However, Jingrong said nothing!

He merely listened!

“This Emperor asks you—do you have any thoughts in your heart?”

Jingrong said: “Your son does not dare to have any thoughts.”

“What if this Emperor asks you to think?”

“In all matters your son undertakes, he does his utmost but does not dare to overstep. If it comes to me, I will not refuse. If it is not mine, I will not seize it.”

The implied meaning was: if the throne was his, he would certainly seize it. If it was not his, even if placed before him, he would not want it.

Emperor Qizhen nodded, very satisfied with these words. He said: “Mm, this Emperor understands your meaning.”

Having said this, he waved his hand. “You may go back. Remember well what this Emperor has just said.”

“Yes!”

After bowing, Jingrong withdrew from the inner chamber.

And from beginning to end, Emperor Qizhen had not mentioned Jinghua’s rebellion at all!

After all, he was a beast raised at his own side—such a scandal was indeed something he did not wish to mention.

Of course, Jingrong also did not wish to ask.

After emerging from inside, he still wore that cold, calm appearance. No one could guess what exactly he was thinking. They only knew that Jingrong was too obedient.

So obedient that he never knew how to resist!

He only ever knew how to submit!

He was a clawless tiger that Emperor Qizhen kept at his side!

But different from the past, this time, in his eyes there was an additional thread of desire for control over power and expansion!

The hands within his robes, from the moment he emerged, had their palms tightly clenched together.

He no longer wished to hide!

For over twenty years—he no longer wished to hide!

Now, he could not even protect the woman he loved.

If not a mediocrity, then what was he?

Jingyi, don’t you enjoy competing? Fine, I shall satisfy you!

However, just as he had left Fuyang Hall, a piece of news came crashing into his ears.

The Crown Prince was dead!

Dead in the Eastern Palace!

The news spread, shocking the entire imperial palace…

It was said he had hanged himself. His neck was twisted and entangled in white silk ribbon, his body suspended in midair, legs stretched straight, tongue and upper lip curled, a pair of round eyeballs bulging outward with all their might, his entire face swollen blue and red.

A miserable and tragic sight.

The entire hall seemed to be swept by a cold wind, eerie and chilling.

No one dared to enter. The few remaining eunuchs and palace maids of the Eastern Palace knelt outside the door, all prostrate on the ground, their bodies trembling.

The Crown Prince was dead—surely everyone in the entire Eastern Palace would have to be buried with him. How could these people not be terrified?

When Emperor Qizhen heard this news, he immediately fainted, and so the imperial physicians were summoned again.

Meanwhile, ministers and imperial princes all rushed to the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince had also been taken down and placed on the bed, his body covered with a white cloth.

After the court officials glanced at him a few times, they all dispersed. After all, the deceased was a fallen Crown Prince—not worth lamenting!

Jingyi wrinkled his nose, his face full of disgust.

Good that he’s dead!

Living, he would have been no different from a corpse anyway.

And at this very moment, Kong Yu stood outside the door of her room, her gaze looking toward the direction of the great hall where the Crown Prince’s corpse lay.

At this moment, she still wore that bright red robe. Her slender, tall figure seemed about to sway and fall in the gentle breeze, with the possibility of collapsing to the ground at any moment.

In fact, just one hour ago, she had sent someone out of the palace to Zhuxi Garden, giving Ji Yunshu a note.

After Ji Yunshu saw that note, she took the token Kong Yu had given her and entered the palace. Fortunately, the Crown Prince was dead, and the guards stationed around the Eastern Palace had been withdrawn.

Therefore, no one paid attention to Ji Yunshu’s arrival.

When she had just arrived at Kong Yu’s courtyard, she saw her standing under the eaves, dressed in red finery with gold, silver, jade and gems. That face with its faint pallor carried a heart-wrenching melancholy.

Such a woman was naturally not meant for the imperial palace!

Staying here even one day seemed as if it would cost her life.

When she saw Ji Yunshu walk in, she met her gaze.

Gently she said: “You’ve come!”

Ji Yunshu nodded and walked to her side, saying nothing at all.

The two stood like this for a long while—

Kong Yu gazed at the rainwater dripping from the eaves and asked: “This should be the first time Miss Ji and I have met like this?”

“Yes!”

“Actually, I wanted to chat with you much earlier, but I didn’t even have the opportunity before I entered the palace.”

Her voice desolate!

Yet also carrying a sense of release.

Ji Yunshu turned her gaze to look at her. “Are you happy?”

She nodded. “Happy. Truly very happy.”

Ji Yunshu said nothing, planning to continue listening to what she had to say…

“The happiest time was when I was young, the days I spent together with Arong. Although I was a year older than him and cared for him like an older sister, Arong also took very good care of me. At that time, I was truly very happy. We were inseparable, carefree and without worries. From childhood, I had decided on him. I thought that when we grew up, I could marry him, be his wife, help my husband and teach my children, living our entire lives together. After growing up, I always firmly believed this.”

She paused.

Then continued: “But it wasn’t until I saw you that I finally understood—some feelings are not determined by the length of time.”

As she spoke, the corners of her mouth maintained a faint smile throughout.

Ji Yunshu listened quietly, still not responding with a single word.

Kong Yu said: “Miss Ji, Arong truly loves you very much. My feelings would not be wrong.”

She was a sensitive person—her feelings were never wrong!

Ji Yunshu said: “Those memories must be very beautiful?”

“Yes!”

She nodded emphatically, then took a deep breath. Her entire person relaxed considerably. Turning to look at Ji Yunshu, she smiled slightly: “I think you probably know everything already? That’s why, upon seeing my note, you entered the palace.”

Ji Yunshu said: “Back then, that child beside Master Su told me, but at the time I didn’t know what exactly he had said. It wasn’t until one hour ago that I finally understood everything.”

“…”

“That child was trying to tell me that actually, General Yuchi’s death had nothing to do with Master Su. Even though General Yuchi had already prepared to commit suicide, your appearance did indeed disrupt all the plans. Fortunately, you killed General Yuchi, and so everything proceeded smoothly. At least, Master Su’s purpose was indeed achieved at the time, but he took all the blame upon himself and bore the guilt for you.”

Ji Yunshu spoke these words very calmly…

But just one hour ago, when she finally understood what Lie’er had been trying to say at the time, the heartache had nearly caused her to faint!

However, fortunately, Su Ziluo had safely returned to Qujiang.

After Kong Yu heard her words, the stone in her heart fell to the ground.

She said: “I played the deserter. The matter should have been borne by me. That Master Su is my benefactor. If not for him covering up the fact that I had been to the relay station, I think I would already be dead.”

“Yes, he is indeed your benefactor. But for me, I owe him for an entire lifetime.”

Kong Yu did not quite understand but did not ask further.

After Ji Yunshu was silent for a moment—

She asked her: “Then this time, why did you kill the Crown Prince?”