A gentle word, like snowflakes drifting onto golden brick floors and vermillion beams.

Then he saw “Prince Chu” beside Prince Qin slash horizontally with his blade. The knife light traced a graceful arc through the air, bringing forth a tapestry of blood. At the end of that blood tapestry was a head that rolled to his feet—a head with features similar to his own.

That head was frozen with an expression of shock and terror, as if even in death he could not understand this treacherous and vicious turn of events, could not comprehend how Prince Chu, who just last night had conspired with him in secret chambers, shaking hands and talking cheerfully of grand plans, could in the blink of an eye turn against him and ruthlessly harvest his life.

But Xiao Jue understood instantly.

He saw the Chu army swiftly surround the Qin army. Brothers turned against brothers—there was no need for the Imperial Guards to act as the bewildered Qin army was divided and disarmed.

He saw the “Prince Chu” who had severed Prince Qin’s head tear off his mask and kneel to beg forgiveness.

He saw his brother’s facial skin lying flat on the ground. The winter wind was bone-chillingly cold, causing the skin to flutter restlessly. The eyes, brows, nose, and mouth on the face twisted into a grotesque expression, as if mockingly sneering at him with malice.

Sneering at him for being deceived by his pillow companion, for trouble brewing at his elbow without his notice. Sneering at him for being known throughout the world as a benevolent and enlightened ruler, yet allowing his wife to use such sinister schemes to slaughter his own blood brothers.

Xiao Jue felt his chest burning. That writhing facial skin on the ground made even his palms feel as if they were on fire. He whirled around abruptly, glaring furiously at Qin Chang Ge.

That was the first time he looked at her with anything other than tender affection.

Yet Qin Chang Ge only gazed back at him gently—so gently that he almost had the illusion that the cold killing word just now hadn’t come from the mouth of this woman before him, beautiful as a divine goddess.

That night, in Changle Palace, lamp shadows flickered, casting the silhouette of someone pacing in agitation. That night, palace maids cowered in corners, trembling in fear as they listened to the Son of Heaven’s thunderous rage sweeping through Changle Palace like a hurricane for the first time.

The first time…

Xiao Jue’s distant gaze slowly returned. He pressed his lips together, took the tea from the table and drank a sip, lowered his eyelashes, and spoke no more.

Back then, Chang Ge had been right. The two princes of Qin and Chu had harbored wolfish ambitions and hidden malicious hearts. Moreover, as the Empress Dowager’s biological sons, the Jiang family’s influence was not to be underestimated. Without using thunderous methods to eliminate them, there would surely have been future troubles.

Initially, while the two princes were in position, they secretly colluded with various regional powers through alliances. More importantly, as the Empress Dowager’s biological sons, relying on her favor, they secretly obstructed court affairs at every turn. Though they couldn’t stir up major storms, they created constant troubles. Although he wasn’t afraid of such tactics, constrained by filial duty, he repeatedly couldn’t take action. Even worse, Prince Qin had affairs with palace consorts. Though these consorts didn’t receive his favor, he pitied their loneliness and mostly treated them generously. But being cuckolded by an emperor was something no man could tolerate. He had specifically sought out Chang Ge to confide about this. At that time, Changle Palace was warmly lit with fires. Chang Ge smiled as she listened to his words, gently sipped tea, and asked with a smile: “What does Your Majesty wish to do?”

He remained silent.

The firelight dancing in Changle Palace’s golden filigree brazier illuminated Chang Ge’s features with gentle charm. Her gaze was deep, flowing quietly like a hidden spring. She looked at Xiao Jue quietly for a long moment, then finally smiled and said: “Very well, I understand. Leave this matter to me. Your Majesty need not worry about the two princes anymore.”

He didn’t answer, but smiled and said: “I hear your chess skills have improved. Let’s play another game.”

…

Back then, it was he who, knowing of such troubles, had also developed murderous intent, yet his heart hesitated. He was unwilling to damage his reputation as a benevolent ruler with fratricide so soon after stabilizing the realm. Chang Ge, ice-clear and snow-bright in her intelligence, deeply understood his meaning. Not caring about criticism, not considering her own honor and reputation, she made the decision for him, taking upon herself the sin of killing brothers.

When she chose to act, she acted decisively, completely clearing his name to preserve his reputation as a benevolent ruler.

Yet he, due to momentary shock at the sudden turn of events, due to his unwillingness to acknowledge his inner private thoughts, due to his so-called imperial dignity being damaged, angrily questioned and accused her.

At that time she smiled as always, without a word of self-defense.

That smile was deeply carved into his memory, yet when recalled, it broke his heart.

The wind from Chu Tower, the moon over Yu Building—as if it were yesterday.

Looking back again, it was already a scene of autumn sounds entering the vast emptiness.

Seeing him lost in memories, Xiao Chen’s clear gaze also showed a moment of confusion, but instantly became sharp and clear again.

He changed the subject, asking whether Xiao Jue would return to the palace.

“No,” Xiao Jue hadn’t yet escaped from his recent thoughts. Holding his teacup lazily, he said: “I’m not seriously injured. No need to return to the palace and alarm the Empress Dowager. I’ll just rest here briefly and return tomorrow. You should go back to the palace first to report to the Empress Dowager.”

Xiao Chen agreed, then after thinking said: “Before coming, the Empress Dowager had one more matter to entrust.”

Xiao Jue’s gaze contracted. “Oh?”

With just this turn of his gaze, his sword-like eyes returned, blazing more brilliantly than sunlight. Yet Xiao Chen remained composed, saying gently: “The deposed empress is gravely ill.”

Xiao Jue was stunned for a moment, then smiled. His smile seemed to float in the clouds, extremely distant. His long, brilliant eyes glanced over, and from a certain angle the corners of his eyes curved upward in an extremely beautiful arc. “She’s gravely ill again?”

That word “again” was bitten out with extreme emphasis.

Xiao Chen only smiled faintly.

Xiao Jue leaned back against his pillow, looking at the bed canopy. “Tell them I know. Have the imperial physicians watch over her carefully. Pity that she’s always gravely ill—it’s truly exhausting. Be sure to use good medicine.”

His tone was coldly vicious, yet Xiao Chen still maintained his flawless smile, gentle as spring willows. With a peaceful expression, he bowed in acknowledgment, then called over a close attendant to give detailed instructions before departing gracefully.

His heavenly water-blue robe hem swept past the hermitage, instantly bringing green to the autumn suburbs of the capital.

Qin Chang Ge watched him leave, then turned to glance lightly at where Xiao Jue was staying.

A trace of doubt flashed through her eyes.