At last, events had progressed to this point – bloodshed in the Hanyuan Hall was now inevitable. He pointed directly at Li Shubai, drawing in a harsh breath before declaring, “Today in this hall, the Prince of Kui must die!”

On a cold day, within the vast and frigid Hanyuan Hall of the Daming Palace, only weak sunlight filtered through the windows, laying down a thin, pale blanket of light.

Li Shubai slowly reached out and grasped the hand of Huang Zixia beside him.

Though the sunlight streaming through the windows was faint, it still managed to fill this corner of the palace with a rare warmth. Hand in hand, they gazed at the Emperor and Empress seated on the platform, thinking how despite their lofty position, they seemed to cower in darkness – a pitiful sight.

Li Shubai turned his head and gave Huang Zixia a slight smile.

After her meticulous deductions and the heavy burden weighing on her heart, she felt utterly exhausted. But his smile gave her renewed strength. Her fingers intertwined with his tightened their grip as a faint smile bloomed on her face.

Wang Yun, standing not far from them, silently turned his face away and took half a step back, his right hand already resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

At this point, the Emperor no longer concealed anything. He merely looked toward Empress Wang and gave a slight nod.

Empress Wang withdrew her hand from the Emperor’s back. Her body, which had been sitting sideways, slowly turned forward. Then she raised both hands and clapped twice.

In the empty great hall, the sound of footsteps suddenly erupted. The Imperial Guards, fully armed, rushed in from outside the hall with arrows nocked and swords drawn, surrounding Li Shubai and Huang Zixia.

Wang Yun, who had been standing silently in the hall, led several subordinates in a bow to the Emperor and Empress: “Awaiting Your Majesty’s orders on how to deal with these two.”

The Emperor’s throat made a hoarse sound as he looked down at Li Shubai for a long while. His voice was low and fierce: “You are still my fourth brother. How could I watch you die by the sword? Today… let us share one final cup of wine, to conclude… our brotherly bonds.”

Wang Zongshi coldly watched Li Shubai as he carried a wine vessel to his front, set out two cups, and filled them generously.

Li Shubai looked at the two cups on the tray in his hands, one left and one right, the golden cups seemingly identical with glinting reflections.

Wang Zongshi raised one cup and handed it to Li Shubai, his expression still cold and sinister. After Li Shubai took that cup, he took up the other cup and walked up the steps to place it on the dragon table.

Li Shubai held his cup, looking down at the slightly swirling wine for a long while before lowering his eyes with a smile and saying, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace. I only wonder how Your Majesty will deal with your subject after this cup is drunk?”

Empress Wang lifted the wine cup for the Emperor on the couch and gestured to him, saying, “Once the Prince of Kui drinks this cup, His Majesty will make his decision.”

Li Shubai glanced at Wang Zongshi, then turned his gaze to Empress Wang: “Your subject toasts to Your Majesty.”

Seeing him bring the cup to his lips without drinking, Empress Wang sat beside the Emperor and brought the wine to his mouth.

However, the Emperor’s lips barely moved as he gently gripped her wrist and struggled to say: “I… fear I cannot drink. Perhaps the Empress…”

Understanding his meaning, Empress Wang turned her head and raised her cup to Li Shubai, saying, “His Majesty is unwell and fears he cannot drink this wine. Let me drink in his stead.”

Li Shubai raised his cup in contemplation. Above and below the steps, all was silent.

Surrounded by weapons, sunlight through the windows glared on sword points, reflecting onto their faces like countless flickering sharp edges bearing down on them.

Cup in hand, blades all around.

Trapped in an impossible situation, with nowhere to escape.

Huang Zixia felt sweat seeping from her back, already dampening her clothes. Behind him, she whispered: “My Lord, after drinking, we’ll leave the palace immediately… perhaps there’s still a way to purge the fish roe.”

“And if it cannot be purged?” he moved his lips slightly, using the cup to hide them.

Then he would become like Yu Xuan, or like Zhang Xingying, or like the Prince of E, bewitched by obsessive evil thoughts, finally going mad, dying still trapped in delusion.

Huang Zixia bit her lower lip and said softly, “No matter what you become, I will never leave your side in this life.”

Li Shubai turned to gaze at her, looking into her determined and clear eyes, seeing his reflection within them. His image remained unwavering in the depths of her eyes.

A smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his lips. With one hand holding the cup, he gently caressed her cheek with the other, saying softly, “Is that so? Seeing me like that would be worse than death for me.”

Huang Zixia’s throat constricted, unable to respond.

But he had already released her and turned back to raise his cup to the Emperor, saying: “Your subject thanks Your Majesty for this grace. This cup is for your subject’s years of arrogance and overstepping bounds – a deserved punishment. Now your subject willingly accepts this royal favor, but Zixia is innocent, drawn in because of me. For all the ways she has offended Your Majesty for my sake, I beg Your Majesty to allow her to leave the Daming Palace unharmed, in consideration of this cup of wine.”

Though he spoke to the Emperor, Empress Wang nodded and said: “Though Miss Huang has offended, she also rendered service in the cases of my clan sister and the Princess Consort Wenyi of Wei. His Majesty is benevolent and merciful – as long as the Prince of Kui admits his guilt, naturally, there will be no persecution.”

Having finished speaking, she drained her cup of wine and showed him the empty bottom.

Li Shubai raised his cup, looked back at Huang Zixia one last time, and said softly, “Go.”

“My Lord!” Huang Zixia couldn’t help but cry out, about to rush forward when Wang Yun grabbed her elbow.

She watched helplessly as Li Shubai drank the cup of wine, tears welling up in her eyes. She turned back to look at Wang Yun in panic. His expression was complex as he pulled her out from among the weapons, pointing to the hall door: “Go now.”

Huang Zixia looked back at Li Shubai surrounded by soldiers, tears now flowing: “No… I’ll wait for him.”

Wang Yun followed her gaze to look at Li Shubai in the encirclement.

He vaguely recalled what he had said that night in Shu when Li Shubai had sought him out for a long talk. At that time, he had said that although His Highness was divinely talented and strategically brilliant, before matters of state, human life was as worthless as grass – let alone a mere orphaned girl. Sometimes, the slightest difference might destroy a cluster of orchids.

But Li Shubai had given him just seven words in response: “I will protect her completely myself.”

Now, he truly kept his promise. No matter the time, place, or circumstances, he always protected her, even in this situation, disregarding his own life.

He looked at Li Shubai and murmured: “I have lost.”

Huang Zixia didn’t understand his meaning, she just stood inside the hall door, staring unblinkingly at Li Shubai. Though she could escape the grave danger with just one turn, she remained standing there, not moving an inch.

Li Shubai cupped his hands in salute to the Emperor and Empress, saying: “Your subject takes his leave.”

Empress Wang slowly sat beside the Emperor, raising her hand about to signal his dismissal when the Emperor’s voice faintly rose: “Wait…”

Li Shubai stopped, slightly raising his head to look at him.

Leaning against Empress Wang, though already exhausted, his struggling mouth opened grotesquely like the fierce dragon heads with bared fangs on the screen behind him. Forcing out each word with his remaining strength, he said: “Fourth brother, don’t rush… wait a while longer.”

Li Shubai stood before him at the bottom of the steps, raising his head to look directly at him, slightly narrowing his eyes.

Even when learning of the late Emperor’s death and all that happened then, even knowing the Emperor had stolen the throne that should have been his, the last glimmer of light that had remained in his eyes vanished.

He stared at his brother, stared at this master of the Daming Palace and the realm, without speaking. But the cold determination that instantly clouded his gaze startled Empress Wang beside the Emperor. She involuntarily drew in her shoulders, sitting even straighter, reaching to hold the Emperor’s arm, but not daring to speak.

The Emperor’s gaze was already unfocused, his eyes fixed on Li Shubai as if staring into the void. He said: “When the late Emperor passed, we were too hasty… causing Father Emperor to cough up the medicine he had drunk…”

Li Shubai listened to his labored breathing, looked at this person on the dragon couch who still desperately sought his death even while clinging to life, and suddenly laughed coldly.

He said: “Your Majesty worries too much. What use is a brief delay? Your subject has already prepared oleander – taking it for half a month will surely kill the fish demon within.”

Wang Zongshi stood silently to one side, saying nothing, only slowly stepping back and hiding his hands in his sleeves.

Li Shubai’s cold words made the Emperor suddenly struggle to rise. His hands flailed in the air as he shouted: “Imperial Guards… where are the Imperial Guards?”

Wang Yun glanced at Huang Zixia, then turned to answer the Emperor: “Your Majesty! Right Commander Wang Yun of the Imperial Guards leads his men here.”

The Emperor used his last strength to stand, pointing at Li Shubai’s figure in his blurred vision, screaming hoarsely: “How can the court allow such a kinslayer to live? Kill him!”

Empress Wang tightly held his rigid body, not daring to speak.

Events had finally progressed to this point – bloodshed in the Hanyuan Hall was now inevitable.

Huang Zixia felt her head buzzing, her blood flowing too fast, all her nerves stretched too tight, her vision growing dim. She opened her mouth wide to breathe, stepping back to lean against the wall, staring intently at Li Shubai surrounded by Imperial Guards.

Seeing she still wouldn’t leave, Wang Yun no longer minded her. A slender sword was already drawn in his hand. With the sword tip slanting downward, as he walked toward Li Shubai, his gaze fell one last time on Huang Zixia’s face, his lips barely moving.

Huang Zixia heard him say softly: “It will be quick, just an instant.”

Huang Zixia saw his dark pupils contract slightly. This instantly reminded her of that time in Shu when they faced danger. That deep night when ambushers scattered the Prince of Kui’s guard, Wang Yun pursued from behind, ordering: the two on horseback, one black and one white, must be killed!

Then he came by orders, and now, he also goes by orders.

No matter when his family’s honor and his duty as the eldest grandson of the Wang family’s main branch would always be above all else.

The Imperial Guards in the hall had received Wang Yun’s signal and did not trouble her. She leaned against the wall alone, silently opened the box in her hands, and took out an object from inside.

The cold iron dagger that Emperor Taizong had given to Empress Wu Zetian. This was the blade Gongsun Yuan had used to avenge her younger sister, and also the weapon the Prince of E had destroyed before his mother.

Though broken and with a rolled edge, it was still sufficient to kill.

She gripped it in her hand, watching Li Shubai among the forest of blades.

Li Shubai only glanced at her once, and after seeing that the Imperial Guards around her had been withdrawn by Wang Yun, he slowly turned his head back. Standing in the hall, he didn’t look at Wang Yun before him, but instead looked toward the Emperor on the raised platform and asked: “Your Majesty, do you truly wish to eliminate your subject to find peace?”

The Emperor, who had been nearly exhausted of strength, stirred at these words.

He raised his hand, pointing directly at Li Shubai, drawing in a harsh breath before declaring hysterically: “Today in this hall, the Prince of Kui must die!”

This near-mad tone made the Imperial Guards in the hall pause for a moment before raising their weapons and following Wang Yun step by step as they closed in.

Wang Zongshi nodded to Wang Yun and quickly left the hall, naturally going to arrange his Divine Strategy Army.

Huang Zixia stared intently at the encircling wall of people before her, watching the sword points draw ever closer as Li Shubai became trapped with no escape.

She tightened her five fingers around the dagger, gripping it reversed in her hand.

She thought, if she were to attack Wang Yun from behind with such a dagger, could she buy Li Shubai a moment’s chance? If he could seize this fleeting opportunity, might he be able to escape from the Hanyuan Hall?

But after escaping the Hanyuan Hall, how could he fight off the tens of thousands of Divine Strategy Army troops outside and escape the Daming Palace unscathed?

Thinking this, she raised her left hand slightly, pressing it against her chest, her mind becoming extremely clear for an instant. Having seen countless corpses of those who died from stab wounds to the heart, this time it might be her turn. This blade was already broken – she wondered if it would catch on her ribcage. She must be careful.

Before she could find the right spot between her ribs, Li Shubai amid the Imperial Guards’ pincer attack had already spun around and begun to counterattack. A cold blue light flashed among the sword formation – no one saw clearly what happened, only heard the clang as the blades of the two swords at the front fell to the ground.

In Li Shubai’s hand was unmistakably a slender sword blade, held like a dagger – it was the Fish Intestine Sword.

The Fish Intestine Sword cut through iron like mud. Li Shubai advanced and retreated with extreme speed, cutting countless swords in the blink of an eye. However, there were no less than a hundred guards in the hall. No matter how skilled he was, one person with only a short sword would ultimately be overwhelmed.

Wang Yun saw him wound more than ten men before showing signs of fatigue. Just as he was about to advance with his sword gripped in both hands, a voice suddenly came from the hall entrance: “Stop.”

Standing on the raised platform, Empress Wang immediately saw who had entered the hall and her expression changed slightly as she asked: “Eunuch Wang, why are you alone? Where is the Divine Strategy Army? Where are the Imperial Guards outside?”

Wang Zongshi’s face was even paler than usual, his temple hair slightly disheveled. Coming before Wang Yun, he raised his hand to press down Wang Yun’s sword hand, saying softly: “You withdraw first.”

Wang Yun knew something must have happened, but could do nothing about it. He only glanced at Li Shubai, whose breathing had become rapid, before silently sheathing his sword and signaling the Imperial Guards to disperse.

As the hall grew quiet, the sounds from outside could be heard – sporadic clashing of weapons.

Wang Yun immediately rushed out of the Hanyuan Hall to see several blood-stained guard corpses on the Dragon Tail Path, while most of the guards who had been stationed outside had vanished. In their place were black-armored troops blocking the left and right Dragon Tail Paths and surrounding the Hanyuan Hall—

Wang Yun naturally recognized them – among the Ten Commands of the capital, only the Divine Martial and Divine Might armies rebuilt by Prince Kui Li Shubai, formed from elite troops drawn from the Xuzhou, Nanzhao, and Longyou campaigns, wore black armor. Unlike troops recruited by other commands, these two armies had the smallest numbers but the most glorious battle record and the most terrifying combat strength—because among the capital’s forces, only they had truly been on battlefields and killed people, and they had never been defeated.

The Divine Martial Army outside was already closing in on him, and Wang Yun immediately retreated inside the hall entrance. He looked toward the palace gate with last hope. After all, the Divine Martial and Divine Might armies weren’t numerous – if only the capital’s other forces arrived, sweeping them away wouldn’t be difficult.

However, all he could see was the tightly closed palace gate. And on the walls of the barbican at the palace gate, a unit of black-armored troops was shooting arrows down.

Wang Yun understood without looking further – surely it was the Divine Strategy Army led by Wang Zongshi, now trapped inside the barbican at the palace gate. It seemed those blocking the Daming Palace gates outside must be the troops of the Sixteen Guards of the Southern Court. With the Divine Strategy Army surrounded inside, no way forward and no retreat, those below had no chance of survival against the rain of arrows from above.

He felt a cold sweat break out all over his body. Before he could turn to rush back into the hall, a sword was already at his heart, and a voice spoke unhurriedly: “Commander Wang, it’s been a long time.”

Wang Yun looked at the person before him in shock: “Jingxiang? You didn’t die in Shu?”

“I’m deeply grateful for Commander Wang’s great kindness in Shu. I had hoped to return earlier to repay your favor, but His Highness had other tasks for me, so I came late.” His tone was as mild as ever, making even the blood splattered on his cheeks seem less stark.

“So you say, the disturbances in various places were you’re doing in coordinating from outside?” Wang Yun forced himself to remain calm. “You truly are Prince Kui’s right hand, providing great assistance.”

Jingxiang only smiled: “I dare not accept such praise. This servant only just completed His Highness’s instructions a few days ago, almost not making it in time.”

With the sword at his chest, Wang Yun only glanced at it, slowly bringing up his sword to rest against it, saying: “Eunuch Jingxiang need not worry, the Imperial Guards have also been courteous to your prince. If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to look inside.”

He stepped back, avoiding Jingxiang’s sword point, and seeing he didn’t advance further, turned and strode inside.

In the hall, only a few dozen Imperial Guards remained, now surrounded by the black-armored troops. Seeing Jingxiang leading more men in, they were looking at each other in panic when Li Shubai shouted: “Anyone who wants to live, drop your weapons and get out!”

The soldiers all stood there stupidly, in their confusion only looking at Wang Yun.

Wang Yun gripped his sword, looking toward the Emperor and Empress as if he hadn’t heard. Not until Wang Zongshi pressed his shoulder and asked in a low voice: “Yunzhi, do you want to implicate the Wang family?” did he pause.

He froze, his hand unconsciously loosening, and that razor-sharp sword finally fell to the ground. After that “clang,” the sounds of other Imperial Guards’ weapons hitting the ground followed in succession.

Wang Yun stepped back twice, looking toward Huang Zixia who still stood silently in the hall. But she did not see him.

Her eyes were fixed only on Li Shubai. When they were in danger, about to face catastrophe; when they escaped disaster and everything suddenly became clear.

From beginning to end, whether in sorrow or joy, the person she watched was always Li Shubai.

Wang Yun closed his eyes and turned his gaze away, feeling relief amid the searing pain in his heart and lungs.

A complete end, understanding that some things and some people would forever be out of reach, was perhaps better than having them in hand only to find you were not meant for each other.

Even if it meant eternal longing for him alone.

Wang Yun let out a long breath and quietly retreated behind Wang Zongshi. All the guards who had laid down their weapons rushed to leave, being taken under control by the black-armored troops.

It seemed only an instant had passed, as if only the angle of sunlight entering had risen slightly and there was more blood on the hall floor, yet the situation in the Hanyuan Hall had completely reversed.

The Emperor’s face was ashen with despair, only drawing breath in, unable to exhale. Empress Wang knelt before the Emperor, tears falling silently.

Li Shubai’s gaze swept over them before he turned to look at Huang Zixia.

Huang Zixia had already put away the dagger in her hand. Seeing him look at her, she smiled slightly and nodded to him, appearing as if nothing had happened except for her still pale face.

The dust had settled, and all the chaos outside the hall had gradually quieted.

Li Shubai crossed the empty great hall toward Huang Zixia, asking softly: “When I told you to leave first, why didn’t you listen?”

Huang Zixia looked up at him, the sunlight slanting from behind. He was silhouetted against the light, having escaped great danger, and though somewhat disheveled, appeared even more handsome and imposing.

She meant to smile at him, but before she could speak, her eyes were already rimmed with a thin layer of tears. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to steady her breath, and looked up at him saying softly: “Because you deceived me first, not letting me stand by your side.”

He couldn’t help but smile slightly, saying softly: “That was because you didn’t trust me first. I told you to just trust me completely.”

The corners of Huang Zixia’s lips turned up, but couldn’t hide the tears slowly falling: “Yes, I’ll remember from now on.”

He turned back to look at the Emperor and Empress, then at Huang Zixia before him, feeling for a moment that heaven had treated him so generously, that everything in the world was perfect.

He smiled and raised his hand, gently wiping away her tears, bending down to whisper in her ear: “Let’s go, we’re going home.”

Huang Zixia nodded, then asked: “Did you prepare oleander?”

“No, that was a lie. It seems we’ll need to buy some on the way back.”

Before he finished speaking, someone nearby said: “I think His Highness the Prince of Kui need not buy that oleander.”

It was Wang Zongshi, who bowed to Li Shubai and said softly: “Actually, of those two cups of wine, one contained Agashne’s fish roe, while the other, like how Miss Huang deceived me last time, contained only rouge powder.”

Huang Zixia and Li Shubai exchanged a glance, their gaze slowly turning toward Empress Wang.

The Emperor had already fallen unconscious, and Empress Wang was looking at his body with a cold expression, seemingly calculating how best to deal with him.

Wang Zongshi’s voice was soft and sinister, and the Empress Wang sitting above certainly couldn’t hear what he said.

“His Majesty intended to prepare both cups. First as a precaution, and second, His Majesty could not bear to leave the Empress alone.”

Huang Zixia and Li Shubai exchanged a glance, feeling chilled to the bone, both speechless.

The Emperor naturally feared the Empress, especially after learning she was not of the Wang family and had no blood relation to the Crown Prince. Thinking of the capital’s jest about “the present Emperor exalted, the Empress martial,” he could never let her live peacefully.

As for the Wang family, this chess piece had become useless, and might even become an obstacle, so naturally, it should be discarded decisively when the time came.

Wang Zongshi naturally knew what they were thinking, but he didn’t care, only continuing softly: “However, this old servant ultimately felt that Prince Kui is a pillar of the court. Now that His Majesty is about to pass away, without Your Highness’s strong support, the Great Tang’s realm might be in peril. Therefore, remembering how Miss Huang once deceived this old servant with rouge powder, this old servant followed the same method. So Your Highness need not worry – even if this old servant defied His Majesty, I would never dare cause Your Highness any harm.”

Hearing him speak thus, Li Shubai bowed to him saying: “Many thanks for Eunuch Wang’s kind intentions.”

Wang Zongshi raised his voice so Empress Wang on the platform could hear: “Your Highness Prince Kui, the Wang family of Langya has always held goodwill toward you. Though there were wrongs in the past, we were caught between difficult imperial orders. Even Her Highness the Empress didn’t know about what happened the day the late Emperor passed, and the Wang family’s service to His Majesty was also unavoidable…”

Li Shubai replied with a calm expression: “Actually, I am also grateful. After all, Zixia received much care from you all. If Eunuch Wang hadn’t meant to help us, Zixia would never have discovered various truths, and today’s situation wouldn’t have proceeded so smoothly.”

Huang Zixia suddenly recalled Wang Zongshi’s seemingly intentional yet unintentional hints to her at the Wang residence.

Thinking now, when he agreed to let her participate in investigating the Prince of Kui’s case, was it really to relieve the pressure of the Emperor’s order to investigate? In truth, the Emperor didn’t care about the truth at all, because the truth was their design. Though the Wang family’s spreading news outside about the Divine Martial Army’s defeat and urgent need to reinstate the Prince of Kui to defeat the Uighurs forced the Emperor to move against the Prince of Kui earlier, it did help him escape from the Clan Court. If the Emperor hadn’t suddenly fallen ill this time, would Li Shubai have been able to escape?

Huang Zixia looked at Wang Zongshi – his face was still pale, still wearing that ambiguous smile. Yet her back broke out in pinprick-sized cold sweat at his smile.

Her gaze turned to the dying Emperor on the dragon couch, thinking to herself that originally after the Prince of Kui’s fall from power, next should have been the Wang family that had been like a fishbone in His Majesty’s throat for over ten years. Yet now, the Emperor was beyond recovery, the Prince of Kui had endured public contempt, and only the Wang family, through his small manipulation, had made Li Shubai indebted enough to protect them from catastrophe.

In this chess game of more than ten years, the Emperor who thought of himself as the benefiting fisherman probably didn’t know even now who the real benefiting fisherman was.

Li Shubai naturally saw through all this. But he only lightly patted Huang Zixia’s shoulder before saying to Empress Wang: “His Majesty has suffered such a shock, which may harm his dragon body. Perhaps Your Highness should first send someone to escort him back to Xianning Hall.”

Seeing the Emperor had fallen unconscious, Empress Wang slowly released her hold on him, letting him fall back on the couch. She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, stood up on the platform looked down at them, and asked in a hard voice: “Things have come to this today – Prince Kui has raised troops in force, do you mean to usurp the throne?”

Li Shubai’s gaze fell on that gold-lacquered dragon couch, where his brother lay on that brilliant seat inlaid with pearls and jade. His face was dark, his breathing weak – anyone could see he wouldn’t live long.

Yet no one paid him any attention. His stunningly beautiful Empress had abandoned him on that supreme seat, discussing with others how to handle his situation.

Li Shubai suddenly laughed and asked in return: “Yes, so ten years after Father Emperor’s death, can I finally take back what belongs to me?”

Empress Wang’s expression changed slightly, maintaining only a last trace of arrogance as she lifted her chin slightly.

While Wang Zongshi said: “It should be so. That year when the Imperial Uncle ascended the throne, he governed the realm in perfect order, and the people called it fortunate. Now Your Highness the Prince of Kui is brilliant and martial – if you ascend the throne, surely great peace is not far off.”

“And then what?” Li Shubai asked in return.

Wang Zongshi was momentarily speechless, not knowing what he meant.

“Then, I would first kill those who threaten my throne – for example, my nephews, the twelve-year-old Crown Prince Xuan’er, and the seven-year-old Jie’er, the Empress’s son, right?”

Empress Wang’s form suddenly shook, her face truly losing all color now, her blackened trembling lips unable to be concealed even by thick rouge.

Wang Zongshi remained silent, only showing hesitation on his face.

Li Shubai seemed not to see her, continuing slowly: “However, quite a few court officials memorialized His Majesty to kill me, and even today some directly said I should die – how could such people remain under my rule? Then for killing the Prince of E for me, another batch of heads must fall; my throne would be gained by force, so another batch must die; continuing like this, completely changing the court’s blood – that would be a new beginning, wouldn’t it?”

Huang Zixia smiled silently and shook her head, picking up her box that had been kicked over by the hastily retreating Imperial Guards, and arranging the things inside.

“As for those wagging tongues among the people, they’re countless. Those saying I killed my sovereign and brothers, spreading rumors that they long knew Prince Kui would overthrow the realm, privately discussing my forceful seizure of the throne… innumerable, endangering the state, disturbing people’s hearts. What to do then? No less than killing half the capital’s people, until the people fear to look at each other on the streets – only then would my throne be secure, isn’t that right?”

Wang Zongshi said: “Your Highness is kind-hearted, it need not be so.”

“Perhaps I wouldn’t think of killing them now, but after sitting in that position long enough, who knows what kind of person one becomes – just like His Majesty. Before, he also never thought of killing me and Seventh Brother. But in that position, planning governance, people’s hearts easily change. At that point, who can control their thoughts and actions?” At this point, Li Shubai shook his head with a mocking smile and said, “Thanks to His Majesty’s grace, my reputation is now in tatters, I’ve become a traitor and rebel. If I truly dared to dream of becoming Emperor, I fear I would face universal condemnation, an eternal crime. While Xuan’er is already Crown Prince – after his ascension, the court would naturally be stable. Why throw the common people into chaos for one person’s selfish desires?”

Empress Wang let out a long breath, seemingly still not recovered, only staring blankly at Li Shubai, not daring to speak.

Li Shubai continued: “Your Highness Empress, didn’t you ask if I wanted to usurp the throne? Today I tell you here, and tell everyone under heaven – forget that position, I’m not even interested in taking one step up those vermillion steps!”

Having said this, he turned to look at Huang Zixia, who had already packed up the box she had brought. She smiled slightly at him and walked over.

He gazed at her and said softly: “Let’s go.”

Huang Zixia nodded, then remembered something and took out the late Emperor’s edict from the box, handing it to Wang Zongshi, saying: “Eunuch Wang, this is for you, to answer your questions.”

Wang Zongshi was uncertain and slowly opened the edict, looked at it, then finally widened his eyes: “This… this isn’t that edict!”

“Indeed, the real edict was destroyed. Because that ink-peeling method could only reveal the text underneath for an instant when the surface ink was soaked away. I just followed that text to forge a copy that looks identical at first glance but feels wrong as soon as you touch it,” At this point, having escaped great danger, she held Li Shubai’s hand with a beaming smile, radiant as a blooming flower. “Eunuch Wang, you were right – there are no such magical things in this world.”

Wang Zongshi stared at her blankly for a long while before finally laughing bitterly: “I never thought I would also fall into your hands.”

Huang Zixia smiled and nodded to him, then turned to look at Wang Yun.

Wang Yun stood behind Wang Zongshi, watching her silently, saying nothing.

He was the eldest grandson of the Wang family’s main branch, the greatest hope of the current family. This centuries-old noble house he took pride in still needed his support.

He had too much to bear, destined to be unable to give up everything for her, sacrifice everything. In his heart, she would always come after the family.

And now, she had found someone who placed her above everything else in the world.

So he could only willingly admit defeat and let go of her hand.

Huang Zixia released Li Shubai’s hand and bowed deeply to him.

Wang Yun also bowed his head in acknowledgment.

He didn’t mention the marriage contract, and she didn’t mention the divorce letter.

With this, all was understood without words, and everything ended.

The crucial posts of palace Imperial Guards had all been replaced by Divine Might troops. As Li Shubai walked down the Dragon Tail Path, cheers could be heard from outside the hall.

He turned his head slightly to look at Huang Zixia. She followed right behind him, half a step away, yet always – he never went faster, and she never went slower.

He smiled and stopped at the highest point in the capital, looking at the vast Daming Palace before him and the distant Chang’an city.

Under the early spring sunlight, the capital’s willows were already vivid green, all the flowering trees had sprouted new buds and flower buds. Tender green and light red decorated this most prosperous city under heaven. As far as the eye could see, it was bright and dazzling, brilliant and magnificent.

This was Chang’an, the Chang’an of seventy-two wards and a million people.

This was the Great Tang, the Great Tang of spring rain in Jiangnan and a bright moon over the northern frontier.

Under this high sky, in this long wind, before this spring day, Li Shubai smiled slightly and casually raised his hand, reaching back.

After a moment, a delicate and soft hand gently placed itself in his palm. And he also tightened his grip, holding her hand firmly.

Their fingers intertwined, never to part again.