Does father know about that?She thinks. Is he kept in the dark by Shu Man Lin or does he just pretend not to know it, or has he approved it?

Xu Qing Chen opened his mouth: “Isn't it obvious? Prince Li helps the Holy Princess take over Nan Zhao. In return, she helps him become the emperor of Great Chu.”

“Folly!” Princess An Xi bawled.

Helping Prince Li become the emperor of Great Chu? It is easier said than done. How much will that cost, besides, how much Nan Zhao has to suffer if that turns out a failure? Even if it is a success, what will Nan Zhao gain? In the end, Nan Zhao, with great losses, will have no choice but to become dependent on Mo Jing Li, like it did a few hundred years ago.

“I'm going to the palace and ask my father about it!” Said Princess An Xi loudly.

“An Xi.” Xu Qing Chen looked at her disapprovingly.

Princess An Xi turned to him and said below her breath: “Don't try to persuade me. Qing Chen... I don't know why you are here but I would have been set up by Shu Man Lin in the past half a year if it wasn't for you. I thank you for that. But you aren't from around here. You are in the capital of Nan Zhao, after all. It might not be hard for you to leave safely, but if my father makes up his mind to have a falling-out, it won't be good to you. Leave as soon as possible. I have my duties to fulfill.”

Xu Qing Chen said: “Is that something you choose to do as the inheritress right now, walking into a trap?”

With a bitter laughter, she said: “My father gave me that t.i.tle of inheritress. If he is determined to protect Shu Man Lin, it won't matter if I'm the inheritress or not. I have to talk to him.”

Seeing Princess An Xi's firm expression, both Xu Qing Chen and Ye Li knew she wouldn't be persuaded.

Xu Qing Chen said in a small voice: “An Xi, take care.”

An Xi gave him a smile as she said: “Don't worry. Now that I'm his only daughter, he won't kill me.”

Watching Princess An Xi disappear at the doorway without looking back, Ye Li sighed and turned to Xu Qing Chen with a question: “Big brother, do you have no feelings for her? She is the most special girl I've ever seen.”

Calm as usual, Xu Qing Chen cast her a glance as he said: “Nonsense. She's a friend.”

She blinked. “Then why didn't you let me tell her the truth? You aren't so sure about how you feel about her, are you?”

He turned to her, irritated. “Have you spent all your time pondering something like that? It isn't going to work out between us so there's no need for me to even think about it.”

Ye Li nodded. “I see. Princess An Xi is a proud woman. She will suppress her feelings for you knowing that you already have a fiancée. But, big brother, you haven't used this approach to deal with all the females who have feelings for you over the years, have you? I admit I am wrong this time. I have done this since I didn't have a better solution but promise me you won't use me as an excuse next time.”

Lifting his hand, Xu Qing Chen threw her a record.

Ye Li caught it and start to read. Judging from the handwriting, it was from Tianyi Pavilion - information of what happened in town for the past few days. Suddenly, her heart sank. “Big brother, Princess An Xi will be alright, won't she?”

Xu Qing Chen shook his head and said: “Even a tiger does not eat its own cubs. Since Princess Qi Xia is as good as dead, An Xi is the emperor's only daughter now. If anything happens to her, the throne will pa.s.s to someone of a collateral branch. In addition, not very popular among his people, the emperor might be deposed if he doesn't have an heir.”

Ye Li's brows rose in surprise as she said: “There's such a rule?”

“Nan Zhao is different from our country. Here, a daughter can inherit her father's throne but a father doesn't have an heir can't adopt a male relative. People of Nan Zhao regard an emperor without an heir as being abandoned by his G.o.d thus can't protect his countrymen. So, it is natural for such an emperor to be dethroned.”

Ye Li nodded. “Good. We can make plans about her later.”

“My Lady.” Secret Guard No.2 appeared by the door.

“What's the matter?”

“Tianyi Pavilion just sent a message that Mr. Liang couldn't stand the torture and told the Sick Scholar everything. Now the Sick Scholar is heading to the place where the treasure is kept with Mr. Liang under duress. Mr. Han goes after them too.” Answered Secret Guard No.2 in a serious tone.

“d.a.m.n, he's only going to cause us more trouble! Why does everything happen at the same time?” Ye Li cursed under her breath and told Secret Guard No.2: “Get yourself and Secret Guard No.3 prepared. Let's go there now.”

“Yes, My Lady.” He left in an instant.

Ye Li turned to Xu Qing Chen and said: “Big brother, I have something to attend to. Just tell the secret guards if you want anything. Given what Princess An Xi said just now, is it better if you leave for Great Chu as soon as possible?”

Xu Qing Chen shook his head as he spoke: “There's something I need to figure out first. I'll stay here for a while. Take care of yourself.”

She nodded. “You too, big brother.”

Following marks left by men of Tianyi Pavilion and secret guards, Ye Li, Secret Guard No.2 and No.3 set out at top speed.

Fortunately, Nan Zhao was a fairly small country so it didn't take them much time. After about two hours, they arrived at the destination - the foot of a mountain, where they found a mark left behind by Han Ming Xi.

“My Lord, it's here. They all went into the mountain.”

Ye Li nodded and told them: “Let's split up.”

Secret Guard No.2 objected: “No, it's too dangerous if you are by yourself, My Lord.”

Ye Li had no choice. “Secret Guard No.3, you come with me. Secret Guard No.2, follow us in secret.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

Guided by Han Ming Xi's marks, she went into the mountain with Secret Guard No.3. Covered with trees, it was wetter here with more poisonous insects and herbs than it was back home in the north. However, that wasn't a problem for them and they followed the marks all the way inside the woods.

“My Lord, look ahead.” With his weapon in his hand, Secret Guard No.3 gazed forward cautiously.

In front of them was a slope where several corpses wearing Tianyi Pavilion's uniforms lay. The blood around their wounds already dried. Clearly, those men had died some time ago.

With a frown, Ye Li listened carefully to her surrounding and pointed at one direction as she spoke: “That way.”

Secret Guard No.3 took the lead. As they proceeded, they saw men of Tianyi Pavilion lying dead along the way.

Secret Guard No.3 said in a low voice: “There isn't any of our men among those bodies.”

Ye Li's brows drew tightly together as she continued forward.