Feng Jiang’s ability was plain for everyone to see, and his ascension to the throne won a great deal of approval.

Though he wasn’t a child of the Feng bloodline, the regent prince was Feng Li and the assisting minister was Feng Jiu’er — who would dare gossip?

The first thing Feng Jiang did after ascending the throne was to name Qiao Mu empress.

The rear palace was placed under Qiao Mu’s management, but what she managed wasn’t three thousand beauties — it was the brothers of the Heavenly Mechanism Hall.

From then on, the once-magnificent rear palace was no longer a place where consorts schemed against one another, but a courtyard filled everywhere with the scent of medicinal herbs.

Qiao Mu also welcomed the most glorious moment of her life, completing the investiture ceremony under the worship of millions of common people.

Feng Jiang, dressed in the dragon robe, bent down to help up Qiao Mu, who wore the phoenix robe, and before the assembled civil and military officials, pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“In this life I recognize only one empress. Should I ever break this vow, may heaven strike me down!”

Feng Jiang’s deep voice, carried by his inner strength, rang out clearly to everyone within a mile.

Qiao Mu pushed away his hands as he covered his own ears and frowned.

“What did you just say?” She loved him — how could she bear for him to be struck down by heaven?

Qiao Mu had never imagined that Feng Jiang would speak such a vow in front of so many people.

“Just trust in me.” She bit her trembling lip and threw herself into his arms.

Hand in hand, the two of them walked down from the high platform under the gaze of the crowd.

“This is bad! Jiu’er, the regent prince has gone missing.” Gong Xinyue came to Feng Jiu’er’s side, her expression grave.

Feng Jiu’er, who had still been watching the spectacle, immediately turned her attention back.

“What did you say? Where has my father gone?”

Gong Xinyue handed her the letter in her hand, saying anxiously, “Someone saw the regent prince leave the palace alone.”

Feng Jiu’er glanced at the letter, her trembling fingers nearly crushing it.

“It’s Feng Qiongcang — it must be him!”

Feng Jiu’er stood and walked toward the edge of the platform.

Gong Xinyue followed close behind, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

“Does Feng Qiongcang really have news of your mother? Jiu’er, is your mother still alive?”

“Whether he has news of my mother or not, I don’t know. But he knows perfectly well that when it comes to my mother, my father will go alone without hesitation.”

“Xinyue, tell everyone to be on full alert. We cannot let Feng Qiongcang escape again!”

Feng Qiongcang absolutely had to be eliminated, but Feng Jiu’er was even more worried about her father’s safety.

Her father was careful and meticulous by nature — how could he do something so reckless?

Feng Jiu’er worried that in order to eliminate Feng Qiongcang, he wouldn’t hesitate to use himself as bait.

…

Beneath the setting sun, at the edge of a cliff in the valley, a figure in white sat upon a rock.

Feng Li knew this wasn’t the person he was looking for.

“A-Li.” Han Ying heard the sound and turned to approach him. “You’ve finally come. Won’t you stay, please?”

“You should all surrender.” Feng Li shook his head, looking toward the setting sun.

He did indeed long for it — if only she were still alive, how wonderful that would be!

The light of the setting sun grew soft, just like her smile once had, always able to intoxicate.

“A-Li.” Han Ying took hold of the hem of his robe. “If you’re willing to stay with me forever, I’ll surrender immediately.”

“Let go!” Feng Li flicked his sleeve away in disgust.

“I am your wife.” Han Ying’s brow furrowed tightly.

“I’m sorry! You are not.” Feng Li left those words behind and turned to walk away.

Seeing his resolve, Han Ying’s expression darkened in an instant.

“Do you think you can still leave here alive?”

“I never intended to go back alive.” Feng Li didn’t turn around. “They’ll be here soon, and none of you will escape either!”

Han Ying leapt up and landed steadily in front of Feng Li.

“So you knew it was a trap and came anyway — willing to sacrifice yourself to complete your daughter’s great cause?”