He remembered—of course he remembered. How could he not remember?

“Your son remembers!”

“Then what did I say to you?”

Jinghua contemplated for a moment, sitting upright. “That day was Mother Empress’s birthday. Before all the civil and military officials, Father Emperor officially appointed your son as Crown Prince. Father Emperor said: ‘The peace of the nation and people, the prosperity of all rivers and mountains—these must first be righteous, then joyful, thus achieving perpetual flow like a boat. I command you not to use chaos as chaos, not to use treachery as treachery. There are many virtuous ministers and wise scholars—you must learn from them and obtain their wisdom, shouldering your responsibilities.'”

That year, at Empress Xuanshu’s birthday banquet, after the hundred officials toasted, Emperor Qizhen raised his cup and, before all the court ministers of Great Lin, personally appointed the ten-year-old Jinghua as Crown Prince.

These words were also spoken by Emperor Qizhen to Jinghua before all the officials.

Over ten years had passed, yet Jinghua still remembered, reciting them without missing a single word.

After listening, Emperor Qizhen nodded and said, “Yes, you still remember it all.”

How gratifying!

After speaking these words, Jinghua’s chest sank.

He was still making a final struggle and hesitation!

His fists clenched tightly on his knees, veins bulging on the backs of his hands. The brocade satin was crumpled into wrinkles, creating unsightly creases.

Emperor Qizhen, hidden in the darkness, coughed twice and asked again, “Jinghua, you grew up by my side since childhood. Your character—I understand it better than anyone. You have a pure and kind nature, dislike争斗, truly genuine and substantial. This is what makes you different from Jingyi and Jingrong. Though they are clever, and court officials all believe them to be dragon riders, I feel that what an emperor lacks is precisely your kind of character. Over the years, I have continued to think this way.”

What a big bowl of chicken soup!

Jinghua seemed brainwashed as he raised his hand to pick up this bowl of chicken soup, about to bring it to his mouth.

But—

Just as it reached his lips, he paused.

“Father Emperor, your son can no longer turn back.”

He lowered his head, his tone somewhat helpless!

Emperor Qizhen didn’t respond, watching him calmly.

Jinghua pushed the bowl of medicine before him toward Emperor Qizhen’s direction again, but his eyes dared not look at him.

“Father Emperor, please don’t make things difficult for your son. Your son guarantees he will be a good emperor.”

He steeled his heart and finally made his decision.

At this moment, Zhang Quan quickly stepped forward and said, “Crown Prince, the Emperor is your father. If you turn back now, there’s still time.”

“It’s too late.” As he spoke, Jinghua stood up and retreated several steps.

“Crown Prince…” Zhang Quan’s entire face creased with concern as he bowed, wanting to make a final attempt at persuasion.

But the Crown Prince’s will was firm.

Emperor Qizhen also stood up, both hands supporting himself on the table, gasping for breath, struggling to ask Jinghua a question.

“Do you still not know you’re wrong?”

“Wrong?” Jinghua smiled, his eyes suddenly darkening. “Father Emperor, everything you taught your son, your son remembers. But today, circumstances have forced this situation. You taught your son the way to govern the nation, but you also taught your son that all actions are taken for oneself, and anything unfavorable to oneself is a threat. What your son does today is precisely following your teachings!”

“Treasonous son!”

Bang—

His fist struck heavily on the table.

Emperor Qizhen was so angry he immediately spat blood, pointing at him. “I was wrong, truly wrong—to have raised such an unfilial son as you. And even now, at this point, you still don’t know repentance.”

Zhang Quan supported him from the side.

Jinghua remained unmoved, speaking ruthlessly. “Your son already gave Father Emperor a chance. It was Father Emperor who refused it. Then don’t blame your son for being heartless.”

Just as these words finished, the tightly closed door was pushed open.

Jinghua’s personal guards, leading the Eastern Palace guards, rushed in, each pointing the swords in their hands at Emperor Qizhen.

The clanging of iron armor resounded throughout Fuyang Hall…

The door opened, and the light from outside shone in, illuminating the entire inner chamber.

Revealing Emperor Qizhen, who had been hidden in the darkness.

Compared to two days ago, his face was much paler—pale mixed with fury and disappointment.

He appeared somewhat sickly!

If not for Zhang Quan supporting him at his side, he would probably have already collapsed to the ground.

And that bowl of dark yellow medicine before him was stained with the fresh blood he had coughed from his mouth, remaining on the edge of the white porcelain bowl, thin, cold, and glaring.

Of course, just as the Eastern Palace guards rushed in with their swords drawn, the Crown Prince suddenly barked an order.

“Lower your swords.”

The Eastern Palace guards obeyed the command and immediately sheathed their swords.

The Crown Prince said, “Father Emperor, the entire Eastern Palace has already been surrounded by your son’s forces. Being able to break in smoothly is thanks to Father Emperor. If not for you allowing your son’s grand wedding today, Fuyang Hall wouldn’t have been so lax. Moreover, all the civil and military officials are gathered at the Eastern Palace—no one knows about the matter at Fuyang Hall yet, so…”

He pointed at that bowl of medicinal soup.

“If Father Emperor would comply with your son’s wishes and drink this bowl of soup, your son will announce to the outside that Father Emperor passed away from illness. After your son ascends the throne, he will give Father Emperor a glorious funeral and will posthumously honor Father Emperor.”

What a good son!

This tall hat—it seemed Emperor Qizhen had no choice but to wear it.

But—

Emperor Qizhen was furious. Supporting his weak body, he swept his sleeve, sweeping the bowl of medicine on the table entirely to the ground.

Crash!

It shattered everywhere.

Jinghua knew that having already taken this step, he could no longer turn back.

He simply raised one hand, signaling to his guards.

While saying, “Fine. Since Father Emperor insists on not drinking that bowl of medicine, then don’t blame your son for being merciless.”

As his words ended!

His palm pressed forward.

Having received the order, those guards once again drew their swords, each one aimed at Emperor Qizhen and Zhang Quan.

Emperor Qizhen’s body suddenly fell backward, sitting on the soft couch behind him. The next moment, Zhang Quan also knelt on the ground, both hands prostrate.

Pleading, “Crown Prince, don’t make mistake after mistake!”

His tone carried a desolate, choking sound.

Jinghua showed not a trace of wavering, his eyes blood-red.

He gave the order: “Kill!”

The Eastern Palace guards raised their swords and thrust them toward Emperor Qizhen. But just a few steps away, several of the swords originally aimed at Emperor Qizhen suddenly reversed their blade edges and struck down the guards beside them with a single slash.

Without warning, fresh blood instantly stained the entire inner chamber, silent and deadly.

And of the Eastern Palace guards, half were killed, half did the killing!

Those guards who suddenly betrayed in battle, after finishing the slaughter, pointed their sharp swords at Jinghua.

The scene before him had completely escaped Jinghua’s control. In that moment, he was utterly stunned.

His eyes widened, his feet went weak, and even his originally straight shoulders collapsed in this moment.

“You all…”

Jinghua pointed at the group before him.

Suddenly, from behind him came Jingyi’s voice.

“The Crown Prince has committed treason. Arrest him.”

With the command given, the remaining half of the “Eastern Palace” guards stepped forward to seize Jinghua, pressing on his shoulders and forcing him to the ground.

Yet he didn’t resist, completely frozen in shock.

But at this moment, he was like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

There was no longer any room to turn back!