In the blink of an eye, not only had the city gates opened, but the drawbridge had also been lowered by the furious, enraged citizens.

On the other side of the river, the great army stood solemn and quiet, preparing to enter the city.

Standing atop the city wall, Tao Shuo shouted: “Your Majesty, this subject is incompetent and can only take the first step ahead!”

Seeing Tao Shuo about to leap, Minister Zhao moved quickly to embrace him.

Tao Shuo rebuked angrily: “Let me go! If you’re all willing to welcome the rebel army into the city, I’m powerless to stop you. But if you want me to become a surrendering minister alongside you and bow to treacherous rebels, absolutely not!”

Minister Zhao spoke earnestly: “Minister Tao, you still have rotten vegetable leaves on your head. Dying to defend the city like this lacks a certain dignity.”

Tao Shuo faltered and forgot to struggle.

At this moment, the physical strength the old minister had accumulated from eating double portions of roasted pig head at Youjian Tavern showed its worth—he neatly pulled Tao Shuo down.

By the time Tao Shuo came to his senses and wanted to jump from the city wall again, he was already completely surrounded by the assembled ministers.

“Minister Tao, you cannot just die and be done with it! If you wash your hands of this, who will share His Majesty’s worries…”

In truth, most officials were calculating that if Minister Tao, the head of all officials, jumped from the city wall in front of thousands of citizens and the great army, what would they do?

Not jump? They’d appear cowardly and afraid of death.

Jump? Looking at those common people throwing rotten vegetable leaves—jumping wouldn’t earn them a good reputation either.

In any case, Minister Tao absolutely could not die.

The ministers who had come to their senses simultaneously cast admiring glances at Minister Zhao.

Minister Qian, who had the best relationship with Minister Zhao, said quietly: “Old Zhao, your reaction was quite quick.”

No wonder the old fellow always won when grabbing dishes.

Minister Zhao’s face showed reserve: “Serving as officials together in court, how can we not have feelings for each other?”

The ministers: “…”

During this delay, part of the great army had already entered the city.

Wei Han, riding at the very front, sat on his horse and looked back toward the city gate.

The assembled ministers standing on the city wall didn’t know what to do for a moment.

Minister Zhao sighed: “Let’s go down. What must be faced must be faced, what must be discussed must be discussed. We can’t just hang on the city wall like salted fish.”

Hearing this, the ministers agreed and silently queued to descend the city wall.

Minister Zhao was pushed forward by the assembled ministers to speak with Wei Han: “Your Highness has returned…”

Wei Han’s expression was calm, his tone gentle: “I was concerned about Imperial Brother’s health, so I returned.”

Minister Zhao was startled.

The assembled ministers were also stunned.

What did Prince Kaiyang mean by these words?

“Ministers, let me first pay my respects to Imperial Brother before we discuss further.”

The ministers grew even more puzzled and followed Wei Han and his party toward the imperial palace with hearts full of trepidation.

Before the Qianqing Gate where court was normally held, Zhou Shan blocked Wei Han’s path with the resolution of one prepared to die: “His Majesty is resting quietly. Please, Your Highness, do not disturb him!”

Prince Kaiyang harbored wolfish ambitions. If he saw His Majesty had become like that, he would be even more unrestrained.

Actually, he knew this action was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—he probably couldn’t delay even a single day. But some things had to be done even knowing they couldn’t succeed, simply to have a clear conscience.

“There’s a matter this prince must consult Imperial Brother about.”

“What matter?” Zhou Shan looked at Wei Han warily.

Wei Han looked toward the youth at Governor-General Luo’s side.

The assembled ministers had thought he was looking at Governor-General Luo. Only when Luo Chen stepped forward from among them did they notice this youth.

The youth’s features still held youthful inexperience, yet also possessed a composure and reserve uncommon for his age.

He opened the box he carried with him and unhurriedly took out the secret edict inside.

When the bright yellow secret edict slowly unfolded, the assembled ministers’ expressions changed dramatically.

As Chief Minister and Minister of Rites, Tao Shuo recognized the edict’s markings at a glance and couldn’t help but exclaim: “The late emperor’s testament?”

The civil and military officials all gasped in unison.

What had happened? Why would Governor-General Luo’s son possess the late emperor’s testament?

Wei Han said indifferently: “Minister Tao, you are the head of all officials. Please read this testament from the late emperor.”

Tao Shuo extended trembling hands to receive the testament from Luo Chen. Barely stabilizing his emotions, he began to read: “The testament states: I, having been yielded the throne by my sworn brother the Prince of Zhennan, ascended as Emperor… If the descendants of the Wei clan prove unworthy, or if the bloodline has no heir, then by this edict the throne shall be returned to the Qi clan. Let this be proclaimed throughout the realm so all may know.”

After the testament was read, the great hall fell so silent a pin drop could be heard.

Wei Han gave the assembled officials time to digest this, then spoke: “Now the realm is in chaos, and Imperial Brother has no heir. Therefore, this prince wishes to consult Imperial Brother’s intention.”

Zhou Shan’s eyes brightened as he asked in a trembling voice: “Does Your Highness mean… the state has no heir apparent…”

Whether it was rebellion or forcing abdication, the change of dynasties had become inevitable. In this situation, whether His Majesty returned the throne to the Qi clan according to the late emperor’s testament due to having no heir, or whether he was deposed for cruelty and tyranny—what would be recorded in the history books would be completely different.

The former could become a tale of virtue over time, while the latter would brand him an undignified tyrant of a fallen state.

When unable to change the outcome, preserving some dignity for His Majesty would not make his years of service worthless.

Wei Han smiled: “Yes, a state without an heir apparent is ultimately not a solution.”

Zhou Shan’s tense body relaxed. He lowered his eyes and said: “Your Highness, please follow this servant to see His Majesty.”

The assembled ministers watched Wei Han depart with Zhou Shan, already having their answer: soon news of His Majesty’s abdication would be announced.

This was for the best. With the late emperor’s testament, it was legitimate and proper. There need be no rivers of blood, and they need not bear the shame of lacking integrity.

Thinking thus, the ministers looked toward Governor-General Luo.

Tao Shuo spoke up to ask: “Governor-General, why is the late emperor’s testament in your son’s possession?”

Governor-General Luo looked deeply at Luo Chen, his face showing sorrow: “This is a long story…”

After hearing him out, the ministers were dumbstruck.

Governor-General Luo’s only son was actually the orphan of the Prince of Zhennan—this was far too bizarre and convoluted.

“Then the current Prince of Zhennan—” Someone raised doubts.

What if Governor-General Luo was impersonating to get his own son on the dragon throne?

Of course, even if that were true, they had no recourse. Under absolute control, calling a deer a horse was nothing unusual.

“That child should be at the Prince of Zhennan’s residence. Why not summon him for questioning?” Governor-General Luo said indifferently.

Soon the youth and a guard appeared before the assembled ministers.

Facing the civil and military officials, the youth timidly hid behind the guard, his eyes betraying unease.

Seeing this, everyone sighed inwardly: looking at this child’s behavior, if he were to sit on that throne, it would truly be worrying…

After hearing Tao Shuo’s inquiry, the guard said solemnly: “He is indeed not the prince’s orphan, but rather one of the decoys used to protect the young prince back then…”

At this, the whole truth came to light. Even if some still harbored suspicions, they could only keep them to themselves.

Soon an abdication edict written by Senior Eunuch Zhou Shan and sealed by Chief Eunuch Qi Yan spread throughout the realm: Emperor Yong’an returned the throne to the Qi clan, and the orphan of the Prince of Zhennan, Qi Rui, ascended as Emperor.

The imperial throne changed hands smoothly. Not only did the citizens of the capital not suffer the hardships of turmoil, they actually felt reassured: at last they need not constantly fear losing their loved ones.

As for the wars in various regions, that was for the court to consider.

The wars naturally had to be resolved.

After ascending the throne under his new name Qi Rui, Luo Chen had Governor-General Luo and Governor-General Lei continue to be responsible for protecting the imperial palace and capital’s security, while Wei Han once again embarked on the path of quelling rebellions.

On the day of departure, the new Emperor intended to lead the civil and military officials to see Wei Han off outside the city, but he politely declined: “No need for such great ceremony. When the realm is at peace and I return, it won’t be too late to gather then.”

Luo Chen cupped his hands toward Wei Han: “May Your Highness return victorious.”

The civil and military officials all cupped their hands in unison: “May Your Highness return victorious.”

Wei Han clasped his fists and strode out of the great hall.

The green tiles and vermillion walls remained as solemn as ever, yet in Wei Han’s eyes they held less of the oppression of the past and more openness.

Walking out of the imperial palace, he saw the young woman waiting under the willow trees not far away. Wei Han quickly went to meet her.

“Miss Luo.” He gazed at her, his eyes burning. “I’m about to depart. Will you see me off?”

The person he wanted to see him off—this one person before him was enough.

Luo Sheng smiled and nodded: “Alright.”

The two bathed in the morning light, leading their horses and walking side by side toward the city gate.

The June morning was bright and beautiful. Wei Han looked at the young woman’s serene profile and said: “Miss Luo, last time you didn’t see me off.”

Luo Sheng turned her head to meet those eyes and saw the faint grievance within them.

She was silent for a moment, then said softly: “I did see you off.”

It was just that at the time, not wanting to leave each other with false hope, she could only hide and silently watch him depart from afar.

In her heart, how could there not have been regret?

Fortunately this time, she could finally see him off openly.

Wei Han’s steps paused, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting: “Really?”

“Why would I lie to you?” Luo Sheng wanted to appear calm, but thinking of how this person before her was leaving with no telling when he’d return, she couldn’t truly be calm.

“Your Highness, on campaign abroad, please be careful.” She instructed gently.

“I will.”

For a moment heaven and earth were quiet as the two walked forward silently.

The normally long street seemed to suddenly shorten. The city gate was just ahead.

Wei Han gazed at her intently and said softly: “Miss Luo, I’ll bid you farewell here.”

“Then… I won’t see Your Highness off outside the city.”

Laughter appeared in Wei Han’s eyes. Beneath the laughter lay reluctance: “Then wait for me to return.”

Luo Sheng nodded slightly.

Wei Han’s hand gripping the reins tightened. Suddenly he leaned close to her and placed a fleeting kiss like a dragonfly touching water on that smooth forehead, then mounted his horse and galloped forward.