After the storm had passed, everything began moving in a better direction.

Withdrawing from the Hall of Blessing, they descended the high ceremonial steps and stepped out onto the vast plaza. Looking up, a full moon hung high in the sky; the blood in their veins had not yet cooled, and even standing in the open air at midnight, the cold was not felt.

Duke Chengguo said, “We owe much to Fourth Brother today. Without the Lulong Army appearing like soldiers sent from heaven, Third Brother would have surely had his way.”

Li Chenjian gave a slight bow and said, “The last time His Majesty issued the decree ordering the troops near Xizhou in the borderlands of Youzhou to be placed under the Lulong Army, I kept that in mind. I quietly substituted the elite personal forces and sent them into Youzhou. The Lulong Army is closest to the capital — if called to defend the throne, they could march at any moment, which meant Elder Brother would have nothing to worry about from behind. However, I did not inform Elder Brother in advance, and I beg Elder Brother’s forgiveness. It was simply because this matter was too weighty; the fewer people who knew, the better. Had it reached His Majesty’s ears, I feared it would implicate Elder Brother. And had Third Brother kept to himself, there would have been no need to deploy the Lulong Army at all.”

He had always been meticulous in his affairs, and now he was even more careful. Duke Chengguo raised his hand and said, “Brother need not explain. Your elder brother has no reason to doubt you. I have seen everything you have done for me, and even your sister-in-law has always said that Ji Fu and his wife are people of the highest character, utterly dependable. Still, Youzhou is over a hundred li from the capital; to arrive in time to stop Third Brother, one had to plan a step ahead.” He turned to look at Li Chenjian. “Since your confinement at the side gate, my residence has been continuously receiving intelligence on Third Brother’s movements. That spy — that must have been your doing, yes?”

Li Chenjian confirmed it. “I feared things might erupt suddenly and that Elder Brother would not have time to mobilize forces. Moreover, the Lantern Festival had everyone busy celebrating and their guard lowered. So I had the informant I had placed within Duke Chuguo’s residence transmit all developments to Elder Brother, so that Elder Brother could be prepared.”

Duke Chengguo nodded slowly. “Fourth Brother truly thinks far ahead…”

Yet from this point forward, their identities would undergo a profound transformation, and how much sincerity could be found in the pleasantries exchanged between them now?

Li Chenjian understood well the principle of proper relations between ruler and subject. No amount of words declaring one’s loyalty could compare to the reassurance of actual deeds. He stopped walking, clasped his hands, and said, “Elder Brother, His Majesty has resolved to pass the great throne to you, and it is also time for Ji Fu to retire having accomplished his purpose. During the days I spent confined at the side gate, I felt increasingly that my health is failing and that many things are beyond my strength. Today I drew my sword and fought, and it was a struggle even then. I was thinking — it is time I followed the example of Duke Shuguo. Whether it be the Imperial Guard command or military authority, all of it I will hand over to Elder Brother. I will content myself with returning home to accompany Si Si and live our days in peace… I made her that promise when I was at the side gate.”

Duke Chengguo pursed his lips and was silent for a moment. He understood that this fourth brother was once again demonstrating his loyalty through this gesture. A military man who held no command, living only on his noble title and fiefdom income, would be casting aside all the glory of his former days — and he was only twenty-five; there was truly no need for this.

Although the overall situation was now settled, Duke Chengguo had no wish to earn a reputation for discarding loyal servants once they had served their purpose. He reached out and patted Li Chenjian’s shoulder, saying, “You and I have always been of one mind, brothers through and through. In the days ahead, in the places I cannot see or reach, I will still need you to watch over things for me — why speak of retirement? I know your health is poor; focus on recuperating and you will gradually recover. You have great talent and ability; to confine yourself to the inner courtyard would be a waste of your gifts. You should be serving the court. Your wife is a virtuous woman — if she saw you idle every day, she would certainly worry and grieve for you.”

At the mention of Yun Pan, his gaze softened, and he said with genuine feeling, “Elder Brother, while I was confined at the side gate, Si Si discovered she was with child. I find myself wanting nothing else now but to guard my wife and child, to be with them morning and evening — that would be enough for this lifetime. When I was young, I often followed at Elder Brother’s heels. Father once told our uncle that Ji Fu was born to protect Elder Brother, and I believe that wholeheartedly. If Elder Brother, mindful of the service I have rendered, would ensure the safety of my household in the years to come, that would be the greatest depth of kindness Elder Brother could show Ji Fu.”

Duke Chengguo was moved in his heart. He stopped and looked at him, saying, “I know your thoughts. We have been brothers for decades — can you truly not trust your elder brother? Your family needs no one else’s protection but your own. If you feel you need rest, take some time at home to recover, but do not think of resigning from office. The court inside and out has just been through great upheaval and needs to be stabilized. With you here, Elder Brother feels confident — do you understand what I mean?”

Li Chenjian had genuinely intended to retire, but after this persuasion, he had no choice and could only agree for the time being.

The two brothers moved through the deep palace passages. When they paused at the plaza of the Hall of Purple Court and looked out, along the vast platform’s edge was a drainage channel covered by two-chi-wide carved nine-dragon stone slabs. When they had been young, the four brothers had lined up and walked along the stone slabs one after another — they could not say what was amusing about it, but they had played with great delight.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten years had passed. Yesterday’s moments remained vivid before his eyes, yet of all those who had been there, only the two of them were left.

“What does Elder Brother intend to do with Third Brother?” Li Chenjian asked; in his heart he already knew the answer — there was no keeping him alive. A man like that, even if exiled to the island penal colony, as long as he breathed, would always find a way to strike back.

Duke Chengguo said nothing, walking slowly toward the group of people ahead who were clearing the battlefield.

Everywhere there was blood, soaked deep into the paving bricks, staining them a heavy, dark ink-black. Soldiers and palace servants carried water to wash it away; it was poured out in one great splash, and small tumbling waves surged up against the white marble balustrades. The water foamed and frothed, already dyed red long ago.

After a long while, Duke Chengguo finally turned to him and said, “He is being held at the Court of Judicial Review. Let us go together tomorrow to see him.”

This visit would surely be the final farewell — after seeing him this once, they would never meet again in this lifetime.

Li Chenjian agreed, and knowing he could not return home that night, he sent the attendants at his side back to the residence to inform the madam of his safety and ask her to rest well and not worry about him.

After a night of clearing up, the palace passages gradually returned to their former calm. Li Chenjian emerged from the duty lodgings to see the sun slowly rising above the roof ridges of the Hall of Blessing to the east. Where the palace walls cast their shade, the surroundings remained soaked in shadow, but westward across the center of the plaza, the space had already leapt into brilliant radiance.

A young eunuch, arms tucked, came hurrying forward to announce, “Duke Chengguo invites His Grace to accompany him to the Court of Judicial Review.”

Duke Chengguo was stationed in the Hall of Grand Celebration ahead — the place where civil and military officials held court. From today onward, he would be presiding over all affairs there.

Li Chenjian acknowledged the message and went forward to meet him. The two of them left through the Xuande Gate together, and at the sight of the triple-tiered gate towers, a whole new wave of feeling washed over them.

Duke Chengguo let out a long, slow breath. A new era, an era belonging to him, was about to arrive. He glanced at Li Chenjian, who still wore that same calm, undisturbed expression — no joy, no sorrow, as though victory and defeat were equally ordinary to him. He had returned to his former state: detached and composed, free of ambition and desire, observing the affairs of the mortal world with cool indifference.

Duke Chengguo felt at ease. After all, here was a man who had had the throne practically within his grasp, yet had yielded it to him — what reason could there be to suspect such a brother?

The two rode on horseback to the Court of Judicial Review. Although the Start of Spring had already passed, the prison remained bitterly cold and damp; even in broad daylight, torches burned along the passageways.

A jailer led the way in front. The cells held not only Li Yujian but also the former subordinates who had rebelled alongside him. These men had been defeated and captured, their fighting spirit entirely broken. When they saw the two enter, they one by one turned their heads away, knowing that crying injustice or begging for mercy was useless, and so simply saved their energy.

Li Yujian’s cell was at the far end of the passage. From a distance they could already see him seated in the straw, one hand resting on his knee, head leaning back against the wall, lost in thought. When he noticed someone approaching, he merely raised his eyes and gave them a languid, indifferent glance.

Duke Chengguo said, “Third Brother, how did you come to this end?”

He gave a scornful laugh. “Elder Brother says that as though it were amusing. You and I are the same kind of person — the only difference is that you are outside the cell and I am within.”

If asked who he hated most, he found he did not hate Li Yaojian so much after all. In his heart, this elder brother had never been a formidable opponent. His true adversary had always been Li Chenjian.

So he shifted his gaze to him. “Ji Fu, everything was within your control all along — even the confinement was calculated in advance, was it not?”

Li Chenjian regarded him calmly. “I merely followed the tide of events. Everything was provoked by Third Brother. Having sought what he sought and received what he received, Third Brother ought to have no grievances.”

Li Yujian said that was so. “A gambler must accept defeat. I have no regrets. Only I have always carried a question in my heart — a question I wish to ask you… ask you…” But when the words reached his lips, somehow he could not bring himself to say them.

It was like a beautiful dream: once pierced, one fell straight into an icy abyss, and even the last thread of attachment to the world of the living would perish. Yet not to ask — the doubt would linger in his heart forever. The truest love he had encountered at this late stage of life, which he had cherished and protected with such care — if it had all been a deception, what then could one bear?

He stared at Li Chenjian, struck dumb. Li Chenjian gave a quiet sigh. “Third Brother is so intelligent — in truth, he already has his answer in his heart. Why ask the question at all?”

Li Yujian understood. A bleak smile crossed his face, and he nodded slowly. “It is truly that I was outmatched. This calamity was mine to bear.”

Having been visited, and showing no remorse even at the end, it was plain there was truly no reason to leave this man alive. Duke Chengguo furrowed his brows and said, “Your days are numbered. Reflect on your transgressions in peace.” With that, he turned and left.

Li Chenjian took one last look at him and said, with something like compassion, “In your next life, do not be brothers again. Third Brother, find an ordinary family and live an ordinary life.”

An ordinary life — what a lovely wish that was. Only after weathering the storms of great change did one know the preciousness of the ordinary.

Stepping out through the gates of the Court of Judicial Review, he raised his eyes to see a woman draped in a cloak standing at the foot of the steps. Seeing them approach, she stepped forward and offered a curtsy, saying, “This humble woman pays her respects to the two Dukes.”

Duke Chengguo glanced at Li Chenjian. Li Chenjian introduced her, saying, “This is the daughter of the granary and tea-salt commissioner of the Changping depot, a woman of the Liang family. When her father was wrongly convicted and disgraced, she was consigned to a military camp, and later I found a use for her, placing her within Duke Chuguo’s household.”

Duke Chengguo understood. “She is the one?”

Li Chenjian nodded. “When the time comes to reward merit, I ask that Elder Brother reopen her father’s case and restore the name of Commissioner Liang.”

Duke Chengguo naturally agreed at once, without hesitation.

Liang Huiying stepped gracefully into a curtsy. “This humble woman is deeply grateful to both Dukes.” Then, addressing Li Chenjian, she said, “This woman would like to go in and visit, and begs His Grace’s permission.”

The man inside could no longer pose any threat. Allowing this final meeting would set Li Yujian’s heart at rest; Duke Chengguo raised no objection, and Li Chenjian inclined his head and gave his assent. “Go.”

Liang Huiying offered another bow, watching as they mounted their horses and rode toward the far end of the long street. Then she turned, took the food box from her maidservant’s hands, and ascended the steps of the Court of Judicial Review.

A guard led the way, guiding her deep into the prison. She saw the hunched figure there — his armor removed, his clothes still stained with blood. She recalled the grand confidence with which he had set out, promising her, “Once I succeed, you shall be my empress.” To see him now reduced to a prisoner beneath another’s power stirred in her an indescribable feeling.

She stood there a moment, then stepped forward and called out, “Your Grace.” Hearing that call, Li Yujian jerked upright as though a spring had been triggered, and upon seeing it was her, he could not help but be momentarily stunned.

To be seen in such a wretched, undignified state — he hurriedly gathered himself and smoothed his clothes and hair. “Why have you come?”

“I came to see you,” Liang Huiying said. She crouched down on the other side of the bars, opened the food box, and began to lay out the dishes and pastries.

The whole of Duke Chuguo’s household should by now have been taken under custody, yet she could still come to the prison to see him. He knew in his heart that every suspicion he had harbored was true. Yet what was the point of pursuing it further? Better to preserve a shred of dignity, so that if they ever met again in the next life, neither would feel ashamed.

Liang Huiying poured a cup of wine. Her slender wrists passed through the bars to hold it out before him. She said, “I am deeply grateful for Your Grace’s kindness during this time. Please drink this cup, Your Grace — the prison is cold and damp; let it warm you.”

Li Yujian’s lips moved. He had a thousand words he wished to ask her, yet in the end, he could not open his mouth. He had schemed so cleverly, only to be defeated in the end by a woman — what right did he have to reproach her or demand answers?

He took the wine cup and drained it in one go. A burning thread shot straight down from throat to belly, warming his very organs.

He returned the cup to her. “What are your plans… going forward?”

Liang Huiying lowered her gaze and said, “Once my father’s case is overturned, I wish to bring my family’s remains back for burial in our ancestral grounds. As for myself… I shall take things as they come.”

He nodded. “If you marry again, find a good man. Do not make yourself suffer anymore.”

Liang Huiying lifted her head in surprise when he said this. She saw a glimmer of tears flash through his eyes before he quickly turned his face away. “The dampness in this prison is heavy. A young woman should not be here. Go quickly, go far, and do not come again.”

He had reached a dead end. All lingering attachment and reluctance were now illusions. This ill-fated bond should never have begun. Without her, he would not have been so thoroughly defeated; sometimes he truly could not understand how he, so suspicious by nature, had questioned her once and then never doubted her again. Perhaps it was Heaven’s will — consumed by a personal attachment, greatness had proved forever out of reach. So be it. There was nothing to resent her for. It was all his own fault.

Liang Huiying rose to her feet, smoothed her skirts, and made to leave. He suddenly called out to stop her.

She paused, waiting for him to speak his reproach. Yet no reproach came.

He gripped the bars of the cell, his voice trembling as he asked, “Did you ever care for me? Even for just one moment — did you ever care for me?”

Liang Huiying did not turn back. After a moment of silence she said only, “Your Grace, take care of yourself.”

Something was lodged in her throat, so tight she could barely breathe. Perhaps it was that this cell was too wretched, too dark — she could not remain here even a moment longer.

She did not dare look back at his disappointment. Those who pass through one’s life are ships in the night — they cross paths briefly and then go their separate ways. One must not dwell on it, must not feel guilt. Everything was fate… all of it, fate.

She walked out of the passageway in a hurry, aware that his gaze followed her every step, until she stepped clear of that darkness and walked once more beneath the light of day, only then letting out a long breath.

The heavy gate closed behind her. Her maidservant came forward to support her. “Young Mistress, let us go back.”

She felt suddenly at a loss. Go back — but back to where? Thinking it over carefully, she was relieved to find she still had a way forward. Before entering Duke Chuguo’s household, she had had her own little courtyard.

“Let us go.” She stepped up into the carriage and deliberately had the driver take a roundabout route, swinging past the Duke of Weiguo’s residence, so that the carriage could pass in front of it and she could see the state of things there.

The imposing gates and covered colonnades were unchanged. Guards and attendants stood at post before the entrance, and family friends and visitors were already coming and going in a steady stream. She ordered the carriage to stop and lifted the curtain to look for a while. From here one could not see the inner courtyard, but she imagined that the Duchess must by now be at peace, waiting for her husband’s triumphant return.

How important it was to meet the right person — one who loved you. Some blessings could not be envied into existence. The one small warmth she had been able to offer had helped him complete his task; she had repaid her debt of gratitude and had even earned an opportunity to clear her father’s name. It was already worth it.

Before the gate, a child walked past carrying a small rabbit lantern. She saw it and thought of her own childhood — as long as the New Year had not fully ended, it always felt as though the festivities were not yet over. Now that she was older, she finally understood that after the fifteenth day came ordinary days. One could only wait quietly, waiting for the season of warm spring and blooming flowers to arrive.

In the inner chamber, Yun Pan set down her sleeve and sat up properly, listening to the physician’s diagnosis.

The Elder Madam, the Princess Consort, and Hui Cun all watched with eager eyes. The Princess Consort could not wait and asked, “Wang Tiling, what does the pulse say?”

Wang Tiling was the most skilled physician in gynecology at the Imperial Medical Institute, and his diagnoses were invariably precise. Hearing the Princess Consort’s inquiry, he rose from his seat and bowed deeply to the noble ladies assembled in the hall, saying with a smile, “Congratulations, congratulations. The Duchess is with child. Judging by the pulse, she is approaching three months. The Duchess has abundant vitality, and the child’s foundation is likewise strong. There is essentially no need for medicinal adjustment — dietary nourishment will suffice. However, as the months are still early and the pregnancy not yet fully stabilized, it is always wise to take care. I did ask the Duchess about her condition, and she mentioned that her appetite has not been good of late — some stomach-strengthening and digestion-aiding medicine would not be amiss, though the dosage should not be large. A small adjustment, paired with daily light walks in the sunshine after meals, would benefit both mother and child.”

Upon hearing this, smiles finally bloomed on every face. The Elder Madam bowed reverently and said, “Amitabha Buddha, at last it has come to pass — all thanks to the blessings of our ancestors.”

The Princess Consort was so overjoyed she could neither sit nor stand still. After sending Wang Tiling off, she kept murmuring to herself, “I must go to the Daoist temple to offer incense to the Three Pure Ones, and then inform your father — Ji Fu finally has an heir!”

What a cause for joy this was. After so much suffering had passed, the happy news of an addition to the family was more than enough to sweep away the gloom that had lingered for days.

Yun Pan smiled, lips gently pressed together, and looked toward the Elder Madam. She knew the Elder Madam had always placed great hopes on Li Chenjian — hopes that he would rise to the very top, fulfilling the wish she had carried all her life.

But now the great matter had been decided, and that wish could no longer be realized. She ventured cautiously, “Grandmother, Ji Fu’s decision… is Grandmother displeased?”

The Elder Madam was radiant with joy — there was no room for displeasure now. She waved her hand and said, “Ji Fu has always been a child who knows his own mind. Whatever decision he has made, I have no objection to it.” Yet she could not deny a small pang of wistfulness. But it had nothing to do with regret, for she thought, “Empress Dowager Zhang had her moment of glory too, and in the end, what did it amount to? I think to myself — each person has their own destiny. Though he cannot stand above ten thousand, as long as he is safe, that is the greatest blessing.” As she said this, her gaze drifted warmly over the faces of her family, and she smiled. “After weathering this storm, I have come to know how precious the word ‘safe’ truly is. I no longer ask for wealth or high station for my children and grandchildren — only that everyone is well. That is enough. From now on I simply pray for you to safely bring my great-grandchild into the world… a great-granddaughter would be just as wonderful. A family whole and complete — that matters more than anything else.”

Standing nearby, Nanny Yao and Qin Dan both tucked their hands before them and smiled. Days as warm and harmonious as these — truly, one could not know their preciousness without having weathered hardship.

Yun Pan felt the worry leave her. She was glad that everything had begun to fall back into order. All that remained now was to wait for Li Chenjian’s return, and the family would be reunited.