How come the celestial technique I stole is so powerful?!

The primary reason is revenge!

When the Crown Prince was at a crucial point in his ascent, he extended an olive branch to Xuelong. Not only did you, a reckless young man, refuse it, but you also turned around and exposed the unspeakable recruitment to the public. So, do you think the Crown Prince would be furious?

Now that the Crown Prince has gained power, sweeping through the princes with no opposition, his position in the Eastern Palace is as stable as an old dog. If he doesn't target you, who would he?

What is the second reason?

The Emperor is seriously ill, and the Crown Prince is about to ascend the throne. However, some key figures in the court are fiercely opposing the Crown Prince's ascension. As long as there's any matter opposing the Crown Prince, they all vehemently resist.

How can the Crown Prince ascend the throne with peace of mind without getting rid of these people?

Thus, the Heart Pavilion gave the Crown Prince this idea, to capture General Xuelong and use him as bait to lure out those officials.

Therefore, the capture of Xuelong was a trap set by the upper echelons of the Heart Pavilion for the Crown Prince, with the true purpose of using him as bait for fishing!

Suddenly, Lin Xiaosu's gaze lifted, fixing on the mountain path ahead.

On the mountain path, there was a person who looked like a scholar, walking over the stone road.

His attire was like an ordinary scholar, with a touch of elegance and a hint of recklessness, his steps floating, as if he had indulged in a brothel last night and today still lost in the mist.

Many scholars typically visit West Mountain during the height of summer.

Because West Mountain not only has the Heart Pavilion, but there's also a temple at the top, named Tunyun Temple. Tunyun Temple is ancient, with its history tracing back thousands of years, rich in heritage, numerous high monks, and graceful surroundings. During the summer, it's cool and comfortable, a favorite spot for Beijing's nobles to visit for sermons and to admire the eternal masterpieces left on the "Flowing Wall" by cultural icons through the ages.

Theoretically, it is commonplace for scholars to visit West Mountain.

However, as Lin Xiaosu stared at this scholar, a slight tremor rose in his heart.

With the memory obtained from Li Chengnian, viewed through his Heavenly Tao Wisdom Eye, this scholar was no scholar; he was the Seventh Prince Hong Yun!

"Lord Steward, why such an expression?" Qing Ying paused her situation report.

Lin Xiaosu lifted his teacup, gesturing towards the mountain road: "Look who that is!"

Qing Ying's gaze gathered, initially confused, then suddenly her eyes widened brightly: "The Seventh Prince!"

"He's entering the Heart Pavilion!"

As Lin Xiaosu's words ended, the Seventh Prince Hong Yun turned onto the stone path leading to the Heart Pavilion, appearing casual, but Lin Xiaosu distinctly saw his gaze, which was sharp—possibly a last imprint from ten years of border battles.

A young man came to greet him.

This person existed in Li Chengnian's memory, named Grey Curse, an assistant to another Gold Medal Steward, doing the same work as Qing Ying.

That Gold Medal Steward was named He Yun, holding an extraordinary status in the Heart Pavilion, known as the chief Gold Medal.

"He Steward is receiving the Seventh Prince!" Qing Ying's eyes flickered slightly: "Lord Steward, this is very unusual."

"Indeed!" Lin Xiaosu's eyes narrowed slightly, reflecting a subtle expression of Li Chengnian's contemplation.

Why is He Yun's reception of the Seventh Prince deemed very unusual?

Because ostensibly, the Heart Pavilion does not engage in factional struggles or take political stances, maintaining an impartial posture when dealing with various major factions in Beijing.

But, this is only on the surface.

In fact, the Heart Pavilion had already completely sided with the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince stands against every prince, and for some time now, the Crown Prince has been focusing on suppressing the Seventh Prince.

In such a context, anyone with a bit of political acumen should not be advising the Seventh Prince.

Otherwise, you would be an enemy of the entire upper echelons of the Heart Pavilion.

An average naive young man might not grasp this relationship, handling issues based on substance over individuals, taking on troublesome matters.

But, He Yun is not naive.

He is the chief Gold Medal.

Rumor has it, he is the illegitimate son of "that one in the basement."

Precisely because of these, although he is in the "Pavilion Department," yet to enter the "Core Inner Circle," he is virtually a person with one foot inside the core circle.

How could he make such a low-level mistake?

At this critical point, associating with such a scrutinized figure like the Seventh Prince?

"My Lord, what matter could the Seventh Prince be seeking Heart Pavilion's counsel for?" Saintess Qian Ling asked.

"It must be for Xuelong!" Lin Xiaosu replied.

"To rescue Xuelong! He actually resorted to seeking from Heart Pavilion…" Qing Ying commented: "This might also be one of Heart Pavilion's advantages, seeing many normally glamorous dignitaries making fools of themselves."

When she mentioned 'fools,' she was being courteous to the prince.

What she really wanted to say was that the Seventh Prince is a fool.

Xuelong was captured by the Heart Pavilion in collaboration with the Crown Prince.

Even in the joint impeachment of Xuelong by those court officials, the Heart Pavilion played a very significant role.

Xuelong is imprisoned, yet the Seventh Prince still seeks Heart Pavilion's help for his rescue, isn't that ironic?

Lin Xiaosu smiled faintly: "From his viewpoint, desperate measures in desperation are understandable!"

"Indeed, the Seventh Prince, having fought at the borders for ten years, might know nothing about the court situation. About our pavilion, he has likely only heard that we don't engage in factional struggles, nor partake in the eight sons' vying for succession."

Saintess Qian Ling giggled softly, sending a whispering transmission to Lin Xiaosu's ear: "I have reason to believe, this time, the Seventh Prince will suffer a significant setback."

Lin Xiaosu did not reply, simply lifting his teacup.

Quietly watching the pavilion next door.

Inside that pavilion, there was a sealed chamber.

The chamber is fully enclosed; no matter how powerful the Heavenly Tao Wisdom Eye, it cannot see through it. The sound is entirely sealed by an array, and he cannot hear.

However, as Saintess Qian Ling had said, the Seventh Prince was likely in trouble.

A large portion of missteps in the world arise from desperate measures taken in desperation.

The Seventh Prince wishes to rescue Xuelong, and this intention is known throughout the city.

Regarding his Father Emperor, he has little influence, unable to alter the imperial decree.

Regarding the court officials, most of them are likely watching the Crown Prince's demeanor; as a fallen prince, who could he possibly sway?

Probably the only place that can help him solve this problem is the Heart Pavilion.

This is why he came seeking advice from the Heart Pavilion.

His visit to the Heart Pavilion is not surprising.

Curiously, the Heart Pavilion's chief Gold Medal Steward met him.

This Gold Medal Steward has always been deeply calculative, with unique insights and a high position. In theory, he should clearly see the current situation and stay far away from him.

However, He Yun met him.

Moreover, he seemed quite proactive.

What was the intention?

There can only be one: He Yun plans to implement further strategies to achieve their original purpose of capturing Xuelong.

The goal of capturing Xuelong is to eliminate dissent within the court.

At this moment, the Seventh Prince wants to save Xuelong. It's just the perfect opportunity to eliminate dissent, for example, the Seventh Prince's only support in the court...

Countless thoughts raced through Lin Xiaosu's mind.

The pavilion doors opened over there.

The Seventh Prince gently opened his folding fan and strolled out.

At that moment, he seemed to have unlocked some kind of shackle, with a bit of high-spiritedness showing...

Lin Xiaosu spoke: "Qing Ying!"

"Here!"

"Go out and intercept him! Bring him to my secret chamber!"

Qing Ying's heart was suddenly shaken: "Lord Steward, this... this is against the rules."

Heart Pavilion has a customary rule: the first attended reception system. No one else may interfere—except superiors.

This is out of respect for the Heart Pavilion's Stewards.

Otherwise, it would lead to several stewards giving customers random advice, leaving people at a loss, thereby affecting the authority of Heart Pavilion.

And today, the Seventh Prince was seeking He Yun.

He Yun also received as usual.

If Lin Xiaosu intervenes, it would be against the rules.

Because Lin Xiaosu is not He Yun's superior; his status is even slightly lower than He Yun's.

"Where are all these rules coming from!" Lin Xiaosu said: "Do what you're told, immediately!"

"Yes!"

Qing Ying's figure flickered and exited the pavilion.

Lin Xiaosu raised his hand, tapping the pillar beside the coffee table, and a secret chamber door opened.

Saintess Qian Ling stood up: "I'll watch the door for you!"

"Alright!" Lin Xiaosu entered the secret chamber.

He picked up the teapot and teacup on the table.

The Heart Pavilion Steward's secret chamber is a truly sealed place; array sealed, physically isolated. Lin Xiaosu's hand pressed on the windowsill, and the Five Elements Qi turned at his palm. This added another layer to the array's seal; even high-level Array Masters would find it impossible to spy through the array.

This was Lin Xiaosu's first improvement after entering Li Chengnian's pavilion.

The door was softly knocked, and Saintess Qian Ling's voice came through: "My lord, the guest is here!"

"Please let him in!" Lin Xiaosu said.

The door opened, and Seventh Prince Hong Yun, with a hint of suspicion in his eyes, scrutinized this steward in front of him.

Li Chengnian!

Li Chengnian, the Seventh Prince knew him.

He also counts as one of Beijing's elites.

His name is marked in three places: Firstly, he is a scion of the Li family in He Xi, a thousand-year-old family with rich heritage. Secondly, Li Chengnian is known for his dalliance with poetry and wine, a celebrated person in Beijing. Thirdly, he entered Heart Pavilion with considerable strategy.

If only these three labels were attached, the Seventh Prince would be eager to meet Li Chengnian.

However, Li Chengnian carried a fourth label, which is, his Li Family has consistently flattered the Crown Prince.

Therefore, the Seventh Prince harbored deep caution towards Li Chengnian.

"Your Highness, please come in!" Lin Xiaosu stood up and bowed slightly.

With these four words, he directly lifted the scholar's veil off the Seventh Prince, clarifying his identity.

The Seventh Prince, experienced in numerous battles, maintained a rather steadfast mindset. Since his identity was revealed, he didn't pretend, stepping in boldly: "Heard that Lord Li traveled far to Qingqiu for marriage proposals, when are you coming back?"

Lin Xiaosu smiled slightly: "The marriage proposal succeeded, so naturally returned, just arrived recently."

"Congratulations!" The Seventh Prince clasped his hands gently.

"Your Highness, please sit!"

Lin Xiaosu's hand dropped lightly.

The secret chamber door closed quietly.

The room suddenly turned dark, the candlelight flickered with the breeze from the closing, and then returned to calm.

Under the candlelight, the Seventh Prince slowly sat down, his gaze slowly lifted: "Today I originally didn't plan to visit Lord Li."

"Indeed!" Lin Xiaosu said: "It was I who proactively paid respects to Your Highness."

"It's known to everyone that I am a leisurely prince in Beijing, with no power, no influence, and no wealth. Lord Li's active visit took me by surprise."

This statement carried a sense of indifference.

These words were also sincere.

There are many people in the world who seek favor and many who choose safety, often befriending others with ulterior motives.

Some seek fame, some seek profits, some seek protection, some seek a future.

Yet on him, none of these can be found.

He has no power, influence, or wealth.

Being close to him might even provoke the crown prince, who is at the peak of power, inviting unforeseen disasters.

Thus, he indeed couldn't understand why this Lord Li is proactively visiting him.

"No power, no influence, no wealth, but Your Highness carries an unresolved concern in your heart." Lin Xiaosu extended his hand, offering a cup of tea to him personally.