The Zhiming Marquisate was as calm and peaceful as ever. No matter how fierce the storms raged outside, this place would forever remain a tranquil haven. Ning Chen would not allow any schemes or intrigues to disturb the Marquisate, especially not the rear courtyard.
Less than a month remained until the deadline Prince Yan had given him. Fortunately, most of the pieces that needed placing had already been laid out. It was time to settle the board.
This struggle between two princes for the throne had, in truth, been nothing more than a farce. Fan Lingyue had been the one pulling the strings, and Fan Lingyue had also been the one watching the play. He lacked the power to stop it, so he could only end it at the smallest possible cost.
As always, whoever became emperor had fuck-all to do with him.
"Marquis, Eunuch Pei has sent a letter." A low voice sounded outside the study.
"Send it in," Ning Chen said calmly.
"Yes."
As the voice fell, the letter turned into a streak of light and flew inside. The person who had delivered it did not enter, remaining outside the door to wait.
Ning Chen took the letter. After reading it, he said indifferently, "All right, withdraw. There is no need to keep watch over Eunuch Pei anymore."
"Yes." The shadow departed, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
It seemed Duke Xiyu thought very highly of him. Only his death would put the man at ease.
The night was intoxicating. The lamps in the study still burned, but the person inside had already disappeared.
Within the Great Xia Imperial Palace, a shadow slipped in beneath the cover of night. Patrols of Imperial Guards passed by one after another, yet none detected anything unusual.
In Weiyang Palace, Qing