Xiao Jue returned to the Xiao Manor at dusk. Just as He Yan reached the courtyard gate, she saw him and quickly asked, “Xiao Jue, do you know about Master Wei…”

“I just returned from the Wei Manor,” Xiao Jue replied before entering the inner chamber. He had spent the early morning training with the Southern Army outside the city, then rushed back after learning about Wei Xuanzhang’s death by remonstration. He hadn’t even changed out of his clothes since returning from the Wei Manor.

“I need to go out tonight,” he said.

He Yan’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at him. “Xiao Jue…”

He walked to her side and asked, “Do you still have the black jade I gave you earlier?”

After a pause, He Yan unfastened the jade pendant from her waist and held it in her hand.

“I’ll leave some men at the manor. If I haven’t returned by early tomorrow morning, take this jade and leave the city to find Shen Han of the Liangzhou Guard.”

“Xiao Jue,” He Yan grabbed his hand without directly answering, her expression uncertain. “Are you…”

She left the rest unspoken – some things were understood without words.

Xiao Jue looked down at her. He knew that although He Yan was bold in her actions, she had never done anything excessive over the years. However…

“Time is running out,” he said softly after a moment, covering her hands with his.

He Yan remained silent for a long while before nodding. “I understand.”

Once you’ve decided to do something, there’s no point in hesitation. Besides, it seemed this was inevitable – it was only a matter of time. They just hadn’t expected it to come so quickly.

“Go ahead without worry,” she looked up at Xiao Jue, her expression relaxing again. “I’ll guard the Xiao family here for you. No one can get past my sword. But Xiao Jue, remember that Sister-in-law is pregnant now and can’t handle the shock. So tomorrow morning,” she gripped his hands tightly, “you must return. If you don’t come back, I’ll take my sword into the palace to find you.”

Xiao Jue was startled and angrily said, “You wouldn’t dare!”

He Yan remained unmoved. “Try me and see if I dare.”

The girl’s gaze was determined. She had always been stubborn – once she made up her mind, there was no room for change. After another long standoff, Xiao Jue finally conceded, saying, “I promise you.”

He Yan smiled. “It’s a deal.”

Night had enveloped the entire imperial palace.

In the Golden Hall, Crown Prince Guang Yan walked slowly. All palace servants had been dismissed, with only a few trusted attendants guarding the doors. He slowly climbed the steps, walking to the top where the dragon throne stood, and finally stopped.

The imperial yellow armrests of the dragon throne were carved with gleaming golden dragons. He reached out, very slowly stroking the dragon’s whiskers and scales. Though they were cold to the touch, they made the blood flowing through his entire body boil with heat.

Guang Yan turned and sat on the dragon throne.

He raised his eyes to look down the steps, already imagining the scene of a hundred officials bowing and the court kneeling before him. He was the Son of Heaven – all under heaven should submit to him. Just thinking about this made Guang Yan feel triumphant, his chest bursting with satisfaction.

“Father…” he muttered softly, “Your son has finally taken this seat.”

This realm was finally his!

From the time he was born, everyone had openly or secretly told him that Emperor Wenxuan would eventually pass the realm to him and that he would become the emperor of Great Wei. So Guang Yan had always believed this, but somehow, at some point, he discovered things had changed.

A Guang Shuo had appeared who was more suitable to be emperor.

Emperor Wenxuan’s favoritism toward Consort Lan and her son made his heart anxious, and his reluctance to draft an edict of succession made Guang Yan feel betrayed. An emperor like Emperor Wenxuan – indecisive and poor at judging character – was not fit to be a ruler. Guang Yan thought that he hadn’t originally planned to commit patricide, but only by doing so could everything return to how it should be.

He was merely taking back what belonged to him.

However…

Guang Yan gazed at the empty hall, feeling no joy in his heart. He understood that his past following in court was largely due to Xu Jingfu. Now that Xu Jingfu was gone, many of those followers had shifted allegiance to Guang Shuo’s faction, going wherever the wind blew.

And He Rufei was already dead – he had been an imposter from the beginning. If Xiao Huaixin sided with Guang Shuo, he would have no forces to resist Guang Shuo. He could only rely on those Wutuo people, which was why he had insisted on agreeing to negotiate peace with them and accepted their ridiculous condition of establishing trading posts in Great Wei.

If previously it was because he feared the Wutuo people would leak information and displease Emperor Wenxuan, now it was because he had reached an agreement with them. The price the Wutuo people had to pay was to help him eliminate Guang Shuo’s people and his thorn in the flesh, Xiao Huaixin.

Very fair, Guang Yan believed – nothing was more important than obtaining this realm.

Thinking about how after tomorrow, once he ascended the throne, everyone under heaven would have to bow and tremble before him with respect and fear, Guang Yan couldn’t help but burst into loud laughter.

“Father’s body hasn’t even entered the imperial tomb, and Your Highness hasn’t yet ascended the throne. How appropriate is it to sit on the dragon throne now?” An abrupt voice interrupted his laughter. “Isn’t this somewhat improper?”

Guang Yan suddenly looked toward the entrance. At the hall doors, two trusted attendants were restraining Guang Shuo, preventing him from entering.

Guang Shuo looked at him with a calm expression.

“Let him in,” Guang Yan sneered. “My dear Fourth Brother.”

The attendants released their grip, and Guang Shuo walked in.

Guang Yan stood up from the dragon throne and looked at him with interest. “Tomorrow is the day Consort Lan will be buried with the emperor. My kind and filial Fourth Brother, shouldn’t you be making the most of this last opportunity to speak with Consort Lan instead of coming here?” He spoke meaningfully, “Could it be that Fourth Brother also wants to sit in this chair?”

“When Father was alive, he never mentioned burial sacrifices. The imperial edict Your Highness speaks of may not be genuine,” Guang Shuo remained unmoved.

“How could it not be genuine?” Guang Yan coldly laughed. “Speaking of which, it’s Consort Lan’s good fortune to be buried with Father in the imperial tomb. Father always favored Consort Lan deeply, and after his passing, fearing he would never find someone as close to his heart as Consort Lan, he wanted to take her along. Why does Fourth Brother make it sound like a grievance? With the edict in hand, how can you prove it’s fake?”

“Whether it’s real or fake, Your Highness knows clearly, but that’s not important anymore,” Guang Shuo sighed.

“Correct!” The Crown Prince clapped his hands. “Whether it’s real or fake doesn’t matter. Fourth Brother, you’ve finally said something useful.”

“That’s not all I have to say,” Guang Shuo looked up at Guang Yan standing on the steps, his gaze calm. “I also want to speak of Your Highness’s crime of patricide and usurping the throne.”

With these words, the entire hall fell silent.

The servants at the door were on high alert, watching Guang Shuo. He just stood quietly, carrying no weapons, and from his appearance, he looked like a scholar incapable of violence.

Guang Yan stared at him intently. “What did you say?”

“I said,” Guang Shuo’s gaze met his, unyielding, “Your Highness, you committed patricide and are usurping the throne.”

Guang Yan looked at the person before him. In the past, Guang Shuo had always been cautious and reticent in his presence, rarely participating in court affairs. Although Guang Yan despised him, he was convinced that Guang Shuo couldn’t make waves. But now, somehow, this person’s gaze was no longer as timid as before. When he looked directly at him, it was as if an invisible fire burned in his eyes, along with the unique dominance of the imperial family.

“Ridiculous!” Guang Yan mocked. “I am the Crown Prince, the realm is naturally mine. Why would I need to commit patricide? That would be pointless. If anyone is trying to usurp the throne, it should be you!” He spoke sinisterly, “Fourth Brother, haven’t you always hoped Father would depose the elder and establish the younger? What’s wrong? Now that your plans have failed, you want to falsely accuse me?”

“Your Highness, how could you think the realm is yours?” Guang Shuo suddenly smiled slightly. “Failed plans?”

Guang Yan’s smile froze on his lips. “What do you mean by that?”

Guang Shuo just smiled without speaking.

Suddenly realizing something, Guang Yan shouted, “Come here, come–“

Indeed, someone did come, but not his people. Troops wearing golden armor poured in from outside, led by none other than Yan He.

“Commander of Returning Virtue?” Guang Yan was startled, then furiously said, “Have you gone mad? Do you know this is rebellion? This is conspiring to cause chaos!”

Guang Yan hadn’t particularly suppressed Yan He, firstly because the Yan family were new nobles who had always stayed neutral in court struggles, unlike the Xiao family which had grown too prominent and attracted trouble. Secondly, Guang Yan had heard that Yan He was at odds with Xiao Huaixin – the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Guang Yan had once wanted to recruit Yan He for his use. However, Yan He had spent years away from Shuojing, and his father was as cunning as a fox, making grand promises but never actually giving him any advantage.

But now, to his utter shock, Yan He had sided with Guang Shuo!

Guang Yan was both shocked and furious. “How dare you treat me like this!”

“General Yan isn’t conspiring to cause chaos,” Guang Shuo said calmly. “He’s merely following orders to arrest a traitor to the nation.”

“Guang Shuo, stop spouting nonsense!”

Guang Shuo smiled indifferently and said, “Whether it’s nonsense or not, Your Highness knows in your heart.”

At this moment, someone else entered – it was Fifth Prince Guang Ji, carried in by guards. As soon as he entered the hall, he pointed at Guang Yan and shouted, “It was Elder Brother Crown Prince! That day when I was practicing calligraphy in Father’s hall, I saw Crown Brother carrying a basket into Father’s sleeping chambers… After Crown Brother left, Steward He went in and said… said that Father had passed away!”

Before Guang Yan could speak, Guang Shuo said, “Imperial Physician Lin found traces of poison in the carpet of Father’s chambers. That day, only Your Highness brought ginseng soup to Father’s chambers.”

Guang Yan sneered, “Father wasn’t poisoned to death!”

He knew better than anyone how Emperor Wenxuan had died. If Guang Shuo thought he could convict him with this alone, he was sorely mistaken.

“Your Highness, whether it’s true or false doesn’t matter anymore.”

Guang Yan was stunned – these were the same words Guang Shuo had used earlier about the fake edict, but now, used here, they were equally fitting.

At this point, no one cared about the truth. In royal family struggles, there were only winners and losers.

The winner would be the true dragon emperor; the loser would be utterly destroyed.

“Guang Shuo, I warn you, my men will arrive immediately. Tomorrow is the day of the imperial burial. I…”

“Your Highness may not know,” Guang Shuo looked at him with cold pity, “Commander Feng Yun’s men are already outside Chengle Palace. Your forces…” he spoke slowly and deliberately, “have all laid down their weapons and surrendered.”

“Impossible!” Guang Yan’s voice suddenly became shrill. “Impossible!”

But panic and fear were gradually rising in his heart. At this hour, the hall was filled with Yan He’s troops, and his men still hadn’t arrived. If Xiao Huaixin’s forces were outside…

Those Wutuo people… damn it, those Wutuo people were completely useless at this crucial moment!

Chu Zilan – the name suddenly flashed in Guang Yan’s mind. How could his plans have been anticipated by the other side? Had Chu Zilan leaked the information? That ungrateful wretch!

“Guang Shuo, don’t be so smug,” Guang Yan was at his wit’s end, gnashing his teeth as he looked at the man before him, slowly backing away. “You think the people will believe your lies? I am the Crown Prince, the heir apparent. The coronation ceremony is at hand. If you harm me now, everyone will talk about your conspiracy. Even if you take this position, you’ll never be legitimate. You… you’ll never escape people’s criticism!”

“Your Highness worries too much.” Guang Shuo showed no reaction to his words, looking at Guang Yan as if watching something ridiculous. “Before this, Father had already issued an edict changing the heir apparent.”

“You’re lying!” Guang Yan’s eyes bulged. “How is that possible?”

“The edict is in the hands of Father’s trusted officials. Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.” Guang Shuo turned slightly, and someone behind him stepped forward to hand him a bow and arrow.

He played with the bow and arrow, speaking slowly, “In that case, does Your Highness still think everyone will criticize me and question my legitimacy?”

Guang Yan nearly vomited blood. At this moment, he suddenly understood what Guang Shuo had meant earlier when he said “Truth or falsehood doesn’t matter.”

To silence the people’s gossip, all that was needed was a succession edict – who would care if it was real or fake? The people wouldn’t examine it one by one. As long as Guang Shuo was the one who survived in this hall today, whatever others might say later would be up to him to decide.

He watched as his usually quiet and unassuming fourth brother slowly raised the bow and arrow, aiming at him. Guang Yan instinctively ducked behind the dragon throne, shouting angrily, “What are you doing? Guang Shuo, stop–“

His words were cut short.

A sudden gust of wind blew through the Golden Hall, extinguishing the surrounding lights. In the dim hall, a streak of thick blood slowly trickled down the dragon’s throne, staining the dragon’s whiskers and head on the armrest particularly vividly.

Like a silent observation, or perhaps a cold mockery.

The wind concealed all murderous intent on this cold night.

…

As dawn’s light grew faint, He Yan watched the gradually brightening sky outside the window, her expression becoming increasingly grave.

Since Xiao Jue left last night, she hadn’t closed her eyes. Bai Rongwei was pregnant, so He Yan didn’t dare tell her anything else. Although Xiao Jing had some suspicions, he was kept in the dark and didn’t know what had happened. He Yan kept watch alone, frequently rubbing the black jade in her hand, wondering what to do if Xiao Jue hadn’t returned by morning.

Even leaving the city to find Shen Han might not guarantee safety.

Just then, there was movement outside. He Yan suddenly stood up and rushed out the door to see Xiao Jue walking in from outside.

His armor still bore some dark bloodstains. He Yan asked, “Are you hurt?”

At this hour, Qing Mei hadn’t even risen yet. Xiao Jue frowned slightly and asked, “You haven’t slept all night?”

“Couldn’t sleep anyway.” He Yan stared at his face – he looked somewhat tired but otherwise fine. He Yan asked, “This blood…”

“It’s not mine,” Xiao Jue paused. “Let’s talk inside.”

Once inside the room, He Yan closed the door and immediately asked, “Last night in the palace…”

“The Crown Prince is dead,” Xiao Jue looked at her.

This was expected – in fact, He Yan had already had a premonition that day when she saw Yan He at the Wei residence. Yan He hadn’t directly answered her question, but sometimes silence is an answer in itself.

He Yan helped him hang Yinqiu on the wall. Xiao Jue removed his armor and sat down at the table. He Yan poured a cup of hot tea and pushed it in front of him. “Xiao Jue, what exactly happened last night?”

Xiao Jue looked at her, and after a moment, knowing he wouldn’t be able to leave today without explaining, sighed and told her about the previous night’s events.

He Yan listened intently.

Xiao Jue only learned some details about what happened in the Golden Hall afterward, as he had been leading half the Southern Army forces in the battle against the Crown Prince’s men at Chengle Palace. Yan He had led men inside, and when they came out, all that was known was that Guang Yan had been shot dead by Guang Shuo himself.

“Did you… deliberately avoid going into the Golden Hall?” He Yan hesitated before asking.

Xiao Jue lowered his head, smiled slightly, and said softly, “The Xiao family is different from the Yan family. The Yan family are new nobles who still depend on the royal family. I already have too much military power. If I had personally witnessed the Fourth Prince killing his brother, even if there’s no issue now, over time, the Fourth Prince might become uncomfortable.”

“I don’t want to leave a thorn in the Fourth Prince’s heart.”

Royal favor is unpredictable. With Guang Yan gone, the Fourth Prince would become emperor. Even if he has no issues now, once he takes that position, whether due to circumstances beyond his control or changes in attitude, it’s better to eliminate the possibility of such a scene from the beginning.

“In that case, letting Yan He go was a good choice. The Yan family doesn’t have strong military power and as new nobles, they have no substantial foundation. The Fourth Prince can use them without reservations,” He Yan said. “I just never expected Yan He would follow the Fourth Prince.”

The Yan family had maintained neutrality for so many years, cunning as foxes, yet delivered a fatal blow to Guang Yan at the final moment. Guang Yan probably hadn’t anticipated that either.

“When the skin is gone, where can the fur attach itself?” Xiao Jue lifted the teacup, took a sip, then said, “When it comes time to make a choice, even if you don’t want to, you must.”

He Yan breathed a sigh of relief. “At least you’re safe and sound. However…” she looked at Xiao Jue and asked in a low voice, “Did His Majesty issue an edict changing the heir apparent early on? Did the Fifth Prince witness the Crown Prince poisoning him?”

Everything had fallen into place too conveniently, making Guang Shuo’s ascension to the throne seem completely natural and uncontroversial.

“Whether it’s true or false doesn’t matter,” Xiao Jue lowered his eyes. “The Crown Prince is dead.”

Everything had been settled.