“Wanwan, what ordinary man doesn’t have ambitions to succeed? I was born into the royal family, born to a great fortune,” Xiao Changtai pleaded earnestly. “Since childhood, I knew the Crown Prince’s life would be short. This empire must fall to one of the princes – why couldn’t it be me? In both civil and military matters, I believe I’m second to none. How could I willingly submit to others?”

“If you won’t submit to others, why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Ye Wantang demanded, her eyes reddening.

He was a prince, and in ordinary families when the legitimate son couldn’t inherit, all the concubines’ sons would try everything possible. Ye Wantang couldn’t blame him for his ambition. She had no right to demand someone abandon their grand ambitions for her.

If he had told her early on, let her weigh everything, if she couldn’t bear it, she could have withdrawn sooner.

“Wanwan, I love you, I can’t be without you. I know you’re naturally peaceful. I tried, I tried to let it go for you, but I… still couldn’t help being tempted by power.” Xiao Changtai gripped Ye Wantang’s arms, hanging his head dejectedly. “Wanwan, I tried my best. I’ve failed you.”

Hearing the slight choke in his voice, Ye Wantang closed her eyes painfully, tears rolling down from beneath her long lashes. After a while, she asked weakly: “Why have you come to find me now?”

Xiao Changtai stiffened slightly. She should know his purpose clearly, yet she asked anyway, meaning she hadn’t planned to leave with him. Xiao Changtai suddenly raised his head, his gaze locked on her: “Wanwan, do you… do you hate me?”

She shook her head slightly, exhausted: “I’m so tired, really so tired.”

“Wanwan, please give me one more chance. I’ve been stripped of my title, I no longer have any power to compete. All my ambitions have been shattered. I have some savings from before – come with me, and we’ll roam the world together, making anywhere our home. Just like when we used to travel and sightsee together.” Xiao Changtai begged.

Looking at his face, Ye Wantang’s mind was filled with Shen Xihe’s words. Her heart was split in two – one half was her love for him, making her want to nod; the other half was Shen Xihe’s warnings and past lessons, telling her to steel herself and make a clean break.

But the words caught in her throat. She never imagined she would be so weak one day, too weak to speak even one decisive word.

“Wanwan, I have nothing left. Will you abandon me too?” Xiao Changtai was hurt by the struggle in Ye Wantang’s eyes. She was more resolute than he’d imagined, the barrier between them deeper. He released her and slowly stepped back. “If even you don’t want me, what’s left in this world worth staying for?”

As he spoke, he drew a dagger. The cold gleam flashed across Ye Wantang’s eyes, and before she could cry out to stop him, red blood sprayed forth. Two drops landed on her cheeks. She froze for a moment as Xiao Changtai’s body collapsed.

“Atai—”

Ye Wantang rushed forward but couldn’t catch Xiao Changtai. They both fell to the ground. Xiao Changtai weakly managed a smile but fainted before he could say a word.

Ye Wantang’s loud cry alarmed the servants, throwing Ye’s residence into chaos.

Xiao Changtai had stabbed himself in a vital spot. He’d been ruthless with himself, nearly beyond saving.

When Xiao Changtai awoke to see Ye Wantang slumped by his bedside, he knew he had won again.

He gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips. This time he truly had no ambitions left, having been forced into this position. But the grudge between him and Xiao Huayong still needed resolution – anyone could ascend the throne except Xiao Huayong!

Otherwise, he couldn’t even live openly.

“You’re awake? I’ll call the physician…”

“Wanwan…” Xiao Changtai grabbed Ye Wantang’s wrist, his face paling as the movement pulled at his wound.

“Don’t move! Your wound is deep. How could you be so foolish? Did you want to die?” Ye Wantang scolded while feeling heartache, tears welling in her eyes.

Xiao Changtai grinned foolishly: “Wanwan, without you, life has no meaning.”

Ye Wantang knew she was done for. When the physician said he might not survive, her world had gone dark. Just a day ago, she had deeply felt these same words.

Without you, life has no meaning.

Tears streaked down her face as Xiao Changtai frantically tried to wipe them away: “Don’t cry, Wanwan. It’s all my fault, my mistake.”

His worry, panic, and tenderness were genuine, making Ye Wantang cry harder: “Of course, it’s your fault, it’s your mistake!”

Now Ye Wantang wondered why he had to be so greedy, wanting both her and the throne.

If he had single-mindedly pursued the throne, willing to do anything for it, and taken several consorts early on to build alliances, she could have completely given up hope.

She knew his feelings for her were genuine. It was precisely this genuine feeling that bound her tightly, making it impossible to break free.

“I’m sorry, don’t cry…” Xiao Changtai repeated over and over.

Ye Wantang cried for a long time, releasing all the pain, struggle, and depression of these days. Finally, her eyes swollen from crying, she composed herself: “I’ll trust you one more time. Once your wound heals, we’ll leave.”

Xiao Changtai became so excited he tore his wound again, bleeding fresh blood, requiring another visit from the physician to stop it.

After all this, Ye Wantang watched him closely, not allowing any more emotional upheaval. Xiao Changtai carefully spoke: “Wanwan, we can’t wait until my wound heals to leave. Too many people in the capital want to harm me. Each day we stay brings more danger. We must leave early today. If people discover I’m at the Ye residence, it will implicate your father and the entire Ye family.”

He was involved in the witchcraft case – if the Ye family was hiding him, their previous pardon for being unaware would be invalidated.

Ye Wantang worried about Xiao Changtai but couldn’t risk her family: “You need at least a few days to recover. We’ll go somewhere else.”

“We need to change locations, and leave the capital, all as quickly as possible,” Xiao Changtai said. “We need someone’s help, or we’ll certainly be discovered.”

“Who?” At this time, who would be willing to help them?

“Fifth Brother.” Xiao Changtai had already planned his escape route. He wouldn’t personally seek out Xiao Changqin – unlike Xiao Changmin, he was more cunning and never susceptible to threats. “Wanwan, you have Fifth Brother’s wife’s token…”

Seeing Ye Wantang’s expression change, Xiao Changtai immediately corrected himself: “I spoke wrongly. We’ll think of another way.”

Ye Wantang didn’t respond. She had Gu Qingzhi’s seal. She had secretly helped Gu Qingzhi frame the Fan family, making it easier to establish their crime of harming the imperial heir. This seal was a favor left by Gu Qingzhi.

A retired great scholar owed Gu Qingzhi, and she had transferred this debt to Ye Wantang, who kept it only as a memento.

If she used this seal to seek Xiao Changqin’s help, he would certainly assist for Gu Qingzhi’s sake.

Because it was one of the few relics left of Gu Qingzhi.