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

"Second, light the fire in the north," Mr. Jia said. "We can expedite the process on the bald-haired Wugu line a bit more."

He was tasked with finding a way to "confirm" that the princess had had "secret contact" with him while she was in the northern frontier, and that they had even reached "some kind of agreement."

As for evidence, forging a few letters and finding a few "Northern Barbarian surrendered people" to testify is not difficult.

Spread this message through our officials in the court, as well as through the refugees and storytellers we've bribed among the common people. When the war at the front falters and rumors of treason resurface, the princess will be unable to defend herself!

"Third, after the interruption of the court," a ruthless glint flashed in Mr. Jia's eyes, "the princess has left the capital, and her household is now only filled with clerks and merchants such as Li Gang and Pang Xiaopan, who are not worth worrying about."

We can take this opportunity to quickly place our people in the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Revenue, replacing those officials who might side with the princess.

At the same time, the imperial censors were mobilized to continuously impeach the princess for crimes such as "leaving the central government without permission," "wasting military resources," and "appointing her cronies," which made the emperor and the court disgusted with her.

If they suffer another defeat in the south, they can launch a joint petition, requesting His Majesty to reclaim their power, and even... punish them!

"Fourth," Mr. Jia lowered his voice even further, with a hint of mystery, "Does Your Highness still remember Liu Jin, the eunuch who served His Majesty?"

His godson was involved in the Changping Granary Case, but was... Eunuch Liu still harbors a deep grudge about it.

If we can harness the power of the inner court, it might play an unexpected role at crucial moments.

For example, His Majesty's medicine, His Majesty's decrees...

Yun Huan abruptly raised his hand, stopping him from speaking further, his eyes sharp as knives: "Be careful what you say about matters of the inner court! That old fox Liu Jin won't act until he sees the benefit. He won't easily make a move without a sufficient price. This matter... will be discussed later."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the Princess Zhenguo's residence, a cold and determined smile curving his lips.

"Do as you say. Pressure from the south, the north, and the central government—I'll put pressure on her from three sides. I'll make my dear imperial sister overwhelmed and stressed out! In the end, she'll either die by the arrows of the southern rebels, or... be branded with the eternal infamy of treason and forced to return to her princess's palace, never to rise again!"

"As for that Su Zhe..." Yun Huan's eyes flashed with murderous intent, "This man is incredibly cunning and resourceful, and is Yun Jin's greatest ally. He must be eliminated as soon as possible! Mr. Jia, no matter what method you use, after my imperial sister leaves the capital, I want to see this man's head placed before me!"

"Your Highness, rest assured!" Mr. Jia bowed, his eyes flashing with a venomous light. "I have already laid a trap. As soon as the princess's carriage leaves the capital, Su Zhe's death will be imminent! I will ensure that he dies... silently and justifiably."

"Good!" Yun Huan slammed his hand on the table. "Go and do it! Be quick and ruthless!"

"yes!"

Mr. Jia hurriedly left. Only Yun Huan remained in the secret room.

He walked up to the map and jabbed his finger hard at the location of "Anqing".

"My dear sister, this south will be your final resting place. This vast empire is destined to be mine, Yun Huan's!"

Outside the window, the night was as dark as ink, and the north wind howled, as if foreshadowing the impending bloodshed.

Meanwhile, in Su Che's study at the secluded hermitage in the south of the city, the lights were still on.

What lay before him was no longer a map or document, but a seemingly chaotic network of symbols, place names, and dates.

At the center of the map are the names "Third Prince Yun Huan", "Mr. Jia", "Bald Wu Gu" and "Prince Jingjiang Yun Tao". Countless lines extend from them, connecting court officials, border generals, palace eunuchs, merchants, Jianghu forces, and even the Northern Di tribes.

His fingers slowly traced the name "Mr. Jia," and a cold, mocking smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Trying to mess with me?" he muttered to himself, as if speaking to someone in the void, "with those shady characters under your command?"

He picked up his pen, gently drew a circle next to the name "Mr. Jia," and wrote a few small words next to it.

Then, his gaze shifted to another corner of the map, where several symbols of the Northern Di tribes were marked, as well as a special mark—"Number Seven".

"Bald Crow...it's time for you to get moving." A cold glint flashed in Su Che's eyes. "Since you enjoy doing business with the Southern Rebel King so much, then I'll give you a 'big gift,' which I'm sure you won't refuse."

He quickly wrote a note, sealed it with sealing wax, and summoned the Grey Falcon.

"Send the fastest hawk to 'Number Seven.' Tell him the 'divide and conquer' plan can be carried out. The target is Bald Ugu and Uwei, the eldest son of Luandi Maodun. Make them completely turn against each other, to the death."

"Yes!" The gray falcon accepted the order and disappeared silently.

Su Che wrote several more instructions and gave them to Yin Wujiu, Pang Xiaopan, and several spies hidden in various parts of the capital.

After doing all this, he walked to the window, opened it, and let the biting cold wind rush in, dispelling the stuffiness of the room.

He gazed in the direction of the Third Prince's residence, his eyes distant and cold.

"Third Prince, Mr. Jia...you are plotting against the South, against the Princess, and against me."

Little did they know, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

"This capital city, this imperial court, this entire world..."

"Who is the true master of the game will soon be revealed."

"Your Highness, please rest assured as you journey south. I will finish this game of chess in the capital for you."

The cold wind howled, whipping up the hem of his blue robe.

The night grew even deeper.

War is about to break out in both the north and the south; a covert struggle has already begun.

This grand game concerning the fate of the empire has entered its most intense and dangerous mid-game struggle as Princess Yun Jin's carriage is about to leave the capital.

The real bloodshed has only just begun.