Mount Ji, main hall of the mausoleum.

It was already the Hour of the Rooster. The entire mountain forest was extremely quiet—even the sounds of birds taking flight seemed audible.

This place was truly an auspicious location with excellent feng shui.

At this moment, Emperor Qizhen was personally transcribing the memorial text for this year’s ceremony inside the main hall. A full 99 copies, each one transcribed by his own hand.

Guards stood watch both outside and inside.

Because it was nighttime, many candles were lit in the hall. The candlelight flickered, occasionally extinguished when wind blew in.

His hand had become somewhat numb from writing, but he still refused to stop. Ninety-nine copies of memorial text, year after year the same—not a single one could be omitted!

At this time, Zhang Quan entered carrying a bowl of ginseng soup and placed it to one side.

“Your Majesty, rest for a moment.”

Emperor Qizhen didn’t even lift his head, saying, “I haven’t finished writing yet.”

Alas…

Zhang Quan bowed and glanced, saying, “Actually, Your Majesty doesn’t need to transcribe these memorial texts personally. You could leave it to the people at the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs.”

Wasn’t this just looking for trouble?

But Emperor Qizhen said, “The annual memorial ceremony honors the ancestors of Great Lin. It cannot be done carelessly. Naturally I must transcribe it personally. If I left it to the people at the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs and there were missing or incorrect characters, how could that do? I’m more at ease transcribing it myself.”

“Even so, Your Majesty should drink the ginseng soup. Mount Ji has heavy cold air—don’t let your body catch a chill.”

Zhang Quan brought over the ginseng soup and filled a bowl.

Emperor Qizhen still didn’t stop writing. His brow furrowed, somewhat impatient, saying, “You go out first. Don’t disturb me.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Leave.”

Zhang Quan hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping, and prepared to leave.

Emperor Qizhen added, “Take the soup with you.”

“Yes.”

Helplessly, he could only carry the ginseng soup and silently withdraw.

But his front foot had barely left when a monk came over.

Standing at the doorway, “I pay respects to Your Majesty.”

Hearing this, Emperor Qizhen’s hand never stopped, his eyes never lifted: “What is it?”

“This humble monk is delivering some sutras on behalf of the abbot for Your Majesty.”

Sutras?

Emperor Qizhen’s hand paused, then immediately resumed writing. Without lifting his eyelids, he said, “Then bring them for me to see.”

“Yes.”

The monk entered and placed the sutras on the table. Seeing that the surrounding light was somewhat dim and Emperor Qizhen was having difficulty transcribing the memorial text, he said, “This humble monk will fetch a candlestick for Your Majesty.”

“Mm.”

The monk fetched a candlestick and brought it near him. But because the candlestick was tilted, the wax oil dripped down.

It dripped right onto the back of Emperor Qizhen’s hand.

“Ah!”

Pain shot through the back of his hand.

The wax oil was like fire, penetrating into his skin, suddenly causing sharp pain.

Truly piercing pain!

Seeing this, the monk trembled and quickly set the candlestick aside, bowing and withdrawing, palms pressed together, “This humble monk’s unintentional action—I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Emperor Qizhen didn’t take it to heart. He stopped writing and raised his head to carefully examine the visitor.

The monk kept his head lowered, his bald head facing him. Even so, he still saw the scar on the monk’s face. The scar was quite horrifying—someone unprepared would likely avert their gaze after one look.

But Emperor Qizhen showed no disdain, “No harm done. The master’s action was unintentional. Naturally I won’t blame you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“If there’s nothing else, you may withdraw.”

“Yes.”

As the monk withdrew, he quietly raised his eyes to glance at Emperor Qizhen.

After the monk left, Emperor Qizhen furrowed his brow slightly, glanced at the sutras beside him, and rubbed the back of his hand where the wax had dripped. He felt something was off.

Was it that monk just now?

He felt uneasy, but the memorial texts weren’t finished yet, so he didn’t think much more about it and continued transcribing.

After Duke Yuguo left the hall, his originally respectful face suddenly darkened as he turned.

Looking toward the interior of the hall through the carved lattice window.

He gave a cold laugh, “Imperial brother, oh imperial brother, in the end you still didn’t recognize me.”

His voice echoed in the night sky, chilling to the heart.

After leaving, he went to Prince Xian’s room.

The two sat facing each other.

A pot of tea sat between them.

Prince Xian enjoyed brewing tea. This hobby had never changed, and the tea he brewed was excellent.

“Everything is prepared. Once tomorrow passes, this realm will be yours.” Duke Yuguo said.

Prince Xian smiled faintly, “I hope so.”

The two toasted with tea in place of wine.

Prince Xian suddenly said: “There’s one more matter.”

“What matter?”

Prince Xian handed him a letter, saying as he did, “This is news Lord Liu sent from the capital. The message says that Prince Rong indeed planned to break out of prison, and he, following this prince’s orders, has already dealt with Jingrong outside the Ministry of Justice prison!”

Jingrong was dead!

Truly dead?

Tremendous good news.

Duke Yuguo looked at the letter. After reading it, he was extremely pleased and immediately raised his teacup to toast him, “It seems the great deed is accomplished. As long as the Emperor dies tomorrow, you can immediately ascend the throne.”

Before power, no one could say no!

Prince Xian drank that cup of tea but his face darkened, filled with thoughts.

“What? Are you feeling reluctant?” Duke Yuguo’s eyes narrowed. Prince Xian stood and slowly walked to the open window, gazing at the snowy depths of the late night, his pitch-black eyes unfathomably deep. He said, “Jingrong and I are brothers. Since childhood I had an excellent relationship with him. Though I used him to help me eliminate Jing Yi and successfully entered court through his power, I never thought of killing him! I knew in my heart he had no desire for the throne, and I knew he would certainly yield the throne to me. Yet I still harbored murderous intent, insisting on putting him to death before I’d be satisfied. Is this right? Or wrong?”

“The person is already dead. There’s no use saying these things now.” Duke Yuguo’s eyes were fierce, continuing, “Since ancient times, struggles between emperors have always been a fight to the death. What you did wasn’t wrong, because if you didn’t kill him, he would kill you. At this moment, you can no longer turn back.”

Yes!

Can’t turn back now.

Jingrong exhaled deeply, remembering what Muruo had said.

“When fledglings return to the forest, it has always been predetermined.”

“When fledglings return to the forest—is it truly predetermined?” He murmured to himself.

Duke Yuguo walked to his side, “All these years, you’ve always wanted to obtain justice for your mother consort, haven’t you? In just a few more hours it will be dawn. Everything you want will soon be yours.”

Prince Xian nodded.

“Don’t overthink it. I’ll leave first to avoid being discovered.”

“Mm.”

Duke Yuguo was about to leave when Prince Xian called out to him.

“Imperial Uncle.”

“What is it?”

Prince Xian was silent for a brief moment, then asked earnestly, “Regarding what happened back then, are you concealing anything?”

Eh!

Duke Yuguo’s palm tightened, but his expression remained unchanged, his tone calm as he said, “I’ve already told you everything about what happened back then clearly. Of course I wouldn’t hide anything from you.”

Sincere!

Prince Xian nodded slightly, “Good, I understand.”

Duke Yuguo didn’t linger and quietly withdrew.

Prince Xian stood by that window for a long time.

As if deep in thought!

One hour later, two hours later, three hours later… dawn finally broke!