Sun Guotang emerged with a grim expression, suggesting his conversation with the person inside hadn't gone well. Wu Caiwei watched him leave, then turned her attention to an elderly man with white hair who was gazing at her thoughtfully. A jolt of surprise ran through her; she had been so lost in thought that she'd forgotten to conceal her presence, yet this elder was so sharp he'd sensed her immediately.
The old man swiftly drew a soft sword from his waist and slowly approached. Wu Caiwei's heart pounded as she frantically scanned her surroundings for a way out.
The moment the elder parted the grass, he flung a hidden projectile from his left hand. With a sharp "zhi" sound, she saw it embed itself in a field mouse.
Seeing the undeniably dead rodent, the old man breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't a person, which meant his location was still secure and he hadn't been discovered. Wu Caiwei watched from her hidden spot as he returned to the stone house, only then allowing herself to relax.
From the old man's first move, she had recognized his formidable martial arts. It was no wonder the slightest rustle of leaves had alerted him. This was the first time she had encountered someone this skilled since arriving in this world. She doubted even the Third Prince's men could defeat him, let alone herself.
Suddenly, a strong urge to retreat washed over Wu Caiwei. She felt there was no need to persist; at worst, she could persuade the Third Prince to let her observe the inner workings of the situation.
So, she retraced her steps and soon caught up with Sun Guotang's carriage. Due to the peculiar look he'd given her last time, Wu Caiwei dared not approach directly, opting instead to follow at a discreet distance.
The next day, as the Third Prince emerged from the imperial palace, he saw Wu Caiwei lounging casually against a wall, a blade of grass in her mouth. If he hadn't known her true identity, he would have mistaken her for some spoiled noble's son. He couldn't help but smile and shake his head. It was precisely this nonchalant demeanor that had deceived him. He wondered what business she had with him.
They soon arrived at a nearby tea house. Wu Caiwei got straight to the point, recounting her discoveries of the day to the Third Prince. When he heard that a person even more skilled than Wu Caiwei was guarding the place, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
After returning from Wu Caiwei's courtyard that day, his men had reported her martial arts as unparalleled in the current era. To hear of another individual of such caliber so soon, and in a situation so disadvantageous to him, was astounding. While he didn't know if she was telling the truth, he preferred to err on the side of caution.
He probed, "In your opinion, what are they trying to achieve?"
"If I'm not mistaken, in half a month, the Emperor will prepare for the spring hunt. You, the Second Prince, and the Crown Prince will all be present. Their goal is to kill two birds with one stone, ideally eliminating both you and the Crown Prince, thus paving the way for their ascension to the throne." They hadn't known each other long, so Wu Caiwei wasn't offended by his probing or suspicion.
"What do you think I should do?" The Third Prince's expression remained calm, but his heart churned. He and his advisors had discussed how the capital, despite its outward tranquility, was on the verge of upheaval. The spring hunt represented an opportunity for them. They had long suspected the Crown Prince and the Second Prince would make their move, but if they could also play their own hand, turning their adversaries' schemes to their advantage, the outcome was uncertain.
Observing the Third Prince's reaction, Wu Caiwei understood the crux of the matter. Her expression immediately turned serious. "No wonder the original host in that lifetime actively cooperated; it turns out someone was playing the mantis stalking the cicada, with an oriole lurking behind."
"What is it? Is something amiss?" Seeing Wu Caiwei's deep gaze, the Third Prince quickly lowered his head to check his robes. Finding them no different from usual, he looked at her with a perplexed expression.
Wu Caiwei shook her head and sighed. For some reason, this lifetime felt like everything was exceeding her expectations. She had initially believed the Third Prince to be the most learned and suitable among the princes, destined for the throne but falling victim to schemes. Now, she realized the underlying reason was that his opponent was simply superior.
However, matters had reached this point, and she had no recourse, no alternative. If her memory served her correctly, Sun Guotang and the Second Prince were practically brothers. The Second Prince trusted him implicitly, making him incredibly difficult to oppose.
After enduring it for some time, Wu Caiwei couldn't hold back any longer. Under his bewildered gaze, she said, "I understand your desire to seize this opportunity, but have you considered that among these three, your faction is the weakest, with the fewest men? Take this situation now, for example. I tell you there's a secret room and traps in that stone house, yet even if you send men, they won't be a match for that elder. Can they uncover its secrets?"
The Third Prince immediately cast an displeased glance at her. While she was indeed correct about his weakest position among the three, her frank assessment in front of him was still difficult to swallow. He believed his capabilities were no less than the other two; it was his birth that was lacking, something he couldn't change. He and his advisors saw this spring hunt as a chance to turn things around. If they could eliminate the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, he could claim the throne. Yet, in her words, he felt utterly belittled.
Suppressing his anger, the Third Prince retorted, "While what you say is true, there's no need to wound my pride so deeply. So, what do you suggest we do now?"
"If I'm not mistaken, the Second Prince's plan is to assassinate the Crown Prince during the spring hunt and frame you for it. This way, they can eliminate both of you. Regardless of any arrangements you've made, withdraw your men now. All you need to do is stay close to the Emperor's side, where everyone can see you, dispelling any doubts about you." Wu Caiwei looked at him steadily. If the Third Prince still refused to heed her advice, she could still cut her losses, as few people knew of her association with him.
Gazing at her demeanor, the Third Prince felt as though he were seeing his own father. No, the authority radiating from her was even greater than his father's. This made him doubt the veracity of his intelligence. How could such a woman be discarded by Sun Guotang? His intuition told him that compared to the woman before him, he still had a long way to go.
After a moment, he slowly nodded and said in a low voice, "The arrangements were made by me and my advisors, and they are the ones executing them. I don't know the specifics of how they will be carried out. I will discuss this with them when I return today. Rest assured, I will take your suggestions to heart."