Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 531 Secret Letter Hidden in Knife

The night was like a piece of velvet soaked in ink, pressing heavily over the capital.

In the study of the Shi family mansion, a solitary lamp flickered, casting long shadows of the two men on the wall, swaying slightly with the cold wind seeping in through the window cracks.

Shi Wanxia held a bamboo plaque with its wax seal already melted between her fingertips, rubbing the two characters "Rong" engraved on it with her fingertips, her brows furrowed so tightly they could trap a mosquito.

She looked up at the man sitting opposite her, her voice low and heavy with barely concealed concern: "Brother Cui, this bamboo token is a symbol worn by the guards of the Third Prince's residence. How did it end up in the Prince of Rongyang's private post station?"

Choi Ji-ho had just taken a sip of herbal tea when his Adam's apple bobbed, and the aroma of the tea somewhat masked the weariness in his eyes.

He tapped the secret letter spread out on the table with his fingertips. The letter was written on rare tribute paper from Sichuan. The handwriting was messy yet sharp, and it also seemed a bit rushed: "Not just the bamboo plaque, look at this letter."

Shi Wanxia leaned over, her gaze falling on the letter, her heart sinking deeper with each reading.

The letter contained nothing else but the twelve characters: "Three thousand salt permits, half the number of soldiers and armor, to be deployed on Mid-Autumn Festival night." But when paired with that bamboo plaque, the meaning couldn't be clearer.

The Third Prince Shen Jinyu and Rongyang Prince Xiao Rong, who holds military power, have indeed colluded.

Mid-Autumn Festival Night...

Shi Wanxia murmured, her fingertips trembling slightly, "That was the day of the palace banquet, when all the officials gathered, and His Highness the Crown Prince..."

Before he could finish speaking, Choi Ji-ho reached out and pressed down on the back of his hand.

His palms were warm, calloused from years of sword practice, yet they steadily calmed her panic.

"Don't panic,"

Cui Zhihao's voice was as steady as a mountain, "This letter was found by Zhao Hu at the risk of his life in the post station worker's room at Rongyi. The post station worker has been taken into custody by us, and no word has leaked out."

No sooner had he finished speaking than there was a light knock on the door, and then a tall figure pushed the door open and entered. It was Zhao Hu, Cui Zhihao's close subordinate.

His face was still covered in dust, and his armor had several scratches, clearly indicating that he had just been chased. Upon seeing the two men, he immediately knelt on one knee: "Lord Shi, Lord Cui, that courier was very stubborn. It took a lot of beating before he finally confessed that the letter was personally delivered to the Third Prince's residence by a close attendant of the Prince of Rongyang, and he also said..."

"They also said they would give His Highness the Crown Prince a 'big gift' at the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet."

Zhao Hu was honest and straightforward, and his face was full of anxiety.

"My lord, the Third Prince controls half of the civil officials in the court, and the Prince of Rongyang holds military power in the area surrounding the capital. If they really join forces, what will happen to His Highness the Crown Prince..."

"I know."

Choi Ji-ho interrupted him, his tone still calm, but a cold glint had already appeared in his eyes.

“The Crown Prince is kind and has never competed with the other princes for power over the years, but some people are jealous and want to kill him.”

Shi Wanxia took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

Brother Cui grew up with Shen Yanzhou since childhood and knew the Crown Prince's character well. He was gentle and kind, and had the world in his heart. However, it was precisely this kindness that became a fatal weakness in the treacherous court.

"Brother Cui, we need to pass on the message to His Highness the Crown Prince."

She looked up, her eyes flashing with determination. "We cannot let their conspiracy succeed."

Cui Zhihao shook his head and tapped the secret letter with his fingertip: "It's not that easy. The Third Prince is now deeply trusted by His Majesty, and many officials in the court are his men."

“If we send the message directly to the Crown Prince, and it is intercepted by the Third Prince’s men, not only will we not be able to save the Crown Prince, but we will also confirm the Crown Prince’s crime of forming cliques and engaging in corruption—this is what His Majesty fears most.”

Shi Wanxia's heart sank; how could she have forgotten this?

His Majesty is in his prime. Although he appears easygoing, she is well aware of the saying that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

What I fear most is that the princes will form factions and threaten the imperial power.

The Third Prince knew this perfectly, which is why he dared to act so recklessly.

"What should I do?"

Her voice carried a hint of helplessness, and her eyes were full of dependence as she looked at Choi Ji-ho.

"We can't just stand by and watch His Highness the Crown Prince fall into a trap."

Cui Zhihao held her hand, his fingertips gently stroking her fingertips, his tone softening: "I've already had someone investigate. Rongyang King has been secretly redeploying troops, ostensibly to defend against the northern barbarians, but in reality, he's moving his forces to the outskirts of the capital."

"The Third Prince, under the guise of disaster relief, has won over many local officials, and most of the salt permits he holds were embezzled from the Salt and Iron Bureau—these are all solid pieces of evidence."

He paused, then continued, "But these pieces of evidence need to be presented to a suitable person, and His Majesty cannot be led to believe that the Crown Prince instructed them to do so."

"Who is suitable?" Shi Wanxia pressed.

"Imperial Censor Qin Zhongshan".

A glint of light flashed in Cui Zhihao's eyes. "Lord Qin is known for his impartiality and never aligns himself with any prince. His Majesty trusts him."

"Moreover, his daughter Qin Wan'er is a close friend of the Crown Princess, and he would never sit idly by and watch the Crown Prince get into trouble."

Shi Wanxia nodded. She knew Qin Zhongshan's character. He had impeached the prime minister without flinching, making him the most suitable candidate.

But then he frowned and thought again: "How could Lord Qin believe us? Isn't the evidence we have too weak?"

"will not."

Choi Ji-ho took out a brocade box from the drawer, opened it, and inside was a stack of thin papers.

"This is an account book that Zhao Hu found in the post station staff's room. It records the details of the money and weapons that Rongyang King sent to the Third Prince's residence, as well as the secret marks for salt permit transactions, which match the secret letters."

"With these things, Lord Qin will naturally believe it."

He handed the account book to Shi Wanxia and said, "However, there have been quite a few unfamiliar faces outside Lord Qin's residence recently. They must be the Third Prince's men keeping watch."

"We need to find a way to safely deliver these things to Lord Qin."

Zhao Hu immediately said, "Sir, let me go! I'm skilled, and I can travel at night without being discovered!"

Cui Zhihao glanced at him and shook his head: "No, you just came back from Rongyi, and you're injured. You'll be too conspicuous."

"Moreover, the Third Prince's men know you, so your appearance will definitely arouse suspicion."

"What should I do?"

Zhao Hu was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks. "We can't let Miss Shi go, can we? She doesn't know any martial arts."

Shi Wanxia suddenly spoke up: "I'll go."

"no!"

Without a second thought, Cui Zhihao refused, his tone resolute and unwavering, "It's too dangerous. The Third Prince's men are ruthless. If anything happens to you, I..."

He was interrupted by Shi Wanxia before he could finish speaking.

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with stubbornness: "Brother Cui, there is no one more suitable than me now."

“I am a woman and an important official in the court. It is common for me to go out for social engagements. The Third Prince’s people will not suspect me.”

"Moreover, I am familiar with the routes around the Qin residence, and I won't be discovered if I walk through the alleys at night."

She paused, reached out to smooth his furrowed brow, and softened her voice: "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"I have to come back to be with you, why would I put myself in danger?"

He knew Shi Wanxia's temperament; once she made up her mind, nothing could change it.

And she's right, there really isn't a more suitable candidate than her right now.

"Then take this with you."

Choi Ji-ho took a small copper whistle from his waist and handed it to her.

"This is the token of our Cui family's secret guards. Blow it three times and the guards will appear."

"You must be careful. If you encounter danger, protect yourself first and don't worry about those things."