Jiang Yuanchao collapsed and quickly plummeted down the cliff.

“My lord—” Heart-wrenching cries of anguish echoed as Jiang He stumbled over, looking at the pool of blood at the cliff’s edge and the shadow gradually shrinking to a black dot, wailing in grief.

“My lord, how could you die? I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it!” After crying for a while, Jiang He crawled up and looked at Shao Mingyuan and Qiao Zhao with vigilance.

“Don’t come over here! I’m warning you, absolutely don’t come over!”

At this moment, Qiao Zhao and Shao Mingyuan remained silent.

Jiang He wiped his tears and took a step toward the cliff edge. As if remembering something, he stopped and said to Qiao Zhao: “Third Miss Li, although our lord no longer needs it, I still want to explain on his behalf. When you were kidnapped by Prince Su’s people, our lord was unaware of it. Once he received the news, he went to rescue you.”

Jiang He grew more indignant on behalf of his lord as he spoke, raising his hand to wipe his tears: “Seeing that you were injured, our lord always felt he had wronged you. But those people’s attack on you, our lord, was truly didn’t know. You must believe me!”

“I believe you,” Qiao Zhao said softly.

Jiang He broke into a big smile: “It’s good that you believe me. I… I’m going to find our lord. Our lord is brilliant and mighty; he definitely won’t just die like this. Maybe right now our lord needs me to bandage his wounds—”

Jiang He’s remaining words were carried away by the wind as he leaped off the cliff.

The wind at the cliff’s edge grew stronger, howling against their bodies. Though it was midsummer, it made them shiver all over.

Qiao Zhao stood silently. After an unknown amount of time, feeling something itchy on her face, she raised her hand to touch it and discovered tears sliding down her cheeks, leaving a trail of coldness.

“Zhaozhao, let’s go.” Shao Mingyuan put his arm around Qiao Zhao’s shoulders.

Their paths were incompatible—he and Jiang Yuanchao could never walk together. One death, one life—perhaps this had been the predetermined outcome all along.

“Mm.” Qiao Zhao nodded.

On the way back, many scenes involuntarily flashed through her mind, but what ultimately remained was the scene of her first meeting with Jiang Yuanchao.

He was still a young man then, the sunlight perfect, just like today.

Prince Rui and the others received news that all the rebels had been eliminated, causing great jubilation.

Seeing Shao Mingyuan approaching with Qiao Zhao, Prince Rui rushed forward and grabbed Shao Mingyuan’s hands: “Marquis, today’s events are all thanks to you. This prince will forever remember the Marquis’s merit!”

Shao Mingyuan forcefully withdrew his hands and replied respectfully yet with dignity: “Your Highness flatters me. Serving the country loyally is every minister’s duty.”

“Exactly as the Marquis said—serving the country loyally is our duty!” Led by Chief Minister Xu, all the ministers declared in unison.

Having survived the calamity, they felt only joy in their hearts at this moment.

Looking through history books, every rebellion and usurpation had always been a path paved with blood. If they failed, that was one thing, but if they succeeded, they would be ruthlessly slaughtered to preserve the old ministers’ integrity, and even their families couldn’t escape. Centuries-old family legacies would be destroyed overnight.

Being able to eliminate the rebels was truly wonderful. They had shared life and death with Prince Rui, so promotions and honors would surely follow.

Thinking of this, the ministers became increasingly cheerful, and their gazes toward Shao Mingyuan grew ever more different.

This escape from death could be said to be entirely due to Marquis Guanjun. Given Prince Rui’s attitude, he would surely rely heavily on Marquis Guanjun in the future.

Previously, they had thought that Marquis Guanjun’s achievements would overshadow his master, and the late emperor would deal with him sooner or later. But now the late emperor had indeed become the late emperor, so everything was naturally different.

“The Marquis has worked hard.”

“You’ve worked hard, Marquis.”

Countless people bowed to Shao Mingyuan in greeting.

Suddenly, there was a thud. Looking carefully, everyone realized that Minister of Rites Su He had collapsed.

“Quick, quickly summon the imperial physicians for Minister Su.”

As soon as these words fell, several more elderly ministers collapsed one after another.

Having endured for so long and experienced such a heart-stopping ordeal, now that they had relaxed, many aged ministers naturally couldn’t withstand it.

“Summon the imperial physicians, quickly summon the imperial physicians—” Cries of alarm continued to ring out.

Prince Rui suppressed his overwhelming joy and waved his hand: “Everyone, please return to your quarters and rest well for a day. We’ll discuss matters again tomorrow.”

Now that Father Emperor and Sixth Brother were dead, and Prince Su’s remaining followers had been eliminated, the Great Liang empire was his.

This feeling was truly wonderful, making him feel no fatigue whatsoever.

“Respectfully seeing off Your Highness,” the ministers said with utmost reverence.

Prince Rui barely suppressed his smile, nodded with restraint, and walked forward surrounded by a group of palace attendants.

Halfway there, Prince Rui stopped, looking troubled: “I just remembered—this prince’s residence has been completely burned down.”

The ministers declared in unison: “Please move to Qinghua Palace, Your Highness.”

Qinghua Palace was the traveling palace where Emperor Mingkang resided when coming to Qingliang Mountain for a summer retreat.

Prince Rui immediately refused: “That won’t do—that would be improper.”

With the throne about to be within his grasp, there was even less need to invite gossip. If this were recorded in the annals for posterity, he would suffer a great loss.

Moreover, Father Emperor had died in Qinghua Palace—it was too inauspicious. He wouldn’t go live there.

Despite the ministers’ earnest persuasion, Prince Rui remained firmly opposed.

The ministers were quite satisfied with Prince Rui’s behavior, but were troubled by the question of his accommodation.

Such a mess couldn’t be sorted out in just a day or two. They needed to organize things properly before departing for the capital, but they couldn’t let Prince Rui sleep on the streets during this time.

Apart from Qinghua Palace and Prince Rui’s burned residence, another place of equivalent status would be Prince Mu’s residence. However, given Prince Mu’s attempt to force the abdication, naturally no minister with any sense would mention it.

Prince Rui smiled: “What’s so difficult about this? This prince will just squeeze in with the Marquis. After all, we won’t be staying long before returning to the capital.”

What? Shao Mingyuan thought he had misheard and raised an eyebrow.

Prince Rui laughed awkwardly: “Marquis, this prince sees your place is quite spacious too. Let me temporarily squeeze in with you.”

The words of refusal rolled on Shao Mingyuan’s tongue before he silently swallowed them.

Forget it—having already supported Prince Rui’s ascension, why antagonize him?

“That Your Highness would favor this humble minister’s residence is this humble minister’s honor. I’ll immediately have someone clear out the courtyard so Your Highness can move in as soon as possible.”

“Clear out?” Prince Rui was startled.

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Yes, this humble minister will temporarily move to Shixi’s place with my wife.”

“That’s not necessary.” Prince Rui was somewhat unhappy.

Somehow, after experiencing this life-and-death ordeal, he felt most at ease when near Marquis Guanjun.

“Your Highness, don’t feel embarrassed about it. Wherever you fancy, just sleep there. Clearing out accommodation for you is only proper. I’ll take the Marquis and the others over to pack up first.” Chi Can took over the conversation with a beaming smile.

“Ah—” Prince Rui watched longingly as Chi Can led Shao Mingyuan away, sighing with regret.

“Your Highness—” came a timid voice.

Only then did Prince Rui notice Li Jiǎo standing not far away, and he immediately felt somewhat embarrassed.

Oh dear, in his haste to escape, he had accidentally forgotten about his consort.