Shen Xiling returned to Fenghe Court at the end of the fourth watch. The days around the Lantern Festival were still cold, and the stone steps of Qingji Mountain were covered with a layer of frost, the cold air piercing.

Yet on such a desolate deep night, a person stood quietly before the gates of Fenghe Court. His silhouette was elongated by the gently swaying lantern light, and accompanied by the cold night frost, it inevitably carried a somewhat bleak atmosphere.

When Shen Xiling approached and looked closely, she recognized the person as Han Feichi.

She was somewhat surprised, called out “Master Han,” and asked why he was waiting so late at night before Fenghe Court’s gates, wondering if something had happened, and invited him inside.

Han Feichi shook his head, his expression when looking at Shen Xiling also somewhat complex.

He was silent for quite a while before bowing to her and saying: “Thank you, Madam. I’ll wait here.”

Shen Xiling was very puzzled. From his appearance, it didn’t seem like any urgent matter had occurred, so she guessed he had come to visit Qi Ying. She again invited him inside, but he still insisted on declining, only asking about Qi Ying’s injury.

She sighed and answered: “Just a hair’s breadth from being fatal.”

Han Feichi seemed to shudder, his expression freezing for an instant. After a pause, he asked again: “…And Cheng’er? Is he well?”

Shen Xiling answered: “Cheng’er is unharmed—his father blocked the sword for him.”

Han Feichi nodded, seeming to breathe a sigh of relief, then fell into silence again. After a while, he said to Shen Xiling: “Madam, please go inside quickly, lest you catch cold.”

Seeing that he had no intention of entering tonight, Shen Xiling didn’t want to force him further, so she nodded to him and turned to enter Fenghe Court.

At this moment, he called to her from behind. Shen Xiling turned back to see his face hidden in the not-very-bright lamplight, appearing somewhat distant and indistinct.

He seemed somewhat tongue-tied, which was quite rare for the usually eloquent Master Han.

Shen Xiling waited for quite a while in the increasingly thick cold air before hearing him say: “Cheng’er is naturally intelligent, able to understand ten things from hearing one. Please, Madam, diligently guide him and don’t let his talents be wasted.”

After speaking, he bowed to her.

These words sounded fine, but they carried a flavor of farewell. Shen Xiling frowned, unsure how to respond for a moment, but an inexplicable sense of foreboding arose in her heart.

In the end, she said nothing, only nodded to Han Feichi again. The gate closed, and she could no longer see him.

Shen Xiling hurried back to Huaijin Courtyard to see Qi Ying.

The night was cold and quiet, especially suitable for contemplation. In just these few short steps, Shen Xiling suddenly understood some things.

Tonight’s troubles… perhaps had other complexities.

Han Feichi was a person of meticulous thought and efficient action. Over the years, the Court of Judicial Review under his administration had been very stable. Today was the Lantern Festival—at such a crucial time, the Court of Judicial Review couldn’t possibly have failed to prevent people from causing trouble beforehand. Now that both Empress Dowager Fu and the young emperor were isolated and weak, even with old ministers supporting them from behind, they couldn’t possibly have completely avoided the eyes of the Privy Council and Court of Judicial Review to arrange such a large-scale assassination with flower lanterns.

There was someone behind them.

Was it Han Feichi? Had he deliberately facilitated the Empress Dowager’s faction? Or… was he himself the mastermind behind this affair?

Thinking of Han Feichi’s farewell-like words just now, Shen Xiling’s heart couldn’t help but surge with panic. She couldn’t help but run, wanting to immediately return to Qi Ying’s side.

She had to protect him… no matter who wanted to betray him, she would definitely stand before him.

She ran into Huaijin Courtyard in panic, but what met her eyes was a peaceful scene:

A lamp was lit in the room, neither particularly bright nor particularly dim. Qi Ying had already awakened and was leaning against the headboard wearing an outer garment. Cheng’er had somehow run in and was sleeping in his father’s arms. Qi Ying was gently patting the child’s small shoulders, his expression especially tender in the lamplight.

He heard her enter and looked up at her with especially warm eyes, then made a quiet gesture to her, causing Shen Xiling to unconsciously lighten her steps.

Her heart suddenly became very peaceful. The earlier panic disappeared, leaving only lingering warmth.

She walked quietly to the bedside and sat down. Through his slightly open collar, she could see his wound had been bandaged and looked properly tended to, but his face was still pale, making her very worried. She wanted to ask why he had sat up and why he wasn’t resting properly, but when she looked down, she saw that Cheng’er’s sleeping face still bore tear stains, his eye corners all red.

The child must have been very frightened. He probably came in to see his father out of concern, and when Qi Ying awoke to find the child had been crying, he naturally had to comfort him.

Shen Xiling sighed in her heart and gave Qi Ying a meaningful look, then went out to call Shuipei, who was serving outside, to carry the child away. When being moved, Cheng’er showed signs of nearly waking, vaguely calling “Father, Mother,” which was heartbreaking.

Good child… how worried he must have been about them.

Seeing this situation, Shen Xiling felt inexplicably bitter and guilty. She gently kissed the child’s little face and finally let Shuipei carry him away.

She had things to say to Qi Ying, and these words were not for the child to hear.

When Shuipei closed the door, only the two of them remained in the room. She sat by the bed looking at his pale face, tears inevitably welling in her eyes. At that moment, she really wanted to throw herself into his arms and have him comfort her as he had comforted Cheng’er, but her heart was burdened with matters—matters too heavy, leaving her no time to seek anything from him.

She only feared that Han Feichi had truly betrayed him, and if he learned the truth…

…how pained would he be?

He was already one of his few remaining friends.

She suddenly didn’t know how to begin.

But Qi Ying was always someone who wouldn’t make things difficult for her. He always seemed to know what she was worried about and could always help her out of trouble when she needed it most.

He actually took the initiative to ask her: “Did you see Zhongheng outside?”

Shen Xiling was startled. Seeing his calm expression, as if he saw through everything clearly, she felt confused for a moment and nodded somewhat dazedly, asking: “…You knew?”

“Naturally,” he coughed once, his face still very pale, yet his expression was gentle and he appeared calm and unhurried. “After I woke, the servants came to report to me.”

Shen Xiling blinked and asked: “…You didn’t let him come in?”

“It’s not that I didn’t let him come in,” he smiled faintly, then gently took Shen Xiling’s hand. “Rather, he knew it wasn’t appropriate for him to come in.”

These words had profound implications and made Shen Xiling’s heart skip a beat. She found it somewhat hard to believe and asked again: “He really… is someone who wanted to kill you?”

Her hand was trembling slightly.

Both because of the cruel truth behind this, and because… she vaguely sensed that Qi Ying had another position in all this.

Qi Ying felt her fear and gripped her hand more tightly, though he had lost too much blood tonight and his hand was inevitably somewhat cold, not as warm as usual. Only his gentleness remained the same as always.

He helped arrange her slightly disheveled hair and said in a low voice: “He wasn’t trying to kill me.”

Just these seven words completely awakened Shen Xiling.

Han Feichi wasn’t trying to kill Qi Ying… but her and Cheng’er.

He must have known about tonight’s plan by the Empress Dowager and old ministers long ago, secretly having the Court of Judicial Review facilitate them, possibly even mediating from within and preventing the Privy Council from taking action. Shen Xiling remembered that before they went to see the great hibiscus lantern tonight, an official had come to Qi Ying’s side and called him away—that might have been Han Feichi’s arrangement. He deliberately found a way to prevent Qi Ying from going to see the flower lantern, so he wouldn’t be harmed, and only she and Cheng’er would be killed.

Her hand shook even more violently. As a mother, what she feared most was losing her child. She didn’t dare imagine what would happen to her if something had really happened to Cheng’er tonight…

She asked him tremblingly: “Why would he do this?”

Why would Han Feichi kill her and Cheng’er? If he was aligned with the Empress Dowager and old ministers, he shouldn’t need to protect Qi Ying—Qi Ying should be the one most deserving of death. And if he stood on Qi Ying’s side, why would he harm her and Cheng’er?

She couldn’t understand.

In her confusion, she heard Qi Ying’s sigh. She looked up at him and glimpsed desolation in his eyes—the kind that comes only after seeing through worldly affairs.

“Wenwen,” he told her somewhat heavily, “some people might be able to accompany you for part of the journey, but ultimately cannot walk alongside you for life.”

He was speaking of Han Feichi.

Was Han Feichi loyal to him? Perhaps, after all, he had once been willing to betray his family elders to help him succeed, even willing to sacrifice the Han family’s supreme status, and had truly risked his life for him.

But he also had his own path—Qi Ying knew that he always hoped he would kill the young emperor and ultimately ascend to the throne himself.

But this wasn’t what Qi Ying himself wanted to do.

He had already been burdened by power struggles his entire life, long viewing this golden and brilliant court as a murderous quagmire, an iron-cast prison. He didn’t want to stay here, much less achieve some so-called great enterprise. What he wished for was merely peace under heaven, for this country to reform its accumulated ills, for people to no longer be displaced… that was all.

But Han Feichi hoped he could achieve greater accomplishments, recover lost territories and unify the realm, personally create a prosperous age.

Their paths were no longer the same.

Han Feichi knew that Qi Ying had no intention of killing Xiao Yizhao and was sincerely cultivating that child, hoping that someday he could grow into a wise ruler so that power could be returned to him. This was what Han Feichi least wanted to see—he hoped Qi Ying could steel his heart to kill the young emperor and Empress Dowager. But what could prompt Qi Ying to act ruthlessly?

Only if they touched his most sensitive nerve.

Think about it—if the Empress Dowager really killed Shen Xiling and Qi Cheng, how would Qi Ying react? Even if he later learned that Han Feichi was behind it all, he still couldn’t possibly spare the Empress Dowager and young emperor—he would abandon the last of his compassion and become a true asura.

Only then could he reach the height of being truly unmatched in the world.

Shen Xiling understood these connections, but at the same time became even more confused.

She couldn’t understand Han Feichi’s approach—so obsessive, so mad. And what could he gain? Even if Qi Ying really ascended to the imperial throne, even if he really became a rakshasa as Han Feichi wished, what benefit could Han Feichi obtain?

He clearly could gain nothing…

But what made Shen Xiling’s heart tremble even more wasn’t this, but—Qi Ying seemed to have known all this long ago.

Shen Xiling trembled even more violently. She looked at Qi Ying in disbelief, even her gaze wavering, asking him: “…Did you know all along?”

Did you know all along?

Did you know what Han Feichi was going to do, what Fu Rong and the young emperor were doing, what would happen tonight?

Was that it?

Qi Ying had indeed known all along, since the day Xiao Ziheng died five years ago.

He had been Xiao Ziheng’s companion reader since childhood, friend and enemy for many years, and was most familiar with his character. He knew Xiao Ziheng would not commit suicide—even if he lost everything, he wouldn’t give up hope. He would lie low like a venomous snake, waiting for an opportunity to strike back, and would never easily end his own life.

He was murdered.

So who killed him?

Qi Ying had suspected Han Feichi at the time, but firstly he had no evidence, and secondly he wanted to see what Han Feichi would do. So all these years he had pretended to know nothing about the late emperor’s murder and acted as if he trusted Han Feichi completely, even entrusting Cheng’er to his cultivation.

But in reality, he had always been secretly observing Han Feichi’s actions.

He knew Fu Rong had never given up seizing power, and he knew she was quietly rallying old ministers to revolt. This was a huge hidden danger for Great Liang’s court and countryside—he had to completely eradicate this tumor.

And if he was to act, he needed just cause.

What could be better justification than him being assassinated at the Lantern Festival? He could use this opportunity to catch all the troublemaking old ministers in one net, and from then on Great Liang’s court could be peaceful for a while. This country would get better and better.

So he chose to turn the tables: let Fu Rong think he knew nothing of her plan, let Han Feichi think he had fallen for his strategy of luring the tiger from the mountain, while in reality he had long planned to turn the tables, returning at the crucial moment to save his wife and child and being assassinated before the eyes of the world.

Two birds with one stone.

But this was something Shen Xiling could not accept.

Heaven knew what pain she had endured tonight. She had been so fearful and heartbroken. When those assassins emerged from the flower lantern, she thought her Cheng’er would die, and when Qi Ying was injured and his blood stained her completely, she felt she was going to lose him.

She was in such agony she nearly went mad. At one moment tonight she really wanted to personally kill Fu Rong and the young emperor, to calm her grief and rage with their blood.

But now she was told… he had known all along.

Shen Xiling completely broke down. Her emotions were even more agitated than before, so angry she wanted to take a sword and hack Qi Ying a few more times right now!

She furiously lashed out at him, demanding: “How could you do this! How could you be so selfish! You only thought about handling your own great affairs, but did you think about me, about Cheng’er! What if there had been an accident? What if the child had been hurt? What if we had all died? Even if no one was hurt, do you know how heartbroken I was? When I saw you collapse, I was scared to death! I thought you were going to die, I wanted to cut my throat and die with you! How could you deceive me like this, you…”

She finally couldn’t continue because Qi Ying had pulled her into his arms.

He had just suffered a very serious injury and logically shouldn’t make any large movements, but at this moment he couldn’t care about that. He only cared about tightly holding his little girl in his arms, even if it meant his wound reopening.

His wound was bleeding again, but he seemed not to feel it, or perhaps that pain became weightless before Shen Xiling’s tears.

Only her sorrow could burn him.

He held her tightly while explaining: “There wouldn’t have been an accident. I arranged many people disguised as common folk at the scene. They would have protected you and Cheng’er securely—you absolutely couldn’t have been harmed.”

“I had to receive this injury. There were too many connections behind it. Rather than dragging it out slowly forever, better to use this opportunity to catch them all in one net—I don’t want you and Cheng’er to face more danger. Today was the best opportunity.”

He understood her too well, so he knew too well how to gain her forgiveness. He kept blaming himself in her ear, saying how bad he was, what ridiculous mistakes he had made—most of it greatly exaggerated, making the listener feel sorry for him.

He… he was too cunning.

He was clearly using her… using her deep love for him, using her tenderness toward him.

Shen Xiling rationally knew that Qi Ying hadn’t really done anything wrong. She knew he was very careful and thorough, would certainly prioritize her and Cheng’er’s safety. Even if something happened to him, he wouldn’t let them be hurt.

But this didn’t prevent her from being angry!

After being coaxed for a long time, though Shen Xiling’s fury had somewhat subsided, her resentment remained. She still couldn’t help throwing a tantrum at him and accusing him: “Even so, you should have at least told me everything beforehand, instead of leaving me like a fool knowing nothing!”

Her accusation was very reasonable. On the surface, Qi Ying went along with her words and repeatedly apologized, but in his heart he thought that even if it happened again, he still wouldn’t say anything.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but tonight’s purpose, besides catching all the remaining old ministers, had another more important aim, and he knew she would never approve of it.

—He wanted their Cheng’er to grow up quickly.

Cheng’er’s life had been too smooth. He was born with everything, receiving endless love and favor. In his eyes, this vast world was prosperous and beautiful, without schemes and killing, without ruin and sorrow.

But this wasn’t the truth of this world.

As a father, he could naturally protect him, but what if he wasn’t there?

Cheng’er would eventually have to face this cruel human world alone, and moreover, as his child, he was destined to bear more storms than others.

He needed to experience setbacks and pain early. He needed to realize early that his father couldn’t protect him for life. He needed to see early that where he stood wasn’t surrounded by flowers but by thorns.

—He had to first become someone who held the blade, then he could choose whether to take it up or put it down.

And this was also the path he himself had walked.

Qi Ying thought very far ahead, farther than anyone. He still wanted to believe that Xiao Yizhao could be taught well, still willing to return power to him many years later, so he could be free and his descendants could be free too. But he also prepared for the worst—if strife ultimately couldn’t be avoided, he wanted their Cheng’er to be in an undefeatable position.

Go become the most bitter and ruthless person, then… speak of compassion.

But these thoughts couldn’t be told to Shen Xiling. She loved the child so much—how could she bear for him to experience these things at such a young age?

But circumstances didn’t allow choice—he too was compelled by necessity.

At this time, Shen Xiling had been gently coaxed by Qi Ying for another half hour, and her mood could barely be considered calm. Though she still held a grudge against him, she was willing to discuss some serious matters with him again.

She was somewhat worried and asked Qi Ying: “Then what about Han Feichi? How will you deal with him?”

Upon hearing this, Qi Ying raised his eyebrows and reached out to stroke her nose, asking: “Weren’t you calling him Master Han just now? Why are you calling him by name directly now?”

Shen Xiling wrinkled her nose, her brow also furrowing, saying somewhat angrily: “He wanted to harm Cheng’er and tried to force you to do things you didn’t want to do. Why should I still call him Master?”

Righteous and indignant.

Qi Ying was amused by her and couldn’t help gently kissing her eyelashes, saying: “Mm, you’re right.”

Hearing him say this, Shen Xiling couldn’t help but hum with some satisfaction, then pressed him again: “You still haven’t said how you plan to deal with him.”

Qi Ying held her and slowly sighed, saying: “Recently Yingzhou has been somewhat unsettled. I’m thinking of having him go there to take charge. What do you think?”

Yingzhou?

That was an extremely southern wilderness. For Han Feichi to go there… was almost equivalent to exile.

He wasn’t taking his life but wouldn’t keep him by his side anymore either.

For a moment, Shen Xiling couldn’t describe her feelings.

After learning the truth, she really hated Han Feichi—hated him for targeting her son, feeling that cutting him to pieces wouldn’t be excessive. But when she heard Qi Ying was going to send him away to Yingzhou… her heart inevitably felt complex.

It wasn’t out of consideration for Han Feichi, but… she was somewhat worried about Qi Ying.

She knew that Qi Ying actually valued Han Feichi highly in his heart—he regarded him as a friend. Now having to give him up was essentially like cutting off his own arm. Even if he didn’t say so now, his heart must be in pain.

There were… already so few people around him.

Qi Ying clearly saw the pity in Shen Xiling’s eyes at this moment. He said nothing more, only gently embraced her again.

Yes, he had lost many things. Walking to today, he was almost alone.

The south was wild and harsh. Han Feichi might lose his life going there, and even if he survived, they were destined never to meet again.

He was indeed in pain—a hidden pain not worth mentioning to others. He thought no one would notice, but Shen Xiling still saw through him at a glance—just like when they were young, she could always easily see into his heart.

She didn’t blame him for being heartless or cruel.

Instead, she felt sorry for him.

He didn’t consider himself someone prone to self-pity, but occasionally he would feel that life was full of hardships, especially when thinking of things he had lost, making sighs inevitable.

But whenever this happened, he would think of her.

That little girl who always looked at him tenderly, stubbornly ran toward him, loved him with such devotion.

She was still by his side.

Even if circumstances were tortuous, even if fate was changeable, even if his whole life couldn’t fulfill his wishes.

She still hadn’t left.

So he finally gradually understood.

Actually, he had already obtained it.

…What his heart yearned for.

(End of Book)