The Second Prince's Bargaining Chip

Meanwhile.

Night lay like ink, deeply shrouding the imposing Xihua Hall, Second Prince Li Xuanyu's residence on the eastern side of the Imperial City.

The hall was not dark. Several wall lamps set with deep-sea pearls gave off a bright, natural glow, easily illuminating the figure before the desk at the seat of honor.

Li Xuanyu sat behind the desk, holding an urgent secret report on the northern border's military supplies in one hand. His brows were faintly furrowed, while his knuckles unconsciously tapped against the smooth rosewood desk, producing soft, repeated sounds.

Though he appeared to be reading the military report, his thoughts had long since flown beyond the palace walls: "..."

Damn it.

Old Mo had left the palace before nightfall. At least five hours had passed by now, and dawn was practically breaking, yet not a shred of news had returned!

Anyone who did not know better would think he had hit it off with Ye Li at first sight, and the two were drinking cup after cup in the hall, calling each other brothers!

The more Li Xuanyu thought about it, the more irritated he became. His mood had shifted from initial anticipation to torment, and he could not help asking those below him:

"Still no news from Old Mo?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, not yet..." The attendant had barely finished speaking and had not yet turned around.

When an exceedingly faint yet unusually hurried set of footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the hall!

Li Xuanyu's tightly furrowed brows eased slightly. At last, news from his trusted subordinate had arrived.

He waved his hand and dismissed everyone nearby.

Immediately afterward, a trusted subordinate dressed in black fitted attire practically stumbled into the hall.

His face was deathly pale, fine cold sweat beading at his temples, his