If I lay down my life for my country, he will be proud of me.

In the Helian Palace of the Linyan Kingdom at night, the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the palace resided separately in the east and west wing-rooms. The maids lived in the east wing, with two to a room, which was considered quite a favorable arrangement, as some other parts of the palace housed four or five people per room. Was this a sign that Consort Ping had relatively few maids, or that her attendants enjoyed better treatment? Grand Eunuch Mi, being the head eunuch, had free access to the east wing. He purposely designated an unoccupied room, situated somewhat distant from the quarters of the other maids, to facilitate their covert actions.

Thereupon, they gathered in the room to discuss the matter. Zhao Chengxian adamantly opposed Yue'er's proposed course of action. Looking at Yue'er and shaking his head, he said, "No, it is far too dangerous! Why won't you consider your own safety? What if we are too late to protect you? You should put this thought out of your head immediately; there is no way we can carry this out!"

His attitude struck the others as rather peculiar. Yue'er glanced at him with a guilty conscience, while Chen Gui and Grand Eunuch Mi both felt that Zhao Chengxian's reaction was somewhat excessive—far beyond what was expected of a mere concern for a subordinate.

Dressed in female attire, Yue'er stood up, cupped her hands in a respectful salute toward Zhao Chengxian, and lowered her voice to say, "I thank Your Highness for your concern for this humble official. However, compared to the safety of our country, my life is not worth Your Highness's anxiety!"

She now suspected that Zhao Chengxian had already figured out she was Yue'er. Yet, regardless of whether he knew her true identity, he had to agree to let her proceed, because they had no other choice. For the sake of the country, they had to sacrifice personal feelings, honor, and even their lives. Only thus could they be worthy children of heaven and earth and of their nation, and live up to the citizens of the Jiaoyang Kingdom.

Still refusing to relent, Zhao Chengxian looked at Yue'er standing before him with reluctance, his tone suppressed as he asked, "Must you truly take such a risk? Have you never considered how those who love you would suffer in agony if they were to lose you?"

Had Yue'er still been the formidable martial arts heroine of the past, Zhao Chengxian would have agreed without the slightest hesitation. But the present Yue'er was merely a young woman devoid of any means to fight back—how could Zhao Chengxian possibly set his mind at ease? At that moment, an impulse rose within him to cast everything aside and flee with Yue'er. Yet the shred of reason remaining in him told him that running away would solve nothing; if they left, Jiaoyang and Linyan would soon go to war.

Gazing steadily into Zhao Chengxian's eyes, brimming with deep emotion, Yue'er said, "I believe he will understand and surely support me in doing this. There is a great love within his heart. If I truly sacrifice myself for my country, he will undoubtedly be proud of me!"

Only then did she realize clearly that Zhao Chengxian had indeed known her identity all along. Her words just then were the words of Little Crescent to Bookworm; only the two of them understood the emotions stirring in their hearts at this exact moment. She longed to wrap her arms around him and offer a warm word of comfort, but she could not. They could only gaze at each other in silence, pouring out two years of longing, present worry, and lingering reluctance through their eyes.

From time to time, Grand Eunuch Mi awkwardly interrupted their silent communion. "Your Highness," he reminded them, "this humble servant has a method that can both protect the top scholar and extract information from that fellow's mouth!"

All three turned their gazes toward Grand Eunuch Mi, who explained patiently, "In the Linyan Kingdom, there is a wine called Five-Color Liquor. An ordinary person gets utterly drunk after a single cup, and a Tatar can drink at most three cups before passing out entirely. Once he is drunk and we extract his words from him, he won't be able to harm the top scholar!"

Grand Eunuch Mi was quite clever. The alcohol tolerance of the Tatars was far superior to that of the Han people; men and women alike were masters of holding their liquor, capable of consuming one or two jars of potent spirits effortlessly, to say nothing of ordinary wine.

Seeing that Zhao Chengxian was still hesitating, Yue'er hastily asked Grand Eunuch Mi, "Can you manage to get it?"

Grand Eunuch Mi nodded.

With a smile, Yue'er urged, "Grand Eunuch Mi, please go and fetch it, and make it quick. I believe that Tatar will be here very soon!"

Grand Eunuch Mi looked at Zhao Chengxian, knowing the latter was the one in charge. Since Yue'er remained firm in her decision, Zhao Chengxian offered no further opposition. With a single nod to Grand Eunuch Mi, the eunuch hurried off to retrieve the Five-Color Liquor. They had no time to lose.

Zhao Chengxian stood up, patted Yue'er lightly on both shoulders, and cautioned, "You must be careful. We will be keeping watch over you from the roof!"

He dared not embrace Yue'er—not out of fear that Chen Gui might discover Yang Wentai was actually Hui Yue'er, but out of terror that once he held her in his arms, he would never find the strength to let go.

Fighting back the tears threatening to spill, Yue'er managed a sweet smile and said, "Rest assured, nothing will happen!"

Shortly after, Grand Eunuch Mi returned. After setting down the jug of Five-Color Liquor, he and Zhao Chengxian withdrew from the room, leaving Yue'er alone inside to await the arrival of Wurigeng. Yue'er drew out a handkerchief and inspected it; her entire plan for the moments ahead would depend upon this single piece of cloth.