Crash.
Cups and teapot shattered on the floor of the Crown Prince's study. Xue Liulan leaned on the table, his head hanging low, gasping for breath.
Murong Jin stopped at the door, glancing at Xue Zhuoran and Xue Moyan, who sat nearby. They shook their heads helplessly.
"Liulan, I know this is hard, but it's the only way," Xue Zhuoran said softly. "Guo Shangzhong is targeting the Fifteen. The rumors are spreading. If you don't silence them, your ascension will be threatened."
Murong Jin's heart skipped a beat. She knew he was right. But she also knew this decision was like cutting out a piece of Xue Liulan's own heart.
The Fifteen were his brothers. He had raised them, fought with them. To sacrifice them for political stability? He would never agree.
"Is there no other way?" he rasped.
Xue Zhuoran shook his head. He had promised the court an answer in half a month, but they didn't have that long. Three days in, and the rumors were already wild. The vassal lords were stirring. Chaos was coming.
"What if we find fifteen corpses and disfigure them?" Xue Moyan suggested.
"Guo Shangzhong won't be fooled so easily. And faceless bodies won't convince the court," Xue Zhuoran countered.
"What about disguise?" Murong Jin stepped in. "There are masters of disguise in the martial world. We could make fifteen corpses look like the Fifteen."
"That's a good idea." Xue Zhuoran nodded approvingly.
"No." Xue Liulan's voice was dark. "We can't find fifteen bodies that match their builds in time. And a master of disguise is hard to find. Besides, bodies alone will still leave loose ends."
"Then what? Are you just going to let Guo Shangzhong destroy them?" Xue Moyan paced, agitated. He hated court politics.
Silence fell. No one wanted to let Guo Shangzhong win. But they were out of moves. They had been outplayed.
Xue Liulan sank into his chair. "Leave me. I need to think."
"Xue Liulan." Murong Jin started forward, but Xue Zhuoran held her back, shaking his head.
She looked at her husband. He stared at the edge of the table, his body rigid, his hands limp.
"We'll go," Xue Zhuoran said, signaling the others.
"Siyou, thank you," Xue Liulan whispered. "If there is no other way, I will have to fight with my back to the wall."
Fight? Did he mean to kill Guo Shangzhong now?
The three exchanged glances and left silently.
"He can't fight Guo Shangzhong now. Not with his current strength," Xue Moyan said, slamming his fist onto the stone table in the pavilion.
Murong Jin leaned against the railing. "Unless the Murong family moves back to Jindu."
"But Wuchuan needs them. The Turks are held back by your father's presence. If he leaves, the dynasty falls before we can even deal with the eunuch," Xue Zhuoran said, looking out at the wind.
"Fourth Brother is right. That's exactly what Guo Shangzhong is counting on," Xue Moyan added.
"So we just watch?" Murong Jin sighed. "Watch the Fifteen be destroyed? Watch Xue Liulan be crippled and controlled by that eunuch?"
"It's not that bad yet," Xue Zhuoran said. "We still have time. Maybe there's a way."
"What way?" She hit the railing in frustration. Then, a spark. "Wait. I know someone."
"Who?"
"Gongzi Suyi."
"Him?" Xue Zhuoran turned. "The blind master of Yin?"
"He knows everyone. All the strange talents of the martial world."
"You want him to find a master of disguise?" Xue Moyan understood.
"Or maybe," Xue Zhuoran smiled, "he can help us raise a force to counter Guo Shangzhong."
Murong Jin nodded. "Exactly."
"If he helps, we might have a chance." Xue Moyan grinned, his old self returning.
"He will help," she said with certainty. "I'll write to him immediately."
"Wait." Xue Zhuoran stopped her. "There's one more thing we need to solve first."
"The traitor?" Xue Moyan had been wondering about this too.
"Yes. If we don't remove him, Guo Shangzhong will always be one step ahead." Xue Zhuoran looked at Murong Jin. "Do you know who it is?"
"I…" She hesitated. A name flashed in her mind.
"Few know of the Fifteen. Fewer have seen them all." Xue Moyan paced. "Is it one of them?"
"Impossible," Xue Zhuoran said. "They would never betray him."
"Then who? Someone close. Someone trusted. Besides us brothers, and you, sister-in-law… who else?" Xue Moyan spread his hands.
"There is one other," Xue Zhuoran said slowly.
"Yes. She could do it." Murong Jin clenched her fist. She should have known. A woman's jealousy could burn down the world.
Xue Moyan looked confused. "Who?"
"Die Man," Murong Jin said. "She was his right hand for years."
Xue Moyan rubbed his nose. "I smell vinegar."
She choked. He really is Xue Liulan's brother.
"We need to verify it," Xue Zhuoran said, hiding a smile. "But guard against her, Jin. Her martial arts are top-tier."
"Don't worry, Fourth Brother. I'm no pushover." She stood tall. "But since we need to be careful, we can't send a servant with the letter. Qiwu has good skills. Why don't you ask her, Sixth Brother?"
Xue Zhuoran nodded solemnly. "A good idea."
"Now I know why Fifth Brother stopped chasing women," Xue Moyan sighed, looking at her as if she were a viper. "Indeed."
"'Only women and villains are hard to raise.' So, I leave it to you, Sixth Brother." She bowed mockingly.
"Fine, fine. Since you're my sister-in-law." He sighed.
While they laughed in the pavilion, Xue Liulan was in a rage. He threw He Chengjian and Hanlu out of his study.
"Who told you to recall the Fifteen?" he roared at Hanlu. "Don't you know everyone is looking for them? Do you want to be caught?"
"We wish to share your burden, my lord," Hanlu said calmly.
"It was our fault. We should bear the consequences," He Chengjian added, kneeling straight.
Smack. A book hit the floor beside He Chengjian, pages scattering. Xue Liulan grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up.
"Your lives are mine. Without my permission, no one moves. Do you understand?"
"Yes." He Chengjian looked down.
"Hanlu?" He glared at the shadow guard.
"Understood."
He looked between them, still worried. He knew their loyalty. If he asked them to die to save him, they wouldn't hesitate.
"Disband the Fifteen immediately. No one is to gather without my order."
"My lord," He Chengjian stepped forward. "The rumors are growing. If this continues, your great cause…"
"That is my business," Xue Liulan cut him off. "Just do as I say. The rest has nothing to do with you. Understood?"
His voice was heavy. He had to be harsh. Otherwise, they would sacrifice themselves for him.
"And Die Man?" Hanlu asked quietly.
"Her?" Xue Liulan sneered. "No rush. When this is over, I will settle accounts with her."