"Watching a show?"

Yan Shuzhu seemed not to have expected such an answer, either.

However.

Upon recalling Ye Liuyun’s character, it seemed there was nothing particularly surprising that he would say something like this.

She shook her head helplessly.

But soon after, Yan Shuzhu still voiced her concern.

"Don’t we need to make some preparations? Since Yan Jiang dares to invite Father to leave the palace, he must have made foolproof arrangements!"

If he hadn’t made perfect plans, Yan Jiang surely wouldn’t be acting so urgently.

"Don’t worry!"

Seeing Yan Shuzhu like this, Ye Liuyun waved his hand with a smile.

"If you can see the problem, do you think your father can’t see it too?"

"Uh!"

That’s right!

Prompted by Ye Liuyun, Yan Shuzhu suddenly realized.

Others might not know what her father is like, but Yan Shuzhu herself knows well—cautious, suspicious, and overbearing.

Yan Jiang’s actions are so obvious this time; there’s no way her father could have missed them.

But even so, Yan Fuhai still agreed to the autumn hunt.

That leaves only two possibilities: either her father has a death wish,

or he is absolutely confident that he can handle any trickery from Yan Jiang.

Of course, the latter is clearly more likely.

So, does this mean her father probably won’t be caught off guard?

Thinking of this, Yan Shuzhu sighed and shook her head.

Seeing Yan Shuzhu like this, Ye Liuyun couldn’t help but laugh again.

"The imperial family is the most heartless of all—now, it turns out to be true after all!"

Both sons and daughters of Yan Shuzhu seem to be eagerly waiting for Yan Fuhai to fall into misfortune!

Knowing Ye Liuyun is teasing her,

Yan Shuzhu was not annoyed, but simply rolled her eyes at Ye Liuyun unkindly.

Then, as if sighing, she shook her head again.

"I don’t want it this way, either. If only I had to suffer some grievance, I wouldn’t mind. But I can’t stand by and watch the Great Qian’s empire fall apart bit by bit at Father’s hands!"

Perhaps she lacked her father’s cultivation, and even more so his ruthless dominance,

but Yan Shuzhu’s devotion to the Great Qian Dynasty surpassed that of Yan Fuhai!

Looking at Yan Shuzhu like this,

Ye Liuyun just smiled, saying nothing more.

Whether real sentiment or false, Ye Liuyun could see it at a glance.

Yet he hadn’t expected that, though Great Qian had rotted to this extent, there would still emerge such an emperor—perhaps Great Qian’s fate is not so easily extinguished after all.

"Now we just have to wait for the day of the autumn hunt. Don’t you want to see what cards your father is hiding?"

With Ye Liuyun’s words, Yan Shuzhu grew curious, too.

Though she already had her suspicions, what’s in the mind and what’s seen with one’s own eyes are always different matters.

Just like that,

instead, Yan Shuzhu began to feel some anticipation for what would happen during this autumn hunt.

...

Soon,

the day of the autumn hunt arrived.

After all, this was an imperial outing. Naturally, Embroidered Uniform Guards were on duty—for not just Ye Liuyun, but even Lei Zheng had come.

However,

Lei Zheng at the moment was frowning, looking thoroughly baffled.

"What’s wrong, Brother Lei?"

Riding up on horseback, Ye Liuyun glanced at Lei Zheng, smiling mischievously as he spoke.

"Did you not expect our Majesty to come out for the autumn hunt at this time?"

"You’re not hiding something from me, are you?"

Lei Zheng was indeed curious about this.

It had been years since such a hunting event had occurred.

Moreover, rumor had it that the instigator this time was someone from Prince An—Yan Jiang’s faction. For some reason, Lei Zheng felt oddly uneasy, and now, hearing Ye Liuyun’s words,

it was clear the other party knew something.

Realizing this, Lei Zheng immediately stared with eyes like black beans, curiosity written all over his face as he looked over.

"Your general isn’t reacting at all—so what’re you afraid of?"

As the General of Border Defense, Yue Xiu was also present for this event.

Still, Yue Xiu simply stood not far away in silence, his expression always calm from start to finish.

"In any case, our duty is only to protect His Majesty. As for everything else, it’s not our concern!"

"I see!"

Though Lei Zheng’s temperament seemed rash, that didn’t mean he lacked sense.

He immediately caught the meaning in Ye Liuyun’s words.

Something else was indeed going to happen today, but it had nothing to do with them. As long as they protected Yan Shuzhu, the Emperor, all was well. As for Yan Fuhai—he’s not the Emperor anymore, so he isn’t within the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s charge!

"Father!"

Amidst the crowd,

Prince An—Yan Jiang had been reining in his emotions all along.

After finally seeing Yan Fuhai arrive, Yan Jiang relaxed inwardly, struggled to control his lifting lips, and quickly strode forward.

"Mm."

Yan Fuhai nodded slightly.

He glanced at Yan Jiang’s current state as if he hadn’t noticed anything, then soon withdrew his gaze, surveying his surroundings.

"Well done."

In this area, Yan Jiang was indeed quite capable.

Everything regarding the autumn hunt had been arranged with the utmost care.

It is truly a pity to have such a capable son meet his end just like that.

But such a thought only flashed through Yan Fuhai’s mind and quickly vanished. When it was time to act, Yan Fuhai would not show the slightest mercy.

"Thank you for your praise, Father!"