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

Qin Xiang added from the side, "It was Uncle Zhao who persuaded Second Aunt Zhang. She's a notoriously formidable figure in the Duke of Ying's mansion. With her involved, the Duke of Cheng will at least behave himself for a few days."

"A few days isn't enough," the Grand Princess said. "We need to completely sever his ties with Cao Jixiang. Qin Xiang, how are things going with Su Xiaoxiao?"

"It's all arranged," Qin Xiang said. "The Duke of Cheng will be going to the Jiaofangsi (a music and dance academy) tonight. The Duchess of Cheng will 'happily' be passing by."

Chen Jin was stunned: "You...how did you know the Duke of Cheng would be there tonight?"

Qin Xiang laughed: "Because someone told him that Su Xiaoxiao would be singing a new song tonight, which was written especially for him."

"Who handed it to you?"

"Me," Qin Xiang blinked, "the madam of the brothel was an old acquaintance of my adoptive father."

Looking at Qin Xiang, Chen Yuan suddenly realized that this woman was not simple.

She appears gentle and refined, but in reality, she is quite shrewd and capable.

It's not something an ordinary person can do to weave such a network in the capital.

The Grand Princess was clearly satisfied: "Well done. However, that's not enough. Cao Jixiang isn't stupid; once he senses the Duke of Cheng's wavering, he'll definitely try something else." She looked at Chen Yuan, "Child, what do you think we should do next?"

Chen Yuan thought for a moment: "Attack where they must defend."

"What do you mean?"

"What does Cao Jixiang care about most? Power," Chen Yuan said. "He cultivated his influence in the Directorate of Ceremonial for many years, controlling the power of imperial approvals; that's his foundation. If we can make a move on that..."

The Grand Princess's eyes lit up: "You mean, the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs?"

"Yes." Chen Yuan nodded. "Besides Cao Jixiang, there are several other eunuchs in the Directorate of Ceremonial. Are they really a united front?"

Qin Xiang continued, "That's not true. Wang Zhen, the second-in-command of the Directorate of Ceremonial, is Cao Jixiang's godson, but recently there have been rumors that Wang Zhen wants to replace him. There are also several old eunuchs who have long been dissatisfied with Cao Jixiang's monopoly of power."

"Then let's start with them," Chen Yuan said. "Divide them, win them over, and sow discord. As long as the Directorate of Ceremonial is in turmoil, Cao Jixiang won't be able to care about the outside world."

The Grand Princess looked at Chen Yuan, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes: "You are better than your father. He was too straightforward and didn't understand these subtleties."

Chen Yuan did not respond.

His feelings for the father he had never met were complicated.

I want to know, but I'm also afraid to know.

"Then it's settled." The Grand Princess made the decision. "Qin Xiang, go and contact Wang Zhen to sound him out. Remember, be careful; Cao Jixiang has many spies in the Directorate of Ceremonial."

"Yes."

"As for you two..." The Grand Princess looked at Chen Yuan and Chen Jin, "Stay in the palace and don't move. Cao Jixiang lost that letter and must be doing everything he can to find out. Although the palace is relatively safe, we can't be careless."

Chen Yuan nodded.

He knows what's important and what's not.

Emerging from the back hall, Chen Jin asked softly, "Brother Yuan, are we really not going to do anything?"

"It's not that we don't want to do it, it's just that the time isn't right yet," Chen Yuan said. "We're like hunters now, waiting for our prey to show a weakness before we can strike decisively."

"But I feel so aggrieved." Chen Jin lowered her head. "More than a hundred members of the Chen family died tragically, and here we are..."

"Plotting revenge here." Chen Yuan interrupted him. "Chen Jin, you must remember, killing is easy, destroying the heart is difficult. We don't just want Cao Jixiang's life, we want to uproot him completely, we want to clear the name of the Chen family. This will take time, it will take patience."

Chen Jin bit her lip: "I understand, it's just...it's just that I feel sad."

Chen Yuan patted his shoulder: "If you feel bad, practice martial arts or study. Turn your discomfort into strength and skill. That way, you won't hesitate when it's time for revenge."

The two returned to the side hall.

Chen Jin continued reading military books, while Chen Yuan walked to the window and looked at the sky outside the palace walls.

The snow stopped, the clouds dispersed, and a corner of blue sky was revealed.

The sunlight shone on the snow, reflecting a dazzling light.

Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes.

He thought of Xuanfu, the wind at the border, and his brothers who served as night watchmen.

Those days were tough and dangerous, but simple.

Knife against knife, gun against gun, life and death are clear at a glance.

Unlike now, where it seems safe but is actually full of traps.

A single word or a glance could conceal a deadly intent.

But he doesn't regret it.

Now that we've chosen this path, we must continue on it.

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose in the distance.

Chen Yuan listened intently; it was coming from the direction of the palace gate.

"What happened?" Chen Jin heard it too.

Chen Yuan walked into the courtyard, climbed over the wall, and saw a large group of people kneeling outside the palace gate, all dressed as officials. At the front were several elderly officials with white hair, holding up memorials and crying out.

"...Our soldiers are fighting valiantly on the frontier, yet treacherous officials hold sway in the court. We humbly beseech Your Majesty to cleanse the court and execute the eunuch faction!"

"Cao Jixiang has brought disaster to the country and its people; his actions are intolerable!"

"Your Majesty, please investigate this matter thoroughly!"

Chen Yuan's heart skipped a beat: This is... the officials kneeling before the palace?

Eunuch Li rushed over, his face pale: "Young masters, quickly go back inside, close the door tightly, and don't come out no matter what you hear!"

"What happened?" Chen Yuan asked.

"They are censors from the Censorate and secretaries from the Six Ministries," Eunuch Li said urgently. "They have jointly submitted a memorial impeaching Cao Jixiang for ten major crimes. They are now kneeling outside the palace gates, demanding an audience with the Emperor."

"Where is His Majesty?"

"Your Majesty...His Majesty is seriously ill and cannot see anyone," Eunuch Li said in a low voice. "The Grand Princess has already left, but this matter is troublesome. Cao Jixiang has many spies in the palace; if he finds out..."

Before the words were finished, the sound of orderly footsteps came from afar.

A group of agents from the Eastern Depot rushed in through the side gate, wielding steel knives, and charged straight at the palace gate.

"Oh no!" Eunuch Li stamped his foot. "Cao Jixiang is going to resort to violence!"

Chen Yuan's eyes turned cold, and he placed his hand on the dagger at his waist—the only weapon he had brought into the palace.

"Brother Yuan, what are you doing?" Chen Jin grabbed him.

"Go take a look," Chen Yuan said. "Eunuch Li, take Chen Jin back to the house and lock the door."

"Young master, this is too dangerous..."

"Don't worry, I won't show myself."

After Chen Yuan finished speaking, he leaped onto the roof.

He strode across the rooftops, leaping and bounding, until he reached a pavilion near the palace gate.

Looking down from here, you can see everything.

Outside the palace gates, more than thirty officials knelt, mostly young censors, but also a few veteran ministers.

The agents of the Eastern Depot surrounded them, their swords already drawn.

"Are you rebelling?" one of the guards shouted. "Charging into the palace gates is punishable by death!"

The leading old minister, with white hair and beard, was Liu Qiu, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. Undeterred, he declared loudly, "For the sake of the nation and its people, what fear is there of death? It is you eunuchs who have wreaked havoc on the court and persecuted loyal officials; you will surely be punished by Heaven!"

"You old bastard, you're asking for it!" The foreman drew his sword, ready to strike.

Just then, a clear, cold voice rang out: "Stop."

The Grand Princess has arrived.

She walked in, dressed in court attire and wearing a nine-phoenix crown, surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs.

Although she was a woman, her imposing presence silenced the entire room.

The agents of the Eastern Depot involuntarily took a few steps back.

"Imperial Censor Liu, what are you doing?" the Grand Princess asked.

Liu Qiu knelt and kowtowed: "Your Highness, Cao Jixiang is controlling the court and framing loyal officials. While our soldiers are fighting valiantly on the frontier, he is embezzling military pay and enriching himself! We risk our lives to remonstrate with Your Majesty, begging you to execute this villain!"

"Your Majesty, please execute this scoundrel!" the officials shouted in unison.

The Grand Princess remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I understand what you have said. Leave the memorial here, and everyone may return home. His Majesty is unwell and cannot see you."

"Your Highness!" Liu Qiu cried, tears streaming down his face. "If Cao Jixiang is not eliminated, the country will never have peace!"

"I have said I understand." The Grand Princess's voice turned cold. "Your gathering here is a violation of palace rules. I will not pursue the matter because of your loyalty. But if you persist, don't blame me for being impolite."

That's a harsh statement.

The officials looked at each other, not daring to say anything more.

Liu Qiu sighed and raised the memorial high: "Your subject... obeys."

The officials gradually dispersed.

The agents of the Eastern Depot have also been withdrawn.

Only the Grand Princess and a few attendants remained in front of the palace gates.

She stood there, watching the officials' departing figures, motionless for a long time.