The bait was out; now, all that was needed was patience for the fish to bite.

With the fifteenth day of the month approaching, Zhao Mian made time to visit the infirmary and check on Bai Yu’s progress in refining the antidote. Wei Zhenfeng also tagged along.

The infirmary was filled with smoke, and bottles and jars piled high. On the floor, several crudely made straw cages lay scattered, with faint traces of dried blood still visible. As Wei Zhenfeng stepped in, he trod on something slimy. Looking down, he saw fresh snakeskin that had just been shed and the severed half-body of a scorpion.

After a moment of silence he lifted his foot from the snakeskin. “Suddenly, I feel quite alright not knowing the antidote’s formula.” What in the world are these things? Are they truly meant for human consumption?

Bai Yu, hearing the Young Prince’s voice, peered out from the dense mist: “Your Highness has arrived?” Lost in her alchemy, Bai Yu looked starkly different from her usual self. Her long dark hair was completely tied up with just a silver needle, used for testing poisons, coiled at the back of her head. Her unadorned face was streaked with ash in several places, and dark circles under her eyes clearly showed her lack of sleep.

Zhao Mian emphasized, “I’m here too.”

“Your Highness?” Bai Yu quickly wiped her hands on her skirt. She pulled out a chair from somewhere and even prepared to brew tea for Zhao Mian.

“No need to trouble yourself. I just came to check on you and will leave shortly,” Zhao Mian said. “How is the antidote coming along?”

Bai Yu beamed with joy: “Excellent progress, Your Highness. At this rate, we might even finish the antidote a few days early. Then, Your Highness can enjoy the Lantern Festival properly.”

Zhao Mian felt deeply relieved: “Excellent, but you must also pay attention to rest. Balancing work and rest is always the best approach.”

“Your Highness speaks wisely,” Wei Zhenfeng echoed. “Today, the snow has stopped and the sky is clear. Why doesn’t Divine Physician Bai invite Yun Yong and Hua Ju to go shopping? Dongling’s capital has many fresh and interesting things that Beiyuan and Nanjing don’t. As for the expenses, just put them on my tab.”

Bai Yu smiled, shaking her head: “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness and Young Prince. Your subordinate is not tired.”

Wei Zhenfeng smiled subtly: “Divine Physician, there’s no need to push yourself. It’s decided. I’ll send Yun Yong and Hua Ju to accompany you right away.”

Bai Yu: “…”

Zhao Mian tacitly approved Wei Zhenfeng’s suggestion. There was no rush for a day or two, and Bai Yu indeed needed rest.

Bai Yu escorted her two masters to the door, then suddenly remembered something: “Oh, Your Highness, I have something else for you.” She found a porcelain bottle among a pile of jars and bottles and handed it to Zhao Mian, asking with a hint of concern, “Does Your Highness know how to use it?”

Zhao Mian nodded understandingly: “Thank you for your trouble.”

Wei Zhenfeng curiously leaned over: “What is this?”

Zhao Mian instantly closed his palm, saying calmly, “You don’t need to know.”

Bai Yu first caught up on much-needed sleep, then was whisked away by Yun Yong and Hua Ju for a shopping trip. The three women spent most of the day shopping, bringing back many novel and rare items: cosmetics, silks, and even several packages of hot food.

Zhao Mian ate a freshly baked fish belly cake, thinking that girls truly were more considerate; his own brother would only bring him back a spinning top when he returned from playing outside the palace.

The girls also shared an amusing anecdote with His Highness and the Young Prince. 

The Young Prince had caused quite a stir at Lanyue Pavilion that day, becoming not only the focus of the capital’s noble youth but also a hot topic among the ladies. Especially his unusual pair of teardrop moles, which were first imitated by the courtesans of the pavilion, and then somehow spread into the circles of noblewomen. Now, everyone, no matter who they were, seemed to have a pair of teardrop moles under their eyes.

Wei Zhenfeng himself was deeply exasperated by this. He, a grown man, actually setting a makeup trend in the capital? Wasn’t that utterly ridiculous?

“What’s so good about these two moles?” Wei Zhenfeng grumbled. “If it didn’t leave scars, I’d have them removed.” 

For someone from the Fuxue Tower, the most important thing was to conceal one’s identity. Because his appearance was too memorable, Wei Zhenfeng used his real face very sparingly. Whenever he was out on official business, his face would be covered with a thick layer of disguise, and he was utterly fed up with it.

Zhao Mian was taken aback, exclaiming in surprise, “What nonsense are you talking—are you mad?” 

The man actually possesses a rare quality that I admire, and he wants to destroy it? Is he seriously ill?

The Young Prince hadn’t expected his casual remark to elicit such a strong reaction from the Crown Prince: “Who’s mad? Me?”

Zhao Mian reasoned with him: “You only have one face that people find appealing. Why do you always want to mess with it? Without those two moles, you wouldn’t be as uniquely handsome.”

Aside from the fifteenth day of last month, when Zhao Mian, under duress, admitted that he could eat just by looking at his face, this was the first time Zhao Mian praised him for his good looks. Wei Zhenfeng couldn’t help but raise his hand and gently touched the pair of teardrop moles that had caused him countless troubles since he was a child, and asked: “So, you like them?

“Mm,” Zhao Mian admitted frankly. “I quite like them.”

Wei Zhenfeng had been prepared for Zhao Mian to mock him, so Zhao Mian’s straightforward admission left him speechless for a moment. The Crown Prince can be quite… overwhelming when he’s being blunt.

Wei Zhenfeng pondered for a long time but couldn’t think of how to respond to Zhao Mian’s “liking.” Fortunately, official business found them at that moment.

Marquis Anyuan arrived to report: “Your Highness, there’s movement at the Beiyuan Embassy.”

Wei Zhenfeng breathed a sigh of relief. Doing official business was better; it was clear, simple, and direct, unlike his private affairs with Zhao Mian, which often left him feeling complicated and at a loss.

With official business at hand, Zhao Mian no longer cared about the fate of Wei Zhenfeng’s teardrop moles: “Good. Proceed.”

After returning from Lanyue Pavilion, Gu Ruzhang’s seal had been kept at the Beiyuan Embassy. It was placed in the storeroom, unguarded, quietly waiting for the fish to bite. Tonight, it finally did.

When Zhao Mian and Wei Zhenfeng arrived, the Beiyuan Embassy guards were already locked in battle with the assassins, and the scene was chaotic. To get a clear view, Wei Zhenfeng took Zhao Mian to the watchtower, observing the spectacle from above.

A full moon hung high, and the battle below was clearly visible in its bright light. There were about a dozen assassins, all dressed in black night suits, with half their faces covered by black cloth. Each of them was highly skilled, especially the young man leading them, who was a master among masters. He had already secured Gu Ruzhang’s seal, protecting it with one hand while wielding his sword with the other, effortlessly moving between allies and enemies, fighting outnumbered with ease.

“His skill is incredible,” Wei Zhenfeng praised. “However, this person seems familiar somehow.”

Zhao Mian’s tone was bland: “Is that so?”

Wei Zhenfeng’s attention was entirely captivated by the young man. 

He had just repelled two Fuxue Tower secret guards when he was ambushed by Yun Yong and Hua Ju from front and back.

The young man noticed his opponents were now two women. His sword-swinging motion paused for the briefest moment, and when he struck again, his strength and speed were noticeably reduced. Most of the time, he simply defended and parried, and when he occasionally thrust his sword, he avoided vital points. Could this Western Xia assassin be a chivalrous playboy who pities women?

Wei Zhenfeng pondered for a moment, then everything clicked into place. Zhao Mian’s move, seemingly designed to “draw out the snakes,” was in fact… a classic “mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.”

He chuckled: “I’ve discovered something interesting.”

Zhao Mian said, “Tell me.”

Wei Zhenfeng asked: “Where is Guard Shen, who always stays by the Crown Prince’s side, today, regardless of time or place?”

Zhao Mian scoffed faintly: “You’re only just realizing that.”

Though the young man was skilled, he couldn’t contend with the numerical superiority of the Beiyuan forces. Seeing himself about to be surrounded by Fuxue Tower members, the young man disregarded his companions. Decisively, he tucked the seal into his chest, leaped onto an enemy’s shoulder, scaled the high wall, and his nimble figure vanished into the night in the blink of an eye.

Hua Ju shouted “Chase!” and, along with Yun Yong, was the first to pursue.

Zhao Mian said, “The show here is over; let’s continue somewhere else.”

It was late at night; the streets were deserted, and every household had long extinguished their lights and gone to sleep. The young man had scouted the area beforehand, knowing the route out of the city like the back of his hand. He swiftly moved across rooftops and eaves, with Yun Yong and Hua Ju hot on his heels, but he gradually shook them off.

Just as he was about to exit the city, the young man suddenly accelerated, but an unexpected turn of events occurred. On his inevitable path ahead, a dozen burly men in black suddenly descended from the sky. Each wielded a sharp weapon, clearly prepared.

The young man stopped in time, his non-sword hand guardedly held to his chest, his voice low: “Who are you?”

“That’s a question I should be asking you,” the leading burly man growled. “Who are you, and why are you stealing Grand Tutor Gu’s property?”

The young man said coldly, “It’s none of your business. Get out of my way.”

The burly man grinned: “That’s easy to say. Young brother, you took such a big risk helping us get the Chief Minister’s Seal from those Beiyuan thieves. We appreciate your effort and don’t want to make things difficult for you. Just hand over the seal in your chest, and we’ll not only let you go but also take care of those two girls chasing you. How about it?”

The young man’s eyes darkened and he asked, “Are you from Western Xia?”

The burly man said, “Young brother, don’t ask too many questions. Curiosity will only harm you.”

With burly men blocking his front and girls chasing him from behind, the young man remained surprisingly calm: “Not necessarily.”

As he spoke, Yun Yong and Hua Ju caught up. The burly man, knowing they had no time to waste, roared, “If you won’t drink a toast, then you’ll drink a penalty! Brothers, attack!”

The young man unhesitatingly pulled off his black face covering, revealing a handsome, composed, and expressionless face—it was none other than Shen Buqi.

Hua Ju froze upon seeing Shen Buqi’s face: “Guard Shen…? What’s going on?”

Yun Yong was also startled. At that moment, she saw two figures standing side-by-side on a tall building not far away, lanterns hanging beneath the eaves, illuminating their dark and golden embroidered brocades. Both watched everything with a relaxed air, as if they had long anticipated a good show here. Her mind raced, and she quickly understood: “Go help Guard Shen.”

Seeing the young man and the Beiyuan ‘dogs’ suddenly team up, the burly man didn’t even have time to be bewildered. He instinctively raised his hammer to respond to the attack, and only half-way through the fight did he curse: “Damn it, how did we still fall for it!”

Wei Zhenfeng watched with keen interest, saying, “You didn’t tell us beforehand. Swords and blades have no eyes; what if Shen Buqi gets hurt?”

Zhao Mian said coolly, “By just you two?”

“Your Highness certainly has a lot of confidence in Guard Shen,” Wei Zhenfeng said slowly, observing the battle. “However, the Western Xia people are no pushovers either.”

Wei Zhenfeng’s words were true. Zhao Mian had given Shen Bqci prior orders to try and leave a few alive, so Shen Buqi naturally wouldn’t aim for a fatal blow. But these Western Xia people, knowing they had fallen into a trap and were surrounded, fought like cornered beasts, determined to battle to the death. Shen Buqi handled them with relative ease, but Yun Yong and Hua Ju had a tougher time.

Wei Zhenfeng took off his cloak and casually tossed it to Zhao Mian: “I’ll go help.”

Zhao Mian looked down at the dark red cloak in his arms, a frown creasing his brows: “What are you doing?”

Wei Zhenfeng blinked: “Huh?”

Zhao Mian pushed Wei Zhenfeng’s cloak back to him, then took a longbow from a guard behind him. His slender, fair fingers gripped the arrow’s fletching. The young man, under the moonlight, drew his bow, his wide, ornate sleeves flapping in the north wind, radiating a heroic and commanding presence.

The bow was fully drawn, and the arrow was released.

Shoot the horse first when confronting the rider, capture the king first when confronting a rebel.

The leading burly man let out a piercing shriek. In an instant, his right shoulder was pierced by the arrow, blood spreading outwards. His large hammer clanged to the ground, and he was then completely subdued by Shen Buqi, who rushed forward.

Wei Zhenfeng looked at Zhao Mian’s profile, silently chanting “pure heart and moderate desires, stay away from beauty” three times in his mind, yet he still couldn’t tear his gaze away. It wasn’t until Shen Buqi and the others began to clean up the aftermath that he finally managed to regain his focus on official business: “Did you kill him with that arrow?”

“It didn’t hit a vital spot,” Zhao Mian tossed the longbow to Wei Zhenfeng, who caught it steadily. “He won’t die.”

These assassins had prepared for failure. Seeing the battle lost, they all bit down on the poison they had hidden in their mouths, and within moments, they were thoroughly dead. The only one left alive was the leader, who had been shot by Zhao Mian. Shen Buqi knocked him unconscious, dislocated his jaw, and promptly removed the poison.

Shen Buqi carried the burly man to Zhao Mian to report. Zhao Mian nodded: “Hard work. Your salary will be doubled this month.”

Wei Zhenfeng stepped forward, pulled off the burly man’s black face covering, and upon seeing his face, said, “It’s not Gu Shaodeng.”

Zhao Mian asked, “Then who is it?”

Zhao Mian merely asked out of curiosity, not expecting Wei Zhenfeng to answer. But to his surprise, Wei Zhenfeng actually knew the man: “Huo Kangshou, one of Gu Shaodeng’s most trusted confidants. We’ve caught a big fish this time.”

Zhao Mian corrected him: “You didn’t catch him, I did.”

Wei Zhenfeng humored him: “Yes, yes, you did.”

Huo Kangshou was taken back to the Nanjing Embassy by Zhao Mian, where he was looked after and treated by the embassy’s physician. Zhao Mian had acted with great precision; although Huo Kangshou had lost a lot of blood and his arm was useless, his life was not in danger. After a day of unconsciousness, he woke up in the embassy.

Huo Kangshou was woken by the pain. But having faced life and death many times and teetered on the brink of death, this pain was nothing to him. He grimaced with his bearded face, opening his eyes with difficulty. Upon seeing them, his blood rushed, and he was overcome with anger: “…Wei dog!”

“Long time no see, Commander Huo,” Wei Zhenfeng stood by the bed, smiling. “Two years apart, how did you become so weak?”

Huo Kangshou struggled to get out of bed, his large movements aggravating his wound. Blood seeped through the white bandages, but he paid it no mind: “I, I’ll fight you to the death, you son of a bitch!”

Shen Buqi stepped forward and pressed Huo Kangshou back down. Zhao Mian spoke coldly: “If you want to fight, take it outside. Don’t act wildly on my Nanjing territory.”

Huo Kangshou, a muscular man, was pinned to the bed, unable to move. He clutched his wound, glaring hatefully at Wei Zhenfeng, his features distorted by intense hatred: “I know what you’re trying to do, Wei Zhenfeng. I’m telling you, you’ll never succeed!”

Wei Zhenfeng chuckled: “That sounds familiar. Before I attacked Lingzhou, didn’t you shout the same thing from the city wall?”

Huo Kangshou seemed to have been hit where it hurt. He turned pale with rage, letting out a grunt and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

“Enough, don’t provoke him,” Zhao Mian said, displeased. “Do you want to infuriate him to death?”

Wei Zhenfeng was quick to admit his fault: “Alright, alright, I won’t say another word.”

Huo Kangshou, who had fought Wei Zhenfeng for years, saw Wei Zhenfeng back down so quickly for the first time. His eyes flashed with surprise, and he suddenly looked at Zhao Mian: “You are Nanjing’s Xiao Jue?”

Zhao Mian said, “I am.”

“What is Xiao Shiqing to you?”

Zhao Mian’s eyes instantly turned cold: “If you dare to call the Prime Minister by his given name again, not only will your other arm be gone, but both your legs won’t be safe either. Understand?”

Huo Kangshou burst into laughter: “What is a brave man afraid of death! People of Nanjing, don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. You want the Western Xia treasures? Fine, if you kill Wei Zhenfeng, I’ll tell you where the treasure is.”

Wei Zhenfeng just smiled: “Your scheme of sowing discord is too blatant. Do we look like fools to you?”

“People die for wealth, birds die for food,” Huo Kangshou spat, expelling blood from his mouth. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to monopolize my Western Xia treasures? Don’t pretend, Wei dog. How many of your Beiyuan men died on my Western Xia land? Are you really willing to share a piece of the pie with Nanjing?”

Wei Zhenfeng’s smile vanished completely: “You don’t have the brains for this—did Gu Shaodeng tell you to say that?”

Huo Kangshou ignored him and instead said to Zhao Mian: “People of Nanjing, if Beiyuan grows stronger with the Western Xia treasures, can you maintain your position as the dominant power among the three nations? The Beiyuan Emperor wants to unify the world. First Western Xia, then Dongling, and finally it will be your Nanjing’s turn!”

Zhao Mian fell into deep thought.

Wei Zhenfeng glanced at Zhao Mian. Of course, I wouldn’t be fooled by such a clumsy ploy to sow discord. Zhao Mian… he wouldn’t either, right?

It was hard to say. In the Crown Prince’s heart, Nanjing’s interests would always come first. If he were to truly turn against him over the Western Xia treasures in the future, it seemed… perhaps he wouldn’t be unable to understand?

Just as the atmosphere between the two grew tense, Huo Kangshou smirked, delivering his final words: “I can tell you the location of the treasure, but only one of you. As for who, you figure it out yourselves!”

Wei Zhenfeng was about to say something more when Bai Yu knocked and entered: “Your Crown Highness, Your Highness, apologies for the interruption.”

Zhao Mian asked, displeased, “What is it?” Interrupting him at a time like this, doesn’t she know he’s busy with important matters?

Bai Yu said gently, “I just wanted to remind you both that it’s almost midnight. And today is the fourteenth of the eleventh month.”

Zhao Mian: “…”

Wei Zhenfeng: “…”

Huo Kangshou keenly observed that the moment the woman spoke, the atmosphere between the “Wei dog” and the Nanjing man suddenly shifted, from one kind of urgency to another indescribable… urgency.

Wei Zhenfeng pressed his temples: “Let’s stop the interrogation here for today. We have important business to attend to.”

Zhao Mian nodded: “Good.”Huo Kangshou watched the two leave without the slightest hesitation, feeling a bit bewildered: “You two…” What’s wrong with these two? What could be more important than the Western Xia treasure clues???