The sounds of troops and horses had already reached the temple gates. Zhu Nanxian looked up to see the Feathered Forest Guards entering in military formation first, followed by the Soaring Eagle Guards, with Zhu Zhaowei behind them.

Fourth Brother, Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother, and Zhu Twelve had also come.

Had all these people come to claim a share of the spoils?

Zhu Nanxian silently lowered his gaze. He trusted no one now.

The Soaring Eagle Guards formed ranks behind the five princes. The sound of military formations echoed through the temple courtyard. The Feathered Forest Guards swiftly surrounded Zhu Nanxian from all sides. Feathered Forest Guard Commander Wu Yusheng knelt on one knee before Zhu Zhaowei: “Reporting to Seventh Highness and all Your Highnesses, during the blessing prayers earlier, it was Thirteenth Highness who led estate troops to murder His Highness the Crown Prince. Though this humble general led the Feathered Forest Guards in desperate resistance, we still failed to protect His Highness the Crown Prince completely. Even the Crown Princess perished.”

The vast wind rose again. Hearing these facts twisted black into white, Zhu Nanxian’s heart was so ice-cold it couldn’t even ripple.

Zhu Zhaowei sat high upon his horse, glancing at Zhu Nanxian with seeming disbelief: “Wu Yusheng, you have great audacity. How could this prince’s Thirteenth Brother possibly murder our eldest imperial brother? He is our eldest brother’s full younger brother from the same mother.” He paused, then asked: “You say Thirteen murdered our imperial brother—do you have any evidence?”

“Yes.” Wu Yusheng waved his hand. “Bring them up!”

In moments, several people were escorted forward by the Feathered Forest Guards, brought before everyone.

They were the Personal Guards Zhu Nanxian had sent to find Zhu Lin.

Zhu Nanxian understood now. When they had arrived at Zhaojue Temple earlier, the Feathered Forest Guards hadn’t left—they had simply hidden somewhere in the temple for some reason, ambushing his Personal Guards.

He blamed himself too. Momentarily distracted by grief, he hadn’t heard the commotion.

But this Feathered Forest Guard before his eyes—whom exactly did they serve? Zhu Zhaowei?

Wu Yusheng said: “Reporting to Seventh Highness, it was Thirteenth Highness who led the Personal Guards to suddenly break in during the blessing prayers. Because Thirteenth Highness and His Highness the Crown Prince had such deep affection, this humble general thought Thirteenth Highness might have urgent matters to discuss and failed to stop them immediately, allowing them to gain the advantage and murder His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.”

The restrained Personal Guard commander’s eyes widened upon hearing this: “You’re slandering us! Thirteenth Highness was outside the city when he heard the bell tolling, and led us in urgent haste to Zhaojue Temple to rescue His Highness the Crown Prince!”

“Outside the city?” Zhu Zhaowei seemed somewhat surprised. “Thirteen, this prince remembers that according to your itinerary today, you should have left Yingtian City at the morning hour, shouldn’t you? The bell rang at noon. How were you still outside the city?”

Yes, according to his itinerary, by noon he should have been far from Yingtian City, but he had accompanied Ayu to the Bureau of Transmission to deliver a letter.

Wu Yusheng said: “Reporting to Seventh Highness, they pretended to leave the city but actually ambushed at Zhaojue Temple, waiting to break in when His Highness the Crown Prince was praying for blessings.” He seemed to speak with indignation: “The troops Thirteenth Highness commands are each brave warriors. We could barely match them, losing over a hundred officers and soldiers. We fought desperately just to capture this commander!”

The restrained commander’s eyes nearly split with rage: “It was clearly you Feathered Forest Guards who set traps to capture us when we scattered to search for the Young Highness! It was clearly you who ordered those hundred-plus Feathered Forest Guards to commit suicide to create the appearance of massacre, yet you turn around and frame Thirteenth Highness!”

Hearing this, Wu Yusheng laughed in extreme anger: “This humble general serves as Feathered Forest Guard Commander—how would I order subordinates who’ve followed me for years to commit suicide?” He clasped his hands toward Zhu Zhaowei: “Seventh Highness, you heard it all. The facts are laid before us. This person has begun speaking nonsense.”

Zhu Zhaowei gave a light “Mm,” as if thinking of something, asking with some concern: “Ah, where is Lin’er? Have you seen him?”

Wu Yusheng appeared deeply ashamed: “Reporting to Seventh Highness, this humble general deserves death ten thousand times over. After Thirteenth Highness murdered His Highness the Crown Prince, chaos erupted everywhere. Though this humble general searched with all effort, we still haven’t found the Young Highness.”

Zhu Zhaowei turned to look at Zhu Qiyue: “Twelve, Father Emperor collapsed upon hearing the bell and cannot rise. It seems the Tiger Guard cannot come. Right now, only you have command authority over the Twelve Guards. Quickly have the Soaring Eagle Guards secure all courtyard gates and exits of Zhaojue Temple, and order everyone else to immediately search for Lin’er—the main hall for prayers, the temple buildings for sutra recitation, every corner of this temple must not be overlooked!”

Zhu Qiyue gave orders according to Zhu Zhaowei’s words.

Zhu Zhaowei then sighed: “Wu Yusheng, have your guards watch over Thirteen here.” Looking around, he said: “Brothers, let us go see our eldest brother.”

The princes dismounted, walked past Zhu Nanxian, and headed toward the sutra-reciting hall.

Only then did Zhu Nanxian look toward the restrained commander, asking hoarsely: “Lin’er—did you find him?”

The commander shook his head full of regret and resentment.

Zhu Nanxian’s expression was calm yet mournful. Seeing the commander like this, he froze, then grew several shades darker.

Then he suddenly raised his eyes, looking at Wu Yusheng with eyes full of vengeful grief—no longer shining with starlight, but blazing with fierce flames.

His movement was too fast. Even though Wu Yusheng had already reacted to dodge, Zhu Nanxian had already drawn “Cuiwei” from his waist with lightning speed and swung the blade toward Wu Yusheng.

However, such extremely fast, extremely furious movements meant he was almost undefended.

Before the commander could say “Your Highness, be careful,” the Feathered Forest Guards who had been watching Zhu Nanxian already swung their spears forcefully, striking together at his rear knee and lower back. Zhu Nanxian groaned, half-kneeling as he fell. Though the long blade didn’t leave his hand, he lacked the strength to strike down, only managing to slash a shallow, long, but non-fatal wound across Wu Yusheng’s chest.

“Outrageous!” An explosive shout came from behind.

It was Zhu Zhaowei, who hadn’t gone far. Seeing this situation, he strode before Zhu Nanxian and rebuked furiously: “Elder Brother’s corpse isn’t even cold yet, and you want to eliminate even the witness to your evil deeds?!”

The Feathered Forest Guards crossed their long spears left and right at Zhu Nanxian’s sides, preventing him from rising.

He remained in this kneeling posture, as if in submission, kneeling before Zhu Zhaowei and glaring at him furiously.

Before long, two of the Soaring Eagle Guards sent to find Zhu Lin returned, one of them carrying the corpse of a young man dressed in a kasaya.

It was the young monk who had climbed to the top of the pagoda tower to help Shen Jing ring the ancient bell.

He had been pierced through the chest with a sword, long since without breath.

Yet his face was very peaceful. Perhaps from the moment he agreed to ring the bell for Shen Jing, he knew he would die for it. But Buddhist monks are compassionate—if he could deliver salvation to the obsessed of this world with his own body, it would not be a life wasted in devotion to the Tathagata.

More Soaring Eagle Guards returned one after another. When the last soldier assembled before the Buddhist hall platform, the Soaring Eagle Guard Commander reported grimly: “Reporting to Twelfth Highness, Seventh Highness, and all Your Highnesses, this humble general has ordered the Soaring Eagle Guards to search every corner of Zhaojue Temple meticulously. We found no trace of His Young Highness the Imperial Grandson. I fear…” He paused. “The prospects are grim.”

Hearing these words, Zhu Nanxian, collapsed on the ground, suddenly let out a mournful cry from his throat.

He raised his eyes to look at those so-called brothers of his blood—Zhu Zhaowei, Zhu Qiyue, Zhu Yiheng, as well as Zhu Yushen and Zhu Yutang. His heart was a chaos, containing only surging pain and rage.

His hand supporting him on the ground suddenly gripped “Cuiwei.” Using all his strength to break free from the spears pinning him down, he roared hoarsely: “I’ll kill you all—”

Disregarding the Feathered Forest Guards’ spears striking fiercely against his chest and back, he raised his blade and slashed forward.

Just as the blade edge was about to touch Zhu Zhaowei’s eyes, a clear light flashed through the air like water. A sharp sword rang as it left its sheath, blocking Zhu Nanxian’s “Cuiwei.”

It was Zhu Qiyue’s “Qingya.”

Zhu Qiyue’s expression was also dark. He turned his eyes away, seemingly unable to directly face Zhu Nanxian, saying in a low voice: “Thirteen, let it go.”

Zhu Nanxian stared at him blankly—this Twelfth Brother who, besides Eldest Imperial Brother and Seventeen, had been closest to him since childhood. They were similar in age, grew up together, practiced martial arts together, took oaths together to join the military and defend the borders.

What did “let it go” mean? Did he also think Eldest Imperial Brother and the Imperial Sister-in-law deserved to die?

Just then, another Feathered Forest Guard swung his spear, striking Zhu Nanxian’s spine.

Zhu Nanxian could no longer hold on, once again falling to his knees. Whether from severe injury or grief and rage, his throat filled with a fishy sweetness, and he coughed up a great mouthful of fresh blood.

Yet his hand still hadn’t released “Cuiwei.”

Zhu Nanxian looked viciously at Zhu Zhaowei, at each one of them, hatred fully visible in his eyes.

Meeting Zhu Nanxian’s gaze, Zhu Zhaowei felt momentarily alarmed.

Yes, the Feathered Forest Guards were his.

This Feathered Forest Guard was precisely Seventh Prince Zhu Zhaowei’s hidden chess piece, concealed for years, never to be used unless absolutely desperate.

And Zhu Minda’s imminent ascension was his desperate situation.

Before the winter hunt, Zhu Zhaowei had already arranged everything thoroughly. Not only had he deployed shadow guards in the forest, he had also instructed Feathered Forest Guard Commander Wu Yusheng to find an opportunity to assassinate Zhu Minda on the night of the first day of the winter hunt.

This Feathered Forest Guard was the military unit Zhu Minda trusted most, the guard that protected Zhu Minda personally. Zhu Zhaowei thought they couldn’t possibly fail, so to avoid arousing suspicion, he cut off contact with them as soon as he entered the forest.

Until that snowy night, when Tenth Brother came to find him saying the Tiger Guard had also entered the hunting grounds, he realized things had probably gone wrong.

That’s right—he could think of assassinating Zhu Minda during the winter hunt, so how could his father emperor, who had safeguarded the empire for decades, not think of it?

Once the Feathered Forest Guards failed and were captured by the Tiger Guard, or even if they succeeded but were captured by the Tiger Guard, and Father Emperor extracted confession of his evil deeds, would he still have his life?

That’s why he and Twelve had plotted that day to fight their way out together.

However, when he left the hunting grounds, he discovered that Zhu Minda stood perfectly fine before his eyes, without even a scratch.

Zhu Zhaowei only learned later that on the day of the winter hunt, one Feathered Forest Guard soldier who had helped Zhu Minda chase prey and gotten lost had accidentally discovered traces of the Tiger Guard. When he found his way back, he secretly informed Wu Yusheng that the Tiger Guard had entered the forest.

Wu Yusheng, having already lost contact with Zhu Zhaowei, had to make his own decision. Not only did he not assassinate Zhu Minda, he instead staged a “thief crying thief” performance, capturing the shadow guards who were originally their allies in one sweep, and even taking two prisoners alive to demonstrate loyal protection of their master, causing Zhu Minda to trust this Feathered Forest Guard even more.

Looking at Zhu Nanxian full of resentment and hatred, Zhu Zhaowei knew that Thirteen truly wanted his life this time.

Actually, he wasn’t afraid of him. Right now, Father Emperor was bedridden, he controlled the Ministry of Personnel, and after the Shen family’s fall, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Justice would also be his, plus he had the Feathered Forest Guards and Twelve’s Soaring Eagle Guards—what could Zhu Thirteen do to him?

However, he feared long nights breeding many dreams. Moreover, after the palace front hall incident, Zhu Zhaowei always had a feeling—the situation in the palace wasn’t as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Forget it. Having already killed Zhu Minda, why worry about killing one more Zhu Nanxian? Even if all the princes present witnessed it, so what? None of them could wash their hands clean.

Thinking this, Zhu Zhaowei steeled his heart: “Feathered Forest Guards!”

“Present!”

“Thirteenth Prince Zhu Nanxian murdered the current Crown Prince during blessing prayers, massacred the imperial temple, shows no remorse, and attempted to kill this prince and all the imperial brothers to silence them. This is an extreme crime. He shall be executed on the spot.”

“Yes!”

Four Feathered Forest Guards stepped forward to bind Zhu Nanxian’s hands and feet. One Feathered Forest Guard raised his spear, about to stab toward Zhu Nanxian’s heart and lungs, when unexpectedly a figure flashed past, raising a blade to strike the chest of the spear-wielding Feathered Forest Guard.

It was Fourth Prince Zhu Yushen.

From the other side, another Feathered Forest Guard swung his blade down. Zhu Yushen raised his hand to block—”clang!”—the blade edge struck the iron bracer on his left hand.

Simultaneously, Zhu Yushen’s right hand shook, his long blade leaving its sheath. With a flick of his wrist, he slashed horizontally and vertically at the other Feathered Forest Guards. In just an instant, he forced these several men back.

Zhu Yushen stood with blade raised, blocking before Zhu Nanxian, saying lightly: “Has Old Seventh gone mad?”

He wore close-fitting garments like pine, his gaze extremely deep. The sleeves on both left and right sides were tucked into iron bracers. At his waist, he wore no jade ornament but instead hung a simple, ancient Qiang flute.

Zhu Zhaowei looked at Zhu Yushen, raising his eyebrows in surprise, smiling: “I remember at the New Year banquet, Fourth Brother said Third Sister Shen was about to give birth, and promised her not to draw weapons. Now that blood has been shed, isn’t this rather inauspicious?”

Zhu Yushen ignored him, instead looking at Zhu Qiyue: “Zhu Twelve, have you forgotten how Thirteen has treated you these years? You’ll just watch Old Seventh make his move?”

Zhu Qiyue’s expression showed pain.

What Zhu Yushen said wasn’t false. When he was young and wanted to practice martial arts, Thirteen had helped him petition Father Emperor. When he wanted to travel with General Cao, Thirteen had given the opportunity to him. Even though he had also been humiliated in the military, had also been forced to marry someone he didn’t love, what did any of this have to do with Thirteen? All these years, Thirteen had respected him as an elder brother, always treating him with sincere heart—this shouldn’t be the karmic result.

Zhu Qiyue silently raised his sword and stood beside Zhu Nanxian, lowering his gaze: “Seventh Brother, let’s return to the palace.”

Though Zhu Zhaowei seethed with fury inwardly, his tone remained slow: “Zhu Qiyue, are you rebelling against me?”

Zhu Qiyue said in a low voice: “Whatever Seventh Brother wants to do, I will help Seventh Brother do it. Only with Thirteen—” He paused. “I won’t order the Soaring Eagle Guards to stop Seventh Brother, but if Seventh Brother wants to take Thirteen’s life, then take mine first.”

Zhu Zhaowei was truly infuriated by his laughable chivalric righteousness, ordering: “Feathered Forest Guards, for this prince, take them both—”

“Seventh Brother.” At this moment, a deep, clear voice came from beside him, like a gentle breeze that could smooth one’s emotions. Zhu Yiheng said: “Twelve is right. Let’s return to the palace.” He added: “If we drag this out further, when Father Emperor awakens, it may not be good.”

Zhu Zhaowei glanced at him: “What does Tenth Brother mean by this?”

Zhu Yiheng said mildly: “Father Emperor collapsed from worry over Eldest Brother’s safety. If when he awakens, Eldest Brother still has no news, he’ll probably order the Tiger Guard to come to Zhaojue Temple—that’s the first reason. Second, right now Father Emperor has collapsed, all government offices are in chaos, with no one in charge at the palace. Shouldn’t Seventh Brother take advantage of this New Year period before court sessions resume to hurry back and take control of the court situation?”

Zhu Zhaowei understood Old Ten’s meaning—he was advising him to take advantage of no one controlling the court to return to the palace and gather all power into his own hands.

He was also right. Now that Zhu Minda was dead, the urgent task was to immediately move against the Shen family. As long as the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance were completely dismantled and power fell into his hands, then transferring troops from Fengyang in the name of “loyalist rescue” to enter the capital, even if Father Emperor awakened, he would be hard-pressed to do anything about it.

Moreover, that old thing, after such a blow, was probably approaching his final days.

Zhu Yiheng smiled faintly again: “As for Thirteen, in any case, Seventh Brother already has solid evidence in hand. After returning to court, having the Ministry of Justice, having the Three Judicial Offices retry him, wouldn’t that better restore justice to the realm? It would also save others from gossiping.”

Hearing these words, Zhu Zhaowei nodded: “Very well.” He then ordered the Feathered Forest Guards: “Take his ‘Cuiwei’ and clean up this place.”

The blade in his hand was seized. Zhu Nanxian remained prostrate on the ground for a long time, waiting until the blood surging and churning through his limbs gradually cooled, chilled through, congealing into a riddled mass of desolation, before he stumbled and crawled up from the ground.

The injuries on his body were severe. Unexpectedly, his foot slipped, and unable to stand steady, he fell again.

He knelt prostrate on the ground, slowly raising one leg, trying to support himself to stand again. Zhu Qiyue, watching from the side, felt compassion and wanted to reach out to help him, but was blocked by a swing of his arm.

Zhu Nanxian raised his face, looked at Zhu Qiyue as if not recognizing him, and produced a laugh that shook from his chest.

It was a sorrowful laugh, one of utter disappointment.

Zhu Qiyue froze, then slowly shifted his gaze away and turned to leave.

When Zhu Nanxian finally managed to stand with support, he saw that the Feathered Forest Guards had already finished cleaning the temple. In the distance, people were carrying the corpses of Zhu Minda and Shen Jing past. He staggered forward a few steps, as if wanting to see his imperial brother and sister-in-law once more.

But just then, he suddenly heard the sound of sharp blades piercing flesh behind him.

Zhu Nanxian’s heart emptied. He whipped his head around to see the several Personal Guards who had followed him being pierced through the chest by the Feathered Forest Guards’ long spears.

Blood splattered three feet, spreading before his eyes a ground of dazzling red, so vivid it made even the spring light pale in comparison.

Zhu Nanxian could bear it no longer. Slowly, he let out a hoarse, mournful cry from his throat. He raised his head to look at the vast heavens, his chest heaving repeatedly. As he coughed up great mouthfuls of fresh blood, he finally roared aloud.

Then his eyes went black, and he collapsed unconscious to the ground.