Xiao Changqing walked all the way to the gate of the Hall of Diligent Governance when something suddenly fell from his neck and hit the ground.
He looked down and saw it was the spirit tablet of his deceased wife. He bent down to pick it up, carefully brushing off the dust, feeling as though his heart had suddenly emptied. He didn't understand why it felt so hollow.
In that instant, he felt disoriented, his mind a blank void. A night breeze swept through, causing the bells beneath the eaves to chime incessantly.
His eyes sharpened, and dragging his blood-stained sword, he strode across the threshold. Behind him followed hundreds of men, their bodies reeking of blood and radiating murderous intent after the fierce battle.
The civil and military officials, surrounded by the Empress Dowager's guards armed with blades, paled at the sight of Xiao Changqing.
The lead guard, with a small bell hanging from his waist, strode toward Xiao Changqing and saluted: "Your Highness, the Crown Princess is inside the hall."
The Empress Dowager intended to frame Shen Xihe and Prince Xin for jointly forcing their way into the palace. Not only Xiao Changqing but also Xiao Changgeng and Xiao Changying were targeted—this was the only way she could justifiably execute them afterward, leaving only Xiao Changhong in the royal family.
Xiao Changhong was spared to placate the officials, preventing them from suggesting adoption or enthroning a collateral branch of the Xiao clan.
Once Xiao Changhong ascended the throne, she would seize control as regent, stabilize the situation, and then arrange for Xiao Changhong's untimely death, smoothly assuming power herself.
The scheme was undeniably intricate.
"Fifth Brother has arrived. Girl, do you think Fifth Brother's sword is aimed at you or me?" The sound of salutations echoed from outside, and the Empress Dowager smiled radiantly.
Shen Xihe did not respond. For her, this was the greatest predicament: Xiao Changqing had been manipulated into becoming the Empress Dowager's pawn, while His Majesty feigned unconsciousness, clinging to his last breath, waiting for them to fight to the death before awakening to clean up the aftermath.
The Empress Dowager believed she held all the cards, unaware that she stood no chance of winning.
Shen Xihe still had a backup plan, but she could not reveal it now. Otherwise, she would lose any chance to strike against His Majesty.
The sound of armor was particularly heavy as footsteps drew nearer, the scent of blood growing increasingly pungent.
Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance, Shen Xihe had only slightly over twenty men. Xiao Changqing, having fought his way here, brought at least several hundred. To think they could hold them off was mere delusion.
Shen Xihe did not order her men to charge out and rescue the officials because she was waiting to join forces with Xiao Changqing.
The Empress Dowager did not send the men holding the officials hostage inside because she was waiting for Xiao Changqing to kill Shen Xihe. Controlling the officials ensured they would witness the right scene at the right time.
Soon, Xiao Changqing, his hands stained with blood, entered the main hall, passed through the central chamber, rounded the screen, and stood before them with a dozen men.
He still bore his jade-like appearance, his gaze profound and penetrating, yet dark and lifeless as midnight, eerily resembling a puppet.
"Fifth Brother, save your grandmother!" the Empress Dowager cried out as soon as she saw Xiao Changqing.
Without a second thought, Xiao Changqing raised his sword and thrust toward Shen Xihe. Moyu immediately intercepted him, while Xiao Changqing's men swiftly engaged Shen Xihe's guards.
Xiao Changqing's men were far more formidable than the Empress Dowager's. To protect Shen Xihe, Tianyuan quickly shifted the battle outward, only to find that almost everyone outside belonged to Xiao Changqing's forces.
Though the Empress Dowager remained in Shen Xihe's custody, the situation was far from favorable. Liu Sanzhi seemed terrified, huddled near His Majesty's bed, utterly indifferent to the unfolding events.Shen Xihe clutched a bone whistle. If she blew it, half of the Embroidered Uniform Envoys arranged by His Majesty in ambush would emerge to rescue her. But this move was not suitable to take now.
Moyu and Xiao Changqing were evenly matched in skill, but Xiao Changqing had too many men—almost ten surrounding one, with others still blocking the doorway, not yet engaged.
When Moyu became entangled, Xiao Changqing twisted his wrist, and his sword tip shot straight toward Shen Xihe. Shen Xihe grabbed the Empress Dowager and pulled her in front as a shield. Xiao Changqing abruptly redirected his strike, and the long sword slashed into a vase, shattering it instantly.
Holding the Empress Dowager hostage, Shen Xihe slowly backed toward His Majesty’s bed. With the Empress Dowager in her grasp, Xiao Changqing seemed restrained and did not act rashly for the moment. Yet one of Shen Xihe’s men fell, pierced through by several blades.
Seeing this, Shen Xihe had no choice but to take out the bone whistle.
Just as she was about to blow it, she never expected that Shu Fei, who had hidden under the bed at some point, would shove her. In that instant, Xiao Changqing darted forward, pulled the Empress Dowager to safety, spun around, and thrust his sword toward Shen Xihe, who had fallen to the ground.
“The Valiant King has taken his own life—”
At this critical moment, a hoarse voice rang out.
Xiao Changqing’s sword had already reached Shen Xihe’s chest, just an inch away from piercing her flesh. He froze in place as if struck by a paralysis spell.
Shen Xihe turned her head and her pupils contracted.
You Wenjun stood with her hair in disarray, her hands covered in blood. She cradled Xiao Changying’s head, which still dripped with fresh blood. Though her hands trembled violently, she held his head firmly.
Tears streaked her face. She gave Shen Xihe an icy glance before turning her gaze to Xiao Changqing.
She had actually arrived a step earlier. For a fleeting moment, she truly wanted to watch Shen Xihe die under Xiao Changqing’s sword—so that Shen Xihe might catch up to him before he traveled too far.
But she knew he would hate her for it.
His choice to end his own life might have been due to shame in facing his elder brother and atoning for his mother’s crimes, but she knew it was more because he could not afford to delay. He feared the woman he loved most would die by his brother’s sword.
Just as he had foreseen—if he had forced his way in, he might not have reached here so quickly, and Shen Xihe would have had no chance of survival!
He would rather die than ensure Shen Xihe’s safety one last time. How could she, at this final step, let him depart with regrets?
Perhaps, just perhaps, Shen Xihe would remember for the rest of her life that there was once a young man who adored her.
Who paid with his life to secure her position as mother of the realm;
Who shed his blood to dye her rivers and mountains like a painting.
“Brother, the Prince has taken his own life.” You Wenjun repeated in a choked, raspy, and sorrowful voice.
Xiao Changqing remained frozen, his sword still pointed at Shen Xihe, as he slowly turned to face his younger brother’s head.
He was dead.
Yet the corners of his lips were upturned.
He had willingly gone to his death.
Something struck Xiao Changqing’s mind with brutal force—a dull, overwhelming pain surged over him like a tidal wave, threatening to consume him whole.
“Brother, Little Nine will stand by your side as kin for life, never turning against you.”
“Brother, even if we both admire the same maiden someday, Little Nine will never contend with you.”
“Brother, even if the whole world abandons you, Little Nine will always stand behind you.”"What is right or wrong? In Xiao Jiu's heart, Brother can never be at fault. No matter what Brother does—be it plotting to usurp the throne or overthrowing the empire—Xiao Jiu will always be the sword in Brother's hand, conquering lands for him!"
"Brother..."
His calls echoed incessantly in her ears, scenes of profound brotherly affection flashing vividly before her eyes.
Yet in the end, they converged and froze upon the severed head held by You Wenjun.
Xiao Changqing opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood!
I made character cards before starting this story—Prince Lie's ending was predetermined from the very beginning. Even now, writing this part still pains me deeply. I hope to finish updating the remaining chapters tomorrow. I'm considering whether to write a separate side story for Prince Lie.
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