The silence all around was terrifyingly complete. The Kunming Prefect had already collapsed into a puddle of mud.

The Imperial Guard commander looked at him with disgust and was about to order continued searching when he heard someone shout loudly: “Fire!”

Looking up, he saw flames blazing fiercely from the small building ahead.

Now it was impossible to detain this group of people here for individual questioning, nor could they continue searching for suspicious persons. People fled in panic trying to escape the fire, and the Imperial Guard commander could only order the army forward to evacuate and guard the people.

He turned and went outside the building.

The open space outside had long been surrounded by the army. Among the troops was a warm sedan chair with a precious green wool canopy, its curtains hanging deep. The Imperial Guard commander, having learned his lesson, no longer dared leave the Great King alone in the post house residence, no matter how grave the situation.

He spoke quietly through the curtains explaining the incident, then knelt and kowtowed, saying with deep remorse: “Great King, forgive this minister’s crime. I truly should have strongly dissuaded His Highness…”

Shortly after the Fifteenth Prince left, the Great King awoke. Hearing that the Fifteenth Prince had gone out to a banquet, he immediately flew into a rage and ordered him to prepare carriages and horses to rush over.

However, they were still a step too late.

An aged and weary voice came from the warm sedan, saying flatly: “When someone wants to seek their own death, no one can stop them.”

The Imperial Guard commander dared not rise, saying in a heavy voice: “Great King, all the princes…”

He dared not conceal anything, describing in detail the causes of death of all the princes. The sedan remained silent throughout, only asking him to repeat everything once after he finished, then fell into silence again.

The Imperial Guard commander said angrily: “Murong Yi is truly ruthless and merciless. In just a few short days, the Seventh, Ninth, Twelfth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Princes have all died at his hands…”

Inside the sedan, Prince Da’an gazed heavily at the canopy above, saying: “Not all of them were killed by him.”

The Imperial Guard commander was stunned.

How could that be possible?

“The Twelfth and Fourteenth should have killed each other.” Prince Da’an said. “That day you were already on full alert, and the guards all said no one passed through, so no one did. The only one who left the carriage was the Twelfth – he was the one who killed the Fourteenth.”

“But…”

“As for why he killed… the Twelfth had a heavy mind, the Fourteenth was cowardly and selfish. With the Seventh and Ninth dying in succession before their eyes, both should have been frightened and perhaps harbored thoughts they shouldn’t have, while Murong Yi exploited such thoughts, making them kill each other.”

The Imperial Guard commander was shocked.

Thinking it over carefully, it seemed very possible.

“As for the Twelfth, he should have been killed by the Fifteenth.”

The Imperial Guard commander’s head snapped up again abruptly.

“I heard your description of the Fifteenth’s reaction when he nearly fell into the pool – it wasn’t just that he didn’t seem like a drunk person. He also unhesitatingly used the Twelfth’s body for support, even stabbing the Twelfth in the process. This was wrong. The Twelfth outranked him in status, position, and ability – how dare he be so unrestrained? Unless he already knew at that time that the Twelfth was dead.”

Of course, when using a dead person, one need not be considerate.

This was a subconscious reaction that could not be disguised.

The Imperial Guard commander recalled the situation at that time and suddenly understood.

Who would have thought that the Fifteenth Prince, who daily appeared immersed in wine and women, looking like a wastrel, actually concealed such depths that even the seemingly profound and intelligent Twelfth Prince fell into his hands without any guard.

If there hadn’t been a mantis stalking the cicada with the great demon king Murong Yi always watching coldly from behind, with the Fifteenth Prince’s scheming methods, Liaodong would inevitably have been his in the future.

Then a deep chill rose from the bottom of his heart, from his tailbone to his neck, all numb beyond his control.

Such a group of sons who would stop at nothing, with deep schemes and no family affection.

Such horrific fratricidal killing.

This cold and cruel princely house like a living hell.

A gentle breeze stirred the deep curtains, and Prince Da’an’s face flashed briefly out of sight.

In that fleeting glimpse, he saw the other’s eyelids drooping in three layers, his brow dark with fatigue – in an instant, he seemed to have aged ten years.

He lowered his head, not daring to look again.

Behind them, the great fire crackled and burned. Someone was wailing and crying. Heavy armor gleamed coldly among the leaping flames, yet this patch of heaven and earth was silent as death.

After a long while, he heard a deep sigh from behind the hanging curtains.

“At such a time, death might be better.”

The Imperial Guard commander didn’t dare even show shock, his hands gripping the ground desperately.

“Pass the order – withdraw all bounties, arrest warrants, and assassination orders against Murong Yi.”

“…Yes.”

Behind the curtain it grew quiet. There was no punishment for him. The Imperial Guard commander knew he had passed this trial. He stood up, his back soaked with sweat, his clothes clinging to his back.

However, was Murong Yi’s matter just going to pass like this? After he had killed all the princes who followed the Great King to Da Qian to observe the battle?

The sedan was lifted. Walking beside it, he heard that most noble man in Liaodong murmuring within.

“You want me to taste the pain of separation from flesh and blood again and again.”

“You want me to witness with my own eyes how my sons compete for power and profit, kill each other, fighting with blood and flesh for the flowery kingdom I never promised.”

“You want me to know they are all worthless – worthless with ill intentions.”

“You want me to understand that those I loved and favored writhe helplessly beneath the feet of those I discarded like worn shoes, worth nothing.”

“You want me to understand that I am blind.”

“You want me to understand that as long as you wish, you can kill everyone around me until I have no choice, no escape, no alternatives, and in the end can only choose you.”

…

On this day, just as dawn was breaking, Empress Dowager Xiao of Ciren Palace rose and dressed in full court regalia, applying layer upon layer of pearl powder.

The Xiao residence was also bustling with activity as Deputy Prime Minister Xiao went to court early in the morning.

In Prince Zhao’s residence, fifteen-year-old Tie Lin strode out from his new quarters, his brow showing slight irritation.

Behind him, his newly wed wife Xiao Wenliu had already styled her hair in a married woman’s arrangement, wearing a bright red silk jacket and skirt embroidered with silver butterflies among flowers. The young wife showed no joy or shyness of a newlywed, with faint dark circles under her eyes. She held a cloak and chased after Tie Lin, but seeing his quick steps as he turned through the corridor, she stopped at the corridor entrance.

Today should have been the day for her third-day return to her natal home, but both households had important matters today. Prince Zhao’s residence had informed the Xiao family that Tie Lin would not accompany her home – she would have to return alone.

The Xiao family naturally understood that today was a crucial day for both houses, with success or failure hanging in the balance, so they minded not at all. If it weren’t inauspicious not to return home, they would probably prefer to cancel it altogether.

Having no one accompany her home meant the sisters in the Xiao residence who usually envied her would have plenty to say, but Xiao Wenliu didn’t care. She had made up her mind – whoever made snide remarks, she would retort right back. Ye Ci had said never to tolerate green tea behavior, or you’d eventually be suffocated by it.

Under the corridor, servants filed past in orderly lines, all keeping their skirts gathered, heads lowered, taking quick small steps, eyes straight ahead. Yet knowing she stood there, they all bowed in unison as they passed her, their angles of lowering heads and bending waists perfectly uniform.

This was the rule of the prince’s residence – they could not raise their heads to look at their masters, much less converse with them, but they also could not fail to bow. She found these servants quite miraculous – how did they manage to see where their masters were without raising their heads?

When she first married in, she felt lonely and tried talking to little maids, causing them to be beaten with boards. After that, she stopped trying to chat. Facing that row of mechanically bowing servants, simply raising her chin slightly was enough.

Looking over the servants’ bent backs, she could see layer upon layer of moon gates, stretching endlessly as if without limit. Each time she walked among them, she felt a sense of dread, as if it were an endless maze – once you entered, you’d spend your whole life trapped inside.

She thought again of Ye Ci – no, Tie Ci. She lived in courtyards even deeper, wider, more terrifying and oppressive than Prince Zhao’s residence. How had she developed such an broad and cheerful disposition in such a place? She herself had been at the Xiao residence for two months and Prince Zhao’s residence for only three days, yet already felt suffocated.

Back then, the days on the great ship at sea with Tie Ci had been so joyful.

Even the Ghost Island where she had been scared to wetting herself now seemed full of charm in memory.

Behind her, Lan Xian’er stood quietly. She seemed better able to adapt to life in deep courtyards than Xiao Wenliu, appearing completely like a dutiful and respectful maid.

“Madam, it’s time to return home.”

Xiao Wenliu casually placed Tie Lin’s cloak on the railing and descended the steps.

Carriages and gifts were already prepared. The Xiao residence was not far from Prince Zhao’s residence, separated by three streets.

The carriage set out with guards before and behind. Lan Xian’er sat with her, watching the curtains to prevent her from lifting them.

Today the streets seemed somewhat strange – fewer people than usual, yet several shops had crowds gathered noisily at their entrances.

The carriage suddenly stopped. After a while, the guard captain came to report: “Young Madam, the Tian shop ahead suddenly lowered prices for customer appreciation. Too many people came to buy, blocking the road. Shall we take a detour?”

“Tian shop?” Xiao Wenliu remembered that Tian shop’s beef jerky was excellent.

If she remembered correctly, she seemed to recall Tie Ci mentioning that the Tian family heir was her dormmate at Yueli Academy.

“Grandmother and mother both love Tian shop’s beef jerky. Might as well have someone buy some.”

The carriage stopped. Since it was still early, Lan Xian’er got out to buy jerky, but the queue was long, and because of the severe crowding, several groups of people were arguing.

Xiao Wenliu lifted the curtain and saw many servants and maids from wealthy households squeezed to the side, looking anxious. Only Lan Xian’er walked over and unhesitatingly pushed into the crowd. Xiao Wenliu saw with her own eyes how Lan Xian’er’s embroidered shoes stepped hard on a big man’s foot in front, then shoved aside an old woman. When someone grabbed her to argue, she made them back down sheepishly after just a few exchanges.

Xiao Wenliu smiled and lowered the curtain.

She knew Lan Xian’er’s usual gentleness was all an act.

A woman who dared beat up soldiers even when fallen into prostitution – how could she become truly gentle just because she was now at Xiao Wenliu’s side?

But this sudden customer appreciation at the Tian shop was rather strange. It wasn’t an opening, and there were no competitors – why suddenly offer customer appreciation?

The Tian family heir was the Crown Princess’s dormmate… was this related to Tie Ci? Had Tie Ci returned?

Xiao Wenliu wasn’t clear about what had happened in court these past few days. Neither the Xiao family nor Prince Zhao’s residence would tell her such things, but obviously something major was happening. Tie Lin had been absent-minded these past few days, and she could see the mixture of anxiety and excitement in his expression.

The curtain lifted as Lan Xian’er returned, her hair not even mussed, only her face slightly flushed. Excited from arguing.

She leaned close to Xiao Wenliu and whispered: “I asked a shop assistant. He said their young master returned to the capital and immediately ordered price cuts as soon as he came back – not just this one shop, but all seventy-two shops in the capital together. When word spread, everyone went crazy buying. The Tian family will lose so much money this time that the assistant nearly cried.”

“Why suddenly cut prices?”

“Madam, this servant also learned another piece of news – they say the Crown Princess is about to return to the capital. The Ministry of Rites takes people to wait outside the city daily, but not only does the Ministry wait, they’ve also deployed the Three Great Camps in layered defenses outside the city and summoned many commoners to wait at the city gates daily. But today with the Tian family’s sudden price cuts, all the commoners at the gates ran back.”

Xiao Wenliu said in amazement: “Wasn’t the Crown Princess said to be injured, recovering while returning, with at least half a month left? Why wait so early?”

The two women looked at each other, the same two words flashing in their eyes: “Blocking people.”

Connecting this to Tie Lin’s unusual attendance at court today when he normally didn’t go, and the abnormal behavior of Prince Zhao’s residence and the Xiao family, Xiao Wenliu’s heart suddenly began pounding.

She sat up straight, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

Lan Xian’er sat at the front of the carriage, her fingers wound around the reins, saying as if casually: “This is terrible. With the army so thick, it looks like the Crown Princess can’t return. Why won’t they let the Crown Princess come back? Young Madam, do you know?”

What could they be doing? Xiao Wenliu thought of the mysterious behavior of Prince Zhao and his son these past days, their urgency that prevented even attending the return-home ceremony.

But could they really win?

Lan Xian’er continued chattering: “Young Madam, I heard the Crown Princess is returning with a large army. If this leads to conflict, won’t there be war?”

She usually wasn’t so talkative, but she had to live up to the silver notes that person had given her.

She could follow Miss Xiao and live her current life of fine clothes and good food thanks to that person’s guidance and help. When they parted at sea, he had given her money and asked her to help whenever Ye Ci and the Xiao family faced off in the future.

Later, staying with the young miss, she learned that Ye Ci was the Crown Princess.

She wasn’t normally someone who kept promises, but she was somewhat afraid of that fake sailor “San Hai.” She feared that if she didn’t try her best, she might face retribution later.

Xiao Wenliu didn’t answer this question. After a while, she lifted the carriage curtain and said: “Take a detour. Go via Anning Avenue.”

The guard captain was puzzled: “Young Madam, that’s much farther – we’ll almost reach the inner city gates. Haven’t we already bought the beef jerky?”

“Today is my return-home day. It’s bad enough having no husband accompany me – to just quietly walk three streets home would be shameful.” Xiao Wenliu said. “I want to take a round trip, let people see the grandeur of Prince Zhao’s residence’s young madam.”

The guard captain hesitated. Given his position, he vaguely knew that this marriage of the Xiao family miss, relative to the status of both families, had been hasty, involving urgent considerations of alliance interests that somewhat wronged Miss Xiao. Therefore, Prince Zhao and his wife treated this young madam very well, instructing the entire residence to show respect. So after only a moment’s hesitation, he agreed and ordered the route change.

The carriage rolled toward the city gates.

…

When dawn fully broke, the officials gathered in the square before Chengqian Hall formed orderly ranks before the hall with a crisp crack of whips.

The palace gates opened, and pre-screened citizens of the capital began entering after thorough searches by the palace’s White Marsh Guards.

Though called “citizens,” these were actually prominent figures – relatives of civil and military officials fourth rank and above in the capital, officials fifth rank and above from various regions who had come to the capital to report but had no actual posts and their relatives, leaders from various trades and industries, wealthy local gentry, some pro-Xiao faction scholars occupied the vast majority of spots. There were also small numbers of Imperial Academy students and successful candidates from various regions with literary fame and degrees – these spots were fought for by the Grand Tutor and others, but numbers were limited. Such palace banquets occurred annually, and the guest lists for such grand court ceremonies had always been controlled by the Ceremonial Directorate and finally reviewed by the Cabinet, still mainly controlled by the Xiao family.

Originally, the Empress Dowager wanted to schedule this ceremony several days earlier, but the Ministry of Revenue kept crying poverty, saying the Crown Princess’s birthday was approaching, the returning army needed rewards, then there was the Empress Dowager’s birthday, floods in the south, droughts in the north, generals everywhere demanding money, plus a large sum allocated to Xiao Xueya for shipbuilding to expand the navy. The Ministry of Revenue was stretched thin and this was not the time for any large-scale activities. They delayed for several days, making the Empress Dowager quite angry. She discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Xiao several times about removing Minister Gu, but Minister Gu was also a three-dynasty veteran who had worked his way up from Ministry of Revenue clerk – an excellent hand at managing finances and money. Da Qian really couldn’t do without him, so the Empress Dowager had to swallow her anger, repeatedly cutting expenses and even promising to control spending for her own birthday and cancel the citizen tribute ceremony, finally earning Minister Gu’s nod.

Today the Empress Dowager rose very early, but His Majesty was slow to rise. The eunuch calling for morning court at Chongming Palace called three times, but His Majesty said he had a headache, cancelled court for the day, and called for the imperial physician.

When the imperial physician came, the Empress Dowager came too. The Empress Dowager stepped into the bedchamber, her voice full of concern: “How is the Emperor?”

From within the bright yellow curtains, Tie Yan said weakly: “I don’t know why, but today I have a headache and fever. It’s nothing serious though – I’ll be fine with some rest. I’ve troubled Mother Empress. Mother Empress should please stay back to avoid catching the illness.”

The Empress Dowager laughed: “How convenient this illness is. Since the Emperor is ill, he cannot be without someone who knows his needs to attend him. Consort Jing.”

A timid figure emerged from behind her, tiptoeing to peer through the curtains with concern.

Inside, Tie Yan abruptly tried to sit up, then immediately lay back down.

“You attend to His Majesty.”

“Yes.”

Tie Yan said: “Mother Empress, I hardly lack for attendants…”

“How can these rough eunuchs compare to Consort Jing’s attentiveness?” The Empress Dowager cut off his words. Just then, the head eunuch of Chongming Palace personally brought in medicine. The Empress Dowager’s gaze flicked over, and a guard stuck out his foot. The eunuch, caught off guard, stumbled and fell. The crisp sound of breaking porcelain made everyone on the floor tremble.

“Truly clumsy! Drag him out and beat him to death!”

“Empress Dowager, spare me! Your Majesty, save me!”

“Mother Empress!” Tie Yan sat up abruptly. “He didn’t mean to…”

“Drag him down!”

A heavy pressure suddenly bore down, like an invisible mountain crushing down on Tie Yan’s chest, pressing him backwards with a thud.

Tie Yan clutched his chest in agony, his fingertips digging deep into the fabric.

Damn it, not again.

His gaze looked through layers of curtains to see the blurred black shadow behind the Empress Dowager. Yes, it was this person, like a ghost always following the Empress Dowager. Every time he showed the slightest resistance, this crushing feeling would slam down, pressing until he couldn’t speak or breathe. That little bit of rebellious spirit was crushed again and again, flattened, thinned, until he grew accustomed to silence and learned obedience.

That feeling was too terrifying – the suffocating sensation of near-death like a nightmare, leaving him cold with sweat even after waking.

Sometimes Ci’er and those around him felt he was too weak – why couldn’t he muster the courage to resist, willing to be a puppet?

How could they know what it felt like to be oppressed and disciplined from childhood?

It was fortunate Ci’er didn’t know.

He gasped on the bed.

In one encounter, his carefully cultivated, newly promoted confidant in Chongming Palace was removed.

This was how it always was – give him a little opportunity, let him plant a seed of hope in the dark, cramped crevices, then casually reach out and pluck it away.

The Empress Dowager gently pushed Consort Jing: “Go, attend your master well. Don’t make the same mistake as that fool.”

Consort Jing was obviously frightened, not understanding how she had become compared to that eunuch. She timidly approached and parted the curtains.

Behind her, the Empress Dowager said coldly: “His Majesty’s health is in your hands. If anything goes wrong, you’ll accompany him!”

Tie Yan gritted his teeth and glared at Consort Jing: “Who told you to come with her! Didn’t I tell you to claim illness and stay confined behind closed doors!”

He had told Consort Jing to report a contagious illness. The Empress Dowager valued herself and would let it be.

Consort Jing was nearly in tears: “She sent people saying Your Majesty was ill, so I opened the door… then I was dragged out… The Empress Dowager said she would punish my crime of deception…”

Veins bulged on Tie Yan’s forehead.

Yes, Empress Dowager Xiao wanted face, reputation, dignity.

But if pushed to extremes, she could abandon all of these.

He finally understood that in this palace, it was still the Empress Dowager’s domain. As long as the Empress Dowager wanted to maintain that fig leaf, he and Consort Jing could barely survive. If the Empress Dowager decided to drop all pretense, killing them wouldn’t be difficult.

He lay there, suddenly filled with despair.

The Empress Dowager dominated the palace, the Xiao family controlled the court. Today Tie Lin would rise to power, while Ci’er was still on the road. By the time the dust settled, a deposed Crown Princess – the Xiao family had ten thousand ways to make her disappear on the spot.

No matter how successful Ci’er was outside, what use was it?