I slaughtered my way through the border at the start, I am the Great Ming's Night Raider!

Chen Jin didn't understand and wanted to ask, but Chen Yuan stopped her with a look.

The meaning couldn't be simpler: Don't pry into things that happen in the palace.

The four of them walked through the front yard and arrived at the main hall.

Uncle Zhao moved the offering table aside, revealing a stone slab underneath.

There were iron rings on the stone slab. He pulled hard, and a downward staircase appeared before him, dark and bottomless.

"There are torches down there." Uncle Zhao went down first.

The secret passage was narrow, allowing only one person to pass at a time. The walls were made of blue bricks, damp and cold, covered with moss. There was a musty smell in the air, mixed with the odor of earth and rotten wood. Uncle Zhao lit a torch on the wall, its dim light illuminating the path ahead.

"Where does this secret passage lead?" Chen Yuan asked.

"The dry well behind the office of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs inside Bei'an Gate," Uncle Zhao said. "The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was Cao Jixiang's territory, but the most dangerous place is the safest. Besides, that well has been abandoned for a long time, and no one pays attention to it usually."

Chen Yuan nodded.

That makes sense.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard once held immense power in the court, so it was perfectly normal for them to leave several secret passages in the palace.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, an upward staircase appeared ahead.

Uncle Zhao extinguished the torch, signaling for silence.

He pushed aside the wooden plank above his head, peeked out, and then waved.

The four climbed out one by one and found themselves in a dry well.

There were grooves in the well wall for them to climb, and they carefully climbed up.

The wellhead is in a secluded courtyard, surrounded by dilapidated houses, which appear to be abandoned buildings from the palace.

"This is the former site of the Laundry Bureau, which was abandoned during the Yongle era," Uncle Zhao said in a low voice. "If you walk half a mile to the east, you'll find the Yongshou Palace, where the Grand Princess once lived."

The snow is still falling, but much lighter.

The palace walls are tall, and the eaves are faintly visible in the morning mist.

In the distance came the sound of a wooden clapper and the watchman's shouts: "The weather is dry, be careful with fire!"

The rules inside the palace are stricter than those outside.

The four walked close to the wall, avoiding the patrolling guards.

Uncle Zhao was very familiar with the palace paths, and after several twists and turns, he arrived at a palace gate.

A plaque hangs above the gate: Yongshou Palace.

"We're here," Uncle Zhao said. "I'll go knock on the door, you wait here."

He went up and knocked on the door three times (long and two short).

A moment later, the door opened a crack, and an old eunuch peeked out. Seeing Uncle Zhao, he paused, startled: "Zhao... Commander Zhao?"

"Eunuch Li, it's me." Uncle Zhao bowed. "Please inform the Grand Princess that I have important business to discuss."

Eunuch Li glanced at Chen Yuan and the others, then nodded: "Wait."

The door closed again.

Chen Yuan surveyed his surroundings.

Yongshou Palace is not large, but it is very grand in scale, with its roof covered with yellow glazed tiles, which is a privilege reserved for princes in the palace.

The two ancient cypress trees in front of the gate, their branches weighed down by snow, appear even more solemn.

After waiting for about half an incense stick's time, the door opened.

Eunuch Li said in a low voice, "The princess invites you in through the side door."

The four entered the palace through a side gate, passed through a corridor, and arrived at the rear hall.

The hall was warm as spring, and the charcoal brazier was burning brightly.

Grand Princess Zhu Mingyue sat on a warm couch, dressed in casual clothes, without makeup, her face somewhat pale, but her eyes were bright.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Qin Xiang led the way in bowing.

"No need." The Grand Princess's gaze fell on Chen Yuan. "Did you get the goods?"

Chen Yuan took the letter out of his pocket and presented it with both hands.

Eunuch Li took it and presented it to the Grand Princess.

She unfolded the letter, glanced at it, and her eyes welled up with tears.

My hands were trembling, and the paper made a slight rustling sound.

After a long while, she took a deep breath, folded the letter, and placed it on the table.

"Please... sit down." Her voice was choked with emotion.

Everyone sat down, and a palace maid served hot tea.

The tea was top-quality Wuyi rock tea, with a wonderful aroma, but no one had the heart to savor it.

"Wang Zhen found out?" the Grand Princess asked.

"We've found them," Chen Yuan said. "When I left, the Eastern Depot was already under martial law. They're probably conducting a city-wide search now."

The Grand Princess nodded, not surprised. "Cao Jixiang is a meticulous man. He certainly won't let this go easily after losing something so important." She paused, then asked, "Did anyone see you enter the palace?"

"Probably not," Uncle Zhao said. "They used a secret passage; it was very well hidden."

"The secret passage..." The Grand Princess glanced at Uncle Zhao, "Commander Zhao, it's been so many years, you're still as capable as ever."

Uncle Zhao bowed: "Your Highness flatters me. If it weren't for Your Highness's intercession back then, I would have died in the imperial prison long ago. Your Highness gave me this life, and today I'm repaying that debt."

The Grand Princess waved her hand, "Let's not dwell on old matters." She turned to Chen Yuan, "Child, have you read this letter?"

"I've seen it."

"How does it feel?"

Chen Yuan was silent for a moment: "It's complicated. But I... understand him now."

The "he" here refers to Zhu Gaosui, the King of Zhao.

Tears welled up in the Grand Princess's eyes: "He was a good man, but... he was born in the wrong place. The royal family is ruthless, yet he was the most affectionate."

She wiped her eyes. "Let's not talk about this anymore. Now that we've got the letter, what's your next step?"

"I would like to hear Your Highness's opinion," Chen Yuan said.

The Grand Princess took a sip of tea and said slowly, "This letter cannot be made public yet. Once it is, Cao Jixiang will be desperate and do whatever he wants. Moreover..." She looked at Chen Yuan, "your identity will be completely exposed, and at that time, it won't just be the Eastern Depot that wants to kill you."

"What does Your Highness mean?"

"Wait," the Grand Princess said. "Wait for the right opportunity. The Emperor is seriously ill, the Crown Prince is young, and the court is unstable; we cannot afford any further disruptions. Wait until the border wars subside, and until I have purged the opposition forces in the court, then..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Chen Yuan shook his head: "Your Highness, we can't wait."

Why?

"Because the Eastern Depot won't wait," Chen Yuan said. "Wang Zhen already suspects my identity, and now that the letter has been lost, he will definitely retaliate fiercely. Moreover..." He paused, "I heard that Cao Jixiang has recently been getting very close to Duke Cheng, Zhu Yong."

The Grand Princess's expression changed: "Who told you that?"

"At Li Xian's birthday banquet, some people were talking privately," Chen Yuan said, "saying that Cao Jixiang wanted to marry his niece to the son of the Duke of Cheng, so that the two families could unite through marriage."

"Zhu Yong..." the Grand Princess sneered, "That old fox has always wanted to take control of the capital garrison. It seems he can't wait any longer."

Duke Zhu Yong of Chengguo was a descendant of Zhu Neng, a founding hero. He was in charge of the Central Military Commission and was the nominal commander of the three major battalions of the Beijing Garrison.

However, the Grand Princess firmly controlled the actual military power, which he always resented.

If Cao Jixiang and Zhu Yong join forces, the situation will be dangerous.

"So we can't wait," Chen Yuan said. "We have to take the initiative."

"How should we attack?"

Chen Yuan thought for a moment: "The letter cannot be made public, but we can let people know that it is in our hands. Cao Jixiang is guilty and will definitely make a move. As long as he makes a move, there will be a flaw in his plan."

"Lure the snake out of its hole?" The Grand Princess pondered. "It's a method, but too risky. Cao Jixiang has cultivated his influence in the court for many years, and his cronies are everywhere. He's not easy to deal with."

Qin Xiang, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up: "Your Highness, I have an idea."

"explain."

"Since Cao Jixiang is colluding with the Duke of Cheng, let's start with the Duke of Cheng. It's common knowledge in the court that the Duke of Cheng is a womanizer. If we can find something to hold against him..."

The Grand Princess's eyes lit up: "You mean..."

"I heard that the Duke of Cheng has recently become infatuated with a courtesan from the Imperial Music Bureau named Su Xiaoxiao. He often sneaks off to see her. If this gets out, that shrewish wife of the Duke of Cheng will definitely not let it go."

Chen Jin couldn't help but ask, "What does the Duke of Cheng's lechery have to do with his collusion with Cao Jixiang?"

Qin Xiang laughed: "Silly child, the Duchess of Chengguo is the daughter of the late Duke of Yingguo, Zhang Fu. She has a strong personality and hates her husband's philandering. If she finds out that the Duke of Chengguo is keeping a mistress, she will definitely make a scene. Once she makes a scene, the Duke of Chengguo won't care about his affair with Cao Jixiang anymore. Besides..." She looked at the Grand Princess, "The Duke of Yingguo's former subordinates still have influence in the army. If the Duchess of Chengguo sides with us..."

The Grand Princess clapped her hands: "Excellent plan! It can sow discord between Cao Jixiang and the Duke of Cheng, and also win over the former subordinates of the Duke of Yingguo. Qin Xiang, you truly live up to your reputation as the daughter of Eunuch Qin; your mind is meticulous."

Qin Xiang bowed her head: "Your Highness flatters me."

Chen Yuan frowned: "The plan is good, but how do we implement it? How will we know when the Duke of Cheng will meet that courtesan? And how will we let the Duchess of Cheng know?"

Uncle Zhao suddenly spoke up: "This... I might be able to help."

Everyone looked at him.

Uncle Zhao was a little embarrassed: "Well... I used to be in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, responsible for monitoring all the officials. I know about the Duke of Cheng's hobbies. He usually goes to the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) on the 3rd, 6th, and 9th of each ten-day period, arriving at 5 PM and leaving at 9 PM. As for the Duke of Cheng's wife..." He paused, "I have an old brother who is now a bodyguard in the Duke of Cheng's mansion. He can pass on messages."

The Grand Princess laughed: "Commander Zhao, you are truly a man of great talent."

Uncle Zhao scratched his head: "Your Highness, please don't tease me. It's all thanks to the connections we made back then; I never thought they'd come in handy again."

The plan is set.

Uncle Zhao was in charge of making the arrangements, with Qin Xiang assisting.

The Grand Princess then explained some more details, and then said to Chen Yuan, "You and Chen Jin should stay in the palace for now. Yongshou Palace has a side hall that is usually unoccupied and very safe."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The Grand Princess looked at Chen Yuan with a complicated expression: "From now on... when no one is around, you can call me Mother."

Chen Yuan was stunned. He opened his mouth, but the word got stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say it no matter what.