Yin Zhuli finished her preparations. The following day, Zhou Xianlu informed her that the King had bestowed Qingwan upon Zhang Qing, which finally allowed her a measure of relief.
That night, Zhang Qing brought her some tea leaves. She instructed him to go to the Yin residence and ask Ke Tingfeng to treat Qingwan’s injuries. Knowing the long-standing connection between Ke Tingfeng and the Yin family, Zhang Qing naturally agreed. As he was about to leave, Yin Zhuli called out to him once more. "Zhang Qing, the Ninth Master doesn't have many confidants in this palace, and his health is poor. He tends to get into moods and brood by himself. When you have the chance, try to counsel him more."
Hearing the underlying sense of departure in her words, Zhang Qing felt a surge of alarm. "Mother Consort, though Father is currently forced by circumstances, he still holds you in his heart. You must not do anything rash!"
Yin Zhuli laughed and gave him a light swat on the head. "Pah, pay no mind to the ramblings of a child. Alright, now get out of here."
Zhang Qing offered a few more earnest words of comfort, but as the night grew late and it was improper to stay longer, he finally departed from Shuiping Palace.
Yin Zhuli kept the fire burning. She sat by the brazier and waited until the third watch. She had actually fallen asleep when she was suddenly startled awake. Opening her eyes, she broke into a smile. "You’ve come?"
A man stood ramrod straight beside the brazier. Looking at his face, it was none other than the deposed Emperor who had fled in disgrace, Shen Tingyao. The look in his eyes as he watched Yin Zhuli was somewhat dazed. "You were waiting for me?"
Yin Zhuli pointed to the only chair in the room. "Sit." Once he was seated, her face beamed with smiles again. "I figured you would show up eventually. Earlier, Zhang Qing’s men were guarding Zhaohua Hall too closely; you likely couldn't have made it in then."
Her intuition was correct. This palace had always been equipped with secret passages, but the secrets were strictly reserved for the Emperor. When the previous Emperor passed the throne, he would pass down the blueprints of the palace's underground tunnels to facilitate escape or concealment during emergencies. To remain hidden, the entrances were usually placed in extremely inconspicuous locations. The Cold Palace was undoubtedly one of those entry points.
Shen Tingyao did not evade the subject, speaking candidly. "I can come and go as I please in this palace."
Yin Zhuli nodded. "I thought as much. Did Qu Huaishang come with you?"
Shen Tingyao had grown a bit of stubble. Having not seen him for some time, he looked much thinner, but compared to before, he seemed to have matured. "I ordered him to go see Lingyu first. If he came here... I fear he wouldn't let matters rest with you."
Yin Zhuli laughed heartily. "Naturally. However, as things stand, you cannot afford to lose either of us."
Shen Tingyao stood up and walked to her side, sitting down on the floor with her. The fire had been burning for a long time, and the floor was quite warm. "Yin Zhuli, what exactly do you want? If it is wealth, you are already rich enough to rival a nation. If it is power, you have already been the Mother of the Realm. If it is love, you once held the exclusive favor of the inner palace. Tell me, what is it you seek?"
Yin Zhuli stretched lazily, smiling like a cat that had just eaten its fill. "Second Master, a person without long-term plans will surely face immediate troubles. But for now, I truly can strike a bargain with you."
Shen Tingyao’s gaze narrowed slightly. "Speak."
Yin Zhuli lightly tapped the archer’s ring on his thumb. Shen Tingyao understood instantly. "The treasure map?" He then frowned. "You used a fake treasure map to pit so many people against each other. Do you really think I’ll believe you again?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Yin Zhuli nodded. "You will."
Having said that, she gently unfastened her outer robe. Beneath it, she wore a backless bodice. Shen Tingyao’s throat moved slightly, but she simply took a bottle of medicinal liquid that smelled of wine and rubbed it over her honey-toned skin. Shen Tingyao was confused at first, but a moment later, a look of surprise crossed his face—a crimson tattoo began to emerge on her back, faintly revealing the shapes of mountains and rivers.
He hesitated for several moments, but Yin Zhuli had already pulled her robe back on. "Second Master, do you believe me now?"
Shen Tingyao remained silent. Yin Zhuli tied her sash and sat back down by the brazier, leisurely adding wood to the fire without any sign of urgency. Finally, Shen Tingyao could no longer keep his composure. "Your conditions?"
Yin Zhuli was very straightforward. "It’s simple. I will help you find the treasure. Once it’s in hand, you will escort me across the borders of Great Ying. The treasure is near Mount Changbai; it’s right on your way."
Shen Tingyao was somewhat suspicious. "That simple?"
Yin Zhuli nodded. "Before this, I already sent Tan Yue and Lian Kang to Great Yuezhi to pave the way. Most of the Yin family's assets have already been transferred there. To the west of Mount Changbai lies the territory of Great Yuezhi; someone will meet me once I arrive. As for this treasure, it is merely the wealth of ancestors. As you said, I am already rich enough to rival a nation. To me, money is no more than dirt."
Shen Tingyao began to believe her. "But if you go to Great Yuezhi, Shen Tingjiao won't let the rest of the Yin family off the hook, will he?"
Yin Zhuli nodded. "But if you are busy fighting him from within, he won't have the leisure to worry about the minor affairs of my Yin family."
Shen Tingyao’s expression darkened again. "Last time, you let me go on purpose just for today?"
Yin Zhuli’s smile was enough to melt the winter snow. "Second Master, Zhuli is a merchant. A merchant pursues profit and avoids disaster; while walking my own path, I like to leave a path for others as well. I don't like to push things to the absolute extreme. You must understand the current situation: you, me, and Shen Tingjiao are in a temporary three-way balance. Currently, the strongest power is undoubtedly Shen Tingjiao, followed by me, and then you. Right now, you cannot move against Shen Tingjiao, because if he dies while you are not strong enough, Fu Chaoying and Xue Chengyi will surely declare independence with their armies. The situation would spiral beyond our control. Therefore, you must first strengthen yourself. Even in the era of the Three Kingdoms, Wu and Shu knew to unite against Cao Cao. You couldn't possibly fail to understand this logic."
Shen Tingyao’s face shifted between light and shadow, but Yin Zhuli didn't mind. "After obtaining this treasure, your strength will increase greatly. Then you can wait for the right opportunity, unite with the high officials who still favor you, and in the end, who knows who will emerge victorious? By then, I will already be in Great Yuezhi, and the outcome here will have nothing to do with me."
"I need to consider it. Wait for my word." Shen Tingyao didn't dare to trust Yin Zhuli easily again. This woman was too cunning; she would trade you exactly what you desired most, only for you to realize in the end that she was the one whose wishes were truly fulfilled.
"You must be quick," Yin Zhuli said in a measured tone. "Opportunities vanish in the blink of an eye. Furthermore, if the Second Master agrees, you must fetch my mother from the Yin residence to travel with me. She is old; though I am unfilial, I cannot leave her alone at the Yin house."
Shen Tingyao felt a bit more at ease—Madam Yin knew no martial arts and had lived a life of luxury; she could serve as a hostage during the journey, ensuring Yin Zhuli wouldn't play any tricks.
With that thought, he began to lean toward the deal—he truly did need that treasure.
Yin Zhuli added enough wood to the fire and finally walked to her couch. "Please leave, Second Master. I shall await your good news."
Shen Tingyao gritted his teeth. "It’s a deal then. I’m going to see Lingyu first."
Yin Zhuli’s voice turned cold. "Qu Lingyu just suffered a miscarriage. Her current physical state is not suitable for long-distance travel. Besides, you know how it is between her and me. If Qu Lingyu and Qu Huaishang come along, I refuse this deal."
She knew what she was doing. If something went wrong midway, Shen Tingjiao could still use Qu Lingyu to trade for her, which served as a backup plan. For now, Qu Lingyu absolutely had to stay behind.
Shen Tingyao paused for a moment before replying, "I am only going to visit. I never said I was taking her with me right now."
Yin Zhuli nodded, climbed onto her couch, and curled up under the covers to sleep.
The next day, Shen Tingyao indeed returned, bringing Qu Huaishang with him. When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with hatred. Qu Huaishang stared at Yin Zhuli with loathing, while Yin Zhuli looked at him with a smile, even daring to greet him. "Second Young Master Qu, have you been well?"
Qu Huaishang ground his teeth so hard they nearly bled. Shen Tingyao patted his shoulder lightly, and he turned his head away, refusing to look at Yin Zhuli any longer. Shen Tingyao tossed a set of black clothes to Yin Zhuli, signaling for her to change. Yin Zhuli still had one concern: "Has my mother been picked up?"
Shen Tingyao nodded. "She has already left Chang'an. You will see her once you are out of the city."
Yin Zhuli was satisfied. "Everyone turn around! Whoever looks will get sties in their eyes!" Shen Tingyao and Qu Huaishang both turned their backs. As she changed behind the bed curtains, she remembered something else. "Second Master, I think you should do something for your unborn child."
Shen Tingyao knew Qu Lingyu had suffered much. She was, after all, his wedded wife, and he felt the pain as well. Hearing this, he couldn't help but cold snort. "What?"
Yin Zhuli’s voice was leisurely. "Revenge."
That night, Yin Zhuli made an appointment with Chao Xi, telling him to wait for her at Zhaohua Hall.
The ones who went to Zhaohua Hall that night were Qu Huaishang and Yin Zhuli. Since Shen Tingyao’s martial arts had been crippled and he couldn't exert force, and since Yin Zhuli was familiar with Zhaohua Hall while Qu Huaishang knew the secret passages, the two of them were the most suitable for the infiltration.
At that hour, Zhaohua Hall was lit only by a few lanterns, and most of the palace servants had retired. Chao Xi was waiting outside, huddled in a ball amidst the hidden greenery and shivering from the cold. When he saw Yin Zhuli dressed in night-traveler's clothes, masked so only her eyes were visible, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. Yin Zhuli’s voice was extremely low: "When you hear a commotion inside, rush in immediately. No matter what, you must get inside. Wherever the King is, move toward him. Remember, you are going in to warn the King of an assassin."
Chao Xi was completely bewildered, and in an instant, the person before him had vanished. He waited outside Zhaohua Hall, carefully avoiding the patrolling guards, his heart pounding with anxiety.
Yin Zhuli was intimately familiar with Zhaohua Hall. She and Qu Huaishang entered through the tunnel, the exit of which was in the stables within the hall's grounds. She nearly got stepped on by a horse when she poked her head out. Qu Huaishang had harbored murderous intent toward her the whole time, but she was on her guard, and if they truly fought, the outcome would be uncertain. Thus, the two of them cooperated while remaining wary of each other, managing to stay at peace.
In the bedchamber of Zhaohua Hall, Yin Zhuli knocked out the palace maid on night watch. On the phoenix bed in the inner room, Xue Zangshi was sleeping alone. Qu Huaishang reached out and slapped her awake. She opened her eyes and, after a long pause, let out a piercing scream: "Assassins!"
Yin Zhuli smiled thinly. Qu Huaishang dragged her from the bed and kicked her to the floor. Yin Zhuli pulled her up. Seeing her disheveled hair and her look of absolute terror, Yin Zhuli found it rather amusing. Without saying much, she propped one of Xue Zangshi’s jade-like legs onto the bed frame, raised her own left leg, and stomped down with force.
The crisp sound of bone snapping made even Qu Huaishang flinch. Xue Zangshi screamed again, and this time, the cry began to draw the guards.
Yin Zhuli released her unhurriedly. Her voice, muffled by the veil, still carried a hint of a smile. "You broke your promise to me. I don't believe in karmic retribution, so when it comes to revenge, it’s better to do it personally."
Qu Huaishang said in a low voice, "Someone’s coming."
Yin Zhuli leapt into the courtyard with him. Shen Tingjiao had already arrived, throwing on a robe. Zhang Qing had not yet reached the scene, but a squad of guards had already drawn their blades. Chao Xi, however, had already rushed in. Seeing Yin Zhuli, he didn't dare delay and scrambled toward Shen Tingjiao. Yin Zhuli reached back and took the bow from Qu Huaishang’s back. This bow had been left to him by Qu Tianji; it was like an old friend to Yin Zhuli.
Seeing her take up an arrow, the guards immediately moved to intercept. Qu Huaishang thought Yin Zhuli intended to assassinate Shen Tingjiao, so he did his best to block the guards. Meanwhile, Yin Zhuli drew the bow and aimed directly at Shen Tingjiao.
Chao Xi was a kind-hearted soul. How could he have known that Yin Zhuli intended to commit regicide? He instinctively lunged in front of Shen Tingjiao. Yin Zhuli inwardly shouted "Perfect!" and released the string. The arrow struck Chao Xi squarely in the shoulder. Before the blood could even flow, he collapsed to the ground. The palace erupted in chaos as everyone screamed, "Protect the King! Protect the King!"
Yin Zhuli feigned a missed shot, grabbed Qu Huaishang, and leapt onto the eaves. With a few bounds, they vanished into the night. She did not look back. She knew that this single arrow was enough to ensure that this simple, kind child would rise above his station and enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor.
By the time Zhang Qing arrived with the archers, Xue Zangshi had already been carried to her bed, and Chao Xi was being attended to by specialists. As the imperial physicians rushed to treat them, the two assassins were already long gone.
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