Quick Wear: The first person to love the host

"He's planning to make a move?" Su Ziyu's voice also lowered.

“Perhaps he’s still hesitating, or perhaps he’s paving the way.” Qi Jinyu’s eyes were deep. “But he is indeed looking for a knife that can break the current balance.”

He looked at Su Ziyu, a hint of apology in his eyes, "Ziyu, the capital... I'm afraid it won't be peaceful for long. I originally wanted you to have a few more days of peace."

Su Ziyu shook her head, gripped his hand tightly, and said with clear and firm eyes, "Didn't we agree to weather the storm together? Wherever you are, I will be there. What do you need me to do?"

As Qi Jinyu looked into his fearless eyes, a warm current suddenly flowed into the corner of her heart that had been frozen by the power struggle.

He lowered his head and kissed Su Ziyu's forehead.

“Do nothing, just protect yourself, that’s the best help you can give me.” He paused. “However, there’s something… I might need the Shen family’s shops in the capital to help keep an eye on the flow of some special supplies, such as… ironware, medicine, and horses.”

Su Ziyu immediately understood: "I will make arrangements to conduct a covert investigation along the trade routes, without attracting any attention."

"Caution comes first."

"You too."

That night, the two slept in each other's arms, but neither slept very soundly. The wind howled outside the window, as if foreshadowing that Kyoto's peaceful facade was about to be completely torn away.

The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.

-

Winter in Kyoto, beneath its calm surface, quietly slips toward the end of the year.

In addition to the increasingly festive atmosphere, there was also an indescribable sense of tension in the air, like a fully drawn bowstring, waiting for the sound of tearing silk.

The emperor remained the same, and while the affairs of state were nominally handled by Qi Jinyu and several senior cabinet ministers, in reality, most of the important matters were concentrated in the study of the Prince's residence.

Qi Jinyu's time was increasingly fragmented. He had to deal with the occasional probing memorials that appeared in the court, while also discreetly continuing to place people in key positions to consolidate his power, and at the same time, he had to be constantly vigilant about the movements of the person in the palace.

The emperor may seem quiet at the moment, but every casual message from the eunuchs and every inquiry into seemingly insignificant matters may contain hidden meanings.

Su Ziyu's life was equally difficult.

He took over the management of several shops owned by the Shen family in the capital, secretly investigated the flow of certain sensitive materials, and also took the opportunity to establish a secret information channel. Every single thing required careful planning.

The burden on Qin Wujiu's shoulders became even heavier.

On the surface, he was the commander of the Prince's guards, responsible for security. In reality, he was responsible for coordinating all the undercover agents that Qi Jinyu had planted in the capital, monitoring the movements of court officials, transmitting confidential information, and ensuring that Qi Jinyu and Su Ziyu had the quickest escape or contingency plan in the event of any unforeseen circumstances.

He was so busy that he barely had time to breathe, and he became increasingly silent and aloof. Only when he occasionally received a letter from Jiangnan would a fleeting, gentle light appear in his eyes.

The twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month is Little New Year.

An imperial decree was issued from the palace, stating that the emperor, "in gratitude for family harmony," granted special permission for several princes and close relatives to enter the palace for a reunion and celebrate the Lunar New Year together.

This imperial decree came suddenly, breaking the emperor's long-standing state of 'quiet recuperation due to illness'.

"No banquet is ever a good banquet." Upon receiving the imperial decree, Qi Jinyu said to Su Ziyu and Qin Wujiu in his study, his tone calm and even, but his eyes sharp as ice blades.

"Father chose to hold the banquet on the eve of the Lunar New Year, under the guise of a family feast, so that all the relatives would gather together. This would be the easiest way to create an 'accident' and also the easiest way to make people lower their guard."

"Your Highness, shall we decline on the grounds of illness?" Qin Wujiu frowned.

“I can’t refuse.” Qi Jinyu shook his head, his fingertips tapping lightly on the rosewood table, making a dull thud. “If I refuse now, it would be a sign of weakness and give him a handle to use against me. He would say that I ‘don’t even care about the bond between father and son,’ which would give him a reason to lash out.”

He raised his eyes, his gaze icy. "Not only will you go, but you will go 'obediently'."

Su Ziyu's heart tightened: "Palace guards..."

"The deputy commander of the Imperial Guard is one of the Emperor's men, but the Imperial Guard is not a monolithic entity. We have planted several of our people in there, so there will be support when needed, and there will also be backup on the outside."

Qi Jinyu's arrangements were always meticulous, but this time, his gaze toward Su Ziyu was filled with unprecedented depth and worry. "Ziyu, you stay in the manor. If... if there is any change in the palace, no matter what news you hear, do not act rashly. Follow the escape route we discussed before."

“I want to go with you,” Su Ziyu blurted out.

To leave him in the seemingly safe palace, helplessly awaiting possible bad news, was more unbearable than being attacked with swords. He couldn't do it.

"No." Qi Jinyu refused decisively, her tone resolute and leaving no room for doubt.

He stood up and walked to Su Ziyu, grasping his shoulders. "Ziyu, this isn't the Northern Frontier, this is the Imperial Palace, a den of dragons and tigers. If you're here, you'll only distract me and put yourself in a desperate situation. Listen to me, stay here and guard this place for me."

He gazed into Su Ziyu's eyes and said, word by word, "Your safety is of utmost importance to me. If anything happens to you, everything I do will be meaningless."

He gripped Su Ziyu's hand tightly, conveying a silent plea and promise: "Believe me, I will come back safely."

Looking at the unwavering determination and unquestionable concern in his eyes, Su Ziyu knew that this was not the time to argue, as it might disturb his peace of mind.

He suppressed the panic and reluctance in his heart, grasped Qi Jinyu's cold hand, nodded heavily, and said in a hoarse but firm voice, "Okay, I'll wait for you. You must come back."

It was the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, around dusk.

Qi Jinyu changed into his princely robes; the black robe embroidered with gold pythons accentuated his handsome face, but also added a touch of solemnity. Accompanied by Qin Wujiu and a team of carefully selected guards from the royal palace, he entered the palace for the banquet according to protocol.

As the carriage drove away from the Prince's Mansion, Su Ziyu, wearing a fox fur cloak, stood quietly under the corridor of the main courtyard.

As dusk settled and the cold wind whipped his unbound hair, he watched the procession disappear at the end of the long street, surrounded by guards. He felt that the chill of the winter night had never been so penetrating, piercing straight to his heart.

Not long after Qi Jinyu left the mansion, it was completely dark.

Security was quietly increased throughout the Prince's residence, but the outward appearance remained one of festive tranquility.

Su Zi wanted to invite her younger sister Su Miaomiao to the main courtyard for dinner. Although there were some festive snacks on the table, neither of them had any appetite.

The changes came faster than expected.

Not long after dinner was cleared away, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the mansion!

The sounds of horses' hooves, footsteps, and clashing armor grew louder as they approached, quickly surrounding the Prince's residence!

The torchlight shone through the high walls, turning the night sky a dim red.

"By imperial decree! The Northern Frontier Prince's Palace harbors treacherous intentions, secretly amassing troops and plotting rebellion! No one is permitted to enter or leave; those who disobey will be executed without exception!" The sharp voice of the decree pierced the night sky, carrying a chilling killing intent.

They've arrived! The emperor has indeed made his move!

Taking advantage of Qi Jinyu's entry into the palace, they directly besieged the Prince's Mansion, intending to take the "Princess" hostage. Perhaps... the palace spies also spread rumors that Qi Jinyu and the "Princess" had a strained relationship, but the emperor clearly believed that Qi Jinyu's real weakness was hidden deep within the Prince's Mansion.