After two days of relentless travel, Yudhishthira and his family finally arrived at Varnavrat, a city teeming with vibrant life. They were greeted by Purochan, the esteemed head of Varnavat, who welcomed them with utmost respect.

Yudhishthira, concerned about their lodging for the year ahead, inquired, "Purochan, where shall we reside during our stay? We have much work to attend to."

"Yuvraj, fear not. Your palace will be ready in a mere four days. Until then, it would be an honor for my family and me to host you in our humble abode," Purochan graciously offered.

Yudhishthira nodded appreciatively, accepting the kind invitation. However, he subtly signaled his brothers to keep a watchful eye on Purochan. He entrusted Bhima and Nakula with the secret task of exploring the palace discreetly. Furthermore, he assigned Arjuna and Sahadeva the responsibility of monitoring the spies affiliated with Vidur, Kashyapa, and Karna for any potential assistance.

After spending a day under Purochan's roof, the Pandavas, dressed inconspicuously in black attire, convened for a secret meeting outside Purochan's residence.

"Brothers, the palace is constructed entirely of lacquer," Bhima and Nakula revealed, eliciting astonishment from the rest.

"But we have discovered spies loyal to Vidur and the righteous Karna who have been diligently excavating a tunnel leading directly to our chambers, Jyesht," Sahadeva divulged.

"They have assured us of their loyalty and devised a comprehensive plan to keep us safe," Arjuna elaborated, outlining the details.

The tunnel construction progressed smoothly, managed by the reliable soldiers of Prithvi Sena. Karna himself would inspect the work daily, driven by his desire to protect innocent lives from Shakuni's sinister machinations.

When Devika and Kunti learned of the plot, they were initially shocked. However, Kunti found solace in the fact that her elder son had come to their aid, albeit in secrecy.

After three days, the Pandavas relocated to the lacquer palace. Each member delved into their assigned tasks, engrossed in preparations for the forthcoming puja.

Yudhishthira, carrying out his duties as the yuvraj, remained vigilant over the lacquer palace, overseeing the puja arrangements.

Bheema was responsible for the puja offerings and various other requisites, while Arjuna focused on palace security. Nakula and Sahadeva loyalty with the priest, attending to his needs and other miscellaneous tasks.

Devika and Kunti engaged with Brahmins and individuals who would partake in the grand feast.

Kunti also took charge of invitations and decorations, while Devika tended to her son Yaudheya.

After three days of relentless preparations, the royal puja commenced at the majestic temple in Varnavat. Prayers were offered for the departed souls and their own family's well-being. The prasad, including themselves, was distributed among the attendees, and the subsequent Brahman bhojan was served wholeheartedly by the Pandavas, Kunti, and Devika. Once the guests departed, they also savored their own meal.

As evening descended, the Pandavas convened a meeting in Yudhishthira's chamber. Yudhishthira informed them that the tunnel would be completed in eight months. He suggested that they all reside in one room and rigorously test the food before consumption.

Furthermore, Yudhishthira proposed a nightly duty of vigilance, assigning Bheem to remain awake, practicing his mace skills and monitoring Purochan's family members. Bhima would sleep during the day to avoid fatigue.

Agreeing with the plan, the brothers resumed their respective tasks. Arjuna and Bhima moved the family's beds to Yudhishthira's chamber, a strategic location near the palace's exit.

From that day forward, Bhima diligently kept watch while the others slept, with his brothers occasionally joining him when sleep eluded them.

The spies diligently continued tunnel construction during the night to avoid detection during daylight hours. Progress was steady and swift, hinting at a possible early completion, perhaps within seven months.

During the day, Bhima slept and attended to his meals, while at night, he remained vigilant, practicing his mace skills. On occasions, he noticed Purochan and his sons wandering late at night near the palace, but they promptly withdrew upon noticing his presence.

Bhima and Arjun noticed the frustration and disappointment etched on Purochan's face when his attempts to dissuade them from guarding the palace failed.

Yudhishthira was informed of this, reaffirming their suspicions about Purochan. He advised them to maintain the façade until the tunnel's completion.

This routine persisted for six months until they received news of Vikarna's triumph in the svayamvara of Princess Rekha, a series of competitive trials. Kunti and Devika rejoiced in Vikarna's victory, proud of their virtuous brother.

To distract Purochan and his family further, Yudhishthira and his brothers organized a grand fair in Varnavat, delighting the populace.

Another month passed, marking the completion of the tunnel by the spies, culminating in the chambers of Yudhishthira. The final game of deception was set in motion. The spies provided them with the necessary materials to create decoy weapons, intended to divert attention from their true whereabouts.

Additionally, they devised a plan to ensnare Purochan and his family in a fiery trap by offering them an abundance of beer and wine.

Once all the arrangements were in place, the Pandavas embarked on their ultimate stratagem. Three days before the one-year mark, they surreptitiously provided Purochan and his family with copious amounts of the intoxicating beverages. As their unsuspecting victims succumbed to the effects, the Pandavas locked them inside their own chamber and proceeded to Yudhishthira's room.

Gathering the necessary belongings, they opened the tunnel entrance, revealing Prithvi (Karna), attired in a complete black ensemble. He commanded his soldiers to place the unconscious culprits, along with a baby doll, in the chambers.

Instructing them to descend, Prithvi greeted the Pandavas warmly, leading them onwards.

During their descent, Prithvi revealed the intricate details of Shakuni's elaborate plan. He cautioned them against blaming any Kauravas for the scheme and advised them to remain in hiding for two years until the situation in Hastinapur normalized, as per Maharishi Vashistha's instructions. Prithvi also gifted toys to Yaudheya. Kunti sensed Karna's presence, understanding that her beloved Karna was the guardian of justice, but she chose to keep this knowledge to herself.

Emerging from the tunnels, they found themselves on the banks of the sacred river Ganga. They exchanged their regal attire for simpler garments, ensuring a low profile. Devika and Kunti had acquired a substantial sum of money before departing the palace. With everyone accounted for, they boarded a boat crafted by Vidur and set sail along the Ganges.

Karna breathed a sigh of relief, realizing his mission was accomplished. The time had come to inform the venerable Bhishma about the situation. He acknowledged that he had outsmarted Gandhar Raj by framing the Kauravas in this intricate plan, but he knew the battle against Shakuni was far from over. The commencement of a great political struggle between himself and Shakuni was imminent.

Karna understood that his Topsy Turvy plan had not achieved its desired outcome, as the Pandavas would remain incognito for two years. During this time, Maharaj Dhritarashtra would bestow all the powers of yuvraj upon Duryodhana. When the Pandavas eventually returned, Duryodhana would refuse to relinquish half of the authority.

Lamentably, they lacked concrete evidence against Shakuni. Had Karna revealed this scheme to Maharaj Dhritarashtra, Shakuni's formidable network would have decimated the Pandavas.

Deep down, Karna knew that the partition of the Kuru kingdom was the aftermath of the Topsy Turvy plan.