Nine Nights Owl Song

February 25th, the eighteenth year of Yong'an.

The news of the arranged marriage had spread throughout the court and the public for more than ten days, and the open congratulations and the undercurrents of scheming surged like a tide.

The Crown Prince hosted a banquet at the Eastern Palace and invited the Sixth Prince, Xiao Yan.

The Second Prince held a banquet at the Prince's Mansion and also invited the Sixth Prince.

The fourth prince claimed to be ill and did not leave his residence, but his retainers frequently visited the Prince Zhao's mansion.

Everyone wanted to win over this suddenly "lucky" useless prince—no, they wanted to win over the Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion and the Dark Pavilion behind him.

Xiao Yan attended the banquet hosted by the Crown Prince.

He wore a bright red python robe, a golden crown, and a jade belt, with the words "纨绔" (wan ku, meaning纨绔, a spoiled, dissolute young man) written all over his body.

During the banquet, the Crown Prince toasted each other, implying that as long as his sixth brother supported him, he would be richly rewarded in the future.

Xiao Yan laughed as he drank, repeating more than a dozen times, "Your subject is foolish and dull, only knowing how to eat, drink, and have fun; he knows nothing about matters of the court."

The prince's smile remained unchanged, but the light in his eyes gradually turned cold.

Xiao Yan also attended the banquet hosted by the Second Prince.

The Second Prince's banquet was far more extravagant than the Crown Prince's, featuring delicacies from land and sea, fine wines and dishes, and entertaining singers and dancers.

Unlike the Crown Prince, the Second Prince didn't beat around the bush; he spoke directly:

"Sixth Brother, now that you've married Su Jiuge, the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion is your backing. The Dark Pavilion is yours too. Have you thought this through? Who will rule this world in the future?"

Xiao Yan, holding a wine cup, said with a smile:

"Second brother, you jest. How would I know about such things? I only know which girl plays the pipa beautifully, and which tavern has some fine wine."

The second prince's smile remained unchanged, but the fingers gripping the wine glass tightened slightly.

After the two banquets, both the Crown Prince and the Second Prince realized one thing—the Sixth Prince, Xiao Yan, could not be won over.

When the Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace, he smashed a set of official kiln porcelain.

"A piece of trash is a piece of trash; even if you give him a chance, he won't use it."

His advisors advised him that it was better for the sixth prince not to take sides, at least he wouldn't side with the second prince.

The Crown Prince thought it made sense and stopped taking Xiao Yan to heart.

The Second Prince returned to the Prince's residence and sat in his study, with a map of Luojing City spread out in front of him, marking the locations of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, the Prince of Zhao's residence, the Dark Pavilion stronghold, and the Thousand Machine Tower liaison office.

He observed for an hour, then said to his chief of staff, "If you can't win them over, then eliminate them."

The chief of staff's expression changed.

"Your Highness, the Sixth Prince is still a prince, no matter what. If we harm him, what will happen to His Majesty..."

"Who said we were going to touch him?"

The second prince pointed to the location of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence on the map.

"If we can't touch him, we'll target the people around him. Su Jiuge is the leader of the Dark Pavilion, but even the strongest Dark Pavilion only has a few dozen assassins. The number of assassins I keep in my manor is no less than that of the Dark Pavilion. Once Su Jiuge dies, the Marquis of Dingyuan's manor will be leaderless, and the Sixth Prince will become a toothless tiger. At that point, he won't have a choice whether to take sides or not."

The chief of staff remained silent.

"Your Highness, Su Jiuge is highly skilled in martial arts. Last time, even three top assassins from the Blood Hall couldn't kill her."

The second prince sneered.

"Blood Hall is Blood Hall, and I am I. Chen Beixuan of Blood Hall is nothing but a rogue from the martial world, while I have the resources of the imperial court. Go contact 'Photo Studio,' and I'll pay whatever it takes. I'm determined to have Su Jiuge's head."

The Shadow Studio—the second-largest assassin organization in the world, second only to the Dark Pavilion at its peak. After the Dark Pavilion split, its strength greatly diminished, and the Shadow Studio seized the opportunity to rise, recruiting a large number of experts.

It is said that the owner of the photography studio possesses unfathomable martial arts skills and has never made a mistake. The Second Prince's asking price is one million taels of silver, plus a special permit for the photography studio to operate freely within the Liang Dynasty.

The photo studio couldn't refuse that price.

The news reached Qianji Tower that very night.

Bai Yu rushed to Prince Zhao's residence overnight, and Xiao Yan remained silent for a long time after hearing what Bai Yu said.

"The photo studio accepted the job?"

Bai Yu nodded.

"We accepted. They dispatched five top assassins, all at the peak of the Transformation Realm. The leader is the deputy head of the photography studio, 'Faceless.' No one has ever seen his true face. It is said that he never leaves any survivors after killing someone."

Xiao Yan tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"Five peak-stage Transformation Realm experts. Su Jiuge's current strength is at the late stage of Transformation Realm, just one step away from the peak. She can easily win one-on-one, barely win one-on-two, and definitely lose one-on-three, and one-on-five..." He didn't finish his sentence.

Bai Yu asked, "Should we tell her?"

Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment.

"Tell her. But don't let her shoulder the burden alone. The Dark Pavilion isn't manpower enough, so the Thousand Machine Tower will fill in. This time, the opponent isn't the Blood Hall, but the Shadow Tower. We won't take the initiative; we'll wait for them to come."

Bai Yu nodded.

Xiao Yan looked up at him.

"Also, investigate what Zhao Wenchang has been up to lately. Father has been in a bad mood these past few days, and today he scolded him in court, even saying things like 'holding a position without doing any work.' Zhao Wenchang has been cultivating his power in court for many years and is deeply entrenched. Father has always wanted to get rid of him but hasn't found an opportunity. Now Father has reached his limit with him, so perhaps it's time for us to make our move."

Bai Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Yes, I will investigate immediately."

February 26th, late at night.

The Imperial Study.

When Su Jiuge was brought to the palace from the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence by Gao Dequan, it was already 9 PM.

The night was deep, and she was the only one on the palace road in the imperial city, along with the little eunuch leading the way with a lantern.

Shen Qing was stopped outside the palace gate. He glanced at Su Jiuge, who nodded, and he retreated into the shadows.

The imperial study was brightly lit, and Emperor Yong'an sat behind his dragon desk, with a pile of memorials in front of him that was half a person high.

His complexion was poor, with dark circles under his eyes and slightly purple lips; he looked much older than the last time they met. Su Jiuge bowed, and Emperor Yong'an gestured to a chair, which she then sat down.

"I have summoned you here today because I have something to entrust to you."

Emperor Yong'an's voice was hoarse and low. There were no pleasantries, no probing; he went straight to the point. He picked up a folded document from the dragon table and handed it to Su Jiuge.

Su Jiuge opened the folded booklet, on which was written a name—Zhao Wenchang.

The current prime minister, a second-rank official, is the Zhou family's biggest backer in the imperial court.

Emperor Yong'an's voice sounded as if it were being squeezed out from deep within his throat.

"I have tolerated him for many years. He has been corrupt, perverted the law, formed cliques, and allowed his protégés to commit wrongdoings. You know about the Zhou family's affairs. Zhou Wenyuan is his man. He doesn't know what the Zhou family has been doing in the Marquis's residence? I don't believe it."

Su Jiuge closed the folding book and looked at Emperor Yong'an.

There was a light in the emperor's eyes that she had never seen before—it was murderous intent.

An emperor's murderous intent towards his subjects.

"I am the emperor, I cannot kill him with my own hands. The rules of the court dictate that a prime minister cannot be punished without evidence. I have no evidence, but he does. He has hidden his evidence very well, and I have been investigating for many years without finding it."

Emperor Yong'an looked at Su Jiuge,

"But I don't need evidence, I want his life. You do it, the Secret Service does it. No evidence, no trace, no survivors. He's dead, and I'll slowly investigate his cronies."

Su Jiuge remained silent for a moment.

"When does Your Majesty wish for him to die?"

Emperor Yong'an leaned back in his chair.

"The sooner the better."

Su Jiuge nodded.

"I understand."

Emperor Yong'an looked at her face.

There was no hesitation on that young face.

She wasn't afraid, and she didn't ask "why kill him?"

The emperor ordered her to kill, and she killed; she was an assassin, and killing was her profession.

But Emperor Yong'an knew that she wasn't refusing to ask; she simply didn't need to. She knew who Zhao Wenchang was, what the Zhou family was all about, that Zhao Wenchang was the Second Prince's backer, and that the Second Prince couldn't be touched unless Zhao Wenchang fell.

She knows everything.

"After Zhao Wenchang dies, I will have the Sixth Prince arrange for someone to fill the vacancy he left behind."

Emperor Yong'an lowered his voice, "The Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Justice—Sixth Prince has people under his command. The Thousand Machine Pavilion has cultivated so many talents over the years; it's time to bring them to the court."

Su Jiuge looked at Emperor Yong'an.

He knew everything: he knew Xiao Yan was the master of Qianji Tower, he knew what Qianji Tower had done over the years, and he knew how many capable people Xiao Yan had at his disposal.

He hasn't used it yet, not because he doesn't want to, but because he's waiting.

Wait for Xiao Yan to confront him, wait for Xiao Yan to be willing to step out of the shadows and into the light.

The time has come.

Emperor Yong'an waved his hand.

"You may leave. I want a resolution to Zhao Wenchang's matter."

Su Jiuge stood up, bowed, and turned to walk towards the door.

"Su Jiuge," Emperor Yong'an called out to her.

Su Jiuge stopped.

"I married you off to the sixth prince not just for political reasons. I want you to keep an eye on him and prevent him from going astray."

Emperor Yong'an's voice was very soft.

"This child carries too much on his mind and refuses to tell anyone. I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on one day. I feel at ease with you by his side."

Su Jiuge remained silent for a moment, then nodded and walked out.

The door to the Imperial Study closed behind him.

Emperor Yong'an sat alone behind his desk, picking up his vermilion brush to continue reviewing memorials.

His hands are very steady, and his handwriting is very neat.

The emperor's hand must be steady.

Su Jiuge walked along the palace road. The night wind was cold, making her robes flutter loudly.

Shen Qing waited for her outside the palace gates. Seeing her come out, he emerged from the shadows and silently followed behind her, keeping a distance of three steps. Su Jiuge boarded the carriage, leaned against the side, and closed her eyes.

Zhao Wenchang.

The current prime minister, a second-rank official, the patron of the second prince, and the backer of the Zhou family.

Killing him was more difficult than killing Chen Beixuan, not because his martial arts were superior—his martial arts were negligible—but because he had many people around him, heavy guards, and his residence was heavily guarded.

He's dead. The court will investigate, the second prince will investigate, and his cronies will investigate.

She couldn't leave any trace, couldn't let anyone know it was the work of the Dark Pavilion, and even more so, couldn't let anyone know it was ordered by the Emperor. This was an assassination that couldn't be carried out in the light of day.

The carriage stopped in front of the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.

Su Jiuge got out of the car. Uncle Fu was waiting for her at the door, holding a lantern in his hand. The dim light shone on her face, making her pale face look a little warmer.

"Miss, Madam is waiting for you to have a late-night snack."

Su Jiuge nodded and went inside.

In the main hall, Madam Shen was carrying a bowl of steaming lotus seed soup. When she saw her come in, she smiled.

"You're back? Drink it while it's hot, it'll taste fishy when it cools down."

Su Jiuge took the lotus seed soup and drank a sip; it was very sweet.

Xiao Yan sat in a chair in the main hall with a book in his hand. When he saw her look up, the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

Xiao Yan arrived at some unknown time. Su Jiuge sat down opposite him, carrying a bowl of lotus seed soup.

"Why are you here?"

Xiao Yan put down his book.

"I heard that Father Emperor summoned you to the palace. I was worried, so I came to check on you."

Su Jiuge took a couple of sips of lotus seed soup and briefly explained Zhao Wenchang's situation.

Xiao Yan's expression gradually darkened.

"The photo studio took a job from the Second Prince and wants to kill you."

Xiao Yan looked at her. "Five top-tier assassins, all at the peak of the Transformation Realm. The leader is 'Faceless,' the deputy head of the Shadow Studio. If you go to kill Zhao Wenchang alone, the people from the Shadow Studio might take the opportunity to attack."

Su Jiuge put down the bowl.

"I'll kill Zhao Wenchang, and you'll arrange for someone to fill the vacancy. Do both things at the same time."

Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment.

"Are you sure you want to make a move at a time like this?"

Su Jiuge looked into his eyes.

"If Zhao Wenchang doesn't die, the Second Prince will have a powerful backer. With a powerful backer, he will act recklessly against you. To act against you is to act against me, and to act against me is to act against the Dark Pavilion. I can't wait, and neither can you."

Xiao Yan remained silent for a long time.

He reached out and took Su Jiuge's hand, which was resting on the table. Su Jiuge looked down at his hand—long, slender, with distinct knuckles, warm and dry. She didn't pull it away.

"Be careful," Xiao Yan said softly.

Su Jiuge nodded.

Xiao Yan released his grip and stood up.

"I'll arrange for someone to fill Zhao Wenchang's position."

He walked out quickly, as if he dared not look back. Su Jiuge watched his pale figure disappear through the door, then lowered her head and finished the bowl of lotus seed soup, which had already cooled down.

February 26th, the eighteenth year of Yong'an, night.

The emperor wants to kill Zhao Wenchang, the sixth prince wants to fill the power vacuum, and the secret police are about to make their move.

The photo studio was also watching her.

This battle is even more difficult than the one involving the Blood Hall.

But Su Jiuge wasn't afraid.

Her knife couldn't wait any longer.