On the battlefield thousands of miles away, Tuoba Yu once again assembled his great army, planning to breach the city gates. He ordered his forces to split into three routes—one route would launch the main assault on the main gate, while two routes would attack from the side gates. He knew full well that the defending garrison in the city was insufficient. This move was precisely meant to divide and conquer, leaving them unable to defend both front and rear. Most importantly, Kangland had sent him a secret weapon that would prove useful in this siege.

Wang Gong stood atop the city tower, looking down from his elevated position at the great army pressing forward below, and furrowed his brow. Currently, he had a total of four hundred thousand garrison troops in the city, which was truly a drop in the bucket compared to Tuoba Yu’s million-strong army. If they fought head-on, they probably wouldn’t be able to hold this city at all. He glanced at Yuan Lie beside him and bowed slightly, saying, “Your Highness Prince Xu, for now, I can only arrange for you to leave first.”

Yuan Lie raised his eyebrows and looked at the other party with a half-smile, saying, “General Wang, in your eyes, am I the kind of person who runs away at the first sign of danger?”

Wang Gong merely smiled faintly: “Your Highness Prince Xu holds a precious status. His Majesty has already issued a secret decree that no matter what, we must ensure Your Highness returns safely. Therefore, even if this old minister dies, I must protect Your Highness’s safety. Please do not make things difficult for me, Your Highness.”

Yuan Lie let out a cold laugh: “Don’t pay attention to what he says. I will not leave this place. If I were going to leave, I would have left already. Why would I wait until Tuoba Yu’s great army is at our doorstep?”

Beside them, Wang Qiong furrowed his brow, saying with confusion: “Last time, Tuoba Yu’s grain supply was clearly dealt a severe blow. He should have needed quite some time before being able to regroup. But why has he gathered a million troops to attack the city so quickly?”

Yuan Lie smiled slightly and said: “This is because someone has been secretly passing messages and providing him with financial and material support in many ways. That’s why he could make such a comeback in such a short time.”

Wang Gong glanced at Yuan Lie and asked with doubt: “Your Highness Prince Xu means—that Great Zhou is secretly supporting him?”

Yuan Lie shook his head: “Great Zhou is thousands of miles away from here. Even if they wanted to support Tuoba Yu, it would only be vocal support at most. How could they provide such substantial support? Therefore, the person capable of supporting Tuoba Yu is within our own country!”

Hearing these words, Wang Gong was startled. He said in a low voice: “Then according to Your Highness’s words, what should we do now?”

Yuan Lie retracted his original smile and said seriously: “If the General is willing to trust me, please give me the opportunity to command the overall situation.”

Wang Gong was taken aback. In his view, this battle truly involved fighting many with few—the disparity in strength was enormous. In ordinary circumstances, he could still fight with all his might, but with so many common people in the city, there absolutely could not be any mishaps… If he stumbled at this critical moment, he would only become a laughingstock to the entire world. But with Prince Xu Yuan Lie present, things would be different. If Yuan Lie took the initiative to assume command of this battle, no matter what errors occurred, Prince Xu would bear the brunt first. He was His Majesty’s most valued person—even if he made mistakes, there wouldn’t be any severe punishment. But he himself was different. However, as the true commander-in-chief, relinquishing his position now would feel like shirking responsibility. Thinking it over, his expression shifted uncertainly.

Yuan Lie had long seen through this person’s thoughts and sneered coldly, then immediately said: “General Wang, please personally guard the south gate. Zhao Nan, you lead five hundred elite troops to assist. General, you lead people to guard the north gate. As for the central gate, leave it to me. Both of you, behind us are tens of thousands of common people. Until we fight to the last soldier, we absolutely cannot allow anyone to enter the city!”

Wang Gong could no longer object. He knew that today Tuoba Yu was determined to capture this city, and Yuan Lie had already secretly mobilized his subordinate elite troops. The military advisors and generals beside them saw their commander-in-chief Wang Gong following the young prince’s every word with respectful tones, and their hearts were filled with unease and doubt. In their view, though Prince Xu Yuan Lie possessed considerable strategic wisdom, he was overly young. Could he shoulder such a heavy burden?

“Your Highness, this time Tuoba Yu specifically ordered the construction of iron-armored war chariots weighing over a thousand catties—invincible in battle and unstoppable in assault. Please do not take this lightly, Your Highness.” Wang Qiong reminded him.

Yuan Lie smiled: “I understand. Let’s go up to the city tower.”

Amid the pervasive gunsmoke, the cannons on the city tower fired in unison. One cannon hit directly on Tuoba Yu’s iron-armored war chariot, and the artillerymen immediately cheered with joy. But after the smoke dispersed, the iron-armored war chariot once again slowly advanced. The cannon’s attack had merely blasted off a piece of its iron armor.

Yuan Lie narrowed his eyes. This time, the iron-armored war chariot that Tuoba Yu was using looked like a giant warship. The iron plates on it were far thicker and sturdier than he had imagined, to the point that even cannons couldn’t break through them. All the cannons fired with thunderous booms, but the iron-armored war chariots, despite being hit, continued moving forward. The cannon attacks merely delayed their speed momentarily. Seeing this scene, everyone on the city walls fell silent. Where did the enemy get such monstrous things? At this rate, they would be able to climb the city tower in less than an hour!

Yuan Lie pondered briefly, then commanded the artillerymen: “Concentrate all heavy cannons on just one iron-armored war chariot!” After everyone aimed their cannon barrels at one of the behemoths, he gave the order: “Fire!”

Boom, boom, boom, boom—four consecutive sounds. Four iron cannonballs struck the target directly, and finally that iron-armored war chariot, with a thunderous crash, toppled to the ground. Because the aim was extremely precise, although the four shells couldn’t completely penetrate the iron armor, by targeting one point for attack, their combined force flipped it over in one go. The iron-armored war chariot that Tuoba Yu had designed and manufactured was extremely large—a true siege weapon—but once it toppled over, it could never be stood upright again. Moreover, when it fell, it instantly crushed countless soldiers to death.

The generals and soldiers on the city gate, seeing this situation, couldn’t help but cheer with joy. Unfortunately, the next several attempts all failed. Those dozen or so giant iron-armored war chariots, though moving slowly, gradually approached the city tower. At such close range, the cannons were truly difficult to threaten them with. Yuan Lie decisively ordered the artillerymen to cease their attacks and focus all efforts on targeting the Great Li soldiers hiding behind the giant objects.

With a thunderous boom, an iron-armored war chariot, like a great mountain, crashed into the city gate with tremendous force.

The city tower shook violently, as if heaven and earth were collapsing. Everyone on the tower stumbled and could barely stand. Fortunately, Wang Gong was experienced and had already ordered people to continuously reinforce the city walls with lead water and massive stones, so they could barely withstand the consecutive impacts of these colossal objects. But before the soldiers could get up from the ground, the iron-armored war chariots had already lowered iron chains with clicking sounds. The iron cables at the ends of the chains hooked onto the city walls, and immediately countless fierce soldiers scrambled to pass through the iron chains, wielding swords and continuously charging toward the city tower gate.

Although the situation was extremely critical, Yuan Lie’s expression remained cold and composed, as solid and immovable as a rock. All the soldiers, seeing their commander so calm and showing no intention of fleeing, gradually recovered from their initial panic. They cooperated with each other and organized an orderly defense. The guards that Yuan Lie had brought were all highly skilled in martial arts and well-trained—each could fight a hundred men. Everyone fought desperately to resist the enemy’s assault without the slightest retreat. The battle grew increasingly fierce. The attacking and defending sides engaged in close combat, fighting each other. Many cried out in agony as they fell, while more people climbed up along those iron chains. Both sides were extremely tenacious. In less than two hours, tens of thousands of soldiers already lay dead on the battlefield.

Yuan Lie knew the best moment had arrived. His gaze was deeply focused as he coldly ordered: “Have them pour down what we’ve already prepared!”

Upon hearing Yuan Lie’s command, countless soldiers poured out buckets of oil that had been heated to boiling along the iron chains. When the iron chains encountered the scalding oil, they instantly became burning hot, causing the soldiers attempting to climb the iron chains to have their skin and flesh stuck to the chains. Only sounds of agonized screams could be heard rising up, and immediately the entire city tower was filled with wave after wave of the smell of scorched flesh.

Countless Great Li soldiers screamed as they fell from the iron chains. The scalding and boiling oil was mixed with some unknown substance that actually had corrosive properties, corroding the sturdy iron chains bit by bit until they broke inch by inch. The Great Li soldiers watched this scene in disbelief—the iron-armored war chariots that the Emperor had painstakingly designed and built were so easily defeated. The Great Li people had always used this as their secret siege weapon, but they never expected that Yuexi had prepared in advance and used such a simple method to break through their attack. What exactly was mixed into that scalding oil to make the iron chains corrode like that!

At this moment, Tuoba Yu rode a fine horse and personally led the Imperial Guards onto the battlefield to assist. Today’s battle situation was extremely dangerous. The Great Li army’s momentum was like an overwhelming mountain torrent, sparing no cost in their desperate siege. Although Yuan Lie’s move had severely dampened the enemy soldiers’ morale, in this situation, Tuoba Yu suddenly appeared on the battlefield, and the Great Li soldiers’ courage and fighting spirit, which had been lost, instantly surged with tremendous vigor.

Yuan Lie glanced at Tuoba Yu, who was surrounded by soldiers below the city, narrowed his eyes, held his breath, and said to the person beside him: “Give me a bow and arrow!”

A soldier beside him immediately handed over a long bow. Yuan Lie drew the bow and released three sharp arrows in parallel, all aimed at Tuoba Yu’s figure. Only the sound of arrows like thunder could be heard, howling fiercely, targeting the opponent’s upper, middle, and lower sections. Tuoba Yu only heard the sound of air being split, and those sharp arrows had already rushed directly at him, unstoppable and irresistible. But he didn’t panic. His hand raised his sword and swish, swish, swish—he consecutively cut down the three arrow shafts, his gaze cold and severe as he looked toward the city tower.

On the city tower, Yuan Lie’s smile was gentle. Among the thousand troops and ten thousand horses, his handsome face appeared very serene. Yuan Lie smiled slightly and casually tossed the bow, saying: “This one is too light. Bring me another one.”

The soldiers were startled, but at this moment, Zhao Nan had already ordered someone to bring Yuan Lie his Cloud-Piercing Arrow.

Yuan Lie pulled back the Cloud-Piercing Arrow and laughed heartily: “This is the right weight!” As he spoke, he raised his eyebrows, and a Cloud-Piercing Arrow came with fierce momentum, with the force of a thousand catties, shooting directly at Tuoba Yu. Tuoba Yu was already prepared and specifically used a shield to block it, but Tuoba Yu never expected the opponent’s strength to be so extraordinary. This sharp arrow actually penetrated the shield. His entire person was shot through from his horse, almost pierced through the chest by one arrow and deeply nailed into the ground.

The generals on the city gate were greatly encouraged, and the cheers rose wave after wave. The Great Li generals beside him immediately helped Tuoba Yu up. Seeing his grave injuries, his eyes tightly closed, they quickly pressed several major blood points on his chest to stop his bleeding, then called for a military physician to carry him down for treatment.

At this time, wearing full battle armor, Yuan Lie’s handsome face was solemn and dignified. His strong and robust physique displayed a kind of majesty and dominance. The black cloak behind him danced in the wind, making him look even more imposing and extraordinarily martial. Just now, when he shot that arrow, piercing clouds and moon, it was a shock to everyone, not to mention he had also severely wounded Great Li’s Emperor Tuoba Yu on the spot.

The military physician had just helped Tuoba Yu off the battlefield when he suddenly regained consciousness and pushed the other person away, shouting sternly: “Who told you to help me off?”

The military physician quickly knelt on the ground and said: “Your Majesty, you are severely wounded. You must go down to recuperate.”

Tuoba Yu said coldly: “Where has there ever been a monarch who personally leads an expedition but can leave the battlefield!” He turned his head to look at the person on the city tower, used the back of his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, and forcibly suppressed the churning blood energy. He had painstakingly planned for so long. Just as victory in the siege was in sight, as long as he broke through this line of defense, he could strike directly at the heart. He would make Yuexi’s Emperor pay a terrible price! At that time, he could present his demands to Yuexi. From beginning to end, aside from ambition, all he wanted was Li Weiyang!

That woman had deceived him for so long. He just wanted to bring her back and ask her one question: Do you still remember me? He should be filled with hatred for Li Weiyang. Yes, he hated her! Hated her to the bone, so much so that he couldn’t forget day and night, thinking constantly of proving to her that even without Li Weiyang’s support, he, Tuoba Yu, could still stand above everyone and become the lord of all under heaven! He wanted her to admit that abandoning him back then showed Li Weiyang’s lack of vision—it was her loss! He had originally thought Yuan Lie would be easy to deal with. After all, he had intelligence from Empress Pei, along with countless advantages. But he never expected to lose two consecutive battles to Yuan Lie. This time, he himself was even severely injured, yet Yuan Lie was precisely the one Li Weiyang had chosen… The complex emotions involved were something only he understood.

On the battlefield, situations change in an instant, leaving him little time for contemplation. Just as he was about to regroup and launch another assault on the city, he suddenly heard someone report from behind: “Your Majesty, this is terrible! Our main camp has been raided!”

Tuoba Yu whirled around sharply and shouted sternly: “What did you say?”

It turned out that while Tuoba Yu had concentrated all his attention on the siege, the rear camp was left vulnerable. Yuexi had actually dispatched a cavalry unit that silently emerged from behind, like scissors swiftly stabbing into the enemy formation, unstoppable as they struck directly at the main camp. These troops didn’t linger in battle or desperately fight the remaining soldiers. Instead, relying on their horses, they set fires everywhere. Red flames tore through the dim dusk—the place on fire was precisely where Tuoba Yu had stored his last grain supplies.

Tuoba Yu finally understood he had been deceived. No wonder Yuan Lie wasn’t anxious to break through his iron-armored war chariots, waiting until after he personally arrived on the battlefield to do so. It was nothing but a feint—a ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain. Yuan Lie had first successfully attracted all his attention, then commanded soldiers who had been lying in ambush to raid his main camp.

Tuoba Yu had always considered himself skilled in both literary and martial arts, excelling in everything. Though he hadn’t personally taken to the battlefield in recent years, he was definitely not someone easy to fool. Yet today’s situation couldn’t help but shock him. He made an immediate decision: “Return to the main camp at once. All forces retreat!”

The sounds of battle cries on the front lines gradually faded. The massive iron-armored war chariots also retreated.

Yuan Lie watched the Great Li army depart, a cold smile slowly appearing on his face. Relying on the information Pei Huaizhen gave you is often like drinking poison to quench your thirst. Tuoba Yu, you should have learned your lesson by now—this world isn’t one where you can swagger about just as you please.

Tuoba Yu suffered devastating losses in this battle. Not only did he gain no advantage whatsoever, he also lost the remaining grain supplies in his military camp. He clutched his chest and glanced at the man standing on the city tower, as if wanting to imprint this man who had brought him such humiliation into his heart with an eternal curse.

Yuan Lie still stood proudly on the city tower, the entire city becoming his backdrop, making him appear like a divine being from heaven. The warriors looked at each other, and suddenly someone shouted: “We won!” Only then did everyone present realize they had repelled the invading strong enemy with their inferior forces and achieved victory. The city tower immediately erupted with thunderous cheering. The generals walked toward Yuan Lie one by one, each person’s face flushed red, their eyes burning with intense, passionate, worshipful gazes.

At this time, Tuoba Yu rushed back to the military camp. He was severely wounded, his internal organs injured—the situation was extremely critical.

Pingting had been keeping watch by his bedside, watching Tuoba Yu sink into deep unconsciousness. His face appeared extremely pale due to massive blood loss, revealing an indescribable weariness and exhaustion. Pingting watched with heartache.

The military physician had already removed the arrow and thickly applied a layer of blood-stopping medicinal paste to his wound.

Pingting gently brushed the medicinal paste aside, and seeing the exposed ghastly wound, tears fell drop by drop. Tuoba Yu’s injuries were so severe, yet he still thought constantly of that person, even calling out that name in his dreams. Pingting couldn’t help but wonder—in what way was she inferior to Li Weiyang? Why did Tuoba Yu, even to this day, remain so obsessed with that person? Pingting walked out of the military tent and ordered the people outside: “His Majesty commands that we break camp and return to the capital immediately.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the generals outside looked at each other in confusion.

Pingting said loudly: “I hold the status of Empress. Do you all refuse to obey even my commands?”

At this moment, an icy voice came from behind her: “You, as Empress, have no authority to issue commands!”

Hearing this, Pingting whirled around sharply, tears brimming as she said: “Your Majesty, your body hasn’t recovered yet. Why…”

Before she could finish speaking, she heard Tuoba Yu shout sternly: “Bind this wretched woman for me!”

Pingting couldn’t believe it: “Your Majesty, what are you doing?”

Tuoba Yu’s voice grew even colder: “You still have the audacity to ask me what I’m doing? Several days ago, you sent a secret letter to the capital. To whom exactly did you send it?”

Pingting’s face turned snow white.

Tuoba Yu continued: “Besides that secret letter, you also sent a message to Prince Xu, telling him I had prepared iron-armored war chariots and was about to assault the city. Tell me—you are my Empress, the nation’s mother of Great Li. Why did you betray me and betray the country?”

Pingting’s tears flowed uncontrollably as she cried out miserably: “Your Majesty, everything I did was for your sake. I simply didn’t want this war to continue.”

Actually, Pingting’s thinking was very simple. She believed that after Tuoba Yu suffered setbacks, he would certainly cease his attacks and return to the capital with her. But she never expected that her every move had been discovered by Tuoba Yu at the moment Yuan Lie broke through the iron-armored war chariot formation.

Pingting wasn’t worried about her own safety. What concerned her most was still Tuoba Yu. She knelt before him, grasping his robes and saying: “Your Majesty, I beg you—please return with me! Even if you win this war, Li Weiyang will not return to your side. Why must you create such unrest among the people for the sake of one woman!”

Before she finished speaking, her face was struck hard by a slap.

Tuoba Yu shouted sternly: “Did you not hear what I said? Take this wretched woman away, keep her under strict guard, and never allow her to contact the outside world again!” As soon as he finished speaking, Tuoba Yu shook off Pingting and turned back to his military tent.

Pingting fell to the ground and was ultimately led away by the guards.

Far away, thousands of miles distant in the capital, Li Weiyang read the letter and laughed softly.

Zhao Yue said: “Miss, is there some happy news?”

Li Weiyang replied: “Yuan Lie has defeated Tuoba Yu’s army. I think this war will end soon.”

Zhao Yue’s face also showed joyful color: “That’s wonderful, Miss!”

Li Weiyang nodded and said: “That’s what Yuan Lie said in his letter. However, I didn’t expect Pingting to play such a significant role in the war, and I especially didn’t expect she would actually help us.” She thought about it and shook her head: “No, she isn’t helping us. She only hopes the war will end sooner and that Tuoba Yu won’t be deceived by Empress Pei, becoming her chess piece.”

Zhao Yue nodded, her gaze somewhat grave: “Miss, now that Ying Chu has returned to Empress Pei’s side, it won’t be so easy for us to move against him.”

Li Weiyang thought for a moment before asking softly: “I heard Prince Qin’s illness has worsened?”

Zhao Yue hesitated: “That’s what the news says. Imperial physicians have been changed wave after wave. Even the Crown Prince personally went to inquire about his condition, but there’s still no improvement.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Prince Qin has always been in good health. Now he’s bedridden with serious illness—his true purpose is only to avoid this calamity. Haven’t you noticed that Prince Jin has also been staying behind closed doors in his residence, staying with his princess consort?”

Zhao Yue shook her head: “This servant doesn’t quite understand these two princes’ intentions. Why does Prince Qin want to align with the Empress? What benefit does this bring him?”

Li Weiyang said indifferently: “He’s merely fence-sitting, wanting to gain some advantage while not daring to exert full effort. It’s unfortunate that the Zhou family’s hundred thousand Imperial Guards can’t play much of a role at this time.”

Zhao Yue said with some worry: “Now it’s only the struggle between the Guo family and the Pei clan. Miss, what do you plan to do next?”

Li Weiyang’s eyes lifted slightly, her gaze cold as snow and sharp as a blade, almost startling Zhao Yue, whose breathing momentarily stopped. But this was only a fleeting moment of sharp intensity. Li Weiyang concealed the murderous intent in her eyes and suddenly smiled. When she smiled like this, it was like spring flowers blooming, making even people’s hearts soften. She said softly: “This… let me think about it.”

Zhao Yue was about to press further when Guo Dao poked his head in and smiled slightly: “Little sister, what bad ideas are you thinking about again?”

Li Weiyang glanced at him and said quietly: “News of the great border victory should reach the capital soon. According to custom… His Majesty should go to offer sacrifices to Heaven.”

Guo Dao furrowed his brow: “But His Majesty’s health hasn’t been very good recently. It should be handled by the Crown Prince as a substitute.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Yes, under normal circumstances, that’s how it’s done.”

Guo Dao’s heart jumped as he said: “The way you’re asking—do you have some good idea?”

Li Weiyang said indifferently: “We’ve always been thinking about how to move against Ying Chu, but we might as well think carefully about how we can strike at Empress Pei to the greatest extent.”

Guo Dao pondered for a moment: “To strike at Empress Pei, the first target would be the Crown Prince. As long as he makes a mistake, Empress Pei will certainly protect him. We can use this to threaten her into compliance. If Empress Pei decides to sacrifice the pawn to save the king… hmph! Given the Crown Prince’s temperament, he’ll probably bite back. This way, it saves us a lot of effort.”

Li Weiyang stood up and laughed softly: “In that case, we should act early, arrange and prepare everything, and wait for the Crown Prince to walk into our trap.”

Li Weiyang’s prediction was correct. That very afternoon, news of the great border victory was delivered to the palace. His Majesty was greatly pleased. At the same time, following custom, the Crown Prince substituted for the Emperor in paying respects at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On this day, the capital was most lively, with thousands of common people standing by the roadside waiting to see the Crown Prince appear. Moreover, the Crown Prince’s personality had always been fond of ostentation. All along the route, the ceremonial procession was neat and orderly, colors magnificent and streets filled with splendor, appearing grand and imposing.

The Crown Prince rode a tall horse with a magnificent ceremonial procession following behind him. His ears heard the people’s cheers growing louder and louder. Just as he was secretly feeling proud, he suddenly heard someone in the crowd shout loudly: “The Crown Prince’s majesty is magnificent—he is the true Son of Heaven!”

After this shout, countless common people followed suit, shouting: “True Son of Heaven! True Son of Heaven!”

What had been “Long live the Crown Prince” became “True Son of Heaven”—this was completely different. The Crown Prince’s expression changed drastically, thinking this was bad! He quickly ordered his guards: “Tell them to stop this nonsensical talk!”

The guards naturally understood that speaking such taboo words in public, if it reached the Emperor’s ears, would be disastrous. They hurriedly ordered people to investigate, but among thousands of common people speaking in confusion, who could know from whose mouth the first shout came? Even if they caught that one person, they couldn’t stop countless mouths. One voice after another, the calls of “True Son of Heaven” grew louder and more widespread, until everyone was shouting those four words “True Son of Heaven.”

That thunder-like sound instead frightened the Crown Prince into a cold sweat.

As soon as the Crown Prince’s procession entered the palace, the Emperor was already waiting for him in the main hall. Not just the Emperor, but also civil and military officials. Everyone looking at the Crown Prince’s face showed somewhat strange expressions. The Emperor’s face was iron-blue, furious as he said: “Crown Prince, today you substituted for me in paying respects at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, yet you had people shout acclamations of ‘True Mandate of Heaven.’ It seems you truly have won the people’s hearts!”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince fell to his knees with a thud, so shocked he couldn’t speak. He didn’t understand how such a thing could happen—rumors had spread to the Emperor’s ears as swift as lightning and thunder.

A close minister of the Crown Prince nearby quickly prostrated himself and said: “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince winning people’s hearts proves Your Majesty chose the right heir. The nation has a worthy successor—this is precisely the fortune of the nation and blessing of the state! How can Your Majesty be angry about this!”

The Emperor let out a cold laugh: “The blessing of the state? I only know that I am still alive, yet my son is already impatiently having the common people call him the True Mandate of Heaven. What is the Mandate of Heaven? Crown Prince—tell me, have you been coveting the position of Son of Heaven for a long time?”

Cold sweat streamed down the Crown Prince’s forehead, his back completely soaked. He knocked his head repeatedly on the ground, loudly saying: “Father Emperor, your son absolutely had no such intention. All of this is someone with ill intentions framing your son. Please, Father Emperor, render justice for your son!”

The Emperor’s smile grew even more sinister: “You claim you’re quite wronged, but if it were just one person shouting like this, that would be one thing. Why would all the common people in the entire capital shout this way?”

The Crown Prince said loudly: “Father Emperor, those foolish people—how would they know right from wrong? As long as someone with ill intentions provokes them slightly, they’ll speak nonsense!”

The Emperor said coldly: “If they’re foolish people, then how would they know that I chose the right Crown Prince?”

The Crown Prince was shocked. The Emperor was refuting what the Crown Prince’s close minister had just said. The Crown Prince’s heart grew anxious. He quickly moved forward on his knees, prostrating himself at the Emperor’s feet, trying to grasp a corner of the dragon robe, crying out miserably: “Father Emperor, your son truly doesn’t know who bears such enmity toward your son that they must frame him like this!”

The Emperor, however, sneered repeatedly: “I truly can’t handle a Crown Prince like you! The father isn’t dead yet, but the son is already impatient to sit in the position of Son of Heaven. Look at yourself—do you even deserve it!” After saying this, he suddenly kicked the Crown Prince, striking him directly in the chest. The Crown Prince was kicked backward and fell. His chest surged with pain, but regardless of the agonizing heartache, he immediately crawled back up and knelt properly. By now he knew someone had deliberately framed him from behind, and the method was extremely vicious, leaving him no way to defend himself. Since ancient times, emperors have always been wary of crown princes. If a crown prince is too excellent, the emperor worries about his position being unstable. If a crown prince wins too many hearts, the emperor feels the crown prince intends to usurp. So today, no matter what he said, there was no way to eliminate the Emperor’s suspicions.

Several ministers who had prepared beforehand stepped forward. One of them said loudly: “Your Majesty, this humble minister has a memorial to present.”

The Emperor glanced at him and said: “Grand Scholar, what do you have to say?”

Grand Scholar Pan Yang said solemnly: “Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister wishes to impeach the Crown Prince!”

The Emperor raised his eyebrows: “Oh? What are you impeaching the Crown Prince for?”

Scholar Pan’s voice rang like a great bell: “This humble minister impeaches the Crown Prince for keeping a wife and concubine in his residence—this woman is from Great Li!”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince was completely stunned. He never expected the other party would bring up this point at this moment. For a time, he even forgot to defend himself. Scholar Pan, in front of everyone, pointed at the Crown Prince sternly: “Your Majesty, some days ago on the battlefield, our army suffered repeated defeats. This humble minister couldn’t understand the reason no matter how much I thought about it. Only recently did this minister finally understand.”

The Emperor furrowed his brow: “What reason?”

Scholar Pan said: “All of this is because the secret intelligence that reached the Crown Prince’s desk was transmitted back to the front lines one by one by that Great Li woman, delivered to the desk of her homeland’s monarch!” When he said this, his voice was already severe, veins bulging, expression fierce.

The Crown Prince nearly collapsed. He had always known that Leng Lian was from Great Li, but he never expected this matter would be dug up at this time—just when he had made such a grave error.

After Scholar Pan finished speaking, Censor Qiao also stepped forward. He said coldly: “Your Majesty, in order to achieve his ambition of ascending the throne early, the Crown Prince disregarded national interests and harbored a Yuexi spy. Moreover, through her hands, he secretly sent out intelligence, causing our great army to suffer repeated defeats on the front lines. Such acts of selling out the country—how can he qualify to be the Crown Prince of our nation! He is truly someone who brings disaster to the country and suffering to the people. Please, Your Majesty, make a decision early.”

The Emperor looked at these people with some surprise. The several officials who spoke this time were all from the neutral faction. This situation was truly quite strange—first the Crown Prince made an error, then immediately several people came forward to impeach him.

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The Crown Prince cried out miserably: “Father Emperor, your son has been wronged! Your son knows nothing. These people…” As he spoke, he turned and pointed at everyone one by one: “They’ve joined hands to frame your son! Father Emperor, you must render justice for your son.”

The Emperor let out a cold laugh: “So you’re saying you didn’t harbor a woman from Great Li?”

The Crown Prince was tongue-tied, unable to speak, staring at the Emperor as if about to faint.

The Emperor, seeing his expression, knew this matter was true. He snorted coldly: “I have already decreed that no one is allowed to harbor people from Great Li. Yet you brazenly harbored a woman from Great Li in your residence and showered her with favor. With such conduct, how can you be worthy of the Crown Prince’s position!”

Before the Crown Prince could defend himself, he heard Censor Qiao declare loudly: “Your Majesty, this woman is not only from Great Li—she was also a consort of the previous monarch!”

As these words were spoken, the entire court erupted in uproar. Those who had originally wanted to speak on the Crown Prince’s behalf now looked at each other in dismay. They never imagined the Crown Prince would do something so absurd. If you like beautiful women, that’s not wrong—it could simply be called being deceived by beauty. But to be so foolish as to harbor a consort of an enemy nation’s monarch—doing such a thing—had he completely lost his mind!

In the eyes of the crowd, the Crown Prince saw expressions of scorn, including among those ministers who had always supported him. His heart suddenly turned ice-cold. He couldn’t help but cry out: “Minister Xue, please speak a few words on my behalf! Grand Tutor Gao, you’ve always understood me best—I’ve truly been framed! General Liang, why are even you staying silent?”

These people had always supported Empress Pei and protected the Crown Prince’s position, but now they all silently watched the Crown Prince before them. As an imperial prince, you can be unintelligent, occasionally foolish, and covet the Emperor’s position, but if you’re stupid to this degree, insane to this extent without even realizing it, how could such a person qualify to become the nation’s ruler?

Originally, the Crown Prince had no major moral failings, so these ministers, out of support for Empress Pei, had always quietly supported the Crown Prince. But now they began to doubt whether the Crown Prince could shoulder the heavy burden of the nation. Yuexi was different from ordinary countries—great families and factions stood in complex arrays, multiple forces intricately intertwined. To control these families and firmly grasp power in the nation required an iron-blooded monarch, as well as a wise mind. But the Crown Prince in this state truly disappointed and chilled these ministers’ hearts too much. So no one spoke up; everyone silently watched the Crown Prince.

The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince and said: “Do you have anything else to say now?”

Wave after wave of sorrow surged through the Crown Prince’s heart. He suddenly stood up and said frantically: “I want to see Mother Empress! I want to see Mother Empress!”

The Emperor waved his hand in disgust: “First take the Crown Prince away. Immediately send people to the Crown Prince’s residence to search for that Great Li spy!”

As soon as the Emperor finished this sentence, the Crown Prince, nearly in tears, said: “Father Emperor, your son has truly been wronged. Don’t believe those people’s nonsense!” But before he could finish, he was already dragged away by the guards.

In Empress Pei’s palace.

Empress Pei was trimming her potted plants when Ying Chu strode in with large steps, not even having time to announce himself. Empress Pei raised her eyebrows to look at him, saying indifferently: “When did you become so rash?”

Three parts of anxiety showed on Ying Chu’s face: “Your Majesty, this is terrible! The Crown Prince has been confined by His Majesty.”

The scissors in Empress Pei’s hand made a snipping sound, actually cutting off a good branch. She turned her head to look at Ying Chu, saying coldly: “What error has he committed this time?”

Ying Chu lowered his head: “This time the Crown Prince didn’t make an error—he was merely framed by someone.”

Empress Pei tossed aside her scissors and sighed: “Framed by someone? If he himself hadn’t erred, how could he be framed!”

Ying Chu fell silent. He was naturally quite disappointed in the Crown Prince as well—let alone Empress Pei. But he still carefully recounted everything that had happened today.

Empress Pei was somewhat surprised: “You’re saying today someone shouted long live?”

Ying Chu nodded: “Yes, they called the Crown Prince the True Mandate of Heaven and shouted long live. Naturally, His Majesty was furious.”

Empress Pei walked two steps in the great hall, then turned back and said: “Immediately after, someone impeached the Crown Prince for harboring a Great Li spy?”

Ying Chu said: “Yes, and quite a few people—all belonging to the Wang family camp.”

Empress Pei let out a cold laugh: “Li Weiyang and Wang Zijin are birds of a feather. It seems they had already set a trap waiting for the Crown Prince to fall into. From the beginning, Li Weiyang remained silent about Leng Lian’s matter, precisely for this purpose. If I hadn’t been too busy to spare the effort, I would have eliminated this Leng Lian long ago.”

In truth, both Empress Pei and Ying Chu had secretly sent people into the Crown Prince’s residence attempting to kill Leng Lian to eliminate future troubles, but this woman was too cunning, and there seemed to be quite a few people secretly protecting her. They simply had no way to make a move. Who would have thought this matter would still explode at this time?

After thinking for a moment, Empress Pei immediately said: “Go to the Crown Prince’s residence now and find a way to bring Leng Lian here!”

Ying Chu said: “Your Majesty, this humble minister has already sent people. We will certainly capture this woman before His Majesty does.”

Only then did Empress Pei slowly breathe a sigh of relief: “As long as she’s dead, there’s no proof either way! No one will be able to catch the Crown Prince’s weak point!”

Worry appeared on Ying Chu’s face, and he couldn’t help but say: “But Your Majesty, since the other side has already set this trap, I’m afraid they won’t let the Crown Prince off so easily!”

Empress Pei’s eyes shone bright as snow, saying word by word: “No matter what methods you use, you must ensure Leng Lian can never speak again!”

Ying Chu’s heart trembled as he said respectfully: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

In the Guo residence study, Li Weiyang was practicing calligraphy. When she finished listening to Guo Dao’s words, she couldn’t help but smile slightly: “So you’re saying many people are rushing to the Crown Prince’s residence to find Leng Lian?”

Guo Dao said: “Yes, and it seems she’s doomed. Whether His Majesty or the Empress—they both want her life.”

Li Weiyang smiled gently: “I had you send a letter to Leng Lian earlier. Was the letter delivered?”

Guo Dao nodded: “Delivered it was, but whether she can escape with her life still depends on her own abilities. Actually, in my opinion, such a treacherous person should be made unable to speak for the rest of her life.”

Let her die? How could it be that easy! Li Weiyang smiled gently but offered no explanation.

In Empress Pei’s Palace

“What did you say? Leng Lian escaped?” Empress Pei suddenly stood up from her seat, her expression changing dramatically.

Ying Chu rarely saw Empress Pei display such emotion. He lowered his voice: “Please forgive this minister, Your Majesty. I arrived one step too late.”

Empress Pei slowly sat back in her seat. She looked at Ying Chu and said word by word: “It seems they were prepared early on. If this Leng Lian died at our hands, we could say she committed suicide out of fear of punishment. As long as we had a testimony exonerating the Crown Prince, he would be safe. If she didn’t die, we would still have means to make her speak according to our wishes. But she’s escaped instead. Living but unseen, dead but unproven—how can we clear the Crown Prince’s name now?”

Empress Pei felt waves of dizziness. Recent events had already vexed her to the extreme. She had always been a calm person, but at this moment she couldn’t help feeling annoyed. She wasn’t heartbroken for the Crown Prince—she simply truly hated the feeling of not having everything under control.

Seeing Empress Pei so angry, Ying Chu’s thoughts turned elsewhere. Empress Pei said she didn’t care about the Crown Prince, but that was, after all, her biological son—someone she had painstakingly cultivated for so many years. Watching him about to be destroyed, how could Empress Pei not be anxious? But looking at the current situation, if they forcibly tried to save the Crown Prince, it would bring no benefit to Empress Pei. He stepped forward and said: “Your Majesty, this minister knows you and the Crown Prince share a deep mother-son bond and naturally cannot bear to see him suffer. But His Majesty’s temperament—you understand it well. Without solid evidence, we have no way to clear the Crown Prince’s name. If we act rashly, when His Majesty’s blame falls, it might implicate even Your Majesty.”

Empress Pei suddenly raised her head, looking directly at Ying Chu: “According to what you’re saying, we should just leave the Crown Prince to his fate?”

Ying Chu quickly said: “Your Majesty, this minister doesn’t mean that.”

Empress Pei smiled coldly: “I know you and the Crown Prince have had many conflicts. He has been quite disrespectful toward you. It’s natural for you to resent him. But regardless, he is still the Crown Prince, my biological son. If even I refuse to save him, what hope does he have? Furthermore, I’ve painstakingly cultivated him for so many years, invested so much effort and energy. To have him destroyed by others now—do we still have any hope for that dragon throne?”

There was one more thing she didn’t say—she was keeping the Crown Prince because he would prove useful in the future!

Hearing Empress Pei say this, Ying Chu’s heart shook, but his face remained calm: “Your Majesty, at critical moments, one can only sacrifice pawns to save the king. Didn’t you say this yourself?”

Empress Pei said slowly: “How could I not know this? But this time, if I truly stand by and do nothing, he might not even keep his life.”

Ying Chu’s expression turned cold and grave: “How could this be? He is, after all, His Majesty’s biological son.”

Empress Pei let out a cold laugh: “In his heart, only the children born to that wretched woman Princess Qixia are his true flesh and blood. As for everyone else, they’re merely tools that can be kicked aside at any time. Recently, he’s been vigorously supporting Prince Jing to oppose the Crown Prince, and repeatedly summoning Prince Qin and Prince Jin. Clearly, he’s already seen through my intentions. Originally, Prince Qin agreed to side with us, but immediately went back on his word—showing he still greatly fears the Emperor.”

Ying Chu said: “Even if it’s a sick tiger, its remaining power is still present. Your Majesty must not underestimate His Majesty.”

Empress Pei sneered: “Yes, I still underestimated him. This headache condition ultimately didn’t drive him mad, so now he’s come to pressure me instead.” At this point, she lowered her head to look at her crescent-moon-shaped fingernails with their pale blue tint, her expression becoming calm. She slowly stood up and said: “Regardless, the Crown Prince hasn’t yet fulfilled his greatest use. I must save him.”

Ying Chu quickly said: “Then how does Your Majesty plan to exonerate the Crown Prince?” In Ying Chu’s view, with Leng Lian having escaped without a trace, all the ministers unanimously insisting the Crown Prince harbored an enemy nation’s consort—though they couldn’t capture her and had no solid evidence, the rumors and gossip alone would be enough to cause the Crown Prince serious trouble.

Empress Pei sighed and said: “Come with me to see His Majesty.”

Ying Chu’s heart jumped in alarm. Before he could stop her, he saw that Empress Pei had already walked out.

In the Imperial Study, the Emperor was listening to ministers report on the frontline military situation when he suddenly heard a guard hurriedly report: “Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress requests an audience.”

The Emperor said impatiently: “Tell her I have no time.”

The guard left trembling with fear, but soon returned, his face showing some trepidation as he said: “Your Majesty, Her Majesty refuses to leave no matter what.” Before he finished speaking, an inkstone smashed into his head with a “crack,” and immediately blood flowed profusely. Only the Emperor’s stern voice could be heard: “I never repeat myself. Get out!”

The guard dared not say another word and hurriedly left covering his head.

The Emperor looked at his ministers and said: “Continue.”

The Minister of War looked at the Emperor somewhat uneasily before continuing: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Minister of War had barely spoken two sentences when suddenly a stern shout came from outside: “All of you, get out of my way!” All the palace maids and eunuchs outside the Imperial Study scattered and knelt. There were also those who tried to stop the Empress from barging into the Imperial Study, but ultimately they were all blocked by the guards the Empress had brought with her.

The Emperor looked toward the study door. Empress Pei had already strode in with large steps. Her appearance had always been graceful and noble, but at this moment she also carried three parts of anger. Though her heart suppressed a raging fury, Empress Pei’s etiquette remained thorough: “This subject-consort pays respects to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor looked at her coldly: “The Empress’s audacity grows ever greater—to disregard propriety like this and cause such a scene!”

Empress Pei’s expression was calm: “Your Majesty, this subject-consort has important matters requiring an audience, but for some reason Your Majesty stubbornly refuses to grant it?”

The Emperor said indifferently: “Don’t you see that I am discussing critical military matters with these ministers? What great matter cannot wait a moment!”

Empress Pei’s cold gaze swept across the faces of all the ministers. Everyone she looked at felt chills run down their backs.

The Minister of War quickly said: “Your Majesty, since Her Majesty the Empress has important matters, we humble ministers will take our leave first.”

The Emperor said coldly: “I did not give you permission to leave. Do you dare to go?”

The Minister of War and the others exchanged glances, their hearts breaking out in cold sweat. The Empress was no easy lamp to deal with either. Who would dare contradict her words?

Empress Pei said no more, only stating coldly: “Your Majesty, I heard you have confined the Crown Prince to his residence?”

The Emperor snorted coldly: “Did I do something wrong?”

Empress Pei said: “This subject-consort would not dare say You did wrong. However, before the matter has been investigated clearly, Your Majesty has already made arbitrary decisions—isn’t this too rash?”

The Emperor’s face immediately darkened: “My imperial decree is the golden word. Empress, you need not plead for the Crown Prince. My decision will not change!”

Hearing this, Empress Pei couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows: “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is your biological son! If he is guilty, whether You grant him a cup of poisoned wine or a dagger, let it be swift. But You cannot humiliate him! As the Crown Prince of the nation, to be imprisoned in the Crown Prince’s residence in such an unclear and unexplained manner—how can You expect him to face the ministers, to face the people of the world?”

The Emperor smiled slightly: “What words is the Empress speaking? Since the Crown Prince has done wrong, I naturally must discipline him. Should I disregard national law and indulge the Crown Prince’s reckless behavior to be considered a qualified father?”

Empress Pei let out a cold laugh: “May I ask Your Majesty, what crime has the Crown Prince committed?”

The Emperor’s gaze was like ice: “This rebellious son has committed heinous crimes. Minister of War, you tell the Empress!”

The Minister of War felt a chill in his heart, but under the Emperor’s intimidating gaze, he had no choice but to say: “Your Majesty the Empress, the Crown Prince incited the common people to shout long live, clearly harboring disloyal intentions. Moreover, his residence harbors a woman from Great Li. It is said this woman’s identity… was a beloved consort of Great Li’s late emperor.”

Empress Pei said angrily: “Complete nonsense! Your Majesty, the common people are all ignorant folk. As long as someone in the crowd slightly incites and leads them to shout, they don’t know what they’re shouting. As for that beautiful concubine in the Crown Prince’s residence, I am also aware of her. She is indeed a woman from Great Li, but her identity is not some imperial consort from the palace—she’s merely an ordinary common woman! The Crown Prince was only temporarily deceived by beauty. He is still young—this is difficult to avoid.”

The Emperor said coldly: “What evidence does the Empress have for these words?”

Empress Pei stared at him, her gaze profound: “I do not have sufficient evidence, but does Your Majesty have any? Now this woman has already disappeared—this can also be considered no proof either way. Your Majesty has no witness. On what basis do You convict the Crown Prince!”

The Emperor furrowed his brow: “Since even you, Empress, admit this woman came from Great Li, then the Crown Prince openly defied the imperial decree. Although he is my biological son, I cannot show favoritism!”

Hearing this, Empress Pei laughed coldly: “Your Majesty, are You trying to forcibly tear apart our mother and son?”

The Emperor forcibly suppressed his anger: “Empress, my decree has been issued. The Crown Prince must be confined to his residence. No matter what you say, I will not change my mind.”

Empress Pei said sternly: “I don’t care. The Crown Prince is my biological son. Anyone who wants to take him away—unless they step over my corpse!”

Empress Pei rarely displayed such severe words and harsh expression. All the ministers, seeing her like this, momentarily dared not speak.

Just as the standoff continued, they suddenly heard someone say: “Please calm your anger, Your Majesty the Empress!” Everyone turned to look and saw Prince Jing hurrying in from outside.

The Emperor looked at him and said: “Prince Jing, why are you so late?”

Prince Jing smiled: “Reporting to Father Emperor, your son was delayed by some matter. Please forgive me, Father Emperor.”

The Emperor waved his hand: “Never mind.”

But Empress Pei rebuked coldly: “Prince Jing, I am speaking with His Majesty—what qualifications do you have to interrupt?” As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was frightened pale. Empress Pei paid no attention to anyone and snorted coldly: “Your Majesty, please release the Crown Prince immediately.”

The Emperor’s gaze looked at Empress Pei with icy coldness. He knew this woman appeared to be making a scene on the surface, but was actually using her accumulated authority over the years to pressure him.

Prince Jing said loudly: “Your Majesty the Empress, you just said something wrong.”

Empress Pei whirled around to look at him and said: “What did I say wrong?”

Prince Jing said: “You said that Leng Lian is merely an ordinary common woman from Great Li. Unfortunately, she has now confessed. Her true identity is a spy from Great Li, and she was also a consort of Great Li’s late emperor.”

Empress Pei’s face turned white. She immediately realized that Leng Lian had not escaped at all, but had fallen into Prince Jing’s hands. At this moment, she suddenly understood—this was a trap, and they were precisely trying to lure her into stepping into it! In an instant, she instinctively advanced one step, staring intently at Prince Jing: “Leng Lian is in your hands?”

Prince Jing smiled slightly: “Yes. Now that we have the witness, the Crown Prince’s crimes cannot be cleared. Your Majesty the Empress, everyone knows you dote on your son, but you should not continue to defend him. Otherwise, wouldn’t this chill the hearts of all the people in the world?”

The Empress’s hands in her sleeves gripped tightly. She stared at Prince Jing, her gaze incomparably sinister and cold.

The Emperor smiled coldly: “Empress, you are the mistress commanding the Six Palaces, so I have always maintained your dignity and never reproached you in front of others. But look at what you’ve done today—it truly disappoints me!”

Empress Pei was suddenly alarmed. When Leng Lian had not been found and the witness was absent, she could still say the Crown Prince was innocent. But now that Leng Lian had fallen into Prince Jing’s hands, the Crown Prince no longer had any cards to play. Her expression softened, and with graceful bearing she apologized: “Your Majesty, I was merely anxious for a moment.”

The Emperor waved his hand: “First, you should never have barged into my Imperial Study without regard for anything. Second, as the nation’s mother, you gave no consideration to propriety whatsoever, only favoring your own son and obstinately trying to save him. The third matter is even more laughable—you clearly knew that once I have spoken, my golden word is extremely difficult to change, yet you actually urged me to retract my decree. This is truly confused to the extreme!”

With one, two, three crimes listed out, even though Empress Pei had been high and mighty for so many years, she couldn’t help but grit her teeth. She knelt gently on the ground and said in a low voice: “It is this subject-consort who was confused. Please, Your Majesty, punish me.”

The Emperor naturally wished he could drag Empress Pei out and execute her. But he knew that Pei Huaizhen’s power was not merely this. Sure enough, moments later, more than half of the ministers in the Imperial Study actually knelt down, all pleading on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress.

The Emperor glanced around. Among these people were second-rank ministers, several military generals he relied on extremely, and even members of the Zhou family. At this moment, the Emperor only felt his heart grow cold. He said indifferently: “Rise. If I wanted to blame you, I would have already punished you. I only want you to remember that you are the Empress, the nation’s mother. Your every move affects the entire realm. In the future, think three times before acting.”

He paused and continued: “Regarding today’s matter, my decision is made. The Crown Prince is indeed guilty. He is to be locked in the Crown Prince’s residence. The Empress and others must not plead for the Crown Prince again, or they will be severely punished without mercy!”

Empress Pei said indifferently: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor nodded: “Rise.”

Empress Pei stood up, but only felt her legs going weak. Prince Jing smiled and supported her. Empress Pei turned her head to look at Prince Jing and said: “Thank you.”

Prince Jing smiled slightly, that smile incomparably gentle: “What words is Your Majesty speaking! The Crown Prince is my elder brother. You are also my mother empress. Naturally, I must be very filial.”

Empress Pei smiled coldly, turned, and left. Returning to her own palace and sitting down in a chair, only then did she discover that at some point she had become soaked with cold sweat. She felt as if she had returned to when she first entered the palace—that feeling of being unable to grasp or hold onto anything. Once upon a time, she thought this feeling would never follow her again. She had already defeated everything around her and grasped control of everyone. But from the moment Li Weiyang appeared, this palace changed from familiar to strange. That feeling of losing control seemed to have returned. She gently clenched her hands in the empty air.

“Your Majesty.”

Empress Pei looked up with alarm to find Ying Chu standing opposite her. She paused before speaking: “Did you see everything just now?”

Ying Chu lowered his head: “Yes, Your Majesty. This humble minister saw it all. It seems Prince Jing had premeditated plans long ago, waiting for Your Majesty to mistakenly believe Leng Lian had already disappeared and deliberately make a scene with His Majesty, using accumulated authority to force His Majesty to agree to release the Crown Prince.”

Empress Pei sighed lightly: “In the end, I was too anxious.”

Ying Chu looked at Empress Pei. The Pei Huaizhen at this moment seemed different from the person he knew from the past. The woman before him had always been emotionless toward anyone, even able to use her own children as stepping stones. But today she panicked. Why was this? For the Crown Prince? No, the Crown Prince didn’t have such power to shake her. She was gradually losing confidence, losing that feeling of having everything under control.

Ying Chu stepped forward: “Your Majesty need not be anxious. We still have quite a few cards in our hand that haven’t been played. As long as we utilize them properly, we won’t let Prince Jing and the Guo family gain any advantage.” Ying Chu spoke with solemn assurance.

But Empress Pei smiled faintly: “If only matters were truly this easy. Originally, I thought Tuoba Yu was at least an ally who could be supported. Who would have thought he was merely incompetent deadweight? I gave him so many conveniences and assistance, yet he still lost to Yuan Lie.”

Ying Chu naturally understood. They had planted quite a few spies around General Wang Gong—people they had cultivated over many years, who with great difficulty had been inserted and won Wang Gong’s trust. Who knew that once Yuan Lie went there, he would eliminate all those people without the slightest consideration for feelings, then immediately launch an attack on Tuoba Yu. They had originally thought Yuan Lie was an embroidered pillow, but unexpectedly this person truly had some ability—decisive in killing, ruthless in thinking. Even if he couldn’t become a generation’s monarch, he was still a generation’s hero. Now Ying Chu somewhat regretted letting Yuan Lie go in the first place, but regretting now was too late. If anyone was to blame, it could only be that Tuoba Yu was too useless—even in such an advantageous situation, he still failed.

Empress Pei raised her eyes and glanced at Ying Chu: “There’s no hope from the south. What about the east?” She was asking about the war between Yuexi and Great Zhou.

Ying Chu’s expression wasn’t very good. Empress Pei understood immediately in the next moment. She sighed: “It seems our deployments still haven’t had any effect.”

A trace of awkwardness crossed Ying Chu’s face: “Duke Qiguo seems to have been prepared early on. Several of our hidden stakes were all eliminated.”

Empress Pei slowly stood up. She walked two steps in the hall, then turned to look at Ying Chu: “It seems not only do we understand Li Weiyang well, but she understands us just as well. About half of our deployments have been ruined by her hands.”

Ying Chu lowered his head: “Yes, Your Majesty. For now, we must first eliminate this woman. Then we can think of other methods to rescue the Crown Prince—it won’t be too late.”

Empress Pei thought for a moment, then stared at Ying Chu: “We’ve thought of so many schemes but still have no way to permanently eliminate future troubles. In your view, what should we do?” When she said this, a strange brilliance burst forth from her eyes—extremely bright, startlingly bright, frighteningly bright.

Ying Chu, being looked at by those sharp eyes, restrained his smile for the first time. He looked at Empress Pei and slowly revealed an expression of disbelief, because he suddenly understood what Empress Pei wanted him to do.

For a long while, his body seemed frozen into a statue, never moving. Empress Pei reminded him: “Ying Chu, do you understand what I mean?”

Ying Chu was startled and suddenly knelt on the ground: “Your Majesty, Ying Chu once swore to stay by your side for life.”

Empress Pei looked down at him from her elevated position: “But now, I need your help.”

Ying Chu painfully closed his eyes and didn’t speak for a long time. Empress Pei just quietly watched him like this, her expression composed, as if waiting for him to make his own decision, and as if she already knew what choice Ying Chu would make.

Finally, Ying Chu opened his eyes. He lowered his head and said solemnly: “Yes, Your Majesty. Ying Chu will certainly eliminate this future trouble for you.”

Empress Pei finally nodded. Everything that had happened today had made her very displeased, but now she finally smiled. That smile was like sunlight breaking through dark clouds—very beautiful, and with a power to enchant hearts.

Ying Chu watched fixedly, thinking that perhaps this was the last time in his life he would see Empress Pei smile like this.

At this time in Duke Qiguo’s residence, Li Weiyang was holding Li Minzhi, smiling as she asked him: “Where did Mother take you to play today?”

Minzhi played with a pinwheel in his hands, smiling happily: “Today Mother took me to offer incense.”

Li Weiyang nodded: “Was it fun?”

Li Minzhi looked at Li Weiyang: “What’s fun about offering incense? Elder sister, your question is so strange.”

Li Weiyang smiled and stroked his head, then said softly: “For elder sister, as long as I can leave the residence, it’s very fun.”

Li Minzhi looked at Li Weiyang’s expression and found it increasingly strange, tilting his small head to look at her.

Li Weiyang’s smile faded. She only felt that this soft little body and tender voice smoothed over her original trace of unease.

Before long, someone knocked on the door outside. Zhao Yue came in to report: “Miss, Miss Wang requests an audience.”

Li Weiyang glanced at the sky outside and smiled slightly: “Please have her come in.”

When Wang Zijin entered, she saw Li Weiyang playing with Minzhi. Seeing her enter, Li Weiyang didn’t rise to greet her, only smiled: “Please sit.” This meant treating her as one of their own.

Wang Zijin smiled and sat down. Zhao Yue poured her a cup of tea. She took a sip before saying softly: “The palace was quite lively today.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyes to glance at Wang Zijin, saying thoughtfully: “Oh? Was the disturbance quite severe?”

Wang Zijin smiled: “Empress Pei has always been composed, but this time for the Crown Prince’s matter she also caused heaven and earth to flip. Fortunately, Prince Jing timely captured Leng Lian. Otherwise, the Crown Prince might have actually been exonerated.”

Li Weiyang’s voice was calm: “Leng Lian was never going to escape. Prince Jing had been watching her all along. Although she’s extremely clever, she still couldn’t guard against being targeted. “

Wang Zijin looked at Li Weiyang: “So you had already predicted her outcome?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “If she had withdrawn and left earlier, she wouldn’t have fallen deep into the swamp. Actually, these past days I’ve given her many opportunities. As long as she gave up wealth and honor, naturally she could have escaped with her life. Unfortunately, she coveted the Crown Prince’s power and position, so she refused to leave all along. She preferred to maneuver with us. Her scheming wasn’t bad, but her luck was poor.”

Hearing this, Wang Zijin picked up her tea cup and took a sip before slowly saying: “From your words, it seems you had already suspected Prince Jing?”

Li Weiyang immediately shook her head with a smile: “Nonsense. Prince Jing is my cousin. Why would I suspect him?”

Wang Zijin put down her tea cup: “If you didn’t suspect him, how could you predict so early that he would capture Leng Lian?”

Li Weiyang’s expression was calm: “Prince Jing’s thoughts are meticulous and his actions methodical. Some days ago, he appeared eager for quick success—we all thought he greatly coveted the throne. But later when I thought carefully, these displays might not be genuine but performed for His Majesty to see.”

Hearing this, Wang Zijin was somewhat shocked: “Performed for His Majesty to see—what does this mean?”

Li Weiyang laughed lightly: “The meaning is easy to understand. If he always held back and showed no interest in the throne, the Emperor would instead suspect his intentions. Conversely, by appearing anxiously ambitious and impatient, exposing many of his own weaknesses—this method can precisely make His Majesty think he’s merely an impatient prince who cannot accomplish great things.”

Hearing this, Wang Zijin’s expression gradually became solemn. She had already understood Li Weiyang’s meaning. Prince Jing was using a deliberate show of weakness, except this weakness was disguised with aggressive attacks, letting everyone see Prince Jing’s coveting of the throne and the numerous weaknesses he exposed during his attacks. And these weaknesses were the side Prince Jing wanted them to see… or perhaps they had never truly understood Yuan Ying as a person.

Wang Zijin’s heart gradually grew ice-cold: “So you’re saying we’ve all been played by Yuan Ying?”

Li Weiyang said indifferently: “Prince Jing’s scheming is unfathomably deep. Zijin, I advise you to be more careful.”

Wang Zijin steadied herself and looked at Li Weiyang: “You know I have an agreement with Prince Jing?”

Li Weiyang nodded lightly: “The Wang family and Prince Jing made an agreement early on. I didn’t want to interfere originally, but Prince Jing has even deceived you all. His behavior is truly quite unsettling.”

At this time, someone outside said: “Jia’er, you’re being too alarmist.”

Both of them raised their heads at the same time to see Guo Dao walk in with a smile. He wore spotless white robes, his appearance elegant and bearing handsome, causing Wang Zijin to stare fixedly. Wang Zijin spoke: “Does Fifth Young Master trust Prince Jing very much?”

Guo Dao sat down at the table and looked at Wang Zijin: “Miss Wang, after all, Yuan Ying and I grew up together. He is indeed quite deep in thought… and recently has appeared rather eager for quick success. But I believe he’s not that kind of sinister and vicious person.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Fifth Brother, why say words even you don’t believe?”

Guo Dao’s heart shook as he looked at Li Weiyang: “Jia’er, this is…”

Li Weiyang sighed lightly: “Fifth Brother, originally I didn’t want Leng Lian to be captured, so I sent someone to notify her to leave first. But Prince Jing intercepted her halfway. What does this mean? This can only mean he actually knew early on that Leng Lian was a hidden stake I had placed in the Crown Prince’s residence, and knew Leng Lian was doing things for me. Yet he still captured her and used this to threaten the Crown Prince and Empress Pei. The key is that when he captured Leng Lian, he never thought to notify me. This in itself is already very strange. I know Fifth Brother and Prince Jing grew up together and have always had good feelings, but knowing a person’s face doesn’t mean knowing their heart. You and he are ultimately not blood brothers—how can you know what’s in his heart? Prince Jing’s reputation as a smiling tiger didn’t come from nowhere.”

Hearing Li Weiyang speak so aggressively, Guo Dao’s face turned slightly pale. At this time, Li Weiyang had already instructed Zhao Yue to lead the confused Minzhi out, then said: “Actually, what kind of person Prince Jing is—I don’t care. What I truly care about is what he wants to use Duke Qiguo’s residence for. If he genuinely seeks help, why won’t he even let us know his true face? He insists on pretending to be eager for quick success, making Consort Hui worry for him.”

Guo Dao looked at Li Weiyang, hesitating slightly: “Perhaps he has other difficulties.”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly: “In this world, as long as one lives, who doesn’t have difficulties? Fifth Brother, don’t think too well of Prince Jing. His goal is only to compete for the throne. In his eyes, all of us are merely chess pieces!”

Guo Dao was silent for a long while before saying softly: “Jia’er, at least I believe… he genuinely likes you.”

Li Weiyang’s smile became even colder: “Yes, he likes me, but he has no respect for me whatsoever. His actions are more about using me, using the Guo family. No matter how sincere we are toward him, his goal is only one—to ascend to the throne! For this, he won’t hesitate to disguise his true nature!”

Guo Dao looked at Li Weiyang and couldn’t speak for a long time. He really didn’t want to believe Prince Jing was such a person. But recently, based on his observations… Li Weiyang was right. What Yuan Ying displayed was only what he wanted them to see—merely the tip of the iceberg. Could it be that for the throne, Yuan Ying had become so unrecognizable?

Li Weiyang saw Guo Dao’s expression turn dejected and couldn’t help but shake her head. She and Yuan Ying had no friendship whatsoever, so she criticized him without mercy. But Guo Dao had grown up with Yuan Ying, like brothers. Yuan Ying, in order to accomplish great things, kept everything from Duke Qiguo’s residence, even treating these close relatives like puppets to be kneaded and shaped at will. This was truly too disappointing. No wonder Guo Dao displayed such an expression.

Wang Zijin, seeing Guo Dao’s appearance, couldn’t help but softly console: “Fifth Young Master, people merely have different aspirations. Why must you be so sad?”

Guo Dao raised his head to look at Wang Zijin. He hadn’t expected she would actually come to console him. Li Weiyang also looked at Wang Zijin. These past days, she had vaguely felt this young lady seemed to have changed. Previously, she always considered benefits first in everything, but now she actually cared about others’ feelings—and this person was Guo Dao, with whom she had never gotten along very well.

Li Weiyang smiled gently. Perhaps Fifth Brother had already found his marriage match. Thinking of this, she stood up and said to them both: “Prince Jing’s ambitions have been initially exposed. He wants us to charge ahead to deal with Empress Pei. Once Empress Pei falls, who knows if we’ll meet the fate of being disposed of after serving our purpose.”

Guo Dao’s heart turned cold as he looked at Li Weiyang: “Jia’er, will things truly develop to that point?”

Li Weiyang said: “I don’t know. I understand Prince Jing Yuan Ying too little. Perhaps I’m thinking too badly of him. Fifth Brother, I’m naturally a suspicious person, am I not? Just pretend I said nothing.”

Guo Dao truly wished Li Weiyang was just being suspicious, but he knew her suspicions weren’t without reason. He gritted his teeth: “If Yuan Ying truly only treats Duke Qiguo’s residence as a chess piece, I will never forgive him!”

Li Weiyang sighed: “I heard Consort Hui caught a slight cold. Mother and I should enter the palace to visit. If you have time… Fifth Brother, you should also go to Prince Jing’s residence and test his intentions.”

Guo Dao looked at Li Weiyang with some surprise: “Test his intentions?”

Li Weiyang nodded: “Yes, test his intentions.”

Guo Dao hesitated for a moment before agreeing: “Alright, I’ll go.”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Fifth Brother, don’t value feelings too heavily in all matters. Otherwise, the one who gets hurt will only be you.”

Early the next morning, Li Weiyang entered the palace together with Lady Guo to pay respects to Consort Guo Hui.

Consort Guo’s palace appeared very desolate. It was said that recently she had dismissed the palace servants, keeping only her personal maids to attend to her meals and daily needs. As for others, she rarely saw them—quite a taste of living in seclusion. Seeing Lady Guo, Consort Hui’s expression was still very happy. However, Li Weiyang immediately noticed Consort Hui’s complexion was somewhat pale and couldn’t help but say: “Your Majesty, how is your health?”

Consort Guo Hui’s expression was very calm: “I merely caught a slight cold. It’s nothing serious.”

The female official beside her lowered her head and didn’t dare even glance at Lady Guo.

Lady Guo detected some clues and said: “Your Majesty, we are all family. What is there that cannot be said?”

Consort Hui was about to say something when she suddenly coughed violently. She quickly covered herself with a handkerchief. When the coughing temporarily ceased, she smiled: “I’m truly fine. Sister-in-law, you needn’t worry.”

Lady Guo saw spots of bright red on that handkerchief and couldn’t help but be alarmed, quickly saying: “Your Majesty, why are you hiding this from us?”

Consort Hui had already crumpled that handkerchief into a ball and stuffed it into her sleeve, forcing a smile: “Look at what sister-in-law is saying. What am I hiding from you?”

Lady Guo was about to speak when Li Weiyang suddenly grasped her hand and turned to smile at Consort Hui: “Your Majesty, you summoned us into the palace—is there something you wish to say?”

Consort Guo Hui glanced at the female official beside her and waved her hand, saying softly: “All of you go out. I have something to say to them.”

Thus, only Consort Hui, Lady Guo, and Li Weiyang remained in the great hall.

Consort Guo Hui suddenly rose from the bed. Before Lady Guo could help her, she actually knelt on the ground. Both Lady Guo and Li Weiyang were startled and quickly tried to help her up. But Consort Guo Hui grasped Lady Guo’s arm: “Sister-in-law, I have one matter to ask of you.”

Lady Guo said: “Your Majesty, why must you do this? Please rise quickly. I truly cannot accept this!”

Consort Guo Hui said solemnly: “No, sister-in-law, I must ask one thing of you.”

Lady Guo said: “Speak. No matter what it is, I will do my utmost.”

Consort Guo Hui sighed: “Sister-in-law, since I entered the palace, my heart has already died. I’m merely a walking corpse. Mother once told me that being born into Duke Qiguo’s residence means being a Guo clan child for life—one must fulfill one’s duty to the Guo clan and be loyal to the nation. I can say that these many years I haven’t done anything wrong. I’ve been worthy of Mother and worthy of the Guo family.”

Lady Guo said: “Yes, yes. Please stand up and talk.”

But Consort Hui shook her head, insisting on not rising. She looked at Lady Guo: “Recently, I summoned the imperial physician, but he said my time is limited…”

Lady Guo’s tears couldn’t help but flow down. Consort Hui’s health had always been fairly robust, but ever since that time she left the palace to visit Princess Chenliu and returned, Consort Hui’s health had declined day by day. After the palace chambers were burned by fire and she consecutively experienced betrayal by trusted people around her, the Noble Consort’s condition worsening was inevitable. Lady Guo finally helped Consort Guo Hui up, but heard her say in a low voice: “I ask sister-in-law for one thing—in the future, no matter what Yuan Ying does wrong, please do not abandon him.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang already understood. She looked at Consort Guo Hui and gently shook her head. How pitiful are parents’ hearts. Consort Hui was an extremely intelligent person—perhaps she was the first one to see through Prince Jing’s intentions.

Only Consort Hui could be heard saying: “Yuan Ying’s personality is overly stubborn. Anything he wants, he never willingly gives up. Although he’s appeared eager for quick success these past days, I find it very strange. Perhaps he’s secretly plotting something… Sister-in-law, even if just for my sake, if Yuan Ying does something wrong, please…”

Consort Guo Hui’s meaning was very simple. She hoped Duke Qiguo’s residence would not abandon Prince Jing Yuan Ying.

Li Weiyang said indifferently: “Your Majesty Consort Hui, you’re overthinking. Prince Jing is my cousin, Father and Mother’s beloved nephew, Grandmother’s beloved grandson. No matter what, this blood connection will not break.”

Consort Hui looked at Li Weiyang. She knew this young lady was extremely intelligent and had already understood her meaning. Consort Hui sighed: “I’m truly very afraid. Jia’er, tell me—if Yuan Ying makes a mistake, can you forgive him?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “No matter what Prince Jing does, even if just for Aunt’s sake, I will forgive him.”

Li Weiyang said this only because Consort Guo Hui had once saved her, not because she had any forgiving heart toward Prince Jing Yuan Ying. Li Weiyang still understood reciprocating kindness. Moreover, seeing that Consort Hui’s health was already poor—if she told her now that she would never forgive anyone who tried to harm Duke Qiguo’s residence, wouldn’t that be adding frost to snow?

Lady Guo, hearing their conversation, felt very puzzled: “Yuan Ying is just a child. Although overly hasty, it’s not to the point of doing anything wrong. Your Majesty, you needn’t worry too much. Recuperating properly is what matters.”

Consort Guo Hui sighed lightly: “Sister-in-law, you don’t understand my meaning. What I’m saying is…”

At this time, Li Weiyang had already stopped her: “Your Majesty Consort Hui, your health is poor. You still shouldn’t speak too much. Jia’er understands your meaning!”

Consort Guo Hui’s eyes showed a flash of tears, then she smiled gently: “Jia’er, I’m truly very happy for sister-in-law. She spent so many years searching for her daughter. Now she’s finally found you. To be able to stay together forever with one’s own family—this is such a happy thing. Unlike me, locked in this golden cage, aging day by day. Now I’m merely waiting to die.”

Li Weiyang gently stepped forward and grasped Consort Guo Hui’s ice-cold hand. She smiled: “Your Majesty, no matter where you are, we are all one family.”

Consort Guo Hui gently pressed her cheek against Li Weiyang’s hand.

Li Weiyang felt those scalding tears falling drop by drop on the back of her hand. Because Consort Guo Hui had turned her face away from Lady Guo, only Li Weiyang felt the pain in her heart.

No one’s heart was more bitter than Consort Hui’s now, was it? She clearly knew her son was wildly ambitious, single-mindedly thinking of using Duke Qiguo’s residence to ascend to the throne, yet she could do nothing. Years ago, she had resolutely given up her beloved and entered the palace for the sake of the family. Now, between family and her biological son, she struggled desperately to seek a middle path.

How can one find a method that satisfies both—she would probably end up drawing water with a bamboo basket in vain.

Li Weiyang sighed lightly. Yuan Ying, oh Yuan Ying, can you see your mother’s heart? This is her protecting you, seeking a guarantee for your future.

Three days later, Leng Lian was transferred to the imperial prison. Li Weiyang felt she needed to see her once more. Perhaps she and Leng Lian shared little affection, but both being from Great Li, there were some words she always wanted to ask clearly. Because she had the gold token Yuan Lie left behind, plus Duke Qiguo’s residence going to great lengths to make arrangements, entering the imperial prison wasn’t difficult—she just had to avoid certain people. Deep into the night, Li Weiyang finally saw Leng Lian. In the narrow prison cell, Leng Lian merely moved slightly. The iron shackles made a clanging sound. On that exquisitely beautiful face was unprecedented mockery.

“Li Weiyang, have you come to send me on my way?” She had returned to her former mode of address.

Li Weiyang ordered the jailer to open the door and stepped into the cell. Hearing this, she smiled slightly: “Leng Lian, you should know that this time you will certainly die.”

Leng Lian laughed softly: “Since I’ve been locked in prison, I’ve already thought of death. I just didn’t expect you would come to see this old friend tonight.”

Compared to Leng Lian’s eyes full of mockery, Li Weiyang was very calm: “We’ve known each other for many years. I know you don’t fear death. I just didn’t expect this day would come so quickly…” Before Leng Lian could speak, Li Weiyang continued: “Your death doesn’t matter much, but what about Tuoba Xu? What do you plan to do with him?”

Leng Lian was startled, then fell into silence.

Li Weiyang observed her expression and said coldly: “You’ve wasted your role as a mother. Don’t you know a mother’s duty? Now you’re imprisoned. If the Emperor truly kills you, you’ll certainly die and be done with it. But what about Tuoba Xu? Now he’s no longer a Great Li prince but merely a fugitive being hunted. He’s still so young—do you want him to live a life of wandering displacement? I know you left him with farming households, but what obligation do they have to raise your child for free? Leng Lian, have you truly never thought about your own biological son?”

Leng Lian still stubbornly said: “I was originally a woman who coveted wealth and honor, only thinking of myself. If I had been willing to think of him even a little bit back then, how could I have left him at a farmhouse without care? Li Weiyang, don’t think you can stir up my emotions this way. No matter what you say, it’s useless!”

Li Weiyang looked at her coldly and smiled: “Is that so? Actually, I’ve been thinking all along—who exactly is the master behind you?”

Hearing Li Weiyang say this, Leng Lian couldn’t help but furrow her brow: “What do you mean by this?”

Li Weiyang’s expression was calm: “From the time you came to Yuexi, I’ve been turning this question over repeatedly in my mind. Tuoba Yu refused to take you in. You couldn’t stay in the palace either. But with just that beautiful face, you could survive anywhere. Why travel thousands of miles to come to Yuexi? Merely because of Ying Chu’s threats to you? No, that’s impossible.”

Leng Lian’s voice was coldly quiet: “Because I wanted to seek a good future for myself. Because I didn’t want to grow old alone like this. Even more because I felt I was born noble and absolutely could not waste my life without accomplishments. Otherwise, wouldn’t I have failed this beautiful face?” As she said this, her voice was already filled with endless sarcasm.

Li Weiyang laughed lightly. In this silent night, her laughter was especially clear, carrying a power that trembled people’s hearts.

Leng Lian felt uneasy at her laughter: “Li Weiyang, what exactly is your purpose? In the current situation, you could completely ignore me. After all, I’m a Great Li spy. No matter what I say, no one will easily believe it. You also needn’t worry I’ll frame you, because I have no evidence, do I? Why did you come here—what exactly do you want to say!”

Li Weiyang’s gaze fell on Leng Lian, her tone very peaceful, completely unaffected by the other party: “Leng Lian, I only want to know—for whose sake did you come to Yuexi?”

Leng Lian, seeing Li Weiyang persistently pursue this question, couldn’t help but say impatiently: “Li Weiyang, I already said—the person directing me is Ying Chu. What exactly are you suspicious about?! I’m a person about to die—what reason do I have to deceive you!”

Li Weiyang shook her head and looked intently at Leng Lian: “Your approach to the Crown Prince—was it your own idea or was it instigated by someone else?”

Leng Lian was startled: “Wasn’t it you who had me approach the Crown Prince? Why are you asking such a laughable question?”

Li Weiyang sighed lightly: “Yes, originally I also thought everything was my arrangement. From your entry into Yuexi to my using you to approach the Crown Prince—all of this was clearly so smooth, so smooth I could hardly believe it. I originally thought it would take some effort to get you close to the Crown Prince, but unexpectedly you willingly allowed me to fan the flames… Should I say you’re too foolish, or that I had it too easy?”

Leng Lian said mockingly: “Just consider that I naturally love vanity, covet power and wealth. Add to that the Crown Prince is young and handsome, holds high position and great power. I admired him and wanted to use him to climb high—what’s wrong with that?”

Li Weiyang said indifferently: “Indeed, this was also my original thinking. But now I no longer see it that way.”

Leng Lian knew how cunning and suspicious the woman opposite her was, and couldn’t help but furrow her brow: “What do you mean by this?”

Li Weiyang’s voice was very peaceful: “The most important point is—you clearly had the opportunity to escape and could have just left. Why were you still captured by Prince Jing?”

Leng Lian was shocked and lowered her head without saying a word.

Li Weiyang vaguely confirmed the suspicion in her heart and said: “Originally I thought you were a chess piece of Empress Pei’s, but thinking carefully, no matter how sinister and vicious Empress Pei is, she wouldn’t harm her own son. So your true master definitely cannot be Empress Pei. If we speak of having enmity with the Crown Prince, Prince Jing is also highly suspect, but I don’t think he did this either. Otherwise, he could have already taken advantage of the opportunity to strike. Why wait until now? Thinking it over, I could never guess who this person was, but tonight I suddenly understood.”

Leng Lian suddenly raised her head, her gaze vaguely carrying a trace of trepidation and unease.

Li Weiyang smiled: “Your true master is Ying Chu. You two colluded long ago. As for your claims about being coerced by him—all lies, merely to gain my trust.”

Leng Lian looked at her in shock, losing her voice: “What nonsense are you spouting? It was Ying Chu who forced me to enter Yuexi, and he who left me with no way out. How could I be loyal to him?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “Yes, such an incredible thing—I wouldn’t dare believe it either. But this happens to be the truth.”

Leng Lian finally steadied herself and sneered: “I think you’ve truly gone mad. Ying Chu is someone by Empress Pei’s side. Why would he frame the Crown Prince? This makes no sense!”

Li Weiyang shook her head: “After coming to Yuexi, I encountered many incredible things and met many people I couldn’t understand. Ying Chu is the one I understand least. He clearly serves Empress Pei loyally, yet seems to secretly test her constantly. He should be assisting the Crown Prince, yet always undermines him. Tell me, what is he thinking?”

Leng Lian fell silent. Those beautiful eyes emitted a faint glow in the quiet dungeon. She dared not say another word, because Li Weiyang was using her words to confirm her suspicions step by step.

Li Weiyang smiled: “Actually, even if you don’t speak, I understand everything. I just wonder—when did you and Ying Chu begin colluding? After you entered Yuexi, or as far back as when you were in Great Li?”

Leng Lian finally couldn’t help but say: “Li Weiyang, don’t you think your imagination is too vivid? The Crown Prince may detest Ying Chu, but Ying Chu isn’t that foolish. He hasn’t done anything to scheme against the Crown Prince or anger Empress Pei!”

Li Weiyang sighed lightly: “No, he has reason. Because he saw that though Empress Pei is cold and ruthless, she still cares deeply about the Crown Prince. So he wanted to eliminate the Crown Prince—only because he cannot tolerate anyone being more important than him in Empress Pei’s heart. Now it’s the Crown Prince. In the future, there might be another person…” She paused here, watching Leng Lian’s expression, and saw that exquisitely beautiful face had already turned pale as paper. “I’m guessing Ying Chu must have promised you that no matter what methods Prince Jing uses, and whether His Majesty wants to kill you, he has ways to switch you out and let you escape with your life. Isn’t that right?”

Leng Lian never expected Li Weiyang could even guess at his promises. Her teeth chattered involuntarily as she spoke: “You, what else do you know?”

Li Weiyang’s gaze swept around this quiet prison, finally falling on Leng Lian’s face. She said quietly: “At first when you entered Yuexi, I thought you came for me. Actually, this wasn’t wrong, but later Ying Chu seemed to change his plan. Through my hands, he sent you to the Crown Prince’s side, step by step earning the Crown Prince’s trust. Now you’ve become the Crown Prince’s beloved concubine. Even stranger, he didn’t hesitate to use himself as the price to make both the Crown Prince and Empress Pei believe you were only connected to me, Li Weiyang, and had nothing to do with him, Ying Chu—all just to deceive others. In other words, he even used me.”

Leng Lian’s voice trembled constantly, and even her body began to shake with unease: “What evidence do you have!”

Seeing her remain obstinate, Li Weiyang sighed softly: “Sometimes these matters don’t require evidence… Actually, before I came, there were still many doubts I couldn’t resolve. Now I understand everything. Leng Lian, Ying Chu is a clever person—in fact, the cleverest person I’ve encountered so far. Unfortunately, this clever person is too deeply infatuated, to the point of madness. To test Empress Pei, he didn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself. To eliminate the Crown Prince, he didn’t hesitate to use everyone in the world. And what were you helping him for?”

Leng Lian knew everything could no longer be hidden. She laughed coldly: “Because Ying Chu promised me one thing.”

Li Weiyang turned her eyes to look at her: “What thing?”

Leng Lian said word by word: “He promised—to help me restore my nation.”

Hearing these two words, Li Weiyang felt it utterly absurd: “Restore your nation?”

Leng Lian nodded, her expression incomparably solemn: “Yes, restore my nation. He promised me that when he grasps great power, he will help me reclaim the throne and support me as empress. Then I will be a nation’s ruler, no longer having to live under others’ noses or bow and scrape to anyone!”

Li Weiyang’s heart shook violently. She stared at Leng Lian for a long while without speaking. No wonder she didn’t consider the consequences of being exposed by the Crown Prince—the temptation was this great.

Leng Lian laughed loudly: “Li Weiyang, you never imagined I would have such ambition, did you? Since entering Great Li’s palace, I’ve harbored this dream—someday I will restore my nation.”

Li Weiyang looked at her quietly: “Do you truly trust Ying Chu? He’s merely using you.”

Leng Lian smiled faintly: “Though my homeland has perished, now Yuexi, Great Zhou, and Great Li harbor different intentions. War rages continuously and hearts have scattered. As long as I plan properly and rally support with my identity as an imperial princess, those former civil and military officials and heroes will surely come at the news. Restoring the nation is just a matter of time.”

Li Weiyang understood. Stirring up conflict among the three nations—Ying Chu had a hand in this too. And Leng Lian took this precisely as proof that he was fulfilling his promise to her.

Leng Lian said word by word: “All these years I’ve endured shame and humiliation, constantly sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall. I can’t forget the noble blood flowing through my veins, nor can I forget how my parents and imperial sister died so miserably. From Great Li to Yuexi to the Crown Prince’s residence—I know that one day the music of national restoration will begin to play! Li Weiyang, what I’m doing has no conflict with you. Even after I become empress, I can help you in return. So just pretend you don’t know!”

Li Weiyang looked at her quietly, then suddenly laughed.

Leng Lian couldn’t help but furrow her brow tightly: “Are you mocking me for foolish delusions?”

Li Weiyang shook her head lightly: “No, it’s always good for people to have dreams. I have my position, you have yours. Standing in different places, we naturally see different scenery. But you trust Ying Chu—I don’t. He’s not someone who keeps promises. He could abandon you at any time, just like how your deliberately falling into Prince Jing’s hands now is merely Ying Chu wanting to use Prince Jing to eliminate the Crown Prince, isn’t it? After it succeeds, will Ying Chu spare you?”

Leng Lian’s heart shook, but she smiled and said firmly: “No, it won’t happen. Ying Chu won’t betray me, because I have something he wants.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows, somewhat surprised: “What makes you so confident?”

Leng Lian’s eyes brightened: “Years ago, my imperial father left behind a treasure trove. As long as Ying Chu supports me in returning to my homeland and ascending the throne, I will take out this treasure and split it with him. At that time, he can use sufficient financial and material resources to obtain the person he truly wants.”

Li Weiyang’s eyes narrowed slightly. She never expected such an agreement existed between Ying Chu and Leng Lian. Her thoughts raced, but finally she sighed: “Since you have such lofty aspirations, I have no way to change your thinking. Very well, good or bad—it’s up to you. For the sake of our acquaintance, I only hope you can achieve your wish soon.” After speaking, she had already turned to walk outside.

Leng Lian suddenly said coldly: “Li Weiyang, you don’t believe I’ll succeed? I will definitely succeed! I’ll prove it to you—I will succeed!”

Li Weiyang’s steps halted. After a long while, she finally turned around, her gaze calm as she looked at Leng Lian: “Then I’ll offer my congratulations in advance for your wishes coming true.” Saying this, she smiled lightly and gracefully departed.

Leng Lian angrily clenched her fists. She knew Li Weiyang didn’t believe her. Though she wore a smile, her eyes held contempt. Why did Li Weiyang have so many people following by her side, while she herself tried her utmost to finally attach herself to Great Li’s emperor, only for that old man to uselessly die? Then she chose Tuoba Yu, but his heart only held Li Weiyang. Left with no choice, she formed an alliance with Ying Chu, hoping to use his power to help her climb to the peak. How could she not know what Li Weiyang said? Ying Chu was a two-faced, fickle scoundrel. But Leng Lian had no choice. She had to trust him, because this was her only chance. She had to risk everything and gamble!

That afternoon, Li Weiyang sat idly in her study, holding Minzhi in her arms, teaching him to recognize characters.

Minzhi bit his lip and somewhat impatiently turned a page, quickly glancing at Li Weiyang before saying in a small voice: “Elder sister, what use is reading this book?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “What, Minzhi doesn’t like this book?”

Li Minzhi blinked: “Minzhi doesn’t like such essays. Minzhi likes things with substance.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows: “Oh? For example…”

Minzhi thought for a moment and said seriously: “For example, those travel records in Fifth Brother’s room—Minzhi really likes those.”

Guo Dao was naturally free-spirited and most detested moralizing essays. His study contained quite a few mountain and river chronicles. Li Weiyang furrowed her brow, somewhat surprised: “You like those landscape travel records?”

Minzhi nodded, but heard Li Weiyang sigh. Minzhi said somewhat nervously: “Elder sister, did I do something wrong?”

Li Weiyang stroked his head and said softly: “You did nothing wrong.”

Minzhi looked somewhat troubled as he imitated Li Weiyang by furrowing his small brow: “Did I disappoint elder sister? Fourth Brother also says this about me.”

Guo Dun? Li Weiyang smiled: “What did Fourth Brother say about you?”

Minzhi hesitated before saying: “Fourth Brother said I’m a tiger cub from a military family and should have some heroic spirit, so he wants to teach me to use swords.”

This was indeed something the martial Guo Dun would say. Li Weiyang’s voice was gentle: “Then what does Minzhi think? Do you want to become a prime minister or a general in the future?”

Though young, Minzhi was very sensible and said in his childish voice: “Minzhi doesn’t like either… But that won’t do. Everyone says I’m elder sister’s younger brother and can’t disappoint you, so they want me to study and practice calligraphy well, and also practice martial arts.”

Li Weiyang smiled and pinched his tender face: “Minzhi, though you’re still young, elder sister hopes you understand some things. Life is your own. Live it however makes you happy. You don’t need to be both civil and martial, nor do you need to be richly learned. Elder sister only hopes you can choose freely among farming, reading, fishing, or woodcutting. If a person is bound for life by wealth, honor, and others’ gazes, would he feel happy?”

Minzhi said with delight: “Really? Then I don’t have to study and practice calligraphy anymore, or practice archery?”

Li Weiyang’s face turned stern: “That’s not it. After all, you’re a boy. Do you want to become an illiterate person who’s good for nothing? Elder sister is just telling you—studying literature is to broaden one’s mind, practicing martial arts is to strengthen one’s body. I don’t require you to compete for fame and glory, nor do I require you to fight for wealth and honor, but I never said you could slack off!”

Minzhi scratched his head. After a moment, he said seriously like an adult: “Since elder sister says so, I will definitely study martial arts and practice calligraphy properly.”

Li Weiyang smiled. Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly heard Zhao Yue come in to report: “Miss, Leng Lian is dead. They say she smashed the porcelain bowl used for delivering food, took a sharp shard and pierced her own throat. Blood flowed everywhere before she died.”

Li Weiyang’s smile froze: “Are you certain this is true? Are you sure it was Leng Lian herself and not a substitute?”

Zhao Yue nodded: “Miss, if I weren’t certain of the news, how would I dare tell you? I had someone confirm it—that was indeed Leng Lian herself.”

Li Weiyang put down Minzhi and gently patted his head: “Minzhi, go find Mother. Sister Zhao Yue and I have something to discuss.” She then pushed the plate of pastries on the table toward him.

Minzhi happily grabbed a honey cake and ran out on his little legs, pattering away.

Li Weiyang watched his departing figure. After a moment of silence, she turned back: “When did this happen?”

Zhao Yue said in a low voice: “Not long after Miss left.”

Li Weiyang pondered slowly: “No, this is impossible. Leng Lian would never commit suicide.”

Hearing Li Weiyang say this, Zhao Yue said with some doubt: “Miss, why are you so certain? Her current situation is extremely dangerous. When a person is pushed to the extreme, why couldn’t she take her own life?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Didn’t you hear what Leng Lian said that night? She wholeheartedly hopes that after restoring her nation she can become an empress above all. How could she inexplicably commit suicide? If you say it was faking death, that’s also impossible. After all, the Ministry of Justice must examine the body.”

Zhao Yue thought carefully and also found this matter suspicious. That day she went with Li Weiyang, and she still remembered that hidden excitement in Leng Lian’s expression. She tentatively guessed: “Miss, could someone be deliberately using this matter to frame you?”

Li Weiyang smiled lightly: “What use would framing me serve?” As she said this, a voice suddenly came from the doorway: “Guo Jia!”

Li Weiyang turned her head to see Prince Jing standing at the study doorway in fury. The maidservants beside him tried to stop him but he pushed them aside. He strode in angrily: “Jia’er, why did you kill Leng Lian?”

Li Weiyang’s eyes turned cold: “Prince Jing! Barging in without announcement—do you think this is Prince Jing’s residence?”

Prince Jing, seeing her like this, took it as her tacit admission and grew even more furious: “Why did you do this?”

Li Weiyang didn’t explain, only disgusted by his arrogance: “Prince Jing, what reason do I have to explain to you?”

Prince Jing was so angry his teeth ground together. He wanted to step forward and shake the person before him awake, but couldn’t bear to. He couldn’t restrain himself: “You clearly knew I wanted to use Leng Lian to deal with the Crown Prince. Even if you hated Leng Lian for betraying you, you shouldn’t have forced her to suicide at this juncture. You’ve ruined my entire plan! Why did you do this? Is it just to oppose me!”

This person was simply unreasonable! What did Leng Lian’s death have to do with her? Li Weiyang’s expression slowly turned cold as she stared at him: “If I said I never forced Leng Lian to suicide, would you believe me?”

Prince Jing’s breathing halted. He stared at Li Weiyang for a long while without speaking. From the first time he saw this cousin, it had overturned his memories of Guo Jia. In his imagination, his cousin should naturally be gentle and gracious like Lady Guo, kind and dignified—his future betrothed. But he never imagined the returning Guo Jia would be completely different from what he thought. True, she was equally beautiful and delicate, but her heart was like a cold stone that couldn’t be warmed no matter how much he tried. No matter how he tried to please her or how much he admired her, she remained unmoved. He still remembered the first time he saw Li Weiyang and Prince Xu Yuan Lie together—how shocked and furious he was. He only wanted to know why Li Weiyang would choose Yuan Lie and abandon him! At this moment, he forced himself to calm down and looked into Li Weiyang’s eyes: “Jia’er, I want to believe you. But since yesterday, only you secretly entered the heavenly prison to see Leng Lian. How can you make me believe you!”

Li Weiyang didn’t hide anything, only asked in return: “If I truly wanted to kill her, why would I wait until you captured her first? I could have acted long ago, couldn’t I?”

Prince Jing was startled. He had always been calm and composed, almost able to remain unfazed even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. But at this moment, his expression changed dramatically: “You mean… you didn’t sabotage my plan?”

Li Weiyang sneered mockingly: “May I ask, why would I sabotage your plan? You dealing with the Crown Prince is also my wish, isn’t it? Even if I truly wanted Leng Lian dead, why wouldn’t I simply wait until after she testified against the Crown Prince? Why rush to act now? Am I insane?”

Prince Jing stared at her, the speculation in his heart involuntarily flowing out: “Because you detest me, don’t you? Though you’ve never admitted it, from the first moment you saw me, you disliked me very much. I really want to ask—why?”

Li Weiyang silently gazed at Prince Jing Yuan Ying. Yes, why didn’t she like Yuan Ying? From the first time she met this man, her heart held a vague sense of disgust. Though she carefully concealed this point and tried to treat him indifferently, she still couldn’t develop the slightest favorable feeling toward this person.

Now that he suddenly asked, she realized Prince Jing Yuan Ying resembled someone from years past. Yes, they were both equally wildly ambitious, cautiously careful, desperately fighting for that dragon throne, desperately concealing their true predatory nature. Clearly beasts with fangs bared, yet they pretended to be as gentle and kind as little deer, trampling everyone they could use underfoot without mercy. This made it truly impossible for her to develop any good feelings toward Prince Jing Yuan Ying. But she never expected he could perceive this… Li Weiyang’s lips held a slight smile, but her brow showed faint distance: “Prince Jing overthinks. In my heart, you’re merely a cousin. There’s no question of likes or dislikes.”

Prince Jing’s voice was like black ice from a frozen cellar: “You’re lying. You detest me! So you’ve been trying every way to sabotage my plans. If not, why did you say such things to my imperial mother?”

Li Weiyang’s heart jumped. She raised her eyes to look at Prince Jing: “You’ve always had spies by Consort Hui’s side?”

Crimson anger gradually burned in his eyes. Prince Jing laughed coldly: “That’s not called spies—it’s merely to protect my imperial mother’s safety!”

Monitoring his own biological mother—he did it as a matter of course, without guilt, not knowing he had inadvertently exposed his ambition and coldness. Li Weiyang shook her head: “Even your own biological mother you must suspect. What right do you have to ask others to help and trust you?”

Prince Jing slightly narrowed his eyes, coldly sizing her up. After a long while, he slowly said word by word: “I already said—it’s only to protect my imperial mother. Don’t be alarmist.”

Li Weiyang smiled lightly: “Speaking so righteously—you’re merely worried Consort Hui would disregard you as her son for the Guo family’s interests, aren’t you?”

Prince Jing seemed to surge with tremendous anger. To restrain himself from losing composure on the spot, he anxiously turned and paced two steps in the room, then suddenly turned back to stare at Li Weiyang: “Yes, so what? She once didn’t hesitate to give up her own beloved for the family’s sake. At critical moments, will she give up me, her biological son, for the family again? This is all unknown. I’m merely being prepared in advance.”

Li Weiyang’s lips curled with mocking coldness: “So, not even trusting your biological mother—what qualifications does someone like you have to demand I like and respect you? Simply absurd!”

Prince Jing felt the blood in his body begin to rage angrily at this sentence, running wild through his meridians as if about to burst forth. With a sweep of his long sleeve, he angrily smashed a vase on the table to the ground—immediately a floor of scattered crimson.

Complex thoughts tangled through her mind, but Li Weiyang’s tone remained calm: “Prince Jing, you’ve always carefully hidden yourself. Why expose everything before me?”

Prince Jing’s eyes held cold light sharp as a sword and red as blood: “Because I want you to know what the real me is like.”

Li Weiyang lowered her eyes and smiled slightly: “Whether you’re genuine or not, whether your feelings for me are real—I don’t care at all.”

Prince Jing laughed coldly, but his laughter carried traces of madness: “Why? What about Yuan Lie is better than me? So much so that for him you won’t even glance at me!”

Li Weiyang looked at Prince Jing Yuan Ying. Why was this person before her so obsessed with her? From beginning to end, she hadn’t even given him a single smile, always so distant and indifferent. Could it be that people were just this perverse—the more they couldn’t obtain something, the more they wanted it?

Prince Jing took a deep breath, slowly organizing his emotions, still wearing his habitual smile: “I know how you treated Tuoba Yu before, but you should know I’m completely different from him. I’m not as weak as him, nor as incompetent. I only know that everything will ultimately be mine—including the throne and you!”

Li Weiyang looked into those eyes. Prince Jing Yuan Ying had never given up his thoughts about her. He was merely enduring, constantly suppressing. When the day came for it to erupt, these blazing flames would probably burn everyone to ashes.

Thinking this, Li Weiyang looked at him expressionlessly. Between them was an atmosphere of surging undercurrents, as if about to explode at any moment. But at this time, they heard a great laugh from outside: “The sun is so bright outside today. Instead of going out for a walk, what are you two discussing here?”

Li Weiyang turned her head. Guo Dao stood in the doorway, his face still bearing deep smiles, though his brow had already furrowed lightly—clearly he had heard the previous conversation. But his appearance timely broke the stiff atmosphere between Li Weiyang and Prince Jing Yuan Ying.

Guo Dao tried hard to appear as usual, smiling as if nothing had happened: “Yuan Ying, I was just looking everywhere for you. Grandmother is summoning you for a talk—how did you disappear without a trace?”

Yuan Ying didn’t smile. His eyes appeared even more gloomy. His sharp gaze shot straight toward Guo Dao. Finally, Prince Jing’s face slowly formed a smile, though his tone was colder than usual: “Nothing much. I merely came to say a few words to Jia’er.”

Guo Dao smiled: “Alright, you needn’t explain further. Grandmother is still waiting for you. Go quickly.”

Hearing Guo Dao say this, Prince Jing turned back to gaze deeply at Li Weiyang once more. Then, wearing his mask-like gentle smile, he responded and turned to leave.

Guo Dao glanced at his departing figure, then turned to look at the broken vase on the floor. His smile slowly sank: “Jia’er, what exactly happened?”

Li Weiyang smiled, her expression calm: “Prince Jing thinks I killed Leng Lian.”

Guo Dao furrowed his brow: “How is that possible? Has he gone mad? Why would you kill Leng Lian?”

Li Weiyang shook her head: “Perhaps someone deliberately misled Prince Jing, hoping he’d think I was opposing him. Or perhaps it’s just coincidence—who knows?” As she said this, her expression held considerable self-mockery.

Guo Dao grew increasingly confused. He looked at Li Weiyang: “You’re saying someone is deliberately sowing discord between Duke Qiguo’s residence and Prince Jing?”

Li Weiyang sighed and stood up: “Actually, ever since I refused the marriage, Prince Jing has stopped trusting Duke Qiguo’s residence, hasn’t he?”

Guo Dao’s face showed difficulty. He hesitated for a long while before saying: “Jia’er, just do as your heart dictates. Don’t consider other matters.”

Li Weiyang’s face rippled with a smile: “As the daughter of Duke Qiguo’s residence, I should naturally share my parents’ burdens. But Prince Jing truly isn’t worth entrusting one’s life to. This person hides too deeply… so much so that even after being together with him for so many years, you all couldn’t see through his true face. If not for him revealing the tip of the iceberg this time, all of us would still be kept in the dark, not knowing when we’d be stabbed in the back by him. That would truly be the joke of the century.”

Guo Dao’s upturned eyes seemed to conceal hidden sharpness: “You’re right. I do feel Yuan Ying is becoming increasingly unfamiliar. He’s not at all like the good friend I used to know.”

Li Weiyang still remembered that warm feeling when she first met Yuan Ying and the Guo family. Now such warmth no longer existed. Yuan Ying didn’t hesitate to use Duke Qiguo’s residence and Li Weiyang at any cost. When he couldn’t do this, he placed everyone in opposition. Li Weiyang thought for a moment before speaking: “Fifth Brother, I want to spare the Crown Prince.”

Hearing Li Weiyang say this, Guo Dao was completely shocked: “What did you say? Spare the Crown Prince—do you know what you’re saying?”

Li Weiyang moved closer to him: “I naturally know what I’m saying. If the Crown Prince falls now, who will benefit?”

At such close distance, he could even see her slightly trembling eyelashes, casting serenity on her clear face. Guo Dao’s heart stuttered, and he quickly turned slightly aside: “You’re worried Prince Jing will take advantage of this matter?”

Li Weiyang sighed lightly: “Previously I didn’t take this person seriously, but now I think he’s truly a troublesome person—perhaps even more troublesome than the Crown Prince.”

Guo Dao said hesitantly: “Sparing the Crown Prince—what about Empress Pei? Isn’t this giving her a chance to turn things around?”

Li Weiyang’s eyes seemed to hold more amusement: “Sparing the Crown Prince doesn’t mean sparing Empress Pei. They’re not one entity—have you forgotten?”

Hearing this, Guo Dao felt increasingly confused, but he didn’t refute Li Weiyang because he knew her every action had reason. He only said worriedly: “I wonder what kind of things Prince Jing will do?”

Li Weiyang turned to look at the spring flowers blooming in the courtyard, only saying indifferently: “I don’t know either. I hope he can wake up in time.”

For some reason, when Guo Dao heard her answer, the heart he had raised seemed to gently settle down in that instant.

When Guo Dao and Li Weiyang arrived at the great hall, Princess Chenliu was holding Prince Jing’s hand, smiling as she asked him: “Has a princess consort been decided yet?”

Prince Jing merely smiled slightly: “Grandmother asks this question every time. If you’re so anxious, why not simply marry Jia’er to me?”

Princess Chenliu was startled, then looked toward Li Weiyang and smiled: “Jia’er won’t do. She’s already been betrothed to Prince Xu. You’d better choose someone else. Unfortunately, your aunt didn’t give birth to another daughter. If Dao’er were also a girl, she’d certainly be beautiful with delicate features—I’d make the decision to marry him to you!”

Guo Dao, hearing this, nearly spat out the mouthful of tea he’d just taken: “Grandmother, you like Yuan Ying, but you can’t tease me like this!”

Clearly Princess Chenliu was deliberately changing the subject, and Guo Dao’s cooperation seemed to add three parts of humor. But Jiang Shi standing to the side felt somewhat uneasy. Though merely an inner chamber woman, even she detected a trace of unease flowing through the great hall. Everyone was smiling, but their smiles seemed to hide unease.

Jiang Shi looked somewhat anxiously at Prince Jing, feeling he was different from usual. He always seemed tender and warm with gentle smiles, yet beneath this warmth, people glimpsed a trace of killing intent.

Lady Guo looked at Li Weiyang and smiled: “The front has been victorious. Prince Xu should return to the capital soon. Our family’s wedding should also be prepared early.” These words were clearly said for Prince Jing to hear.

Yuan Ying wore a smile on his face, slightly raising his eyes. A meaning flashed through them that was impossible to fathom—as if completely unaffected.

Only then did Lady Guo breathe a sigh of relief. She had been worried Prince Jing would be displeased on the spot—that would truly require some caution. But Lady Guo was relieved; Princess Chenliu clearly didn’t think so. She had a deeper understanding of Prince Jing and merely smiled: “Prince Xu probably won’t return to the capital that quickly. Why are you so anxious to marry Jia’er off so soon? Don’t you feel reluctant?”

Lady Guo smiled warmly: “As long as Jia’er is happy and content, what’s there for me to feel reluctant about?” After speaking, she turned to Prince Jing: “Speaking of which, I have a ready-made princess consort candidate to recommend to you.”

Prince Jing’s eyes flickered slightly. Finally, he only slowly spoke: “Which family’s young lady is aunt speaking of?”

Lady Guo observed his expression and smiled gracefully: “The Wang family’s daughter. Prince Jing knows her, doesn’t he?”

Li Weiyang’s heart sank slightly. Recently, Wang Zijin had visited the Guo residence quite frequently. Everyone knew Wang Zijin and Duke Qiguo’s eldest daughter, Guo Jia, had become good friends. Precisely because of this, Wang Zijin had quite a bit of interaction with Lady Guo. Wang Zijin had an amiable temperament, beautiful appearance, and noble birth. When they first met, she still had three parts of proud self-regard, but now she grew increasingly peaceful and approachable—making people like her upon sight. That’s why Lady Guo would recommend Wang Zijin to Prince Jing.

Li Weiyang instinctively looked toward Guo Dao, but saw him lowering his head to drink tea, quietly thinking his own thoughts—who knew what he thought of this matter. Li Weiyang sighed lightly. Mother, oh mother, you’re truly careless. Can’t you see that Wang Zijin likes Fifth Brother?

Prince Jing was first startled, then put down his teacup. His voice had neither coldness nor warmth: “Miss Wang is indeed a gentlewoman of a noble family. Unfortunately, my heart belongs to another and I’m unsuited to marrying her as princess consort.”

Hearing this, Lady Guo was startled, unease flickering in her eyes: “In that case, I’ve been meddlesome. Your Highness’s marriage should naturally be decided by His Majesty and Her Majesty the Consort.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Mother, you only meant well. How could Prince Jing’s standards be so high? I wonder which family’s daughter will have such good fortune to become my cousin-in-law.” Li Weiyang used gentle force to deflect, tossing back the ball Prince Jing had thrown.

Prince Jing’s expression sank slightly, thinking: Guo Jia, can you truly not understand? The reason I refused Wang Zijin is because of you. Do you really think I’ll watch you marry Prince Xu Yuan Lie? But he only suppressed these thoughts in his heart without revealing them at all. On the surface, he still maintained a calm and breezy appearance, though his smile deepened.

Lady Guo sighed lightly: “Miss Wang is truly a good young lady. For Prince Jing to look down even on her is quite a pity.”

Guo Dao spoke up: “Mother, don’t be so eager to matchmake for others. Whether Miss Wang is willing or not is still uncertain!”

Everyone raised their heads, looking at Guo Dao with strange expressions. Guo Dao was startled: “Why are you all looking at me like that?”

Lady Guo narrowed her eyes, smiling but not smiling: “Speaking of which, Miss Wang often has tea and heartfelt conversations with you. Could it be you also…”

Before Lady Guo could finish, Guo Dao stood up with a whoosh, waving his hands repeatedly: “Please spare me, Mother. If I married such a precious young lady as Miss Wang, I’d have no good days left. No, no—I’d rather die than agree!” Saying this, as if afraid Lady Guo would force the person on him, he quickly turned and left.

Lady Guo was stunned. She turned to Princess Chenliu: “What’s wrong with this child?”

Li Weiyang shook her head. Fortunately Wang Zijin wasn’t here today. With Prince Jing not wanting her and Guo Dao avoiding her like a snake or scorpion, given her temperament, wouldn’t she be half-dead with anger?

Lady Guo said regretfully: “Miss Wang is such a good young lady. I truly had my heart set on making her my daughter-in-law.”

Li Weiyang smiled: “If there’s fate, naturally there will be such an opportunity in the future. If there’s no fate, Mother, you needn’t force it.”

Lady Guo nodded, but heard Prince Jing sigh with a smile: “Jia’er speaks correctly. If they’re fated, they’ll naturally come together in the future. No matter how you resist, the outcome will be the same.”

Li Weiyang gazed fixedly toward Prince Jing. This sentence seemed to have hidden meaning, but Prince Jing only looked at her calmly with perfect bearing. Li Weiyang finally just smiled faintly: “Grandmother, Mother, I must return to study. Prince Jing, I’ll take my leave.” Saying this, she had already stood up and turned to leave.

In the spring of the thirty-second year of Yuexi’s Xiaoming Emperor, a white comet suddenly appeared in the northwestern sky. Like a comet, it dragged a long tail slowly across the horizon. At that time it was daylight, and everyone saw this scene clearly. This abnormal celestial omen filled every civil and military official at court and every common person with fear. Yuexi had just escaped natural disasters, then encountered warfare. Though the successive wars achieved temporary victory, no one knew what would happen next. Just when everyone thought everything would turn from bad to good, now they suddenly encountered this abnormal celestial phenomenon. The entire nation fell into an atmosphere of unease.

The Emperor urgently summoned the Bureau of Astronomy and all civil and military ministers to discuss together. Director Wang of the Bureau of Astronomy said: “Your Majesty, please forgive this subject’s discourtesy, but as one serving in the Bureau of Astronomy, I must naturally remind Your Majesty. Celestial anomalies… indicate Your Majesty has some failing in virtue.”

The Emperor’s expression was very ugly. Throughout dynasties, abnormal celestial phenomena had always been interpreted as indicating the emperor’s failings in virtue. Even if he wanted to behead this fellow, he had no way to refute this point. The Emperor said coldly: “According to Director Wang’s meaning, I should issue an edict of self-blame?”

Director Wang lowered his head deeply: “This humble minister dares not. This humble minister only says…”

The Emperor angrily cut him off: “Enough! You fundamentally know nothing, yet claim to observe celestial phenomena. Simply nonsensical!”

Director Wang bowed his head even lower, growing increasingly frightened. In fact, whenever such strange celestial phenomena occurred in the past, everyone would interpret them this way. If the emperor had no failings in virtue, why would Heaven send a warning? But he dared not say these words before the Emperor. Asking him to issue an edict of self-blame—he might as well slit his own throat in apology. Probably now the Emperor thought someone else had made an error, and Heaven was taking its anger out on the monarch.

Sure enough, the Emperor’s voice was icy cold: “Do the rest of you have other opinions? Do you all think this matter is my fault?”

The ministers all said: “Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress have virtue like mountains and seas, profound and deep. That’s why military affairs have been continuously victorious. Heaven wants to save our dynasty’s millions of people. How could Your Majesty have failings in virtue! Certainly not!”

The Emperor laughed coldly: “Oh? So you all don’t think I failed in virtue?”

At this time, Ying Chu suddenly stepped forward. He said loudly: “This humble minister observed celestial phenomena at night and indeed discovered strange things. But Your Majesty possesses both civil and military accomplishments and virtue and talent—the entire nation reveres you. So Heaven’s warning must be unrelated to Your Majesty’s virtue.”

The Emperor’s pitch-black eyes stared at him coldly: “If it’s unrelated to me, then to whom?”

Ying Chu declared loudly: “The Crown Prince. Previously, Your Highness was confined by Your Majesty because His Highness had failings in virtue. But now it seems Heaven is clearly warning Your Majesty and everyone—His Highness is absolutely innocent and wronged. If not… there wouldn’t be such a strange celestial phenomenon.”

The Emperor’s gaze suddenly carried a trace of subtle mockery. He glanced at Empress Pei, while Empress Pei’s eyes observed her nose, her nose observed her heart—completely indifferent in appearance. The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh coldly: “So you think I handled this wrongly?”

Ying Chu’s brow didn’t move: “This humble minister dare not presume to discuss Your Majesty’s decisions. It’s only that His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed wronged. Heaven has already given warning. If Your Majesty continues stubbornly, I fear it will implicate millions of common people.”

The Emperor’s smile grew even colder: “Absurd! These two matters are completely unrelated—how can they be linked together! The Crown Prince clearly failed in virtue. The evidence is conclusive, yet I cannot punish him? According to you, I should immediately release the Crown Prince?”

Ying Chu raised his head and gazed at the Emperor. His eyes were full of bloodshot veins. According to palace protocol, him staring directly at the Emperor like this violated the laws of a subject—extremely bold. The Emperor was somewhat surprised. He only heard Ying Chu’s voice calm but tone resolute: “The warning theory is absolutely no alarmist talk. Please don’t forget, Your Majesty—in the previous dynasty, an emperor wrongly executed a loyal minister and brought June snow… Please forgive this humble minister’s boldness in speaking directly—confining the Crown Prince is ultimately not a long-term plan.”

The Emperor said impassively: “Then according to you, how should this be handled?”

Ying Chu said: “Merit to atone for crimes.”

The Emperor rubbed his brow and laughed despite himself: “He’s now confined by me. How can he achieve merit to atone?”

At this time, Empress Pei finally sighed lightly: “Though the Crown Prince doesn’t know how to cultivate virtue and character, which led to this situation, what Minister Ying said isn’t wrong either. Celestial anomalies surely have their reasons. Your Majesty, you govern the realm with virtue and can forgive all people. Why can’t you forgive your own biological son? The Crown Prince did make mistakes, but Your Majesty should also give him a chance to reform and achieve merit to atone.”

The Emperor smiled and looked at Empress Pei: “Then according to the Empress, how should I give him a chance?”

Empress Pei’s gaze slowly became quiet. She smiled: “Please issue an edict immediately, Your Majesty, sending the Crown Prince to the front lines to establish military merit soon and wash away his past errors.”

The Emperor’s fingers lightly tapped the dragon desk. His gaze also swept over the ministers standing below, smiling slightly: “What do all of you think of the Empress’s words?” Everyone exchanged glances and lowered their heads: “The Empress speaks correctly. His Highness the Crown Prince probably truly has grievances. Otherwise Heaven wouldn’t warn Your Majesty.” “Since Your Majesty cannot make an immediate decision, why not give the Crown Prince a chance—let him go to the front lines to achieve merit to atone. If he can return victorious, he is Heaven’s chosen heir. If not, it proves the warning theory is pure nonsense!”

Hearing this, the Emperor knew everything was arranged beforehand by Empress Pei. She cleverly used the celestial phenomenon’s changes to pressure the Emperor. Knowing it was impossible to immediately release the Crown Prince at this moment, she used a compromise method to send him to the battlefield to achieve merit to atone. At that time, if the Crown Prince established great merit and returned victorious, as Emperor he couldn’t be too harsh. Empress Pei had truly thought of a roundabout method—both allowing the Emperor to save face and protecting the Crown Prince.

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and carefully studied Empress Pei for a while, finally saying: “Since the Empress has already made the decision for me, let’s do it this way. I hope the Crown Prince can return victorious.”

The Empress glanced at the Emperor and smiled: “Then according to Your Majesty’s words, where will the Crown Prince be sent?”

The Emperor said coldly: “The eastern battlefront urgently needs people. Let the Crown Prince go assist Duke Qiguo.” After speaking, he waved his hand: “Today’s discussion ends here. Court is dismissed.”

Watching the Emperor depart, Empress Pei’s gaze slowly calmed. She stood up and also turned to leave. The ministers looked at each other…

In the Empress’s palace, the Crown Prince wept bitterly, prostrate on the ground. Empress Pei grew increasingly impatient: “Enough! Who are you putting on this face for!”

The Crown Prince was startled and looked at the Empress pleadingly: “Mother Empress, your son doesn’t want to go to the battlefield.”

The Empress looked at him, her expression mocking: “Don’t want to go to the battlefield—then what do you want? To die?!”

Cold sweat rolled down the Crown Prince’s forehead as he prostrated at the Empress’s feet: “Your son is willing to serve Mother Empress in the capital.”

Empress Pei finally laughed. She looked at this extraordinarily handsome son at her feet—this was the child she had personally raised. Though his scheming was somewhat lacking, he shouldn’t be a weak and incompetent person. Yet today seeing him even fear going to the battlefield, Empress Pei for the first time felt genuinely amused. She said indifferently: “This is the only method to save you. If you won’t go, then you can only sit trapped in your predicament until someone’s steel blade strikes off your head.”

The Crown Prince was shocked. He looked at his mother empress, almost unable to speak. Empress Pei said lightly: “You have no experience, but how can you lack even ordinary courage? This time Mother Empress expended so much effort to save you. Think carefully about what you should do.” After speaking, she stood up, seemingly about to walk toward the inner palace. The Crown Prince quickly crawled forward on his knees and grabbed the Empress’s hem: “Mother Empress, your son doesn’t fear death. I’m only worried that once I go, the mountains are high and roads far—I may never return.”

Empress Pei suddenly turned her head and stared at him: “What do you mean by this?”

The Crown Prince steadied himself before saying: “That eastern battlefield is entirely Duke Qiguo’s people. The generals have status, backgrounds, and combat experience. They’ve long controlled the entire army. This time Father Emperor will only give your son fifty thousand troops, but they have a full three hundred thousand. Mother Empress, won’t Duke Qiguo take this opportunity to eliminate your son?”

In the end, he still feared death. Empress Pei suddenly laughed. She looked at the Crown Prince and finally couldn’t help but say: “I thought you were a tiger—though still young, you’d eventually become king of all beasts. But now I’ve discovered you’re merely an ox.”

The Crown Prince looked at Empress Pei, not knowing what she meant. Empress Pei said sarcastically: “No matter how strong an ox, it’s merely livestock raised by people—its whole life used by others, unable to be its own master until death.”

The Crown Prince looked at Empress Pei, completely stunned. All these years living under Empress Pei’s wing, even if he had literary and martial talents and comprehensive wisdom, he still had no place for practical training. Living under the Pei family’s control of court politics made him unable to go out and face the wind and rain. Moreover, his worries weren’t unreasonable. Duke Qiguo was, after all, Prince Jing’s uncle. He might very well turn against him, making it impossible for this Crown Prince to return to the capital. And Father Emperor’s so-called merit to atone was pure nonsense. He deeply suspected Father Emperor only wanted to transfer him out to eliminate him. At that time, with mountains high and the emperor far away, he couldn’t reach Empress Pei and had no way to resist Duke Qiguo’s three hundred thousand troops with merely fifty thousand men. The other party could eliminate him with any excuse—how could he not be nervous? Don’t blame him for incompetence—he simply felt very insecure about his life.

But Empress Pei’s mocking expression instantly stimulated the revival of his proud imperial bloodline. He was, after all, the Crown Prince. Though he had desperately suppressed himself all these years, his personality still retained that pride. He suddenly stood up from the ground and looked at Empress Pei: “Mother Empress, I am not an ox. I am a fierce tiger!”

Empress Pei looked into his eyes, saying word by word: “Since you’re a fierce tiger, how can you be trapped in this place? Since Mother Empress made arrangements for you to go to the battlefield, she will certainly ensure you return safely. But the premise is you must trust me. Understand?”

The Crown Prince looked at her, his eyes vaguely holding a mixture of angry grief. Empress Pei glanced at him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

The Crown Prince looked at his mother. At times, he could not tell what was real and what was false. Empress Pei’s expression was always so composed, her thoughts as unfathomable as the ocean. No matter what he did, he could never win her favor. He had thought his entire life would remain this way, yet now Empress Pei was suddenly so gentle toward him, like an ordinary mother patiently guiding her child, doing her utmost to inspire his courage.

Only then did he realize that recently Empress Pei had begun to age uncontrollably. That beautiful, stunning face was slowly hollowing, seemingly tinged more and more with the traces of old age. Although her mind remained keen and thorough, her commands decisive and swift, her body could clearly no longer withstand the prolonged exhaustion of governing.

The Crown Prince spoke slowly, “Mother Empress, your son will certainly return safely.”

Empress Pei said nothing more, only smiled slightly: “You may withdraw.”

The Crown Prince bowed respectfully and withdrew. Coming out, he happened to run into Ying Chu. Ying Chu looked at the Crown Prince and lowered his head in salute. The Crown Prince gave a self-mocking smile: “Now only you remain by Mother Empress’s side. You must take good care of her.”

Ying Chu raised his head to look at the Crown Prince, seemingly stunned for a moment. The Crown Prince said indifferently: “Past grievances between us were merely about competing for favor. But once I’m not by Mother Empress’s side, the only one who can protect her is you.”

Ying Chu looked at the Crown Prince with some shock. In his heart, the Crown Prince was an extremely inadequate and incompetent person. Moreover, his naturally suspicious nature made him unwilling to trust his own biological mother—so easily falling into Li Weiyang’s trap. But now it seemed he had misjudged the Crown Prince. Or perhaps he had underestimated this person too much. The Crown Prince wasn’t as foolish as he thought. Perhaps for some matters, the other party knew perfectly well in his heart. Then why would he still be so dejected…

Seeing the incomprehension on Ying Chu’s face, the Crown Prince smiled: “Many times people know what they should do, but our hearts hold deep fears. Unable to overcome this fear, we only become failures. I am such a failure. I clearly knew Leng Lian had ulterior motives, but for that bit of warmth, I still kept her by my side and even doted on her excessively. I clearly knew that no matter what I did, I had no way to please Mother Empress, but I still tried desperately, hoping I could retain her gaze through my own power. I clearly knew Father Emperor’s heart already had a chosen heir, but I still refused to give up, clinging desperately to the Crown Prince’s position. I clearly knew someone was secretly scheming, trying to fan the flames, but I still couldn’t help believing…”

After speaking, he turned his head to look at Ying Chu and smiled: “Don’t you think I’m particularly foolish? Because I actually believed a foolish rumor rather than believing she’s my biological mother.”

This was precisely Ying Chu’s long-standing confusion. The Crown Prince couldn’t be called foolish, so why would he so easily believe such rumors?

The Crown Prince sighed: “I simply didn’t want to believe my biological mother would treat me this way. That’s why I always felt perhaps she and I had no direct blood relation—telling myself this was why she was cold as ice. But now I suddenly understand…”

Ying Chu looked at him, his eyes holding a trace of surprise. He heard the Crown Prince continue: “Perhaps Mother Empress is simply someone who doesn’t know how to love. She doesn’t know how to love her children. But this time she’s already exhausted all her efforts to protect me, wanting me to leave this battlefield. Though…” He paused before saying: “It’s already too late.”

Ying Chu had never seen such a Crown Prince. As if shedding the Crown Prince’s aura, he appeared extraordinarily earnest and lonely. Ying Chu smiled faintly: “Your Highness the Crown Prince, though this journey is dangerous, with Her Majesty’s careful arrangements, you will return safely.”

The Crown Prince smiled lightly: “I know where I’m headed, but Minister Ying, do you know your own fate?”

Ying Chu rarely heard the Crown Prince speak so many clear-headed words and couldn’t help raising his eyebrows: “Your Highness, who in this world can know what lies ahead? Even if I can calculate others’ destinies, my own is completely blank.”

The Crown Prince suddenly laughed loudly: “Yes, even Minister Ying knows nothing about his own future—how much more so an ordinary person like me! I hope in the future you can stay by Mother Empress’s side, making her happy often so she won’t be too lonely.” After speaking, the Crown Prince turned to leave.

Ying Chu instinctively walked two steps and called loudly: “Your Highness!”

The Crown Prince turned back. Under the sunlight, that handsome face showed traces of weariness and sorrow. “Ying Chu, I know what you seek. But in this world, not everyone can achieve their wishes. I’ve sought for over twenty years but never gained Mother Empress’s attention. How can you fare any better than me? So I advise you—take care of yourself.” After speaking, the Crown Prince turned and left.

Leaving Ying Chu standing alone in the sunset for a long while. Perhaps after contending openly and covertly with the Crown Prince for so long, today was the first time he truly understood him. A person’s heart could actually conceal so many complex emotions—clearly knowing everything yet still pretending to know nothing, harboring impractical dreams. Perhaps the Crown Prince and he were both pitiful people. Ying Chu thought about it and finally smiled. But when he turned around and pushed open the door to enter the Empress’s palace, his face had already recovered its calm expression. Perhaps some in this world would give up, but he absolutely wasn’t such a person. Even if he walked to the Yellow River’s edge, he would never turn back!