Consort Wei never imagined that Consort Chen's sole intention was to support Ling Yun's ascension to the throne, without any personal gain.
Meanwhile, He Rufang thought she was finished.
She had concealed the news of her being a jinx to husbands and had married the Crown Prince, a figure of immense importance. The consequences of being discovered were unthinkable.
After the "eminent monk" of Xiangguo Temple deduced that her jinxed fate was the cause of the Crown Prince's severe illness and coma, her palace was placed under guard by the Crown Princess's people.
She believed her death was certain.
Who would have thought that Wang Qingyao's few words would resolve her crisis and even invite the Imperial Preceptor Feng Fu to cure the Crown Prince's illness?
The fact that she was a jinx to husbands was now public knowledge, but it would no longer pose a threat to her.
He Rufang was filled with gratitude towards Wang Qingyao, secretly vowing that once the Crown Prince inherited the throne and she became a Consort, she would protect the Ding'an Prince's Mansion!
Such ambition ignited her fighting spirit.
She had not intended to deal with the Crown Princess before the Crown Prince's enthronement, but since the Crown Princess had schemed against her, how could she sit idly by?
The Crown Princess was confined, leaving the Eastern Palace affairs unattended.
After careful consideration, the Crown Prince entrusted the authority to He Rufang.
This was partly to appease He Rufang, and partly because he truly doted on her.
However, He Rufang had Pan Liangdi above her, whose rank was higher, inevitably causing resentment. As the Crown Prince bestowed power, he also promoted He Rufang to Liangdi.
He Rufang remained composed, stating that she would not fail the Crown Prince's trust.
The Crown Prince adored her elegant and aloof demeanor. When Lu Peishan had initially proposed using her jinxed fate as leverage, he had been somewhat reluctant.
However, no matter how reluctant he was, it was insignificant compared to the grand ambition of securing the succession.
The Crown Prince, having "recovered from his grave illness," was ostensibly recuperating in the Eastern Palace while ostentatiously dispatching people to the Eastern Ling Kingdom in search of the Seventh Prince.
The Crown Prince's faction began to promote him as a loyal and devoted brother.
In the evening, Wang Qingyao and Ling Yun discussed the matter.
"The Crown Prince has changed his approach; we must adapt accordingly."
They had initially expected the Crown Prince to search for the Seventh Prince privately and silence him.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince made the search for the Seventh Prince public.
This implied that he no longer perceived the Seventh Prince as a threat and intended to use the assassination attempt on the Seventh Prince to enhance his own reputation.
Ling Yun nodded, agreeing with Wang Qingyao's assessment.
The next day, he disseminated the information.
About a month later, the Seventh Prince returned to the palace.
He had been found by Ling Yun's men.
The Seventh Prince was unharmed, not missing a limb.
The Emperor was overjoyed and informed Ling Yun that he was his elder brother.
The Seventh Prince was surprised, but it did not significantly affect him, as in his heart, Ling Yun had always felt like a brother.
Though naive, he was intelligent and perceptive. Recalling the actions Consort Chen had instructed him to perform, he began to understand.
The Seventh Prince returned alone; Princess Mu Jin remained in the Eastern Ling Kingdom.
Lord Xin and his wife were reluctant to part with her and wished her to stay longer.
Furthermore, the Seventh Prince did not want her to be entangled in the disputes of Duanjing.
After some discussion, the Seventh Prince returned to the capital with Ling Yun's men.
The Crown Prince and Lu Peishan had ambitiously planned to use a small stratagem to bring Princess Mu Jin into the Eastern Palace.
However, she had not returned at all.
Their most ingenious schemes were rendered useless.
Not long after the Seventh Prince's return, Fang Zheng's men escorted another prisoner into the capital.
This prisoner was one of the assassins captured during the attempt on the Seventh Prince's life.
The assassin's arm, wrist, and jaw were dislocated, lest he attempt suicide.
After being escorted into the capital and reported to the Emperor, the assassin was imprisoned in Dali Temple.
The Emperor issued an order that the instigator must be identified.
Upon receiving this news, the Crown Prince was filled with anxiety and dread.
He had never expected that his elite force, not only failing their mission but also having one of them captured.
If the assassin revealed the mastermind, would his claim to the throne still be viable?
The Crown Prince's panic lasted only a moment before he conceived of the most effective solution.
Only the dead could not speak.
A sinister glint appeared in his eyes.
The assassins who failed their mission were already meant to die.
But who should be tasked with this matter?
After a moment of thought, the Crown Prince went to the main hall to find Lu Peishan.
The attendants were dismissed, and trusted confidantes guarded the entrance.
The Crown Prince explained the current situation to Lu Peishan, who immediately stood up, her voice trembling, "What? He was captured?"
"Keep your voice down," the Crown Prince cautioned her.
She suppressed her fear, "Then what should we do now?"
The Crown Prince replied with frustration and despair, "I don't know either. You know Fang Zheng; he appears amiable and approachable, but he is the most cunning. His interrogation methods are unheard of. Once a prisoner falls into his hands, even a mute will be forced to speak."
Lu Peishan had heard of Fang Zheng's formidable reputation.
"Crown Princess, you are always so intelligent, please think of a solution. I am relying entirely on you this time!"
The Crown Prince looked at Lu Peishan with sincere earnestness, as if placing all his hopes on her.
Lu Peishan's expression turned grim, and she decisively said, "The only way forward is..."
She made a throat-slitting gesture.
The Crown Prince looked troubled, "Dali Temple is heavily guarded, with Fang Zheng in charge. My most capable team has already been dispatched and has not returned. The Wei family is in mourning due to my maternal grandfather's passing, and both my uncles are in seclusion, rendering them useless. We must act swiftly, and it is too late to find assassins from the martial world..."
The Crown Prince sighed repeatedly, his brow furrowed with worry.