Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Li Yuanji, furious over Pei Ji's failure to support him and the loss of an opportunity to question the crown prince, berates Pei Ji for his sabotage. Cui Wen Xiang, observing the situation, realizes Pei Ji is distancing himself due to the emperor's growing doubts about the crown prince, exacerbated by a blunder involving steel needles in the crown prince's palace. Li Yuanji panics upon learning the emperor plans to depose the crown prince, suspecting Li Yuanji's involvement. Cui Wen Xiang devises a countermeasure, suggesting the emperor's hesitation stems from fear of the Black Tortoises or suspicion of the crown prince's involvement in an assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Luo Yu Min visits Yin A Shu to deliver gifts from Li Yuanji, including luminous pearls and a large estate, in exchange for Yin A Shu's assistance in presenting the pearls to the emperor as a gift from Qin Wang, not Li Yuanji. Yin A Shu agrees to the plan, eager for the rewards.

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