I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 153 Xu Fenghua: A Hidden Pawn in the Palace

"therefore,"

Cao Wei's tone became even more certain.

"This old minister deduces that the most likely thing Consort Hua will do next is to try every means to convey the news of Cao Wei's appearance in the palace to Xu Longxiang, the heir of the Northern Border, as soon as possible."

At the same time, she will also use all her hidden contacts and methods within the palace to try to find out the old minister's whereabouts, purpose, and... whether he is truly involved with Miss Jiang.

"As for what happens after the message is delivered..."

Cao Wei's voice lowered, carrying a hint of coldness.

"Given Xu Longxiang's personality and his high regard for Qingxue and Xu Fenghua, once he learns of the secret that the old minister might threaten Qingxue, he will probably... spare no effort to eliminate the old minister and prevent future troubles."

The imperial study fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional sound of wind coming from outside the window.

Qin Mu listened quietly, his fingers gently stroking the smooth edge of the imperial desk, his eyes shifting with unpredictable emotions, as if he were weighing every analysis Cao Wei made.

After a while, he suddenly smiled again, a smile that carried an unfathomable depth.

"The analysis is good and reasonable."

Qin Mu spoke slowly, then changed the subject, posing a question that shocked Cao Wei even more.

"Then, Cao Wei, tell me again... should I let Xu Longxiang know about this?"

Should we let Xu Longxiang know?

Cao Wei suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief, confusion, and fear.

The meaning behind this statement is far too complex and far too dangerous!

His Majesty clearly allowed himself to appear before Xu Fenghua, and his purpose was likely to indirectly convey the news that "Cao Wei appeared in the palace" to Xu Longxiang through Xu Fenghua.

This could lead to Xu Longxiang's actions or disrupt the plans in the northern border region.

But now, His Majesty is asking whether or not Xu Longxiang should be informed?

What does this mean? Is it a test of my loyalty?

Or are they contemplating a more far-reaching plan?

Is this information asymmetry something they plan to exploit?

Cao Wei's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He had absolutely no idea what the emperor's true intentions were.

The other party's thoughts, like the strength he displayed, were unfathomable and as vast as an abyss.

He opened his mouth, but in the end could only lower his head deeply, his voice dry and fearful: "Your Majesty... your mind is unique and your thoughts are profound, beyond the comprehension of this old minister. This old minister... truly does not know."

Seeing Cao Wei's trembling and fearful appearance, Qin Mu's smile seemed to deepen, but he did not press him any further.

"Alright, you can go now."

He waved his hand, his tone returning to its previous calm, "Continue to do as I instructed. Keep a close eye on the movements at Huaqing Palace and Yuxiu Palace. As for Xu Longxiang..."

He paused, his gaze drifting out the window towards the North, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"He will know when the time is right."

Cao Wei felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and quickly bowed and said, "This old minister obeys the decree and takes his leave."

He backed out of the imperial study, and only when the door closed gently behind him did he realize that his stiff back was completely soaked with cold sweat.

The autumn wind blew by, bringing a chill to the bone.

He glanced back at the tightly closed doors of the imperial study, a symbol of supreme power, and one thought grew ever clearer in his mind:

This Qin emperor, Qin Mu, is perhaps more terrifying than his godlike strength, with his profound thoughts, unpredictable schemes, and precise control over people's hearts.

And Xu Fenghua, Xu Longxiang, Jiang Qingxue, and even that Empress Liyang...

Everyone seemed to have unknowingly stepped into the vast, boundless net he had laid out.

The net has tightened, but who will be the one ultimately dragged to the surface and suffocated to death?

Cao Wei shuddered and dared not think any further.

All he wanted to do was protect Jiang Qingxue's safety; nothing else mattered.

Cao Wei hurriedly lowered his head and walked quickly away along the palace path, re-entering the seemingly calm but actually turbulent shadows of the deep palace.

........

at the same time,

Inside the sleeping quarters of Huaqing Palace, heavy curtains hung down, blocking out the afternoon sun.

The hall was dimly lit, with only a few ever-burning lamps casting a faint glow in the corners. The air was filled with the sweet and cloying scent of ambergris, yet it felt particularly oppressive and somber at this moment.

Xu Fenghua stood alone by the window.

She had changed out of her heavy palace dress with the phoenix and bird motif, and was now wearing only a simple, dark purple casual dress. Her long hair was loosely tied up and secured with a white jade hairpin.

Those amber eyes, which always shone with wisdom, were now filled with anxiety and unease.

She paced back and forth by the window.

One step, two steps, turn around, and pace again.

Half an hour had passed since she returned from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but Cao Wei's aged yet familiar face kept flashing through her mind like a ghost, refusing to leave.

It's him.

It's definitely him.

Despite only a fleeting glimpse, and despite the fact that the other person was dressed as a eunuch, hunched over, and deliberately disguised as old and frail, Xu Fenghua would never mistake him.

Cao Wei, the remnant of the Yuehua Kingdom who had lived in seclusion in Jiangnan for many years, had secretly handled several thorny matters for the Xu family, and later broke with Jiang Qingxue because of her affair.

How did he end up in the palace?

And in what capacity?

Eunuch?

That's absolutely impossible.

Although Cao Wei was old, Xu Fenghua knew better than anyone the lofty and proud spirit that belonged to a scholar.

He would rather live in anonymity and wander the world than mutilate himself and become a slave in the palace.

So, it's all a disguise...

Xu Fenghua suddenly stopped, gripping the window frame tightly with both hands, her fingernails almost digging into the hard mahogany.

No, we can't let things get chaotic.

She forced herself to calm down, took a deep breath, and forced her erratic heartbeat to subside.

It is precisely in times like these that we must remain calm.

Xu Fenghua slowly turned around, her gaze sweeping across the hall.

Outside the palace gate, two palace maids stood with their hands at their sides. They were her trusted confidantes from Jiangnan, and their loyalty was beyond question.

But how many of Qin Mu's spies are still inside Huaqing Palace?

Those eunuchs and palace maids assigned by the Imperial Household Department, those rough servants responsible for sweeping and cleaning, and even those seemingly ordinary gardeners and cooks.

Xu Fenghua closed her eyes, quickly sorting through every person and every detail she had observed in the short few days since entering the palace.

She had anticipated that Qin Mu would not allow her to easily contact the outside world.

But she wasn't completely unprepared.

Six years ago, when she began to secretly plot for the Xu family, she had already planted a pawn in the capital.

The innermost part of the palace was of paramount importance.

However, these pieces are buried too deep and too secretly, and once they are used, there is a risk of them being exposed.

Unless absolutely necessary...

Xu Fenghua frowned deeply.

But now, it's a last resort.

She didn't know what the situation was like on Longxiang's side, whether Mo Shen's death had alerted him, or whether he had learned that his sister had been forced to enter the palace.

They had no idea what he was plotting at that moment, or whether he had already fallen into Qin Mu's trap.

information.

What she lacks most right now is information.

Like a blind man groping in the dark, every step could lead to an abyss.

A resolute glint flashed in Xu Fenghua's eyes.

Can't wait any longer.

That piece must be activated.

That chess piece she had buried for many years and never used.

She slowly walked back to the head of the table and sat down again.

Her posture returned to its usual dignified state, and the anxiety on her face vanished, leaving only a calm and cold expression.

"Autumn Moon," she said, her voice flat.

"This servant is here." Qiuyue, who was guarding outside the hall, immediately bowed and entered.

"I have a bit of a headache,"

Xu Fenghua raised her hand and gently rubbed her temples, a hint of fatigue and discomfort appearing between her brows.

"Perhaps you didn't sleep well last night, and you caught a chill today. Go to the Imperial Hospital and ask the imperial physician to come and take a look."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Qiuyue replied, and was about to turn and leave.

"etc."

Xu Fenghua called her back, then, as if remembering something, added, "I've heard that there's a royal physician named Wang who is quite skilled, especially in acupuncture for pain relief. Let's invite him over."

She spoke casually, as if it were just a casual remark.

"This servant understands." Qiuyue bowed and withdrew.

The hall returned to silence.

Xu Fenghua sat upright in the chair, closing her eyes to rest.

He appeared calm on the surface, but his mind was racing with calculations.

Six years ago, in Jiangnan, at Tingyu Villa.

At that time, she had just married into the Zhao family. On the surface, she was devoted to her husband and children and managed the household, but in secret, she had already begun to cultivate business routes and connections in Jiangnan for the Xu family.

By chance, she saved a young doctor who was being beaten by thugs in front of his clinic.

That person was Wang Jimin.

He came from a family of doctors, with three generations of his ancestors serving as imperial physicians. However, due to offending powerful figures in the court, his family fell into decline and he was forced to wander to Jiangnan, where he made a living by working in a clinic.

Xu Fenghua admired his medical skills and integrity, so she secretly funded his return to the Imperial Medical Academy and helped him clear his ancestors' names.

In return, Wang Jimin became a hidden pawn she planted in the palace.

This piece has never been used in the past six years.

Wang Jimin worked diligently in the Imperial Medical Academy. With his superb medical skills and cautious character, he gradually established himself and is now a fifth-rank imperial physician. Although not a prominent position, he is qualified to enter and leave the palace and treat the concubines.

Xu Fenghua never expected that he would be used so soon.

According to her original plan, this piece should have been used at a more crucial moment.

For example, when Xu Longxiang raised an army and marched south, he could act as an inside agent to pass on messages, or, if necessary, provide her with a way to escape from the palace.

But now, the situation is pressing.

Cao Wei's appearance disrupted everything.

She needs to figure out a few things as soon as possible:

First, how exactly did Cao Wei enter the palace? Was it Qin Mu's arrangement, or was there something else going on?

Second, had Cao Wei already met Jiang Qingxue? Had he revealed the secret of his birth?

Third, how much did Qin Mu actually know?

For her to figure all this out on her own in the deep palace was like a blind man touching an elephant.

She needed external information, eyes outside the palace, and even more so... to get in touch with Xu Longxiang.

About an incense stick later, footsteps were heard outside the hall.