Affairs in this world are generally full of such twists and turns – when people scheme against others, they unknowingly become chess pieces in someone else’s hands. Jiang Dan had placed all her chips on framing Prince Jinying’s manor with those arrows, unaware that Jiang Ruan had only added two elements to completely reverse the situation. The true killing blow lay here – the secret pregnancy.

This was fundamentally a muddled account. The moment Xia Qing detected Jiang Dan’s pregnancy pulse, her fate was sealed. Between a prince and a favored consort, if this child had even the slightest possibility of being connected to Xuan Hua, the Emperor would kill without hesitation. Imperial bloodlines could least tolerate adultery. The palace, where sordid affairs were most common, also held the deepest hatred for such matters.

The Emperor’s gaze settled heavily on Xuan Hua. His eyes no longer held a father’s pain and concern for his son, but rather a monarch’s cruel indifference toward a treacherous subject. It was killing intent. He said slowly, “Fifth Prince, you killed the Crown Prince and tried to frame others, even conspiring with my consort. Are you trying to rebel against heaven itself?”

Sweat dripped from Xuan Hua’s forehead as he stared back at the Emperor. After a long moment, he suddenly showed a hint of a smile. In this game, he had already lost. After competing with Xuan Li for so many years, surviving in the palace through Noble Consort De’s guidance and cutting through thorns and brambles, he thought this realm would eventually have a place for him. Who knew he would fail at the crucial moment? Looking back now, he could hardly imagine why he had agreed to cooperate with Jiang Dan. Perhaps he had been too eager, ultimately burying his final prospects. He lost at this point. He looked at Jiang Dan with disgust, “Fool, if not for you, how would I have fallen to such circumstances?”

Jiang Dan stared at him with a pale face. Xuan Hua’s words essentially acknowledged their relationship – he had actually… confessed so quickly. Jiang Dan refused to give up, “Fifth Prince, what are you saying… I don’t understand…”

“Put away your tears, you pitiful thing,” Xuan Hua sneered coldly. “At this point, do you think crying injustice will give you a way to live?” Xuan Hua had been by the Emperor’s side longer than Jiang Dan – he understood the Emperor’s every glance, especially those murderous looks, better than anyone. Today, neither he nor Jiang Dan would escape death. Harming the Crown Prince, framing others, conspiring with a favored consort – these charges added up to one ultimate goal: that dragon throne. No emperor could tolerate subjects coveting their realm, not even sons. There was no kinship in the imperial family – they were born to fight for that chair.

Hearing this, Jiang Dan could no longer hold on, as if her backbone had been instantly removed, her face showing desperate defeat.

The Emperor remained silent. Xuan Hua smiled, “Father Emperor, you possess the entire realm, controlling the life and death of common people. My life and death are also in your single thought. That chair of yours – whoever sits on it certainly enjoys glory. But so what?” Xuan Hua glanced at the dispirited Jiang Dan and smiled, “You have countless beauties who adore you, but how do you know they’re truly loyal to you? Take this favored little consort of yours – she seemed so gentle and considerate toward you initially, but…” He extended a finger to frivolously lift Jiang Dan’s chin, his smile indescribably strange and mocking. “Under me, she was just as delighted.”

“Stop talking!” Jiang Dan cried in terror. The Emperor’s expression had returned to calm, showing no emotion at these almost provocative words, as if Xuan Hua was discussing someone else’s affairs. Wang Lian’er looked somewhat uneasy – while she was pleased to see Jiang Dan’s downfall, knowing too much about secrets between the Emperor and his son might not be good for a consort. The Emperor wouldn’t favor someone who knew too many imperial scandals, but now she was caught in a difficult position, not knowing how to withdraw to avoid hearing what came next.

Jiang Ruan lowered her smiling eyes. This was exactly Xuan Hua’s character – impatient, quick-tempered, and reckless. His ability to contend with Xuan Li for so many years was purely due to Noble Consort De’s guidance and the powerful ministerial forces behind him. In the previous life’s succession struggle, after Noble Consort De’s death, Xuan Hua was easily defeated by Xuan Li. If not for Jiang Dan actively seeking out Xuan Hua this time, she had actually wanted to keep Xuan Hua around longer to deal with Xuan Li. Compared to Xuan Li, Xuan Hua posed no threat. But since they had schemed against her, not fighting back would be unreasonable.

Thanks to Xuan Li’s actions in the previous life, Jiang Ruan knew Xuan Hua’s temperament well. Though Xuan Hua appeared reckless on the surface, deep down he was extremely vindictive. Falling to such circumstances today, Jiang Dan bore great responsibility. Xuan Hua would place this entire account on Jiang Dan’s head and certainly wouldn’t let her have peace even in death. Just now, Xuan Hua deliberately provoked the Emperor precisely to muddy these waters further. Like father, like son – conversely, the Emperor’s magnanimity might not be much greater. For a woman who had betrayed him, if she only received simple execution, that would be Jiang Dan’s fortune.

“Father Emperor, regardless of how you view this son, I accept it all. Since ancient times, winners become kings and losers become bandits. The Crown Prince’s matter was indeed my doing, and I did indeed try to frame Prince Jinying’s manor. However, all this was proposed by your favored consort. Isn’t that right, Dan’niang?” The gentler Xuan Hua’s tone became, the more Jiang Dan shrank. She wanted to cover Xuan Hua’s mouth but dared do nothing under everyone’s gaze, only daring to curl into a ball while desperately shaking her head.

“Your favored consort told me that Father Emperor would eventually pass away someday, and this deep palace is both lonely and vast – she needed to find herself a support. So she approached me. As for the Crown Prince’s matter, it was also her instigation. Father Emperor’s palace truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers – even a small favored consort can know so many things.” Xuan Hua smiled self-mockingly. “This son couldn’t resist temptation and agreed to her request. Who knew it wouldn’t lead to any bright prospects? This woman thought herself clever in trying to frame Prince Jinying’s consort, but ultimately proved inferior in skill.” Xuan Hua looked deeply at Jiang Ruan again. Jiang Ruan calmly met his gaze, making Xuan Hua’s heart skip a beat. Now facing certain death anyway, he had thought to drag someone down as a companion – preferably dragging down everyone connected to this matter for burial. But Jiang Ruan’s eyes made him somewhat alarmed, dissipating his earlier madness and making his heart tighten.

After just a moment, Xuan Hua smiled again, “Eighth Brother, I didn’t expect you to appear here today too. Today I’ve already lost – this realm will probably fall into your hands.” He completely disregarded the Emperor’s dignity, unscrupulously commenting on these private matters as if eager to make things even bigger. “I’ve fought you my entire life, but don’t know if you were aware of this matter. Eighth Brother is brilliantly intelligent – I think you probably foresaw today’s outcome long ago. I still can’t compete with you. Even with Consort Chen already in the cold palace, you always find ways to survive desperate situations.”

Xuan Li said nothing. Xuan Hua was now trying to drag down as many people as possible – probably wanting to trip him up before dying. Arguing would be inadvisable; better to listen quietly. After all, the Emperor knew right from wrong in his heart. As Xuan Hua spoke, he suddenly laughed heartily toward the sky, saying only, “I didn’t believe in fate before, but now I have to. Perhaps in this lifetime I truly have no connection to that position. But I’m unwilling!”

“Because you’re unwilling, you personally plotted against your own brother and even framed others?” The Emperor was probably furious to the extreme and instead laughed. “I didn’t know this son of mine had such abilities – even sleeping with my favored consort. If I hadn’t exposed you today, that blade of yours would eventually rest on my neck!”

“Why must Father Emperor speak so?” Xuan Hua also laughed. People at their wit’s end often become reckless at this point. His nature was different from Xuan Lang’s pleading type, carrying some impatience and lacking Xuan Li’s patience and planning. Once defeated, he would never think of making a comeback or preserving strength for future use – he would only reveal all his failures and personally block his last escape route. He said, “Among these sons, which one have you personally loved? What’s the use of your current appearance of caring for the Crown Prince? When the Crown Prince was forced to embarrass himself at the royal ceremony, you didn’t intervene either. You claim to favor Eighth Brother, yet when hearing that Consort Chen was detrimental to the realm, you showed no sentiment in casting her into the cold palace. When Fourth Brother died, you didn’t inquire either. Why does my mother consort want me to seize that position? Because she understands better than anyone that your heart isn’t on any son at all! Father Emperor, we all carry your blood and have inherited the same cruel nature as you. Your eyes only see the realm, only your throne. We can only look at it too. But I must admit, ginger gets spicier with age. Father Emperor, this round – I’ve lost.”

At this point, Jiang Ruan felt this Xuan Hua was actually worthy of admiration. Though not particularly bright, he was someone who could accept defeat gracefully. At least this speech had helped her considerably. Xuan Hua continued, “I’ve never understood Father Emperor’s thoughts. Sometimes I even feel you treat this treacherous subject better than you treat me.” He glanced at the expressionless Xiao Shao and smiled bitterly. “Perhaps in your heart, I’m truly insignificant – ready to be sacrificed without hesitation when the time comes.”

The Emperor looked at him silently, his expression unmoved by Xuan Hua’s entire speech. Xuan Hua laughed a few times, “When death is imminent, one’s words are kind. Today’s matter probably won’t end well. When I began plotting for this position, I knew I had to prepare for the possibility of losing. I just didn’t expect this day to come so quickly. Father Emperor, after all we’re father and son – I must remind you of something. Your pillow companions aren’t necessarily good people to be with. The so-called venomous beauties and kingdom-destroying demonesses – the more beautiful a woman, the more vicious her heart. Sometimes, those who scheme for your realm and want you dead aren’t just me alone.” He glanced at the collapsed Jiang Dan, a cruel smile flashing in his eyes. “But I can guarantee that what she carries in her belly is indeed imperial offspring – your genuine imperial grandson.”

“No—” Jiang Dan screamed miserably, her face showing desperate despair. Xuan Hua’s acknowledgment clearly confirmed her adultery. Carrying imperial bastard offspring was a grave crime that wouldn’t allow even a quick death. Now even wanting to die peacefully would be difficult. She looked at Xuan Hua in disbelief, suddenly throwing herself before him and clawing at his face with her hands. “I didn’t! You know that’s impossible. Why are you falsely accusing me? Clearly we only recently…” In the struggle, she was completely unaware of the error in her words. The Emperor’s expression could no longer be described as angry – he looked at them like watching clowns. Finally, he coldly commanded, “Eighth Prince, I leave this to you. Lock these two up first.” He paused before adding, “Watch your mouth.”

This meant concealing the adultery. Everyone present was essentially imperial family, so there was no worry about leaks. Hearing this, Xuan Hua showed a relieved smile, while Jiang Dan desperately shook her head in disbelief. Even when the guards dragging her away forcibly lifted her, she struggled frantically, saying, “No, no, no, it’s not me! Your Majesty, believe me! This concubine truly didn’t betray you! I don’t want to die yet! No, Your Majesty—”

Only when her life was truly threatened did Jiang Dan realize she wasn’t as composed as she thought. Since ancient times, winners became kings and losers became bandits, but losing gracefully was troublesome. She was already the Emperor’s favored consort, even carrying imperial offspring. With the child bringing honor to the mother, she should have had wealth and glory. If she truly bore a prince, her future status would rise accordingly – even Jiang Ruan would have to bow to her. But with these beautiful prospects before her, everything was gone. All the wonderful things had become bubbles. What grew in her belly was no longer glittering imperial offspring but a bastard – a death warrant on her road to the underworld.

Jiang Dan’s miserable screams sounded utterly piercing to everyone’s ears. The Emperor had already turned and left. Today’s shock and blow was no less than others’. Emperors were always somewhat proud – discovering that his own flesh and blood and pillow companion had betrayed him together, even fratricide or imperial adultery – any of these spreading would be fatal blows to him.

Jiang Dan was still screaming when suddenly the soldiers dragging her stopped. A crimson dress hem appeared before her.

She slowly raised her head. Jiang Ruan smiled at her brilliantly, her smile bright and moving. Her dress hem remained perfectly still while her hands were properly folded at her chest in an extremely dignified and noble posture. The more noble and otherworldly she appeared, the more humble and wretched Jiang Dan seemed. Jiang Dan glared at her through gritted teeth, “Jiang Ruan!”

“Shh,” Jiang Ruan made a silencing gesture with a smile. “Fourth Sister, lower your voice. If others hear you and come to inquire, learning of today’s events, then even in death you’ll become the laughingstock of the entire capital, infamous throughout the Great Jin Dynasty for eternity. I’ve always been magnanimous – considering we were both raised by the same mother, I would feel compassion.”

Hearing the word “death,” Jiang Dan trembled violently, her entire body beginning to shake. She didn’t want to die yet. She was so young, having finally reached a position above others in the palace. Just for making one small mistake, she would lose her life – the price was too harsh. Looking at Jiang Ruan, Jiang Dan suddenly grabbed her dress hem, tears welling in her eyes. “Big Sister, Big Sister, please save me! In the past, it was all Little Sister’s fault – everything was Little Sister’s mistake. For the sake of our sisterhood, Sister, please save me! I don’t want to die yet! Brother-in-law is so trusted by His Majesty – have him plead with His Majesty for me! Big Sister, I truly had no improper relations with the Fifth Prince! The child in my belly is His Majesty’s! Big Sister, please save me! Do you remember when we were little, staying by Mother’s side together? Big Sister, you’re my only relative in this world…”

She spoke while kowtowing to Jiang Ruan. The guards holding Jiang Dan dared not move before Jiang Ruan, standing silently aside. Jiang Ruan looked at her indifferently. Jiang Dan’s expression was pitiful enough – no longer the triumphant Jiang Zhaoyi but just the motherless, helpless concubine’s daughter from the Minister’s manor.

She watched indifferently, then suddenly reached out to gently wipe the tears from Jiang Dan’s face. Her movement was very gentle. Jiang Dan stared at her blankly, hope flashing in her eyes. Perhaps Jiang Ruan still held some sentiment – she spoke more enthusiastically: “Back in the Minister’s manor, only Big Sister and Mother treated Dan’niang best…”

“Yes, only Mother and I treated Fourth Sister best,” Jiang Ruan sighed, interrupting Jiang Dan. “But Fourth Sister wanted to poison Mother and me to death. How heartbreaking.”

Jiang Dan trembled, slowly looking at Jiang Ruan. Jiang Ruan smiled at her, her movements gentle as if truly a caring elder sister. But Jiang Dan clearly felt how cold Jiang Ruan’s fingertips were as they traced her cheek. Even colder than her fingers were her words. Jiang Ruan said, “Fourth Sister, you owe my mother a life. How could I save you? Go slowly to the King of Hell and repent at my mother’s feet. See if hell is truly like the eighteen levels in picture books, and whether you can endure those extreme punishments. I imagine it should be quite pleasant.”

Jiang Ruan’s tone was gentle, her smile brilliant, yet carried an eerie quality from hell itself, making one feel like a soul-claiming demon.

Jiang Dan wiped away her tears, “You knew all along. This was all your doing. You want me dead?”

“No,” Jiang Ruan withdrew her hand, playing with her hair. “Your life has long been in my hands. I went through such great effort – naturally not just to let you die quickly.” She smiled slightly. “I imagine now, even if you wanted a quick death, it would be very difficult.”