Veins bulged on Jingrong’s forehead as anxiety filled his heart. “Jing Yi, between you and me, there’s no need to involve innocent people.”

“As long as it helps me ascend to the throne, innocent people can likewise become chess pieces in my hand.”

“If you dare harm him in the slightest, don’t blame me for abandoning brotherly affection.”

Brotherly affection?

Jing Yi laughed loudly. “Jingrong, don’t be foolish. From the day we were born, you and I were destined not to be brothers. We are enemies – enemies who will stop at nothing for the same goal. So don’t talk to me about father-son affection or brotherly affection. If I truly cared about such things, I wouldn’t have instigated the Crown Prince to besiege the palace back then, and the Crown Prince wouldn’t have died.”

When a baby gets ruthless, he even stabs himself!

Much less some nonsense about fathers, sons, and brothers.

Jingrong’s cold eyes deepened. The person before him was indeed terminally ill.

Inside his robes, his fists clenched tightly. “Fine. If you insist on this, I will see it through with you to the end.”

See it through to the end!

The voice echoed within the Golden Luan Hall, reverberating for a long time without dispersing.

The two confronted each other.

Standing directly below the dragon throne!

As Jingrong left the Golden Luan Hall and exited through the south gate, he was called out to by Minister of Personnel Peng Yuanhai.

It seemed deliberate.

Peng Yuanhai had never been one for casual talk or smiles – he was a serious man.

Stepping forward with clasped hands, he apologized, “This official previously impeached Your Highness. Please forgive me.”

Jingrong was courteous. “Minister Peng, you overstate it. Indeed, this prince should not have repeatedly interfered in official personnel matters. Your memorial impeaching this prince was appropriate.”

“Afterward, this official sent people to investigate. Those officials Your Highness dismissed were indeed derelict in their duties.”

“Good that it’s been verified.”

“This official failed to see the truth and nearly harmed Your Highness with that impeachment.”

“Minister Peng, actually this prince should thank you. If not for your impeachment, it wouldn’t have helped this prince return to the capital.”

Peng Yuanhai understood why in his heart, but on the surface still pretended ignorance. “Why is that?”

Jingrong didn’t want to elaborate, only smiled.

“The meaning within, Minister Peng need not know deeply.”

“Yes, then I won’t disturb Your Highness’s return to your manor.”

Jingrong nodded and departed in his carriage.

In place, Peng Yuanhai watched the gradually departing carriage, took a deep breath, and murmured to himself, “It wasn’t in vain that Prince Xian went to such lengths to ultimately bring you back to the capital.”

……

Prince Rong Manor.

Ji Yunshu learned of the situation in the Golden Luan Hall and finally set her heart at ease.

However—

She still worried, saying, “This time my eldest brother and second brother suffered such a public setback in the court. They absolutely won’t let this go, and Prince Yi won’t easily give up either.”

Ji Li was such a competitive person – how could he be content to have his position revoked and then peacefully stay home tending flowers and fertilizing plants?

Jingrong stood with hands behind his back under the eaves by the doorway, looking at the damp ground.

“His Majesty issued an edict commanding Ji Huan to lead troops to the border. He is a military minister and cannot refuse. As for Ji Li, naturally he won’t be willing to be suppressed. Even if a fierce tiger rises again, it will take some time. During this period, with Jing Yi’s wings clipped, his vitality is naturally severely damaged, so he won’t stir up any major disturbances.”

“Then what do you plan to do next?”

Jingrong pondered. “Now that Jing Yi and I have openly confronted each other in court, the court is divided into two factions – many enemies, few friends. The best approach is to be one step ahead of him and strike first.”

Mm-hmm?

Ji Yunshu didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”

“What Jing Yi wants most is nothing but the throne. For the throne, he will stop at nothing. Back then, he could scheme and incite the Crown Prince to besiege the palace. Today, this prince can also follow that same pattern.”

Ugh!

Ji Yunshu suddenly understood. “You mean… force him to rebel?”

Jingrong’s eyes deepened.

He nodded.

……

That evening, Muruo and Tang Si came over.

As soon as she arrived at Prince Rong Manor, that girl was bouncing around, constantly looking this way and that, even pulling Ji Yunshu along to stroll around the manor.

A perfect tourist.

She didn’t forget to criticize, saying, “Prince Rong Manor is large, but it’s just not as grand as Marquis Kang Manor. Plus it looks lifeless and dreary – not as flavorful as my A’Mo’s Yuhua Pavilion.”

Such showing off!

Ji Yunshu smiled lightly without speaking.

In the main hall.

As soon as Muruo sat down, he asked Jingrong, “I heard His Majesty has already issued an edict graciously permitting you to remain in the capital.”

Jingrong drank his tea. “Your information is quite well-informed.”

“Not only well-informed, I also know the Ji family brothers suffered a loss – one had his position revoked, one was dispatched to the border to fight barbarians. I even know you engaged in a battle of words with the assembled officials in the Golden Luan Hall, forcing Jing Yi into speechless submission.”

“Not quite that exaggerated.”

“You need not be modest.”

“Does this prince seem like a modest person?” His brow furrowed slightly.

Actually not!

Rumors!

All rumors!

Muruo smiled. “Regardless, in any case you’ve now stolen all the limelight. With His Majesty graciously permitting you to remain in the capital this time, clever people can naturally see the mystery within.” He sighed again. “Since the Crown Prince’s death, the court that had been quiet for so long will probably stir up another great wind.”

After speaking, he picked up his tea and took a sip.

Jingrong’s expression darkened slightly as his gaze looked toward the doorway. “I fear this wind will be one that doesn’t stop.”

Since ancient times, factional struggles have never ceased!

“Bang!”

A tremendous sound.

The pitch-black sky was instantly illuminated by a brilliant burst of fireworks.

“Come out and look!”

Tang Si shouted loudly from outside.

Jingrong and Muruo exchanged glances and rose to go out.

In the courtyard, somehow many fireworks had appeared. Tang Si was working hard to light the fuses while Ji Yunshu watched from the side.

Fireworks shot upward one after another, colliding in the air and exploding in brilliant colors, dazzling and magnificent.

What on earth?

Jingrong: “What’s going on?”

Hearing the voice, Ji Yunshu walked over and explained, “Miss Tang says today is the coming-of-age festival in their Houliao. Every year on this day, they set off fireworks there.”

Oh!

After lighting all the fireworks, Tang Si tossed aside the fire starter, ran over, and pulled at Muruo asking, “How is it? Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Muruo withdrew his arm and swallowed.

He said nothing.

“Bang…”

The fireworks competed to bloom in the sky one burst after another, then drooped down bit by bit until the light points disappeared…

Almost everyone in Prince Rong Manor had gathered over, the servants and maids extremely excited.

Ji Yunshu tilted her head back watching the colorful fireworks, their brilliant light seeming to bloom in her eyes, dyeing her originally pitch-black pupils with dazzling radiance.

Yet those eyes appeared extremely forlorn.

At this moment, whether in her mind or by her ears, everything was Wei Yi.

She seemed able to see Wei Yi bouncing and jumping around those fireworks!

Carefree and unburdened!

Jingrong turned his head to look at her, already seeing through her thoughts completely.

He quietly grasped her hand hanging at her side.

Their eyes met!

Silence spoke louder than words.

In the Imperial Palace.

Inside a pitch-black small room, a figure curled up on the ground, just like always, arms wrapped around his knees, head buried down.

Even though the door was shut, he still felt cold wind whistling all around.

Making people tremble!

So he couldn’t help but hug his arms even tighter again.

Wei Yi couldn’t remember how many days he’d been confined in here. Since the incident with the Kongming lanterns burning the palace, he hadn’t taken a single step outside this dim room.

He wasn’t a prisoner, yet he was better than a prisoner!

After a long while—

He lifted those eyes that had originally been clear and clean but were now so desolate and powerless, his gaze penetrating through that tightly closed wooden door, looking at the hazy gray-black sky.

As if he could also see the fireworks blooming at this moment above Prince Rong Manor.

“Shu’er.”