After court adjourned.

Jingrong did not leave the palace, but went to Fuyang Hall instead.

Wei Yi dismissed the eunuchs in the hall and pulled Jingrong to sit together around the table.

He brewed a pot of fine tea.

The atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Wei Yi had been on the throne for half a year now. During this time, he had read what needed to be read and learned what needed to be learned, but things from books were ultimately dead knowledge. When it came to applying them to reality, it inevitably became much more difficult.

What were the principles of governance?

What was the proper order between ruler and subjects?

What were the emperor’s guiding principles?

He understood them, yet始終 could never fully grasp their essence.

“Earlier, regarding the matter of building the river embankment and handling the refugees, what you said was quite right. On the contrary, I was thinking too simplistically.” He felt somewhat ashamed. Jingrong set down his teacup and analyzed the intricacies for him: “Actually, what you said wasn’t wrong either. If it weren’t for Yang Zhouzhi, Lord Dong would indeed be the best choice. From an experience standpoint, Lord Dong does indeed have more than Yang Zhouzhi. But if Your Majesty thinks about it from a different angle, this matter becomes different. Building the river embankment requires time, which is to say patience and meticulousness. Lord Dong has ability, but his temperament is impetuous. His work principle has only one word: fast! How could such a person be suitable? But Yang Zhouzhi is different. He’s bold yet careful, taking after his father, so comparatively speaking, he’s more suitable.”

Wei Yi suddenly understood and nodded: “Now that you put it that way, that’s true.”

“Regarding handling the refugees, you were thinking about how to solve the refugees’ food and shelter concerns and worried about the common people’s safety. As an emperor who puts the common people first, that is a blessing for all under heaven.”

Praise!

However—

“Wrong is wrong.” Wei Yi smiled bitterly, facing his errors and oversights directly. “There is still much, much more for me to learn.”

Jingrong consoled him: “As the saying goes, cicadas don’t sing only at spring’s end, and the sunflower doesn’t shed its armor only after years pass. In the end, it all comes down to one word: perseverance! Court matters cannot be rushed even more so. As long as one is willing to learn, water will eventually penetrate stone.”

“It’s rare that you would comfort me so.”

The two men exchanged smiles!

After finishing a cup of tea—

Jingrong said: “In the future when I’m not by your side, you must handle court matters yourself. You cannot focus only on one aspect, but must observe the overall situation and act cautiously. If there are matters you don’t understand, you can summon Minister Qin to discuss them.”

It was like giving final instructions!

Wei Yi perceived his meaning. “You and Shu’er… are leaving the capital?”

“Now that the case is concluded, I want to leave once Yunshu’s health improves.”

“Where to?”

“That hasn’t been decided yet.”

“Then… will you come back?”

“Perhaps.” Jingrong said earnestly, “Right now the court is stable and the realm is at peace. This is the most suitable time for Yunshu and me to leave. Besides, the Great Lin empire will eventually need you to govern it personally. A fledgling must leave the nest—there will come a day when it must fly.” Wei Yi lowered his gaze, unable to hide his reluctance. He sighed. “These past six months, without you by my side to assist me, how could I have held up the entire court? Now that you’re leaving the capital, I feel like I’m losing my right and left arms. I fear I’ll be thrown into confusion for a time, not knowing what to do. And I traveled with Shu’er all the way from Jinjiang to the capital, and have long regarded her as family. My heart is filled with reluctance to part.” He paused briefly, then said with a smile of blessing, “However, I hope even more to see you and Shu’er happy. For lovers to finally become a couple is a beautiful tale. I have already delayed you for half a year—how could I be so selfish as to continue keeping you here? You can leave the capital with peace of mind. Regarding court matters, I will follow your advice.”

Jingrong nodded, a trace of sorrow inevitably flashing through his eyes.

When the word “farewell” was spoken, only then did he realize how difficult it was.

The two men raised their cups, using tea in place of wine.

…

That day, after Jingrong left, Wei Yi sat in a daze in Fuyang Hall.

Liu Ze waited at his side, asking with concern many times.

Finally, Wei Yi instructed: “Go to the Ministry of Justice and secretly have someone bring Mujin here.”

“Your Majesty, absolutely not! She’s a criminal. What if she harms you…”

“Just do as I say.”

Liu Ze was momentarily speechless and could only comply.

Once night fell, Mujin was secretly brought from the Ministry of Justice into the palace, to Fuyang Hall.

“Your Majesty, the person has been brought here,” Liu Ze said.

“Bring her in.”

“Yes.”

Mujin’s hands were bound behind her back. Two guards escorted her in and pressed her to kneel on the ground.

This former talented woman who possessed a beauty that could topple kingdoms, who should have been as gentle as jade, as graceful as a willow—at this moment she had become a prisoner. Her clothing was dirty and ragged, her hair disheveled, her face ashen as death, showing neither fear nor dread.

Death might be a release for her.

When Wei Yi looked at her, a cold gleam arose in his eyes.

He commanded: “Untie her.”

The guards hesitated for a moment, but still obeyed the order and untied the rope binding Mujin’s wrists.

“Everyone withdraw.”

Liu Ze worried: “Better let this old servant stay here.”

“Leave!” A sharp rebuke.

Liu Ze trembled, then bowed and withdrew with the guards.

Inside the hall, it was extremely quiet.

Wei Yi walked up to Mujin.

Looking down at her from above!

At the same time, Mujin also raised her gaze to meet his, suddenly smiling: “It seems Your Majesty has thought it through and understood clearly.”

Her voice was desolate.

Wei Yi said nothing.

“I knew it—Your Majesty would definitely see me.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re unwilling in your heart!” Mujin exposed the truth in one sentence, her eyes filled with hostility. She spoke through gritted teeth with agitation: “This empire was exchanged for with the Duke’s life. The realm is yours, not Prince Rong’s. The seventy-some lives of Duke Yuguo’s household, the Duke’s life—does Your Majesty truly not care?”

“I am the emperor, above all others.”

“But as long as Prince Rong remains for even one day, all the civil and military officials at court will never be loyal to you. They are all Prince Rong’s people! And Your Majesty, you… are merely a puppet, manipulated by others.”

These words pierced bone and stabbed heart.

A cold light flashed in Wei Yi’s eyes. He slowly crouched down, meeting Mujin’s gaze at eye level, and said: “I… am not a puppet!”

“As long as Prince Rong exists, Your Majesty is!”

In an instant, Wei Yi grasped both her cheeks in one hand, furious: “No one will rebel against me, and Prince Rong won’t either! He’s about to leave the capital, withdrawing from court forever. He won’t contend with me.”

These words earned a laugh from Mujin. “Back then he personally killed the Duke, and in the future he’ll personally kill you too. You clearly had the marriage engagement with that Miss Ji first—he stole everything from you. He is your father’s murderer! He is your enemy. He cannot be kept!”

Cannot be kept!

“Shut up!” This completely enraged Wei Yi. His hand gripping her cheeks tightened even more. “I will not only execute you, I’ll cut out your tongue as well.”

“Mujin is already a person about to die—why would she still fear these things?”

“Good!”

Wei Yi applied force with his fingertips and flung her away, then drew a dagger from his sleeve.

He threw it in front of her.

“Didn’t you say you’re not afraid of death? I want your tongue right now.”

Mujin sat slumped on the ground, looking at the dagger before her and smiling.

She picked it up.

Drew it out!

Silver light flashed.

On the blade’s edge, her face that regarded death as returning home was reflected.

She gripped the blade tightly and said: “As long as it allows Your Majesty to see the truth clearly, let alone taking my tongue—even if you want my heart, I’ll dig it out and give it to you just the same.”

As soon as these words left her mouth—she stuck out her tongue and brought the blade down in one stroke.