His Rui

Zhao Zhang Wei was sitting inside his study room when a figure suddenly jumped inside through the opened window.

Zhao Zhang Wei's phoenix eyes sharpened immediately and his hands reached inside his sleeve. However, he relaxed when the shadow guard bowed his head and said

"Your Highness, this servant has been sent by Lord Xi."

"Prime Minister Xi…"

Raising his eyebrows, Zhao Zhang Wei whispered and then asked politely

"What does Prime Minister Xi wishes to want to say to Benwang?"

An Su didn't say anything instead he took out the letter and passed it to Zhao Zhang Wei.

"Master wants Your Highness to find all of this out before pushing this deal forward."

Zhao Zhang Wei raised his eyebrows again after hearing An Su's words and was about to open the letter when he noticed the shadow guard flying out of the window after saying a few words.

"This servant will take his leave, Your Highness."

A sigh escaped from Zhao Zhang Wei's lips on seeing the rude behavior of the shadow guard. He didn't even ask for his permission before leaving. 

Then again, he remembered Xi Ying and concluded that Xi Ying's shadow guards were as arrogant as their master.

They only listened to him and no one else except him.

Shaking his head, Zhao Zhang Wei opened the letter. His lips twitched as he read the series of the things Xi Ying had asked him to find out.

He couldn't believe that Xi Ying didn't know about all these things already. After knowing Zhao Wang Lei so closely for so many years, it was impossible.

He understood very well that Xi Ying was just trying to find out how capable he was.

However, Xi Ying didn't know that all these things he remembered on his fingers. His plan to kill Zhao Wang Lei was from years ago so how could he not know his enemy's strength. 

So Zhao Zhang Wei started to write everything on paper.

Inside his mind, he wondered whether he will have to give more tests to prove his capability to Xi Ying. Zhao Zhang Wei didn't actually mind this but he also had his own self-respect.

There will be a limit to everything. If he saw Xi Ying not taking him as his equal in this deal of both of them then he would just fight on his won with Zhao Wang Lei. 

But he would not step back.

A few minutes later, a shadow guard appeared inside the study room and Zhao Zhang Wei gave him the paper.

"Take this to Prime Minister Xi but the next morning."

The shadow guard bowed his head accepting the order and then left the study room.

"I wish this would only strengthen this deal from here, Prime Minister Xi."

Zhao Zhang Wei whispered lazily and then started to do his own work. 

.

.

.

On the other part of the Imperial Palace, Empress Dowager, Xin Jia who had come out of isolation just a few days ago was silently sitting inside her room.

Sitting on the couch, her back was straight and her eyes were closed as the Buddha beads rolled in her fingers while she whispered something.

Her dress was very simple completely different from how grandly an Empress Dowager should be dressed. Even on her face, she wore no make-up.

If it was not for the grand charm of the Palace she lived in, no one would have ever thought that she was Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty"

Just at this moment, a voice sounded in the room and the Empress Dowager opened her eyes abruptly. Seeing the man dressed in dark red clothes kneeling in front of her, Xin Jia's eyes flickered and she put down the beads in her hands on the nearby table.

"What happened? Did you find anything he is trying to do?"

Her voice was utterly calm as she asked the man dressed in red.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant has not found anything that His Majesty is planning to do. However, there seemed to be something going on inside the Xinhe Palace."

Xin Jia frowned lightly and said

"Say clearly what you want to say."

"His Highness, the Second Prince seemed to be planning something against His Majesty ….with Prime Minister Xi."

Xin Jian's frown only deepened after hearing these words.

"Prime Minister Xi…"

She whispered slightly and then continued

"Have not you told me that Prime Minister Xi is on the Emperor's side?"

The shadow guard was also confused about this new finding so he said honestly.

"This servant had indeed said so, Your Majesty. Even this servant is a little confused by what is going on."

Empress Dowager Xin Jia sighed heavily. Her lips were pressed in a thin line and she said a few moments later.

"Try to find out more."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After these words, the servant left the palace.

While Xin Jia sat on her seat lost in her own thoughts.   

The Imperial Palace was really in chaos.

Did Zhao Wang Lei even know that his own son was planning against him? The question inside her heart made her feel cold and her eyes flickered with the same emotion.

She remembered that Xi Ying was married to the daughter of Li Clan while Zhao Zhang Wei had a wife from Yi Clan. Both the men were connected to Yi and Li Clan in some or another way. 

However, Xin Jia only felt that Zhao Zhang Wei was fighting for the throne. He wanted power and Xi Ying was just helping in this. But what made the young prime minister suddenly change his sides if he was really on Zhao Wang Lei's side before.

If their fight against Zhao Wang Lei was reasonable, genuine and if it didn't harm the prestige of the Imperial Clan then Xin Jia had decided that she will also be a part of this battle.

She would not let Zhao Wang Lei do any more harm than he had already done.