◎The ancients said, the yin hour belongs to the tiger.◎

On the eighth day of the twelfth month in the forty-ninth year of Yuanshao, heavy snow fell during the xu hour.

The Grand Heir’s consort still had not awakened.

The Emperor was old after all. Near the hai hour, after coughing several times, he could no longer endure. Under old eunuch Liu Guan’s persuasion, he nodded and returned to rest.

But before leaving, he complained that the Empress was heartless.

He said dissatisfied, “Other times are one thing, but how can she still not come see Yuanniang when she’s in such a state? She’s far too cruel!”

He sighed again. “Send someone to request the Empress. Say it’s my order. Tell her I’m leaving now, so she won’t see me when she comes.”

The Empress was stubborn to her very bones. It would soon be twenty years, and she truly hadn’t left Changle Palace once.

The Emperor sighed repeatedly, his heart heavy. He gazed at the falling snow outside in sorrowful silence for a moment, then said to the Grand Heir, “Make sure your imperial grandmother comes. If she doesn’t come, kneel outside Changle Palace to request her. Whenever she comes, that’s when you may rise. This way, she’ll surely come.”

He shook his head. “I already have great regret about your father. Now I don’t want your imperial grandmother to have regrets in the future. Though she resents me for forcing her to come now, later she’ll understand my painstaking intentions.”

When the late Crown Prince died, the Emperor hadn’t seen him one last time, a regret he’d carried for years.

He left with regret, and the Grand Heir still had to see him off.

After the Emperor left, the Grand Heir returned with a dark expression and said to Lan Shanjun, “I can’t trust anyone in the Eastern Palace until we find the real culprit. I’m entrusting the children to your care.”

Lan Shanjun nodded. “Yes.”

She asked, “Have you found anything?”

The Grand Heir shook his head. “Before Su Hexiang came, the Imperial Medical Bureau didn’t dare confirm poisoning and couldn’t find any reason for Yuanniang’s condition.”

He frowned. “We’ve checked everything she ate and drank, but there are still no clues.”

It appeared to truly be a sudden illness from cold. If nothing could be found in the end, Yuanniang might truly be definitively pronounced dead from sudden illness.

He smiled sarcastically. “It seems my weight is still far from enough. With my status as Grand Heir, I can’t even make them speak a word of truth.”

He looked at Yu Qingwu. “His Majesty has already ordered the Ministry of Justice to investigate this matter…”

Yu Qingwu immediately understood his meaning. “Though Vice Minister Zhu of the Ministry of Justice is not one of ours, he is from Shu. I will make a trip.”

After the Grand Heir finished his instructions, exhausted in body and mind, he sent them out, remaining alone in the room to watch over Yuanniang.

As the room fell silent, the sound of wind and snow outside quietly grew louder, howling and making his already chaotic heart even more impossible to calm. He sat in a daze. After a long while, he despairingly buried his head in her palm, tears streaming down like rain, murmuring, “Yuanniang… don’t frighten me, or I won’t be able to eat a single grain of rice.”

“I’ll never be picky about food again. I’ll never… dare refuse to eat again.”

He suddenly cried aloud, slapping the edge of the bed, painfully forcing out each word in a suppressed voice, begging, “Don’t—don’t abandon me—if even you abandon me, how can I go on living?”

“When father and great-uncle died, you promised me we would be together forever, never to part.”

He had already lost too much.

In this lifetime, he couldn’t live without Yuanniang. Even if he had to die, it shouldn’t be Yuanniang who died.

His voice trembling, he fell to his knees with a thud and kept kowtowing. “Great-uncle, father, take me instead, don’t take Yuanniang. Yuanniang is a phoenix who should soar high—don’t… don’t take her life.”

This should have been the longest night the Grand Heir had ever endured, and also the most difficult evening for Lan Shanjun since her return.

She stood in the corridor, staring blankly at the vast falling snow outside.

Yu Qingwu obtained a cloak for her and draped it over her shoulders. He didn’t urge her to go inside, letting her stand in the wind and snow.

Since she was in the midst of this situation, he couldn’t urge her to leave.

But he could accompany her standing in the corridor, experiencing all the wind and snow together.

Lan Shanjun hadn’t felt cold before, but with an extra garment on her body, she felt much warmer. She quietly said thank you, but had no heart to say anything else.

Her mind was in chaos.

She kept feeling like she was a pebble that, because of being reborn, had disrupted many situations from her previous life. Thinking carefully, some things that hadn’t changed still hadn’t changed, and things that had changed hadn’t changed for the better.

Su Xingzhou still died, Old Lady Shou died earlier, Old Master Su chose death remonstrance.

Was Yu Qingwu’s path now easier than in her previous life? Su Hexiang had originally been about to leave Luoyang but was called back again by her—what would happen in the future?

And the Grand Heir’s consort… what would happen to her?

Would she change?

Would things get better?

She truly had done everything in her power.

If the Grand Heir’s consort’s death couldn’t be changed, would her own ending change?

She murmured, “Life drifts along with flowing water, when all is calculated… it’s just a floating dream.”

Would it be that when she woke, this lifetime was just an illusory dream?

Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly, a butterfly dreaming of Zhuang Zhou—who knew what was real anymore.

At the zi hour, the Grand Heir’s consort still hadn’t awakened.

Lan Shanjun’s eyes gradually dimmed.

She sighed deeply and asked softly, “Tell me, when people feel warm all over before dying… is it winter or spring?”

She hoped it would be spring.

She detested snow.

She didn’t want to die on a snowy night.

She also didn’t want the Grand Heir’s consort to die on a snowy night.

If she hadn’t been reborn, the Grand Heir’s consort would have had two more years to live and could have passed away in summer.

But Yu Qingwu, who always answered any question, made no sound at this moment. Lan Shanjun turned in confusion and saw Yu Qingwu standing rigidly beside her, covered in cold air, motionless.

It seemed all the cold air had been blocked by him.

She was startled. Just as she raised her head to thank him, she saw his eyes were red-rimmed. Not knowing what he was thinking, tears fell like pearls, yet he didn’t make a single sound.

Lan Shanjun’s heart immediately clenched. Feeling somewhat at a loss, she quickly stood on tiptoe, took out her handkerchief to wipe his tears. “What’s wrong with you?”

Based on her understanding of him, even if the Grand Heir’s consort truly passed away, he shouldn’t cry like this.

Who knew that as soon as her hand wiped the corner of his eye, he suddenly lowered his head and grasped her hand. Lan Shanjun froze, not knowing what to do for a moment. Then she heard him pleading through the wind and snow, “Shanjun… the Grand Heir’s consort will live, won’t she?”

You will live too, won’t you?

If the Grand Heir’s consort wakes up, will your death sentence also change?

Lan Shanjun was surprised, finding his attitude at this moment somewhat strange.

But before she could ask in detail, she saw a eunuch hurrying from outside. He dropped to his knees at the door with a thud and said in a low voice, “The Empress has not left Changle Palace. His Majesty requests the Grand Heir to go to Changle Palace and kneel to request the Empress come to the Eastern Palace.”

Hearing this, Lan Shanjun closed her eyes in pain.

In the past, had the Grand Heir been forced to request the Empress like this too?

Had the Grand Heir gone?

The details from that time hadn’t been rumored outside the palace. But given the Emperor’s temperament, summoning the Grand Heir to kneel and beg the Empress, forcing the Empress to leave the palace—it must have happened.

But inside the room, the Grand Heir made no sound.

The eunuch delivering the edict grew anxious and called out loudly again, “His Majesty requests the Grand Heir to go to Changle Palace and kneel to request the Empress.”

Yu Qingwu’s expression was grave. He knew the Grand Heir was unwilling in his heart, but at this moment, he couldn’t disobey the imperial order.

If he disobeyed, he would fall into Prince Qi’s trap.

Just as he was about to knock on the door, he saw it open from inside, and the Grand Heir appeared expressionlessly at the doorway.

The eunuch delivering the edict breathed a sigh of relief and said tremblingly, “The Empress has closed the gates of Changle Palace… His Majesty was furious upon hearing this and requests you kneel and beg the Empress to come see the Grand Heir’s consort.”

The Grand Heir’s hands slowly curled into fists as he walked quietly out. A young eunuch quickly brought over a cloak for him, but he blocked it.

He looked at Yu Qingwu and Lan Shanjun, especially at Lan Shanjun, and asked, “Can I trust you?”

Lan Shanjun knew he was unwilling to trust anyone right now.

She also knew what he was asking.

She walked inside the room, pulled out the blade the Grand Heir’s consort usually practiced with from beside a pillar, and stood in the outer chamber. Bowing to the Grand Heir, she said, “Shanjun is also a tiger, and has also learned the blade. Standing here, unless I die, no evil will enter.”

Only then did the Grand Heir confirm that she also knew of his background.

Even if he had suspected it early on, he hadn’t taken it too seriously.

Whether she knew or didn’t know didn’t matter.

If he could protect her, he would protect her. If he could let Yu Qingwu live a bit longer, then live longer he would.

But he hadn’t expected that one day, she could become his support.

At this moment, she was the only person he trusted.

When he spoke again, his voice was already bitter. “Shanjun, I ask you to guard my family’s gate.”

He turned, looking at the heavy snow and breathing out a vapor, not even putting on shoes, stepping barefoot into the snow just like that.

Born as Grand Heir, of imperial blood and noble lineage.

He had learned sword-forging from childhood but never succeeded.

At eight his father died and he was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace. At twenty-four he entered court, thinking salvation had finally come.

In the heavy snow, he pushed away the eunuch’s pleas, throwing his clothes and shoes into the snow pile, still walking barefoot.

In this life, fortunately he had Yuanniang.

When his health was poor and there was no charcoal fire, she held him for warmth. When he was temperamental and refused to eat, she ate for him.

She said, “Great-uncle said food is the key to longevity. If you don’t eat, how can you live to a hundred? Let me eat for you.”

She smiled and said, “A’Hu, don’t be afraid. Even if everyone in the Eastern Palace dies leaving only us, it doesn’t matter.”

“I’ll protect you.”

Before Changle Palace, the Grand Heir stood disheveled, his lips turning dark, hands folded together as he bowed and said loudly, “Your grandson, Chi Tan, kneels to request Imperial Grandmother to move to the Eastern Palace.”

His voice trembling, he called out, “Your grandson Chi Tan—kneels to request Imperial Grandmother… to move to the Eastern Palace.”

The gates of Changle Palace remained tightly shut.

The Grand Heir knelt down, snow piling on his brows, his body shaking as he prostrated himself. “Your grandson—Chi Tan—kneels to request—Imperial Grandmother, to move to the Eastern Palace.”

Inside Changle Palace, a palace matron said anxiously, “Your Majesty, open the gates! The Grand Heir’s health is already weak, and today such heavy snow has fallen. If this continues, something terrible will happen!”

The Empress lay in bed coughing continuously, actually coughing up blood.

She ground her teeth. “To force me like this with A’Hu!”

The palace matron cried, “Your Majesty, I beg you, go take one look. This servant came here together with you—the Grand Heir and the Grand Heir’s consort, which of them weren’t held dear in your heart before? Previously, to avoid suspicion, you always treated them distantly, but now what is it for?”

The Empress pounded her fist on the bed. “For my dead son, for my dead brother!”

She clutched her chest. “Twenty years—twenty years!”

She cried out in pain. “To force me like this.”

She stood up and got out of bed. The palace matron quickly went to get clothes. When she turned around, she saw the Empress sweep everything on the table to the floor, grinding her teeth as she cursed, “This beast—this beast!”

The palace matron quickly covered her mouth. “Don’t—Your Majesty, I beg you, don’t speak.”

The Empress trembled as she put on her clothes.

The palace matron hurried to have someone open the gates. “Invite the Grand Heir inside, quickly, invite the Grand Heir inside.”

But the Empress raised her hand to stop her. The palace matron looked at her pleadingly and saw her smile bitterly. “No need for him to come in. I’ll go out.”

At the chou hour, the gates of Changle Palace opened.

When the Grand Heir saw the Empress, her steps unsteady, her face pale, walking toward him from the doorway, his heart filled with shame and he closed his eyes, murmuring, “Your grandson thanks grandmother.”

This step, twenty years. In the end, it was he who forced her to walk out.

Forcing her to forget the pain of her son’s death and her brother’s departure.

Forcing her to forget the poisonous oath she had sworn twenty years ago.

When the Empress walked up to him and was about to help him rise, the Grand Heir didn’t immediately stand but said, “Imperial Grandmother… I’m sorry.”

But the Empress grasped his hand and helped him up bit by bit, saying softly, “A’Hu, you must win.”

With things having reached this point, useless obsessions could no longer bind her.

She said, “Take me to see Yuanniang… I was, in fact, going to see her anyway.”

When the news reached Chengming Hall, the Emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief and sighed, “This is good. It’s good that the Empress is willing to come out.”

He murmured, “I have done right by her.”

Hearing this, Liu Guan lowered his head and consoled, “The Empress actually was just waiting for a graceful way down. Things will be better from now on.”

“Once this door opens, the old lady won’t want to close it again.”

The Emperor felt comforted but still worried about Yuanniang. “Still haven’t found anything?”

Liu Guan: “Not yet.”

The Emperor frowned. “Yuan Youde is becoming increasingly useless.”

He asked, “In Wang Deyi’s case last time, that man called Zhu Meng was quite good. Have him come investigate. I don’t believe that poison administered openly in the palace can’t be traced.”

Liu Guan: “Your Majesty, please rest assured. It’s only the chou hour.”

A full day hadn’t passed yet.

Only now did the Emperor finally realize that the people in his hands were all useless.

He flew into a rage. “The ancients said, ‘Receive the monarch’s salary, share the monarch’s worries.’ But I see this swarm of parasites clearly just want to take my silver and go out singing and dancing!”

Involving court politics, Liu Guan dared not speak further.

In the Eastern Palace, Lan Shanjun stood with blade in hand before the Grand Heir’s consort’s bed. She had placed A’Li and A’Man seated at the other end of the bed.

Both small children were sensible, knowing this was a critical moment, not daring to make a sound.

A’Li waited a moment, then got off the bed and said to Lan Shanjun, “Teacher Lan, I entrust mother and A’Man to you. I’ll go outside with Minister Yu.”

Lan Shanjun was about to refuse but he stopped her. “This is an order.”

Lan Shanjun lowered her head. “Yes.”

A’Li went out with a serious expression and looked at Yu Qingwu. “Minister Yu, you’ve worked hard. This time, I’ll remember it in my heart. In the future, if you have a request, I’ll help you once.”

Yu Qingwu was surprised, then nodded seriously. “Does the Imperial Grandson mean this truly?”

A’Li: “Truly.”

He thought for a moment and extended his hand. “Shall we make a pinky promise?”

Yu Qingwu responded affirmatively, bent down, and hooked his hand with the child’s. “Pinky promise.”

Outside the corridor, the Empress and Grand Heir entered the room together.

Seeing A’Li outside, the Grand Heir didn’t ask much, only patted his head. “Good child, father is back. You don’t need to be afraid.”

He looked at Yu Qingwu, who shook his head.

Not yet awake.

Just as he was about to speak words of comfort, he heard Shanjun call out from inside, “Grand Heir’s consort!”

The Grand Heir kicked the door open with one foot and entered. He saw A’Man crying loudly, “Mother, you’re awake!”

The Grand Heir was overcome with joy. He hurried over, pushing Lan Shanjun aside, and embraced Yuanniang in his arms. His entire body trembled and he couldn’t speak a single word.

The Empress and A’Li also came forward to surround her. Lan Shanjun called Su Hexiang over to check her pulse. The imperial physicians also surged in, and the room instantly filled with people.

Lan Shanjun was squeezed to the side but couldn’t suppress her excitement.

She woke up.

If she could wake, she could live.

She let out a long breath. Turning around, she saw many people moving toward the Grand Heir’s consort, only Yu Qingwu standing quietly beside her.

She smiled, saying to him with relief, “She’s awake.”

Yu Qingwu’s eyes grew even more tender.

He thought, he used to always feel she was good, but he couldn’t understand her. So the many things she said, he actually couldn’t truly empathize with.

But now, he understood.

He understood what these two words she spoke truly meant.

He understood her devotion just now.

—He had prayed to the gods with the same devotion.

He finally understood her.

He said, “It’s now the yin hour.”

The ancients said the yin hour belongs to the tiger.

“At this hour, dawn is breaking.”

He looked at her earnestly and said, “Shanjun, at this moment there is light.”