The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

The front hall was already brightly lit.

The imperial eunuch, Eunuch Chen, was about forty years old, with a fair complexion and no beard. He wore a crimson palace robe and was holding a teacup, slowly skimming off the foam with the lid. Several junior eunuchs stood behind him with their hands at their sides.

Upon seeing Su Che enter, Eunuch Chen put down his teacup, a professional smile plastered on his face—a smile that appeared warm but carried a distance. He rose and bowed, saying, "Oh, Marquis Anning, it's so late. His Majesty is concerned about your health and has some important private matters to discuss, so he insisted on having me deliver them at this hour. Are you feeling better, Marquis?"

"Thank you for your concern, Eunuch Chen. It's just an old ailment; I'll be fine after some rest. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness." Su Che returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his tone gentle yet distant. "I wonder what Your Majesty's decree is? Please read the decree, Eunuch Chen. I will listen attentively to Your Majesty's edict."

Eunuch Chen's smile remained unchanged, but he did not immediately announce the imperial decree. Instead, he waved his hand, signaling the eunuchs and servants to retreat to a distance outside the hall. Only then did he take out a bright yellow brocade pouch embroidered with dragon patterns from his sleeve, hand it to Su Che with both hands, and lower his voice:

"My lord, His Majesty has issued a secret decree. You will understand once you read it yourself. His Majesty also said that this matter concerns your reputation and safety, so you must be cautious and act in accordance with the decree."

A secret decree?

Su Che's inward sneer deepened. In his past life, it was an imperial edict issued openly, albeit at night, but at least it went through the motions. This time, even the formalities were skipped, and it was a secret edict? Was it because they were afraid too many people would know and it would be embarrassing, or did they have other plans?

He took the brocade pouch with both hands; it felt slightly heavy. Upon opening it, he found not a silk edict, but a palm-sized, warm-to-the-touch mutton-fat jade plaque. The back of the plaque was engraved with intricate cloud patterns, while the front bore only the character "Shadow," written with powerful strokes and conveying a sharp, sword-like intent.

It is the highest token for mobilizing and commanding the "Shadow Guards"—the "Shadow" command.

Beneath the jade plaque lay a letter without sealing wax.

Su Che pulled out the letter and unfolded it. It was written in Lin Chu's own handwriting, the characters elegant yet powerful.

"To Su Qing: I am deeply concerned upon hearing of your relapse of your old illness. You are a pillar of the nation, and I earnestly hope you will take good care of yourself. The affairs of the Shadow Guard are trivial and clandestine, requiring considerable effort and attention. It is truly inappropriate for you to personally handle them any longer, lest it harm your health. Now that things have been stabilized both internally and externally, Minister Gao, with his heaven-sent loyalty, courage, and diligence, is capable of sharing the burden. Therefore, I hereby decree: You may temporarily transfer the responsibility of commanding the Shadow Guard, as well as all communication channels, to Minister Gao. You may rest and recuperate peacefully and not worry about it. Once you are fully recovered, I will rely on you for something else. Remember this well. Chu, handwritten."

The letter was short, but its meaning was very clear.

The reason is perfectly legitimate—it's for your health.

The successor has been identified – Gao Tianci.

The requirements are clear: hand over command and all communication channels, including the list of informants and their contact methods.

Finally, they didn't forget to make a promise—that once you're "healthy," there will be someone else to rely on.

Between the lines, one can sense the unquestionable will of an emperor, and a hint of hypocritical "concern."

Su Che held the letter, looking at it silently. The candlelight flickered on his face, casting an inscrutable shadow over his expression.

Eunuch Chen secretly observed his expression. Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, he coughed lightly and said cautiously, "My lord, His Majesty's intention is for me to wait here until you have handed over the 'Shadow' order, as well as... the relevant lists, seals, and methods of communication. Then I can return to the palace to report back to His Majesty, so as not to worry him. As for General Gao, His Majesty has also instructed that someone can be sent to hand over the documents at any time."

This is a situation where they won't even let you wait overnight; they want to hand over power immediately.

We are pressing forward relentlessly, and there is no time to lose.

Su Che slowly raised his eyes and looked at Eunuch Chen. His gaze remained calm, even with a hint of weariness causing it to become hazy, but Eunuch Chen felt a sudden jolt in his heart, as if he had been swept away by something extremely cold.

Then, he saw the newly appointed Marquis of Anning slowly develop an extremely gentle smile, even one that carried a hint of relief and gratitude.

"Your Majesty... is truly considerate." Su Che's voice was a little hoarse. He carefully folded the letter and gently placed it back into the brocade pouch along with the heavy "Shadow" token. Then, he held the pouch in both hands and handed it back to Eunuch Chen.

Eunuch Chen was taken aback: "My lord, what is this...?"

"I would trouble you, Eunuch, to bring this brocade pouch back to His Majesty intact." Su Che's tone was sincere, with a sense of relief. "Your Majesty is wise and absolutely right. The matter of the Shadow Guard is indeed a private and trivial affair, causing much mental and physical distress. Since I have already decided to recuperate, I should not be involved in it at all. Your Majesty's arrangement for General Gao to take over is a very appropriate move, and I wholeheartedly agree."

He paused, and under Eunuch Chen's surprised gaze, continued, "As for the lists, seals, and methods of communication... please inform His Majesty that all items, documents, keys, as well as the roster of three hundred shadow guards, the detailed list of three hundred and sixty secret agents in various places, and the rules for changing contact codes and ciphers, have all been compiled and sealed in a secret room in my study. Only Your Majesty and I know how to open the secret room. Your Majesty may send someone to retrieve it at any time, or I may personally deliver it to the palace tomorrow morning and present it to Your Majesty in person, without any omissions or concealments."

He spoke with utmost frankness and humility, displaying an obsequious demeanor that seemed to say, "Your Majesty, I will do whatever you say, and I have even thought of things more thoroughly than you have, having packed everything in advance."

Eunuch Chen was completely dumbfounded.

He anticipated that Su Che might be shocked, angry, indignant, argue his case, or even disobey the imperial decree... There were all sorts of speculations in the palace and the court. General Gao even hinted that it would be best to find some incriminating evidence against Su Che for "clinging to power" or "failing to hand over power properly."

But I never imagined it would turn out like this.

happy.

That felt so good.

It was so exhilarating it made me uneasy.

Eunuch Chen opened his mouth, looking into Su Che's incredibly sincere eyes, and for a moment he didn't know what to say. He subconsciously took the brocade pouch, which felt slightly heavy in his hand. The "Shadow" token and the letter seemed to be burning hot.

"My lord... is everything truly ready?" Eunuch Chen couldn't help but confirm.

"This is a matter of great importance, how could I dare to treat it lightly?" Su Che said solemnly. "My loyalty to Your Majesty is as clear as day. Since Your Majesty has issued the decree, I can only obey it faithfully, for that is the duty of a subject. Please convey to Your Majesty that I am ready to await Your Majesty's orders at any time."

Having said all that, Eunuch Chen had nothing more to say. He could only manage a dry laugh: "My lord, your loyalty to the emperor and the country is admirable. I will return to the palace now to inform His Majesty. My lord... please rest well."

"Take care, sir. Old He, see Eunuch Chen off for me," Su Che instructed.

Butler Lao He hurriedly came in and led Eunuch Chen and his entourage, each with their own thoughts, away.

The front hall fell silent again, leaving only Su Che alone in the candlelight.

The gentleness and submissiveness on his face receded like the tide, leaving only icy indifference.

Hand over everything?

of course not.

What he handed over was only a meticulously prepared "gift" that appeared perfect but was actually full of deadly traps.

The true core, from the moment he was reborn and awakened, and confirmed his situation, had already entered a state of silence and transfer through the highest-level secret commands, which only he and a very few absolute confidants understood and which were independent of the existing system.

Lin Chu, Gao Tianci.

You want shadow guards? You want undercover agents?

Okay, I'll give it to you.

I just hope that you can still sleep soundly after taking over.

He turned around, preparing to return to his study to continue his discussion with Zhao Jianing.

Just as he reached the door, he paused slightly, and his ears twitched almost imperceptibly.

In the distance outside the mansion, the night wind carried the extremely faint yet uniform sound of footsteps, as well as the soft rustling of metal armor plates.

There were a considerable number of them, and they were well-trained.

They are quietly encircling this newly bestowed "Marquis of Anning's Residence".

Su Che's eyes sharpened.

It seems that handing over the military tally is only the first step.

The iron bars of this cage have already begun to fall.