Thanks to Wei Qingping’s timely discovery, the plague that had erupted violently in Bai, Qiong, and Hua prefectures was promptly controlled. The epidemic spread along the river without further expansion to surrounding areas. However, many cities had to be sealed off, resulting in a shortage of medicinal herbs in the three prefectures. Fortunately, there was no warfare at this time, allowing Tao Quan to manage the situation.

Meanwhile, Shen Wushuang had already infiltrated the imperial court.

As Wei Yun had predicted, Zhao Yue was now secretly seeking renowned physicians from across the land. All doctors could participate in the private examinations set up by Zhao Yue. After passing three trials, they would be granted an audience with him.

These tests were child’s play for Shen Wushuang. After the three trials, he was quickly brought to the capital and then met with Zhao Yue.

He disguised himself as an eccentric young man, borrowing the name of his senior apprentice-brother, Lin Yue. Afterward, he was blindfolded and led into the palace. Although he knew he was meeting Zhao Yue, he still followed Wei Yun’s instructions and earnestly examined Zhao Yue.

Zhao Yue accepted his prescription and dismissed him. Three days later, Zhao Yue summoned him back to the palace.

This meeting took place within the imperial court. Shen Wushuang knew that Zhao Yue had grown to trust him. He followed Zhang Hui across the empty square and entered the great hall, where he saw the young emperor seated high on his throne, his expression calm and gentle.

He was very thin, clearly the result of forcibly suppressing the effects of poison. Shen Wushuang bowed to him, and Zhao Yue said kindly, “Sir, your medical skills are exquisite. The medicine you gave Us a few days ago has made Us feel much better after taking it.”

Shen Wushuang respectfully replied, “Your Majesty has been poisoned for a long time. This humble subject is merely doing his best to treat you.”

“Does the physician mean that We still cannot be saved?”

Shen Wushuang fell silent for a moment. If one were to try every possible means to save someone, no one could say for certain that they couldn’t be saved. But in this world, who among the top physicians would go to such lengths to save him now?

Even if Yu Linlang were willing, she was ultimately not the most skilled physician.

Seeing Shen Wushuang’s silence, Zhao Yue sighed, “Then, does Physician Lin know how many days We have left?”

“Five months of light is still guaranteed.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yue let out a breath of relief and nodded, “Good, that’s good.”

He then looked up at Shen Wushuang and asked, “Does Physician Lin have any other requests?”

“How many physicians are treating Your Majesty? This humble subject would like to speak with them to understand Your Majesty’s past condition.”

Zhao Yue hesitated for a moment but finally said, “Very well. We will take you to meet them.”

With that, Zhao Yue descended from his golden throne. Zhang Hui stepped forward to support him. His steps were unsteady; though not yet thirty years old, he walked as slowly as an elderly man.

Shen Wushuang waited quietly, following behind Zhao Yue’s palanquin after he left the great hall.

Although Zhao Yue was weak, he still took care of Shen Wushuang, chatting with him intermittently. His speech was elegant, and his knowledge vast, not at all like the tyrant Shen Wushuang knew who had killed his brother and brought calamity upon the people.

“We are very glad Physician Lin could come,” Zhao Yue said gently. “Since Physician Lin’s arrival, We can live a few more months…”

“A few months more, a few months less,” Shen Wushuang said coldly, “What difference does it make?”

“Of course, there is a difference.” Zhao Yue lowered his eyes, his words tinged with regret. “A few more months means We can spend more time with the young prince. Do you know… Consort Mei is pregnant,” Zhao Yue said, his eyes brimming with joy. “She’s almost six months along now.”

As Zhao Yue spoke of these things, he seemed like nothing more than an ordinary father. Shen Wushuang said nothing, quietly watching Zhao Yue and feeling that the world was truly absurd beyond measure.

Zhao Yue chatted and laughed with him, leading him into a courtyard in the Cold Palace.

There were few people around this courtyard. Many medicinal herbs were being sun-dried in the yard, and a blind woman with a medicine boy was drying herbs. Zhao Yue alighted from his palanquin and said happily, “Physician Yu.”

Yu Linlang raised her head at the sound as if she could see. She respectfully bowed to Zhao Yue, “Your Majesty.”

“Physician Yu,” Zhao Yue’s voice was filled with obvious delight. “We have brought a physician with Us, the one who showed you the prescription last time. He says he wants to confer with you.”

Hearing this, Yu Linlang didn’t seem surprised. She calmly asked, “Who might this person be?”

“This humble one is Lin Yue.”

“Master Lin.” Yu Linlang nodded and smiled, “It’s better to meet in person than to hear about you. We never met in the jianghu before, but who would have thought we’d encounter each other in the palace.”

“Miss Yu.” Shen Wushuang didn’t say much, merely calling out her name as a greeting. Seeing the two exchange pleasantries, Zhao Yue said, “You two talk first. We will go handle some state affairs. Physician Yu,” Zhao Yue remembered something, “The medicine you mentioned, just hand it over to Zhang Hui.”

Yu Linlang responded, waving her hand. The nearby bookboy went into the room and brought out several medicine bottles.

Shen Wushuang glanced at the medicine bottles without saying anything. After Zhao Yue and his entourage left, Yu Linlang invited Shen Wushuang, “Physician Lin, please come inside.”

With that, Yu Linlang led Shen Wushuang into the room. Shen Wushuang followed Yu Linlang inside, seemingly casually asking, “What medicine did Miss Yu just give to His Majesty?”

“Just some calming pills,” Yu Linlang said lightly. “You know, His Majesty worries too much and has trouble sleeping.”

As she spoke, Yu Linlang invited Shen Wushuang to sit down. Shen Wushuang knelt and saw tea already prepared on the table. He heard Yu Linlang say, “I saw your prescription and knew you would come to see me.”

“Oh?” Shen Wushuang smiled. “How did Miss Yu know?”

“Physician Lin, do you know that your approach to using medicine is quite different from other physicians?”

Hearing this, Shen Wushuang’s heart tensed. Yu Linlang spoke calmly, “The world’s great physicians usually come from the Hundred Herbs Pavilion. Back then, because of my blindness, the Hundred Herbs Pavilion didn’t accept me, so I’ve always been self-taught. My method of self-study is simple: I familiarize myself with the prescriptions of all famous contemporary physicians and ponder their thought processes when prescribing. Physician Lin’s prescriptions always like to take unconventional paths, quite risky, so if the patient cannot be fully cured, they will meet an early demise. However, Physician Lin has a junior apprentice-brother who is completely different…”

Shen Wushuang said nothing, secretly gripping the hidden weapon in his sleeve. He smelled a fragrance reminiscent of a mixture of grass and orchids permeating the room.

“That junior apprentice-brother was originally the brother of the Chief Physician of the Imperial Hospital and also a prodigy at the Hundred Herbs Pavilion. Later, he went far away to the Northern Di and there was no more news of him. I once paid a hefty sum to obtain his prescriptions from the Northern Di. Coincidentally, his prescription style is very similar to the one Physician Lin just wrote.”

“You don’t need to be nervous,” Yu Linlang took a sip of tea and said calmly. “There are no poisons in my room, only antidotes. I know you didn’t come to kill me—”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Physician Shen is a man of honor and justice, he wouldn’t harm the innocent.” Yu Linlang’s words were calm. Shen Wushuang’s hand trembled slightly. Yu Linlang raised her eyes toward Shen Wushuang and said gently, “I heard that Physician Shen’s brother was killed by the current Emperor.”

“Since you already know, why are you talking to me now?” Shen Wushuang laughed coldly. “Why not just have someone arrest me?”

Yu Linlang was silent. After a moment, she slowly said, “Physician Shen, you are a healer.”

Shen Wushuang didn’t speak. Yu Linlang’s blind eyes seemed to see through everything. “We healers do not kill, do not harm.”

“You saving Zhao Yue is harming people,” Shen Wushuang spoke coldly. “Yu Linlang, it’s not that if your hands aren’t stained with blood, you haven’t killed anyone. You saved Zhao Yue, so every person he has killed should be counted on your head.”

“Yu Linlang,” Shen Wushuang stood up and approached her, speaking coldly, “You still have a chance for redemption.”

Yu Linlang didn’t speak for a long time. Finally, she slowly said, “Why do you all always think about how to kill him, but never thought about saving him?”

“What?”

Shen Wushuang was stunned. Yu Linlang looked up at him earnestly, “Why do you only think about how to kill the bad person, but never thought about how to turn a bad person into a good person?”

“He’s already bad, shouldn’t he be punished?!” Shen Wushuang shouted, “What the hell are you talking about?! He killed my brother and killed so many people, any one of those crimes deserves death! I don’t care what he’s been through,” Shen Wushuang trembled as he drew his knife, saying seriously, “I only know one thing, if everyone who’s been wronged could kill indiscriminately, then only bad people would survive in this world.”

Shen Wushuang held the knife, trembling violently. He looked at Yu Linlang and said earnestly, “Miss Yu, I’ll ask one last time.”

He moved closer to her, “Are you determined to protect Zhao Yue?”

Yu Linlang was silent. After a moment, she calmly said, “I must protect my patient.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Shen Wushuang’s knife violently slashed Yu Linlang’s throat!

Blood instantly splattered out. Yu Linlang only managed to let out an “Ah” before Shen Wushuang firmly covered her mouth. Yu Linlang’s face still bore an expression of shock. After confirming she had stopped breathing, Shen Wushuang stood up, trembling.

At this moment, the medicine boy outside the door was holding a tray of pastries and respectfully asked, “Miss, may I come in?”

Hearing this, Shen Wushuang was startled and immediately jumped out through the open window. As soon as he got out, he set off the signal flare given to him by Wei Yun, then hurriedly hid in a nearby cave.

It wasn’t long before screams were heard. Shen Wushuang hid in the cave, constantly rubbing the blood on his hands, listening to the footsteps coming and going outside.

He had never been so afraid before, and he didn’t even know what he was afraid of.

He felt that Yu Linlang’s final appearance kept appearing in his mind. She was very calm, very firm, saying that one sentence: “I must protect my patient.”

These words repeatedly echoed in Shen Wushuang’s mind. After a while, he heard fighting break out outside, followed by someone shouting, “Physician Shen!”

“Physician Shen!”

Shen Wushuang hurriedly rushed out, but as soon as he emerged, he was splattered with blood. Then, feathered arrows fell all over the grass in front of him. He stared blankly at the corpses on the ground before him, and then a streak of imperial yellow appeared in the courtyard.

“What a pity.”

Zhao Yue’s voice was cold. Shen Wushuang looked up blankly and saw Zhao Yue standing among the crowd. His face showed regret, and he said with some resignation, “Physician Lin, have We treated you poorly in some way?”

“Oh no,” Zhao Yue seemed to remember something and smiled, “I think I just heard that you’re called… Physician Shen?”

Shen Wushuang didn’t speak. He just watched a drop of fresh blood, somewhat unable to come to his senses. Zhao Yue walked up to him and looked at the blood on his hands. “You killed Yu Linlang?”

“A healer,” he used his sword to lift Shen Wushuang’s hand, saying gently, “Actually killed an innocent person?”

“She’s not…”

“She’s not innocent?” Zhao Yue chuckled lightly. “You say, Physician Yu, a person who has saved countless lives across the land, just because she saved one patient because she was unwilling to violate her oath as a healer, so she deserved to die, so she’s not innocent?”

“Then tell me, who in this world is innocent!”

“If you wanted to kill, why didn’t you come to kill me, Shen Wushuang?”

Zhao Yue’s words made Shen Wushuang’s eyes light up, but in that instant, Zhang Hui suddenly struck, dislocating both his arms, then quickly retrieved all his hidden weapons and poisons from his body, before violently pressing him to the ground.

Zhao Yue crouched down, looking at Shen Wushuang with a gentle voice, “You can’t kill me. Every time you’ve gotten close, I’ve had all your prescriptions verified. I’m surrounded by experts. You never had a chance to kill me. You can only kill innocent good people, making yourself as dirty as me. If I’m going to hell, you should go to hell too. Who in this world has clean hands? Killing is killing, does having a reason make it right? Shen Wushuang, just watch me. Even if I can’t live much longer, I’ll make sure you join me in death.”

“And you can’t do anything about it,” Zhao Yue raised his hand, patting Shen Wushuang’s face. “You couldn’t do anything when I killed your brother back then, and even now, after you’ve become like me, you can still only watch as I destroy everything you want. You. Can’t. Do. Anything!”

“Zhao Yue!!” Shen Wushuang struggled fiercely. Zhao Yue stood up and calmly said, “Take him to the dungeon and torture him. Shen Wushuang, I’m giving you one chance to choose. Heal me, and I can negotiate peace with Wei Yun. I can give you the peaceful world you want. Otherwise, we’ll all die together.”

“Shen Wushuang,” Zhao Yue laughed, “Remember this well. I’m giving you the power to choose the fate of the world. If chaos engulfs the land in the future, it will be because of your selfish desire for revenge. Understand?”

“Zhao Yue, you bastard…” Shen Wushuang gritted his teeth. Zhao Yue laughed loudly as he turned and walked out.

However, as soon as he stepped out the door, he could no longer hold on and vomited blood. Zhang Hui supported him, anxiously saying, “Your Majesty!”

Zhao Yue breathed heavily and slowly said, “We can’t go on like this… They killed Yu Linlang, I can’t hold on much longer. If anything else goes wrong, I won’t be able to endure…”

“Your Majesty…” Zhang Hui said frantically, “What should we do… What can we do?”

“How’s the epidemic situation in Bai Province, Qiong Province, and Hua Province?”

“All cities along the river are affected, but Wei Qingping discovered it early, so it’s all under control now without spreading.”

“Wei Qingping…”

“But there’s some good news,” Zhang Hui lowered his voice, “Song Shilan has contracted the plague and is now in Taiping City. Fourth Young Master Song has taken control of the situation. He’s on good terms with one of my subordinates. Given his gentle nature, I’ve already sent envoys. I’m afraid he’ll choose not to send troops to protect the Song family.”

“Very good…” Zhao Yue closed his eyes, swallowing the blood that was rising in his throat.

He slowly said, “According to Yu Linlang, I’m barely holding on to her medicine. I don’t have much time left. If I could just protect my heart meridian and sleep, I might live a bit longer. Her medicine today was for emergencies. After taking it, I can regain consciousness, but at most for just a few days.”

“Your Majesty, why are you saying this?” Zhang Hui became anxious. Zhao Yue grasped Zhang Hui’s hand and said breathlessly, “The Northern Di needs time to organize their troops, and the Chen Kingdom needs time to send troops. I need that time. From today, I’ll stop taking medicine. You immediately take my secret letter and go persuade the various warlords. Let them ambush Wei Yun, Song Shilan, and others while they’re at war. Tell them that if these three families gain control of the world, there will be no place for them. I will give each of them a warrant to crusade against these three families. Any warlord in the world can suppress these three families on my behalf. And you, develop well in Yan Province, leaving behind a loyal army for the righteous cause.”

“Your Majesty, what exactly are you planning to do?!”

“Listen to me,” Zhao Yue gasped, “I’m not going to make it, but I have to protect Consort Mei’s child. I will cooperate with the Northern Di to attack Wei Yun from both sides, let Chen Kingdom entangle with Chu Lingyang, and then lead the Northern Di to occupy Huajing. Huajing is the foundation of Great Chu. These nobles and Wei Yun will fight the Northern Di to the death. By the time they recapture Huajing, whether it’s the Northern Di, the noble families, or Wei Yun, none of them will be a threat to my son.”

“By then, after the Wei, Chu, and Song families have been through a great war, they will all be severely weakened. You can lead the army, unite with the warlords, and suppress whoever dares to ascend the throne. After this entanglement, they will have no choice but to let my son ascend the throne.”

“Your Majesty…” Zhang Hui’s body trembled. He realized that Zhao Yue was already making his final arrangements. Zhao Yue grasped his hand and said with difficulty, “With the Princess’s resourcefulness, as long as you assist her to stabilize for five years, she will find a way.”

“What if Consort Mei can’t figure out a solution?” Zhang Hui asked hoarsely. Zhao Yue laughed.

“You underestimate her,” he said tenderly. “She’s only like this because I’ve clipped her wings. A girl like her, if you let her back into the sky, she’s an eagle. Just trust her. Not to mention being an Empress Dowager, she could even be an Empress. Once the Wei and Chu families are finished, and as long as Song Shilan dies, the Song family won’t be a threat. The Northern Di will be severely damaged, and the Chen Kingdom will be greatly weakened. After my son ascends the throne,” Zhao Yue smiled, “After a few years of turmoil, there can be a peaceful and prosperous era.”

Zhang Hui didn’t speak. He gripped Zhao Yue tightly, his eyes red but wordless. Zhao Yue patted his hand and said gently, “Uncle Zhang, don’t be sad. When I’m gone, as long as my child is still here, it’s as if I’m still alive.”

“Uncle Zhang,” he looked up at him solemnly, “I haven’t wholeheartedly trusted many people in my life, but you’re one of them.”

Zhang Hui opened his lips, looking at Zhao Yue. After a long while, he finally said, “Your subject will not fail your trust.”

“Go then.”

Zhao Yue patted his shoulder, “Take people out and harass Kun Province. When the Northern Di is ready, attack Bai Province from both sides. I’m a bit tired and want to see Consort Mei.”

Zhang Hui bowed and withdrew. Zhao Yue, supported by a eunuch, went to the Princess’s palace.

When he arrived, it was already night. The Princess was sitting in front of a mirror, applying flower-shaped patches. Seeing Zhao Yue arrive, she was startled.

This was the first time in two months that Zhao Yue had come to see her. She was separated from him by a curtain and quickly thought about how to explain her belly to Zhao Yue.

Zhao Yue could see now. If there was no sign of pregnancy after four months, that could be explained, but now it was almost six months, and still no sign…

Usually, she could stuff a pillow in her belly, but how could she deceive someone as close as Zhao Yue?

The Princess was thinking about what to say, but Zhao Yue just sat down outside the curtain.

He seemed very weak, even more so than usual. He just sat outside, not disturbing her, as if they were back in the Princess’s mansion when he was still her companion, respectful and courteous.

This feeling made the Princess inexplicably feel at ease. She lowered her eyes and said gently, “Why has Your Majesty come so late?”

“Sister,” Zhao Yue’s voice carried a smile, “I missed you and wanted to see you.”

The Princess was stunned. He hadn’t called her like this for many years. She didn’t speak, and Zhao Yue didn’t remember to come in. They just sat separated by the curtain, looking at the shadow outside the curtain. Yet this was the most peaceful moment Zhao Yue had felt in many years.

“Sister, the world is in chaos,” Zhao Yue said gently, “But don’t be afraid. I’ve arranged everything. You just need to protect yourself and the child well.”

“What have you arranged?” The Princess quickly asked, but Zhao Yue didn’t answer. His gaze was somewhat unfocused.

“Sister, I’ve been feeling my body getting worse lately. I’m afraid I don’t have many days left.”

“Don’t… don’t talk nonsense.”

“I often think about my childhood lately. It’s been so many years, but I don’t know why, when I think about it recently, it feels like the past was just yesterday, very close to me. Sister, do you remember when we were young, once when we went out, someone bullied me, and you fought with them? You fought several of them alone. Watching you then, I thought my sister was so amazing. With my sister there… *cough cough*…” Zhao Yue coughed lowly. The Princess gripped the comb in her hand tightly. Zhao Yue breathed heavily for a long time before he finally recovered and slowly said, “With my sister there, I wasn’t afraid of anything.”

The Princess didn’t speak. Zhao Yue looked at her shadow in a daze and said, “Why doesn’t sister say anything?”

“It’s all old stories,” the Princess slowly spoke, “I don’t know what to say.”

“For sister, these are old stories,” Zhao Yue said in a low voice, “For me, this is a lifetime…”

The only warmth and peace in a lifetime. Even if the rest of their life was filled with humiliation and hardship, even if later he ascended to the throne and became the Son of Heaven, it was deeply engraved in his mind and blood.

The Princess didn’t know what to say. She just quietly looked at herself in the mirror.

The woman in the mirror was dignified and gorgeous, with her usual alluring charm. Someone once said that her appearance would harm her family and friends. At that time, she had that fortune-teller beaten out of Huajing. But now, looking at this appearance, she couldn’t help but laugh.

Zhao Yue was a bit tired. He slowly closed his eyes, “Why won’t sister come out to see me?”

The Princess remained silent. Zhao Yue smiled, “If sister doesn’t want to see me, then let’s not meet.”

Saying this, he supported himself and walked out.

The Princess turned her head, saw his emaciated back, hesitated for a moment, and finally stood up, lifted the curtain, and walked out. She called out, “Your Majesty!”

Zhao Yue stopped in his tracks, watching as the woman ran towards him barefoot and suddenly threw herself into his arms.

He smiled, pulling her clothes tighter around her, and said gently, “You still can’t bear to part with me after all.”

The Princess raised her head, looking at him silently.

Their gazes intertwined, and Zhao Yue saw the struggle in her eyes. Then he heard her say, “Will you kiss me?”

Zhao Yue didn’t speak, his gaze falling on her lips.

“This poison is transmitted through bodily fluids…” Yu Linlang’s words flashed through his mind. He smiled bitterly, “Why are you suddenly acting coy?”

“I want to kiss you,” the Princess wrapped her arms around his neck, acting coquettishly, “Don’t you like me anymore?”

Zhao Yue’s smile grew wider, but his eyes were full of sorrow. He looked at her quietly and said hoarsely, “I do like you. I’ve liked you all my life.”

The Princess’s body stiffened. Then she heard him say, “What about you? Sister?”

The Princess didn’t speak. Zhao Yue said gently, “Sister, if you say you like me, I’ll agree to kiss you, okay?”

The Princess stared at him blankly. He seemed to be restraining something as if he knew everything. For a moment, the Princess almost thought he knew it all. Otherwise, why would he look at her like this?

But if he knew, given his ruthless nature that spared no one, he would have torn her apart long ago.

The sadness in his eyes couldn’t be hidden, nor could the despair. She felt as if she was suddenly standing in darkness, with a biting cold wind blowing.

For the first time, she felt the urge to retreat. He smiled and said, “Say it. Say you like me.”

The Princess closed her eyes and sighed, “Forget it. Let’s go to sleep first.”

With that, she let go of him and turned away. However, at that moment, Zhao Yue suddenly grabbed her arm, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her fiercely.

His kiss tasted of blood, his tongue entangling with hers desperately, as if trying to exchange something. There was no hint of desire in it, only overwhelming despair and pain. Then she tasted blood. She started to push him away as blood gushed from his mouth and nose. She tried to speak, but he held her tightly. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she used all her strength to push him away.

He crashed hard against the door, making a dull thud. She shouted angrily, “Zhao Yue!”

“Is it enough…” he seemed to be enduring some torment, repeatedly saying, “Is it enough…”

The Princess stood stunned. His vision began to blur, and his limbs lost strength. He groped on the ground, crawling on all fours trying to find her.

He had wanted to endure, to pretend he knew nothing. Even if he knew, he didn’t want her to know that he knew.

He wanted to pretend nothing had happened, that all was well in the world. But he was born too perceptive; he couldn’t feign ignorance even if he wanted to.

So he couldn’t control himself. Tears fell as he crawled to her feet, grasping the hem of her dress. He looked up, his face a mixture of smiles and tears, and asked softly, “Is it enough?”

Giving you the world, my heart, my life, everything you want and don’t want – is it enough?

He didn’t say it out loud, but in that instant, she seemed to understand what he was asking. She trembled as she heard him ask, “Sister,” his tears falling like rain – she had never seen him cry like this in her life – he grasped her as if holding onto the last thing left in life, “This time, did you love me?”

When we took refuge in the Li family as children, did you love me?

When I was the Crown Prince in the Qin Prince’s mansion, timidly giving you carefully chosen flowers, did you love me?

When our entire family was executed and I became your companion, attentively caring for you, did you love me?

Now that I’ve given you this ill-fated life, this empire, this half of my life – this time, do you love me?

It was a deep love, both enduring and passionate, accumulated over more than twenty years. After asking this question, he could no longer hold on. He vomited blood, and the Princess hurriedly supported him, calling out anxiously, “Someone! Someone! Call the Imperial Physician, His Majesty is vomiting blood!”

Zhao Yue held onto her tightly. Outside, chaos erupted. After a long wait, the Imperial Physician hurried over, but Zhao Yue had already fallen into a deep sleep in the Princess’s arms.

Everyone helped Zhao Yue onto the bed. The Imperial Physician diagnosed him and wrote a prescription. After a while, the physician came to inform the Princess of the situation. The Princess nodded tearfully, but inwardly she felt relieved.

All the symptoms were exactly as Gu Chusheng had described. No matter what the Imperial Physician said, Zhao Yue would never wake up again.

Now she only had to wait until tomorrow to announce that he was gravely ill and that she would take over state affairs. Then, she would work with Gu Chusheng to stabilize Huajing, invite Wei Yun to bring troops into the capital, and when she was full-term, find a child to present. Soon after, Zhao Yue “passed away due to illness.”

Thinking of the words “pass away,” the Princess felt dazed for a moment. The image of Zhao Yue’s tear-stained face flashed through her mind. She felt confused. After a long time, when everyone had left, she sat by the bed, quietly looking at Zhao Yue’s face.

He had aged.

Everyone ages, and even though his features were still handsome, wrinkles had appeared at the corners of his eyes, so different from when he was young. She raised her hand to touch the corner of his eye. After a long while, she spoke softly.

“I like you.”

But this confession of love was too soft, too quiet. No one could hear it except herself.

A thousand miles away, in the Western Ning Kingdom, Wei Yun had already infiltrated the guards and was following the crowd up the steps of the Goddess Temple, not far from the King of Western Ning.

Spring had already arrived in Western Ning, with peach blossoms flying in the Goddess Temple. The sound of chanting sutras came along the way. Wei Yun, with a long sword at his waist, bowed down with everyone else. Halfway through the prostration, there was suddenly a commotion from the foot of the mountain. The whole ceremony was interrupted, and the King of Western Ning frowned and looked back, “What’s happening down there?”

“Assassins!” Someone cried out in alarm. In an instant, the crowd became chaotic. The guards all rushed forward to protect their masters. Wei Yun glanced around. At this distance, it would be too difficult for him to take the King of Western Ning hostage, and even at this moment, the King remained extremely calm, clearly not an easy target. Wei Yun quickly changed his plan and suddenly lunged towards a young woman nearby.

This young woman looked to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. Wei Yun had been following her all the way and had almost confirmed her identity – she should be Wulan, the eldest legitimate princess of Western Ning. He moved extremely fast. Wulan was right next to him, and the earlier incident with the assassins had already thrown the young girl into disarray. As she turned her head, Wei Yun swiftly captured her, holding her by the neck.

Wulan cried out in alarm. The guards all drew their swords and pointed them at Wei Yun. Wei Yun said in a low voice, “Don’t move!”

“Stop!” The King of Western Ning spoke at the same time, his gaze falling on Wei Yun. After a moment, the King slowly said, “Prince Ping of Great Chu?”

“Oh?” Wei Yun smiled, “Your Majesty recognizes me?”

“Your martial skills are excellent.” The King of Western Ning reminded him calmly. Wei Yun smiled, “Your Majesty, you wouldn’t see me, so I had to come to you like this.”

“I didn’t see you because I won’t agree to what you want to say.”

“What does Your Majesty think I want to say?”

“Western Ning will not interfere in Great Chu’s civil war.”

The King of Western Ning’s expression was calm, “Western Ning is a small country. With Great Chu’s national strength, this is not something we should interfere with.”

“Your Majesty is right,” Wei Yun nodded, “But it’s a pity, I’m not here to ask for your help.”

“Oh?”

“On the contrary,” Wei Yun said seriously, “I’m here to help you.”

The King of Western Ning raised an eyebrow. Wei Yun said gently, “Your Majesty, I’ve come to say just one thing: Western Ning will fall within three years.”

Hearing this, everyone present was stunned. The King of Western Ning’s expression turned cold. Wei Yun released Wulan, stepped back, and bowed respectfully, “I apologize for the offense, Princess.”

Wulan, frightened, quickly retreated to the King’s side. Wei Yun looked up with a smile and bowed to the King of Western Ning, “I’ve delivered my message. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, Wei Yun decisively turned and walked down the mountain, without a trace of reluctance. There was a buzz of discussion around them. The King of Western Ning frowned, and just as Wei Yun was about to pass through the mountain gate, the King finally spoke.

“Prince Ping,” he raised his hand, “Please come to the palace for a talk.”