Fengming Palace is the new palace of the puppet Crown Prince Zhong Tianque, established on the original site of the Phoenix Palace.

For some reason, Shen Wuxiang has not yet pushed Zhong Tianque to the throne to become a legitimate ruler of the nation.

Is the war situation still unclear?

Or perhaps it is this way to further undermine the dignity and fortune of the Zhong Royal Family, making it more fitting for the Shen Family to take over?

Or maybe both.

Although Zhong Tianque defected to the Shen Family, becoming their puppet.

But the Shen Family is not at ease, placing the Shadow Shen Leyou beside Zhong Tianque.

Firstly, to protect him, to prevent someone from killing Zhong Tianque.

The Shen Family wants Zhong Tianque dead, but not now.

Zhong Tianque must remain alive for now, and be lively and present in public.

This is their first open card.

They want to tell the Empire citizens that we are not usurpers, we are here to 'clean up the court'...

Look, someone from the Zhong Family is still in that position.

Secondly, to oversee, to prevent Zhong Tianque from having any inappropriate thoughts.

Does Zhong Tianque know his role?

Of course, he knows.

Does Zhong Tianque want to defy fate?

Undoubtedly.

He also wants to grasp power and become the true master of this country.

Rather than being discarded as trash by the Shen Family after being used.

Therefore, Shen Leyou's presence is like a human barrier, keeping those who wish to incite him away from Zhong Tianque's life circle.

"Are you sure?" Tang Fei asked dispiritedly, looking at the data map on Lu Siyu's computer and the position indicated by the central red dot.

Good news, Shen Leyou has been found.

Bad news, Shen Leyou is in Fengming Palace.

Without a doubt, Fengming Palace is one of the most secure places in the entire Empire, not much less than the Shen family's private residence on Luojia Mountain and the West Qi camp.

Killing Shen Leyou in such an environment is as hard as ascending to heaven.

"You have to trust my expertise." Lu Siyu scowled at Tang Fei with some discontent.

You can question my looks, but you can't question my hacking skills.

This is a great insult to Lu Siyu.

"It's not that I don't trust you, it's just hard to accept this result." Tang Fei said with a bitter smile, "If it were the old Phoenix Palace, it would be easier; figure out a way to get hold of the palace's blueprints, bribe some reliable personnel, maybe we could have succeeded."

"This Fengming Palace is newly built, no blueprints have circulated yet...even if there were, they are not to be trusted."

"Those who can serve in the palace are definitely loyal to the Shen Family, bribing them is no easy task...unknown terrain, unfamiliar personnel, wanting to kill Shen Leyou in such an environment is really powerless, don't even know where to start."

"I only gather information for you, how you act is up to you to decide." Lu Siyu said.

Pausing, he asked, "How about changing the target?"

Tang Fei shook his head, saying: "With Shen Lewen killed, the biggest suspect within the Shen family is Shen Leyou. If I'm not mistaken, Shen Jianping will definitely point fingers at Shen Cong...maybe a conflict has already occurred between the two."

"If we kill Shen Leyou now, how will the Shen family react? They will surely suspect this is Shen Jianping's revenge."

"Can they still remain calm and restrained then? Once people are disheartened, it's hard to lead the team, even Shen Wuxiang might struggle to suppress it."

"Moreover, there's another benefit to killing Shen Leyou..."

"What benefit?"

"If Shen Leyou is killed in Fengming Palace, and we manage to leave some traces...how can Zhong Tianque escape blame?"

"If Shen Wuxiang starts to suspect Zhong Tianque, mistakenly believing Zhong Tianque is eager to break away from the Shen Family's control...what do you think the result will be?"

"You mean, not only should the Shen family be thrown into chaos but Fengming Palace as well?"

"No, I want to throw the entire Phoenix Empire into chaos," Tang Fei said resolutely.

No destruction, no construction.

To create a new world, you have to break down the old.

Is it cruel?

Failure is the ultimate cruelty to oneself.

"Since you've already decided..." Lu Siyu sighed gently, "I'll start preparing then."

"How to prepare?"

"Let's see if we can breach Fengming Palace's network system."

"Wouldn't that alert the enemy?" Tang Fei asked worriedly.

The network system of Fengming Palace was attacked, naturally arousing the vigilance of Shen Leyou and the others, making it extremely difficult for him to enter Fengming Palace silently.

Attempting to move on to assassination was even more difficult, unnecessarily increasing the difficulty of the task.

"First, for a symbolic defensive shield like Fengming Palace, even if I don't do it, others will, be it the Aus Empire or the Federation's Information Security Department, top-notch hackers will make a move. Not for profit, just to prove their formidable skills."

"Second, even if I make a move, they won't know it's me, let alone be able to leave any traces... I will lead all clues to the Aus or other potential attackers. This is a common tactic in the hacker world."

"I understand." Tang Fei took the initiative to extend his hand to Lu Siyu, saying, "Pleasure working with you."

"Pleasure working with you."

Lu Siyu did not shake hands with Tang Fei, instead, a small bubble popped from her mouth, like a white hydrangea blooming on her luscious red lips.

------

Fengming Palace.

Zhong Tianque became the master of this palace, yet he wasn't happy at all.

This was completely different from the world he envisioned.

Unlike Zhong Tianyi, he was the eldest son and grandson of the Zhong Royal Family, Crown Prince for many years, assisting his father in handling countless military and national affairs, only needing to wait step by step until his father grew old and weak, and willing to relinquish power, he could naturally ascend to the throne.

No fighting, no grabbing, just waiting.

He had patience, he could wait for that moment.

However, upon waking up, the sky had fallen.

His brother Zhong Tianyi had colluded with the Tang Family rebels in a conspiracy, and Tang Fei... the guy he deeply trusted and entrusted with heavy responsibilities turned out to be the son of the former Emperor Marshal Tang Li?

Who could argue with that?

Did he manipulate the entire court and military?

Even his own sister...

He deceived for power and for lust, utterly deranged.

His father was captured, the entire Zhong Royal Family was detained, Phoenix Palace was razed...

Zhong Tianque assessed the situation, no, to be more precise, the Shen Family proactively approached...

Cooperate or not?

If not, you get snuffed out.

Zhong Tianque had no choice but to immediately join the Shen Family camp, helping them rally support, helping them build a reputation.

Inside, he knew better than anyone that the Shen Family were the biggest traitors of the nation.

Of course, he couldn't say these words, nor could he reveal them in the slightest.

Inside Fengming Palace, who was truly on his side?

"Tianque, come, have a bowl of soup." Dongguo Chenxi placed a bowl of ginseng soup on Zhong Tianque's desk, speaking softly, "You've been overworked recently; you've lost a lot of weight. I got an old ginseng from Blue Star from home... it's much more nutritious than those grown in cultivation tanks."

"I boiled it together with a sand pigeon for over a dozen hours. After you drink it, you'll be full of energy, and your spirits will be revitalized."

Zhong Tianque reached out and held Dongguo Chenxi's hand, emotionally saying, "These hands are meant for playing the piano, not making soup. Be careful not to hurt or burn them."

Zhong Tianque and Dongguo Chenxi's marriage was a political alliance, arranged by Zhong Daolong from the start, with not much genuine affection involved.

However, coming from the Dongguo Family, Dongguo Chenxi represented a power Zhong Tianque needed to rely on...

Therefore, he was particularly affectionate towards Dongguo Chenxi.

Yet, he couldn't understand why, even when the Zhong Family had fallen so low and their national support had been snatched away, the Dongguo Family hadn't backed out of the marriage?

It was baffling.

What did they really want?

Were they hoping he could reclaim the throne?

He couldn't ask, and didn't dare to ask.

"Oh, I'm not that delicate. Back home, I often made pastries for my sisters. They said they were delicious." Dongguo Chenxi held Zhong Tianque's hand, smiling and speaking warmly, "When I have some time, I'll make you a durian cake. You'll love it."

"Sure," Zhong Tianque nodded with a smile, agreeing, "I'm sure what you make will be wonderful."

"You haven't even tasted it, how can you be so sure?"

"Good at one thing, good at everything. I know from this bowl of soup you brewed that you can definitely make a delicious cake."

"You sure know how to sweet talk." Dongguo Chenxi pointed to the hot soup on the table, saying, "Quick, drink it, it won't be good cold."

"Alright." Zhong Tianque picked up the bowl and began drinking the soup, savoring it carefully, he praised, "It truly is delicious."

"Then drink more." Dongguo Chenxi beamed, "I won't disturb your work anymore."

"Okay. I'll work a little longer, then go back and spend time with you."

"Mhm, take care of your health, don't overwork." Dongguo Chenxi advised.

As she was about to leave, a tall, handsome young man walked in from outside.

The two exchanged glances, Dongguo Chenxi smiled and nodded in greeting, the man bowed in return, and as he raised his head, he discreetly winked at her.

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