After Tuoba Zhen’s defeat, the winds in the court began to shift back toward Tuoba Yu. Countless court officials scrambled to send him gifts, fearing they might not establish connections with the future emperor in time. Tuoba Yu felt joy in his heart, though his face remained calm. In his view, everything he had achieved today was entirely due to his own efforts, and had nothing to do with these sycophantic officials. However, there was one exception. Therefore, he specially arranged a banquet at Wangjiang Tower to entertain Prime Minister Li and his daughter.

Inside the luxuriously decorated private room, Li Xiaoran smiled and said, “Seventh Prince, you need not be so courteous. Being able to serve you is also my blessing.”

Tuoba Yu smiled slightly. This old fox had been sitting on the mountain watching tigers fight from start to finish. On the surface he showed favor, but privately never touched even a trace of the power struggle, afraid of being implicated. If not for Li Weiyang’s sake, he wouldn’t even spare him a glance. “Prime Minister Li is too kind. Father Emperor’s imperial edict has not yet been issued, so I am not yet the future heir apparent.”

“Ah, what are you saying, Your Highness? Everyone now knows this is a foregone conclusion! Isn’t that right, Weiyang?” Li Xiaoran said with a beaming smile, looking toward Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang held a wine cup in her hands, merely smiling faintly without confirming or denying.

Tuoba Yu looked at Li Weiyang, his heart full of affection that he deliberately concealed beneath dark depths, yet the faintly visible dim light seemed to carry special meaning.

“Why are you so distracted? The prince personally hosting this banquet is a rare opportunity.” Li Xiaoran was displeased, his tone somewhat reproachful, as if blaming her for not recognizing such honor.

Li Weiyang’s dark eyes gazed steadily at Tuoba Yu without blinking, smiling yet not quite smiling as she said, “Does Your Highness mind?”

“Of course not. I believe that no matter when, the County Princess always stands on my side.” Tuoba Yu smiled as he said this.

Li Xiaoran noticed a strange emotion flowing between the two of them and couldn’t help but sigh, thinking this was truly an ill-fated connection. If only Li Weiyang had been willing to soften back then and listen to him by marrying Tuoba Yu, by now, let alone being a mere county princess, she would already have the position of empress. If Li Weiyang became empress, the Li family would also rise to glory. Though they were already a prime minister’s family, there was still a vast distance from being powerful ministers with overwhelming authority. He was unwilling to accept this. If only he could advance one more step, just one more step—how wonderful that would be!

There was still a chance! Li Changle was ruined, Li Minzhi was still a child—all hope for revitalizing the family rested on Li Weiyang. She had taken a wrong step in the past because she was too young and naive, not understanding the stakes involved. Now everyone could see Tuoba Yu’s feelings for her. If Li Weiyang could… the empress position had already been taken by County Princess Pingting, but securing more benefits for the Li family would be extremely simple. Before coming today, Li Xiaoran had hinted both overtly and covertly, but Li Weiyang deliberately pretended not to understand, completely casting his words aside. He was so angry he could grind his teeth to dust.

When living under someone else’s roof, one must bow one’s head. He didn’t want to trade his daughter for wealth and honor, but since he was the helmsman of the Li family, he had to put the family’s interests first. Even if Li Weiyang was unwilling, he would force her to be willing. Women—once they became someone’s person, everything would fall into place. No matter how clever or capable a woman was, it was all the same. Thinking this, Li Xiaoran proactively toasted Tuoba Yu, “Come, let’s drink another cup.”

Tuoba Yu watched the expressions shifting in Li Xiaoran’s eyes, smiled slightly, and said, “Prime Minister Li, please first.”

The two exchanged cups, but Li Weiyang was clearly distracted, not paying attention to their actions at all. Her gaze passed through the courtyard, looking at a plum blossom tree outside. Snow fell like cotton wadding, strand by strand, landing on the plum blossoms, yet unable to conceal the deep red—it looked brilliantly striking. She couldn’t help but think of that person’s eyes curved in laughter, gentle and affectionate, and inexplicably her heart softened.

Tuoba Yu clearly saw her lost in thought and sneered coldly in his heart. Just then, he suddenly heard a crisp sound of cups and plates. Li Weiyang looked over to see that Li Xiaoran had accidentally dropped his cup. Half his sleeve was wet, dripping with a long string of water droplets. He himself seemed stunned and laughed, “I was so happy for a moment that I drank a few cups too many. Your Highness, please don’t take offense!”

Tuoba Yu naturally wouldn’t blame him and smiled, “Someone come, change the Prime Minister’s cup.” A maid immediately responded from outside, coming in to change Li Xiaoran’s cup. Li Weiyang glanced at them and sneered coldly in her heart, though her face wore a faint smile.

Li Xiaoran swayed as he stood up and said, “Why do I feel my head getting heavier and heavier? Alas, when one gets old, one becomes useless—I’m like this after just three to five cups.”

Tuoba Yu seemed somewhat surprised and stood up as well, “This… should I send someone to escort you back first?”

Li Weiyang’s eyes swept across Li Xiaoran’s face several times before she smiled, “Isn’t father able to drink a thousand cups without falling?”

Li Xiaoran’s body suddenly swayed, his hands trembling involuntarily, unable to control himself as he lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze. “Today I really drank too much. Very well, I’ll go rest in the side room for a while.”

Li Weiyang’s eyes swept over Li Xiaoran once more, and she laughed lightly, “Father, you really have worked hard.”

Li Xiaoran couldn’t help but look at her in astonishment, almost believing his thoughts had been seen through.

Tuoba Yu’s eyes surged with hidden currents as he looked at Li Weiyang with a smile and said, “Someone come, escort the Prime Minister to the adjacent side room to rest.”

Li Xiaoran dared not look at Li Weiyang’s expression again. He frowned slightly as a maid hurried forward to help him fasten his cloak, lifted the curtain, and someone had already opened an oil-paper umbrella to shield him from the wind and snow. Li Xiaoran then walked out of the private room.

The moment the curtain lifted, a burst of winter cold air rushed in, accidentally drilling into one’s heart and stabbing straight to the bones. Li Weiyang raised her eyes to look at that person’s retreating figure. Li Xiaoran’s steps were somewhat quick, his posture slightly staggering, as if he truly had drunk too much, yet he walked so fast, as if ghosts were chasing him from behind.

Li Weiyang sneered coldly, lowered her head to play with the cup in her hands, her voice carrying a trace of faint coolness, “For a while, I resented him very much.”

Li Xiaoran always liked to sacrifice others to achieve his own wealth and honor, but why should she be destined to be his sacrifice? On what grounds? As a father, what had he contributed to her? He always claimed it was for the family, but the family’s glory was always enjoyed by men, while women were expected to sacrifice themselves. If she didn’t agree, he would say she was ungrateful and treacherous. If not for the fact that he was Minzhi’s biological father and Old Madam’s son, why would she have tolerated him for so long?

“And now?” Tuoba Yu asked thoughtfully. At this moment, his features were handsome, his eyes like deep pools, the emotion in his pupils seemingly about to burst forth the next moment and burn everything to ashes.

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “For someone I don’t care about, why would there be resentment?”

Her voice was very soft, very soft, yet carried an iron-clad coldness. Indeed, if she had never placed this person in her heart at all, how could she become angry because of his every action? Li Weiyang kept Li Xiaoran around only for Old Madam Li’s repeated pleas. If he continued being so thoughtless, using his father’s name to lecture people, don’t blame her for being impolite.

Tuoba Yu didn’t pursue the question further. Looking at Li Weiyang, his eyes and brows carried a smile, yet that smile seemed to contain some unknown meaning. “Let’s not speak of this anymore. That I have today is all your achievement. Come, I toast you first.”

Li Weiyang’s eyes and brows remained calm, not infected with even a trace of excitement. “Your Highness speaks too highly. Weiyang has done nothing—everything is Your Highness’s own achievement.”

From being made a prince, Tuoba Yu’s position had become very secure. Add to that the Fifth Prince, the Crown Prince, and Tuoba Zhen falling one after another, it seemed only he remained qualified to obtain the throne. Everything had gone so smoothly—no wonder so many people were scrambling to curry favor and ingratiate themselves. Even Li Xiaoran couldn’t sit still.

Tuoba Yu looked at Li Weiyang and said, “Just now, you were distracted the whole time. What were you looking at?”

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “I was looking at the plum blossoms outside. Look, how brilliantly they bloom.”

Tuoba Yu followed her gaze and smiled slightly, “Such beautiful flowers wither when spring comes and all things revive—truly a pity. If you like them, I can have someone specially cultivate them for you…”

Li Weiyang glanced at him and said, “Your Highness, some things cannot be kept just because you want to keep them. Why go to such trouble?”

These words seemed irrelevant, but Tuoba Yu’s heart suddenly jumped, almost believing Li Weiyang had seen through his thoughts. He forced a smile and said, “Weiyang, sometimes what you say truly puzzles me. Why do you never let me see your true heart?”

Li Weiyang glanced at him and said, “Oh? Does Your Highness want to see my true heart? But I don’t even know if I have one—how can I take it out to show you?”

Tuoba Yu’s smile slowly turned cold. “No, you do—of course you do! It’s just that all your heart has been given to him, so you’ve never truly looked at me! Weiyang, what way am I inferior to him? In terms of status, position, power, and devotion to you, I dare say no one in the world can surpass me. I’ve loved you for so long, but why would you rather be a county princess with an empty title than be my imperial consort? Am I so detestable to you?”

Li Weiyang put down her cup, her tone gaining three parts coldness. “Your Highness, I think we’ve already discussed this question. No matter how many times you ask, my answer will be the same—I don’t like you. It’s that simple.”

Don’t like? Ha, could a simple phrase of not liking erase his feelings? He loved her so deeply, yet she dismissed him with just such a sentence! Tuoba Yu stared at her, his face slowly shrouded in loneliness. “Do you know that after Mother Consort died, I lost interest in everything, but to win you, I walked step by step to where I am today.”

“To win me?” Li Weiyang suddenly laughed as if hearing some joke.

Tuoba Yu frowned. “What are you laughing at?!”

Li Weiyang slowly sighed and said, “No, Your Highness, you’ve been deceiving yourself all along. You’ve killed so many people along the way, done so many things—it wasn’t for me, but for yourself. You want to be emperor. Even though you’ve never been willing to admit it, always acting indifferent, ask yourself—did you truly fight for this throne for my sake?”

Tuoba Yu’s expression turned ugly, his pitch-black eyes mixed with anger. “You can refuse to accept it, but you cannot deny my feelings!”

Li Weiyang smiled lightly. “If I asked you now to give up the throne, be with me, and leave the capital forever—would you be willing?”

Tuoba Yu’s heart shook, a strange sense of pain quickly surging up. Yet he couldn’t explain what this feeling was, and unconsciously said, “Why?”

He didn’t understand. Right now everything was under control, the throne was almost his—as long as he ascended, he would no longer need Prince Chaoyang or County Princess Pingting. Then he could personally present this entire realm to Li Weiyang. Which woman wouldn’t love such glory? No matter how cold she was, she should know that leaving the capital meant abandoning everything she had worked so hard to obtain!

Li Weiyang looked at him, her smile carrying a trace of mockery. “Don’t ask me why. Just answer whether you would agree.”

Tuoba Yu’s heart sank, his body trembled, a chill seeping from his back. He immediately said, “Weiyang, there’s absolutely no need for this—”

Li Weiyang withdrew her smile, speaking steadily sentence by sentence. “So you see, between the throne and me, you love the realm more. So don’t keep saying you seized this throne for my sake—I can’t bear that responsibility.” Everyone must take responsibility for their choices. Tuoba Yu appeared very strong on the outside, but inside he was someone afraid of responsibility. He was unwilling to bear the burden of killing, so he always pretended to have no interest in the throne. He was unwilling to carry infamy, so he always played the carefree prince, subconsciously turning a blind eye to everything Consort De did. When pushed to the wall, he used her as a shield, but was actually deceiving himself, numbing all his feelings—including guilt, resentment, and the desire for revenge. As if everything he did became justified as long as it was for her, Li Weiyang.

This person was truly too complex. At first, even she hadn’t truly seen through him, thinking he truly loved her to the extreme. But after asking that question just now, she could be certain that in his heart, the throne was fundamentally extremely important. He schemed and strived, giving his all—on the surface for her, but in his true subconscious, it was still for power and position.

Hearing these words, Tuoba Yu felt as if a cold wind had penetrated his bones, chillingly thorough. He slowly moved closer to her and said, “Li Weiyang, you say these things only because you don’t love me, so you want to hurt me, attack me, even use abandoning the throne to force me! You clearly know how much I’ve sacrificed, that I’m finally so close to it—there’s absolutely no need to give up. If you feel this throne stands between us, after I ascend, I’ll find ways to depose Pingting and give you the title you want!”

Depose County Princess Pingting and give her status?! Li Weiyang suddenly wanted to laugh. Look—men all held the same ideas. Prince Chaoyang had been greatly helpful in Tuoba Yu’s struggle for the throne, so he married County Princess Pingting, yet never treated her well, and even planned to depose her later to marry the woman he loved. Using someone and then ruthlessly kicking them aside—what difference was there between this behavior and Tuoba Zhen’s? It was exactly the same! Unfortunately, she, Li Weiyang, disdained being Li Changle and would absolutely never interfere in others’ marriages. He married County Princess Pingting yet greedily wanted more, putting on an affectionate act before her—it only made her extremely disgusted!

“Tuoba Yu, you keep saying you love me. But if you truly loved me, where were you when your mother consort humiliated me like that? If you truly loved me, where were you when I was schemed against and forced into a marriage alliance? If you truly loved me, how could you have married County Princess Pingting for the sake of a mere throne? Tuoba Yu, you should be honest with yourself—you fight for the throne not for me, but because deep in your bones you want the throne.” Li Weiyang’s gaze gradually turned icy, even the last trace of smile disappearing from her face.

Tuoba Yu sneered coldly. “Weiyang, no matter what you say, I won’t change myself. I truly love you—everything I’ve done is to win you.”

Seeing his obstinate delusion, Li Weiyang gently shook her head. “Tuoba Yu, County Princess Pingting truly loves you. Why can’t you see her goodness, always fixated on me? My appearance is inferior to hers, my birth inferior to hers—my hands are even stained with blood, and I have a heart you’ll never warm. How long can your fondness for me last? If one day you truly become emperor, your harem will have all kinds of beauties. To win over your ministers, you can’t neglect any of them. How much attention could you spare for me then? I’m different from them—I can share anything with others, except my husband. I won’t share him with anyone. Now I’ve finally let go of past burdens and can truly move forward, but you insist on dragging me back into that hopeless life! I won’t become your caged bird. Since you say you love me, can you set me free?”

Everyone is selfish—beautiful things, desired things, they try every means to grip in their palms, never letting go even unto death. But truly loving someone—shouldn’t that mean making them happy? Like Sun Yanjun, no matter what she did, it was to make the person she loved happy. For his smile, she could do anything. If Tuoba Yu truly loved her, why couldn’t he let her go?

Tuoba Yu looked at her, his eyes slowly revealing a sorrowful expression. “Do you think I haven’t tried? Do you know that after Mother Consort died, I suddenly became a target for everyone—so many people watching me, looking for my mistakes? But I endured it all. Whenever I couldn’t hold on, I would tell myself that as long as I persevered, one day you would come to my side.”

Li Weiyang looked at him and sighed. Though Tuoba Yu couldn’t bear to part with the throne, his feelings for her had always been genuine. She could refuse to accept them, but there was no need to trample on these feelings. This was why she had always yielded—because she knew he had never deceived her. Thinking this, she softened her tone and said, “The reason you think this way is because Consort De always opposed you being with me, even obstructing us in every way. Ask yourself—the more she obstructed, didn’t your rebellious spirit grow stronger? Your love for me isn’t pure—it’s mixed with too many things even you can’t explain clearly. How can you expect me to accept it?”

Tuoba Yu’s expression became confused, his dust-covered heart suspended, swaying back and forth uncertainly. He didn’t know how to answer her. He knew nothing—what did everything she said mean?! He looked at her—those cool eyes, that pure white face, everything he had dreamed of night after night. He loved her. He had always told himself he was striving for her sake. Now she had completely negated everything he had done. It was unbelievable, as if his dreams had collapsed in an instant. Why? He had always loved her so, so much! He stepped forward, and Li Weiyang suddenly smelled a penetrating fragrance on him.

She instinctively stepped back. He continued forward, almost half-embracing her, using an absolutely dominant posture to press her lightly against the table. That intense fragrance from his body became increasingly strong as he drew near. Li Weiyang frowned. “Tuoba Yu, what are you doing?”

Tuoba Yu’s tone was very light. “Everything you’ve said is just to make me let go, to let you live in harmony with that person, isn’t it?”

Li Weiyang opened her mouth, wanting to deny it, but that penetrating scent made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable. She glanced outside, subconsciously about to speak. But Tuoba Yu smiled and said, “Are you looking for your maid? I found a way to dismiss her just now—”

Li Weiyang’s eyes instantly turned icy. “Tuoba Yu, I always thought you were a gentleman. Though you compete for the throne like Tuoba Zhen, you’ve always had principles, haven’t you? Can you actually do such despicable things?”

Tuoba Yu slowly smiled, tears glinting in his eyes—such sorrow, yet his grip was strong, not allowing her to break free. “Weiyang, why have I become like this today? In the past, I refused to compete for the throne, yet Tuoba Zhen saw me as a rival. I showed mercy, yet the Crown Prince and Empress forced my mother consort to death. When I had nothing, it was you who told me to be ruthless, to compete, to stop at nothing. Now I’ve abandoned my conscience, abandoned my true nature, yet you don’t want me anymore. Why? Because of what you just said—I won’t give up the throne? Or do you think I loved you more just to spite Mother Consort? No, perhaps these are all true, but my feelings for you are also true. Yet you won’t accept me—the reason is that you’ve fallen for someone else, you like that person—”

All his efforts had only earned her heartlessness and betrayal—before this, he had thought Li Weiyang at least had some feelings for him, but later learned she was merely using him, using his status, his ambition to make him her tool!

Li Weiyang, you’re too clever—so clever you even calculated my heart, but you don’t know how much pain I’m in!

You used me against the Jiang family, against Tuoba Zhen—I knew it all, but I always pretended ignorance, willingly letting you use me, only hoping you could give me even the slightest response. But you didn’t! Since that’s the case, I won’t let you leave either. Even if winning you, possessing you can only earn your hatred, it doesn’t matter. If I can’t exchange it for intense love, better it becomes everlasting hate! I want to be forever the most important person in your heart, surpassing Li Minde!

Li Weiyang tried to push him away, but he increased his force. His originally gentle, calm eyes instantly turned sharp. “I know you’re cautious and careful. If the drug was in the wine or food, you would certainly discover it. But what if I carry it on myself? You’ve always been guarding against your father, afraid he would sell you out, never imagining I would be so base as to drug you, right? In your heart, I’ve never been that kind of person, have I? But this is the first and only time in my life I’ve done something so despicable.” His voice was slightly hoarse yet carried a trace of low, ambiguous allure, softly echoing in her ear.

Li Weiyang looked at him coldly. Yes, she had used him, but she had stated it clearly—mutual benefit, nothing more. Now he wore this victim’s face to blame her? Wasn’t that too laughable? Hadn’t he gained benefits? Hadn’t he secretly rejoiced—

His hand had already reached for her clothing ties. Li Weiyang didn’t struggle, just stood there fixedly, her black eyes like ice and snow. Though they clearly reflected his image, it was as if she saw nothing at all. She said softly, “Stop. I don’t want you to look too ugly.”

Tuoba Yu didn’t understand what she meant. However, Li Weiyang suddenly pushed him away. He looked at himself incredulously, sitting on the ground, his body accidentally knocking over nearby fine wine and delicacies that splashed everywhere, even staining his sleeves.

Li Weiyang said slowly, “County Princess Pingting, you should help your prince back properly. He’s drunk.”

The curtain lifted, and County Princess Pingting stood outside the door. Her gaze met Tuoba Yu’s, inexplicably carrying a trace of trembling. Then she quickly walked over, trying to help Tuoba Yu up, but was violently pushed away by him. “Get lost!”

Before coming, Tuoba Yu had already taken an antidote, so he could resist the narcotic fragrance. But County Princess Pingting had changed the drug and secretly sent it to Li Weiyang—this had clearly become a farce. Tuoba Yu found it hard to imagine where County Princess Pingting got such audacity to dare join hands with Li Weiyang against him!

County Princess Pingting’s beautiful face streamed with tears. “Your Highness, you’re drunk. Let me help you back.” When Tuoba Yu pushed her away, his hand accidentally landed on broken porcelain shards, cut and bleeding profusely. But he stared at her deadly, those eyes originally as pure and quiet as moonlight, now filled with hatred—and that hatred was all directed at County Princess Pingting.

Pingting did this entirely out of worry that Tuoba Yu would be harmed. If he truly did something irreversible, Li Weiyang wouldn’t forgive him. If the matter became big, it would only damage Tuoba Yu’s reputation. He had worked so hard to reach this point—could she watch his everything be destroyed in an instant? So she had bribed the maid to secretly change his drug—she truly had no selfish motives. If Tuoba Yu liked any other woman in this world, she could endure the pain and let him marry her, even yield this position. But Li Weiyang had never loved him—such forcing would only make things worse! Knowing her actions might bring his resentment, facing such eyes, her heart still ached too much to lift her head.

Li Weiyang glanced at these two, couldn’t help shaking her head, and walked toward the door. The moment the curtain lifted, Tuoba Yu watched Li Weiyang’s retreating figure and suddenly laughed loudly. “Weiyang, one day you will be mine! Even if you can refuse me, think about your mother, your brother—can they refuse?”

This was a threat, completely undisguised.

Li Weiyang curved her lips. What love unable to free itself—wasn’t it still bullying based on power, doing as one pleased?!

If she wasn’t strong enough, she would only be bullied and coerced.

Li Weiyang turned back to look at Tuoba Yu with completely unfamiliar eyes, cold to the point of finality. “Your Highness, our alliance ends here, severed cleanly. I will no longer be your friend!”

Tuoba Yu froze—she wanted to completely break with him, part ways?! He couldn’t help but try to stand, but fell back to the ground. Pingting held back tears, wanting to help but not daring.

“Tuoba Yu, you’d better remember—” Li Weiyang looked coldly into his eyes. “I don’t like threats. Also, that position looks close to you, but you’ll never sit on it in this lifetime. If you don’t believe me, shall we make a wager?”

With that, she smiled slightly and turned to leave.

Tuoba Yu clenched his fists. Li Weiyang, one day I’ll make you submit! One day I’ll sit on that position!

Li Weiyang exited the door to see Zhao Yue’s anxious face rushing over. She smiled and said, “No need to explain—I know everything.”

Zhao Yue looked Li Weiyang up and down, concerned. “Miss, are you alright?”

Li Weiyang shook her head. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”

“We’re not waiting for the master?” Zhao Yue was somewhat surprised.

“Him? Right now he should be quite drunk, but tomorrow morning he’ll wake up.” Li Weiyang sneered coldly and boarded the carriage.

Early the next morning, Li Xiaoran saw Tuoba Yu before the imperial hall and wanted to approach and greet him. However, Tuoba Yu was warmly surrounded by a group of officials—he couldn’t get a word in. Thinking of yesterday’s failure, anxiety rose in his heart. This court session, the Emperor had summoned every official in the capital without exception—this must be to announce the Crown Prince selection!

If Tuoba Yu became Crown Prince today, he would be even harder to please in the future! That dead girl Weiyang, truly more trouble than she’s worth! Thinking this, seeing the confident smile on Tuoba Yu’s face, he grew even more angry with Li Weiyang. If not for Old Madam taking Tan Shi and Minzhi back to their hometown for family visits a month ago, he would definitely force the old lady to properly manage that girl!

On the dragon throne, the Emperor sat with imposing dignity. After performing the sovereign-minister courtesies, Prince Chaoyang stepped forward with a smile. “Your Majesty, now that the position of heir apparent has remained vacant, I fear it will shake the foundation of the state. The Crown Prince selection should be established as soon as possible!” As Tuoba Yu’s father-in-law, he naturally hoped the Emperor would confer the title quickly and announce it to the world—then his precious daughter would become Crown Princess.

The Emperor glanced at Tuoba Yu. His face was very respectful, his attitude neither arrogant nor servile, neither humble nor haughty, yet he couldn’t hide the certainty in his eyes. The Emperor sneered coldly in his heart and slowly spoke, “I have long had this intention. Announce the edict.”

All civil and military officials knelt to receive the edict, the momentum grand for a moment. The Chief Eunuch of Ceremonies brought forth a scroll of imperial decree. Tuoba Yu saw this and revealed a trace of smile. Weiyang, do you see? I’m about to become Crown Prince. Can you refuse me, can you resist imperial decree and heavenly will?

“By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees: I ascended the throne in youth and have now passed several decades, for which I am grateful to heaven. However, with advancing age, regarding state affairs, I have the will but lack the strength, and my time is short. To prevent the realm being without a master when I depart, and mindful that the nation has many excellent successors and talented individuals, I hereby establish an heir to strengthen the foundation of the state. Eighth Imperial Prince Tuoba Cong is handsome and studious, possessing outstanding talent, noble character, and greatly resembles my person—he will surely be able to undertake the great succession. Today I confer upon Tuoba Cong the title of Crown Prince. All imperial princes and ministers shall assist him to strengthen court discipline. Additionally, I confer upon Duke Fuguo, Ji Kang, the additional position of Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince, to fully assist the Crown Prince. So decreed!”

Everyone was completely stunned, looking at the usually unremarkable Eighth Prince and Ji Kang, the always silent brother of Consort Rou in court, as the two stepped out from the crowd with smiles to kowtow in thanks for the decree. People were still in tremendous shock—the great hall was silent as death.

When Prince Chaoyang and Li Xiaoran heard the three words “Eighth Imperial Prince,” they had already frozen. By the time they heard the end, even their mouths hung open. And Tuoba Yu—his entire person knelt in place in shock, the smile still on his face unable to fade. Father Emperor had actually passed the throne to the Eighth Prince who had never been outstanding—his imperial brother! Watching Tuoba Cong give thanks, watching the Emperor’s face reveal a loving father’s smile, Tuoba Yu’s whole person felt struck by lightning, unable to believe this reality! Why? How could this be! This was—

In a flash of insight, he understood everything. The Emperor had always watched them fight each other while constantly reclaiming power himself—from those two hundred thousand troops to direct command of the Imperial Guards, even including the five hundred thousand troops in Duke Jiangguo’s hands! It was all theater! All these years, the Emperor had always favored him, given him hope, made him think he enjoyed great imperial grace, making the Crown Prince and Tuoba Zhen full of jealous hatred. But in reality? The Emperor liked him, but the person he loved more was the Eighth Prince! So he watched them kill each other, even deliberately giving him those two hundred thousand troops, stirring up all this frenzied strife. Yet no matter what they did, the Eighth Prince never participated, only stood quietly aside, disguised as a weak prince, calmly watching!

In his mind, a childhood scene suddenly flashed—at that time, he had once seen Father Emperor holding Consort Rou, sitting in a pavilion with not a single maid around. They were talking, and Consort Rou called Father Emperor by his personal name. This memory was very vague, but somehow now surfaced clearly. He finally understood why Father Emperor suddenly neglected her after Consort Rou was persecuted. He finally comprehended why, despite all the palace upheavals, Consort Rou always stood unshaken. Because His Majesty’s most beloved woman was Consort Rou! And the son he most hoped would ascend was Tuoba Cong! Laughable—they had all fought desperately, merely preparing the way for Tuoba Cong’s ascension! If Father Emperor truly intended to pass the throne to him, how could he let him bear the infamy of persecuting his brothers?

His hands were already stained with blood, while his Eighth Brother remained clean and spotless from start to finish, quietly learning the way of emperors, the way of rulers! The Emperor himself had ascended by killing his way through blood, but for his successor, he provided every protection and care! All the signs had been there—he had just been too anxious, too foolish, overlooking the truth right before his eyes! Ha, haha, too laughable, simply—too laughable! Tuoba Yu’s body swayed, nearly fainting, a bloody taste surging in his throat. He bit down hard to keep from spitting it out on the spot.

In his originally confused mind, he suddenly recalled Li Weiyang’s words from yesterday.

She said that though he was close to that position, unfortunately he would never sit on it!

So she had always known—he was a chess piece, only the player was the Emperor!

No, more accurately, he thought she had won over Consort Rou, but now it seemed Li Weiyang’s true ally was the Emperor—

People stepped forward to congratulate Tuoba Cong. No matter how surprised they were, they had to accept this reality. Because Tuoba Yu had lost imperial favor and only held those two hundred thousand troops from Duke Luoguo’s household, while the Eighth Prince’s sister, the Ninth Princess, was about to marry into Duke Luoguo’s household. Would Duke Luoguo be willing to commit treason to support Tuoba Yu? Absolutely impossible—so this succession struggle’s victor was decided. Tuoba Yu had instantly fallen from power’s peak, utterly defeated with no chance of recovery!

The ways of the world are fickle, human feelings cold and warm. Officials who had just been fawning over him all swarmed to curry favor with the new Crown Prince! And in the crowd, Tuoba Cong’s face wore a gentle smile, yet those sharp eyes were identical to the Emperor’s.

Tuoba Yu’s heart filled with utmost hatred—he hated the Emperor, hated Li Weiyang, but hated himself most of all. He wanted to forcibly restrain himself, but his vision darkened, his body swaying unsteadily. Li Weiyang, oh Li Weiyang, so your revenge waited here for me—without spending even the slightest effort, you made me taste falling from the clouds to hell, yet I can’t say a single word because this was all my own choice! You truly have a ruthless heart!

“Your Highness, you should go congratulate the Eighth Prince—no, the Crown Prince!” Prince Chaoyang was after all experienced and cunning. The Eighth Prince had just ascended to Crown Prince—there would still be opportunities in the future, no need to be so anxious. However, when he reminded Tuoba Yu, he saw his complexion extremely pale and ghastly, terrible to behold. He quickly said, “Your Highness?!”

Tuoba Yu finally spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Prince Chaoyang was shocked to the extreme. However, Tuoba Yu covered his chest and suddenly began laughing wildly—

In the carriage, Li Weiyang looked toward the capital in the distance and sighed. She hadn’t wished to embarrass Tuoba Yu, though she had always known the Emperor’s intentions. In the past, after Tuoba Zhen eliminated the Crown Prince and Tuoba Yu, he similarly understood the Emperor’s thoughts, but he chose to eliminate the Eighth Prince as well because his heart was cold enough. He had never received paternal love from the Emperor, so he didn’t care and could plot to remove the still-unfledged Eighth Prince before the Emperor established a Crown Prince. But Tuoba Yu wouldn’t—he was too high-minded, too proud. This personality had countless ties to the Emperor’s deliberate cultivation. His greatest difference from Tuoba Zhen was that he couldn’t withstand so many failures, couldn’t endure so much deception, especially from the Emperor—his most respected father, the person he thought truly loved him.

Just as Consort Lian, who enjoyed endless favor, certainly never imagined she was merely a target the Emperor used to protect Consort Rou, like all those vanished favored consorts before her. In this world, everyone desperately protected their beloved—only Tuoba Yu never imagined he wasn’t the one protected and beloved.

“Miss, must we leave the capital?” Zhao Yue asked in confusion. “We can bring Old Madam and the young master back now!”

Li Weiyang smiled gently. “When the cunning hare dies, the hunting dog is cooked—does this principle only apply to others? Father’s actions have long been seen by His Majesty. He won’t like this kind of fence-sitter. So his time as Prime Minister has reached its end. Why should we be bound together with him and suffer?”

Zhao Yue was shocked. “Could it be Miss made Old Madam return home to visit relatives in order to—”

Li Weiyang slowly looked at the scenery outside the window. “I want them to be safe.” Old Madam, Tan Shi, Minzhi—they were all her relatives, yet she had always maintained distance from them, afraid that because of her, someone would harm them. But from now on, she could properly care for them, look after them, without so many concerns. Li Weiyang thought this and couldn’t help smiling. She had already left a secret signal for Minde to come find her once he finished his affairs. She would wait. Yes, so many years had passed—there would be no more entanglement, sorrow, or despair. Before her lay ordinary, beautiful days, didn’t they?

The carriage traveled for two full days before reaching the estate Li Weiyang had prepared early. Zhao Nan said from outside, “Miss, we’ve arrived.”

Li Weiyang descended from the carriage and quickly walked toward the estate. But when she reached the entrance, she suddenly stopped. Zhao Yue quickly followed, saw the scene in the courtyard, then froze completely. Then she cried out loudly, “Elder Brother, Elder Brother!”

Zhao Nan sensed something wrong and rushed over. Seeing the scene inside the gate—Bai Zhi’s corpse and blood everywhere—Li Weiyang clenched her fists and walked into the courtyard. Bai Zhi, Mo Zhu, Nanny Luo—one by one, all her most familiar people. Inside the house, Old Madam sat rigidly in her seat, her chest already pierced through by a sharp blade. Yet Tan Shi and Minzhi were nowhere to be seen. Li Weiyang covered her eyes with her hands as hot tears flowed silently through her fingers. She had never wept, no matter how painful, how difficult the road—she was fearless and undaunted. But now—she suddenly turned, quickly rushed out, opening room after room, but couldn’t find Tan Shi and Minzhi anywhere. Those memories suddenly returned.

“Elder Sister—” Before sending them off, Minzhi had called to her affectionately.

She had only looked at him coldly, then turned to Tan Shi and said, “Mother, take good care of yourself.”

Tan Shi looked at her daughter reluctantly. “You’re really not coming with us?”

She shook her head, but suddenly felt her skirt being pulled. Looking down, chubby little Minzhi hugged her leg. Tan Shi feared she’d be angry and hurried to pull him away, but little Minzhi just held her skirt, refusing to let go, big tears falling. She had clearly softened then but wouldn’t comfort him, gently pushing him away. He accidentally fell to the ground and cried loudly. She bent to pick him up. He suddenly stopped crying and forcefully circled her neck, his body still shaking, tears glinting, but he didn’t wail. She wiped his tears and finally said harshly, “If you cry again, elder sister will never visit you.”

Yet Minzhi still clung on, unwilling to let go. Tan Shi couldn’t bear to see Li Weiyang in difficulty and finally carried him away, looking back at Weiyang with reddened eyes. “We’ll wait for you—”

Li Weiyang nodded, looking toward Old Madam in the distant carriage. Old Madam only smiled at her faintly, having passed the age for unrestrained tears yet remaining intelligent and wise. Hearing Li Weiyang request they leave the capital, she knew the weather was about to change. To preserve the Li family’s last bloodline, Old Madam had no choice but to make this decision.

The curtain fell, and she could no longer see her relatives’ faces… Li Weiyang thought they would meet again soon.

She never imagined heaven would deal her a fatal blow at her happiest moment.

Finally finding that room, Li Weiyang pushed it open forcefully. Tan Shi lay on the ground, already stopped breathing. Inside on the bed, a blood scent still lingered that wouldn’t disperse. On the table lay a shawl, brand new, embroidered with bamboo—Tan Shi had said she would make her a shawl for winter, very warm.

Li Weiyang froze, unconsciously staggering. That threshold, so low, so low, yet tripped her. Just a little more, just about there… She reached forward, her fingertips almost touching Tan Shi’s face, but her limbs felt filled with lead, unable to move. The next moment she collapsed to the ground—so disheveled, so wretched—unable to stand no matter what.

Zhao Yue was similarly streaming with tears, desperately trying to help her up, but somehow Li Weiyang seemed to have lost every bit of strength and couldn’t be lifted at all. Zhao Yue was terrified. She had never seen Miss like this. No matter what happened, she was always so composed, so calm. But now, she seemed about to collapse—

“Miss—” Zhao Yue called to her fearfully.

Li Weiyang didn’t move, as if she had even forgotten to cry.

Zhao Yue called Li Weiyang repeatedly, but she never spoke. Zhao Yue’s heart plunged into bottomless darkness. Was Miss—

Just then, suddenly a sound made Li Weiyang’s expression change.

“It’s crying! It’s Minzhi’s crying! Isn’t it! Zhao Yue, did you hear it?! It’s Minzhi!” Li Weiyang suddenly stood up, as if coming back to life. She gripped Zhao Yue’s arm tightly, demanding an answer.

Zhao Yue was startled. She looked around but saw no trace of Fourth Young Master. “Miss… perhaps…” Perhaps you heard wrong—but she dared not say it.

Li Weiyang released her and began searching everywhere like someone possessed. Zhao Yue watched worriedly, thinking Li Weiyang couldn’t bear the shock and was acting this way. However, in the end, Li Weiyang finally found the corner behind the artificial mountain. She rushed over and pulled out the trembling child in one motion. “Minzhi! Minzhi!”

Zhao Yue looked on in shock. She glanced at Zhao Nan—both their eyes held disbelief. Fourth Young Master had actually hidden in the artificial mountain. How could this be? From the corpses, those assassins had left a day and night ago. Could Minzhi have been hiding here all along without moving at all?

Li Minzhi’s small body was covered in dirt, his pitch-black eyes full of tears. The moment he saw Li Weiyang, his eyes showed no reaction, still carefully, softly crying, curled into a ball. Li Weiyang held him tightly, like embracing the most precious treasure. Minzhi, Minzhi, thank goodness you’re alive, thank you for still being alive—

A tear fell from tightly closed eyes, ultimately becoming a stream down her face. She had kept only Zhao Yue and Zhao Nan, dispatching all other guards here for protection, yet still couldn’t protect them. Why? Who exactly?! Who exactly killed Old Madam and her birth mother?!

Thirteen riders rushed into the estate at full gallop. Yuan Lie returned like the wind, so hurried he couldn’t even attend to his wounds. To assassinate Duke Jiangguo, he had expended all his effort, adding countless wounds to his body. But what did that matter? As long as it made Weiyang happy, no matter how many injuries, as long as he kept this life to return and see her! Originally heading toward the capital, after receiving the news he immediately turned his horse around, rushing toward this secret estate. However, the moment he dismounted, he saw Zhao Nan kneeling on the ground. Immediately, his heart surged with an ominous premonition, unprecedented fear. He didn’t even pause to wonder, “What happened?!”

“Miss… Miss took Fourth Young Master and left… This servant has searched everywhere nearby, even returned to the capital to inquire, but… found nothing… No one knows where Miss went—” Zhao Nan’s face showed infinite guilt and remorse. After the incident, Miss seemed to calm down, wholeheartedly caring for Fourth Young Master. He thought Miss had accepted this reality and relaxed his vigilance. He should have realized earlier that beneath Li Weiyang’s calm exterior, she had already resolved to find the enemy who killed Old Madam and Madam! And Zhao Yue had also vanished without a trace—she must have followed! He was truly useless, unable even to guard a living person!

At this moment, Zhao Nan didn’t even dare raise his head to look at his master’s face.

She had left.

Without even waiting for him to return—

In that instant, Yuan Lie felt cold all over, trembling throughout. Knowing that person had already abandoned him and gone far, he still couldn’t bear to let go. Slowly, he actually curved his lips into a smile. He gazed firmly toward an unknown distance, black eyes surging with waves, his voice full of tenderness. “Weiyang, I will find you, no matter where you are—”