Inside the Hall of Supreme Ultimate, Emperor Chenming had been closely following developments at Prince Yan’s Mansion. When the news arrived, the hope in his eyes shattered, covered by a layer of gloom.

Since the Sage’s long illness, Consort Han had been attending to his medicine at his side, saying, “It seems Prince Yan ultimately lacks an emperor’s destiny.”

Emperor Chenming made no sound, but inwardly he could not help but agree.

Most people in the palace knew his disgust toward Prince Yan originated from the birthmark on Li Huan’s face. Now Prince Yan’s child was like this as well. The weaker a person became, the more they believed in heavenly signs.

At this moment, the sound of knocking outside rang out miserably, breaking the hall’s tranquility like a death knell. The servants attending within all whispered among themselves. Zheng Fu reported, “Sage, Prince Yan’s consort has removed her hairpins, loosened her hair, and kneels outside requesting punishment. She says she must see you.”

Emperor Chenming felt somewhat displeased, but thinking Prince Yan’s consort must have suffered a shock, he tolerated it: “Tell her to return first.”

The knocking and pleas for punishment outside only pressed more urgently.

Prince Yan’s consort losing composure like this threw the entire Hall of Supreme Ultimate into chaos lighting lamps. Emperor Chenming hastily wrapped himself in a cloak and, supported by several servants, walked outside, looking with dissatisfaction at this originally extremely sensible daughter-in-law: “Making a disturbance late at night shows lack of propriety. I will not pursue your offense. Return first.”

On any other day, this would have been an extremely severe rebuke. Yet Xiao Yunru remained expressionless, her gaze hollow: “This daughter-in-law has matters to report.”

His gaze swept extremely quickly over the swaddling cloth Xiao Yunru held. Emperor Chenming could not bear to look and said stiffly, “If it concerns this matter, I already know.” Seeing Qun Qing standing to the side, Consort Han said, “Prince Yan’s consort has lost composure. Have you also forgotten palace regulations? Why don’t you escort the Princess Consort back?”

However, after a moment’s hesitation, Qun Qing lifted her robes and knelt behind Xiao Yunru. She could sense this matter was extremely important to Xiao Yunru. If she was not allowed to speak, that would truly harm her.

“You…”

Xiao Yunru said, “What this guilty daughter-in-law wishes to report is not this matter, but a previous matter.” She glanced at the swaddling cloth and finally said, “That the heir is like this is not without cause. Before marrying Prince Yan, this guilty daughter-in-law was once with child. Ordinary medicines were useless—I consumed large amounts of Cold Snow Pills to induce miscarriage. The medicine was too strong and damaged the mother’s body, thus affecting the heir. It has nothing to do with the circulating rumors.”

Silence fell on all sides. Though Qun Qing had already guessed part of the truth, she had not expected Xiao Yunru would dare speak so directly before Emperor Chenming’s face.

Emperor Chenming clearly had not expected it either. His complexion changed. Consort Han asked, “Whose child were you carrying?”

“In reply to Mother Consort, naturally it was not Prince Yan’s—it was a Northern Rong man’s.”

Disregarding Emperor Chenming’s expression, Xiao Yunru’s face remained unchanged as she slowly narrated, “At that time, old Chu and Northern Rong were still at war. A squad of Northern Rong scouts lurked within Chang’an City, originally planning to coordinate from within when the Northern Rong Khan attacked. Unexpectedly, Northern Rong was repelled by the Li family. Thus this scout squad became remnants, disguising themselves as Hu merchants while seeking opportunities to recuperate.”

“At that time, this guilty daughter-in-law was planning to use my private funds to conduct business to resist my stepmother’s harsh treatment. I did not recognize the disguise and thus invited wolves into the house. They lodged at the Xiao family’s separate estate while planning, intending to deal the Li family a heavy blow on the night the city fell. That night, they were discovered by my maidservant, so they killed her and violated me. While those men committed their evil deeds, a young man killed them with a single blade. My rescuer wore a bronze ghost mask, was taciturn, and had a shadow guard named Juan Su at his side. I knew he had secretly infiltrated because he spoke with a northern official accent. After killing only a few men, without time to say much, he pursued the remaining escaped scouts and left, leaving only his clothing for me.”

Qun Qing’s heart pounded heavily.

The person Xiao Yunru described as her rescuer was undoubtedly Li Huan.

However, if Li Huan had the means to secretly infiltrate the city during the siege, why did he not take this opportunity to go to Pure Tranquility Abbey to see Yang Fu?

Xiao Yunru continued, “This guilty daughter-in-law had been cautious and careful her entire life, the dignified model of an aristocratic lady, precisely to prevent others from finding fault. I never imagined this matter would ruin my life. After returning home, my stepmother knew I had lost my chastity. She acted tyrannically and threatened to inform the clan, except seeing I held Li Huan’s clothing, she was uncertain of his identity and dared not act rashly. By late that night, I truly feared others’ words and could not endure the torment…”

“So I went to the riverside intending to drown myself.”

She paused before continuing, “As a result, I saw that shadow guard called Juan Su with the back of his head injured, collapsed in the cold stream. I went into the river to search and found San Lang unconscious in the shallows. His mask was already gone. By the light of fires in the outer city, I saw his face clearly. Blood streamed from his hair—he too had been knocked unconscious.”

Emperor Chenming could not help interrupting: “The outer city had fires—when was this?”

“The city gates had already opened. Shouts of killing were everywhere. Chang’an City had fallen, but what did that matter to someone seeking death?” Xiao Yunru said calmly. “When Li Huan awoke, he was anxious to leave. Only then did I confirm he was Prince Yan, and my heart grasped a thread of hope. No matter how great the Xiao family was, they must bow before the new emperor. Bound by propriety, I could only marry randomly and spend half my life being criticized, but I did not want that—I still had many things I wished to do.”

She asked him if he could return to find her. She was willing to use the Xiao family’s military forces as a bargaining chip to assist Prince Yan.

Seeing her tears, Li Huan remained silent for a long while, only apologizing, saying he had someone he liked.

“This guilty daughter-in-law’s hopes were utterly destroyed. Unwilling to force anyone, after Li Huan left, I immediately threw myself into the water.”

Perhaps Li Huan was also shocked by her determination. He returned to fish her out and agreed to her terms before hurriedly departing.

“During the waiting process, each day was torment. Two months later, I was actually with child. To prevent this matter from being known and avoid tainting the imperial bloodline, this guilty daughter-in-law administered strong medicine to herself. Originally the physician said that due to the Cold Snow Pills’ damage, I would never conceive again. Unexpectedly, I had the heir. If I miscarried again, my life might be in danger.”

Xiao Yunru looked at the swaddling cloth. “How fortunate I was, hoping it could be healthy, yet knowing full well hidden dangers remained. Now the fruit has ripened and fallen—this must be heaven’s punishment for my lies. This guilty daughter-in-law is willing to accept punishment, only begging the Sage’s clear judgment:”

She said, “When the city fell, Prince Yan was with me. Therefore, the person who that day rode horses trampling through two wards and harming commoners, and the person who violated Princess Bao’an at Pure Tranquility Abbey, was not Prince Yan but someone else. This is what this guilty daughter-in-law wished to report.”

Emperor Chenming stared fixedly at her, only saying after a long while, “If not Prince Yan, then who do you say it was? Who would wear San Lang’s mask, ride San Lang’s horse, command San Lang’s subordinates, and deliberately frame him?”

Xiao Yunru took out a jade belt hook from the heir’s swaddling cloth and knocked it once: “This object was found by this guilty daughter-in-law by the riverside that day. This person stood on the bridge watching his subordinates fight with Prince Yan. His Highness the Crown Prince’s height and build resemble Prince Yan’s. Moreover, on that day, when Prince Yan secretly infiltrated the city to eliminate Northern Rong scouts, he informed his elder brother.”

Wind brushed past Qun Qing’s hair. She had not expected Xiao Yunru’s matter would reveal the truth about the Pure Tranquility Abbey incident.

The black jade belt hook in Xiao Yunru’s hand glimmered with light—an object that could only be worn on a belt by officials of Rank Seven or above. It was slightly precious for Li Huan, something only a military governor’s legitimate son would commonly use.

The matter of the two wards caused extensive casualties and nearly cost Emperor Chenming his hard-won throne, nearly causing Prince Yan to be driven from Chang’an. Such a vicious scheme—he could not believe under any circumstances that the person was not Prince Yan but rather the Crown Prince he had personally trained and taught.

He understood this child very well. Li Xuan’s temperament followed Empress Dowager Yuan’s—noble and mild, always watching his moods, sometimes even somewhat indecisive.

How could the Crown Prince, the day after bloodily washing the palace city, act as if nothing had happened while accompanying him to comfort Princess Bao’an?

Madness. It must be false accusation. From her improper late-night knocking, she had completed a premeditated false accusation.

Emperor Chenming detested succession struggles. He glared menacingly at Xiao Yunru. Not immediately knowing how to handle her, he pointed at Qun Qing: “An inner court female official failed her duty to guide palace consorts, actually allowing Prince Yan’s consort to speak nonsense. Drag her out.”

He wanted to intimidate Xiao Yunru by punishing someone close to her.

Yet Xiao Yunru said, “This guilty daughter-in-law has not spoken one false word. If the Sage wishes to kill, then kill me. Do not implicate others.”

Bell sounds and palace lanterns rapidly approached.

Zhu Su knelt before Emperor Chenming: “This subordinate has evidence to present proving the Princess Consort’s words are not false. That day’s person was indeed the Crown Prince.”

“Excellent! Qi Lang has arranged everything.” Emperor Chenming said. “When the two wards incident occurred, Qi Lang refused to accept it. I would like to know—the Crown Prince is weak and cannot ride or shoot. How could he successfully impersonate Prince Yan and break into the palace city?”

Qun Qing’s fingers touched the icy ground. She too wanted to know what happened that night.

“The Sage will know after reading Qun Cang’s report.” Zhu Su insisted on presenting it. “Old Chu’s censor Qun Cang once reported the Lu family’s treason—exchanging old Chu’s military supplies for Northern Rong’s poppy seeds, hidden in grain transport and brought back to old Chu. This matter is true. Since the Sage knows Grand Councilor Meng is a Lu family descendant, it makes sense he would have poppies. The Chief Clerk theorizes that that day, Grand Councilor Meng gave the Crown Prince poppies.”

“Northern Rong death warriors on the battlefield have a tradition of consuming poppy cakes. Consuming poppies for a short time allows even those weak and near death to rally briefly, though after the drug effect sharply recedes, the body becomes even worse. The Sage should consider—after the nation’s founding, has the Crown Prince’s health not been far worse than before? Has he not used large amounts of fire-clearing and fire-defeating medicinal materials?”

Emperor Chenming said nothing. At that time, he had only thought Li Xuan was overworked with excessive internal heat. He even invited famous physicians to examine him. Medicinal decoctions flowed like water to the Eastern Palace without improvement, once causing him extreme worry.

His hand holding the memorial trembled slightly.

The “Jade Boiling Pills” spreading through Jiangnan Circuit had nearly emptied local merchants’ silver, causing him endless headaches. If the Crown Prince was this source…

Only hearing a “ka” cough, Emperor Chenming’s blood splattered on his sleeping robe. Consort Han cried out “Sage!” The inner servants behind surged forward, supporting the tottering Emperor Chenming. Amid the crowd, he said weakly, “Zheng Fu, go summon the Crown Prince. Summon the Crown Prince immediately.”

A group of people surged into the hall. Only then did Zhu Su dare call to the palace maids kneeling behind. Li Huan arrived first and took the swaddling cloth. He looked at Xiao Yunru. Seeing her in thin clothing and bare feet, he was extremely shaken: “You… why did you speak even of such past matters? How will you stand in the palace hereafter?”

“Your Highness thinks I would not dare because though we became husband and wife, you do not understand Xiao Yunru. Now you finally understand me. I am very happy.” Xiao Yunru was exhausted to the extreme, yet smiled, “This year was stolen to begin with. Now the debt is repaid. I am unwilling to further obstruct Your Highness from being with Princess Bao’an.”

With that, utterly exhausted, she fainted. Li Huan caught her: “Send the Princess Consort back. I will seek audience with Father Emperor.”

Palace maids frantically sent Xiao Yunru back to Prince Yan’s Mansion. Qun Qing finally freed herself and turned to walk on the palace path, ruminating on Xiao Yunru’s words.

The towering palace halls in the night were like slumbering giant beasts gazing down at her. Chaotic images flashed through her mind: in her youth following Princess Bao’an when first entering the palace; the chaotic palace city during the upheaval; Shi Yuming’s expression when instructing her; the murderer bursting into Pure Tranquility Abbey drawing an iron sword to stab her; Li Xuan’s thin figure reviewing memorials at night; Li Xuan’s expression listening to Zheng Zhiyi speak; the young Li Xuan’s heroic bearing riding and hunting in paintings.

She encountered the Crown Prince’s sedan chair coming from the opposite direction. Li Xuan did not yet know why Emperor Chenming had summoned him. Lifting the curtain, his face showed surprise as their eyes met.

He had never seen Qun Qing gaze at him with such profound expression. Her pupils were pitch black, bright as knives, as if containing thin tears.

Li Xuan told Shou Xi to go add clothing for her, but Qun Qing did not stop walking. By the time Shou Xi descended from the carriage, she had already walked far away.

Qun Qing felt she was walking on the road back to Prince Yan’s Mansion, but looking carefully, nothing was familiar—she had actually gotten lost in the palace.

She suddenly felt very tired. Finding a gap in the broken walls and ruins before her, she squeezed herself in and sat on the steps hugging her knees.

The bell sounds on the distant saddle never ceased, lingering sometimes far, sometimes near, growing closer and closer. Someone dismounted and approached carrying a lamp, squatting before her: “Is my lady tired?”

Finding her, catching her, not letting her catch her breath—this seemed to be what this person did best.

Qun Qing did not want to open her eyes, but still forced them open. Lu Huating’s black eyes reflected lamplight. He was properly dressed, his appearance vividly radiant enough to sear the eyes.

Her complexion was almost transparent. Lu Huating took from his sleeve a bag of osmanthus candy and offered it.

Qun Qing did not accept it, instead staring at the crescent-shaped scar on his wrist: “What were you thinking at that time?”

Lu Huating followed her gaze to glance at it, his expression unchanged: “I was not thinking anything.”

Qun Qing closed her mouth. She felt seeking comfort from this person was truly foolish. Even if he had dark moments, he would not tell others.

Lu Huating’s gaze rose, falling faintly on the crabapple flower embroidered at her collar: “What was my lady thinking when stabbed at Pure Tranquility Abbey?”

Qun Qing suddenly raised her eyes. Phantom pain and shame surged simultaneously into her heart.

Then she realized that since he had collected the corpses at Pure Tranquility Abbey, knowing where she was stabbed was not strange.

Qun Qing glanced at him: “I was thinking that even as a ghost, I would not let him go.”

Lu Huating looked into her eyes and said with a smile, “I thought when evidence pointed to the Crown Prince, my lady would be sad.”

Qun Qing said nothing more.

The smile at Lu Huating’s lips slightly diminished. He did not expect Qun Qing to suddenly stand and untie the rope tethering his horse to the tree trunk. Following her movements, the fine horse snorted restlessly. Silver bells on the saddle trembled. Qun Qing said, “The Chief Clerk rides such a spirited horse.”

Lu Huating said nothing, but saw Qun Qing suddenly mount his horse, her pupils pitch black: “I want to ride it. May I?”

He still remembered this woman’s performance during the autumn examinations—clearly she had an unresolved trauma and could not ride horses. As expected, when she sat atop it, that rigid unease transmitted to the horse. It circled anxiously, rear hooves kicking, about to throw her off. Lu Huating grabbed the bridle.

The white horse was controlled in his grasp, unable to move, and could only be led by him, taking small steps forward.

Amid her wildly beating heart, Qun Qing felt the wind move. Horse hooves slowly trod over fallen leaves—they had already walked for quite some time. Lu Huating held the lamp in one hand and controlled the bridle with the other. Suddenly turning his face, he asked her, “My lady, do you wish to go faster?”

Without waiting for Qun Qing to answer, he had already handed her the lamp and quickened his pace. The white horse followed him in a faster walk.

Qun Qing felt dizzy and grasped the reins. She forced herself to recall again and again the person in her nightmare wearing a bronze ghost mask, riding a horse and breaking through Pure Tranquility Abbey’s door.

He was not a natural killing god, nor was he invincible. Behind the mask was Li Xuan—merely Li Xuan who had made mistakes.

She could avenge her brother and give herself closure.

The round moon hanging in the sky came toward them. At some point, these thoughts dissipated in the wind. Qun Qing suspended the lamp and saw Lu Huating dragging the bridle as he began to run. They went faster and faster. Seeing the tower’s lamplight draw nearer and nearer, she suddenly regained that feeling from her youth of riding through corridors as if soaring through the void on wind.

Lu Huating turned his head to glance at her. Qun Qing’s hair and draped silk flew high. When she smiled, it was like shattered glass—radiant and brilliant.