Fu Gang withdrew.
Just as everyone's attention returned to Hua Zhi, sudden exclamations came from outside the hall.
Instinctively looking over, some were so shocked upon seeing the person slowly entering from outside that they abruptly stood up. The Emperor was displeased and raised his head to reprimand them, but when he saw the newcomer, he lost his composure and knocked over the wine cup nearest to him.
He wasn't the only one who lost composure—many others did too.
The Official Uniform of the Seven Constellation Bureau chief was unique and unmistakable, and the mask he held in his hand further confirmed he was the chief who never revealed his true face.
Yet those in the imperial family recognized him—he was Ling Wang's heir, Gu Yanxi.
As if choked, the vast hall fell silent. That the Seven Constellation Bureau chief was the heir was one thing, but why reveal his identity now?
"Enough for today. Dismissed." Before the situation could worsen, the Empress Dowager decisively stood up and sent the unrelated parties away.
Everyone exchanged glances, their hearts itching with curiosity but not daring to disobey. They dragged their feet as they exited the hall, with the imperial consorts leaving last. Haoyue, though wishing to stay, dared not show any abnormality—some things couldn't be openly acknowledged, or it would cost lives!
The Empress Dowager descended from the high platform, her crown adorned with pearls and jade, exuding unparalleled nobility, yet it couldn't conceal the desolation surrounding her.
She helped Hua Zhi up—it was unclear whether she was supporting Hua Zhi or Hua Zhi was supporting her, or perhaps they were leaning on each other as they walked out. Passing by her grandson, she sighed and said, "You are uncle and nephew, and can only be uncle and nephew now. Before making impulsive decisions, think of Daqing's empire and the Chao Li Tribe lurking nearby."
Crossing the threshold, the door closed heavily behind them. The sky had completely darkened, pitch black, like the weight pressing on their hearts.
"Will you accompany me back to the Palace of Blessings and Longevity?"
"I'll wait for him here." Hua Zhi looked at the elder who genuinely cared for Yanxi. "Whether fortune or misfortune, I must stay with him."
In the dim light, it was hard to see clearly, but the Empress Dowager seemed to smile. "I never thought it would come to this."
Yet when it happened, it wasn't entirely surprising. People have their reverse scales and vulnerabilities. Yanxi never had them before, but now he did. And the Emperor sought to break his ribs and touch his reverse scales—he couldn't possibly offer up someone he cherished like those spineless men did. Power or profit—her grandson disdained such things.
She had always believed the Emperor understood and held some genuine affection for Yanxi, but now it seemed she had overestimated him. There might have been sincerity, but only when it didn't affect his own interests. Yet he demanded Yanxi offer his whole heart—how could that be possible?
Faced with such a situation, she didn't know how to appeal to Yanxi's sense of duty anymore.
Brushing her sleeves lightly, the Empress Dowager turned and left. Hua Zhi saw her off respectfully, then glanced back at the door before walking to the steps and sitting down to wait.
Inside the hall, under his imperial uncle's gaze, Gu Yanxi stepped forward again. Each step felt like walking on knife tips—so painful his eyes reddened, yet his entire body felt numb, barely registering the pain. His ears buzzed, and even the figures before him appeared blurred.
Only one question echoed in his mind: Why?
He only wanted Hua Zhi, only begged for Hua Zhi. His imperial uncle knew this perfectly well—why did he still try to take her away?Yet he did not ask. He bent down, gently placing the mask before him, then removed his official uniform, rolled it up, and set it beside the mask. Next, he took out the seals of the Seven Constellation Bureau leader and the Heir, placing them atop the pile. Kneeling, he performed a formal bow. "From this day forth, there will no longer be a leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau."
The Emperor, trembling with either rage or some other emotion, pointed a shaking finger at him. "You... you..."
"The existence of the Seven Constellation Bureau has become an obstacle to the Great Qing. Though it may be reestablished in the future, it is no longer needed now. The members of the Seven Constellation Bureau can be treated as imperial guards, serving at Your Majesty’s command and carrying out orders as directed. The roster will be presented to you later, and all current affairs under its jurisdiction will be compiled into records."
Gu Yanxi’s expression remained indifferent, entirely unmoved by the Emperor’s fury. His gaze was even distant, not directly meeting the Emperor’s eyes. "I will soon be betrothed to A Zhi and see no need to report it separately to you."
Having spoken his piece, Gu Yanxi rose and requested leave.
"Gu! Yan! Xi!"
Ignoring the outburst, Gu Yanxi turned and walked away.
A loud crash echoed, followed by several more—the Emperor had overturned nearby tables. Seeing Gu Yanxi still paying no heed, he grabbed the nearest object and hurled it. A bronze wine cup struck Gu Yanxi squarely in the back, but he neither dodged nor flinched, his steps unwavering.
"You wretched beast! Do you dare rebel?!"
Gu Yanxi finally halted.
A strange sense of satisfaction flickered in the Emperor’s heart—had he finally cornered him?
"If you relinquish command of the Seven Constellation Bureau and I strip you of your title as Heir, you will be nothing but an ordinary member of the royal family. Gu Yanxi, have you thought this through?!"
"Nothing would please me more," Gu Yanxi turned back, emphasizing each word, "I desire nothing more."
"You!" The Emperor’s breathing grew more ragged. "If you step beyond this door today, I will banish you from the clan!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting my wish." Gu Yanxi smiled, his expression relaxed as if he had achieved a long-held desire. "I have long yearned to live as an ordinary person—to worry about daily necessities, engage in trivial gossip, experience carefree affection without schemes, savor sweetness untainted by poison, sleep peacefully through the night, and no longer live by the blade... I have dreamed of such a life for many years. If you can grant this, it will not betray the years I have spent sharing your burdens, nor the devotion I once..."
Once revered you as a father.
Suddenly, as if his senses had returned, sorrow washed over him like a tidal wave. Every breath felt like it would tear him apart.
At seventeen, his family had been destroyed. His imperial uncle had appeared like a deity, shielding him from all harm, finding him the finest mentors, and deciding what seemed the best path for him. Everything his birth father had failed to provide, his uncle had given.
The entire court knew how favored the Heir was; there were even rumors that he was a prince. Even the princes themselves suspected it, viewing him as a potential rival. Back then, he had thought: I will be a son to my imperial uncle, fight for his empire, guard his realm, command the Seven Constellation Bureau for him, and be the sword in his hand, striking wherever he pointed, without a second thought.
So why had it come to this? He still revered him as a father, never once betraying or neglecting his duties. Why, knowing how he cherished A Zhi as his very life, did he still trample on his bleeding heart and take her away?
A decade of father-son bond, ten years of familial affection—how could it shatter so easily?Gu Yanxi looked up, his eyes a mixture of amusement and sorrow. "Your Majesty, what do I mean to you in your heart? Didn't you say you treated me better than your own son? Didn't you say I had many privileges here? Why can't you spare A Zhi? You know perfectly well she is my life! Do you want my life? Take it, I give it to you."
A dagger had somehow appeared in Gu Yanxi's hand—dark red in color, exceptionally sharp.
"Yan Xi!"
The emperor rushed over at an impossible speed, yet he was still too late. He could only watch helplessly as Yanxi steadily, calmly, drove the dagger inch by inch into his own chest.
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