Plan

After Chen Xi ran away from the city and to the outskirts, she came to face a guy wearing clothes from the Xi Empire.

"Second Brother?" Chen Xi said as she took off her veil.

"Chen Xi." Jing Xi said as he hugged Chen Xi.

"Why do you want to meet me here?" Chen Xi asked.

"Father is ill." Jing Xi said.

"What?" Chen Xi said in shock.

"He was doing fine, why all of a sudden?" Chen Xi continued to ask.

"No one knows, our doctors don't know what kind of illness this is. To add on to this mess, Father has given orders to abandon Xuan'er." Jing Xi continued.

"Is he out of his mind? Xuan'er done nothing wrong, she doesn't even know medicine, she only knows how to be a housewife." Chen Xi said.

"After all, Father still believes she is the source of the curse so he wants to abandon her."

"Tell her to come stay with me in the Long Empire, I can get some help." Chen Xi said.

"Help? You mean from the letter? Momo is sending the letter to the Xi Empire, she should be back by tomorrow."

Chen Xi nodded her slowly then said: "Here's the plan: Bring Xuan'er to the Long Empire as a maid. Also bring me a list of Father's symptoms, I'll see if the Long Empire has a cure."

Jing Xi nodded his head and said: "Father's birthday is less than 3 months away. If you say there is a war, don't you think the Long Empire will act during this time?"

"Father's birthday?" Chen Xi asked.

"It is the livest event of the whole year, everyone will let their guards down that day. If I was the Emperor, I would attack that day." Jing Xi said.

"Then tell Father to not hold the event this year."

"No. I have even a better idea." Jing Xi said as he smiled.

"What better idea do you have?"

"We will fake the party and welcome them." Jing Xi said.

"I better get going." Chen Xi said as she ripped a piece of fabric and tied it on her arm.

"You're hurt?" Jing Xi asked.

"Small scratch."

"Take care. Oh, Mother made more of your favorite honey candy." Jing Xi said as he handed Chen Xi a jar of honey candy.

"Tell Mother I said thanks." Chen Xi said as she started to walk away.

Chen Xi sneakily walked back to the Peony Palace and set the jar of honey candy on the table.

"You're finally back." Lan'er said as she got up from the bed.

"You're hurt too." Lan'er said in shock.

"Bring a pail of water." Chen Xi said as she sat down on the chair.

A few moments later, Lan'er had fully wrapped the sword wound on Chen Xi's arm.

"So what did the Second prince say?"

Chen Xi looked around and saw a pile of paper. She then took the paper and wrote the words: "Xuan'er, ill"

"Xuan'er is ill?" Lan'er asked.

Chen Xi put her fingers to Lan'er's lips and said: "Father." and then pointed to the word ill.

She then pointed to the name Xuan'er and said: "coming here."

Lan'er nodded her head and said: "I get it. I'll have the staff to prepare."

"No. I want her to lay low." Chen Xi said.

Lan'er nodded her head and said: "I'll follow your orders."

There was a silence but soon later Chen Xi walked to the door and opened it. She took a look outside confirming there was no one before closing the door and opening her mouth again to say: "Be careful, the Emperor has some spies planted on us."

In the Dragon Palace, one black figure walked into the room and said: "The Consort said Father coming here."

The Emperor smiled and said: "The gods love me so much that I don't even have to go to the Xi Empire to kill him. Did you do the other task I assigned you?"

"Yes, the Emperor of the Xi Empire is already poisoned. I confirmed it from our spies inside the empire." the black figure continued.

"Continue to keep an eye on the Consort."

"Yes." the figure said then walking out of the room.