Xu Yin propped one hand on the table, lightly brushing away the ethereal smoke with the other: "If we don’t kill them, I am left with only one last option." Xu Yin’s lips curled with a sharpness like a blade: "Abandon the formation." Lian Rong’s gaze flickered: "How can that be?" Meeting Xu Yin’s gaze, he hurriedly added, "Master bears a deep blood feud, enduring humiliation to infiltrate the Great Zhou court. Over the years, he has gritted his teeth through many dangers. Now, we’re just one step away from success, and if we abandon the formation, wouldn’t it all be in vain? "That would greatly betray master’s years of toil!" "Why are you panicking?" Xu Yin looked at him, "You’re just one of my servants. Whether to waste previous efforts is my decision. Why are you so agitated?" Lian Rong lowered his eyes: "I am not agitated. Since I came to master seven years ago, I have seen with my own eyes how master planned step by step. I feel for master’s hard work." "I am willing to do anything for master, naturally thinking of master in every matter!" "You have a good memory," Xu Yin approached him, "You remember you came to my side seven years ago. Speaking of which, there’s something I want to verify with you." Lian Rong raised his head, staring at Xu Yin’s unfathomable expression: "Ask anything, master." "Where were you born?" Lian Rong paused, raising his hands in salute: "When I first met master, I already said, we of the Lian Family have served as servants in the Prince Yi Mansion for three generations. "I was born in the Prince Yi Mansion. A house-born servant of the manor." "The Lian Family is a prominent family in Dayue, such as General Wei Wu, a close minister of the King of Dayue, also bears the surname Lian. "Why did your branch of the Lian Family become slaves in the Prince Yi Mansion?" "Master, see clearly. My great-grandfather’s generation left the family, and it was the old prince who rescued my great-grandfather. "Many years ago, our branch was already unrelated to the General Wei Wu Mansion’s branch. "Mr. Zhou knows this better than anyone. When the manor was still around, Mr. Zhou had seen both me and my father there many times. It was Mr. Zhou who personally brought me to master, do you not remember?" Lian Rong answered with calm composure, his gaze unfaltering. Xu Yin stared at him for a moment, then looked away. Lian Rong waited a while, finally asking: "Why is master suddenly questioning me about these things?" Xu Yin spoke slowly: "I heard the King of Dayue still has a prince alive, and coincidentally, he was raised as an adopted son by the General Wei Wu Mansion. "The person lost on the Ning Family’s merchant ship was his guard sent to investigate me. I wonder, I have hardly revealed any flaws in my identity, how did Lian Yang become aware of my existence?" Lian Rong stiffened, immediately pulling up his robe to kneel: "Master, please see clearly! This matter is absolutely unrelated to me! Even if I had ten heads, I would not dare reveal anything about master!" Xu Yin walked to the window, watching Xu Lian’s figure heading towards the gate in the distance, speaking softly: "I also think you have no reason to reveal anything." Just as Xu Yin finished speaking, a house servant hurriedly ran over, reporting through the window: "The emperor just issued an order, dispatching General Du and General Liang to interrogate Prince Rong and the Princely Heir!" Xu Yin’s gaze suddenly sharpened: "So soon?!" Behind him, Lian Rong paused, then walked to the window: "So it’s Du Mingqian and Liang Zhi! How much truth does Pei Zhan actually hold? Why would the emperor act so quickly?" Xu Yin frowned and turned, saying: "Since the order has been given to interrogate Prince Rong’s Mansion, it seems that my summons is not far off!" He left the room, asking, "Is there any action taken against others?" "It’s said Zhang Shicheng has also been summoned! Also, there seems to be movement from the Eastern Palace! But news can’t get out, it’s only inferred from whispers at Donghua Gate!" Xu Yin swept his sleeve heavily. "It seems even hoping for three days is wishful thinking, a decision must be made immediately!" Lian Rong looked at him: "What will master do?" Xu Yin looked at him: "Where is Lian Ge’er?" Lian Rong swallowed, then turned to order the house servant: "Bring Lian Ge’er here!" After the order, he asked Xu Yin again: "Now it’s a case of being unable to advance or retreat!" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕·𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎·𝚗𝚎𝚝 "Who says not?!" Xu Yin gritted his teeth, "The emperor had long ordered the General Mansion to guard all four city gates – leaving won’t be easy!"