“It’s true.” Emperor Wei’s eyes were filled with emotion. “Among all the court officials, few dare to speak so frankly with me. That’s why I became biased and fell for the schemes of petty men… I once had such passionate aspirations to govern Wei into a prosperous and peaceful nation. I never wanted to watch Wei decline step by step… Chenbì, I’ll listen to you, listen to everything you say. As long as there’s still room for change, as long as Wei can safely weather this crisis, I’m willing to do anything.”

The Emperor, who had been stubborn for over a decade, seemed to suddenly understand his mistakes today. He looked at his son with sincere remorse and hopeful eyes: “You arrange everything, including the treaty with Wu. I leave it all to you.”

Feeling a sudden lightness in his heart, Yin Gezhi looked at his father and said, “Now that you think this way, your son can die without regrets.”

“How could you talk about dying!” Walking around the table to the lower position, Emperor Wei patted his shoulder with tears in his eyes: “Your father’s empire… Jue’er cannot shoulder it! It must fall on your shoulders.”

Hearing these words, Yin Gezhi gave the Emperor a surprised look, only to see him looking tired and old, appearing both aged and pitiful.

“Jue’er isn’t very promising. I made him Crown Prince merely to stabilize the court’s sentiment. Now that you’re back, the position of Crown Prince should rightfully be yours. After the ancestral worship ceremony, I will depose the Crown Prince and establish you instead.” Looking at him seriously, Emperor Wei said: “Prepare yourself.”

Yin Gezhi had no desire to fight for the position of Crown Prince, but if Emperor Wei truly wanted to give it to him, he could handle it. So he nodded, paid his respects, and took his leave.

As soon as he left, the eunuchs serving in the Imperial Study sent word to the Central Palace. Upon hearing this, Imperial Consort Shi immediately flew into a rage, smashing everything she could break, and locked herself in her palace for an entire day.

Yin Gezhi couldn’t be bothered with these matters. Having received the Emperor’s approval, he first went to finalize the ancestral worship procedures with the Master of Ceremonies, then went to the courier station to have a good talk with his two disciples.

Xu Huaizu and An Shichong couldn’t delay too long in Lidu, as no one knew when the flames of war might ignite. So hearing such good news, both disciples were especially pleased. They drafted the treaty, affixed the seals, and first sent fast horses back to Wu to deliver the news.

Seeing that everything was in order, Yin Gezhi returned to the Xiaojin Prince’s Manor.

Feng Yue, wearing a helmet and city guard armor, returned from outside and happened to run into him at the entrance.

“Where did you go?” Looking at her appearance, Yin Gezhi was thoroughly disgusted.

Wiping the beard from her face, Feng Yue smiled mischievously and said: “As Buddha says: It cannot be spoken of.”

These past few days, she had been wandering around with Lian Heng, finally becoming familiar with various places. Today, Commander Chen had already asked Commander Lian for her services, planning to have her guard the royal family during the ancestral worship ceremony. If she told Yin Gezhi about this, would she still be able to go? He would lock her up – she didn’t even need to think about it!

Everyone else had already been positioned. The Emperor’s guards would switch positions with her, and when Emperor Wei performed ancestral worship, she would be in the closest position to him.

Although she no longer had the strength to wield long sabers and swords, and her internal martial arts were gone, dealing with an equally martial arts ignorant and elderly emperor, with others providing cover, the chances of success were very high.

This would be the final struggle.

Showing Yin Gezhi a brilliant smile, Feng Yue turned her head and was about to walk inside.

“Wait.” Yin Gezhi called out to her: “I have something to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

Taking her wrist, Yin Gezhi led her into the main courtyard, keeping Guanzhi and Lingshu outside, then stared at her seriously and asked: “Would you like to attend the ancestral worship ceremony?”

Her pupils contracted slightly, and Feng Yue felt somewhat guilty but didn’t dare look away. After blinking at him for a while, she thought to herself, surely she couldn’t be that unlucky? Had he discovered what she had just arranged?

Seeing her silence, Yin Gezhi continued with a stern face: “I’ve already convinced Father Emperor to confess his crimes to the world during the ancestral worship ceremony and apologize to the Guan family. If you’re willing to go hear his apology, I’ll arrange a safe position for you.”

Her heart first loosened then sank again. Feng Yue tilted her head: “Apologize?”

If apologies were enough, what would we need laws for?

Seeing her expression, he knew she was unwilling. Yin Gezhi lowered his eyes and said quietly: “Never mind then.”

“Wait.” Rolling her eyes around, Feng Yue smiled sweetly and held onto him: “It’s quite rare to hear an apology from His Majesty the Emperor. Since Your Highness has invited me, how could this humble servant refuse to go?”

“You want to go?”

“Of course.” Shaking his arm coquettishly, Feng Yue batted her eyes and said: “Please make sure to prepare a safe place for this servant, lest someone takes offense and I end up losing my life there.”

“That won’t happen.” Looking at her deeply, Yin Gezhi said solemnly: “I will do everything in my power to protect you.”

“Then this servant can rest assured.” Nodding, Feng Yue said: “I’ll go prepare now.”

With that, she turned and ran.

Watching her retreating figure, Yin Gezhi let out a slight sigh of relief. Her willingness to go was a good thing, better than plotting assassination in secret.

An autumn rain brings coolness, and summer’s departure yellows all flowers. Lidu had entered autumn, people were adding layers of clothing, lamenting how cold this autumn truly was.

Feng Yue sat under the eaves, holding a cup of hot tea as she looked outside.

“Four years,” she counted the days and chuckled softly: “Today is the death anniversary of the entire Guan family.”

Hearing this, Yin Zhongxin and others couldn’t help but feel a wave of grief. Lingshu bounced over with a cloak, wrapped it around Feng Yue, and blinked her eyes asking: “What’s a death anniversary?”

“A death anniversary is the day when certain people departed from this world a year ago. You miss them very much, so every year on this day, you remember them, offer incense, burn paper money, and reminisce about them.” With an especially kind expression, Feng Yue pulled Lingshu to sit beside her and said: “Do you remember Guan Yuanrong whom Master told you about? Master tells you her story every year.”

“I remember.” Lingshu nodded: “You said you grew up with her, and said she was a very good person.”

“Yes, truly a wonderful person.” Nodding, Feng Yue hugged Lingshu’s head to her shoulder, gently patting her, and said: “If you had met her, you would have liked her very much. She was very gentle and kind.”

“Then where did she go?” Lingshu asked curiously: “We’ve come all the way to Wei, but haven’t seen her.”

Her patting hand paused briefly, Feng Yue smiled and looked down at her without answering, instead changing the subject: “Once we’re done with matters here, Madam Qiu will take you to Xinghe Village. That’s the village where you were born.”

Somewhat enlightened, Lingshu lowered her eyes and said softly: “So Master redeemed this servant because he knew me… He even knows where I was born.”

“Your Master is capable of anything.” Smiling and pinching her fresh little cheeks, Feng Yue said: “Be good now, go have some snacks first. I still have things to discuss with the others.”

“Alright.” Without asking further questions, Lingshu stood up and bounced away.

“Everything has been arranged.” Yan Qing stood to the side, speaking lightly though his expression was extremely grave: “This move is extremely dangerous. No one can guarantee what might happen. You must be careful.”

Smiling, Feng Yue said: “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t fail.”

With her hand tendons gone and all martial arts wasted, yet planning to assassinate the Emperor – how could anyone not worry? Madam Qiu hesitated repeatedly before finally speaking: “Why don’t we go instead? At least we have some martial arts skills, so it won’t be completely hopeless if something goes wrong.”

“You don’t have a blood feud with the Emperor.” Pinching the dagger in her hand, Feng Yue smiled and said: “Only I do, and only I need to kill him. Why should you?”

If she couldn’t personally kill that dog Emperor, what was the meaning of her living until now?

Everyone sighed, not daring to persuade her further. Feng Yue put away the dagger and took a deep breath.

The autumn wind rose slightly, and the scent of fallen leaves and soil mixed with the humid wind struck their faces, making people feel oppressed yet somehow refreshed.

Footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, and everyone composed themselves. Feng Yue turned her head to see Yin Gezhi approaching gracefully, wearing a silver-white robe embroidered with hidden dragon patterns.

“Are you ready?” Standing before her, he stopped and looked down at her, asking.

Looking up with a smile, Feng Yue reached for the bright red dress beside her and held it up to him: “I’m ready. Look, doesn’t this set suit me well?”

Glancing at the red color she had always loved, Yin Gezhi nodded slightly: “Mm. Since that’s settled, tomorrow at the ancestral worship, I’ll have Guanzhi come to pick you up. Wait outside the North Declaration Gate.”

“Alright.” Feng Yue agreed, smiling brilliantly.

He reached out wanting to touch her smile, but paused midway. Yin Gezhi looked up, lightly scanning the surrounding people who were in the way.

In the next moment, all the iron-blooded men and formidable women disappeared completely. The wind swept through the courtyard, leaving only him and the person before him.

“Are you nervous?” Sitting down beside her, Yin Gezhi asked expressionlessly.

Feng Yue nodded: “Just thinking about the Emperor apologizing makes this servant’s hands shake with nervousness! Would you like to feel?”

Looking at her with disdain, Yin Gezhi still reached out, gently holding her cold, trembling hand: “With me here, everything will be fine.”

“Did you truly reach an agreement with His Majesty?” Feng Yue couldn’t help but ask again.

Yin Gezhi nodded: “His health hasn’t been good lately. As one approaches twilight years, they tend to become more tolerant than before.”

“That’s good then, we can also give Wu an answer.”

“Mm, Shichong has already taken some people back to report, while Huaizu remains here, waiting to bring Wei’s national gifts back.”

“The treaty has been signed?”

“Signed,” Yin Gezhi said: “I said I wouldn’t let them be troubled.”

Although she helped him tell some lies, achieving the result was what mattered.

“Mm.” Looking up at the sky again, Feng Yue murmured: “I don’t want to trouble you either.”

Raising an eyebrow slightly, Yin Gezhi turned his head: “Since when did you start caring about me?”

Rolling her eyes, Feng Yue squeezed his hand: “Having received so much grace from Your Highness, wouldn’t it be excessive if I didn’t know better?”

Gripping her hand tightly in return, Yin Gezhi curled his lips, his tone still very serious: “I’m very happy that you think this way.”

Her heart twinged, and Feng Yue turned away, saying in a muffled voice: “As long as you’re happy.”