After Princess Changle heard Zhou Shan finish reading the decree, she completely refused to believe it.

“You dog slave, you must be falsely transmitting the imperial decree!”

With the Princess’s estate surrounded, she had been wholeheartedly waiting for Father Emperor to send troops to rescue her. She had never imagined that what came was not rescue troops, but a decree ordering her death.

This was impossible. Father Emperor loved her so much—how could he possibly order her death!

“Move aside! This palace must enter the palace to see Father Emperor!” Princess Changle shoved Zhou Shan aside.

Zhou Shan sighed. “Your Highness, the Jinlin Guards and common people surrounding the estate outside haven’t dispersed yet.”

Just now when he had read aloud the decree ordering Princess Changle’s death outside the Princess’s estate, the deafening cheers—surely Princess Changle inside the estate had heard them too.

Those common people truly regarded Princess Changle as a calamity, wishing nothing more than to be rid of her quickly.

Princess Changle’s footsteps halted. She glared at Zhou Shan furiously.

Zhou Shan bowed slightly. “Your Highness, you know in your heart that this servant couldn’t possibly falsely transmit an imperial decree. How would this servant have such audacity?”

“This palace doesn’t believe it!” Princess Changle’s eyes flickered, her tone resolute. “In any case, this palace must see Father Emperor!”

Zhou Shan bent his waist even lower. “Your Highness, please don’t make things difficult for this servant. If His Majesty were willing to see you, how could he have issued such a decree?”

Princess Changle froze.

Zhou Shan raised his eyes and looked at the ice-faced Princess Changle, sighing softly. “Your Highness is an incomparably noble imperial princess who has always been most favored by His Majesty. This servant dares to speak plainly—Your Highness should go with dignity. Don’t let things deteriorate to the point where you only invite mockery.”

“You—” Princess Changle didn’t finish cursing. She closed her eyes, a mocking smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

Most favored by His Majesty?

If she were truly Father Emperor’s most beloved person, how could he bear to order her death?

Only now did she vaguely understand. For some reason, Father Emperor needed the lives of women born at the hour of mao on the seventh day of the seventh month of the year Wuchen, yet he had pushed her to the front to take the blame.

No wonder the rumors had intensified more and more. No wonder the court had done nothing to control them…

Stepping onto the stool, the moment her head entered the loop formed by the white silk, Luo Sheng’s words suddenly rang in Princess Changle’s ears: Isn’t “most beloved” simply because there’s no other choice?

Resentment and desolation surged through her heart.

Luo Sheng was right. “Most beloved” was only because there was no other choice.

Now Father Emperor had a daughter born to him by Noble Consort Xiao. In the future he might have many more children. What did she amount to?

When it came down to it, she was no different from her sisters who had died young—just one among many princesses, nothing more.

Did she resent Father Emperor? Of course she did.

But this was an imperial family. Having no father-son relationship in the imperial household was normal. What she resented more was herself—for being blinded by that driftwood-like affection, falling to such an end today.

Luo Sheng was truly clever, having seen through this point for her long ago.

But her A’Sheng wasn’t so clever. Her A’Sheng had died long ago, hadn’t she?

The sound of the stool toppling came. Princess Changle closed her eyes.

The mortal world was too lonely, too cruel. She was going to find A’Sheng now.

After a long while, Zhou Shan ordered people to take down Princess Changle’s corpse. He personally checked for breath before returning to the palace to report.

“It’s already done?” In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Yong’an looked weary, his tone bland as he asked.

Zhou Shan didn’t dare raise his head. “It’s done.”

After a long moment, Emperor Yong’an’s voice came. “That’s good then.”

Zhou Shan remained bowed, silent.

“You may withdraw. We wish to be alone and quiet.”

Zhou Shan quietly withdrew.

Emperor Yong’an sat in the spacious dragon chair, making his recently thinned frame appear even more frail.

Those incompetents who deserved to be killed!

He had only ordered Li Jing to deal with women born on the seventh day of the seventh month of the year Wuchen. Who would have thought that Li Jing, in order not to miss anyone, would actually arrest all seventeen-year-old women? Later it got completely out of control, actually becoming a massacre of all young women in the city. How could this not generate popular resentment?

If these incompetents hadn’t acted recklessly, why would he have needed to sacrifice Changle?

Emperor Yong’an was extremely vexed, but at this moment he couldn’t vent as he pleased.

The situation was deteriorating further. If he lost his composure now, things would be even worse. Fortunately Prince Kaiyang would return soon and should be able to resolve this crisis of Prince Jingbei’s army at the city gates.

As for how to control Prince Kaiyang afterward, he could only deal with that later. Fortunately, having observed coldly all these years, Prince Kaiyang’s thoughts were pure—he didn’t seem to have any ambitions.

Prince Jingbei began attacking the city.

Inside the city, various guards led by the Jinlin Guard and Imperial Guards commanded the Imperial Army to resist.

People’s hearts in the city were in turmoil, shrouded in clouds of sorrow and misery. Even the imperial relatives and honored nobility who usually indulged in pleasures daily had become well-behaved, losing their mood for amusement.

Horn sounds blew. Another battle had begun.

The moat in early summer was dyed red. Dark clouds enveloped both inside and outside the city.

Suddenly hoofbeats thundered like drums. The very earth seemed to shake.

Those attacking the city instinctively turned to look. In the distance, dust flew as countless soldiers and horses surged forward like a tide. On the unfurling banners was written a large character: “Yang.”

The general leading the siege was stunned, then his expression changed dramatically. “Prince Kaiyang! It’s Prince Kaiyang’s Zhaoyang Army!”

The great name of the Zhaoyang Army in the northern regions could be said to be known by all. Saying they struck terror into the hearts of enemies was no exaggeration. Only previously the enemies had been foreign tribes—now they had been replaced by Prince Jingbei’s great army.

The dark mass of soldiers and horses arrived before them in the blink of an eye, banners covering the sky, armor glinting in the sun.

Those defending the city suddenly became bystanders, staring blankly at the fierce fighting below the city.

After who knows how long, the soldiers came to their senses as if from a dream and let out waves of cheers. “Prince Kaiyang has arrived! Prince Kaiyang has arrived!”

Soon someone reported the good news to the palace.

Emperor Yong’an was overjoyed. “Excellent! Continue investigating. Report any developments immediately!”

After a brief but fierce battle outside the city, Prince Jingbei’s side hurriedly retreated back to their camp.

Their own side reported the victory to Emperor Yong’an. After brief contemplation, Emperor Yong’an ordered, “Transmit Our decree—request that Prince Kaiyang establish camp in the capital’s suburbs. After thoroughly defeating Prince Jingbei’s great army, then enter the palace.”

Wei Han, who had already arranged for his subordinates to begin establishing camp, showed no surprise whatsoever upon hearing the oral decree Zhou Shan came to transmit. He said calmly, “Trouble this esteemed official to relay these words: please ask His Majesty to rest assured. When this subject’s younger brother suppresses the rebellion, that is when he will enter the palace.”

When Zhou Shan returned to the palace and relayed these words, Emperor Yong’an rarely showed a trace of a smile.

Seven days later, Wei Han beheaded Prince Jingbei outside the city. Prince Jingbei’s great army was thoroughly defeated.

The city erupted in jubilation.

Emperor Yong’an led the civil and military officials to wait outside the palace gates, personally welcoming the triumphant Prince Kaiyang.

The Zhaoyang Army meanwhile remained encamped in the capital’s suburbs. The decree made no mention whatsoever of allowing the great army to enter the city.

Outside the imposing palace gates, Emperor Yong’an stood at the very front. Behind him stood the Imperial Preceptor and the Grand Secretary, and behind them the civil and military officials arranged by rank.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, a young man wearing silver armor with a blood-red cloak draped over his shoulders strode before Emperor Yong’an.

“This subject’s younger brother greets Imperial Elder Brother.”

“Rise. Eleventh Brother has worked hard.” Emperor Yong’an personally helped up Wei Han, who knelt on one knee.

Wei Han straightened. His gaze fell upon the white-haired Daoist Master Taiguang.

“Imperial Elder Brother, this is the Imperial Preceptor, correct?”

Emperor Yong’an nodded with a smile. “Indeed—”

Before his words had fallen, blade light flashed before his eyes. The Imperial Preceptor’s head flew high into the air.