Su Rongqing said nothing. He raised his head to look at the woman on the high seat. The people behind him, seeing his unusual behavior, all rushed forward. Then they saw Li Rong on the golden throne.

Following behind, Huale was the first to react. Seeing Li Rong sitting on the high seat, she couldn’t help but cry out sharply: “Li Rong, what are you doing? That’s Father’s position—you’ve gone mad!”

“Father is gravely ill. The Crown Prince’s injuries have not yet healed. He has specially commanded this palace to supervise the state. Fulai.”

She raised her hand: “Read the imperial edict.”

Fulai responded: “Yes.”

With that, he unrolled the imperial edict in his hands. Amid the shock, he steadily read aloud the contents appointing Li Rong as Supervising Princess.

As he read the edict, the sounds of killing from outside drew nearer.

Su Rongqing kept watching Li Rong above. Li Rong showed no weakness, calmly gazing back at him.

After the edict was read, Fulai smiled at everyone: “Ministers, His Majesty’s will has been conveyed. Enter the hall.”

No one moved. Huale looked around. She wanted to step forward but somehow felt a measure of timidity. She could only incite others: “What are you all standing here for? Why don’t you go up there and seize her!”

“Su Rongqing.”

Seeing that the others remained silent for a long while, Li Rong called Su Rongqing’s name: “Enter the hall.”

Receiving Li Rong’s words, Su Rongqing swept aside his robe hem and strode into the great hall. Huale was about to speak when Gu Zidao beside her reminded her: “Your Highness, please remain calm.”

Gu Zidao was the Minister of Rites, a senior figure here. Even someone as ignorant as Huale knew to show him some respect.

Everyone watched the situation as Su Rongqing stepped forward and stopped less than three zhang from the steps. Seeing him standing without kneeling, Li Rong slightly raised her chin: “Entering the hall without kneeling—are you a treacherous rebel?”

“Last night there was turmoil in the palace. I have not seen the Son of Heaven, so I dare not kneel.”

“Why dare you not?”

“I fear kneeling to the wrong traitor and insulting the Heavenly Sovereign.”

“You have troops stationed outside. If you are not the traitor, then who dares claim to be one?”

“Crown Prince Li Chuan,” Su Rongqing raised his voice. “Your Highness, last night the Crown Prince attacked the city, deceived Your Highness, and held His Majesty hostage. This humble minister came to rescue His Majesty. Please do not worry, Your Highness. Guards,” Su Rongqing swept his hand, “Princess Pingle has been frightened. Take Her Highness away to rest.”

“Insolence!”

Li Rong shouted sternly. In the great hall, countless soldiers instantly arrayed themselves at the front, pointing at the court officials. Li Rong stared at everyone: “The Crown Prince never entered the palace last night. His Majesty is currently safe and sound. Your forcible attack on the city is the crime of treason. Why do you not withdraw and submit to punishment!”

With Li Rong’s words, everyone’s expressions changed dramatically. Xiao Qian turned to glance at Consort Rou. Consort Rou frowned.

Su Rongqing seized on the key point and asked only: “The Crown Prince is not in the palace?”

“The Crown Prince left the city last night to recuperate from his injuries,” Li Rong looked at the somewhat panicked crowd, her tone steady. “Therefore, this palace serves as regent. Ministers, plotting to harm His Majesty is a capital crime punishable by execution of one’s entire clan. Though this crime is not addressed today, it will be questioned one day. If not, the historian’s brush will leave you infamous for ten thousand years. Surely none of you wish for this, my lords.”

Li Rong’s words caused hesitation among the crowd. They had originally believed that Li Chuan had now killed Li Ming, so they could justifiably kill Li Chuan.

But now Li Chuan was not in the palace, and the Emperor was even still alive. Their act of attacking the city appeared somewhat absurd and laughable.

Plotting to murder the Son of Heaven—such a crime might be questioned even when one’s power reached the heavens. If one day their power fell short, it would be the root cause of their clan’s extermination.

The Son of Heaven might not amount to much in the hearts of these century-old aristocratic families, but they dared not harm him so openly and brazenly.

Seeing these people hesitate, Huale panicked somewhat. She couldn’t help but tug at Consort Rou’s sleeve. Consort Rou lowered her head in thought. As everyone hesitated, Su Rongqing’s voice rang out: “I wish to speak privately with Princess Pingle. I wonder if everyone could do me this favor?”

Su Rongqing’s sudden proposal surprised everyone. Consort Rou raised her head, her eyes revealing cold light. As everyone hesitated, Consort Rou spoke with a light laugh: “Since Lord Su has business to discuss with Pingle, we won’t disturb them. Everyone,” Consort Rou turned to look at the crowd, “let us wait respectfully outside together.”

With that, Consort Rou actively took “Li Cheng’s” hand and led the way, bringing Xiao Qian and others outside together. The others looked at each other for a moment, then followed out of the great hall.

Li Rong watched as Su Rongqing’s people all withdrew from the hall. Su Rongqing raised his head to look at her: “Your Highness?”

“Your Highness,” Fulai turned to look at Li Rong, “Su Rongqing is a man after all. If he harbors intentions to harm Your Highness…”

“Withdraw.”

Li Rong spoke. Fulai paused, hesitated for a moment, then finally led people out of the great hall.

Before leaving, Fulai had people arrange tea tables and tea implements in the hall according to Su Rongqing’s instructions, then was the last to withdraw.

Once everyone left the great hall, they dispersed and stood on either side, speaking in low voices.

Xiao Qian stood behind Consort Rou and lowered his voice: “Second Sister, the Crown Prince didn’t make his move. Now these old foxes probably have divided loyalties.”

“They won’t.” Consort Rou looked at the soldiers continuously entering through the palace gates. “Once inside the palace, no one can escape now.”

As the two were speaking, Gu Zidao, who had been discussing with other ministers nearby, seemed to have reached some decision with them. He nodded at Wang Houmin, stepped forward, and bowed to Consort Rou: “Your Majesty.”

“Minister Gu.”

Consort Rou hurried to return the courtesy. Gu Zidao glanced at the great hall and said with a smile: “Your Majesty, it seems… there’s been some misunderstanding. Since His Majesty is unharmed, perhaps His Highness the Crown Prince wasn’t actually rebelling either. We just discussed, perhaps…” Gu Zidao observed Consort Rou’s expression, “everyone should just disperse?”

“If it truly is a misunderstanding, then naturally we should withdraw and beg His Majesty’s forgiveness.” Gu Zidao’s words were not unexpected to Consort Rou. She turned to look toward the inner palace. “But we haven’t seen His Majesty yet. Who knows whether what Li Rong said is true or false? Since we’re already in the palace, why don’t I go into the inner palace to investigate and see whether His Majesty is alive or dead?”

With Consort Rou’s words, Gu Zidao stared at her for a long while. Consort Rou laughed: “What does Minister Gu think?”

“Confirming His Majesty’s safety is naturally necessary.”

Gu Zidao seemed very satisfied with Consort Rou’s answer. He bowed: “We will do our utmost to assist Your Majesty in entering the inner palace.”

“Then, thank you, Minister Gu.”

“Guards,” Consort Rou turned around and pointed at Fulai beside them, “seize this old traitor who has sided with rebellious subjects and traitors! Everyone else, follow me into the palace to have an audience with His Majesty!”

“A-Qian,” Consort Rou turned to look at Xiao Qian and instructed him with deeper meaning, “guard the palace gates. Don’t let any irrelevant people come and go freely.”

Xiao Qian understood Consort Rou’s hidden meaning.

These aristocratic families were fence-sitters—they came for profit and could leave for profit.

Right now they needed to bind these aristocratic families together. If the Xiao clan couldn’t leave the palace, then no one could leave.

After Consort Rou finished speaking, she led people toward the inner palace.

Huale followed behind Consort Rou and lowered her voice: “Mother, what if Father is still alive?”

“He won’t be alive.”

Consort Rou spoke decisively: “As long as we see him, he will already be dead by Li Chuan’s hand.”

Hearing this, Huale looked up in shock. Seeing Consort Rou’s somewhat pale face, for a moment she found herself unable to say anything at all.

When the palace had just fallen, inside the Princess’s residence, relatives of the Su and Gu clans were confined in several rooms. Cries for help continued without cease. Pei Wenxuan stood in the courtyard. Tong Ye wiped blood from his face, walked behind Pei Wenxuan, and said in a low voice: “Young Master, the family members of the Su and Gu families are all here.”

“What about the Wang family?”

“Not conquered yet.”

“Did anyone escape?”

“No.” Tong Ye shook his head. “The Wang family has closed their gates. No one has come out.”

“What about the palace?”

“The palace gates have been breached. The Su clan’s banner has been raised on the city wall. Su Rongqing has entered with Consort Rou, Wang Houmin, Gu Zidao, and others. It’s said that morning court was not canceled.”

“How long did it take to breach the palace gates?”

“Less than half a shichen.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan closed his eyes.

Breaching the palace in less than half a shichen showed that Li Rong had deployed almost no defenses outside the palace walls. She had withdrawn all military forces into the inner palace.

And with morning court proceeding normally, that meant she was in the outer palace.

Such actions, given Li Rong’s nature, indicated only one thing—

Li Ming was not dead.

If Li Ming wasn’t dead, Li Chuan’s crimes couldn’t be established, and those aristocratic families would always harbor doubts. By withdrawing troops to the inner palace, she hoped to preserve the remaining military strength so that once Li Chuan found an opportunity to counterattack the city, these forces could coordinate from inside and out.

In this situation, her presence in the outer palace served only one purpose—to buy time.

To buy time with her life or death.

She knew that from the moment she stayed in the palace, she had almost no chance of survival.

Whether Li Chuan won or lost, as long as the city was attacked, she would be a hostage.

“Young Master?”

Seeing Pei Wenxuan close his eyes for a long while without speaking, Tong Ye grew somewhat worried: “What should we do next?”

“Since Su Ronghua gave Shangguan Ya advance warning, it shows the Su clan itself doesn’t want to participate in these matters. Su Ronghua will intercept the Su clan’s troops coming from Tianshou Pass. By tomorrow morning, Xun Chuan’s army will also arrive. At that time, outside the city will be Xun Chuan’s army against the ten thousand troops brought by the Wang clan.”

“Last night, eight thousand troops remained from the Imperial Guard, the Pei family, and the Shangguan family forces. Of these, six thousand were withdrawn by Her Highness into the palace, and two thousand are with us here.”

“Within the city, the Su clan and other aristocratic families have about ten thousand household troops. On His Majesty’s side, the Palace Guard plus Prince Ning’s people number about seven thousand.”

“Do we still have a chance of winning? Those aristocratic families who want us dead have twenty thousand men. We have less than twenty thousand on our side, and we don’t know what His Majesty intends…”

“We can win.”

Pei Wenxuan opened his eyes: “We must win.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of drums came from outside.

“Dong.”

“Dong dong.”

Following the drum sounds, Zhao Chongjiu rushed in with his sword, standing at the doorway, restraining his excitement: “Prince Consort, Xun Chuan’s army has arrived and is attacking the city!”

Pei Wenxuan showed no change in expression. He listened to the war drums outside, paused for a moment, then immediately gave orders: “Zhao Chongjiu, immediately take a thousand men to the city wall and coordinate with Xun Chuan from inside and out to open the city gates. Move quickly.”

“Inform Pei Xiao to bring the Wang family members into the Princess’s residence, then guard the residence and await my orders.”

“Tong Ye, have people release all the remaining Kongming lanterns in the residence and have them burn incense and prepare water.”

“Young Master?”

Tong Ye was somewhat puzzled. Pei Wenxuan lowered his head, his face showing a measure of gentleness: “I need to go receive Her Highness.”

He couldn’t let her stay alone in the palace.

Whether life or death, he had to accompany her.

When the drum sounds rang out, cold wind sent the black banners with gold phoenixes flying and snapping outside the city.

Li Chuan led Lin Feibai and Xun Chuan on horseback. Behind them, soldiers stood in formation, appearing somewhat weary in the dawn that had not yet fully broken.

“Are we entering the city now?”

Lin Feibai looked ahead and frowned. These soldiers had traveled thousands of miles and were obviously extremely exhausted.

“If we don’t enter the city now,” Shangguan Ya stood on a war chariot, gazing at the high walls ahead, “once daybreak comes and the Wang family army enters with reinforcements, taking the city will be much harder. Better to take the city now and defend while waiting for attack.”

“Attacking a city isn’t easy,” Lin Feibai was quite uneasy. “The soldiers are both exhausted and weary of war. How can we attack the city?”

“It will be soon.” Li Chuan looked at Hua Jing, his expression cold.

Xun Chuan glanced at Li Chuan beside her. He wore the Crown Prince’s black robes, draped in pure white fox fur, his jade crown bound high, displaying an ineffable noble bearing.

He had grown much taller, with the scholar-official’s refined thinness, his withered, cold gaze completely unlike the lively youth of the past.

“Pei Wenxuan and Elder Sister are inside.”

Li Chuan noticed Xun Chuan’s gaze and, thinking she was confused, turned to look at her, saying only: “Don’t worry.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a Kongming lantern rose from within Hua Jing city.

The Kongming lantern in the sky that had not yet brightened immediately attracted many people’s attention.

After the first Kongming lantern lit up, Li Chuan drew his sword from his waist and spoke indifferently: “Prepare for battle.”

Hearing this, Shangguan Ya placed both hands before her and bowed respectfully, then turned to face the assembled soldiers.

“Gentlemen,” Shangguan Ya raised her voice, “do you know what place this is?”

The war drums beat steadily. The soldiers looked at Shangguan Ya but didn’t speak. Shangguan Ya raised her hand and pointed at the two characters “Hua Jing,” raising her voice: “This place is Hua Jing, the place you have guarded on the battlefield. Within Hua Jing are silk and satin, bewitching beauties, gold, silver, and jewels, unmatched power and position. But none of these have ever belonged to you. You fought in the northwest, in that bitter cold land, short on food and clothing, your lives worth less than grass, living like mud beneath others’ feet. Generation after generation, all the same. Are you content with this?!”

No one dared to speak.

But human nature seeks profit. Just because they don’t speak doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It’s only that they bow to power and dare not voice it.

“But today is different. Today, you enter the city,” Shangguan Ya spread her sleeves and pointed toward Hua Jing, raising her voice. “If you win, you’ll be ennobled as marquises and generals! If you lose, it’s merely dying wrapped in horse hide—no different from before!”

“Today, from the Crown Prince above to criminals below, before the imperial city, all are blades pointed forward. Follow me in abandoning provisions, heed the Crown Prince’s command—either win or die, never return without victory!”

With that, Shangguan Ya drew her sword and cut the provisions on the war chariot. The grain crashed to the ground, scattering everywhere.

Xun Chuan raised her sword and cleanly slashed through the bag of provisions tied to her horse. The grain fell to the ground as her sword pointed steadily at Hua Jing.

“In Princess Pingle’s name,” her voice was very steady, no different from when she usually trained them, but she still emphasized the final eight words: “Either win or die, never return without victory.”

“Either win or die, never return without victory!”

With Xun Chuan leading, everyone removed their provisions and shouted loudly.

This was the most precious opportunity of their lives.

From the northwest to Hua Jing, they had climbed over snow mountains and rushed thousands of miles, as if crawling from swampy mud through thorn-covered forbidden territory, layer by layer climbing to places they had never imagined reaching.

In that endless despair of generation after generation, they finally obtained a sliver of hope for advancement.

In just an instant, morale soared.

Li Chuan turned to look at Xun Chuan beside him. Xun Chuan met his gaze.

After a long while, Li Chuan asked only one question: “Will we win?”

Xun Chuan’s expression was calm. She answered only: “Your Highness will not lose.”

There was only one highness in her mind.

From the moment she saved her, from the moment she gave her a life completely different from Qin Zhenzhen’s, she had already been placed on a pedestal.

Her sister, her friend, her sovereign—Li Rong.

Hearing this, Li Chuan smiled.

Lin Feibai beside them looked at Shangguan Ya standing on the war chariot. He smiled bitterly: “You’ve all gotten me killed.”

“You can still turn back now.”

Shangguan Ya grasped the drumstick beside her. Lin Feibai observed her, somewhat puzzled: “I thought you would leave now.”

“Everyone is here,” Shangguan Ya smiled frankly. “So I won’t leave either.”

Lin Feibai fell silent. He thought for a moment and smiled with lowered head.

Just then, the horn sounded. Li Chuan drew his sword and pointed forward.

Shangguan Ya trembled as she struck the drumstick heavily against the drum surface. With a thunderous sound, beneath the sky full of Kongming lanterns, soldiers surged toward the city wall.

The sound of killing shook the heavens.

Before the war drums sounded, within the palace walls, Fulai had just closed the great doors.

As soon as the hall doors closed, the entire great hall darkened. Only flickering candlelight danced, giving the hall some illumination.

Su Rongqing and Li Rong sat facing each other. Su Rongqing looked at Li Rong across from him. After a long while, he showed a trace of nostalgia: “Rongqing has not made tea for Your Highness in a long time. Today Your Highness’s favorite Silver Tip is not available—quite regrettable.”

“Did you specifically dismiss everyone just to reminisce with me?”

Li Rong watched as Su Rongqing washed his hands with warm water from the basin beside him. She found it rather amusing. Su Rongqing’s expression was peaceful, like his leisurely manner from years ago in the Princess’s residence: “Naturally I have some questions to ask Your Highness.”

“Your Highness,” Su Rongqing took tea leaves and placed them in the teapot, his voice mild. “How does the golden phoenix throne feel—is it comfortable?”

Hearing his question, Li Rong understood his meaning, but she still asked knowingly: “What do you mean?”

“Your Highness should know I only wanted to block Li Chuan.”

Su Rongqing set the tea leaves aside and knelt properly across from Li Rong, both hands resting before him: “Since Your Highness is now the Supervising Princess, is it still necessary for Li Chuan to remain Crown Prince?”

Li Rong said nothing. Su Rongqing leaned forward slightly: “Your Highness,” he softened his voice, “this humble minister did not come for revenge. Li Chuan can live.”

He could live, but he couldn’t be Crown Prince, couldn’t live under his own name.

Li Rong would be Supervising Princess, Li Cheng would ascend the throne, Li Chuan would be granted death for treason, then live under a different identity.

“I understand what you mean.”

Li Rong perceived Su Rongqing’s concession. She shook her head: “But I cannot deceive you.”

“What does Your Highness mean?”

Su Rongqing’s face bore a smile, but his eyes held some coldness.

“You don’t want Li Chuan to ascend the throne because Li Chuan intends to weaken the aristocratic families, and you want to prevent this. But if I supervise the state, I will still make the same choices as Li Chuan—only my methods will differ.”

Hearing this, Su Rongqing’s smile slowly faded.

“Your Highness,” he spoke earnestly, “in the previous life, was that not enough?”

Li Rong listened to Su Rongqing’s words. She thought for a long while.

She had wanted to argue, but when she looked up and saw Su Rongqing’s eyes that had already gained a measure of obsession, she suddenly recalled Li Ming’s words.

Those in power must look not only at results, but also at sources.

She looked at Su Rongqing. After a long while, she spoke slowly: “In the previous life, what do you think Li Chuan did wrong?”

“Does Your Highness still need to ask me?” Su Rongqing seemed somewhat angry. “In the previous life, what did Your Highness say? Have you forgotten? You said he shouldn’t have gone on the northern expedition, shouldn’t have reformed the system. He caused upheaval throughout the realm, making the people’s lives unbearable. As a monarch, for the sake of one woman…”

“Rongqing,” Li Rong interrupted him, “do you truly think this way?”

“Your Highness,” Su Rongqing’s lips trembled involuntarily, “what do you mean?”

“I remember the first time I saw you was in the imperial study.”

Li Rong looked at Su Rongqing, her face showing some nostalgia.

“At that time, you were kneeling with Chancellor Su at the door of the imperial study, trying to dissuade Father from the northern expedition. You told me that the Su family lived for the common people and died for the state.”

Hearing this, something flickered in Su Rongqing’s eyes, like a pebble thrown into the heart of a lake, creating ripples in layers.

Li Rong raised her eyes to look at him: “But tell me—the aristocratic families as they exist in this world today, are they good or bad for the common people?”

“You and I both know clearly in our hearts. The northern expedition back then was indeed too hasty, but if the aristocratic families hadn’t obstructed and embezzled, the military funds at that time would have been sufficient for the northern expedition.”

“The floods in the south that year were indeed caused by the emptied treasury due to the northern expedition, but if not for the aristocratic families’ prosperity and exemption from taxes, with many people in various regions evading taxes by relying on aristocratic families, the treasury wouldn’t have been depleted to such an extent.”

“You say that as a monarch, he shouldn’t have exclusively favored one woman. But Su Rongqing, if you loved me and were with other people, wouldn’t you suffer? You are like this—is Chuan’er not the same?”

“But he is the monarch. He must endure suffering.” Su Rongqing stubbornly insisted.

“Then that endurance must have meaning.” Li Rong laughed lightly. “What does the monarch’s marriage have to do with the court? The sovereign governs the empire and state. If he is diligent in government, if he loves the people, then whom he loves, whether he marries one woman or several women—what does it have to do with all under heaven? The only reason it matters is because aristocratic families engage in factional struggles and bring those conflicts into the inner palace, isn’t it? His endurance appeases the aristocratic families, not the common people. What meaning does it have?”

“According to what Your Highness says,” Su Rongqing spoke mockingly, “it’s all the aristocratic families’ fault, is it? But those who are corrupt—the aristocratic families have them, but the humble clans don’t? Those who engage in factional struggles—the aristocratic families have them, but the humble clans don’t? This is simply human nature’s tendency. What does it have to do with aristocratic families?!”

“You all say the aristocratic families are wrong, but over all these years, during famines, the Su clan provided disaster relief. During wars, Su clan disciples all went to the battlefield. The Su clan’s heart has been with the people—what did we do wrong? You say there are factional struggles in the inner palace and Li Chuan is without fault—then is Shangguan Ya at fault? Is my eldest brother at fault? Their entire lives were destroyed and they were sent into the palace. Li Chuan treated them this way for his own selfish desires. Why can Li Chuan be willful while they can only live in despair their whole lives? Just because they are not the Son of Heaven? If aristocratic families are guilty,” Su Rongqing stared fixedly at Li Rong, “then is the imperial clan not guilty?”

“Then who sent Shangguan Ya into the palace?” Li Rong looked at Su Rongqing. Su Rongqing didn’t answer. Li Rong lowered her head with a smile. “Rongqing, actually you understand many things clearly in your heart. You just have no way to admit that you and I were born into sin.”

“Where is there such a thing as being born into sin! Whether good or evil, whether crime or punishment, it should be based on what that person has done. My Su clan, a prestigious family for a hundred years…”

“It’s precisely this prestigious family of a hundred years,” Li Rong interrupted him, “upon what foundation is it built?”

Su Rongqing fell silent. Li Rong looked at him with some pity.

“Rongqing, I understand your obsession.”

“Your heart yearns for light, yet you exist in darkness. You cannot acknowledge your own identity, so you can only invert right and wrong. You could still conceal it when you were young and ignorant, but the more clear-minded and aware you become, the more you hate yourself.”

“Your Highness!”

Su Rongqing raised his voice to interrupt her. It was as if someone had touched the most painful place in his heart. His body leaned slightly forward, as if clutching at his garments. The way he looked at Li Rong, his eyes were full of pleading.

Don’t speak, don’t say anymore.

The birth he took such pride in, the praise he had received since childhood, his perseverance, his beliefs.

“The world loves fox furs,” Li Rong didn’t heed his plea. Under Su Rongqing’s gaze, she spoke slowly, “but the foxes would not. If you give a fox some food and claim to be thinking of it, that’s a lie.”

“If your Su clan truly acts for the common people, for the state, if you truly want to change the outcome of the previous life, what you should do is not kill Li Chuan or prevent Li Chuan from ascending the throne, but stand together with him and oppose what is fundamentally wrong.”

“But the aristocratic clans are massive. If we rashly implement reforms…”

“Then should we never act at all?”

Li Rong smiled: “You and I need not deceive ourselves and others. If something is wrong, there will always be people who resist it. No matter how massive the aristocratic clans are, if they are wrong, there will be countless Li Chuans, Pei Wenxuans, and Qin Lins who will fight against them one after another. They will disappear one day. And we of this generation, in this world, must not act rashly, but we also cannot refuse to act.”

“Li Chuan need not be Crown Prince, but I also won’t deceive you by saying that if I take power, I will promise the aristocratic families many benefits. My entire life,” Li Rong’s eyes reflected the candlelight, shadows flickering, “is dedicated to my principles.”

“I wish you would seek your original heart,” Li Rong gazed at him, “and forever remain Young Master Su.”

Su Rongqing stared blankly at Li Rong. The water came to a boil, emitting a sharp sound.

“Your Highness,” Su Rongqing hastily came to his senses, speaking hoarsely, “I can no longer turn back.”

He had already brought everyone aboard this ship of treason. Whether advancing or retreating, no one could leave.

“I have nothing left anymore.” Su Rongqing smiled bitterly. “I cannot turn back.”

He had already sacrificed everything for this. To ask him to admit his mistake now—how could he bear it?

Li Rong thought for a moment and lowered her head with a light laugh: “Then let’s not discuss these things. For the last time, let me make tea for you.”

As Li Rong spoke, she took the kettle from the brazier and poured water into the teapot.

She lowered her eyes, the gentleness and peace in them something he had never seen before. Like an uncarved jade polished by time, flowing with clear, lustrous light in the sunshine.

Inside the great hall, the sound of tea-making trickled gently. Outside the great hall, the sound of killing shook the heavens.

Beyond the rising steam, the woman seemed like a painting whose colors would never fade.

The shyness when they first met at age twelve, the heart-stirring feeling of watching her from afar during annual examinations, the sorrow upon hearing of her engagement, the pain of following in the crowd throughout the journey on her wedding day.

The courage of a lifetime mustered to hold an umbrella for her that one time.

The lifetime spent kneeling before her in desperate circumstances.

The restraint of standing behind her, able to look but never to reach. The encounters of this life gazed upon from afar but never dared to touch.

She had run through his entire life, yet at the final moment, she pointed him back toward his original path.

The tea leaves passed through water and were discarded, then the tea liquor was obtained, falling into white porcelain cups, presenting a transparency that reflected the bottom.

Li Rong pushed the tea before him.

This was the first time she had poured tea for him, yet he could never summon the courage to pick it up.

After a long while, with trembling hands, he raised the cup. Before the tea reached his mouth, the doors of the great hall were suddenly burst open: “Trouble!”

Su Rongqing’s hand trembled. Tea spilled out. Su Zhizhu gasped heavily, looking at Su Rongqing in panic: “Young Master, the Crown Prince is attacking the city with his forces.”

Su Rongqing quietly looked at Su Zhizhu at the doorway. Li Rong turned her head and saw that in the dark night, Kongming lanterns rose like bright stars, ascending into the air.

Ministers rushed in noisily. Wang Houmin entered the hall and said urgently: “Rongqing, the inner palace hasn’t been conquered yet, and Li Chuan’s people are already at the gate. What do we do?”

As he spoke, Wang Houmin noticed Li Rong to the side. He quickly said: “Quick, bind Li Rong first and hang her on the city gate!”

“Lord Wang!”

Su Rongqing shouted sternly: “This is Her Highness.”

“Her Highness?”

Wang Houmin was stunned. A moment later, he instantly flew into a rage: “Su Rongqing, what time is it and you’re still engaging in romantic affairs with a woman? Remember that it was you who had us cooperate with Consort Rou. If we lose this time, both you and I face the crime of clan extermination. Don’t lose your head!”

With Wang Houmin’s scolding, Su Rongqing’s face paled. Li Rong sat calmly in the hall and laughed softly: “Lord Wang need not be angry. This palace will accompany you to the city wall.”

With that, Li Rong stood up. Su Rongqing grabbed the hem of Li Rong’s robe. He raised his head, speaking through gritted teeth: “Your Highness, don’t go out.”

Li Rong quietly looked at Su Rongqing. Su Rongqing’s eyes held a measure of uncontrollable panic: “No one will save you.”

Li Chuan couldn’t give up attacking the city at this time.

He didn’t have many troops. He couldn’t wait for the Wang family’s army to arrive.

If Li Chuan didn’t give up attacking the city, Li Rong as a hostage could only die.

Hearing this, Li Rong contemplated for a long while before speaking in a low voice: “Thank you, but,” she raised her eyes, “I don’t want to owe you.”

She wouldn’t owe him, even in death.

Su Rongqing’s face turned pale. Li Rong brushed away his hand clutching her sleeve and turned to walk outside.

Each of her steps was very steady. She appeared very calm, without the slightest fear. That back was proud as a crane, no different from the Highness who walked ahead in his memories.

However, Li Rong herself knew that no one could face death without any fear.

She had died once before.

She knew deeply what death meant—it meant regrets could never be remedied, loved ones could never be together again, dreams would have no home, hopes would have no possibility.

Perhaps she hadn’t feared death so much before, but now she was afraid.

Because there was someone in her heart.

Li Rong involuntarily raised her hand to her abdomen. She stepped on the black marble floor that could reflect one’s image, walking step by step toward the light.

A person’s figure emerged in her mind.

She knew this person couldn’t possibly appear. He was already outside Hua Jing. He should be very safe. Perhaps he would even wait with Li Chuan below the city wall.

She wanted to go up to the city wall, wanted to look at him properly one last time in her final moments, and thank him properly.

Thank him for teaching her that such beautiful feelings existed in this world, and thank him for opening up this world, letting her walk out from darkness to see the light.

And after this, as long as Li Chuan won, he would be able to live on. Then, like in the previous life, he would become a famous minister and excellent chancellor, revered by the common people, his name fragrant through the ages.

Li Rong walked forward with a smile. At this very moment, before the imperial palace gates, a young man stood in white robes with a jade crown, sword at his side.

Soldiers surged forward, surrounding this refined gentleman with long spears.

However, the gentleman remained unhurried. He raised his eyes to look toward the great hall, at that woman’s figure faintly appearing.

He bore a smile, his gaze unwavering: “Please report: Pei Wenxuan of the Pei clan requests an audience with Princess Pingle. If not permitted, please ask the three—Assistant Minister Su, Minister Gu, and Assistant Minister Wang—whether they still miss their family members?”

Hearing these words, everyone’s faces showed shock. Pei Wenxuan paid no attention and walked straight into the city.

The palace gates had already been breached by the battering ram. Everyone stared at him blankly. Li Rong had just stepped out of the great hall when she saw a white-robed figure walking slowly from the direction of the palace gates.

She couldn’t help but stop in her tracks, staring at him blankly.

Last night’s accumulated snow remained, white snow covering last night’s blood and chaos, like a blank canvas spread upon level ground.

The gentleman in white robes and jade crown walked alone across the vast snowfield, like a snow deity descending to the mortal world, cleanliness mixed with a measure of solemnity and killing intent.

All around, countless soldiers stood with drawn bows, ready to shoot this man at any moment. Yet the gentleman seemed to stroll leisurely through a courtyard, composed and elegant.

Outside Hua Jing, countless soldiers climbed the walls using ladders. Inside the city, soldiers fought in a mass. Zhao Chongjiu cut down the soldiers guarding the city gate mechanism and slashed his sword heavily down on the rope.

The city gate instantly fell, landing across the moat. Soldiers rushed in one after another, their voices shaking the heavens.

Within the inner palace, Consort Rou looked at the bedchamber less than ten zhang away and the dense masses of soldiers, clenching her fists tightly.

Beside her, Huale shouted desperately: “Charge! Kill them! Hurry and kill them!”

Li Ming sat on the bed, raising his head to look at the dragon pattern embroidered on the bed canopy, listening to his daughter’s hoarse screams outside. He smiled mockingly and slowly closed his eyes.

All this blood, absurdity, wailing, and mockery—none of it touched even a fraction of the gentleman in the snow. He rushed all the way to before the great hall and mounted the steps.

His gaze had remained on Li Rong the entire time, never moving away for a moment.

Li Rong involuntarily straightened her back. She protected her abdomen with both hands. She didn’t know why, but as that person drew closer and closer, her eyes became more and more blurred.

She felt her heart being filled little by little with something.

As if heaven had suddenly stuffed everything she had been losing all at once into her heart.

She had not been abandoned.

She was not alone.

From this moment on, for the rest of her life, there would be one person who, whether in life or death, would be with her.

As tears filled her eyes, he came before her. He wore a smile, raised his hand before him, knelt on one knee, and looked up at her.

“This subject, Pei Wenxuan, pays respects to Princess Pingle.”

Hearing him speak, Li Rong couldn’t help but smile.

Her eyes couldn’t help but curve. As they curved, tears fell.

“What have you come here to do?”

“To accompany you to death,” Pei Wenxuan answered openly and frankly, “or to take you home.”