Of all those shaken by Feng Huai's sudden death at the Imperial Court, none was more stunned than the Second Prince, Li Xian.
Li Xian had only just gained the powerful support of the Ministry of Justice. He had been beside himself with delight, already imagining how he would put it to use.
Yet before he could issue a single order or lay a single plan, Li Chen had swiftly uprooted it.
This made Li Xian begin to wonder whether Li Chen had planted informants around him. How else could Li Chen have acted so quickly when he had only just received the intelligence himself?
Then there was the news of the northern campaign that had emerged from morning court.
Li Xian was certain that Li Chen had planted moles beside both him and his third brother.
This move looked like reckless nonsense, but in truth, it was Li Chen's way of warning him and the Third Prince.
"Interesting. I underestimated you before."
Only now did Li Xian formally acknowledge Li Chen as someone qualified to sit across the board from him.
Still, Li Xian was in no hurry. As long as his master made a move, he had no reason to lose!
In his eyes, this game was still a sure win!
At the Grand General's residence, Guo Poyun was planting vegetables in his own little courtyard.
He had not worked the soil in many years, but he had not lost the knack.
Every movement flowed like drifting clouds and running water, each carried through in one smooth motion.
Even after spending the entire morning tending the vegetable patch, he had not broken a sweat. His physique was remarkably robust for his age.
By the time he finished turning the soil, morning court was about due to end.
He