A thousand-year-old fox spirit suddenly playing the role of a saint, hoping to fool whom?

Xiahou Dan paused, his expression softening, “My beloved consort has such a kind heart.”

She’s fooled him!!

The palace servants breathed heavily.

That day, Yu Wanyin’s name spread throughout the palace.

Xie Yong’er listened to her maid recount the scene and furrowed her brows, puzzled.

Did the tyrant trust Yu Wanyin that much?

Even stranger, why didn’t Yu Wanyin accuse her?

Was it because she was too stupid to suspect her? Unlikely.

Was it because she had no evidence and couldn’t harm her with just words? But given the tyrant’s nature, he didn’t need any evidence…

Yu Wanyin had let go of a golden opportunity to eliminate a rival so easily.

Xie Yong’er recalled Yu Wanyin’s words about “looking out for each other” and felt a tremor of doubt, followed by a sense of absurdity—throughout “Eastern Wind Night Blooms a Thousand Trees,” Yu Wanyin flawlessly navigated between the emperor and the prince, with other concubines becoming mere stepping stones to her success.

With such acting skills, nothing she said could be believed.

That night, the first working meeting at Pan Si Dong (Spider’s Web Cave) was successfully held in front of a small hotpot.

Yu Wanyin sighed, “The attempt to win her over didn’t go well. Xie Yong’er seems to have built a high wall against me, treating me like a mere character.”

Xiahou Dan responded, “No, you’re not understanding this.”

Yu Wanyin: “What?”

Xiahou Dan: “Think about it. You’re a real person, she isn’t. She’s a character from ‘Transmigrated into a Demon Consort,’ and her transmigrator identity is part of the original plot. Her personality and thinking are pre-set. Convincing her to switch sides is likely very difficult.”

Yu Wanyin hadn’t considered this perspective. She realized she had been subconsciously treating Xie Yong’er as a fellow transmigrator.

So they weren’t the same after all.

She felt disheartened but tried to remain hopeful, “Let’s not be too quick to draw conclusions. Let’s observe a bit more. How did your talk with Xu Yao go?”

Xiahou Dan replied, “I told him I could bring his father back with just one word. He’s smart and knows what he needs to trade. But he left looking deeply troubled, probably still deciding whom to trust.”

“Good, good. Keep following that line. You don’t have your own power base, so you must survive by stirring things up.” Yu Wanyin analyzed, “I’ve been racking my brain to recall the original plot. In the court, seventy percent of the officials are aligned with the Empress Dowager, and thirty percent with Prince Duan.”

Xiahou Dan asked, “Can the Empress Dowager help me?”

“You wish. She’s your stepmother, young and ambitious, and thinks you’re disobedient. She’s been raising the young prince by her side, hoping to bypass you and become the next Lu Wu. But don’t worry, in the book, she never causes much trouble and you’re still overthrown by Prince Duan…”

Xiahou Dan was taken aback, “Young prince?”

“Your son.”

“I have a son?”

“…”

Yu Wanyin replied, “Yes, just one. You had him when you were fifteen. He’s seven now.”

Xiahou Dan took half a minute to process this news.

Xiahou Dan: “Then, my son’s mother…”

“She died. Apparently, she died of illness after giving birth.”

Xiahou Dan smiled bitterly, “I’m not even married in real life.”

Yu Wanyin: “Don’t mind the details.”

The Empress Dowager’s faction, largely comprised of corrupt officials, had control over the court, using flattery and manipulation to keep the tyrant confused. Meanwhile, the military officials, long oppressed by the civil officials, had been quietly won over by Prince Duan.

Yu Wanyin said, “I think the only way is to make them fight each other. Since you’re in a precarious position, you can instigate conflict, causing chaos and seizing opportunities amidst the turmoil. As for how to execute it…”

Xiahou Dan made an “OK” gesture, “I’ll improvise.”

The first meeting at Pan Si Dong concluded successfully.

After the hotpot, Yu Wanyin remembered something, “Actually, there was a major catalyst for your overthrow—a drought.”

“When? Next year? The year after?”

“I’m not sure, somewhere around two-thirds of the way through the book.”

Xiahou Dan: “…”

Yu Wanyin, who usually skimmed through books without delving into details, felt guilty and tried to make up for it by recalling specifics: “When the drought came, the treasury was empty, and the people were destitute. Instead of finding ways to provide disaster relief, you listened to treacherous ministers and built some kind of divine palace for worship. Many people starved, rebellions broke out everywhere, and the country fell into chaos… Then you were assassinated.”

Xiahou Dan: “But you don’t remember who the assassin was, or the exact day it happened.”

Yu Wanyin: “…It was in the last few pages.”

Xiahou Dan rubbed his forehead: “Can you remember something useful?”

Yu Wanyin, irritated, retorted, “It’s too late to complain now! At least it’s something. After you were stabbed, Prince Duan marched into the palace under the pretext of protecting the king. However, your injuries were fatal. The ministers argued that the country was in a critical state, and the young prince was too inexperienced to take the throne. They urged Prince Duan to become emperor to stabilize the nation. He ascended to the throne and became a wise ruler.”

Xiahou Dan: “I can see you liked Prince Duan when you read the book.”

Yu Wanyin: “…Perspective, perspective determines stance.”

Yu Wanyin continued, trying to redeem herself: “I think we can prevent this disaster from happening! We should start searching for drought-resistant crops now and find ways to encourage large-scale planting.”

Xiahou Dan gave her a thumbs-up: “Yuan Longping.”

Yu Wanyin: “This is a serious matter; we must act discreetly. I don’t trust anyone else with this task. I want to go to the library to research.”

Xiahou Dan: “I’ll find an excuse to say you need to compile a book and send you there.”

Yu Wanyin: “Alright.”

Yu Wanyin was secretly pleased. The library was built on the edge of the palace, with two large doors—one facing inside, the other outside—for ministers to enter and read. She needed to leave herself an escape route. If Xiahou Dan couldn’t outplay Xiahou Bo, and the loyalist troops marched in, she might be able to pull off a threefold escape.

Just as she was thinking about this, Xiahou Dan added, “This is good. If I die, you can disguise yourself in the library and might still escape.”

Yu Wanyin paused, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite describe.

That day in court, General Luo returned from his campaign.

General Luo was a brave warrior who had repelled an invasion from the Yan Kingdom, driving them back three hundred miles—this book’s geography was fictional, with several small countries around it.

Xiahou Dan lounged on the throne, pressing his temple with one hand, lazily praising the general with a few perfunctory words, and added, “We must thank General Luo for looking after my royal brother.”

General Luo: “I am humbled.”

Xiahou Bo stood respectfully behind him, head bowed, not looking up.

Having joined the army and fought alongside the soldiers, Xiahou Bo had already built strong camaraderie. But before General Luo returned, he had instructed him to act as if they weren’t close in front of the emperor.

Xiahou Dan continued dismissively, “What should we reward him with…”

“Your Majesty, I have a report!” The Minister of Revenue stepped forward. “General Luo recently requested military pay, which for some reason is twenty percent higher than usual.”

This Minister of Revenue was one of the Empress Dowager’s cronies, gorging himself on corruption in the most lucrative department.

“Due to poor harvests this year, most of the national grain reserves have been used for disaster relief, and now General Luo makes such an exorbitant request…”

Suddenly, the Empress Dowager’s faction jumped in to fuel the fire, criticizing General Luo from all angles. The Prince Duan faction, known for their caution, stayed silent.

General Luo, a straightforward military man, couldn’t outtalk these ministers. His face turned purple with rage, his killing intent barely concealed as he stared directly at the emperor.

Xiahou Dan asked, “What does my royal brother think?”

Xiahou Bo: “?”

Xiahou Bo, unaccustomed to the emperor’s sudden delegation, carefully responded, “Since grain reserves are low, and Your Majesty cares for the people, the central army should share the burden.”

Xiahou Dan’s lips curled slightly, his eyes filled with mockery. Clearly, even this righteous prince didn’t truly care for his soldiers.

Xiahou Bo thought to have General Luo bear a grudge against the emperor while he secretly distributed his private grain to the troops. Though it would be meager, it would show his intentions.

He wanted to say more to comfort General Luo but was interrupted by the tyrant, “I don’t understand. The military budget has been the same every year, so why suddenly is it not enough? Is it that the border is so comfortable that everyone has gotten fat?”

The Minister of Revenue led the laughter, filling the court with joy.

General Luo finally erupted, “Your Majesty, let me present something to show what your soldiers eat daily!”

Two sacks were brought forward, and An Xian reached into one, pulling out a handful of grains mixed with fine sand and pebbles, presenting it to Xiahou Dan.

General Luo: “This is the military ration from the Ministry of Revenue!”

The Minister of Revenue laughed shrilly, “Where did you get this rough rice to deceive His Majesty? Our wise emperor would never believe you!”

The ministers, experienced in manipulating the emperor, joined in the ridicule, filling the court with laughter.

Xiahou Dan stood up.

He walked to a palace guard, grabbed his sword, and strode down the steps towards the ministers.

The emperor was going mad again. Initially amused, the Minister of Revenue soon realized the emperor’s approach and began to panic, “Your Majesty!”

Xiahou Dan charged at him with the sword.

The Minister of Revenue stumbled backward, falling, then scrambling to his feet, fleeing and shouting, “Your Majesty!”

Xiahou Dan pursued him relentlessly.

The Minister of Revenue ran around a pillar.

The stunned guards finally reacted, rushing to seize the Minister of Revenue, binding his hands and feet, holding him in place, and looking at Xiahou Dan.

Xiahou Dan, panting, stopped and smiled at the guards, “What, waiting for me to do it?”

Guard: “…”

One guard ended the Minister of Revenue’s life with a sword.

The court fell silent.

Xiahou Dan staggered, holding his head as he returned to the throne, “He was laughing too loudly.”

The ministers: “…”

Xiahou Dan pointed at General Luo, “You, go to the Ministry of Revenue and collect the military pay yourself.”

General Luo, still in shock, finally knelt and thanked the emperor.

The Empress Dowager’s faction cast meaningful glances at Xiahou Bo.

Xiahou Bo remained composed, his expression one of national concern, showing no sign of satisfaction.

Back at the prince’s residence, Xiahou Bo gathered his strategists to discuss the situation.

Xiahou Bo: “The emperor’s sudden madness—was it really just a coincidence? Now that the Minister of Revenue is dead, the Empress Dowager’s faction will blame me and retaliate.”

Xu Yao: “…At least the central army soldiers will eat well. That’s a good thing.”

Xiahou Bo looked at him strangely, surprised by his sudden naivety, “If the central army eats well, they won’t hate the emperor anymore.”

Xu Yao, who had always believed in the pragmatism of achieving great things, felt a chill as the mad king’s words echoed in his mind: “Who saved your life, showing false compassion, and made you his guard dog…”

Xu Yao sensed Xiahou Bo’s gaze and quickly changed the subject, “What kind of person is this Consort Yu, whom the emperor has recently favored?”

Meanwhile, Xiahou Dan and Yu Wanyin were discussing Xiahou Bo: “He’s a villain, a complete villain, whether he’s a transmigrator or not.”

Yu Wanyin said, “That’s dangerous. We must find a way to be even more ruthless.”

Xiahou Dan: “His strategist, Xu Yao, should be investigating the past few days. Unfortunately, there’s no evidence against Prince Duan…”

Yu Wanyin: “Evidence can be fabricated.”

Xiahou Dan: “Brilliant.”

Yu Wanyin smirked and clapped her hands with Xiahou Dan.

Xiahou Dan: “No, on second thought, ‘framing a loyal minister’ wouldn’t leave much evidence. If he finds something, it’d be suspicious.”

Yu Wanyin: “Then how about this? First, we tell him that to avoid Prince Duan’s suspicion, we have to secretly bring his father back without letting Prince Duan know… then we intentionally slip up during the process, making him think it’s been leaked.”

Xiahou Dan understood, “And finally, have someone assassinate his father, framing Prince Duan?”

Yu Wanyin added, “But your people must risk their lives to rescue his father.”

Xiahou Dan: “Brilliant.”

Yu Wanyin smirked and clapped her hands with him.

The library, built by the water, offered a scenic view of the rippling waves outside.

Yu Wanyin completed her formalities and settled in openly.

She focused intently on crop research for two hours without success, her attention gradually waning. The innate laziness of a corporate worker overcame her rationality, and she began doodling on the rice paper.

At that moment, a eunuch announced from outside the library, “Prince Duan is here—”

To avoid suspicion, Yu Wanyin’s desk was set up in a secluded corner on the second floor, where only those with a decree could enter.

But palace servants, skilled in sycophancy, knew whose paths to smooth. Yu Wanyin heard murmurs from downstairs, then footsteps ascending the stairs.

The footsteps were steady and unhurried. Yu Wanyin peered through the gaps in the bookshelf and saw Xiahou Bo entering.

Today, he wore a style reminiscent of the Wei and Jin dynasties, with wide sleeves and long hair half-up and half-down. Walking leisurely, he looked like a moonlit figure, casting an ethereal charm. Despite knowing his terrifyingly cunning nature, Yu Wanyin couldn’t help but admire his beauty.

A few seconds later, another person followed—dressed as a plain scholar with a somber expression, seemingly in disguise. It had to be Xu Yao.

What were they doing here?

Yu Wanyin remained calm, considering how her character would react in this situation.

—Oh, the original character had a crush on Prince Duan.

They appeared to be genuinely looking for a book, slowly moving towards Yu Wanyin’s corner.

Yu Wanyin: “…”

Just act, act it out.

Finally, Xiahou Bo glanced her way, as if just noticing her, and exclaimed, “Consort Yu.”

Yu Wanyin hurriedly stood up, shyly greeting him, “Prince Duan.”

According to the original plot, Xiahou Bo and Yu Wanyin had met once before she entered the palace, at the Lantern Festival market. She had sneaked out to have fun and met Xiahou Bo in disguise.

She fell in love at first sight with the mysterious and handsome young man, returning home lovesick and unwilling to enter the palace. Though Xiahou Bo enjoyed her company, he quickly forgot about her.

Later, Yu Wanyin was forced into the palace by her family. The second encounter with Prince Duan in the cold palace was erased by Xie Yong’er, resulting in Yu Wanyin’s unrequited love throughout “Transmigrated into a Demon Consort,” while Xiahou Bo only loved Xie Yong’er.

Yu Wanyin couldn’t determine if this Xiahou Bo was the original character or not, nor why he was looking for her.

To be safe, she decided to stick to the script.

She glanced at him with a hint of melancholy, “Why is Your Highness here?”

“I was looking for a book but couldn’t find it. I must have remembered wrong,” Xiahou Bo replied smoothly.

Yu Wanyin offered, “Then, tell me the title, and I’ll help you find it.”

Xiahou Bo didn’t take the bait, smiling at her, “I heard you were here compiling a book?”

Yu Wanyin lowered her head, “Just organizing some poetry. The emperor saw I was bored in my quarters and found me something to do.”

“Your literary talents are admirable.”

Up close, Xiahou Bo and Xiahou Dan indeed looked like brothers. Both were pale and had similar features. But while Xiahou Dan’s pallor was sickly and his gaze sinister, Xiahou Bo appeared refined and gentle, like a jade sculpture.

It was hard to believe he was the one with deep-seated hatred and malicious plans.

Yu Wanyin tried to read his expressions, inadvertently staring a bit too long. Xiahou Bo smiled, “At the palace banquet the other day, you also seemed to be looking at me with some confusion.”

Yu Wanyin’s heart skipped a beat, her mind racing, as she gently sighed, “I was just surprised to learn that the young man I met at the Lantern Festival was the famous Prince Duan.”

A plausible story, hard to dispute.

Xiahou Bo also sighed, “I was in disguise that night and couldn’t reveal my identity. I hope you understand.”

Score: 0-0.

Yu Wanyin continued probing, “News doesn’t travel well in the palace. How is my family?”

—According to the original setting, her father was a minor official, known to Xiahou Bo. If he were the original character, he would know.

Xiahou Bo recalled, “When I last saw him, Assistant Minister Yu was in good health and seemed to have recently taken up tea ceremony.”

Score: 0-0.

Yu Wanyin kept her sorrowful gaze on him, thinking quickly about her next move.

Xiahou Bo spoke first, “After the Lantern Festival, I nearly didn’t recognize you at the banquet.”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

Her character was supposed to be a delicate flower, overshadowed by the made-up Xie Yong’er. Plus, she harbored fear and hatred towards the emperor, which led her to palace intrigues later.

Now she had preemptively taken on the role of a seductive consort, laughing and whispering with the emperor in front of Xiahou Bo…

Yu Wanyin’s heart pounded.

In the original text, Prince Duan never paid much attention to Yu Wanyin. How could he notice the change?

You’ve only met me twice, yet you see so clearly. Something is definitely wrong, right?

Although the evidence isn’t conclusive, let’s count it as 0.5:0.

Yu Wanyin tried to salvage the situation, reverting to her delicate flower persona with a bitter smile, “Who enters this deep palace and remains unchanged? Those who stayed the same have become the soil beneath these red walls. I…” She seemed lost, “I still want to live.”

Xiahou Bo paused, “Consort, I will pretend I didn’t hear that. Please don’t mention it to anyone else.”

Yu Wanyin quickly covered her mouth, casting a fearful glance at Xu Yao behind him, “I misspoke.”

Xiahou Bo smiled, “This is my close friend. He won’t speak out of turn.”

Yu Wanyin nodded.

Great! 0.5:0 lead.

Xiahou Bo was about to leave after exchanging formalities when he noticed the drawings on the table by the window, “Are you painting, Consort?”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

The scoreboard in her mind collapsed.

She had been dozing off and doodling a turtle on the paper in a childish style.

It was too late to hide it now. Yu Wanyin could only act shy and embarrassed in front of her “crush,” blushing, “I saw something swimming in the pond outside and decided to sketch it.”

Xiahou Bo stared at the turtle, his eye twitching slightly.

Xiahou Bo: “This drawing is… hmm…”

Yu Wanyin’s ears turned red, and she clutched the paper, ready to tear it up, “Don’t look at it.”

Xiahou Bo stopped her, “It has a certain naive charm. It would be a pity to destroy it.”

Yu Wanyin, struggling to maintain her expression: “?”

Did you really just say that?

Yu Wanyin cautiously asked, “Does Your Highness like it?”

Xiahou Bo: “I find it delightful. If you don’t wish to keep it, may I have it?”

Yu Wanyin sensed a trap but had no choice but to comply, “If Your Highness doesn’t mind, take it.”

Xiahou Bo smiled, “Thank you. I will be sure to return the favor someday.”

Yu Wanyin: “?”

Yu Wanyin glanced at the new sachet on his waist. In the original story, this was an exchanged token between him and Xie Yong’er.

Balancing his affections perfectly—truly the epitome of Prince Duan.

He keeps her hanging while flirting here. What’s his plan?

Xiahou Bo left with the drawing.

Outside the library, he casually asked Xu Yao, “Did you notice anything?”

Xu Yao pondered, “Based on this meeting alone, I can’t see any deep scheming. But her eyes are clever and lively, indicating a sharp mind. No wonder she has captured the emperor’s favor.”

Xiahou Bo: “Do you find anything strange about her behavior?”

Xu Yao was taken aback, “Strange? What do you mean?”

Xiahou Bo smiled and didn’t elaborate.

He held up the turtle drawing to the light, seemingly amused, then instructed, “Investigate if she left any paintings before entering the palace.”

Yu Wanyin rushed back to her quarters, summoning her maid Xiaomei, “Do you remember me ever painting before?”

Xiaomei was shocked, “Miss, did you ever paint?”

Yu Wanyin rejoiced, “Good, good. I never did.”

That day was the first of the month, and the palace concubines were required to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Although traditionally, it should be a daily ritual, the Empress Dowager preferred quiet, changing it to only the first and fifteenth of each month. Naturally, these became prime times for palace drama.

When Yu Wanyin arrived, she found everyone else already present, except the Empress Dowager.

Consort Wei sat in the main hall, sipping tea and casting a sideways glance at her, “Consort Yu is quite favored now. No wonder she is so late. We’ve all been waiting.”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

It begins.

A maid behind Consort Wei chimed in, “Mistress, don’t forget Consort Yu has now been promoted to Noble Consort Yu.”

Consort Wei chuckled, “Ah, no wonder.”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

It took her a moment to remember who this person was.

After the empress died, the position remained vacant. Consort Wei, the current top of the pyramid, was Wei Taifu’s sister, favored by the Empress Dowager, and backed by her powerful family, she ruled the palace.

In about five chapters, she would be defeated by Xie Yong’er and disappear.

Yu Wanyin looked at her as if seeing a dead person, feeling no emotion, and followed the formalities, “I was delayed by something on the way. I hope you all understand.”

Consort Wei slammed her tea cup down, “What kind of look is that?”

Yu Wanyin lowered her gaze, preparing to cry, “I was wrong.”

Consort Wei’s ally, Concubine Zhuang, sneered, “What kind of urgent matter could delay you? Were you meeting some servant in the Peony Garden?”

Concubine He joined in, “Sister, be careful with your words, or she might cry to the emperor again—”

Xiahou Dan: “Cry about what?”

The concubines: “…”

Everyone immediately knelt.

Xiahou Dan casually sat where Consort Wei had been, waving Yu Wanyin forward, “What were you all talking about?”

Yu Wanyin hesitated, “Your Majesty…”

She was using her eyes to ask: What are you doing here causing trouble?

Xiahou Dan raised his chin slightly: Ignore me, just play your part.

Yu Wanyin thought for a moment and put on her delicate, pure facade, “Your Majesty, we were just chatting about trivial things, nothing worth mentioning.”

Xiahou Dan: “Is that so?” He pointed a slender finger at Concubine He, “You tell me.”

Still kneeling, Concubine He turned pale with fear, unable to say anything coherent: “Your Majesty, I am guilty.”

Xiahou Dan: “Fine, that makes it simple.”

With a gesture, the guards, well-practiced, stepped forward, and Concubine He’s screams grew distant.

Xiahou Dan then pointed at Concubine Zhuang, “And you?”

Concubine Zhuang’s vision darkened, almost collapsing: “Your Majesty… I was merely reminding my sister to wholeheartedly serve Your Majesty…”

Xiahou Dan raised his hand again.

Yu Wanyin quickly coughed.

She didn’t understand why Xiahou Dan was adding this drama. Was he genuinely defending her?

Yu Wanyin, who used to read palace drama novels for fun, now found herself living in one, feeling a bit more empathy for the characters. They were all victims of the system, and Concubine Zhuang and Concubine He were merely clinging to Consort Wei for survival.

If they had truly done something egregious, it would be one thing, but they had only exchanged a few spiteful words and were about to be executed. Yu Wanyin felt uncomfortable with this.

Yet, she was also afraid that Xiahou Dan had a deeper purpose for this act and feared that intervening might ruin things.

Yu Wanyin remained silent, but Xiahou Dan glanced at her and lowered his hand.

Xiahou Dan: “Send her to the cold palace.”

He then asked the guards, “The one who was just taken out, has she been buried yet?”

Guard: “…”

Guard: “I will stop them.”

As the concubines knelt, Xie Yong’er quietly glanced at Yu Wanyin, a flash of surprise crossing her face.

With two scapegoats dealt with, everyone thought the ordeal was over, feeling a sense of relief. But then, Xiahou Dan pointed to a third person.

Xiahou Dan, very politely, asked, “Consort Wei, what do you have to say?”

Consort Wei felt like she was struck by lightning.

No, he couldn’t. She was under the Empress Dowager’s protection!

Consort Wei trembled, “Your Majesty…”

Xiahou Dan: “Hmm?”

A woman’s voice came from behind the beaded curtain, “Oh, my son is so imposing.”

The Empress Dowager finally appeared to protect her people.

The Empress Dowager, looking around thirty-five or thirty-six years old, dressed in luxurious attire, held the hand of a seven-year-old boy.

The little prince, who looked very much like Xiahou Dan, had a tight, expressionless face, raised by the Empress Dowager to be a perfect little puppet.

Yu Wanyin glanced at Xiahou Dan.

Xiahou Dan was looking at the boy with an expression that said, “What is this?” It was hard to describe.

Thankfully, according to the original setting, the young prince had always been kept by the Empress Dowager’s side and hadn’t met Xiahou Dan much, so it wasn’t out of character.

The Empress Dowager took the main seat, receiving bows from Xiahou Dan and the concubines, and coldly said, “My son, why are you flaunting your power at my door today?”

Xiahou Dan seemed to stiffen, then slowly said in a tone of humiliation, “It was a moment of anger, and I offended Mother.”

Yu Wanyin: “?”

The Empress Dowager was extremely dissatisfied with Xiahou Dan.

Because a few days ago, he had killed the Minister of Revenue in the court—a member of her faction.

This emperor had been uncontrollable since childhood, wild and untamed. After years of struggle, she had never fully subdued him, so she had shifted her focus to raising the young prince.

She knew she wasn’t the only one wanting Xiahou Dan dead; Prince Duan was also making plans.

However, Prince Duan’s power was too profound. If she had Xiahou Dan killed now, she couldn’t guarantee she would be the one to ascend the throne.

While she and Prince Duan were locked in a power struggle, this mad emperor had killed one of her key supporters. How could she let that go?

She had planned to use this incident as a pretext to give him a stern warning, but she hadn’t expected him to come to her.

The Empress Dowager glared around the room, her gaze finally landing on Yu Wanyin, “I hear that my son has been so infatuated with this woman that he’s been acting out of character.”

Yu Wanyin figured she should kneel.

Halfway down, Xiahou Dan pulled her up.

Xiahou Dan: “Indeed.”

The Empress Dowager: “?”

The Empress Dowager slammed the table, “Well then, it seems I am no longer respected by you. Today, I will teach you the meaning of respect! Guards!”

A group of guards rushed in, surrounding Yu Wanyin.

Xiahou Dan: “I’d like to see who dares!”

The guards hesitated, looking at the Empress Dowager for guidance.

The Empress Dowager sneered, her arrogance unyielding. This emperor was already a figurehead, and she had come prepared to make him realize that. She waved her hand imperiously.

The guards moved past the emperor to seize Yu Wanyin.

Xiahou Dan’s breath hitched, as if struck, and he seemed to regain some clarity, “Mother!”

He took a deep breath, then plastered on a sycophantic smile, approaching her with a cup of tea, “I meant my temper is indeed terrible. Why let a mere concubine upset you? Let’s talk this over with some tea.”

That the tyrant could utter such words was astonishing. Was he truly bewitched by this concubine, willing to do anything to protect her?

The Empress Dowager reevaluated Yu Wanyin with newfound interest.

Yu Wanyin: “…”

Xiahou Dan continued to flatter, “Thanks to Mother’s virtue spreading far and wide, I can entrust the crown prince’s education to you.” He awkwardly reached out to pat the young prince’s head, squeezing out a coaxing tone, “How have your studies been lately, Crown Prince?”

The young prince was even more rigid, glancing at the Empress Dowager in fear. Without her cue, he hesitantly replied, “Replying to Father, my studies are going well.”

The Empress Dowager’s eyes flickered with a deeper meaning as she smiled, “The crown prince is very intelligent, but his equestrian skills are somewhat lacking. It’s understandable; practicing alone must be lonely. I’ve heard that General Luo has a young son, about the same age as the crown prince.”

Xiahou Dan: “What does Mother mean?”

The Empress Dowager: “Why not summon him to the palace to keep the crown prince company?”

The crown prince’s companions were already established. This young boy entering the palace without status would essentially be a hostage.

General Luo was a key general under Prince Duan. The Empress Dowager’s suggestion clearly aimed to create a rift, making Prince Duan pay for the death of the Minister of Revenue.

Xiahou Dan hesitated, “General Luo? He was just fighting at the front lines. Would this be…”

The Empress Dowager looked at Yu Wanyin for the third time.

Xiahou Dan instantly changed his tune, “I will draft the decree immediately.”

Yu Wanyin: “…”

Yu Wanyin was led out of the Empress Dowager’s palace intact, finally realizing Xiahou Dan’s true purpose for today’s performance.

It was to make the Empress Dowager believe that weakening Prince Duan was her own idea, while the emperor seemed oblivious, fixated only on his consort.

Xiahou Dan not only managed to deceive the Empress Dowager but also Prince Duan. Since Xie Yong’er was present, she would undoubtedly report back to Prince Duan.

Yu Wanyin: “I didn’t expect you to be so clever.”

Xiahou Dan had clearly calculated that the Empress Dowager was already angry. By further provoking her, he presented her with an opportunity, thus facilitating this outcome.

Xiahou Dan asked softly, “What do you think?”

Yu Wanyin: “Very good. Once they tear each other apart, you can quietly build your own power. But you need to maintain balance, trimming both sides as needed. You need to become the true ‘Prince Duan.’”

Xiahou Dan glanced at Yu Wanyin, his expression somewhat gloomy, and said in a vague tone, “I’m sorry for putting you through that today.”

Yu Wanyin: “It’s not a big deal.”

She wasn’t naive. She had already realized Xiahou Dan’s other motive. By openly favoring her, he was using her as a decoy, creating a fake weakness.

Yu Wanyin joked, “If an assassin ever holds a knife to my throat to force your hand, you can say, ‘You fool, I don’t care,’ and then stab us both like skewered candied fruits…”

Xiahou Dan was taken aback.

“You… if you think this way, why aren’t you angry?”

Yu Wanyin genuinely had no strong feelings about it.