Li Zhongtang frowned. “Even if the Chancellor has taken on all the guilt, shouldn’t the rest of the family still not simply be released like this?”

“Then what would you have me do?” The emperor arched an eyebrow. “If the rest of the Hua family must also suffer, then the Chancellor need not face the death penalty at all.”

Prince Xi looked somewhat surprised. “Your Majesty agrees to execute the Chancellor?”

He had thought the emperor would keep struggling to find some way out — yet he was simply accepting it like this?

“Things have reached this point; even if I don’t agree, it’s no longer up to me.” the emperor said flatly. “Consort Hua’s transgression originally had nothing to do with the Chancellor, but because of the blood tie, the Chancellor must die in her place. I am determined to find out exactly who helped Consort Hua flee the palace, so that they may go down and accompany the Chancellor’s spirit in the afterlife!”

The words carried a chilling edge, and the officials below couldn’t help but shudder slightly. Prince Xi said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “This matter should indeed be investigated. But since Your Majesty has now agreed, shouldn’t we discuss when to carry out the Chancellor’s execution?”

“Chancellor Hua has rendered great service to the court. Though his crime cannot be pardoned, he should still be given some dignity.” the emperor said. “At the time of beheading, cover it with a wooden box, to spare him the indignity of blood spattering everywhere — this shall be my final grace toward him. The execution may be carried out tomorrow. Do any of you ministers have objections?”

That the emperor would even allow the Chancellor’s execution was already beyond everyone’s expectations — what objections could there possibly be? Yuwen Xi kept his head down and said nothing, while the rest flattered accordingly: “Your Majesty is merciful.”

He Chang’an’s brows knit tightly; he glanced at the emperor several times but said nothing.

After court was dismissed, he followed the emperor to Purple Dawn Hall and asked, “Has it truly reached the point of no return?”

The emperor pressed his lips together. “Not necessarily.”

“Then why hold the execution tomorrow?” He Chang’an couldn’t understand. “Isn’t that too soon? Better to let him live a few more days in the prison, at least.”

Entering the rear hall, the emperor closed the door behind him and glanced sideways at him. “Rather than that prison cell, I’d prefer she live under the sun.”

“Live how?” He Chang’an frowned. “What trick are you planning with that wooden box?”

Switching one thing for another in secret?

“You’ll find out in due time. For now, come out of the palace with me.”

“Where to?”

“Tianxiang House.”

He Chang’an: “…” At a time like this, he still had the mood to go to a place like that?

Without waiting for his objection, the emperor had already gone to change, and this time without the cloak, walked out of the palace with him openly.

Tianxiang House had recently taken in quite a few new girls. Yuwen Jie didn’t even glance around, simply saying, “Redeem the girl called ‘Hua Chun’.”

The madam was stunned — she badly wanted to ask, who’s Hua Chun? But being someone accustomed to navigating the pleasure quarters, she had enough wit to improvise on the spot, and immediately called in some random girl, smiling sweetly. “My lord, take a look — is this the young lady, Hua Chun?”

“Yes, that’s her.” the emperor said. “I’m in a bad mood today. Taking her back to play with.”

This nearly scared the poor girl half to death; she stood trembling in the room, not daring to say a word.

He Chang’an looked at the emperor in confusion. “Surnamed Hua?”

“Mm.” Yuwen Jie looked at him with meaning in his eyes. “You and I will sit here for an hour, then take her back.”

What was he planning? He Chang’an didn’t quite register it for a moment. Hua Chun, Hua Chun — what did that have to do with Hua Jinghua?

An hour later, the emperor brought “Hua Chun” back into the palace, without letting anyone see her face, and sent her straight to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The harem was once again in an uproar — this girl brought back from a brothel, and she was housed directly in the Hall of Mental Cultivation? That was the palace closest to Purple Dawn Hall — even a favored consort might not get to live there. A commoner girl, and a courtesan at that — what merit could she possibly have?

So before Yuwen Jie could even sit down to rest for a moment, he was dragged off to the Empress Dowager’s palace.

“I know Your Majesty has had a lot on his mind lately.” the Empress Dowager sighed. “But you mustn’t act recklessly.”

“Your son has not acted recklessly.” the emperor said. “Once Hua Chun has learned the proper etiquette of the palace, I will bring her to see Mother, and Mother will understand.”

Empress Dowager Ning frowned. “I will not receive her.”

A woman from a place like that — wouldn’t seeing her lower one’s own standing?

“That’s fine too.” the emperor said. “Tomorrow the Chancellor is to be executed. Mother’s mood will surely not be good — let Imperial Brother accompany you out for some distraction. As for the harem, let Consort Hui handle matters for now.”

Consort Hui, standing to the side, was overjoyed at this, hurrying to bow. “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”

With the Hua family fallen, Hua Xunyue’s position as Noble Consort wouldn’t last much longer either. Among the Four Consorts, she alone remained — and now she’d gain great power once more, truly a stroke of good fortune. She no longer cared at all who was living in the Hall of Mental Cultivation — she needed to seize this opportunity quickly and secure her position!

The Empress Dowager sighed, saying nothing more. Thinking of Hua Jinghua, her heart still ached; she murmured quietly, “If only he truly were a woman…”

The emperor paused, his eyes shifting, and he smiled softly.

When news reached the Heavenly Prison that the Chancellor’s execution was set for tomorrow, Hua Chun was happily gnawing on a chicken leg.

She was starving — she hardly cared anymore when she might die; her whole body already felt like it was falling apart, so death probably wasn’t far off anyway.

Yuwen Jie really was a beast of noble blood — tormenting her the entire night, it was simply more grueling than enduring ten rounds of joint-dislocating torture. But she really did have to thank him — because of that night, she felt she truly had no regrets left here.

Lying face-down on the pillow, she smiled, then sighed. A fulfilled life — she’d have plenty of confidence introducing herself in hell.

Only, what a shame — just as she’d finally dared to face her own feelings honestly, it was already time to say goodbye forever. A man like Yuwen Jie, even after death, would surely take the VIP path to the underworld — she’d probably never cross paths with him even there.

For some reason, before last night she’d still felt she could leave gracefully, without a care. But after last night, there was now a small trace of reluctance in her heart. Not much — just about the size of a pinky fingertip.

The chicken leg had lost all its flavor; she set it back down on the table, lying on the bed and stretching her sore waist.

“Younger Brother.” Someone called to her from outside the door.

Hua Chun startled, looking up to see a pale-faced He Chang’an.

“Second Brother.” she said, curious. “Why have you come at this hour?”

It was still daytime — usually when these people came to see her, wasn’t it always in secret?

He Chang’an didn’t come in, only standing outside, his gaze deep. “Tomorrow, I will escort you to the execution ground.”

“Mm, alright.” Hua Chun nodded. “Then I’ll go with peace of mind.”

He nodded, hesitated a moment, then said, “What if — I’m just saying, what if — there were a chance to leave with me, would you go?”

Hua Chun froze.

Leave with him?

“There was something I didn’t say yesterday, but today I finally have the chance.” He gave a light laugh, his expression appearing relaxed, though the hand resting on the bars had whitened at the knuckles. “If I could get you out of Yanjing, would you be willing to wander the world with me?”

Wander the world! Hua Chun’s eyes went wide. “Second Brother, you’d give up your position as Marquis?”

“What use would keeping it be?” He Chang’an lowered his eyes. “Utterly meaningless.”

Taking a light, sharp breath, Hua Chun shook her head. “Second Brother, you’re not acting like yourself right now. Words this impulsive shouldn’t be coming from you. Even to save me, would you really betray even His Majesty?”

He Chang’an fell silent.

“Did something happen?” Hua Chun tried to press her head through the bars, looking at his profile. “You seem quite unhappy.”

He was indeed unhappy, though there was simply no way to say it aloud. After a moment, he calmed himself. “I was only joking just now.”

“You scared me.” Letting out a long breath, Hua Chun said, “Don’t joke like that — even though His Majesty trusts you greatly, if someone else overheard and used it to slander you, you’d have no way to defend yourself.”

“Don’t worry about me.” He Chang’an smiled. “I’ll come for you tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Hua Chun nodded, then eyed him suspiciously.

Coming for her tomorrow — the way he said it sounded almost like he was picking her up for a date. Wasn’t she supposed to be going to her death?

Yet somehow, after this visit from He Chang’an, she had a vague sense that things were about to take a turn.

Could it be that they were planning to switch her out?

The possibility seemed quite high — in so many dramas, when someone was about to be beheaded, they’d swap in someone else, at worst throwing a sack over the head so no one could tell who it really was.

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became. Hua Chun composed herself and happily settled in for a nap — only with a good rest would she have the strength to escape tomorrow!

“Is everything ready?” Deep in the night, the emperor asked Eunuch Qin.

Eunuch Qin nodded. “Everything is arranged. We only await Marquis Gongyu going to fetch the Chancellor at dawn… Your Majesty, would you like to rest a while first?”

After a whole night of exertion in the prison, followed by a day of court and busy affairs, the emperor’s eyes were already bloodshot.

“I can’t sleep.” he said. “Go keep watch on the time, and listen for any word from outside. Report to me immediately if there’s any movement.”

“Yes.”

Honestly, Eunuch Qin felt a pang of sympathy — after all, this was a child he’d watched grow up. He knew just how turbulent her emotions had been these past two days; now she would rather sit up all night than not ensure Jinghua’s safety.

May Chancellor Hua not disappoint His Majesty.

At dawn, there was movement at the prison gate, and Hua Chun immediately opened her eyes.

Several imperial guards in armor entered, indeed carrying a black sack in hand.

“Chancellor, this way please.”

Hua Chun nodded, cooperatively letting her head be covered by the sack, then walked toward the prison gate.

He Chang’an was waiting at the entrance, his gaze somewhat dazed. Seeing her emerge, he was about to step forward to greet her when another group of imperial guards suddenly entered, along with a dozen or so officials in court robes.

“Marquis Gongyu.” Li Zhongtang led the charge, cupping his hands upon seeing him, then said, “This subject and the others have served alongside the Chancellor at court for several years now. Today, as the Chancellor heads to the execution ground, we have come especially to see him off.”

Hua Chun’s heart lurched. Oh no — if they were here to see her off, how could they possibly swap her out, how could she escape? This Li Zhongtang was truly ruthless — so devoted to protecting her before, and now so shameless in kicking her while she was down.

“This Marquis accepts the kind sentiments of you gentlemen on the Chancellor’s behalf.” He Chang’an said flatly. “But Hua Jinghua now bears grave charges — it would not be fitting to make such a grand display.”

“It would also be fine for us not to see him off.” Li Zhongtang smiled. “But we ask that the Marquis remove the sack from the Chancellor’s head, and let him go to the execution ground openly and with dignity.”

He Chang’an fell silent.

General Meng, as if seizing on some leverage, stepped forward excitedly, pushing past the layers of guards and climbing onto the prison cart.

“General Meng!” He Chang’an snapped in displeasure.

By now, who was still listening to him? General Meng reached out directly and pulled the sack off Hua Chun’s head.

Everyone turned to look, only to see Hua Jinghua’s face, composed and calm, saying, “My thanks to General Meng — I was just starting to feel stifled in there.”

So it really was her in person? Li Zhongtang looked a little surprised, and the officials behind him fell into an awkward silence for a moment.

“The matter of escorting the Chancellor was entrusted to this Marquis by His Majesty.” He Chang’an said, a rare severity appearing on his face as he looked at the group. “If any of you dare act rashly again, do not blame this Marquis for reporting you to His Majesty.”

The crowd all stepped back, and He Chang’an waved his hand; the prison cart began moving forward once more.

Hua Chun swayed dejectedly in the cart, lamenting the swap opportunity she’d missed for nothing. Li Zhongtang and the others kept following not far behind the cart — did she really have no chance of survival left at all?

Resigning herself, she closed her eyes, hearing the cries of early-rising commoners on both sides of the street. The further they went, the livelier the streets seemed to grow, until gradually, the prison cart could no longer move forward.

“Clear the way!” Huo Zichong shouted from the front, and the guards split into two lines, forcing a path through the crowd by sheer effort.

“My lord.” A guard ran up to report. “Prince Xi is overseeing the execution today.”

He’d expected as much; He Chang’an wasn’t surprised, and brought Hua Chun to the execution ground, personally helping her down.

Hua Chun’s face showed not a trace of expression, appearing remarkably composed.

“Aren’t you afraid?” he couldn’t help asking quietly.

“I am.” Hua Chun nodded. “So my legs have gone weak — Second Brother, hold me steady, I don’t want to lose face.”

He gave a soft, helpless laugh, supporting her arm. “His Majesty has granted special mercy — there will be a wooden box to shield you, then the beheading.”

“A wooden box?” Hua Chun was puzzled. “If the box is blocking it, how will they even cut?”

“Look over there.” He Chang’an pointed toward the execution ground.

Following his gaze, Hua Chun saw a wooden box the size of a coffin, with a gap at the neck position, above which a massive tiger-head guillotine blade was mounted.

Meaning she’d lie down inside, then the blade would fall, and her head and body could be carried off together, still attached to the coffin, straight to burial?

“Now that’s creative.” Hua Chun felt her legs go even weaker, nearly stumbling.

Prince Xi stood at the position of the execution overseer, smiling as he watched He Chang’an. “The Marquis has gone to great trouble.”

A remark with double meaning, though He Chang’an paid him no mind at all, simply supporting Hua Chun as he helped her lie down into that body-severing coffin.

“Chancellor Hua should not die!” The crowd of onlookers grew larger by the moment, shouting in unison: “Chancellor Hua is a good official, he should not die!”

“Your Majesty, spare him! We are willing to plead on the Chancellor’s behalf!”

Hua Chun’s eyes welled with tears at the sound; she badly wanted to reach a hand out of the coffin and wave to the crowd in greeting, but He Chang’an had already sealed the lid shut over her.

Everything around her suddenly went dark, save for a single bright line of light at her neck.

“To have so many people supporting you, Chancellor Hua should be able to depart without regret.” Prince Xi said, in remarkably good spirits. “Let us simply wait for the auspicious hour.”