Late-Night Planning

"Big Sister, I have an idea that might be able to help you."

Ye Xi looked toward Qian Renxue by the window, her voice echoing softly through the room.

"Oh?"

"What idea? Let's hear it."

Qian Renxue seemed intrigued. She sat back down on the bed, her pale golden eyes quietly watching Ye Xi before her.

"Big Sister, based on what you just said, I think it would be an excellent choice for you to continue and eliminate the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng."

Ye Xi met Qian Renxue's gaze, her voice utterly calm.

"That would be inappropriate."

"I once had that thought as well, but Prince Xue Xing taking Xue Beng into the Prince's Residence was a form of protection. If we make another move against Xue Beng, we may leave behind even more traces."

"Besides, Xue Beng is a complete wastrel. He cannot affect my position, which is why I gave up on the idea of eliminating him."

Qian Renxue gently shook her head, rejecting Ye Xi's suggestion.

"Big Sister, this is different."

"Although Xue Qinghe is currently the Crown Prince, as long as Xue Beng remains alive, Xue Ye still has room to choose. The civil and military officials at court also have room to choose."

"But if Xue Beng dies, then the only one who can inherit the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire in the future will be Xue Qinghe. Xue Ye will have no choice, and neither will the civil and military officials at court."

As Ye Xi spoke, a smile appeared on her delicate face.

Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully, waiting for Ye Xi to continue.

"Big Sister, what concerns you is nothing more than Prince Xue Xing finding some clues and using them to shake your position. But if Xue Beng dies, Xue Qinghe will become the sole heir, and Xue Ye will have no choice."

"Even if the investigation truly leads back to Xue Qinghe, Xue Ye will suppress the matter. After all, if anything else happens to Xue Qinghe, then the vast Heaven Dou Empire will have to face the problem of having no heir..."

Ye Xi spoke softly, a faint smile appearing in her sapphire-blue eyes.

"Mm..."

"I think this can work. The title of the Heaven Dou Empire's sole heir seems far more useful than that of Crown Prince."

Qian Renxue nodded gently, a sharp glint flashing through her eyes.

After hearing Ye Xi's explanation, Qian Renxue felt that Ye Xi's idea was highly feasible.

After all, in the Heaven Dou Empire, most civil and military officials would not involve themselves in matters concerning the imperial heirs. If they chose correctly, they would earn the merit of supporting a new ruler, but if they chose wrong, the consequences would be equally severe.

Even though Xue Qinghe was now the Crown Prince, there were not many officials at court who supported him. The reason was simple: as long as Xue Ye did not die, Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince, would remain merely the Crown Prince. It was not impossible for him to be replaced.

But if Xue Beng died, the situation would be entirely different.

After all, when a multiple-choice question had only one option, there was no need to choose.

"Xiao Xi, you've truly helped me immensely this time."

"If I'd known you were so capable, I should have had Grandpa send you to the Heaven Dou Empire sooner."

Qian Renxue reached out and stroked Ye Xi's hair, a smile blooming across her stunning face.

Hearing this, Ye Xi merely smiled and said nothing.

"This matter cannot be rushed. We need to plan it carefully and take it slowly."

As Qian Renxue spoke, she began discussing the matter with Ye Xi.

The suggestions Ye Xi offered were also very much to Qian Renxue's liking, and through their continuous discussion, the two gradually became more familiar with each other.

Before they knew it, the sky outside had begun to brighten with the first pale light of dawn.

Qian Renxue checked the time and rose reluctantly from the bed.

"Xiao Xi, dawn is almost here. I should return as well."

"If anything comes up, you can have Ling Yuan come to the Crown Prince's Palace to find me."

After rising, Qian Renxue reached out and pinched Ye Xi's cheek.

"Big Sister, I understand."

Ye Xi also stood and left the room together with Qian Renxue.

Once the two stepped outside, they saw She Long, Ling Yuan, and Yang Wushuang standing quietly by the door.

"Yang Wushuang, Big Sister needs your help. Go with her."

Ye Xi looked at Yang Wushuang, her tone calm.

"Yes, Second Young Lady."

"Greetings, Young Master."

Yang Wushuang bowed to Ye Xi and Qian Renxue.

"Mm, come with me."

"Xiao Xi, see you next time."

Qian Renxue gestured to Yang Wushuang, signaling him to follow. Then, together with She Long and Yang Wushuang, she headed toward the Tiandou Imperial Palace.

After they left, Ye Xi turned her gaze to Ling Yuan.

"Ling Yuan Elder, where are the things Yang Wushuang brought back yesterday?"

Ye Xi asked softly.

"Second Young Lady, the items are in Yang Wushuang's room."

"Please wait a moment. I'll go get them."

Ling Yuan headed toward Yang Wushuang's room as she spoke.

Ye Xi, meanwhile, returned to her own room and waited quietly.

Before long, Ling Yuan entered carrying the items and placed them beside Ye Xi's table.

"Young Master, the one on top contains Dugu Bo's residence. Below that are listings for mansions for sale, and the rest is intelligence from Heaven Dou City."

Ling Yuan pointed to the items she had brought and introduced them one by one.

"Mm, I understand."

Ye Xi nodded slightly, took out paper and a pen from her Storage Bracelet, and wrote a Visit Card.

"Ling Yuan Elder, please deliver this Visit Card to Dugu Bo's residence for me."

Ye Xi handed the Visit Card to Ling Yuan.

"Yes, Second Young Lady."

"Before I return, please do not leave the Hotel with Miss Tian Yao, lest anything happen."

Ling Yuan Elder accepted the Visit Card. After thinking for a moment, she gave the instruction with great seriousness.

After all, her most important duty on this trip was to ensure Ye Xi and Tian Yao's safety. If anything happened to either of them, Ling Yuan would have no way to answer to the First Offering and Second Worship.

"Ling Yuan Elder, rest assured."

"Tian Yao and I will not go out before you return."

After agreeing, Ye Xi began looking through the intelligence before her.

Hearing this, Ling Yuan released her Spiritual Power and surveyed the surrounding area. Only after confirming that Tian Yao was still sleeping soundly in her room and that there was nothing suspicious nearby did she leave the Hotel with the Visit Card.

After leaving the Hotel, Ling Yuan headed straight for Dugu Bo's residence.

Dugu Bo's residence was located in the northernmost part of Heaven Dou City, a very secluded little courtyard.

Though secluded, the courtyard had a pleasant environment.

Dugu Bo lay on a Rattan Chair, leisurely sipping tea.

Gradually, a series of footsteps sounded outside the courtyard. Dugu Bo turned toward the sound, confusion appearing in his eyes.

After all, Dugu Bo's reputation was not particularly good, so hardly anyone ever came to this small courtyard. There were scarcely even any passersby.