◎Execution of Ministers in the Hall◎

Xie Heng spoke with a smile. Zhuque was stunned.

Xie Heng pulled his sleeve from Zhuque’s grasp and handed him a letter, saying gently, “If Madam and His Highness the Crown Prince have a dispute, give this letter to Madam. If not, forget about it.”

With that, he spurred his horse and turned to leave.

Zhuque stared in shock at Xie Heng’s retreating figure. Though he was usually slow-witted and couldn’t understand these complexities, he still instinctively felt panicked at this moment.

He stood there in confusion for a moment. Having no choice but to follow orders, he cursed once, then did as Xie Heng instructed—mounting his horse and rushing back to the city, gathering all their people remaining in Si Province, shouting: “Go! Pack up immediately and come with me!”

Hearing Zhuque’s voice behind him, Xie Heng had no time to think further. He only calculated Luo Wanqing’s letter timing and estimated her route.

His whole body was splattered with blood, his chest churning with qi and blood. The initial palm strike exchange with Yang Chun had destabilized his inner power, yet he felt light as a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, soaring gracefully under the evening sunlight toward the distance.

When Xie Heng rushed out of Si Province city, the city fell into chaos. The Supervision Department’s people quickly evacuated. Yang Chun led ten thousand men in confusion for a long while before things settled down at night.

Once calm was restored, Yang Chun placed Li Zong’s body in a coffin. His adopted son, Zhao Shun, stepped forward tremblingly: “Godfather, what do we do now?”

Hearing this, Yang Chun closed his eyes.

After a long while, he took a deep breath: “Immediately spread word that Xie Heng committed regicide. Order all county offices to post bounty notices. Everyone departs tonight, accompanying His Majesty…” Yang Chun’s voice carried hoarseness, “returning to the Eastern Capital.”

While Si Province city was in chaos, Luo Wanqing was already on her way back.

The northern Rong had come to negotiate on the first of the fifth month. After yesterday’s talks had nearly concluded, she handed all affairs to Qingya and rode hard day and night to return.

When she was only half a night’s distance from Si Province city, heavy rain began. Seeing the downpour and feeling exhausted, she found a nearby ruined temple to rest.

Upon entering the temple, she saw firelight. Scanning the dilapidated temple, Luo Wanqing discovered someone was already there.

The other person appeared to be a young man of twenty-four or twenty-five, with plain ribbons binding his hair and dressed in white robes. A wine gourd hung at his waist, and a Daoist sect token was barely visible, appearing and disappearing with his movements.

Luo Wanqing’s gaze swept quickly over the Daoist token at his waist. Without saying much, she stepped into the temple.

The other person glanced at her when she entered, but didn’t speak either.

On such a rainy night, there were many wandering martial artists seeking shelter.

The person before her was pale, clearly injured, and though he was from the Daoist sect, Luo Wanqing didn’t want to cause trouble.

Luo Wanqing sat in a corner, ate some dry rations, then leaned against the wall with Xiling in her arms, closing her eyes to sleep.

Tomorrow she would see Xie Heng, and she privately didn’t want to meet him looking as she did now. She had even specially prepared new clothes, wanting to tidy herself up properly before seeing him. Besides, with this heavy rain, even if she rushed over now, she would only look like a mud monkey. Better to get a good night’s sleep and see him after washing and grooming tomorrow.

Luo Wanqing closed her eyes to rest, but the person nearby kept coughing intermittently, making it difficult for her to sleep.

After tossing and turning for a long while, remembering his Daoist sect token, Luo Wanqing finally couldn’t resist getting up and walking over to him.

The other person clearly hadn’t expected her to approach, looking up with some surprise before realizing something and quickly saying: “Sorry… I’m unwell, and with this heavy rain…”

“I know some medicine and carry some herbs with me.”

Luo Wanqing glanced at the nearby fire: “I borrowed your fire tonight. If you don’t mind, I can provide some minor treatment that might help.”

Hearing this, the other person hesitated slightly. Luo Wanqing’s gaze swept over the token at his waist as she asked calmly: “You’re from the Daoist sect?”

“Who are you?”

When Luo Wanqing asked this, the other person’s demeanor suddenly became stern. Luo Wanqing’s expression softened as she explained: “My husband was once a disciple of your sect. I wish to help you—you needn’t worry.”

This explanation piqued the other person’s interest as he asked curiously: “May I ask which disciple of our sect is Madam’s husband?”

“Xie Heng.” Luo Wanqing looked down at the flames, her eyes showing longing.

The young man across from her watched, his gaze fixed on her with an almost drowning tenderness, yet his tone seemed completely unrelated to her: “So you’re Senior Brother Xie’s wife. I understand my condition—no need for Madam’s diagnosis. If you have herbs like purple vine grass for dispersing blood stasis, I would trouble you to lend some.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing knew he was still guarded. She said no more, only took out medicine and tossed the bottle over.

The young man coughed as he bent down, collecting the medicine bottle in the shadows. He didn’t take the medicine immediately, only looked Luo Wanqing up and down before asking with a smile: “I haven’t seen Senior Brother in years. Is he well?”

“He’s doing alright.” Hearing him ask about Xie Heng, Luo Wanqing knew he must be someone Xie Heng knew, so she asked in return: “I’m Luo Wanqing. May I ask your name?”

“I’m Yunzhenzi.” The young man nodded with some immortal bearing.

Hearing the Daoist name, Luo Wanqing felt it sounded familiar—Xie Heng had indeed mentioned this person.

She relaxed, then heard him continue: “When did Senior Brother marry? Do you have children?”

“The marriage was just a few months ago,” Luo Wanqing felt somewhat embarrassed having such a domestic conversation for the first time, but still answered honestly: “Not yet with child.”

Seeing Luo Wanqing’s honesty, the young man’s smile deepened. After chatting about Xie Heng’s past, the rain outside gradually lessened.

The young man saw her looking tired and said softly: “Madam appears somewhat weary—you must have traveled far. Where are you bound?”

“Si Province city.”

“To see Senior Brother?”

The young man asked. Luo Wanqing’s face showed a smile as she nodded: “Yes, tomorrow is my birthday.”

She gazed at the flames, thinking of Xie Heng, saying warmly: “He and I are always apart more than together… Last year for my birthday, I wanted to spend it with him, but then I was handling… a very troublesome case.”

She had been handling the Eastern Palace Six Rates case.

And at that time… it was also when she said she was willing to go to Li Guiyu as an informant, even if it meant climbing onto “Xie Heng’s” bed.

Thinking back now, perhaps Xie Heng had known about her birthday then too, but at that time, he only wanted to distance himself from her, so even knowing her birthday, he didn’t respond.

With this thought, Luo Wanqing noticed how different the current Xie Heng was from before.

This person—person-the deeper his feelings, the more tightly he held back his true nature.

Cui Heng, back then, would send gifts and write letters daily, appearing devoted, gentle, and kind, but behind it all was cold self-interest, leaving when he pleased.

Now, though he sometimes threw tantrums and could be occasionally troublesome in bed, he was always thinking of her.

Thinking of that time, she explained: “He was angry with me then, and I was too busy, so the matter passed. But fortunately, I was with him for his birthday.”

“Doesn’t that put you at a disadvantage?”

The young man asked with a smile. Luo Wanqing was puzzled: “Why a disadvantage?”

“He had you for his birthday, but you didn’t have him for yours. Don’t you feel it’s unfair?”

“No.” Luo Wanqing shook her head: “I only feel grateful I could be with him. As for me…”

Thinking she would see Xie Heng tomorrow, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help feeling happy: “Making up for this year’s birthday will be fine. Besides, I’ll see him tomorrow.”

The young man listened, only gazing tenderly at Luo Wanqing, saying earnestly: “You must like him.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t speak. The young man looked puzzled: “Did I guess wrong?”

Luo Wanqing remained silent, watching the firelight. The young man’s expression gradually grew colder, about to speak when he heard Luo Wanqing say softly: “More than just like.”

With that, she looked up, meeting the young man’s gaze with shy earnestness: “I love him.”

At these words, the young man across from her froze, seeming at a loss.

He watched her quietly, desperately suppressing all emotions in his eyes, his fingers unconsciously curling beneath his sleeves.

Spider-web-covered Buddha statues stood beside them, the fire pit becoming the only lonely lamp in the night.

With a “pop,” wood crackled in the fire. Luo Wanqing said, somewhat embarrassed, “I’ve never spoken like this before.”

She turned her head, then looked back at the fire, her eyes full of smiles: “He often says such things, though. Before leaving, he asked me, and I couldn’t answer. These past days, I’ve been practicing over and over, thinking that if I say it enough, when I see him, I should be able to speak.”

“He’s quite petty.”

Luo Wanqing shook her head helplessly: “If I remain too shy, he’ll start overthinking again.”

“Getting such words from you,” the young man suppressed his emotions, joking: “he could die without regrets.”

“Then let him have more regrets in life.” Luo Wanqing smiled, her eyes carrying some melancholy: “With regrets comes attachment. I hope he will cling to this world a thousand times over.”

“He will.”

The young man seemed to be consoling, his voice very soft.

Luo Wanqing turned to look at him, seeing his complexion had improved considerably—his breathing seemed smoother and he was no longer coughing.

She glanced at the sky and stood up: “It’s getting late. Rest early, junior brother. I should sleep well too—I’ll leave at dawn.”

“Sweet dreams.”

The young man replied quietly.

Luo Wanqing returned to her spot, closed her eyes against the wall, and fell asleep.

She slept dreamlessly through the night. When she woke, dawn hadn’t yet broken, and the rain had stopped. Luo Wanqing went to the courtyard, drew well water for a simple wash, then returned to the temple, changed into fresh clothes in the inner room, and tidied herself completely.

When she emerged, she saw that Yunzhenzi was already awake.

His gaze was fixed intently on her, somewhat inappropriately.

Luo Wanqing felt uncomfortable under his stare: “Junior brother, why do you look at me so?”

“Are you going to see Senior Brother Xie?”

Yunzhenzi didn’t answer her question, only asked his own. Luo Wanqing nodded: “Yes. The rain has stopped—I’ll set off now. Until we meet again.”

With that, Luo Wanqing cupped her hands in farewell and turned to leave.

Just as she took a step, she was called back: “Madam!”

Luo Wanqing found this call strange as she turned back.

Only then did she realize this person had been using the simple address since they met.

Usually, Zhuque, Qingya, and others called her “Madam” because within the Supervision Department, surnames weren’t needed for distinction. Yet this person, whom she’d met by chance, had consistently used the simple address from beginning to end.

Before she could think further, she saw him cough lightly and walk somewhat unsteadily toward her.

He held out an umbrella—it appeared to be new, still with paper wrapping.

He gripped the umbrella handle, the umbrella body covering most of his hand. Luo Wanqing looked at him questioningly as he said sincerely, “I fear there may be wind and rain on the road. Please accept this umbrella as a meeting gift.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary.”

Luo Wanqing quickly declined: “I’m riding—it’s inconvenient to carry an umbrella.”

“Then take it back and give it to Senior Brother for me.”

Yunzhenzi spoke earnestly. Since it involved Xie Heng, Luo Wanqing knew this wasn’t just for her, so she accepted the umbrella and nodded: “I thank you on behalf of my husband.”

“Travel safely.”

Yunzhenzi gazed at her, his tone so light it seemed he could barely bear to speak.

Luo Wanqing felt something was amiss, but couldn’t place it. She could only smile, bow, and nod: “Take care.”

With that, she turned away, holding the umbrella.

The young man stood in the doorway, watching as the sky gradually brightened with blue-green mist. He stood in the godless, ruined temple, seeing her in a water-blue gauze dress with wide sleeves, jade pins in her hair, revealing lake-like tranquil and gentle beauty in the morning light.

He watched her until she disappeared completely from sight.

Luo Wanqing was completely unaware of this. She mounted her horse, patted Lianqing on her shoulder, and said happily: “Come, let’s go see your father.”

Lianqing nuzzled her neck, and the person and bird shot forward like an arrow.

After riding for a while, Luo Wanqing heard eagle cries above. Looking up, she saw Zhusi circling overhead. She stopped her horse and raised her hand, calling: “Zhusi!”

Hearing her voice, Zhusi dove down and landed on her arm.

Zhusi carried two letters tied to its leg. Luo Wanqing was puzzled as she quickly removed them. The first was from Li Shengzhao: “The return journey may have complications. Please quickly bring five thousand light cavalry to meet at Huang City, sister-in-law.”

The other letter was in Xie Heng’s handwriting, each character written with particular gravity: “Emergency in Eastern Capital, must return urgently. No need to return on the fifth. Happy birthday. We’ll meet again someday.”

Reading these two letters, Luo Wanqing suddenly felt dejected.

After two days of travel, this was the result, though she couldn’t blame anyone.

She took a deep breath, looked at Zhusi standing on her horse’s head, stroked its head, and couldn’t help asking: “Just letters?”

Xie Heng usually included gifts with his messages.

But Zhusi shook its head.

Luo Wanqing thought about it. Li Shengzhao’s messenger bird wasn’t Zhusi—Zhusi bringing letters meant Xie Heng had first given Li Shengzhao a letter, then Zhusi brought both Xie Heng’s and Li Shengzhao’s letters from the northern Rong territory.

Over such a long distance, if Zhusi carried gifts too, it would indeed be too heavy a burden.

Understanding this, Luo Wanqing adjusted her mood, knowing she should return.

She turned her horse around, still unable to resist one last glance toward Si Province, then finally turned back carrying the umbrella Yunzhenzi had given her.

Luo Wanqing took two days to return to the border, then had Qingya select five thousand light cavalry. After explaining the situation to the northern Rong envoys, she led her people into northern Rong territory.

Luo Wanqing hired a northern Rong guide and requested northern Rong court officials to accompany them toward the agreed meeting at Huang City.

The northern Rong plains were vast, mostly desert, unlike the Central Plains where cities stood one after another—here cities were extremely far apart, with yellow sand everywhere.

This was Luo Wanqing’s first time seeing such terrain. Following the guide, she put on veils covering her entire body and rode across the endless plains, seeing earthen mound cities, oases in the sand, and the poplar trees Zhang Jiuran had told her about.

While she traveled toward Huang City, news of Xie Heng’s regicide rapidly spread throughout the Central Plains.

On the fifteenth of the fifth month, Yang Chun brought Li Zong’s body back to the Eastern Capital.

The night before Li Zong entered the Eastern Capital, heavy rain fell. Li Guiyu sat in his room carving a wooden sculpture, listening to Wang Yunzhi report the current situation.

“Yang Chun is now in the suburbs and will bring the late emperor into the city tomorrow. Father has already called up twenty thousand troops to the Eastern Capital under the pretext of protecting it—they’re now on the outskirts. We’ve also contacted civil officials tonight. When the late emperor enters the palace tomorrow, they’ll recommend you as regent.”

Li Guiyu listened quietly, his carving knife shaving wood curls. Wang Yunzhi noticed his unchanging expression and her gaze fell on the wooden sculpture in his hands.

Seeing the rough form of a woman in the carving, Wang Yunzhi’s anger flared. Her white silk shot out like a blade, aiming to slice off the sculpture’s head.

Li Guiyu caught the silk with one hand and pulled Wang Yunzhi forward. Both grasping the silk, Li Guiyu looked up coldly: “Touch my things again and I’ll cripple your hand. Believe it?”

“Unreasonable!”

Wang Yunzhi’s face darkened as she yanked back the silk, glaring at the sculpture: “What time is it now, and you’re still carving your stupid wood? You drove her to death before, now you’re playing the lovesick fool?! What’s the arrangement for tomorrow’s court session?!”

“Many new people have entered the city recently.”

Li Guiyu spoke calmly: “Minister of Works Jiang Wang has recruited nearly twenty thousand people under various pretexts—garden construction, river embankments, suburban bridges, shipbuilding, and other projects.”

Hearing this news, Wang Yunzhi frowned: “What does this have to do with us?”

“Jiang Wang was Xie Xiuqi’s classmate.”

Li Guiyu said just enough. Wang Yunzhi suddenly understood: “You suspect the Xie family has also gathered troops in the Eastern Capital?!”

“The number doesn’t matter. Who controls the imperial guards tomorrow? Who can truly control the palace?”

Li Guiyu’s words were brief but cutting.

Wang Yunzhi asked directly: “What do you plan?”

“Tomorrow, the palace imperial guard commander is Yang Yue—not one of ours. Have mother invite him for tea so he can’t attend tomorrow morning court. Mother will decide to have Right Yulin Guard Commander Bian Le act as substitute.”

“Bian Le is your man?”

“Someone who won’t act without profit, more or less.”

Li Guiyu spoke as Wang Yunzhi relaxed.

Working with Li Guiyu these past days, she’d come to understand his methods.

He was skilled at winning hearts, his intelligence network spread everywhere. While hiding with the Wang family, he’d grown close with all the family members.

When he’d said Xie Heng would commit regicide, she hadn’t believed it—yet Xie Heng truly had.

Now she dared not doubt his decisions, nodding: “Understood. I’ll go see aunt immediately.”

“One more thing.”

Li Guiyu called out to Wang Yunzhi.

Wang Yunzhi turned back to see Li Guiyu stroking his wooden sculpture, saying calmly: “Find out exactly where Xie Heng is.”

Wang Yunzhi left to handle all arrangements while Li Guiyu sat in his room, carving through the night.

Near dawn, after washing and changing into mourning clothes, he went to the palace.

Then he waited with civil and military officials at the city gates, welcoming Li Zong’s coffin into the palace as the sky gradually brightened.

Everyone wept heavily, with or without tears, all had to wail a few times.

As the eldest remaining prince, Li Guiyu was led by Wang Lianyang with all the princes and princesses at the front, crying as they brought Li Zong back to the palace.

The palace was hung with white flowers, and the inner palace was already prepared with a mourning hall.

After Li Zong was properly placed, Li Guiyu supported Wang Lianyang to the great hall. All officials wore white cloth, and after much sorrowful ceremony, Wang Lianyang sat on high, sobbing: “His Majesty was in his prime, destined for ten thousand years—who could imagine Xie Heng would dare harbor such treacherous intentions! This traitorous subject deserves extreme punishment!”

Hearing this, the Xie clan members couldn’t help looking up. Wang Lianyang sniffled, then looked at Xie Xiuqi standing at the front, sighing: “Fortunately the Grand Tutor was wise, early expelling this unfilial son from the family, severing ties. What Xie Heng did has nothing to do with the Xie family—this is clear to me.”

This statement clarified the position. Xie Xiuqi respectfully bowed: “Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness.”

Wang Lianyang continued wiping tears and seemed to gradually calm herself: “Now that His Majesty is gone, the state cannot be without a ruler for a day. Grand Eunuch Yang,” Wang Lianyang looked up at Yang Chun with concern, “did His Majesty designate an heir before his passing?”

“His Majesty’s death was too sudden,” Yang Chun said with red eyes, “he left no words.”

“No edict left behind…”

Wang Lianyang murmured, looking at everyone: “Then does anyone have thoughts?”

No one spoke. After waiting, Wang Shenfeng sighed and stepped forward: “Since no one dares speak, this humble subject will boldly do so. His Majesty now has four remaining sons—the Third, Sixth, Ninth, and Eleventh Princes. By convention, we either establish the eldest or the legitimate heir. The Third Prince is born of the principal consort and is the eldest remaining prince. Without an edict, by both age and legitimacy, we should select the Third Prince as heir.”

“But… isn’t the Third Prince supposed to be under house arrest?”

Song Xichao’s voice arose with some confusion. He looked at Yang Chun: “Grand Eunuch Yang, if this official remembers correctly, after the Zheng family’s treason, the Third Prince was suspected of involvement in their assassination attempt and was taken by the Supervision Department for investigation on His Majesty’s orders. But the Third Prince refused to accept the imperial decision, injured Supervision Department personnel, and escaped without a trace. Now that His Majesty has just passed…”

Song Xichao chuckled meaningfully: “Third Prince, your timing is quite coincidental.”

“Minister Song speaks truly,” Li Guiyu smiled bitterly, “If you wish to recommend this prince, at least wait until my grievances are cleared. Father Emperor was deceived by Xie Heng, wrongly blaming me, and ordering cooperation with the Supervision Department’s investigation. Who knew Xie Heng would conspire with Luo Wanqing to deceive superiors and subordinates, falsely transmitting imperial edicts to put me to death? To preserve my life, I had to escape… yet was constantly pursued by the Supervision Department. I fled for a long time until hearing of Father’s death, then risked my life returning to the capital. I happened to meet Prime Minister Wang, who told me the truth—that Father only meant house arrest, not execution!”

Li Guiyu’s eyes reddened: “How I hate being deceived by traitors, unable even to see Father one last time…”

Everyone listened without comment. The Zheng family assassination had been too chaotic—no one could determine the truth, and none dared speak rashly, though all maintained some reservations about Li Guiyu’s words.

Song Xichao listened to Li Guiyu’s words and nodded with considerable sympathy: “Your Highness has suffered. But… Your Highness is still technically under suspicion.”

“What does Minister Song mean?”

Li Guiyu looked up with some confusion. Song Xichao smiled: “This subject is willing to believe Your Highness, but matters involving assassination and treason are grave crimes. Now that Your Highness has not yet cleared suspicion, if we select you as ruler…”

Song Xichao looked at Wang Shenfeng: “It would be inappropriate, wouldn’t it?”

“What wisdom does Minister Song have?” Wang Shenfeng smiled coldly at Song Xichao.

Song Xichao smiled back at Wang Shenfeng: “This subject believes everything should follow ancestral law. The Third Prince is suspected of regicide—before clearing the suspicion, it’s inappropriate to discuss succession. Better to have the Sixth Prince temporarily assume the position, exercising regency powers. After confirming the Zheng family’s assassination plot has nothing to do with the Third Prince, they decide.”

“The Sixth Prince?”

Hearing this, Minister of War Sun Zhengli laughed mockingly: “The Sixth Prince has been unremarkable since childhood. Having him as regent—what could he accomplish?”

“Being unremarkable proves stability and measure.” Zhang Yiran coldly responded to Sun Zhengli’s words: “The Sixth Prince would only temporarily serve as regent—stability is sufficient. If Minister Sun finds this unsuitable, do you have other candidates?”

“The Third Prince has noble status and is suitable, courteous to the worthy, intelligent, and quick. He once voluntarily served as a hostage for the country, showing noble character. With such an excellent candidate here, you still want some temporary Sixth Prince regency. Song Xichao,” Sun Zhengli looked at Song Xichao, “What do you mean?!”

“Prince Guang’an’s treason suspicions haven’t been cleared, yet you’re rushing to make him heir. Minister Sun,” Zhang Yiran stared at Sun Zhengli, asking sharply, “Could it be you participated in treason and are eager to cover old tracks?”

“Nonsense!” Sun Zhengli angrily cursed: “I just don’t want the realm in turmoil!”

“What turmoil could the Sixth Prince’s regency cause?”

“The Third Prince is rightfully qualified—why do you keep obstructing?”

“Since he’s still a suspect, why not investigate?”

…

The court erupted in mutual accusations. Li Guiyu stood behind Wang Lianyang, quietly watching this chaotic argument.

After a long while, Song Xichao finally spoke: “Gentlemen need not argue. If we speak of protocol, the most knowledgeable should be Minister Xie.”

Song Xichao turned to Minister of Rites Xie Guangcheng: “Minister Xie, do you think selecting the Third Prince as heir now conforms to protocol?”

Hearing Song Xichao’s question, everyone looked at Xie Guangcheng.

Xie Guangcheng was a three-dynasty veteran of great prestige whose words carried enormous weight.

Under everyone’s gaze, Xie Guangcheng thoughtfully said, “If the Third Prince isn’t involved in the case, then his status naturally conforms to protocol. But now that the Third Prince is implicated, we must either prove his innocence, or…”

Xie Guangcheng drew out his words, keeping everyone in suspense, then said: “Have His Majesty’s edict or verbal decree.”

Hearing this, Wang Shenfeng laughed coldly.

“Minister Xie makes things difficult for the Third Prince. Grand Eunuch Yang already said there’s neither edict nor decree—that’s why we’re debating here. If there were edicts or decrees, we’d simply follow them. Why would we need all this talk?”

“Who says there’s no decree?”

Just as he finished speaking, a familiar, cold voice rang from outside the great hall.

Everyone had heard this voice countless times. For the past six years, at every crucial moment in court, this person’s word had been final.

Everyone turned in shock to see Xie Heng climbing the steps, walking in from outside the hall.

He wore a dark blue hemp robe with wide sleeves over a pure white undergarment, connected by a red rope belt with a Hetian jade cloud-pattern hook. His long hair was half-bound with a hair ribbon, and at his waist hung a wine gourd and a white jade sword. He looked carefree and unrestrained, completely out of place in the solemn hall.

Seeing him enter, everyone was immediately startled. Yang Chun reacted first, saying hatefully, “Xie Heng, you dare return!”

“I naturally must return,” Xie Heng smiled, seeming nonchalant: “If I don’t return, who would know His Majesty’s final wish?”

Hearing this, everyone instantly realized—the last person with Li Zong was Xie Heng!

“How can we trust the words of a regicidal traitor?”

Wang Shenfeng instantly realized Xie Heng’s words now constituted the real decree. He hastily said, “Guards! Seize him!”

“How dare you?!”

Xie Heng’s mighty shout froze all surrounding soldiers—for a moment, not one dared step forward.

Xie Heng looked contemptuously at the soldiers around him, then looked up at Wang Lianyang and Li Guiyu on the platform, smiling: “I was the last person beside His Majesty. Today, I carry his command to transmit his decree: appoint the Third Prince as Crown Prince to inherit the throne and restart the Great Xia Legal Code to rectify court discipline. Third Prince,” Xie Heng stared at Li Guiyu, calling out: “Will you accept the decree?”

Hearing this, Wang Shenfeng frowned, becoming somewhat panicked.

Everyone also looked at each other—no one expected this matter to involve the Great Xia Legal Code.

For a moment, the entire court fell silent, with only Li Guiyu standing on high, quietly confronting Xie Heng.

He was forcing him.

Li Guiyu knew clearly that Xie Heng was now using the throne to pressure him.

If he accepted Xie Heng’s decree—or rather, if he had imperial ambitions—then with Xie Heng now handing him the throne, everyone would suspect Xie Heng had colluded with him, killing Li Zong to put him on the throne.

Moreover, Xie Heng’s decree linked the throne with restarting the Great Xia Legal Code, meaning that to want the throne, he must accept restarting the Legal Code.

But if he didn’t accept now, he had participated in the Zheng family assassination—Luo Wanqing must have kept evidence. If Song Xichao and others investigated thoroughly, he couldn’t clear himself.

Once exposed, he would be forever barred from the throne. Missing today’s opportunity would make ascending the throne incredibly difficult.

Agreeing to Xie Heng—let the world suspect what it would, but at least today, he could gain the throne. It was his only way to legitimately ascend.

But this method bound him to agreeing to restart the Great Xia Legal Code.

And this was exactly what Xie Heng wanted.

Even having committed regicide, having abandoned everything to walk alone to a dead end, he could still pressure all the ministers in the great hall with one person and one sword, getting what he wanted.

Why should this be?

Li Guiyu looked at the man in the great hall, his bones erupting with the impulse to kill him.

Why could Xie Heng always get everything he wanted while he forever sought desperately without success?

Li Guiyu stared at Xie Heng, unable to help but clench his fists.

Xie Heng watched his changing expression, seeming to see through Li Guiyu’s heart as he smiled: “Third Prince, as son and subject, surely you wouldn’t disobey His Majesty’s decree?”

“As son and subject, I dare not disobey.”

Li Guiyu replied coldly. Both Xie Heng and he knew the answer.

Xie Heng smiled as he watched Li Guiyu descend from the platform. Li Guiyu stared at Xie Heng, raised his hand in salute, then knelt respectfully: “This son-subject accepts the decree.”

“The ruler has knelt—what about the rest of you?”

Xie Heng swept his gaze across the court: “Do you gentlemen have any questions?”

“I do.”

Zhang Yiran suddenly spoke.

Xie Heng turned to look as Zhang Yiran said, “Why did you commit regicide? Were you instructed by others or coerced?”

“What, Minister Zhang wants to seek justice for me?”

Xie Heng found this amusing, but Zhang Yiran said seriously: “Yes. As long as you speak, I believe the people of the realm will seek justice for you.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng fell silent.

He only quietly looked at Zhang Yiran, feeling as if he saw another person in his face.

They were equally upright and unwavering. Even as insignificant pawns in this court, they still desperately fought to uphold the justice in their hearts.

Zhang Yiran endured his stare for a long while before finally hearing him laugh: “Now I understand why I’ve always been jealous of you.”

“Director Xie…”

This reaction startled Zhang Yiran, but Xie Heng only lowered his head to brush his sword sheath, saying softly: “You’re the same type of person, but I’m not. My justice…”

Before finishing his words, Xie Heng’s sword flashed out, shooting straight toward Wang Shenfeng, his expression suddenly stern: “I’ll take it myself!”

“Qingfeng!”

Wang Shenfeng shouted in alarm. In that instant, Wang Qingfeng struck forward with a palm while Yang Chun’s whisk lashed from behind Xie Heng: “Die!”

Caught between front and back attacks, Xie Heng remained composed. Bending down with a horizontal sword sweep, he escaped through the gap between the two, spinning his sword to send both flying.

Wang Shenfeng, Sun Zhengli and other ministers turned to flee. Xie Heng spun around, leaping through the air to land on one knee. As his sword tip struck the floor, all the floor tiles flew up. Wang Shenfeng stumbled forward from the ground’s tremor, and Xie Heng immediately appeared before him, raising his sword to strike down hard!

Wang Qingfeng instantly rushed to Wang Shenfeng’s front, meeting Xie Heng’s sword with a palm strike.

He had practiced iron palm for years, impervious to blades and spears, but the moment Xie Heng’s sword wind neared his palm, he felt sharp pain and hastily dodged sideways, rolling with Wang Shenfeng.

The sword instantly slashed Wang Shenfeng’s arm, blood spraying out as Wang Shenfeng screamed. The entire court erupted in chaos.

Wang Qingfeng shielded Wang Shenfeng behind him while Yang Chun joined the battle. Both led soldiers surrounding Xie Heng, but Xie Heng only stared at Wang Shenfeng.

His sword was like a snake’s tongue—fast and urgent, densely targeting Wang Shenfeng behind Wang Qingfeng, forcing Wang Qingfeng to focus entirely on the sword tip without daring to relax.

He had never seen such rapid, dense sword work, and when Xie Heng attacked, he simultaneously evaded Yang Chun’s strikes.

All his movements were within a small space, this space seeming to contain his laws of heaven and earth, dominated by his will alone.

Wang Qingfeng felt overwhelmed by wind and rain, thunderous pressure—he nearly forgot to breathe.

Strong.

Too strong.

He had fought Xie Heng once, six years ago, when Xie Heng was still a youth. He and Yang Chun, Zheng Daochu had joined forces to defeat him.

Called joining forces, but they had only deliberately let him appear before Cui Muhua. When Xie Heng appeared bloody before Cui Muhua, either he or Zheng Daochu alone could have killed the boy.

Cui Muhua had taken her own life to protect her son precisely because of this. Cui Muhua’s death became an insurmountable mountain between Li Zong and Cui Qingping.

They faced each other across the mountain in mutual suspicion, allowing the Wang family to climb up by feeding on Cui family bones and blood.

He had known then that Xie Heng was exceptionally talented, but he never imagined a person could grow this quickly.

He and Yang Chun attacking together couldn’t make Xie Heng retreat even half a step.

This rapid, urgent attack style was extremely exhausting. Wang Qingfeng knew it couldn’t last long. Glancing at Li Guiyu, who had been watching, he shouted: “Guiyu!”

Li Guiyu remained calm, his hand on his sword, continuously watching the three fighters. After Wang Qingfeng’s call, Li Guiyu still didn’t move. Only when Xie Heng’s sword tip stabbed toward Wang Qingfeng’s forehead and Wang Qingfeng retreated protecting Wang Shenfeng did Li Guiyu strike like a long-dormant king cobra, his sword tip shooting out!

This strike was so fast that one could barely see his figure. Xie Heng flipped in the air, the sword wind cutting half a strand of his hair. Wang Qingfeng seized the opening to strike with full force while Yang Chun’s whisk struck toward his head. Xie Heng didn’t retreat at all, meeting Wang Qingfeng’s palm while using his sword to entangle Yang Chun’s whisk, hurling Yang Chun heavily at Wang Qingfeng.

As both were knocked down, Li Guiyu’s sword slashed down. Xie Heng blocked horizontally but was thrown back by Li Guiyu’s sword energy. He grabbed a palace pillar forcefully, then immediately turned to attack again!

This almost non-stop assault state made Wang Qingfeng, supporting Wang Shenfeng, cry out: “Impossible!”

“Yuanli Pills!”

Yang Chun realized, gritting his teeth as he charged up again with Li Guiyu to block Xie Heng, warning: “Xie Heng, stop now, and you still have a way out. Using Yuanli Pills to forcibly boost your inner power this far—if you continue recklessly, you’ll be a cripple!”

“Drink today’s wine today,” Xie Heng paid no attention, his sword opening and closing like a great river pouring down. He laughed wildly: “Kill today who should be killed today! Someone like me—”

Xie Heng leaped into the air, his sword striking heavily down on Yang Chun’s whisk: “Why speak of the future?”

Overwhelming inner power crashed down like a mountain. Yang Chun was instantly blown away.

Li Guiyu seized the opportunity to thrust his sword. Xie Heng spun his sword to block Li Guiyu, saying quietly: “Step aside, I’ll give you the Wang family.”

Li Guiyu’s gaze sharpened as he instantly withdrew his inner power. Xie Heng kicked out, sending him flying as he shouted: “Protect Minister Wang!”

But it was too late.

Xie Heng shot forward. Wang Shenfeng heard the rushing wind behind him and desperately struck backward with full force, but felt only a spring breeze. He heard nothing, saw nothing.

When he realized, he turned back in a daze to see Xie Heng with his back to him, sword in reverse grip, looking back with slanted eyes.

Between them, Wang Shenfeng’s head fell with a thud. Wang Qingfeng murmured: “Hanqsheng…”

The final strike of the Formless Sword—using qi as sword, all heaven and earth as sword: Hanqsheng.

The moment the sound fell, countless bloody holes burst open across his body, spraying blood. His entire body tilted and collapsed to the ground.

Xie Heng stepped outside. Yang Chun suddenly reacted. Standing behind, somewhat afraid to advance, he only shouted: “Attack! Capture him!”

Soldiers were driven forward. Xie Heng charged like a tiger or leopard, rushing out rapidly. Before anyone could react, he grabbed Sun Zhengli, who had already fled far, slamming him to the ground.

Xie Xiuqi stood in the chaotic crowd, finally unable to watch. Being pulled to escape by Xie Guangcheng, seeing Xie Heng surrounded by soldiers yet still pursuing Sun Zhengli, he finally couldn’t bear it. Gritting his teeth, he shook off his brother’s grip and charged into the crowd, shouting: “Xie Heng!”

Xie Heng gripped Sun Zhengli’s throat, looking at the emerging Xie Xiuqi. Breathing heavily, he stared at Xie Heng’s hands, saying fearfully, “You can still stop now.”

Xie Heng heard Xie Xiuqi’s words and understood his meaning.

If he only killed Wang Shenfeng, there was still room for negotiation.

But if he killed Sun Zhengli and more people, he would be thoroughly guilty of massacring ministers, enraging all the great families with no possibility of return.

He looked at the fear in Xie Xiuqi’s eyes, at this old man’s terror, and smiled.

“Father,” he said gently, “I can’t return. Let my brother care for you in old age.”

The moment his words fell, there was a “crack.” Sun Zhengli struggled once, then opened his eyes wide and breathed no more.

Xie Xiuqi’s eyes widened, but Xie Heng paid him no more attention, only charging toward his next target.

He remembered every person who had participated in the Cui family case.

He remembered every person who had urged him on the day of the Cui family execution.

He remembered every person who had forced him to hunt down the Cui family at Qingyun Ferry.

He had remembered for so long, recalling their faces every night, slicing them to pieces in blood a thousand times over each evening.

Minister of Revenue Wang Lianzhen.

Censorate Grand Secretary Wang Lang.

Censorate Vice-Director Sun Shu…

These people had started running toward the palace gates from the beginning. Xie Heng stared at them intently, pursuing them one by one.

Soldiers swarmed forward, wave after wave. Xie Xiuqi pushed through the crowd, calling out desperately: “Xie Heng! Xie Lingshu! Stop! Stop!”

But Xie Heng could no longer hear. His eyes were filled with blood. He only stared at his targets, killing them one by one.

Yuanli Pills damage one’s foundation. He had swallowed an entire bottle before coming—from that moment, he never intended to retreat.

When the last official he remembered was run through and fell to the ground, he finally felt unable to continue.

The pain of bursting meridians—for him, this pain was nothing.

But somehow, his mind drifted to when he first met Luo Wanqing, when he pretended not to know martial arts, tricking her into protecting him.

That night, Luo Wanqing’s meridians were stretched by inner power, blood seeping through her skin. Then he had cared nothing, only thinking this woman’s identity was mysterious, her actions strange—he should investigate further.

Later, when reshaping her bones, he had only felt it was her fortune.

But now he thought: how painful it was.

His Xiniang—back then, how painful it must have been.

He pulled his sword from the official’s body. Surrounding soldiers encircled him, but none dared approach.

Bodies lay everywhere. Xie Heng, covered in blood, looked up, breathing heavily, at Li Guiyu standing in the distance.

Li Guiyu and Yang Chun stood together, Yang Chun staring at him with alarm and suspicion.

He could see that Xie Heng’s martial arts now definitely surpassed his own. But to act alone, having also taken Yuanli Pills, facing multiple opponents—even Zhang Chunzi, first among the Eight Grandmasters, might not have such ability.

He dared not advance. Li Guiyu also remained silent.

Xie Heng glanced around and chuckled softly.

Bodies surrounded him, blood everywhere. Standing in the blood, he tried to untie the wine gourd at his waist.

But his fingertips kept trembling. After several attempts, he finally removed the wine gourd from his waist, opened the cap, and poured it over his sword.

Wine poured over blood. Xie Heng knew Li Guiyu was watching him. Looking at blood dripping from his sword, he panted: “Good, all who deserved death are dead. My sword likes to drink wine—I should reward it.”

“Xie Heng, medicine always wears off.” Li Guiyu watched Xie Heng’s trembling hands, saying calmly: “Yuanli Pills can boost inner power greatly in short periods, but fundamentally destroy one’s foundation. When the effects fade, your meridians will burst and you’ll become a cripple.”

“Need you tell me?” Xie Heng found this amusing, looking up at him: “When did you start liking to speak nonsense?”

“Regicide and treason, executing ministers in the hall,” Li Guiyu stared at Xie Heng: “Xie Heng, you deserve ten thousand deaths. No one can save you—why waste others’ lives?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng knew he was trying to convince him to surrender. He raised his sword and laughed: “I can die, but I, Xie Heng, only submit to execution under the Great Xia Legal Code, or…”

A trace of longing and tenderness appeared in his eyes, like a lover’s murmur as he called that name: “Liu Xiniang.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Zhuque: “Bad news—Young Master killed all the enemies!”

Luo Wanqing: “What? All of them?”

Zhuque: “That’s right, all of them!”

Luo Wanqing: “…Assassin. This is a true assassin.”

Li Guiyu: “The highest level of political maneuvering often uses the most straightforward methods…”