As Xiao Changqing walked to the entrance of Qinzheng Hall, something suddenly fell from his neck and hit the ground. Looking down, he saw it was his late wife’s memorial tablet. He bent down to pick it up, carefully brushing off the dust and felt an inexplicable emptiness in his heart.

For a moment, he felt lost, his mind blank. A night breeze swept through, causing the bells to chime beneath the curved eaves.

His eyes flashed coldly as he strode across the threshold, dragging his bloodied sword. The hundreds of men behind him, battle-worn and radiating killing intent, followed in his wake.

The civil and military officials were surrounded by the Empress Dowager’s knife-wielding guards. Upon seeing Xiao Changqing, their expressions changed dramatically.

The lead guard, who had a small bell at his waist, walked toward Xiao Changqing and bowed: “Your Highness, the Crown Prince Consort is inside the hall.”

The Empress Dowager wanted to frame Shen Xihe and Prince Xin for forcing their way into the palace. Not just Xiao Changqing, but also Xiao Changgeng and Xiao Changying. Only then could she rightfully execute these people afterward, leaving only Xiao Changhong in the imperial family.

Xiao Changhong would be kept alive to appease the officials, preventing them from suggesting adopting an heir from the Xiao clan’s branch families.

Once Xiao Changhong ascended the throne and she became regent controlling state affairs and stabilizing the situation, she would arrange for Xiao Changhong’s untimely death, smoothly paving her way to the throne.

Her scheme was undeniably brilliant.

“Sixth Brother has arrived. Girl, do you think his sword points at you or me?” The sound of greeting came from outside as the Empress Dowager smiled broadly.

Shen Xihe remained silent. This was her greatest predicament yet. Xiao Changqing had been manipulated into becoming the Empress Dowager’s pawn, while His Majesty was feigning unconsciousness, holding onto his last breath, waiting to deal with the aftermath after they destroyed each other.

The Empress Dowager thought she held the winning hand, not knowing she had no chance of victory at all.

Shen Xihe certainly had backup plans but couldn’t reveal them now, or she would lose her chance to strike at His Majesty.

The sound of armor grew heavier as footsteps slowly approached, the scent of blood gradually intensifying.

Inside Qinzheng Hall, Shen Xihe had only twenty-some people. Xiao Changqing had brought hundreds to fight through – hoping to fight one against ten was merely wishful thinking.

Shen Xihe hadn’t ordered her people to fight their way out to rescue the officials, instead waiting to join forces with Xiao Changqing.

The Empress Dowager hadn’t ordered those holding the officials hostage to enter, waiting for Xiao Changqing to kill Shen Xihe, controlling the officials until they could witness the right scene at the right moment.

Soon, the blood-stained Xiao Changqing stepped into the great hall, walked through the front chamber, around the screen, and stood before them with about ten men.

He still maintained his jade-like appearance, his eyes profound, yet black as though lifeless, dark as midnight, resembling a puppet.

“Sixth Brother, save your grandmother!” the Empress Dowager cried out upon seeing Xiao Changqing.

Without hesitation, Xiao Changqing thrust his sword at Shen Xihe. Mo Yu immediately blocked it, and Xiao Changqing’s men quickly engaged with Shen Xihe’s forces.

Xiao Changqing’s men were far more skilled than the Empress Dowager’s. To avoid harming Shen Xihe, Tian Yuan quickly moved the battle outside, only to find Xiao Changqing’s men had nearly surrounded them.

The Empress Dowager remained in Shen Xihe’s grasp, but the situation looked grim. Liu San Zhi seemed paralyzed with fear, huddled by His Majesty’s bed, ignoring the unfolding events.

Shen Xihe held a bone whistle – one blow would summon half the Embroidered Guards His Majesty had stationed in ambush to rescue her, but now wasn’t the right time.

Mo Yu and Xiao Changqing were evenly matched, but Xiao Changqing’s men were too numerous, with ten attacking each opponent, and more still blocking the door.

When Mo Yu became entangled, Xiao Changqing’s wrist turned, his sword striking directly at Shen Xihe. She grabbed the Empress Dowager as a shield. Xiao Changqing suddenly redirected his strike, his sword splitting a vase instead.

Shen Xihe, holding the Empress Dowager hostage, slowly approached His Majesty’s bed. With the Empress Dowager in hand, Xiao Changqing seemed constrained, hesitating to act rashly. However, one of Shen Xihe’s men fell, pierced by multiple sword blades.

Seeing this, Shen Xihe had no choice but to take out the bone whistle.

Just as she was about to blow it, Consort Su, who had somehow hidden under the bed, unexpectedly pushed her. In that instant, Xiao Changqing flashed forward to pull the Empress Dowager away, spinning to thrust his sword at the fallen Shen Xihe.

“The Fierce Prince has taken his own life—”

At this critical moment, a hoarse voice rang out.

Xiao Changqing’s sword had reached Shen Xihe’s chest, just an inch from piercing her flesh, when he froze in place as if under a spell.

Shen Xihe turned to look, her pupils contracting.

You Wenjun’s hair was disheveled, and her hands were covered in blood as she held Xiao Changying’s head. The head still dripped blood, and though her hands trembled violently, she gripped it tightly.

Face streaked with tears, she gave Shen Xihe a cold glance before fixing her gaze on Xiao Changqing.

She had arrived earlier, and for a moment, she truly wanted to watch Shen Xihe die by Xiao Changqing’s sword. Would that allow Shen Xihe to follow him before he’d gone too far?

But she knew he would hate her for it.

His choice to take his own life may have stemmed partly from shame at facing his brother and atoning for his mother’s sins, but she knew it was more because he couldn’t waste time. He feared his beloved would die by his brother’s sword.

As he had anticipated, had he fought his way in, he wouldn’t have arrived so quickly, and Shen Xihe would have had no chance of survival!

He would rather die than not protect Shen Xihe one last time. How could she, at the final step, leave him with regret?

Perhaps, Shen Xihe would remember for life that there was once a young man who loved her.

His life was the price to ensure she would preside over the realm; his blood would paint her empire beautiful.

“Brother, His Highness has taken his own life,” You Wenjun repeated in a choked, grief-stricken voice.

Xiao Changqing, still holding his sword pointed at Shen Xihe, slowly turned to face his brother’s head.

He was dead.

Yet his lips were curved upward.

He had willingly embraced death.

Something struck hard at Xiao Changqing’s mind as waves of dull pain crashed over him, threatening to consume him.

“Brother, Little Nine will be forever connected with you as brothers, never turning against you.”

“Brother, even if we come to love the same woman, Little Nine would never compete with you.”

“Brother, even if the whole world turns against you, Little Nine will stand behind you.”

“Right or wrong, Brother can do no wrong in Little Nine’s heart. Whatever Brother does, whether seizing the throne or overturning the world, Little Nine will be Brother’s sword, conquering lands for you!”

“Brother…”

His calls echoed endlessly in his ears, scenes of brotherly affection playing out clearly, one after another.

Finally converging on the head in You Wenjun’s hands.

Xiao Changqing opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood!