In an instant, a hand suddenly appeared on the wall.

That hand fiercely pulled He Zi, who was leaning against the wall, over!

The second gate slammed against the wall with a bang as Xiao Cheng led people rushing in.

At the same time, the wall surface silently rotated and closed shut.

“…” On the other side of the wall, He Zi pressed his back against the wall, staring in shock at the old servant before him.

This wall clearly couldn’t be rotated from old Kong’s side!

Moreover, what was the true identity of this old family retainer who usually was lazy and cunning, picking his feet whenever trouble arose?

The furious roar of Xiao Cheng came from next door. The old servant faced their shocked gazes, curled his lips in a smile, and gestured for the two to follow him.

In He Zi’s study, the old servant looked up and down at the paintings covering the walls, saying, “So this is what they look like.”

While admiring the paintings, he pulled here and grabbed there.

The two distinguished men stared wide-eyed as they watched the old servant’s back straighten, his skin become smooth, and aside from still having silver hair, he had transformed into a young man.

But it wasn’t over yet. The young man continued applying something for a while, this time transforming into a young woman.

The silver-haired girl had slightly upturned eyes with bright arcs that could truly be called soul-stirring and captivating when looking at people.

Her expression was natural and casual as she pointed at the two distinguished men, saying, “This place isn’t safe for long. The pursuers will react quickly. Where do you want to go? I’ll take you there.”

He Zi and Kong Wanliang’s gazes met. He Zi said, “I need to notify my colleagues to avoid tonight’s arrests.”

Minister Kong said, “I need to organize the Imperial Academy students to stop the Xiao family. As long as Xiao Liheng still wants to hold power in the capital, he cannot offend all the scholars in the capital!”

“This is troublesome… How can I alone escort two old men… I’ve got it!” The girl suddenly clapped her hands, darted outside into the snowy ground, and shortly returned with two baskets and a carrying pole. She placed the pole on her shoulder, positioned one basket on each side, and with graceful manner extended her hand toward the two distinguished men with a smile, saying, “Please enter the baskets.”

The two distinguished men: “…”

This posture is too beautiful for us to dare look.

Moments later, the silver-haired girl carried a pole with the Minister in the left basket and the Grand Tutor in the right basket, leaping into the wind and snow of the capital.

Her pace was extremely fast, and she was lightly dressed. Moving against the wind, she seemed completely unafraid of the cold and even appeared to find it quite exhilarating.

The Imperial Academy was closest, so she delivered Kong Wanliang to the bell tower of the Imperial Academy. The old master stood atop the bell tower, striking the bell at midnight. The bell’s sound pierced through the vast wind and snow, reaching the deep slumber of the three thousand disciples of the Imperial Academy.

The Imperial Academy blazed with lights as countless figures in black scholarly robes surged into the plaza.

In another direction, the silver-haired girl carried He Zi on her back as they traveled across rooftops. This area housed the residences of high ministers. He Zi squinted against the wind and snow, looking down from above, saying, “For any mansion showing activity, we don’t need to notify them.”

At this late hour with such terrible weather, unless they were preparing to do something wicked, all households should be sleeping peacefully.

Passing by Chief Minister Rong’s residence, both the front and rear courtyards were quiet and peaceful. Only the most secluded ancestral hall was brightly lit with shadows constantly flitting about.

He Zi sighed on the girl’s back, “A great man inevitably suffers from an unworthy wife and unfilial son.”

The girl chuckled softly.

Subsequently passing by Grand Secretary Chang, Grand Secretary Xie, Marquis Duanyang, Duke Chengguo… and other Grand Secretaries and nobles’ residences, all showed no activity.

Following He Zi’s instructions, the girl broke into the main courtyards, snapped off icicles from under the eaves, wrote “Xiao family jailbreak, hide quickly” and shot them into people’s inner chambers.

Startling people awake would suffice.

These were all wealthy households with their own guards. As long as they were prepared, they wouldn’t be caught off guard.

Commotion was stirred up all along their path, and He Zi breathed a sigh of relief.

The situation was better than he had imagined.

None of the nobles had participated, and most of the Grand Secretaries were also quite well-behaved.

During this past month, the Xiao family had been struck by the court with thunderous storms and ambushes from all sides, leaving them completely unable to fight back. Tie Ci had prepared thoroughly, to the extent that among the high ministers, none came forward to vouch for him.

The Xiao family had probably grown cold-hearted and chose to collude with outsiders, no longer attempting to rally court officials.

However, passing by Grand Secretary Li’s residence, there was some interesting activity.

Li Shen was properly dressed with many guards following behind him, appearing ready to depart.

But someone was kneeling long in the snow on the steps, blocking his way.

In the flickering light of wind lanterns, they could see that person’s shoulders covered with snow, having knelt for who knows how long.

He Zi stood on the rooftop and heard Li Shen, usually a man of few words, roaring in anger, “Li Yuncheng, what madness has possessed you in the middle of the night!”

Li Yuncheng knelt on the steps below, holding a pile of books, saying, “Father, your son only wishes to ask you to read some books.”

Li Shen glared at him.

“You’ve gone mad!”

“Please look at these historical books from previous dynasties, with pages written full of earnest blood. Look at how throughout the ages, those who rebelled, conspired, sided with traitors, and caused trouble all met their ends.”

Li Shen’s shoulders suddenly stiffened.

“Look at how many entire families of old and young wail in old papers, how many traitorous ministers cover their faces in history, how many noble families scattered in wind and smoke, how many aristocratic houses had their blood spilled on execution grounds.”

“Look at how this glory is like dew and lightning, gain and loss decided in a single thought.”

“Look at these families who once enjoyed wealth and honor – one day they built high towers, one day the towers collapsed; look at how many stepped into heaven in one step, then fell into the abyss in another.”

“Father, tonight the wind is strong and the snow is cold, perfect for reading historical scrolls.”

Li Yuncheng held that pile of high, well-worn book scrolls and heavily kowtowed his head into the snow.

Li Shen stood stunned under the veranda.

A middle-aged woman came out in tears and knelt beside Li Yuncheng. Li Yuncheng supported her, saying, “Mother.”

The woman pressed his hand and looked toward Li Shen, saying, “Master, this concubine understands nothing. This concubine only wishes to ask you to look at your son.”

A long silence.

The Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion stood under the veranda while the Li family mother and son knelt below.

For a long time.

Li Shen’s shoulders sagged as he silently turned around.

The Li family mother and son stood up together, supporting each other.

The lights in the Li residence gradually went out.

He Zi stood on the rooftop, having watched the entire scene, silent for a long while.

Li Shen appeared to be the most junior Grand Secretary, having entered the cabinet for not long, but in reality, aside from Xiao Liheng, he was the person with the most extensive social connections.

He had risen from a minor clerk, operating in the capital for decades with steady, solid steps.

In the cabinet and at court, he wielded considerable influence.

He had been promoted personally by Xiao Liheng and was the Grand Secretary who owed the greatest debt to the Xiao family.

At this extraordinary time, if they couldn’t come forward or were controlled, Li Shen completely had the ability to control the cabinet and even control the court officials.

Yet tonight, when no one knew, because of that young man’s kneeling with books in hand, history might be quietly rewritten.

It was timing, it was fate.

After a long while, He Zi sighed, “A great man is fortunate to have a worthy wife and filial son.”

…

On the way to the residences of the Six Ministries’ ministers, He Zi lay on the girl’s shoulder and asked, “May I ask the young lady’s name?”

The girl’s clear and bright face showed a hint of mischievous smile as she said, “Palace Master.”

He Zi: “…”

What kind of ridiculous name was that?

However, this surname made his heart stir, and he probed, “I have never met the young lady before. How did the young lady come to disguise herself as an old servant performing menial duties in my residence? Why are you willing to help me like this tonight?”

“Me? I came to kill you.”

He Zi: “…”

A gulp of cold air choked him into coughing for a long time.

“Originally I was very angry, thinking you were a coward, an idiot, plus a cripple. Your own wife was wrongfully killed, and when someone falsely transmitted her dying words, you actually believed it, gave up, stopped caring, didn’t even approach her grave, and finally had to rely on an outsider to clear her name… How can you face her?”

He Zi fell silent.

“I thought you were either a coward or disloyal to your wife. So I planned to come see for myself, and if I wasn’t pleased with what I saw, I’d just kill you with one stroke.”

He Zi slowly asked, “Then why didn’t you kill me?”

This time the girl fell silent.

Because when she pretended to be injured and collapsed by the roadside, covered in filth and stench, everyone covered their noses and walked away, only he extended a helping hand.

Because his eyes were desolate and his heart was like dead ashes, yet he still smiled at her, took her to treat her wounds, and personally boiled medicine for her.

Because his house was bare, a small courtyard and humble room, with no one to serve him, no wife, no children.

Because he had trouble sleeping through long nights, countless times rising at midnight to paint in his study.

Because he held four ceremonies a year, talking endlessly to his wife in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Because no one entered his study, yet she knew it was hung full of his aunt’s portraits.

…

After a long while, she slowly said, “Didn’t want to kill, so didn’t kill.”

But He Zi persistently continued asking, “Then why save me?”

The girl laughed heartily and answered, “Wanted to save, so saved.”

He Zi stopped talking, raised his head to look at the endless wind and snow of this night, thinking of those years past, that person who danced with a sword in the snow.

His eyes brightened, and gradually crystalline ice beads formed at the corners of his eyes.

…

Tong Rushi lifted his foot to walk toward Chongming Palace.

Suddenly, everyone behind him raised their heads.

Violent winds raged in the sky as a red and white figure flashed past like a white rainbow falling into Chongming Palace.

Quite impressive.

In the hall, Tie Ci looked at Pingzong who had landed before her.

The girl didn’t look well, but still held her head high with hands behind her back, stepping through the threshold. From her appearance, it seemed she had beaten Duanmu to within an inch of his life.

Seeing Tie Ci sitting on the throne with an even worse complexion than hers, Pingzong, who had originally been full of complaints ready to explode, froze.

With her next glance, she saw the cabinet ministers and guards who had emerged from the inner hall, already wearing white on their heads.

Pingzong stood there dumbfounded.

Tie Ci said softly, “Go say goodbye.”

Pingzong drifted into the inner hall like a wandering soul.

Moments later, Tie Ci heard a loud crash from the inner hall.

Something had probably met its doom.

Another moment later, Pingzong rushed out from the inner hall, eyes red, saying viciously, “Who killed the old master? Who killed him! I’ll go kill them!”

This past year, she had been with Tie Yan almost day and night. With Tie Yan’s beloved daughter not by his side, he had doted on her like a little daughter. Though Pingzong seemed indifferent, she had often shown off in front of Tie Ci.

Pingzong’s eyes seemed ready to drip blood.

She had lost her father, lost her mother, and finally had a foster father, but in less than a year, her foster father was gone too.

She had promised to protect him well!

Tie Ci gazed into the void and said lightly, “They say it was your little uncle-in-law.”

Pingzong choked.

After a long while, she said, “Impossible!”

Tie Ci closed her eyes and pointed outside the hall, saying, “Niece, we failed to protect Father Emperor. Now, can we two wounded people protect the entire imperial palace, protect the capital, protect Great Qian, protect everything Father Emperor wanted to protect until his death?”

Pingzong said viciously, “We can!”

Tie Ci gestured for her to come over and handed her a scroll of paper, “Remember this. Use these methods in a while. Coordinate well.”

“Good.”

“Also,” Tie Ci looked through the wide-open hall doors and saw Tong Rushi had already led that group of experts across the threshold. The guards of Chongming Palace, following her instructions, did not obstruct them but kept retreating, contracting before the hall entrance.

“Do you see that cripple walking at the back?” Tie Ci said, “Kill him first.”

“Wait for it.”

Tong Rushi led his people inside.

Some people didn’t want to enter. A’hei ran away, Lady Sun remained outside the hall, and Dongdezi’s wife said nothing and didn’t move.

Tong Rushi didn’t force them. These people had originally been retainers supported by the Prince Tang and Prince Lu’s residences. After the Tang and Lu princes’ incident, on the night before the disaster, Prince Tang had found a way to send away this group of people and had also entrusted the infant him to them. Lingquan Village was also a place of seclusion that Prince Tang had prepared long ago. These people had received Prince Tang’s favor and were willing to raise and follow him, but after years had passed, their hidden life had worn away much of their fighting spirit. They only wished to protect him and were unwilling to wade deeper into troubled waters. He couldn’t force them.

When these people had left the capital originally, they had also received help from He Zi, so they had some friendship with He Zi as well, but ultimately it wasn’t as deep as their connection with him. After he made contact with the Xiao clan, he cut off the connection between these people and He Zi.

It was also because of these people that he dared to enter the Great Qian imperial palace. Tie Ci was already at the end of her strength. As long as he obtained the imperial seal, with the Xiao clan controlling those ministers outside, the realm would be in his hands.

Surrounded by the crowd, he calmly walked toward the sleeping quarters.

Cui Shi limped along at the back, looking left and right, just about to cross the threshold.

Suddenly a red and white figure darted out as Pingzong shouted, “Behold my threshold blade!”

Cui Shi jumped in fright and hurriedly leaped backward, jumping outside the threshold.

Now he was even farther from the others.

The others, hearing this phrase and because of the earlier trap’s shadow, also dodged left and right.

The red and white figure flashed, instantly weaving through the crowd. With a raise of her hand, a fire blade over ten feet long cleaved toward Cui Shi!

Cui Shi only felt rolling heat waves rushing toward his face, everything before his eyes a blazing red where he could see nothing clearly. Terrified, he desperately leaped backward.

But he didn’t see that as Pingzong struck out with the flaming long blade, her left hand also suddenly shot up.

The foot-thick accumulated snow behind Cui Shi suddenly exploded, condensed, extended, and in the blink of an eye formed into a sharp ice spear!

This ice spear appeared right beside Lady Sun. She slightly raised her hand, looked at Cui Shi’s retreating figure, and disgust flashed in her eyes.

She didn’t move.

The ice spear nudged forward slightly.

In the next instant, Cui Shi, who was retreating with all his might, suddenly felt bone-piercing cold.

A soft “chi” sound.

He blinked, somewhat bewildered as he looked down.

He saw a snow-bright spear tip protruding from his chest. That gleaming spear tip met the oncoming fierce fire and instantly turned into bloody mist.

Like a dream.

He also staggered dreamlike, feeling that bone-piercing cold spread through his entire body like lightning – blood, meridians, heart, bone marrow… in an instant all freezing into ice and snow.

With a thud, he fell rigidly into the snow.

The wound quickly froze over, not even a drop of blood flowing out.

Below the steps of Chongming Palace’s sleeping quarters, Pingzong withdrew her hand with the bearing of a grandmaster, silently swallowing a mouthful of sweet blood.