But with the noon hour nearly upon them, neither an imperial edict from His Majesty nor people from Prince Rong had come.

It seemed a “stay of execution” was unlikely!

Lord Li couldn’t help but break into a nervous sweat. Were they really going to execute her?

Not far from the execution ground, a carriage stood waiting.

It bore no insignia.

After a moment, the curtain was gently pulled aside by someone inside. Jing Yi looked out toward Ji Yunshu bound on the execution platform, then glanced at the sky.

It was noon now!

Jing Rong, are you truly willing to watch your woman die just to protect yourself? If that’s really the case, then your heart is even more ruthless than mine.

Lord Li had already delayed as long as possible. Finally, unable to wait any longer, he could only retrieve the execution arrow. With a sigh, he threw it out.

“Carry out the execution.”

The executioner received the order. He sprayed a mouthful of liquor onto the great blade, raised it high—the cold, harsh light glinting off it—and swung it down.

Ji Yunshu’s head immediately fell.

That blood-drenched head rolled down from the execution platform, rolling before the gathered onlookers and causing a commotion. Everyone recoiled in horror, covering their mouths, not daring to look directly at it.

At the same time, Ji Yunshu’s decapitated body collapsed into a pool of blood.

Fresh blood stained her clothes, her shoes… even every inch of her skin.

The executioner wiped the bloodstained blade and shook his head. “What a pity!”

After all, who didn’t know that the famous Teacher Ji of the capital was an important figure? How could she have been a woman? How could she have deceived the sovereign and committed such offenses?

Lord Li looked at the beheaded Ji Yunshu, turned his head with a sigh, and simply lifted his posterior and left.

In the distance, Jing Yi was completely stunned.

“How can this be?”

What do you mean “how can this be”? Isn’t this exactly the result you wanted?

He narrowed his eyes, finding it hard to believe. “Jing Rong, you truly won’t come?”

Won’t come to storm the execution ground?

Outside, Dou Quan spoke up. “Your Highness, it seems Prince Rong doesn’t care for her that much after all. Otherwise, he couldn’t possibly fail to come save her.”

“This is truly beyond this prince’s expectations.”

Far too unexpected!

Dou Quan thought for a moment and asked, “Then… should the plan change?”

Jing Yi shook his head. “Proceed according to the original plan.”

“Yes!”

He lowered the carriage curtain and ordered the departure.

Prince Rong’s Manor.

Jing Rong had shut himself inside his room, refusing to see anyone.

Lang Bo rushed over and stood outside the door, knocking as he reported, “Your Highness, she has been executed.”

No response.

“Teacher Ji, she…”

“This prince wishes to be alone for a while.”

Lang Bo was both worried and anxious. He didn’t leave but said, “Lord Lin, the compiler from the Hanlin Academy, has come. He says… he’s brought Teacher Ji’s final letter and wishes to deliver it to Your Highness personally.”

“…”

“Let him in.” Jing Rong’s tone was extremely desolate.

Lang Bo acknowledged the order and went to invite Lin Shu over. Beside him, he brought a small attendant who, unlike ordinary attendants who were timid and respectful, actually carried an imposing aura. Though he kept his head lowered trying to conceal it, it was like trying to hide something obvious.

“Lord Lin, His Highness is inside. Please enter.”

Pushing the door open, Lang Bo led him and his attendant inside.

Jing Rong stood before the window with his back turned.

Lin Shu cupped his hands. “Greetings to Prince Rong.”

After a long while, Jing Rong spoke. “Speak.”

“When Miss Ji was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, she asked this official to write a final letter for her. Now that she is dead, this official has brought Miss Ji’s final letter to Your Highness.” Lin Shu drew from his sleeve the neatly folded final letter and presented it.

But for a long time, Jing Rong didn’t turn around to receive it. He simply said one sentence: “Leave it.”

That voice was terribly hoarse, as if he were ill.

Lin Shu set down the letter and asked with concern, “Is Your Highness all right?”

Not all right!

This old man is not all right at all!

Yunshu is dead!

His body suddenly began to tremble. His legs probably too weak to support him anymore, he reached out and immediately grasped the window sill, clutching it tightly.

Seeing this, Lang Bo stepped forward worriedly. “Your Highness?”

Unexpectedly, Jing Rong pushed him away and shouted, “Get away.”

Eh?

Lang Bo was startled. But truly worried about his prince, he didn’t know whether to approach or leave, so he simply stood there frozen.

Jing Rong slowly turned around. His deathly pale face immediately appeared before Lin Shu and his attendant.

This…

Is this Prince Rong?

In just two days, he had lost a great deal of weight. His eyes were hollow and lifeless, his pupils seemingly clotted with blood. He stared at the final letter on the table, walked over, and grabbed it with one hand.

“Now that she’s dead, what use is keeping this?” With a sob in his voice, tears spilling out, overwhelmed with emotion, “It is this prince who is incompetent, unable to save her. For the rest of this life, this prince owes her.”

The final letter crumpled into a ball in his hand and was thrown viciously to the ground.

At the same time—

His weak body could no longer support itself and he suddenly collapsed hard toward the floor.

“Thud!”

“Your Highness?” Lang Bo rushed forward, calling out.

Lin Shu was startled. He suddenly glanced quietly at the attendant beside him, only to see that attendant’s lips curved in a smile, looking somewhat triumphant.

He said nothing.

Soon, people from the manor went to fetch Muruo to examine Jing Rong’s condition.

Out of concern, Lin Shu remained.

“This is heartbreak.” Muruo reached his conclusion. “Teacher Ji was his heart’s knot. Now that she is dead, if he cannot think it through, I fear it won’t be as simple as a minor illness.”

“Master Muruo, our prince absolutely cannot have anything happen to him. No matter what, you must save him.” Lang Bo was anxious.

“I already said, this is heartbreak. To recover, only he himself can decide to get better.”

“But Teacher Ji is dead. Our prince’s heart has probably died too. How could he possibly think it through? I’m afraid he can’t wait to go keep Teacher Ji company right now.”

“Then there’s nothing to be done. Even celestial immortals couldn’t cure this injury.”

Muruo spread his hands!

In any case, this illness was beyond his ability to cure.

Lang Bo couldn’t care that he was a grown man—beside the bed, he wailed and cried.

Tears streaming down!

Lu Jiang, who stood to the side worried and anxious but still possessed some rationality, quietly pulled Muruo aside and asked, “Master Muruo, is there truly no other way?”

Muruo shook his head. “I don’t want to see anything happen to Jing Rong either, but right now, only he himself can pull himself together.”

Alas!

Lin Shu had observed everything. Given the current situation, it wasn’t appropriate for him to remain. After asking a few concerned questions, he left Prince Rong’s Manor with his attendant.

After leaving, he returned to the Hanlin Academy, while that attendant went to Prince Yi’s Manor.

He reported truthfully everything he had seen at Prince Rong’s Manor.

Jing Yi finally relaxed his guard and laughed heartily several times. “This prince thought his lack of action meant he truly had some secret plot. But now it seems this prince was worrying needlessly. He’s simply a coward. To protect himself, he’d rather sacrifice the woman he loves. Now he puts on this appearance of deep devotion, acting like he wants to die—it’s exactly what he deserves.”

He laughed several more times!

Dou Quan: “Since that’s the case, then Your Highness need have no more worries. You can seal the city gates and enter the palace in a few days.”

His lips curved as he gazed at the clear, boundless sky.

He said one sentence: “The realm of Great Lin will finally be this prince’s.”

This day—he had waited too long, plotted too long.

At last, it had come.