"Step aside." Xiao Changying's eyes were icy as he shoved You Wenjun aside.
You Wenjun nearly stumbled and fell, but steadied herself. Turning around, she shouted at Xiao Changying's retreating back: "Prince Xin will kill you! Prince Xin is not your blood brother!"
The hoarse cry halted Xiao Changying's steps. He turned back, his eyes bloodshot as he stared fixedly at You Wenjun: "What did you say?"
You Wenjun gritted her teeth: "Yesterday..."
Xiao Changqing had brought Noble Consort Rong to Prince Xin's Residence, but the events of that day remained vivid in her memory. Noble Consort Rong didn't believe Prince Xin had truly lost his memory—how could it be so coincidental that he went out once and lost his memory?
Noble Consort Rong believed Prince Xin was pretending. He must want to torment her and her children to death. She only stayed one night at Prince Xin's Residence before fleeing to Lie Palace the next day. Naturally, this made outsiders think Prince Xin was mistreating her.
Because of this, Xiao Changying flew into a rage. However, Noble Consort Rong refused to return to Prince Xin's Residence, and Xiao Changqing didn't press the matter, so Noble Consort Rong remained at Lie Palace.
Noble Consort Rong could still hear some news about palace affairs, having managed palace authority for twenty years. She guessed tonight would be sleepless. The thought of Xiao Changying joining Xiao Changqing in rebellion made her toss and turn, fearing Xiao Changqing would take the opportunity to kill Xiao Changying—cleanly, swiftly, and without anyone knowing.
But she couldn't rashly seek out Xiao Changying to reveal everything. If Xiao Changying knew, he would surely go to apologize to Xiao Changqing. Even though she suspected Xiao Changqing was feigning amnesia, she still held onto a sliver of hope. If he had truly lost his memory, wouldn't exposing him again be seeking death?
After much thought, she could only tell You Wenjun. You Wenjun, with her exceptional martial skills, helped her infiltrate the army to keep watch over Xiao Changying. If Xiao Changqing had truly lost his memory, all would be well.
If he was pretending, then You Wenjun must rescue Xiao Changying at the first opportunity. Even if they were only a couple in name, she didn't want to become a widow.
You Wenjun briefly explained the whole story to Xiao Changying. He heard every word clearly, but when strung together, he seemed unable to grasp their deeper meaning. A storm raged in his heart.
The sounds of battle around him suddenly faded away. The immense impact shattered his thoughts into fragments.
The brother who had protected him since childhood, who had been pure and sincere with him, was not his blood brother.
His own mother was the one who had killed his brother's birth mother.
Not only did his mother know about this, but even his own sister knew. Mother and daughter had been concealing it all along, deceiving his brother.
They enjoyed the stability and prosperity his brother brought them while righteously demanding more from him as his birth mother and sister.
He had always thought his mother was merely too infatuated with Your Majesty, just somewhat overbearing. His sister, he believed, was understanding, wise, and knew her place. But You Wenjun's words crushed these beautiful illusions, laying bare the filth and corruption beneath the splendid facade!
Although You Wenjun spoke tactfully, even adopting Noble Consort Rong's tone to portray herself as forced and helpless, Xiao Changying had followed Xiao Changqing for so many years. How could he not deduce the complete truth?
A sharp pain inexplicably pierced his chest, and blood suddenly gushed from his wound.His fingers, pressed against the wound, were stained crimson with blood. The shock made Xiao Changying stagger backward, barely able to steady himself by leaning on his sword to avoid collapsing completely.
You Wenjun watched with a pained heart as the man before her—once so vibrant—now stood disoriented and utterly shattered.
When she first met him, he had burned like a fierce flame—bold, unrestrained, and radiant as the rising sun.
Later, she came to understand that this brilliance, this unbridled confidence that should not have existed within the imperial family, was only possible because he had an elder brother he revered—a powerful figure who carved out a sky under which he could grow freely into the person he wished to become.
To Xiao Changying, Xiao Changqing was the most important person in this world.
“Your Highness…” You Wenjun called out weakly, her voice barely a whisper. She opened her mouth but found no words to say.
Suddenly, Xiao Changying snapped back to reality. He surged forward, and the men left behind by Xiao Changqing followed. Instead of chasing after his brother, however, he ascended a high tower and looked toward the Vermilion Bird Gate and the White Tiger Gate.
Xiao Changgeng and Xie Yunhuai were both trapped in fierce battles. With Xiao Changqing’s defection, their forces were falling one by one.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Palace’s troops were locked in a desperate struggle against Xiao Changqing’s men.
“It can’t be… Even if Brother suddenly came to hate me, he would never become like this…” Xiao Changying murmured to himself.
He recalled that day outside their mother’s palace—his brother had known even then, yet he had never harmed him. After returning, his brother had simply forgotten that particular memory.
Xiao Changying knew his brother had truly forgotten; it was nothing like what their mother claimed—that he was merely pretending. Having grown up close to his brother, he knew him better than anyone.
So his brother must be…
His pupils abruptly contracted. During the period when His Majesty feigned unconsciousness, the brothers had gone together to see the Crown Princess. While his brother spoke privately with her, he and the Twelfth Prince had sat drinking and chatting.
The Twelfth Prince had mentioned that the Eighth Prince had a skilled subordinate—one versed in a Western Regions technique known as the Soul-seizing Art…
His brother’s condition resembled someone under the influence of such an art.
Yes, it must have happened that day—the day his brother first learned the truth, when his mind was unsettled and his thoughts in disarray, leaving him vulnerable to manipulation.
But what good would chasing after him do now? His brother couldn’t possibly break free from another’s control.
And given what their mother had done to his brother, what right did he have to stop him from seeking revenge? Yet as a son, how could he stand by and watch his brother kill their mother and sister?
Perhaps…
There was still one way.
“They say the Soul-seizing Art can only be undone by the one who cast it.” Xiao Changying rose to his feet, murmuring softly as he turned to You Wenjun. “Help me with one thing.”
For no apparent reason, her heart tightened. She shook her head instinctively. “Your Highness, I am but a weak woman…”
“Help me!” The pride in Xiao Changying’s eyes gave way to pleading. “You are the only one who can.”
Tears welled in You Wenjun’s eyes as she continued shaking her head.
“Return to the Blackwater Tribe. Lead the You clan to pledge allegiance to the Crown Princess. Your family will be ensured a lifetime of honor and prosperity.” Remorse flickered in Xiao Changying’s gaze. “You are an exceptional woman. You should not be confined to the inner chambers. If you ever meet a man who captures your heart… do not let the chance slip away.”
“Your Highness—”
Before her tear-filled eyes, Xiao Changying swept his sword across his own neck. Blood sprayed into the air.
His weary eyes lifted toward the high-hanging moon, his vision gradually blurring.
His tall frame collapsed heavily, falling into the arms of You Wenjun as she rushed forward. “Take my head… to my brother… quickly!”The men left by Brother would delay him; he wouldn't make it in time. Yet he took his own life. With You Wenjun carrying his severed head, no one dared stop her—some even cleared a path for her.
He could no longer face Brother with dignity.
But he knew Brother still held him dear as a younger brother.
He would gamble—gamble with heaven itself—betting that their fraternal bond could triumph over all the dark arts in this world!
The men Xiao Changqing had left behind were utterly stunned by this scene. Frozen in place, they didn't know how to react.
You Wenjun's face was streaked with tears, drenched in Xiao Changying's blood. Her heart felt as if pierced by ten thousand swords.
How could he be so cruel? Was that woman truly worth him going to such lengths?
Was he afraid he wouldn't reach Xiao Changqing in time to stop him, worried that by the time he arrived, Xiao Changqing would have already harmed that woman?
This was her husband. She was but an ordinary woman—how could she not be moved by his majestic, heroic bearing?
Why couldn't heaven have let her meet him sooner?
Though overwhelmed with agony, You Wenjun still raised the sharp blade, closed her eyes, and brought it down with all her strength.
This was his final wish—she couldn't let him rest uneasy in the afterlife.
Clutching his head, she fled at a desperate pace. Only then did Xiao Changqing's men snap out of their daze, leaving two to guard Xiao Changying's corpse while the rest swiftly pursued.
Just as Xiao Changying had predicted, no one dared obstruct You Wenjun—even the Empress Dowager's rebel troops made way, with Xiao Changqing's men paving her path.
This was a scene I never wanted to write—it weighs heavily. But the Warrior King's fate was sealed from the start: he acted not only for Xihe, but to prevent his brother from being manipulated, and to atone for his birth mother's sins.
Tomorrow at ten.
OpenNovel