“Jin’er.” The Empress’s frail voice sounded out. “It was this palace who told them not to disturb you.”

“Your father already knows about the matter. Don’t worry — he’s handling it.”

Though she said this, the Empress had never once truly thought of relying on the Emperor — otherwise her own people wouldn’t have needed to enter the palace at all.

Feng Jin frowned and withdrew his gaze.

“Mother.” He called out softly.

The Empress struggled to lift her eyelids and raised a hand. “Nanny Chen, go out for now. This palace has something to discuss with the Eldest Prince.”

“Yes.” The old nanny stood. “This servant takes her leave!”

The officer looked up and cupped his hands. “Your Highness, this subordinate will keep watch outside.”

“Mm.” The Empress let out a faint sound.

The officer cupped his hands, turned, and left.

Once the door was closed, Feng Jin held the Empress’s hand and asked, “Mother, what exactly happened to you?”

“I heard you didn’t eat all day — this is all this son’s fault. I was busy all day and didn’t notice anything wrong with you during the worship ceremony.”

The Empress instead gripped two of Feng Jin’s fingers, asking softly, “Jin’er, can you tell Mother what you’ve been so busy with?”

“Just now, I heard General Yao say that Jiang’er’s trail has been found — is that true?”

“Jin’er, tell me.” The Empress gripped Feng Jin’s fingers tightly, so agitated she nearly sat up.

“Is it true? Is there really word of Jiang’er? Cough… cough, cough…”

“Mother.” Feng Jin stood and supported her. “What’s wrong?”

“Fetch the imperial physician! Fetch…”

“No need.” The Empress shook her head. “Mother has already seen the physician. The poison is gradually being cleared.”

The officer, who had pushed the door open to look in, turned and left again, closing the door.

“Jin’er, Mother only wants to know — what’s happened to Jiang’er? Tell Mother, what’s happened to him?”

“You know his temperament too — he wouldn’t…”

“Mother.” Feng Jin cut off the Empress’s words. “He…”

Feng Jin’s brow furrowed, and he turned his head to glance toward the folding screen.

“Who’s there?” he asked coldly.

“It’s a young herbalist that General Yao brought along. She’s inside picking out herbs.” The Empress slowly lay back down onto the bed.

She pressed her lips together, took a deep breath, and lifted her eyelids again.

“Jin’er, Jiang’er, he…”

“Mother, Third Brother has truly gone mad. How many times must I say it before you believe me?” Feng Jin frowned.

“South of Songjiang, Third Brother and I met face to face. Not only did he refuse to heed my advice, he even led his men to attack our troops.”

“Then do you know why Jiang’er has changed like this?” The Empress asked weakly, unable to open her eyes, forced to keep them shut.

Her hands moved, finding Feng Jin’s palm and taking hold of it.

“If it weren’t for your father wanting to kill Jiang’er, he never would have taken such a desperate risk.”

“Jin’er, is this your father having you go intercept Jiang’er?”

“Can you promise Mother — bring Jiang’er back, let Mother ask him herself why he’s turned against his father — can you do that?”

Seeing that Feng Jin said nothing, the Empress squeezed his fingers harder.

“Jin’er, promise Mother — don’t hurt Jiang’er. Mother believes he won’t hurt you either.”

“Jin’er, promise Mother, all right?”

The Empress exerted herself and began coughing again.

Feng Jin gently rubbed her back, helping her lie on her side.

“All right! Mother, this son promises you — unless there’s truly no other choice, this son won’t harm Third Brother in the slightest.”

“Good, good… cough…” The Empress coughed again.

Feng Jin supported her back and asked, “Mother, shall this son still fetch the imperial physician for you?”

“No need.” The Empress closed her eyes. “Mother feels much better now — just tired.”

“Jin’er should go find Jiang’er now. Don’t let him anger your father any further.”

“Don’t worry — with your father here, Mother will be fine.”

The Empress spoke another lie against her own conscience.

Feng Jin was well aware that the relationship between his mother and father was not good at present, but he said nothing about it.

“Rest easy, Mother! This son will have people guard you closely. Take good care of yourself while recovering — this son will go bring Third Brother back.”

“Your word alone is enough for me.” The Empress patted Feng Jin’s arm.

“Go now — don’t delay!”

“All right.” Feng Jin tucked the blanket snugly around the Empress before turning to leave.

After Feng Jin left, General Yao came in.

“Your Highness.” He knelt on the ground.

“Have thirty thousand soldiers follow the Eldest Prince in staggered groups. If they’re discovered, say it was arranged by me.” The Empress waved a hand.

“Go. You must personally take charge of this matter. Have Little Cai stay behind to handle the affairs of the rear palace.”

“Yes.” General Yao cupped his hands and stood.

“Your Highness, please take care of yourself!”

“Mm.” The Empress waved her hand again. “Go. This palace is fine — I just need to rest a while.”

General Yao left, and Feng Jiu’er came out from behind the screen…

Inside the imperial mausoleum, Master Wuchen led his people in performing rites.

Feng Li, prayer beads in hand, knelt motionless not far away.

For a full two hours, aside from the occasional sutra chanted by Master Wuchen, all around remained silent.

At last, the ritual was complete.

Master Wuchen gathered his things and departed with his people.

Feng Li, who had been sitting off to the side sipping half a pot of tea, stood.

“Are we heading back?” Han Ying also stood, asking softly.

“This king wants to go in and take a look.” Feng Li turned and walked further inside.

He Zhongnan stepped forward to follow.

“My lord, you…” Han Ying strode after him.

The guards on watch, seeing it was the Night Prince, opened the great door at once.

Feng Li paid no mind to those behind him and continued forward.

This was a place Feng Li had never entered before.

It was said to be a mausoleum that Feng Qiongcang had specially built for the Late Emperor — without his order, no one was permitted to enter.

But the Night Prince was no ordinary man; when he arrived, the guards opened the door.

“My lord, no one has been inside for far too long — I think you’d best not go in.” Han Ying stood beside Feng Li, trying to stop him.

But Feng Li listened to none of it and walked straight in.

Passing through a short stone tunnel, ahead appeared a vast cave.

Standing at the end of the path looking down, below were rows of stone-carved figures.

There were human figures, beasts, and some half-human, half-beast things impossible to name.

In the middle of the bizarre stone carvings sat a magnificent golden coffin.

The Late Emperor’s remains lay within that coffin made of gold.

Feng Li gazed at the chaotic stone carvings below for a long while, then spoke flatly. “What kind of ritual is this?”

Previously, the Late Emperor’s remains had not been kept here, but outside.

Later, Feng Qiongcang had had the mausoleum entirely redecorated.

During that period, Feng Li had been constantly away at war and had never asked much about matters here.

Today was the first time in nearly ten years he had spent the fourteenth of the seventh month in the capital.

“It’s a formation array set up by an eminent monk His Majesty specially invited back.” Han Ying’s gaze also fell below.

“It’s said this array can bring the Feng Clan lasting prosperity, enduring without decline.”