Legend of the Embroiderer

Within the magnificent palace, an unknown undercurrent was quietly surging. Huang Quan, the frontier governor with military power over the foreign garrisons, was renowned for his cunning and ruthlessness. He had spies stationed throughout the palace, like a spider web, permeating every corner, capturing any possible disturbance.

One day, Wu Chen's secret meeting with Crown Prince Li Zhao in the palace was accidentally witnessed by an unassuming eunuch. This eunuch, ostensibly an ordinary servant, was actually one of Huang Quan's spies within the palace. His gaze sharpened for a moment, then returned to its usual dull state, as if nothing had happened. But already, he was plotting how to pass on this news.

Night fell like a black velvet, shrouding the entire palace. The lights within went out one by one, as if swallowed by darkness. Yet, in this quiet night, a figure quietly emerged: a young eunuch. Like a nimble cat, he carefully weaved through the winding corridors, avoiding the sight of the guards and palace maids.

Finally, the young eunuch reached a dark corner, far from the palace's clamor and lights. There, another mysterious figure had been waiting. The two exchanged glances and began a secret conversation. Their voices were whispered, the merest whisper of a mosquito, fearing any uninformed observer would overhear. Yet, in the stillness of the night, their conversation reached a pair of ears hidden in the shadows.

"Sir, from what I've observed, Wu Chen and the prince have been behaving a little abnormally recently. They frequently appear in strange places, and their whereabouts are very secretive. It seems that they are secretly investigating something important." The little eunuch's voice was full of tension and anxiety. He knew the seriousness of the matter very well.

The other spy frowned upon hearing this. He lowered his voice and replied, "This matter is of great importance. If they continue to investigate, it could cause us trouble. We must inform Lord Huang immediately of this news. He will decide what to do next."

The two exchanged glances, their eyes revealing their worry about the situation. If Wuchen and the Crown Prince discovered their secret operation, the consequences would be disastrous. So, they quickly discussed their action plan and prepared to report the situation to Master Huang as soon as possible.

"Everything is ready." The young eunuch said softly.

"Very good." Another person responded, with a hint of satisfaction in his tone.

They then exchanged some key information to ensure their plan was foolproof. Finally, the young eunuch hurried away, disappearing into the night. The man hiding in the shadows silently watched the entire situation unfold, secretly plotting his next move.

Wu Chen and Crown Prince Li Zhao did not know that their actions had aroused Huang Quan's vigilance.

In a secret room within the palace, they were carefully studying the clues in their hands, trying to uncover a huge conspiracy that could overthrow the court. Wu Chen's eyes flashed with wit and calmness, while Crown Prince Li Zhao looked a little anxious.

"Wu Chen, we don't have much time left. If we want to find evidence of Huang Quan's guilt, we must find conclusive evidence as soon as possible." Crown Prince Li Zhao said seriously, with a hint of urgency and anxiety in his tone.

After hearing this, Wu Chen frowned slightly, then nodded, as if agreeing with Li Zhao's point of view. Then, he stretched out his right index finger and tapped the table lightly, as if he was thinking about something carefully.

After a moment's silence, Wu Chen finally spoke: "Your Highness is absolutely right, but you also know that he has spies everywhere in the palace. We must be extra careful and cautious in our actions. Once anyone finds any clues, the consequences will be disastrous." After speaking, he raised his head and looked at Crown Prince Li Zhao firmly, with confidence flashing in his eyes.

They didn't know that every move they made had been observed by Huang Quan. Huang Quan's spies were like ghosts, silently passing messages to the palace, while Huang Quan himself, in his tent on the border, began his counterattack through these spies.

Behind the bustling palace, hidden plots and schemes crisscross the landscape. Like hunters darting through the darkness, Wu Chen and Crown Prince Li Zhao's investigation deepens, uncovering the suspicious behavior of several palace officials. These officials, seemingly righteous on a daily basis, engage in frequent, suspicious interactions with Huang Quan, the frontier governor, under cover of night.

Late one night, Wu Chen and the Crown Prince quietly followed an official to his residence. His residence was brightly lit, but muffled conversations could be heard from time to time.

They hid in the shadows, watching all this unfold. Crown Prince Li Zhao frowned, his heart filled with doubt and anxiety.

"Wu Chen, look at those officials. They have a special relationship with Huang Quan," the prince said to Wu Chen in a low voice, a barely perceptible nervousness in his voice. He frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on the group of people not far away, as if trying to discern something from them.

Wu Chen followed the prince's gaze and saw a group of brightly dressed, solemn-looking officials surrounding a tall, dignified official. That official was Huang Quan, whose eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, as if he could see through everything.

The Crown Prince frowned slightly and told Wu Chen about his findings. His voice was low and serious as he spoke, "I've noticed that their interactions are very close, a level of intimacy that far exceeds the boundaries of ordinary official relationships. Every time I see them together, I always feel an unusual sense of tacit understanding and closeness. This situation makes me suspect that there must be some kind of hidden collusion between them."

Wu Chen nodded slightly, indicating that he understood the prince's concerns, and responded softly: "Your Highness, you are right. They are colluding and plotting something."

The Crown Prince nodded solemnly in agreement, then continued, "We must find conclusive evidence to prove collusion between them. We need to observe and investigate further to uncover more clues and evidence. We must also be prepared to respond to any potential crisis."

Wu Chen responded respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness. We must continue to monitor their every move and secretly gather relevant intelligence. Once any suspicious signs or substantial evidence surfaces, we will promptly report to the Emperor so that he can make an informed decision."

The prince pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement, then instructed, "Alright, let's do as you say. But remember, we must proceed with caution and not alert the enemy. Also, we must ensure our own safety to prevent them from discovering our intentions. At this critical moment, any negligence could lead to serious consequences."

Wu Chen nodded slightly, indicating that he understood the prince's concerns. He knew that if these officials colluded with Huang Quan, it would be a disaster for both the court and the country.

The Crown Prince's expression grew increasingly solemn, his deep gaze revealing a hint of worry and uneasiness. He clenched his fists and spoke firmly, "We must be careful and not allow this situation to worsen. Otherwise, if they become a formidable force, the consequences will be disastrous."

The Crown Prince was fully aware of the severity of the current situation. If no immediate action was taken and these individuals' power was allowed to grow, the entire country could be plunged into chaos. He understood that he shouldered a heavy responsibility to protect the interests of the Celestial Empire and its people. He was determined to do his utmost to prevent this crisis from escalating.

Wu Chen pondered for a moment, a gleam in his eyes, and he slowly said: "Your Highness, I think we should observe secretly first and collect more evidence to see what conspiracy they are planning. In this way, we can take the initiative and avoid alerting the enemy." His tone was firm and confident, and he seemed to be full of confidence in his plan.

The prince nodded slightly, agreeing with Wu Chen's opinion. "You're quite right," he said. "If we reveal our intentions too early, it might alert the enemy, making our actions more difficult." He decided to follow Wu Chen's advice and hold off for now, observing the enemy's movements in secret until the right moment was ripe.

The prince was still a little worried. He knew the other party's strength should not be underestimated. If he was not careful, it could bring great trouble to himself and Wuchen. He had to act cautiously and make sure every step was safe.

So the prince said solemnly: "Good idea! However, this matter still needs long-term consideration. We can't act rashly to avoid causing unnecessary trouble. After all, the other party's power is huge, and we must deal with it carefully." There was a hint of solemnity in his eyes, and he was obviously full of worries about the next action.

The two men fell into silence, their hearts heavy. They knew that they would face many challenges in the days ahead, but they were determined to safeguard the fairness and justice of the court and stop the conspiracy of those with ulterior motives at all costs.

Wu Chen's eyes were as sharp as a hawk's. He nodded and responded, "Your Highness, the behavior of these officials is indeed suspicious. We must proceed with caution to avoid alerting the enemy."

They watched as the officials exchanged glances in their private conversation, seemingly plotting something momentous. Their faces wore false smiles, but their eyes gleamed with cunning. Wu Chen and the Crown Prince knew these officials were likely Huang Quan's accomplices.

"We must find conclusive evidence to expose their true identities." Wu Chen's voice was low and firm, and determination flashed in his eyes.

At that moment, an official suddenly stood up and walked toward the back door of the mansion. Wu Chen and the prince exchanged a quick glance and decided to split up. The prince stayed where he was and continued to monitor, while Wu Chen quietly followed the official, hoping to find more clues.

The night breeze carried a hint of coolness. At the back door of the mansion, the official whispered to a mysterious figure. Wu Chen hid in the shadows, his heart racing, but his observations were exceptionally sharp. He had to remember every detail; it might be the key to uncovering the entire conspiracy.

As the conversation deepened, Wu Chen became increasingly shocked. The officials' conspiracy gradually surfaced, and he and Crown Prince Li Zhao stood at the center of the storm. They had to carefully collect evidence while avoiding being discovered by these cunning officials.

Deep within the palace, conspiracies and schemes are as omnipresent as shadows in the dark night. Huang Quan orders his men to set numerous traps along the path that Prince Wuchen must take, intending to nip this investigation in the bud.

As night fell, the paths through the palace grew treacherous and difficult to navigate. Prince Wuchen, dressed in casual clothes, hurried along, his eyes revealing determination and vigilance. Every step could be a trap, every turn a potentially deadly danger. Though nervous, the prince's actions remained remarkably calm, his wisdom and courage fully demonstrated in this moment.

Suddenly, a subtle sound echoed, and the ground beneath the prince's feet suddenly cracked, revealing a bottomless trap. The prince reacted quickly, dodging the sudden attack with a single, narrow escape. His heart pounded like a drum, but his face betrayed no sign of panic.

"That was a close call!" the prince muttered to himself. A flicker of relief flashed across his eyes, but was quickly replaced by determination. This was only the beginning; Huang Quan's trap went far beyond this.

As expected, a barrage of hidden arrows blazed from hidden spots within the palace walls, aimed directly at the Crown Prince's vital points. The Crown Prince's movements were nimble, like a ghost weaving through a hail of arrows. Each dodge was perfectly timed, each one precise. Though nervous, his actions remained remarkably calm, his wisdom and courage fully demonstrated in this moment.

On this treacherous palace path, the prince and Huang Quan's men engaged in a life-and-death struggle. Every trap triggered a test of the prince's wisdom and courage. And the prince always managed to escape danger, demonstrating his wit and bravery.