The prince is fierce: Who dares to steal my woman?

Chu Liangchen took the handwriting and slowly spread it on the table, carefully comparing it again... After a long while, Chu Liangchen suddenly burst into laughter, his face beaming with joy: "Haha, truly wonderful! This handwriting imitation is so lifelike, so incredibly realistic! I'm afraid... even Wei Wuji himself would have trouble distinguishing the real from the fake upon seeing this letter!"

Xiao Jinyan smiled faintly and said leisurely, "It seems that eliminating the treacherous officials is just around the corner."

Upon hearing this, Chu Liangchen smiled warmly, like the early spring sunshine, and praised Xiao Jinyan, "This operation is bound to succeed! I never imagined that such a talented person was hidden in Jinyan's residence. Truly, there are many talented people here, and they should not be underestimated!"

Huan Rongzu smiled modestly and waved his hand, saying lightly, "Minister Chu is too kind. My skills are but a tiny speck of light, nothing to boast about."

Upon hearing this, Chu Liangchen's expression hardened slightly, and he fell into deep thought. After a moment, he turned to Xiao Jinyan again and slowly said, "Jinyan, Wei Wuji has followed Liu Kun for many years. Liu Kun used to almost always obey him, and given his suspicious nature..."

Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flickered across Xiao Jin's brows, and he asked softly, "Brother Liangchen, do you mean...?"

Chu Liangchen pondered for a moment, his eyes flashing, and continued, "We still need a spy who can infiltrate Emperor Wei's inner circle. This person must be personally dispatched by Wei Wuji, and must be not only exceptionally quick-witted and efficient, but also utterly loyal and without any disloyalty. Only in this way, with both witnesses and evidence in hand, can we completely bring down that cunning old fox Wei Wuji, leaving him no chance of ever rising again!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's face showed difficulty. Finding such a shrewd, capable, loyal, and willing-to-take-such perilous spy was no easy task. This person needed to openly confess to Liu Kun that he was Wei Wuji's trusted messenger, and remain calm and composed under Liu Kun's scrutiny and questioning. Such a person was indeed hard to find…

Most importantly, this man would likely face a deadly order from Liu Kunyi, fueled by his rage. Even with his life hanging by a thread, he gritted his teeth and insisted that he was Wei Wuji's confidant and would never betray Xiao Jinyan. This meticulously planned scheme was so flawed that any slight mishap would cause Xiao Jinyan and Chu Liangchen's grand plan to eliminate the traitor to fail.

Xiao Jinyan slowly lowered his eyes, lost in thought. After a moment, he said to Chu Liangchen with an unquestionable firmness, "Alright, Minister Chu, rest assured. This 'spy'... Jinyan has made arrangements, and I will ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Upon hearing this, Chu Liangchen smiled with relief and stepped forward, his words conveying everything without being spoken.

Three days later, at the Imperial Palace, in the Xuanzheng Hall.

Clad in armor, Xiao Jinyan stood tall and imposing, a gleaming sword at his waist swaying gently with each step. He walked swiftly alongside Yu Jin, dressed in solemn official robes and wearing a black gauze hat. Their steps were firm, heading straight for the Xuanzheng Hall. In Xiao Jinyan's iron grip, a young, burly man, tightly bound by thick ropes, was firmly held.

This burly man was of medium build, with bulging muscles that revealed his extraordinary physique. His face was as resolute as a rock, and although his simple coarse linen clothes suggested poverty, they could not conceal his inner fortitude. He was Zhang Changxin, the "elite soldier" of the intelligence battalion carefully selected by Luo Chuan for Xiao Jinyan after rigorous screening. Zhang Changxin was not only exceptionally quick-witted and efficient, but also utterly loyal to Xiao Jinyan, vowing to serve him to the death.

Thus, the three of them, one in front and one behind, hurried along, stirring up a tense atmosphere in the palace, which was locked deep within its walls.

In this clandestine and crucial operation, Zhang Changxin assumed the indispensable role of informant and messenger for Wei Wuji. Together with Xiao Jinyan and Yu Jin, he orchestrated a gripping drama:

Zhang Changxin, entrusted with Wei Wuji's important mission and carrying a weighty, handwritten letter, rushed tirelessly towards Pingcheng under the cover of darkness, determined to personally deliver Wei Wuji's sincere heart to the Emperor of Wei. However, fate seems to love to play tricks. Just as this loyal messenger was about to step into the capital, his hasty and secretive actions inadvertently aroused the suspicion of the city's guards. Ultimately, he was spotted and captured on the spot by the discerning eyes of Xiao Jinyan's elite troops.

After "capturing" Zhang Changxin, Xiao Jinyan did not slacken his efforts at all. Instead, he acted swiftly, personally escorting the suspicious messenger through the dimly lit streets and alleys, heading straight for the palace.

In that slightly weathered alleyway leading deep into the imperial city, paved with cobblestones, Xiao Jinyan was escorting the disgraced official Zhang Changxin, his steps firm yet heavy. Just then, fate seemed to have arranged an unexpected encounter: Yu Jin arrived. Upon hearing Xiao Jinyan's brief account of the events, Yu Jin's face instantly darkened, his anger uncontrollable. He launched into a tirade against Wei Wuji's betrayal of Liu Kun, his words filled with indignation.

Thus, the two, sharing the same ideals, walked side by side, escorting Zhang Changxin all the way to that hall where power and judgment intertwined.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they had brought Zhang Changxin, who was bound hand and foot, to stand before Liu Kun. Xiao Jinyan moved swiftly, pulling Zhang Changxin to the ground and forcing him to kneel before Liu Kun's imposing presence, creating a tense atmosphere.

Upon seeing this, Liu Kun was filled with shock, but he still tried his best to maintain the composure of an emperor. He quickly asked the two loyal ministers before him, "My two beloved ministers, what... what is the reason for this?"

After speaking, Yu Jin darted forward like an arrow, his voice filled with unwavering resolve: "Your Majesty, Wei Wuji has secretly colluded with the Emperor of Wei, harboring treacherous intentions and plotting to overthrow the court. This man is Wei Wuji's trusted messenger, whose movements were furtive. He was captured on the spot at the city gate by General Xiao's warriors. Furthermore, we found a secret letter from Wei Wuji himself to the Emperor on his person. We humbly request Your Majesty to examine it personally."

After speaking, Yu Jin eagerly presented the letter, which Huan Rongzu had meticulously forged based on Wei Wuji's handwriting, to Liu Kun.

Upon hearing this, Liu Kun's expression changed drastically. His hands trembled slightly as he took the letter, his gaze darting rapidly and nervously between the lines. As he read further, Liu Kun's expression grew increasingly grave…

In no time, Liu Kun finished reading the letter, and his anger erupted like a volcano. He flung the letter to the ground, where it curled up as if trembling. His voice was hoarse, and his roar echoed throughout the hall: "Traitor! You are a heartless and insane madman! I was truly blind to have trusted this treacherous and ungrateful Wei Wuji!"

Upon seeing this, Yu Jin immediately stepped forward, his expression grave, and said, “Your Majesty, this traitor Wei Wuji holds a high position, yet harbors treacherous ambitions. He enjoys the wealth and honor bestowed upon him by Your Majesty, but instead of fulfilling his duties, he harbors rebellious thoughts. He is truly a great scourge to our Great Song Dynasty! If this traitor is not eliminated, the Great Song Dynasty will be on the verge of collapse! Your humble servant implores Your Majesty to immediately issue an order to wipe out Wei Wuji and his cronies in one fell swoop, to prevent future troubles!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Kun's anger erupted like a volcano, only to be quickly overwhelmed by a cloud of doubt. He suppressed his turbulent emotions, his eyes flashing with incomprehension, and slowly said, "Wait... Wei Wuji has served me for many years, always loyal and steadfast, and I have never mistreated him in the slightest. Why would he betray me? Could there be some unknown misunderstanding hidden within?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Jin's brows furrowed involuntarily. He turned to Liu Kun, his tone heavy: "Your Majesty, the reasons for Wei Wuji's rebellion have been detailed in the letter. According to the letter, Wei Wuji harbored resentment because Your Majesty had not heeded his advice, leading to a growing sense of alienation and being slighted and neglected. This accumulated resentment ultimately transformed into rebellious intent. Your Majesty, this matter is likely of utmost importance."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing these words, Liu Kun felt a pang of guilt and slowly continued, "This... perhaps... I have indeed neglected Wei Wuji recently."

Upon hearing this, Yu Jin's expression became complex, a mixture of bitterness and indignation. He spoke passionately: "Your Majesty, you are the supreme ruler, the Son of Heaven of the Great Song! As for whose words to listen to, whose words to ignore, or whether Your Majesty has your own plans and wishes to make your own decisions, all of this is determined by Your Majesty's will. Because you are the supreme emperor, you do not need to blindly follow the opinions of any courtier!"

Liu Kun paused slightly, as if pondering: "Is that really the case?"

Yu Jin spoke earnestly and slowly, saying, "If Wei Wuji harbors rebellious intentions because Your Majesty did not heed his words, and wants to collude with the foreign Wei Emperor to commit treason and regicide, would he still regard Your Majesty as the supreme ruler? As the ruler of the Great Song, if Your Majesty cannot make independent decisions and is instead controlled by Wei Wuji, wouldn't you become an emperor in name only, like a puppet in his hand, with all the strings in Wei Wuji's grasp?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Kun was filled with surging emotions and his face was filled with indignation: "What you say is absolutely right! I am the Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler, and I should act arbitrarily and speak with absolute authority. Why should I be controlled by a villain like Wei Wuji!"

Yu Jin noticed a slight shift in the emperor's expression and felt a barely perceptible surge of joy. He immediately praised, "That's exactly right. This truly demonstrates Your Majesty's extraordinary demeanor and magnanimous spirit as the supreme ruler!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Kun paused slightly, a hint of confusion still lingering between his brows. He looked at Yu Jin and slowly said, "However... even though I have recently distanced myself from Wei Wuji, he is still the Grand Secretary, wielding great power and ranking first among all officials, second only to me. Is it possible that he would take such a risk and commit treason simply because of this?"

Xiao Jinyan observed silently, pondering to himself: Liu Kun's cunning and paranoia are truly rare; luring him into a trap would be incredibly difficult. Just now, when Liu Kun first read the secret letter, its words were like sharp blades, slashing deep into his heart, igniting his fury and turning his face ashen. However, this anger was like a summer downpour, coming and going quickly. In an instant, Liu Kun pulled himself out of the vortex of emotion, the light of reason returning to his eyes, and doubts rapidly gathering in his mind…

Moreover, there seems to be a significant emotional bond between Liu Kun and Wei Wuji. Liu Kun is inherently suspicious, and even though Yu Jin has analyzed the situation thoroughly, his doubts haven't dissipated, and he hesitates to make a decision about Wei Wuji's life. Therefore, to lure Liu Kun into a deception, cold, hard evidence like witnesses and physical evidence alone is far from sufficient. It would also require masterful acting skills and a silver tongue capable of distorting the truth to make him believe it…

Yu Jin was speechless for a moment, then anxiously said to Liu Kun, "Alas, Your Majesty, Wei Wuji is an ambitious man. If we merely entrust him with the position of Grand Secretary, I fear it will not satisfy his insatiable thirst for power. He is absolutely unwilling to remain a subject unless Your Majesty is willing to become his puppet, making all the decisions in the court. Otherwise, he will not give up easily and will surely be restless and plotting treason!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Kun frowned slightly, as if pondering: "Is that really the case?"

Yu Jin sighed softly, his words carrying a deeper meaning: "Alas, Your Majesty, have you heard how arrogant and unruly Wei Wuji is, treating others as if they don't exist? He has even openly declared on many occasions that even Your Majesty would have to give him a wide berth. Your Majesty, think carefully, to what extent has Wei Wuji's arrogance reached?"

Upon hearing Yu Jin's words, Liu Kun's anger erupted like a volcano. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Outrageous! Wei Wuji is simply audacious and arrogant beyond measure! Does he really think I'm a puppet emperor to be manipulated at will?!"

A sense of smugness welled up in Yu Jin's heart. He pressed his advantage, then said earnestly, "Your Majesty, Wei Wuji is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and his actions are treasonous. His disloyalty is as clear as day—everyone knows it, no need to say more! Now, he even dares to collude with the Wei Emperor to plot treason... Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and can make decisive decisions. If you do not eliminate Wei Wuji now, when will you? I beseech Your Majesty to make a wise decision!"

Upon hearing this news, Liu Kun's anger surged like boiling water, and his disappointment in Wei Wuji was like a raging torrent, instantly drowning the ship of trust in his heart. However, a lingering doubt, like a heavy boulder, firmly blocked his path to making a decision, making him hesitate and unable to take that crucial step.

Seeing this, Yu Jin was extremely anxious. He quickly pressed his advantage and advised Liu Kun, "Your Majesty, Wei Wuji is plotting a rebellion in collusion with Emperor Wei. The evidence is conclusive and irrefutable. Witnesses and physical evidence are all available and beyond doubt. What are you still hesitating for? This is a critical moment. Your Majesty should act swiftly and decisively to wipe out the traitor Wei Wuji and his cronies immediately, lest they realize their plot has been exposed and, in desperation, resort to desperate measures and cause further trouble."

Liu Kun's heart skipped a beat, and sweat poured down his face. He hurriedly bent down to pick up the letter that had fallen into the dust, his eyes sharp as he examined it again, word by word. Then, he held the letter high, facing Zhang Changxin, who was kneeling on the ground trembling, and asked in a deep voice, "I ask you, was this letter truly entrusted to you by Wei Wuji to be delivered to the Wei Emperor?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Changxin trembled even more violently, as if he were being shaken. He kowtowed with all his might on the ground, his forehead instantly swelling and turning red, with faint bruises appearing. He cried out incoherently, "Your Majesty, have mercy! Your Majesty, have mercy! I was just a messenger, only knowing to follow the orders of that Duke of Qin... no, no, that old traitor Wei Wuji. I knew nothing about the contents of this letter!"

Yu Jin said softly, "Your Majesty, look, it is indeed the case."

Zhang Changxin crawled a few steps on his knees, nearly weeping as he pleaded, "Your Majesty, if I had known earlier that the old villain Wei Wuji harbored treacherous intentions and dared to secretly collude with Emperor Wei to plot a rebellion, I would have reported it to Your Majesty immediately, even if I had ten lives, and exposed the true face of that traitor! How could I, how could I, dare to risk the wrath of the world by delivering such a letter for Wei Wuji! Your Majesty, please understand, I was kept in the dark about this matter from beginning to end, completely unaware! I am utterly loyal and devoted to you, and I have been unjustly implicated... Your Majesty, please have mercy and spare my insignificant life!"

Liu Kun's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat poured down his back. He thought to himself in alarm: Oh no! Judging from the messenger's flustered expression and flustered behavior, it's almost certain that Wei Wuji and the Emperor of Wei are secretly conspiring to rebel... Moreover, Wei Wuji has followed me for eight years. Even if he were reduced to ashes, I could still recognize his handwriting at a glance. There's no mistake; this letter is undoubtedly written by Wei Wuji himself.

Thinking this through, Liu Kun weighed the options in his mind: it was better to believe it was true than to dismiss it as false. After all, Wei Wuji, as the Grand Secretary, wielded immense power and controlled the court for many years. His disciples, former officials, and even his close associates were spread throughout the court and beyond, his influence deeply entrenched and complex. If Wei Wuji were truly in cahoots with the Emperor, the consequences would be unimaginable if their scheme succeeded.

Therefore, Liu Kun made a firm decision and roared angrily: "Wei Wuji, that heartless scoundrel, dares to betray me! I swear to grind him to dust and exterminate his entire family to vent my hatred!"

Yu Jin was secretly delighted and quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Your humble servant will immediately lead troops to surround Wei Wuji's residence and vow to capture this traitor and bring him to justice!"

Liu Kun nodded angrily, his eyes blazing, then turned to glare at Zhang Changxin kneeling on the ground and shouted, "Guards, drag this dog slave out and behead him as a warning to the public!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Changxin was terrified, his face turning ashen. He frantically kowtowed and begged for mercy, constantly uttering horrified cries.

Upon witnessing this scene, Xiao Jinyan was startled and pondered to himself: Why is Liu Kun so anxious and eager to kill Zhang Changxin? No, absolutely not! Zhang Changxin is a "pillar of talent" cultivated by Luochuan and is completely loyal to Jinyan. Such a loyal and virtuous person is truly rare.

It is right to eliminate evil and maintain order, but how could Jin Yan stand by and watch his brothers die innocently?

Thinking of this, Xiao Jinyan hurriedly stepped forward, his expression solemn, and said to Liu Kun with righteous indignation: "Your Majesty, there are many doubts in this case. We must not act rashly and disregard human life!"

Yu Jin's heart skipped a beat, and he was secretly alarmed: Wasn't Xiao Jinyan plotting with him to join forces to get rid of Wei Wuji? Could this guy have ulterior motives and want to betray him and make fun of him?

Before he could think any further, Liu Kun was already furious and shouted, "Xiao Jinyan, shut your mouth! The evidence and witnesses in the case of Wei Wuji's collusion with Emperor Wei to plot rebellion are irrefutable. What is there to argue about? If I don't take action quickly to eliminate this traitor, am I supposed to just sit and wait for him to take my head?"