The dawn had just broken when Zhao Renshu stood in the imperial training grounds, his face filled with torment as he watched the royal guards practicing before him.
Then, a eunuch ran toward Emperor Zhao Mingze and whispered something in his ear.
The Emperor's expression suddenly turned cold. He immediately stood up, his gaze locking onto Bai Xianyu.
"Bai Xianyu," he said, "follow me. Now."
Without hesitation, Bai Xianyu followed the Emperor into the palace. They walked through long corridors until they arrived at a closed-off chamber, heavily guarded by elite soldiers.
Inside, a senior eunuch knelt, his face full of fear.
"Your Majesty… we have interrogated the servant who attempted to poison the Prince," the eunuch said, his voice trembling.
Emperor Zhao Mingze stepped closer. "And?"
"He… he confessed that he was ordered by someone inside the palace," the eunuch replied.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
The eunuch swallowed hard before answering, "A concubine."
Bai Xianyu immediately tensed.
In this palace, only a few concubines held enough influence to attempt something like this. If someone from within dared to try to kill Zhao Renshu, then the situation was more serious than they had initially thought.
"What's her name?" the Emperor asked coldly.
The eunuch bit his lip before whispering, "Concubine Mei, Your Majesty."
Silence fell over the room.
Bai Xianyu wasn't surprised—Concubine Mei was one of the women closely connected to powerful noble families. However, what was shocking was that she had the audacity to act so openly.
Emperor Zhao Mingze finally spoke, his voice laced with menace. "Bring her before me. Now."
Concubine Mei knelt in the center of the imperial hall, her expression still calm despite being captured by the guards.
"What is the meaning of this, Your Majesty?" she asked sweetly.
Emperor Zhao Mingze stared at her expressionlessly. "I have no patience for theatrics, Concubine Mei. Your servant attempted to poison my brother. Do you have anything to say?"
Concubine Mei continued to smile. "I don't know what you're talking about, Your Majesty. I would never order such a thing."
Bai Xianyu watched her closely. This woman was far too composed for someone who had just been accused of treason.
"But your servant has already confessed," the Emperor said coldly.
Concubine Mei let out a soft chuckle. "Oh? And does he have proof that I was the one who gave the order? Or perhaps… he was framed?"
Bai Xianyu gritted her teeth. This woman was cunning. She knew how to play with words.
However, Emperor Zhao Mingze was not so easily deceived. "I don't need further proof," he said. "You've been in my palace for too long. For years, I allowed you to think you had influence. But you forgot one thing, Mei."
Concubine Mei tensed. "And what is that, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Zhao Mingze stepped closer, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I am not a man who lets treason go unpunished."
In an instant, he raised his hand, signaling to the guards.
"Concubine Mei, as of today, you are no longer part of this palace."
Concubine Mei's eyes widened. "Wait, Your Majesty…!"
But before she could defend herself, two guards dragged her away.
Bai Xianyu could only sigh. Even though Concubine Mei had been removed, she knew this wasn't the end of the conspiracy.
Someone else was behind all of this.
And they were still targeting Zhao Renshu.
That night, the palace was thick with tension. Zhao Mingze sat in his study, his sharp gaze scanning the scrolls spread across the table. Bai Xianyu stood before him in silence, waiting for orders. After the incident with Concubine Mei, there was no guarantee that the threat against Zhao Renshu had been eliminated.
"Xianyu," the Emperor finally said, placing the scroll down carefully. "What do you think about all this?"
Bai Xianyu took a slow breath before answering, "This threat is bigger than just a concubine attempting to poison the Prince. If someone dared to go this far, it means they have powerful backing."
Zhao Mingze nodded, his eyes narrowing. "I think the same. However, we must find the mastermind before they act again."
Bai Xianyu hesitated for a moment before speaking. "What if the threat comes from within the royal family itself?"
For a moment, silence filled the room. The Emperor did not immediately respond, but something in his gaze suggested that this possibility had long been on his mind.
"If that's the case," he said slowly, "then our enemy is closer than we thought."
Yet instead of contemplating the danger to his life, Zhao Renshu was busy inspecting his reflection in his tea.
"Renshu, I don't know whether I should be impressed by your indifference or punch you for your stupidity," Bai Xianyu said, crossing her arms.
Zhao Renshu smiled lazily, lifting his teacup. "Xianyu, if I stress out, I might become ugly. You wouldn't want your future husband to look bad, would you?"
Bai Xianyu choked on air. "Who said you're my future husband?! STOP TALKING NONSENSE!"
Emperor Zhao Mingze, who was sitting on his throne, watched them with a tired expression, like a man who had witnessed his brother's foolishness far too many times. "I don't know what's more exhausting, this assassination attempt or the two of you."
Bai Xianyu immediately straightened her posture and said, "Your Majesty, we need to find out who the true mastermind is before they attempt to strike again."
Zhao Mingze nodded. "I already have a plan."
Zhao Renshu raised his hand like a schoolboy. "Can I make a suggestion? How about we fake my death and see who celebrates first?"
Bai Xianyu smacked her forehead. "That idea… actually…"
The Emperor looked at Bai Xianyu, who seemed deep in thought. "Don't tell me you're considering it?"
"Well… if we use it to lure the enemy out…" Bai Xianyu murmured.
Zhao Renshu beamed, clearly pleased his idea was being supported. "I always knew you were a smart woman, Xianyu."
Bai Xianyu glanced at him. "And I always knew you were an annoying man."
Zhao Mingze let out a long sigh. "Fine. If you can come up with a reasonable plan, I'll allow it. But if this fails…"
"We will take full responsibility," Bai Xianyu interrupted confidently.
Zhao Renshu pointed at himself. "We?"
Bai Xianyu turned to him with a sharp glare. "YES, WE."
Zhao Renshu quickly withdrew his protest and merely smiled.
Two Days Later
News of Zhao Renshu's sudden death spread rapidly throughout the palace. Servants whispered in corners, officials wore somber expressions, and some concubines even pretended to weep.
Bai Xianyu, standing beside Zhao Renshu's "corpse," struggled to resist the urge to punch him.
Because instead of lying still like a proper dead man, he whispered, "Xianyu, I'm itchy."
"Shut up," Bai Xianyu hissed.
"But—"
"If you move, I will personally make sure you are actually dead." Her voice was laced with irritation.
Zhao Renshu immediately fell silent, but he still smirked. Bai Xianyu could feel his amusement despite his act of playing dead.
As the fake funeral proceeded, the guards discreetly observed the reactions of those around them. And in the corner of the hall, a high-ranking court official displayed an expression that was just a little too satisfied.
Zhao Mingze, who was also watching, whispered to Bai Xianyu, "I think we've found our rat."
Bai Xianyu nodded. "Let's catch him before he escapes."
Zhao Renshu, still lying in the coffin, whispered, "Can I get up now? This is uncomfortable."
Bai Xianyu deliberately dropped a flower onto his face. "Shut up. Corpses don't talk."
Zhao Renshu chuckled softly. "I knew you cared about me."
Bai Xianyu let out a long sigh. "God… I must have made a terrible mistake agreeing to this plan."
Zhao Mingze only shook his head, thinking to himself that perhaps the biggest danger in the palace wasn't assassination—but the insanity caused by these two couple.