife.

only……

She only has this one son.

She spoke softly, then looked up again, "It was Mother who misspoke."

But tell me, why did your father choose to send you when he had so many other military generals around?

"You, a prince, leading troops to suppress bandits—if word gets out, others will only think you're enjoying the emperor's favor. But you know in your heart that this isn't a blessing, it's a warning."

Xie Jingxing did not answer immediately.

This was his first temporary stay in the palace since he left to establish his own residence, and he was staying in Jingyang Palace, the former residence of the Crown Prince.

However, he was only staying temporarily, and the old emperor approved his mother's suggestion and arrangements.

Because the reason is legitimate, his Prince Cheng's Mansion was flooded and half of it burned down. The repairs will take a long time, probably one or two months.

The reason was perfectly legitimate, and the old emperor turned a blind eye.

However, he knew that his father might have sent people to monitor him and his mother.

After a long while, he spoke, his voice calm, "Mother, Liu Wei has found out that the young master of the Xiao family and that girl have been kidnapped by bandits from Tiger Head Village."

Father's meaning couldn't be clearer...

The imperial concubine was taken aback.

"So your father is...?"

Xie Jingxing curled his lips, but there was no smile in his eyes. "It's punishing me, but it's also giving me a chance to make a contribution."

The son was too careless that day, and they escaped right under his nose.

My father wants me to go and bring the person back.

If the bandit suppression fails, it is due to my incompetence.

After a moment of silence, the imperial concubine took out the small white porcelain bottle from her sleeve, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it over.

"Mother, there is medicine here."

It was like being poisoned; the pulse became erratic. The imperial physicians couldn't identify the poison, and even if they researched an antidote, they wouldn't be able to find one in a short time.

You'll be lying in bed for ten or fifteen days, dragging out the days of bandit suppression...

Xie Jingxing didn't take it, or even glance at the porcelain vase. "Mother, Father has already lost hope in me."

If I continue to feign illness and back down, he will be more than just disappointed.

The imperial concubine opened her mouth, but ultimately could not say anything.

She looked at her son's profile.

She was in her early twenties, and the sharpness of her youth had long since faded from her eyes, replaced by a melancholy she was unwilling to acknowledge.

He was her son, and she understood better than anyone else that he wasn't fearless, he just couldn't show his weakness.

Xie Jingxing turned back, his expression relaxing slightly. "Mother, don't worry, your son isn't going to his death."

He hesitated for a moment, as if considering whether or not to speak.

After a moment, he lowered his voice and said, "I've already bribed Hu Biao, the second-in-command of Tiger Head Stronghold."

The imperial concubine raised her eyes.

"Ten thousand taels of silver, and a sixth-rank county magistrate."

He agreed, and I received a reply today.

He had no need to hide anything from his mother.

The imperial concubine opened her mouth as if to say, "Be careful," but in the end she only nodded slightly.

"Then Mother Consort will return to her chambers first." She stood up. "It's almost time. If your father wakes up and doesn't see me, I'll become suspicious."

Xie Jingxing got up to see her off. When they reached the palace gate, the Consort stopped, glanced back at him, and ultimately said nothing, only nodding before taking the hand of a palace servant and leaving.

The hall fell silent again.

Xie Jingxing stood by the window, watching his mother's entourage turn past the palace wall, the gilded canopy gradually disappearing into the morning light.

He stood there for a long time, so long that even the eunuchs under the eaves couldn't help but peek out.

Liu Wei entered at this time.

His steps were quick but silent.

Xie Jingxing didn't turn around, but asked, "How's the situation over there?"

Did he agree?

Liu Wei stopped three steps away and bowed.

"Your Highness, the cooperation is no longer possible."

Xie Jingxing's hand paused for a moment on the window frame.

Give your reasons.

"I went to meet them as agreed today, but they haven't come after two hours."

Liu Wei lowered his head, not daring to raise it.

"Later, his subordinates felt something was amiss and asked someone to inquire. It turned out that Hu Biao, the second-in-command of Tiger Head Stronghold, had died last night."

The hall was quiet for a moment.

"How did he die?"

Liu Wei hesitated for a moment, then said, "They said... they tried to poison the chief, but they were discovered..."

Xie Jingxing did not move.

A night breeze blew through the window, and the wind chimes on the eaves tinkled softly.

"Who told him to poison me?"

The voice was not loud, and could even be described as calm.

Liu Wei did not reply.

The tea on the table had gone cold.

Xie Jingxing turned around, his gaze falling on the white inspection zone on the table. His face was gloomy, and he suddenly reached out and swept it over.

Broken porcelain splattered everywhere, and tea soaked the lichen.

"That idiot!"

Why did they poison Zhang Fei?

He has a very important use for me!

Now look what happened, everything's gone!

He even lost his own life!

Liu Wei lowered his head and remained motionless. Inside the hall, the eunuchs knelt on the ground, and no one dared to utter a sound.

Xie Jingxing stood in the mess, watching the wet stain slowly spread.

He has two days left.

He was willing to give 20,000 taels of silver to either the prefect or the governor.

He could even promise Hu Biao that he would leave unscathed after the deed was done, taking all the silver and official positions with him; all he wanted was Zhang Fei's head, and if that wasn't enough, he would capture him alive.

But Hu Biao died.

He died because of his own ridiculous greed.

"Your Highness, please calm down. The plan has changed. What should we do?"

Liu Wei asked with a laugh.

Xie Jingxing waved his hand, his voice slightly hoarse, "Let me think about it. You may leave now!"

Liu Wei bowed and withdrew.

The palace doors closed gently.

Xie Jingxing sat back down in the pear wood chair.

The chairs were too hard, and the palace furnishings hadn't changed in years; they were still the same items from when the Crown Prince lived there.

He leaned in, closed his eyes, and felt a splitting headache.

Tao'er, fast asleep, had no idea that she had averted a disaster by killing the second-in-command, Hu Biao.