Troubles always had to be resolved.

Ever since Qingliang Mountain, Shao Mingyuan had sensed something strange about Emperor Taixiang. Recently, this feeling had grown increasingly strong, and today, during the court respects, Emperor Taixiang’s gaze had made him feel an impulse to strike someone.

Of course, these things could be endured, but the Grand Empress Dowager and His Majesty moving against Zhaozhao—this absolutely could not be tolerated.

Shao Mingyuan gently stroked his chin, his gaze growing increasingly cold.

Starting from the eighth day of the first month, the lantern market began. People dressed in new clothes took to the streets. During the day, performances of a hundred ingenious varieties dazzled the eyes, and at night, those lanterns lit up, truly creating scenes of lights in every home and music everywhere.

The mountain pavilion in front of Xuande Tower had already been erected. On the day of the Lantern Festival, according to custom, the Son of Heaven would lead the palace consorts and imperial relatives to ascend Xuande Tower for feasting and lantern viewing.

With the imperial princes and princesses having died young and his own body experiencing problems, Emperor Taixiang was in a depressed mood and had no interest in viewing lanterns this year.

However, Empress Dowager Yang said, “Now that Your Majesty has no sons, there are surely many speculations both inside and outside the court. To stabilize people’s hearts, Your Majesty should not be so dejected as to skip even the Lantern Festival viewing.”

While Emperor Taixiang was still hesitating, Empress Dowager Yang spoke earnestly: “Your Majesty, this is the third year of your reign. Lantern viewing is a rare opportunity to share joy with the people. If you don’t appear, it would also be a blow to popular sentiment.”

Emperor Taixiang had no choice but to agree: “Although it’s sharing joy with the people, with this bitter cold, we won’t bring the Grand Princess.”

Empress Dowager Yang smiled: “The Grand Princess is still young. Let her mother consort accompany her and remain in the palace.”

Soon, the day of the Lantern Festival arrived. Knowing that the Son of Heaven would ascend Xuande Tower to view the lanterns, the common people rushed eagerly toward the imperial street.

When the auspicious time came, amid a chorus of cheers, Emperor Taixiang led a vast procession up Xuande Tower.

At that moment, as the magnificent lights first appeared, dragon lanterns, umbrella lanterns, lotus lanterns—countless flower lanterns of various shapes, rich and elegant, competed in brilliance.

Amid the music, songs and dances, acrobatics, juggling, sword play, wrestling, and other hundred entertainments performed energetically. Each act was spectacular, drawing crowds of eager viewers.

“Your Majesty, the lantern tower is about to light up. Please move to the front of the tower.”

Emperor Taixiang stood up and said to Empress Dowager Yang, “Imperial grandmother, let your grandson support you.”

Before the assembled crowd, Emperor Taixiang’s filial piety made Empress Dowager Yang feel quite honored, and she nodded with a smile.

Emperor Taixiang supported Empress Dowager Yang, with the Empress following closely behind, and behind her the titled consorts, all escorted by eunuchs as they walked out of the elegant room to stand before the white jade balustrade of Xuande Tower.

The common people spotted the Son of Heaven atop Xuande Tower and immediately fell to their knees, shouting, “Long live!”

The guards surrounding Xuande Tower, like an impenetrable wall, became tense, involuntarily gripping the hilts at their waists.

With lights bright as day, Emperor Taixiang looked out from his high vantage point at the dark mass of people all kneeling at his feet, and in that moment felt immense pride surge within him.

These were all his subjects—the feeling of being sovereign of a nation was truly wonderful!

After enjoying the prostration of thousands upon thousands for a moment, Emperor Taixiang raised both hands and lifted them upward. The common people gradually stood up.

Soon, music swelled magnificently, and when that joyous music reached its crescendo, the lantern tower not far from Xuande Tower suddenly blazed to life.

The lantern tower stood over a hundred feet high, lighting up bit by bit from bottom to top, like stars from heaven falling one by one to earth, causing the lantern viewers to hold their breath involuntarily.

In an instant, the entire lantern tower blazed brilliantly, resplendent and magnificent.

Earth-shaking cheers accompanied by cries of “Long live!” surged like waves.

Emperor Taixiang leaned against the white jade balustrade, his smile widening involuntarily.

Imperial grandmother was right—at times like this, enjoying the reverence and worship of countless people, even the greatest troubles would be temporarily forgotten.

“Look at the sky!”

Following countless people’s shouts, Emperor Taixiang couldn’t help but look up.

Brilliant fireworks burst forth in the sky, as if bringing spring scenery to the night sky.

At that moment, the sky was bright and the earth was bright too. The fireworks above and flower lanterns below intersected their radiance at this moment, along with the snow on the eaves and icicles on the tree branches glittering brilliantly, seemingly dispelling all darkness.

People gazed mesmerized at the magnificent scene before them, feeling their hearts and spirits intoxicated. Even the nobles atop Xuande Tower were no exception.

And at this very moment, someone hidden in the darkness drew back a bowstring. A transparent arrow flew through the lights and fireworks toward Xuande Tower, completely unnoticed amid such festivities.

The arrow struck Empress Dowager Yang’s back of the head with perfect accuracy, instantly dissolving into countless ice crystal fragments and vanishing without a trace.

Empress Dowager Yang’s scream was drowned out by the people’s cheers. The common people below and even the guards protecting the emperor noticed nothing at all.

Only Emperor Taixiang, close at hand, watched helplessly as Empress Dowager Yang collapsed before his eyes, his face instantly turning pale as snow.

“Help, help—” Emperor Taixiang opened his mouth to shout, but tremendous fear seemed like an invisible hand choking his throat, allowing him only to emit confused, hoarse cries.

“Grand Empress Dowager, what’s wrong with you?” The Empress reacted and frantically tried to support Empress Dowager Yang.

Several consorts let out screaming cries.

“Your Majesty, quickly go inside!” Wei Wuxie pulled the stunned Emperor Taixiang inside.

Emperor Taixiang’s lips trembled as he looked around bewilderedly, as if searching for that figure who could give him peace of mind. But in the instant when the fireworks filling the sky extinguished and everything suddenly darkened, he only saw a pair of eyes bright as stars.

Those eyes were beautiful as gems, yet cold without a trace of warmth.

Emperor Taixiang’s vision went black, and he completely fainted.

Not knowing how much time had passed, when Emperor Taixiang awoke again, he was already in the familiar imperial palace.

“Your Majesty, you’re awake!” came a cry of surprised joy.

Emperor Taixiang sat up abruptly. Looking at the familiar surroundings, he murmured: “Was it another nightmare?”

Meeting Wei Wuxie’s joyful face, Emperor Taixiang calmed himself and asked: “Where is the Grand Empress Dowager?”

The joy on Wei Wuxie’s face immediately disappeared, replaced by grief: “Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager—”

“Speak! What exactly happened to the Grand Empress Dowager?”

“The Grand Empress Dowager has passed away—” Wei Wuxie prostrated himself and wept.

Emperor Taixiang’s body swayed, and he closed his eyes while supporting himself against the bedpost.

One arrow, one pair of eyes.

Emperor Taixiang suddenly shuddered and opened his eyes again, asking with a hoarse voice: “What about that arrow?”

“What arrow?” Wei Wuxie looked confused.

“The arrow that killed the Grand Empress Dowager!”

Wei Wuxie looked even more confused.

“Go summon the Jinlin Guards Commander!” Emperor Taixiang’s fear surged like waves, nearly drowning him, but his obsession with the cause of Empress Dowager Yang’s death kept him barely holding on.

Soon, Jiang Shiyi hurried over.

During the palace coup at Qingliang Mountain, Jiang Shiyi had led the Jinlin Guards in tenacious resistance against Jiang Yuanchao. Emperor Taixiang was quite satisfied with his performance and thus promoted him to Jinlin Guards Commander after ascending the throne.

Hearing Emperor Taixiang’s inquiry, Jiang Shiyi answered truthfully: “After the incident, this minister led men in a careful search, but found no harmful objects whatsoever atop Xuande Tower.”