After saying this, Shen Xi resolutely turned back and headed in the direction from which they’d come.

In the chaos of battle, everyone was preoccupied with their own survival. Even with the Golden Martial Guards protecting them, how could they stop someone willing to go to his death?

Su Jin stared blankly at Shen Xi’s retreating figure. Coming to her senses, she ordered in a low voice: “Yao Jiang, divide some men to protect Qingyue.”

“But Lord Su here—”

“Go,” A’shan said. “If you lead the Commissions Office garrison troops away, Escort Tan and I can manage.”

The sky was misty with water vapor. At the edge of the layered clouds, there was already some faint light. The hour of mao should have arrived, but the overwhelming shouts of battle drowned out the clapper sounds that signaled dawn’s arrival.

After Shen Xi left, the Commissions Office garrison troops indeed stopped paying attention to Su Jin and the others, and pursued in the direction from which they’d come.

Su Jin had just taken a few steps following Liu Chaoming when she heard Shen Jun’s hoarse shout from not far behind: “Xiao Xi—”

Her heart sank, and she looked back.

The chaotic weapons and blood blocked her vision, but the more she couldn’t see, the more anxious she became.

For an instant, Su Jin felt as if she were out of control, wanting to push aside the people in front of her—whether they were protecting her or trying to kill her—wanting to go against the tide of weapons to find Shen Xi, even if just to see him once, just to know he was still alive.

But reason told her she should move forward.

The struggle for imperial power was a fight to the death. All along this path they’d traveled, mountains of white bones lay behind them and fresh blood dripped at their feet. She couldn’t let herself fall here. She had to wait for her prince, everyone’s prince, to return.

“Su Shiyu,” Liu Chaoming called to her. “What’s wrong with you?”

Su Jin revealed a self-mocking smile: “When I entered officialdom years ago, I only wished to establish a purpose for heaven and earth, to establish livelihoods for the people. I never imagined I would come to this point today. Two years ago, after surviving the Ma Manor incident, you told me that in as little as one year, or at most three years, the entire court would certainly become a bloodthirsty vortex. At that time, I still harbored hope, thinking I could stay out of court politics, follow my own path, and hold fast to my original intentions. Looking back now, I thought too simply back then.”

Liu Chaoming looked at her and said: “Do you regret it?”

“No,” Su Jin shook her head slightly. “I have no regrets.”

Pale morning mist covered her shoulders.

When Su Jin said these words, even she herself didn’t notice that her entire body was actually trembling slightly.

Weapons and slaughter still surrounded them. Liu Chaoming was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out to tightly grip her hand in his palm: “Follow me.” Then, without looking at her, he turned his head back and added: “If you keep getting distracted, be careful you’ll lose your life.”

That trace of light in the clouds was more brilliant than before. The rosy dawn was vigorous and emerging, faintly showing a golden radiance.

Su Jin followed Liu Chaoming. Just as they were about to reach the vast area where the Golden Martial Guards had earlier formed ranks, the sound of galloping horses suddenly came from the distance.

It was thousands of warhorses moving together, each step shaking the ground, gradually becoming deafening.

Everyone caught in the chaotic battle turned back to look at the same time. Against the pale blue sky, above a mass of dark black armor, a white flag with blue trim suddenly appeared.

That was the Nanchang army’s banner.

This battle flag led the military guards like a sharp blade. The next moment, it tore open a breach in the Eagle Soaring Guards blocking the long street.

Su Jin looked up into the distance, trying to find among those wearing silver armor and blue robes the one who was as bright as the rising sun.

Just at this moment, Liu Chaoming beside her suddenly said: “Watch out!”

It turned out that in this instant when all their attention was diverted, an Imperial Forest Guard had seized the opportunity to ride up before Su Jin.

Tan Zhaolin and A’shan had already been pushed aside. At this moment, only Liu Chaoming, who had been firmly gripping her hand all along, was beside Su Jin.

The Imperial Forest Guard reined in his horse and raised his spear to stab at Su Jin.

Su Jin hadn’t even had time to react when Liu Chaoming pulled her behind him and stood alone before her.

The sun broke through the clouds. The spear point reflected the rising sun’s light, pointing straight at Liu Chaoming’s chest.

Su Jin’s pupils suddenly dilated. She called out hoarsely: “Liu Yun—” wanting to push him away.

At this moment, a sound of cutting through air suddenly came from behind them. Just as that long spear was about to pierce Liu Chaoming’s chest, another spear flew from behind them, carrying strong force, penetrating through that Imperial Forest Guard’s chest.

The Imperial Forest Guard’s form stiffened, and his entire body limply fell from his horse.

Su Jin looked back.

The one who had thrown the spear and was galloping toward them on horseback was none other than Zhu Nanxian.

Reaching the two of them, Zhu Nanxian fiercely pulled the reins. The horse neighed, raising its front hooves almost to standing position. He drew his blade from his waist and unhesitatingly struck off the arm of another Imperial Forest Guard who was about to slash at Liu Chaoming with a blade, then horizontally slashed and severed this person’s neck.

The spattering fresh blood was illuminated golden by the brilliant dawn.

Zhu Nanxian looked toward Su Jin amid these scattered spots of golden light.

Those eyes like stars and sun were as bright as ever. The corners of his lips curved, revealing a heroically spirited smile. But because the situation was urgent, he couldn’t speak much with her. He looked toward Liu Chaoming and asked: “Is Lord Liu all right?”

Liu Chaoming said: “The Thirteenth Prince arrived in time.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded once, then reined his horse around and shouted: “Nanchang army and Golden Martial Guards, hear my command!”

“Present!”

“Seize the rioting Imperial Forest Guards and Eagle Soaring Guards. If anyone resists, kill without mercy!”

“Yes!”

The Golden Martial Guards’ morale surged greatly with Zhu Nanxian’s arrival. Though the Nanchang army numbered only three thousand, they were Zhu Nanxian’s elite forces. Moreover, everyone was equipped with fine cavalry purchased from the northwest—they were truly unstoppable.

In moments, the Golden Martial Guards who had just been retreating steadily already showed overwhelming superiority. With the Nanchang army’s cavalry clearing the way, they attacked the Imperial Forest Guards and Eagle Soaring Guards on both sides.

Zhu Nanxian looked again toward the Commissions Office and shouted: “Xu Mo! Open your dog eyes and see clearly—the three thousand warhorses the Commissions Office is demanding accountability for are right here with this prince. If you dare to continue letting garrison troops indiscriminately kill innocents, don’t blame this prince for taking your head as well!”

Hearing these words, Xu Mo’s expression darkened.

Though he hadn’t withdrawn the military order, after hearing Zhu Nanxian’s words, how would the garrison troops dare to advance?

On the battlefield, there was no room for the slightest hesitation. In this instant of holding back, hundreds of Commissions Office garrison troops were subdued by the surging Nanchang army.

Zhu Nanxian glanced once more at Su Jin and Liu Chaoming, then said to the guard beside him: “Qin Sang, take your men and properly protect these two lords.”

“Yes!”

After saying this, he lightly flicked the reins and, riding his horse, slowly walked several steps back toward the route they’d come from.

Zhu Nanxian sat tall upon his horse. Across the battling and fighting weapons, he gazed from afar at Zhu Zhaowei and Zhu Qiyue, who were likewise mounted on horses not far away.

The dawn glow stretched for miles. The firmament washed clean by continuous rain poured down brilliant morning light.

Borrowing the light to look at Zhu Nanxian, Zhu Qiyue suddenly realized that this thirteenth younger brother who had grown up with him and had always treated him well now had especially cold and indifferent eyes.

Come to think of it, how could he possibly forgive him?

Zhu Qiyue thought to himself: The Eastern Palace was Thirteenth Brother’s home. Zhu Minda and Shen Jing treated Thirteenth Brother like a father and mother. The Zhaojue Temple incident was equivalent to a catastrophic injury for him. Even if one day it stopped bleeding, it would still be a hideous scar.

In this world, some sins were originally unforgivable.

Some things, once done, could never have a way back.

He himself had been too naive. After the Zhaojue Temple incident, he had still been deluding himself about restoring good relations with Zhu Nanxian.

And at this moment, Zhu Nanxian had already told him with his eyes: You and I are henceforth irreconcilable. If you want war, then war it is—a fight to the death!

In a moment, more hoofbeats rang out from the northern slope. Accompanied by increasingly heavy, increasingly near marching sounds, it was actually the Tiger Infantry Guards, Phoenix Guards, and Capital Guards commanders from the Northern Camp arriving with three thousand soldiers.

The three commanders rode before Zhu Nanxian, simultaneously dismounting and cupping their hands in salute: “We received orders from the Seventeenth Prince. Hearing that the Thirteenth Prince has a secret edict from His Majesty to proclaim, we specially left camp to assist the Thirteenth Prince in quelling the rebellion.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded once. No longer looking at Zhu Zhaowei and Zhu Qiyue, he called out loudly: “Imperial Forest Guards and Eagle Soaring Guards, listen—those who surrender will not be killed!”

Under the offensive of the Nanchang army and Golden Martial Guards, the Imperial Forest Guards and Eagle Soaring Guards were already in decline. Now seeing three more imperial guard units arrive, knowing the situation was lost, after Zhu Qiyue raised his hand and silently waved it, they immediately threw down their weapons.

As soon as the fighting ceased, Su Jin hurriedly searched back along their route. After just a few steps, she saw Zuo Qian and Shen Jun supporting Shen Xi from left and right, walking toward her together with Zhu Min’er, who had earlier plunged into the chaotic army.

Shen Xi was wounded. Blood stains were visible on his clothing, with wounds on his waist, abdomen, and left arm. Fortunately, the wounds were quite shallow and hadn’t injured vital areas. Zhu Min’er’s accompanying physician had already done simple bandaging for him.

Shen Xi seemed to realize something. He raised his head, and his gaze met Su Jin’s.

The brilliant morning light shone down. They had finally waited until dawn.

He saw her. The corners of his lips moved. After a moment, they curved into a shallow smile.

Not the grinning, playful smile from before when he was putting on airs, but a smile of relief, of clear skies after rain.

Seeing Shen Xi was safe, Su Jin suddenly felt so exhausted she couldn’t speak. Her eyes and the tip of her nose ached unbearably, but she gathered her strength, and as their four eyes met, she returned him a smile as well.

After the three great imperial guard units from the Northern Camp arrived, the chaos on the Commissions Office’s long street was quickly brought under control.

All the soldiers, including the Imperial Forest Guards, Eagle Soaring Guards, and Golden Martial Guards, all formed orderly ranks in the vast area outside the long street.

Zhu Nanxian rode with Zhu Min’er and, together with Zhu Zhaowei and Zhu Qiyue, also proceeded before this magnificent military formation.

Before long, a soldier came to report: “Thirteenth Prince, the various ministers of the court heard that a major incident occurred here at the Commissions Office and have been waiting outside the Commissions Office since the hour of mao. Hearing that Your Highness has an edict to proclaim, should we invite them over now?”

Zhu Nanxian said “Mm” and asked: “Has Secretariat Drafter Shu Huan arrived?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, Lord Shu has arrived and is currently awaiting orders outside the Commissions Office.”

“Then ask him to come verify and proclaim the edict.”

The northern city outskirts were desolate and vast. Further away were continuous mountain ridges, and behind the ridges could be faintly seen Great Sui military banners stretching in dragon formation—this was the Northern Camp.

The assembled ministers stood in order in the vast space, civil officials on the left, military officers on the right, further divided into several rows according to rank and office, leaving the center column empty for the commanders of the Twelve Guards.

Late summer, the hour of chen, when sunlight was at its peak.

Shu Huan slowly unrolled the bright yellow secret edict in his hands and read: “By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees: Today my eldest son Zhu Hao, styled Minda, has unfortunately passed away. My heart grieves deeply, my sorrow cannot be severed, my sadness cannot be suppressed. Furthermore, I am afflicted with grave illness and fear I cannot long manage imperial affairs. Now I decree to all my sons and ministers, specially conferring upon my thirteenth son Zhu Ai, styled Nanxian, the position of succeeding Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, to exercise the authority of all princes, to command and lead the Twelve Imperial Guards. The day this edict is proclaimed is the day my thirteenth son succeeds as heir apparent—”

A fierce wind swept through, rustling everyone’s robes and caps. As this edict was proclaimed, all around became silent and soundless.

Shu Huan slowly rolled up the imperial edict and added: “This edict, I have verified. It bears His Majesty’s private seal and is truly His Majesty’s own writing. However, this edict concerns the dynastic succession and should be proclaimed to the world. I therefore request the Seven Ministers—Left Chief Censor Lord Liu, Minister of Personnel Lord Zeng, Minister of War Lord Gong, Minister of Rites Lord Luo, Minister of Works Lord Liu, Vice Minister of Justice Lord Su, Vice Minister of Revenue Lord Du—as well as the commanders of the Twelve Guards, the five commanders of the Five Military Commissions, the Seventh Prince, the Twelfth Prince, and the Seventeenth Prince to come forward and examine it.”

Those whose names were called were all pillar ministers of the court. After a moment, several people stepped out from the assembly and simultaneously bowed with sleeves together toward Zhu Nanxian. Liu Chaoming was first to receive the imperial edict from Shu Huan’s hands. After examining it, he passed it to Zeng Youliang beside him.

In a short time, the secret edict had been verified and passed through everyone’s hands, finally returned to Shu Huan by the last person, Zhu Min’er.

Shu Huan said: “If all the lords have no objections, then I shall return this secret edict to the Thirteenth Prince.”

“Wait.” At this moment, Zeng Youliang said: “May I ask where the Thirteenth Prince obtained this secret edict? Since you possessed a secret edict, why didn’t you proclaim it earlier?”

Zhu Nanxian glanced at Zeng Youliang and said coolly: “What, does Minister Zeng suspect this secret edict is false?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Zeng Youliang said. “It’s just that the Crown Prince passed away half a year ago. The Thirteenth Prince is the succeeding legitimate heir and by logic should inherit the Eastern Palace position. If so, when the Thirteenth Prince was recovering from injuries in the Eastern Palace at the beginning of the year, why did you keep the secret edict concealed and not reveal it? Instead, only after returning from Nanchang and before even reaching the palace, you suddenly have a secret edict?”

If Zhu Nanxian had produced the secret edict during his “recovery” period in the Eastern Palace, wouldn’t Zhu Zhaowei have long since seized it and silenced him?

The answer to Zeng Youliang’s question was clear to all the assembled ministers. It was impressive that he could ask it so brazenly—probably seeing the tide turning against him, he was making a desperate attempt to gain some leeway for his prince.

“Minister Zeng’s words are quite right.” At this moment, Wu Yusheng said: “Since this secret edict is His Majesty’s decree and concerns the dynastic succession, it absolutely cannot be decided so hastily. Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince the masses. In this subordinate’s opinion, why not wait until we return to the palace—”

“You’re not convinced?” Zhu Nanxian walked before Wu Yusheng with hands behind his back, interrupting coolly.

Wu Yusheng bowed: “This subject is not unconvinced, just…”

Before he could finish, he looked up and met Zhu Nanxian’s gaze.

He had seen such a gaze before.

Half a year ago, at Zhaojue Temple, after learning of Zhu Minda’s death and Zhu Lin’s disappearance, Zhu Nanxian had looked at him this way once. At that time, the Thirteenth Prince had been single-mindedly intent on killing him.

Wu Yusheng’s heart suddenly filled with waves of chill. He instinctively felt that even the sunlight pouring down overhead had become dense, sharp cold light.

The drawing and swinging of the blade happened in an instant.

As Wu Yusheng came to his senses, his heart was already dead with the knowledge of one fact—he no longer had any room to resist.

The blade’s light passed like a shadow.

The next moment, Wu Yusheng’s head rolled to the ground.

Fresh blood gushed vigorously from the empty neck. Zhu Nanxian avoided it, but it splattered all over Zeng Youliang beside him.

Zeng Youliang’s legs went weak. Frightened, he fell to his knees, his lips trembling continuously, as if he could no longer stand.

“Thirteenth Brother, what is the meaning of this?” Zhu Zhaowei said furiously. “Wu Yusheng, after all, was commander of the Imperial Forest Guards—”

“Shouldn’t he die?” Zhu Nanxian coldly interrupted.

Though he didn’t speak the remaining words, all the ministers understood in their hearts.

Regardless of whether Wu Yusheng personally killed Zhu Minda, at Zhaojue Temple back then, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess died, the young imperial grandson disappeared, yet this Imperial Forest Guard Commander who should have protected them was alive and well. This was the grave crime of failing in his protective duty, and he should be executed.

“Does anyone else object?” Zhu Nanxian turned back with hands behind his back, looking toward the assembled civil and military officials.

At the horizon was an extremely brilliant sunrise. The continuous mountain ridge traced a desolate silhouette against the vast sky.

Zhu Nanxian wore moon-colored python robes. His calm and resolute gaze was like a dragon that had finally grown to maturity in the churning, turbid sea tide.

Su Jin looked at him, feeling only extreme quietness in her heart. After a moment, she folded her sleeves, bent down, and knelt in obeisance: “This subject, Vice Minister of Justice Su Jin, pays respects to the Crown Prince.”

This call was neither loud nor soft, but struck straight into everyone’s hearts.

After decades, the empire had weathered many changes. The realm had changed hands—it should have new heaven and earth as well.

In an instant, all the ministers knelt together. Their voices of obeisance resounded through heaven and earth: “We subjects—pay respects to the Crown Prince—”