“Move aside.” Xiao Changying’s eyes turned cold as he pushed You Wenjun away.

You Wenjun nearly stumbled and fell. Steadying herself, she turned and shouted at the striding Xiao Changying: “Prince Xin will kill you, Prince Xin is not your real brother!”

The shout stopped Xiao Changying in his tracks. He turned, his eyes bloodshot, staring at You Wenjun: “What did you say?”

You Wenjun bit her lip: “Yesterday…”

Xiao Changqing had brought Noble Consort Rong to Prince Xin’s mansion, but the events of that day remained vivid. Noble Consort Rong didn’t believe Prince Xin truly lost his memory – how could it be such a coincidence that he just went out once and lost his memory?

Noble Consort Rong thought Prince Xin was pretending, that he surely wanted to torture her and their children to death. She stayed at Prince Xin’s mansion only one night before fleeing to Prince Lie’s mansion, making outsiders think Prince Xin mistreated her.

Xiao Changying was furious about this, but Noble Consort Rong refused to return to Prince Xin’s mansion. Xiao Changqing didn’t mind, so Noble Consort Rong stayed at Prince Lie’s mansion.

Noble Consort Rong could still hear some palace news, having managed palace affairs for twenty years. She could guess tonight would be sleepless. Thinking of Xiao Changying joining forces with Xiao Changqing, she couldn’t sleep, fearing Xiao Changqing would kill Xiao Changying amid the chaos, cleanly and without a trace.

But she couldn’t rashly seek out Xiao Changying to tell him everything. Once Xiao Changying knew, he would surely apologize to Xiao Changqing. Though she suspected Xiao Changqing was faking his memory loss, she still held some hope. If he truly had amnesia, wouldn’t revealing everything be seeking death?

After long consideration, she could only tell You Wenjun. You Wenjun had good martial arts skills. She helped You Wenjun infiltrate the army to watch Xiao Changying. If Xiao Changqing truly had amnesia, all would be well.

If he was pretending, You Wenjun must save Xiao Changying immediately. Even if their marriage was only superficial, she didn’t want to become a widow.

You Wenjun briefly explained everything to Xiao Changying. He heard each word clearly, but together, he seemed unable to grasp their deeper meaning. A storm raged in his heart.

The killing sounds around him suddenly faded, the huge impact shattering his thoughts.

His brother who had protected him since childhood, shared pure innocence with him, wasn’t his real brother.

His mother was the culprit who killed his brother’s mother.

Not only did his mother know this, but even his sister knew, and mother and daughter had been concealing it, deceiving his brother.

While they enjoyed the peace and luxury his brother brought them, they shamelessly demanded things from him as his mother and sister.

He had always thought his mother just loved the Emperor too much and was just somewhat arrogant. His sister seemed even more understanding and sensible. But You Wenjun’s words crushed these beautiful illusions, exposing the filth beneath the flowers and brocade!

Though You Wenjun spoke gently, even using Noble Consort Rong’s tone to paint her as a victim of circumstances, how could Xiao Changying, who had stayed by Xiao Changqing’s side for so many years, not understand the complete truth?

His chest inexplicably ached, blood suddenly surging from his wound.

His fingers, pressing the wound, were stained red. Xiao Changying, shocked and unstable, stumbled backward, having to support himself with his sword to avoid falling.

You Wenjun watched painfully as the man suddenly became lost and devastated.

When she first knew him, he was like a blazing fire, burning bright and free, radiant as the rising sun.

Later she understood that this brilliance, this unrestrained nature inappropriate for the imperial family, came from having a revered and powerful brother who created space for him to grow freely into who he wanted to be.

To Xiao Changying, Xiao Changqing was the most important person in the world.

“Your Highness…” You Wenjun called weakly, mouth open but unsure what to say.

Xiao Changying suddenly came to his senses and rushed forward. Xiao Changqing’s men followed, seeing him not pursue Xiao Changqing but climb a high tower, looking toward Vermillion Bird Gate and White Tiger Gate.

Xiao Changzhen and Xie Yunhuai were both trapped in difficult battles. Because of Xiao Changqing’s betrayal, their men fell one by one.

On the other side, the Eastern Palace forces were also locked in a fierce battle with Xiao Changqing’s men.

“It can’t be, even if Brother suddenly hated me, he wouldn’t become like this…” Xiao Changying murmured.

He remembered that day at Mother’s palace gates. Brother knew then but didn’t harm him. Afterward, Brother simply forgot that memory.

He knew Brother truly forgot, not pretending as Mother claimed. Having been close to Brother since childhood, he knew Brother best.

So Brother was…

His pupils suddenly contracted. When the Emperor feigned unconsciousness, the brothers met with the Crown Princess. Brother spoke privately with her while he and Twelfth Brother sat drinking and chatting.

Twelfth Brother mentioned Eighth Brother had someone who knew Western soul manipulation techniques…

Brother’s behavior did seem like he was under soul manipulation.

Yes, it must have been that day. When Brother first learned the truth, his mind was disturbed, thoughts chaotic, giving others an opportunity.

What use was pursuing him now? Brother couldn’t escape others’ control.

And after what Mother did to Brother, what right did he have to stop Brother’s revenge? But as a son, could he watch Brother kill his mother and sister?

Perhaps…

There was one way.

“I hear soul manipulation can only be broken by the bell-ringer.” Xiao Changying stood, murmuring, then looked at You Wenjun. “Help me with something.”

Inexplicably, You Wenjun’s heart tightened. She instinctively shook her head: “Your Highness, I’m small and weak…”

“Help me!” Those proud eyes showed pleading. “Only you can help me.”

Her eyes suddenly stung as she shook her head.

“Return to the Black Water tribe, lead the Yu clan to support the Crown Princess. The Yu clan will enjoy eternal glory,” Xiao Changying’s eyes showed remorse. “You’re an excellent lady, shouldn’t be confined to the inner palace. If you meet a worthy man in the future, don’t miss the chance.”

“Your Highness—”

In You Wenjun’s tear-filled eyes, Xiao Changying raised his sword horizontally, blood spraying from his neck.

His tired eyes gazed at the high moon, vision gradually blurring.

His tall body collapsed into You Wenjun’s rushing embrace: “Take… my head… find Brother… quickly!”

Brother’s men would delay him, he wouldn’t make it in time. But with his suicide, carrying his head, no one would dare stop You Wenjun, they would even clear her path.

He could no longer face Brother.

But he knew Brother still cared for him as a brother.

He would gamble, gamble with heaven that their brotherly bond could overcome all evil arts!

Xiao Changqing’s men were shocked at this scene, frozen in place, unsure how to react.

You Wenjun, face covered in tears, was drenched in Xiao Changying’s blood, her heart pierced by ten thousand swords.

How could he be so cruel? Was that woman worth him going this far?

He worried he wouldn’t make it to stop Xiao Changqing – was he afraid that when he arrived, Xiao Changqing would have already hurt that woman?

This was her husband! She was just an ordinary woman – how could she not fall for someone so magnificent and vibrant?

Why couldn’t heaven let her meet him earlier?

Though the pain was unbearable, You Wenjun still raised her blade, closing her eyes and striking down hard.

This was his dying wish; she couldn’t let him be restless in death.

She held his head and ran wildly. When Xiao Changqing’s men recovered, they left two to guard Xiao Changying’s body while the rest quickly followed.

As Xiao Changying predicted, no one dared stop You Wenjun. Even among the Empress Dowager’s chaotic forces, Xiao Changqing’s men cleared her path.