The melodious and graceful music suddenly became strained, like a choked spring, with strings frozen and fingers halted.

Under the illumination of hundreds of silver candles, the pavilion fell instantly silent, countless gazes fixed upon Yao Ying, lost in amazement.

Yao Ying maintained a composed expression as her delicate hands lifted the Emperor’s wine cup. “Today, all worthy talents have gathered, both young and old have assembled, heroes and warriors from all tribes have come to pledge allegiance. I respectfully wish our great Wei dynasty peace and prosperity, with clear rivers and tranquil seas.”

With these words, she dipped her fingernail in wine and lightly flicked it toward the assembled guests, then raised the cup and drained it in one gulp.

As the warm wine entered her throat, a faint blush appeared at the corners of her eyes, like spring ripples spreading across the water, illuminating the entire hall.

While the civil and military officials below and the officials’ wives watching from the second floor still stared at her in amazement, the tribal chiefs of various Hu peoples had already begun striking their knees in excited admiration. They all stood up simultaneously, raising their wine bowls to bow to Li De, loudly offering congratulations.

The gathered crowd finally reacted, rising to bow deeply, shouting “Long live the Emperor!”

Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen, seated in the secondary position, also set down his wine cup after a moment of astonishment and bowed along with the others.

Li De glanced at Yao Ying, smiling as he acknowledged the crowd.

The banquet’s atmosphere reached its peak at this moment.

Yet Yao Ying, who had stirred such soaring spirits among the assembled men, did not linger. With swaying skirts, surrounded by maids and eunuchs, she slowly made her way past the layered golden lacquered screens to ascend to the second floor.

The gazes of the assembly followed her for a long while, craning their necks to stare longingly even after her graceful figure disappeared behind the brocade curtains billowing in the wind at the high platform.

The music resumed its joyful tune.

The crowd began whispering and discussing among themselves.

The chieftains and princes of the various Hu tribes made no effort to hide their amazement as they asked nearby attendants, “Was that noble lady just now the Seventh Princess we’ve heard about?”

The attendants nodded.

The chieftains exchanged looks of sudden understanding: Indeed she was a peerless beauty – no wonder old Yelu was willing to offer Liangzhou as a betrothal gift. After all, the Murong, He, and Ashina clans currently occupying Liangzhou were no pushovers.

On the second-floor platform, the imperial consorts, palace ladies, and noble women watched Yao Ying, who appeared like a goddess in the candlelight, with complex expressions.

Yao Ying kept her gaze straight ahead as she walked to the window, sat alone, and poured herself a cup of wine.

With Li Zhongqian absent, no one dared stop her from drinking.

Beside her, Crown Princess Zheng Biyu sighed and looked down, noticing Li Xuanzhen rising from his seat and following a palace maid toward the rear hall.

What was he going to do in the rear hall?

Before she could think further, a maid approached her side and whispered, “My lady, Princess Fukang has disappeared!”

Zheng Biyu froze: “Disappeared?”

The maid’s face showed panic: “Today His Majesty decreed that the Princess should attend the banquet. The Crown Prince sent people to the Princess’s mansion, urging her to attend, saying the Seventh Princess would publicly request to marry in her place, telling her not to be afraid. Our servants were ordered to escort the Princess to the palace, but after waiting a long time she never came out. When I finally dared to check her room, I discovered the Princess had secretly left through the back window!”

Zheng Biyu’s heart sank.

The Seventh Princess hadn’t yet formally requested to marry in her place, and Zhu Lvyun’s betrothal to Chief Yelu hadn’t been annulled – why had she run away now?

Could it be that she didn’t trust Li Xuanzhen had found a solution, and had fled out of fear of the marriage?

The more Zheng Biyu thought about it, the more her head ached. She instructed the maid: “Send out all guards to secretly search for the Princess’s whereabouts. The Princess’s mansion, places she frequently visits, and places the Crown Prince often goes – search them all thoroughly, don’t miss a single one!”

The maid nodded in acknowledgment, but before she could rise to relay the message, two abrupt sounds of wine cups shattering came from below.

The music had stopped at some point.

The atmosphere grew heavy and tense.

Zheng Biyu gestured for the maid to be silent and listened carefully.

Below, an awkward dead silence fell, and amid the roaring of silver candles came a man’s accusation: “We hear your country’s Princess Fukang has no intention to marry and has already fled! If the Princess had no intention to marry our Khan, why did she actively propose marriage in the first place? We wholeheartedly admired your country and wished to submit our entire tribe, yet your Princess makes such sport and insult of our Khan! Since your country has broken faith first, the Yelu tribe need not keep its promises either. Our warriors will fight to the death to defend our Khan’s honor! Your country had better prepare for war!”

With that, he smashed his wine bowl and stormed off.

The chiefs and princes of other tribes immediately grew agitated, shouting and demanding to see Princess Fukang, otherwise they too would not dare submit to the Wei dynasty.

The noble ladies and palace women on the platform trembled slightly in fear.

Zheng Biyu broke out in a cold sweat.

Below, the civil and military officials exchanged glances, their faces even more troubled than those of the inner palace women.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial reacted quickly, rising to intercept Chief Yelu and several princes, inviting them to return to their seats.

Chief Yelu, over sixty years old with white hair braided in thin plaits scattered over his shoulders, had an aged face covered in wrinkles but eyes sharp as a falcon’s. Wiping his oily mouth, he spoke in halting Chinese: “If we can see Princess Fukang tonight, the Yelu tribe naturally has nothing more to say.”

The officials persuaded Chief Yelu to stay with great effort, sending people to search for Princess Fukang and urge her to quickly enter the palace.

The Imperial Guard reported back: Princess Fukang had been missing for some time – they had been searching all afternoon without results.

The officials were furious and anxious, stamping their feet in frustration.

Several ministers from the Department of State Affairs, knowing of Zhu Lvyun’s disappearance, exchanged glances before rising and retreating behind the curtains.

Soon after, Li De also found an excuse to withdraw to the inner hall.

The Ministry of Rites officials reported the situation: “Princess Fukang has vanished without cause. We searched outside the palace all afternoon but found no trace of the Princess. We don’t know how the Yelu tribe heard the news.”

Everyone burst into discussion.

Several ministers close to the Eastern Palace immediately searched for the Crown Prince but couldn’t find him, secretly growing worried: Could Princess Fukang have been taken away by the Crown Prince?

Prime Minister Zheng glared: “Princess Fukang’s actions are truly willful and reckless! She was the one who ignored advice and publicly promised marriage, and now she’s the one who fears marriage and runs away. Now the Yelu tribe threatens to attack Chang’an – how can this be resolved?”

The Vice Minister of the Department of State Affairs said: “Perhaps the Princess just went somewhere to play and forgot about today’s banquet…”

Zheng Yu sneered: “Tonight’s banquet was specifically to celebrate the tribes’ submission and the marriage agreement between Chief Yelu and Princess Fukang. The Ministry of Rites notified the Princess yesterday – she doesn’t go out to play any other time, why specifically today?”

The Vice Minister had no response.

Everyone held their own opinions, unable to reach an agreement.

Li De sat on a low couch, saying nothing.

In the flickering candlelight, several Imperial Guards hurriedly entered the inner hall, presenting a letter: “Your Majesty, Princess Fukang’s attendant found a farewell letter!”

Li De took the letter, opened it, glanced at it, and his mouth twitched as he looked at his ministers: “Take a look.”

General Pei stepped forward first, snatched the letter, and read it, furious: “Princess Fukang did run away!”

The other ministers crowded forward to read with him, all furrowing their brows.

The letter was from Zhu Lvyun, saying she had nightmares every night, couldn’t eat or sleep, and could only flee.

General Pei began cursing loudly.

The others heard his crude language and coughed several times, pretending not to hear.

At this moment, the Ministry of Rites official stumbled into the inner hall, adjusting his headpiece and clothes that had been pulled askew by the barbarians, saying: “Your Majesty, if Princess Fukang doesn’t appear soon, those barbarians will cause chaos!”

General Pei roared: “The person is gone – how can she appear?”

The Ministry of Rites official stood dumbfounded.

The Junior Supervisor of the Secretariat pondered for a moment before stepping forward: “Your Majesty, our only option now is to choose another noble lady to marry in her place.”

General Pei rolled up his sleeves: “We’ve already tried that! Princess Fukang made rash marriage promises, and the Yelu tribe is being unreasonable and refusing to compromise. No matter how many noble ladies we’ve offered, they won’t accept any of them, insisting they must marry Princess Fukang!”

The Junior Supervisor calmly said: “As luck would have it, we’re holding a grand palace banquet today, and all eligible noble ladies and imperial clan women are present. Why not choose from among them – with so many young ladies, perhaps the Yelu tribe might fancy one or two. At worst, we can offer more beauties and dowry.”

Hearing this, everyone’s faces changed.

The ladies chatting and laughing on the second floor were the family members of the civil and military officials! Their sisters, daughters, granddaughters, and nieces!

Who could bear to send their precious daughter to marry into the grasslands?

While everyone silently cursed the Junior Supervisor’s nonsense, Li De showed a thoughtful expression, as if considering the supervisor’s suggestion.

Several ministers whose daughters were of marriageable age broke out in cold sweat, not daring to make a sound.

Li De raised his head and said: “It seems we have no choice but to do this.”

The ministers looked as if their parents had died, sweat rolling down from their temples.

An eunuch ran out of the inner hall toward the second floor. Soon after, cries and sobs of fear came from above.

Just as the ministers were at their wits’ end with no solution in sight, footsteps suddenly came from outside.

“Your Majesty, the Seventh Princess requests an audience.”

The ministers froze.

Li De said: “Let her enter.”

Yao Ying entered at his word, meeting the ministers’ astonished gazes as she walked before Li De, gracefully knelt, and raised her head: “Your Majesty, I hear Princess Fukang has fled, enraging the Yelu tribe, causing unrest among the barbarians and tension on the verge of war. I cannot bear to see the noble ladies in such fear and anxiety, and even more cannot bear to see the court face war over this matter. I am willing to marry the barbarians in Princess Fukang’s place.”

The inner hall was quiet for a long time, so quiet a pin drop could be heard.

General Pei said softly: “Seventh Princess, you are my Pei family’s daughter-in-law…”

Yao Ying looked at General Pei.

“I am a Li family princess, a citizen of Wei, the Emperor’s daughter, and also the Emperor’s subject…”

She paused, her tone ringing clear: “Though I am a woman, I too have the ambition to serve my country. I am willing to use my body to serve the nation, without hesitation!”

The young lady’s voice was delicate yet each word rang loud, echoing in the spacious inner hall and every minister’s heart.

Everyone’s heartstrings trembled, unable to speak for a moment.

After a while, General Pei spoke first: “Noble Princess, the Yelu tribe follows water and grass to live – if you marry them, you’ll suffer hardships from now on.”

Yao Ying’s back was straight: “I have no fear, nor regrets.”

She knelt in the hall, her gaze clear and peaceful.

“Going forth without return, suddenly on the vast plain the road stretches far; Carrying a long sword and clutching a Qin bow, though the body and head part the heart knows no shame; Truly brave and also mighty, forever unyielding and cannot be conquered; Though the body dies the spirit lives on, soul and spirit resolute to become a heroic ghost!”

“My uncle taught my brother and me before his death: If it benefits the country, seek not wealth and status; protect home and defend the country, ask not what lies ahead.”

“My uncle’s entire family died heroically protecting the common people, using their flesh and blood to forge the dynasty’s peace and stability. Though I am a woman, I too carry on the Xie family teachings, willing like my uncle to serve the country loyally, not shrinking even from ten thousand deaths.”

The assembled ministers silently exchanged shocked glances, speechless for a long while.

These words the Seventh Princess spoke, they too could say them, and could even say them more passionately than the Seventh Princess.

But who could speak them more sincerely than the Seventh Princess?

— Xie Wuliang, who taught these principles to the Seventh Princess and the Prince of Qin, despite his frail body spent his life working to pacify warfare, serving with complete devotion until his death.

Not a single member of the Xie family survived, their bloodline was completely severed. Looking back through the generations, every son of the Xie family had upheld righteousness, protected their domain, and sacrificed themselves without hesitation to guard the common people.

They were loyal to wise rulers, loyal to the court, and even more loyal to the people.

In dangerous times, one sees a minister’s integrity; in chaotic times, one recognizes the truly loyal.

While noble families scrambled for their interests, only the Xie family maintained their unyielding principles.

So resolute.

So old-fashioned.

And so admirable.

That’s why when the Seventh Princess spoke such words, the ministers did not doubt her determination and breadth of vision.

Li De sighed, looking at Yao Ying, seeming very reluctant.

The ministers were anxious, sweating profusely.

After a long while, Li De waved his hand: “Good, very good. Seven, you truly are my flesh and blood, not letting down your maternal grandfather’s Xie family name.”

He gestured for the Ministry of Rites official to go relay the message.

The Ministry of Rites official stared in shock for quite a while before reacting, stumbling out.

Soon, cheers erupted from outside the hall, and the official returned.

“Your Majesty, Chief Yelu is overjoyed, saying he’ll return immediately to muster troops and serve as the vanguard for the Wei army’s attack on Liangzhou!”

Everyone gradually came to their senses, the weight in their hearts quietly lifting.

This was good too – after all the twists and turns, Chief Yelu got his wish, the court could take Liangzhou, Princess Fukang could stay in Chang’an without marrying far away, and their family members escaped disaster.

Though their panic had been for nothing, they remained uneasy, not daring to speak.

Suddenly, the Junior Supervisor of the Secretariat stepped forward from the crowd, bowing deeply to Yao Ying: “The Princess shows great righteousness! I am ashamed to be inferior!”

He raised his head, eyes red, looking around.

“The Princess is truly worthy of being a Wei Princess, worthy of being a daughter of the Li family! Princess Fukang was originally a pearl from the previous dynasty. His Majesty pitied her lonely state and adopted her, lavishing her with love and indulgence, giving in to her every wish. Princess Fukang showed no gratitude, disregarded greater righteousness, and attempted to assassinate His Majesty multiple times. His Majesty couldn’t bear to punish her harshly, made an exception to grant her the title of Princess Fukang, and loved her as before.”

“Princess Fukang still showed no remorse, colluding with foreign enemies to disrupt court affairs, not only privately communicating with Southern Chu but also plotting with Princess Imperial Yiqing, who married into the Turks, to invade the Guanzhong region!”

Hearing this, everyone was shocked.

“Is this true?”

The Junior Supervisor gave a cold laugh: “The evidence of Princess Fukang’s treason is irrefutable. His Majesty pitied her tragic circumstances and covered for her, yet she repaid kindness with enmity, leaving without a backward glance, disregarding both court and people!”

His voice suddenly rose.

“While the Zhu woman shows neither feeling nor righteousness, our Li Princess is willing to sacrifice herself in marriage for the realm and altars of state!”

“His Majesty showed utmost benevolence to Princess Fukang! The last emperor of the previous Zhu dynasty was foolish and without principle, bringing disaster to the country and people, exploiting the common folk until everyone wanted to drink his blood, eat his flesh, and sleep on his skin! If he hadn’t acted perversely and harmed the loyal and good, how could the realm have fallen into such chaos? How could the fertile fields of Guanzhong have fallen under barbarian hooves? The Li family has been loyal and responsible for generations, yet His Majesty’s father and brothers were cruelly slaughtered by the Zhu. His Majesty took up the dangerous mandate, forced to rise to protect Wei’s common people, leading righteous warriors to recover the realm and restore peace and happiness to the people. His Majesty owes nothing to the Zhu! We owe nothing to Zhu! This realm owes even less to the Zhu!”

The ministers’ heartstrings violently trembled, cold sweat flowing, as they all knelt.

The Chief Minister of the Chancellery, who had previously spoken for Zhu Lvyun many times, pressed his head to the ground, his whole body shaking.

Yao Ying smiled mockingly.

Everything that happened at today’s banquet was a play arranged beforehand between her and Li De.

Li De hid Zhu Lvyun and sent away Li Xuanzhen, she volunteered to marry, the Junior Supervisor deliberately stirred up trouble and disturbed people’s hearts, finally after she agreed to marry, the Junior Supervisor publicly denounced Zhu Lvyun, reopening the wound in everyone’s hearts.

The Li family and court ministers were all officials from the previous dynasty. When the last emperor sent messengers begging for help, the Li family stood by and watched, while the ministers could offer no aid.

This was the knot between the Li family and the ministers.

Li De adopted Zhu Lvyun, patiently tolerated her, and indulged her, letting her gradually wear away the ministers’ guilt and remembrance of the previous dynasty.

Then today he thoroughly pierced through everyone’s carefully maintained facade of calm, laying the bloody facts before them.

An emperor’s anger, even when subtle, could terrify ministers to their cores.

From today forward, no one would dare speak a word for Zhu Lvyun.

Even less would anyone dare to rely on their seniority and use the Li family’s status as former Zhu officials to pressure imperial authority.

Li De looked at the ministers prostrating themselves at his feet, smiled faintly, and remained silent.

The ministers dared not move.

In the flickering candlelight, Li De’s snow-white temples gleamed with a faint luster as he looked at Yao Ying: “Seven, you’ve shown loyalty to the country, making your father very pleased. Do you have any wishes? Whatever father can do, I will certainly advocate for you.”

Yao Ying bowed solemnly, her voice clear: “Your Majesty, I have no requests.”

Li De was startled.

This wasn’t what they had agreed upon.

A few days ago, they had made a deal – Yao Ying demanded he punish Noble Consort Rong and treat Noble Consort Xie well, and he had agreed.

Now, why did she say she had no requests?

Li De’s eyes flickered.

Yao Ying straightened up, her face composed.

“Your Majesty!” General Pei, most hot-tempered of all, wiped his eyes and shouted, “The Seventh Princess serves country and people, truly worthy of being our Great Wei’s Princess! Your Majesty cannot wrong her! The court cannot wrong her! Since the Seventh Princess makes no requests, why doesn’t Your Majesty reward Noble Consort Xie!”

Other ministers immediately joined in.

“Noble Consort Xie is the Xie family’s legitimate daughter, of noble birth, graceful and refined, who accompanied Your Majesty in humble times, sharing hardships without complaint.”

“Her beloved daughter marrying far away – how painful must it be for the Noble Consort?”

The ministers tacitly avoided mentioning the awkward, sensitive topics of Princess Fukang and the Zhu family, talking over each other and praising Noble Consort Xie while hinting to the emperor: they followed the Li family’s lead with no lingering attachment to the previous dynasty!

Prime Minister Zheng Yu had remained silent, waiting until others had praised for two rounds before stepping forward.

“Your Majesty, back then the entire Xie family helped Your Majesty reclaim Wei Prefecture. Now the Xie family has died heroically, the Prince of Qin has expanded territories for Your Majesty and suffered grave injuries, and the Seventh Princess voluntarily offers to marry for Your Majesty’s great enterprise, soon to marry far away…”

He paused.

“I believe a country cannot go a day without a ruler, nor can it long go without a mother.”

Before he finished speaking, the ministers were dumbstruck.

Li De made no sound, his gaze sweeping from Zheng Yu’s face to finally rest on Yao Ying’s face.

So that was it.

She wasn’t making any requests, but rather advancing by retreating.

Li De said: “Noble Consort Xie is often ill…”

Zheng Yu cupped his hands and said: “Your Majesty since the Princess is willing to marry, the Yelu tribe voluntarily offers troops to help our Wei army recover Liangzhou. If the Seventh Princess marries as a legitimate princess, wouldn’t Chief Yelu be even more grateful to Your Majesty? Noble Consort Xie is often ill, other consorts can manage internal palace affairs.”

The implication was that Empress was just an empty title – more important was that Li Yao Ying would become a legitimate princess, allowing the court to make greater demands.

As for Noble Consort Xie, since she was mentally impaired, what harm could come from giving her the empty title of Empress?

Moreover, back then Li De had promised to share prosperity with the Xie family. Now that the Xie family was extinct, Li De should compensate the mother and children somewhat.

As for whether Li Zhongqian would become the legitimate son and compete with Li Xuanzhen for the position, no one worried – even a blind person knew how secure the Crown Prince’s position was.

The Ministry of Rites officials immediately seconded the motion.

Other ministers hesitated briefly before following suit.

Li De pondered for a moment.

He was always rational and practical. Xie Manyu was already mentally impaired, Li Zhongqian was gravely injured, and Li Yao Ying married far away… He had just used Zhu Lvyun to warn and frighten the ministers, making them anxious and fearful. At this time, he couldn’t further discourage them.

Li De’s thoughts turned rapidly before making a decision: “Transmit the imperial edict to the Secretariat and Chancellery: Noble Consort Xie is elevated to Empress, and the Seventh Princess to Princess Wenzhao, to marry the Yelu tribe.”

The ministers quietly sighed in relief, shouting “Long live the Emperor!”

His Majesty’s willingness to make Noble Consort Xie empress showed he wouldn’t yet turn on his old ministers like killing the hunting dogs after catching the hares.

Li De took in everyone’s expressions, narrowing his eyes.

It seemed many at the court sympathized with the Xie family – he must be mindful of boundaries.

Just as he was about to leave, Yao Ying, still kneeling, suddenly bowed again and called out clearly: “Your Majesty, I recall one matter and request Your Majesty’s approval.”

Li De’s expression darkened slightly.

Yao Ying continued without changing expression: “Just now thinking of my uncle filled my heart with pain. Uncle served Your Majesty through thick and thin, giving his heart’s blood. The entire Xie family showed pure loyal hearts. How pitiful that my maternal grandfather’s family, loyal for generations, had their bloodline cut off without a good end… I am soon to marry far away, and thinking how the Xie family has no descendants left to make offerings and tend their graves truly troubles my heart.”

“I privately believe the court cannot let loyal servants die without heirs, cannot let righteous people who admire the Xie family become discouraged.”

She looked directly at Li De, meeting the emperor’s indifferent gaze as she said word by word: “My brother Zhongqian was taught by my uncle from childhood, grew up in the Xie family, and inherited the Xie family’s teachings. I am willing to show loyalty to Your Majesty, and my brother is also willing to share Your Majesty’s burdens. I request that my brother be established as the Xie family’s heir, continuing the Xie family line, not letting the Xie family die out, and allowing loyal servants across the realm to feel Your Majesty’s grace.”

Having spoken, Yao Ying bowed her head to the ground.

Everyone in the hall stared at her as if struck on the head several times, their minds buzzing.

The Guanzhong region had already returned to peace and growing prosperity.

They indulged in pleasure, and enjoyed songs and dances, while the Xie family was left with only graves overgrown with weeds.

“Your Majesty, I second the motion.”

Zheng Yu knelt.

Others followed one by one, kneeling.

Since Li Zhongqian threatened Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen’s position, and Noble Consort Xie had become Empress, while the Xie family’s bloodline was cut off, they might as well let Li Zhongqian be adopted into the Xie family.

This would both continue the Xie surname, which was supremely respected among the common people, avoid princes competing for position and court instability, and also protect Li Zhongqian’s life.

Li De sat on the couch, looking at Yao Ying who remained motionless, calm, and determined amid the ministers’ successive seconding voices, and was momentarily lost in thought.

No wonder she had said those things when she came to see him that day.

No wonder she just said she had no requests.

So that was it.

Seven had never intended to make a deal with him. He used Seven to intimidate the ministers and thoroughly resolve the trouble of Zhu Lvyun, while Seven went with the flow, seeking a chance of survival for her mother and brother.

First generously volunteered to marry, bringing up the Xie family’s relationship, then when the ministers urgently needed to ease the atmosphere, inciting them to promote Noble Consort Xie to Empress, and finally proposing to adopt Li Zhongqian – every step was calculated.

The court ministers wouldn’t help her without reason – among these people, which ones had privately formed alliances with her?

Prime Minister Zheng was not one to speak up out of righteousness.

He had never taken this daughter seriously.

Unexpectedly, he had underestimated her.

What a pity she was Xie Manyu’s daughter.

If she had been born to Tang Ying, she wouldn’t have failed to be Li Xuanzhen’s right hand.

Li De waved his hand: “Granted.”

The ministers repeatedly kowtowed.

Li De didn’t want to look at Li Yao Ying anymore and rose to return to the banquet.

General Pei didn’t follow, helping Yao Ying up and asking with concern: “Princess, shall I escort you back?”

Yao Ying shook her head, thanked General Pei, and left the inner hall.

Xie Qing was waiting for her outside: “Princess, the Imperial Guard has already detained Noble Consort Rong.”

Yao Ying nodded.

She had only asked Li De to punish Noble Consort Rong and treat Noble Consort Xie well because she knew she was in a weak position and Li De might not keep his promise – making more demands would be useless.

He had even deceived his confidant Xie Wuliang, let alone her.

So today she acted out a play of filial daughter with Li De, then publicly demanded her reward, leaving him no room to go back on his word.

From today forward, Li Zhongqian will no longer be his son.

Brother was free.