In the fourth prince manor.

The fourth prince watered the plants in the garden with the help of one of the servants who held the pail of water, he placed a fist over his mouth to cough, the servant was about to drop the pail but he held up his hand.

"Don't bother," he continued watering the plants.

"Master," Feng Shui called, he hurried over to the fourth prince then draped a furred coat over his shoulder, he dismissed the servant with a wave of his hand.

"You still haven't healed completely, what if you catch a cold out here," his concern was written all over his face, the fourth prince laid in bed for one month in the palace under the orders of the emperor and he only managed to convince the emperor to let him return to his manor one month after.

"It is fine, have you gotten any information on what I asked you to find?" he followed Feng Shui out of the garden into his study where Feng Shui served him tea and tightened the coat around his neck.

"The man was indeed sent by the blood moon sect, the silver box contained a spirit beast called Blood Phantom,"

He paused his hand then placed the teacup back on the table.

"Blood Phantom?"

"Yes, after interrogating him I found that the left and right demons handed the beast in a silver box which can suppress the beast to bring it to the blood moon sect but their leader ordered him to take it into the contest, fortunately, I was waiting outside the arena or their plan would have worked,"

"According to the ie clan records, the blood phantom is one of the beasts that are loyal to the flame demon alongside the golden eagle and phoenix nirvana so it will only obey the flame demon, the flame sect got their powers from half the core of the golden eagle and Huoyun Shuo thus it will do more good than harm, what exactly was her plan?" he placed two fingers on his forehead in deep thought.

"I will try to find out more from him,"

"No need, he is just a pawn so he couldn't have seen the leader of the blood moon sect and her disciple just tell Xiaodi to refine him for her cultivation, have you found out about Huo Yi Lang?"

"I sneaked into the palace and found that the emperor tried to heal him using the palace medicine but Xiaodi's sneak attack was precise and swift that the cut on his neck couldn't be seen so he already passed away,"

He hummed in satisfaction then dismissed Feng Shui with a wave of his hand.

In the prime minister manor.

A man in black clothing flew over the walls, he sneakily walked past some guard before entering a chamber then gently closed the door.

"Who are you?"

The cold sensation of the sword assured him of the threat.

"It is me," he turned around then pulled down his mask.

Wei Xianlu dropped the sword then exchanged glances with his father before glancing back at the young man, from his braided hair, they could already tell who he is.

"Please take your seat," the prime minister said, Wei Xianlu and the young man took their seat opposite each other.

"I will not beat around the bush, where is the fire element grass?" a young man named Nergui questioned, he anchored in arm on his knee in an imposing manner, the father and son exchanged glances again.

"My son went to Nanxiang according to intel you gave to us but he was not able to obtain it," he hesitantly responded, knowing the temperament of this person, he doubts he will give them more time.

"Prime minister, that wasn't what you promised me in exchange for our support and I am sure you know what is at stake if you can't provide the fire element grass," he threatened.

"Just give us a little more time, the emperor already found out I left the border to Nanxiang, if we make any rash move now it will be to our detriment,"

Bam!

He slammed his hand on the table with his eyes closed then he slowly opened it.

"I am afraid there is not much time to waste, the fire element grass or there will be no cooperation between us,"

"I already have a lead, there were three suspicious people in the forest before us so I suspect they might have taken it before I got there but these people are associated with Ruyi pavilion," Wei Xianlu said, the person is someone who knows much information so he is hoping he knows something critical about Ruyi Pavilion.

"Ruyi Pavilion?"

"You just need to know that they have moved to the capital and the madam is highly favoured by the emperor, if we can find those three people through her then we will get the grass,"

He tapped his finger on the arm of the seat in thought, they could tell he is hesitating about something but what is it, they don't know.

"Ruyi Pavilion is not simple to deal with, even I know that,"

"Isn't it just an entertainment pavilion?" The prime minister asked.

"It is and it is not, that is all I can tell you the rest is up to you but just keep in mind that if you don't provide the fire element grass in time then forget about our cooperation," He stood up from his seat then flew out of the window.

Wei Xianlu got up and moved closer to his father.

"I have sent Ke Yang to investigate Ruyi Pavilion in Nanxiang but he didn't find anything,"

"He is involved with all sort of people so if he says they are not ordinary then they are not, find out more about it but in the meantime, I should pay Madam Ju a visit,"

"Father, you mean..."

"Not what you are thinking, if anything happens to her then we will only be giving the emperor a sword to stab us, I just want to thank her for the favour," he raised his lips in a smirk then downed the wine in his cup and slammed the cup on the table.

Wei Xianlu watched his father in confusion, he can't understand why his father insists they shouldn't touch anyone from Ruyi Pavilion when he hasn't forgotten the humiliation they brought upon him not to talk of those three who escaped from him and ruined his image in front of Ruo Rufei.

He swore to take revenge against them but unless his father permits him, it is impossible.

"Xian'A, when last did you visit your sister in the palace?"

He raised his brows as he was unsure of what he just heard, his father has never mentioned the empress for years.

"It has been years, I am unable to remember exactly but why is father suddenly asking this?"

"You should pay her a visit soon and take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the first and second prince,"

"Did father...?"

"That's right, previously the empress has pledged her alliance to me but the sudden arrival of the fourth prince on the emperor's birthday was unexpected thus our plans were foiled but I doubt it is a coincidence if the emperor summoned him back at this time then...."

"He intends to make him the crown prince," Wei Xianlu concluded.

"So...we must support the first prince in becoming the crown prince at all cost otherwise, the emperor will seize total control of the court the moment the fourth prince is crowned as the heir to the throne,"

He cupped his hands together then bowed.

"I will do as father says,"

In the first prince manor.

The princes were gathered in the company of women, music, wine and food.

"First prince, to what do we owe this feast," Li Daiyu, the third prince asked, chugging down a cup of wine poured by the woman serving him.

"What, do I need a reason to wine and dine with my brothers?" he responded in a low yet deep tone, his eyes were closed as two women massaged his arms and leg while he is laying on a reclining wooden seat.

"Of course not, I have spoken wrongly, I will drink this cup to apologise,"

"First brother has a lot of time on your hand but I have to see my mentor for an important issue, please allow me to take my leave," the second prince requested then he stood up from his seat.

"I also have to pay the fourth prince a visit, please allow me to take my leave," the seventh prince followed.

"I have to practice my chess skills with the mentor," the sixth prince followed.

"Seems like my feast is insignificant in the fact of your trivialities, this brother really apologises for wasting your time," the first prince responded, he opened his eyes and waved his hands for the women to take their leave.

They all stood up and left.

"Brother, please don't say that, it is just that the regional commander summoned me to his manor earlier but I decided to pay you a visit first," the second prince quickly clarified.

Clang!

His eyes darkened in anger.

Their gaze shifted from the jade cup on the floor to the first prince.

#Doesn't affect coin value#

*If you have read this chapter but can you at least leave a 'Hi' in the comment, please it is really motivates me*