Yan Ze furrowed his brow slightly upon hearing Yan Chi's words.
Though their conversation today hadn't yet touched upon Li Muyun, it was clear Yan Chi already knew everything.
Seeing Yan Ze remain silent, Yan Chi's eyes grew three parts colder. "The Shen family was innocent. Why did Third Brother use them to test his blade?"
Yan Ze glanced at Yan Chi for a moment before smiling. "Yan Chi, it's not that I disregard the Shen family's lives. But Shen Yi learned something he shouldn't have known. Do you think Shen Yi wouldn't have died even without Li Muyun's memorial? Whether it's the Shen family or Prince Jin, from the moment they learned the secret, they were already dead men. Your indignation for the Shen family is useless when directed at me. You should look at the person standing on the throne - the murderer is right there."
"Does Third Brother consider himself the righteous Path? Then what of those who died in Guanyin Town six years ago, or the souls claimed by Ning Buyi this summer? These people had no connection to the imperial family and knew nothing of His Majesty's secrets. Why did they deserve to die?"
Yan Ze's smile deepened at Yan Chi's words, as if hearing some great joke. "Yan Chi, have you learned such arguments from being with Qin Guan? It's one thing for Qin Guan to speak like this, but hearing it from you only amuses me. True, they had nothing to do with imperial secrets, but each of them carried their own sins. There's too much injustice in this world. Since that's the case, why shouldn't they offer their lives for my use?"
Only Yan Chi and Yan Ze were in the room. Had others heard these words, they would never have believed they came from Yan Ze's mouth.
Yan Chi looked at Yan Ze - dressed in plain white robes with wide sleeves, his entire demeanor as pure and refined as an immortal's. Yet the words from his mouth were demonic rather than divine. Who would believe that this man, who concealed his thoughts so deeply, had a hand in the current turmoil in the capital?
"Don't look at me like that, Yan Chi. If human effort could achieve anything, why would I place hope in the cycle of the heavenly Path? Twenty years - His Majesty has been on the throne for twenty years. How many of those who died in the palace were victims of his blade? Only with Consort Jin's death did the tip of the iceberg begin to emerge. His Majesty has maintained Prince Luo's identity for twenty years - does the truth of his identity even matter anymore? The people of Great Zhou only know their emperor has ruled for twenty years, that he's diligent in governance and cares for his people, worthy of being called an enlightened ruler. The military power of Great Zhou is in his hands, all court officials bow before him - he is the true emperor of Great Zhou. Had he not committed those evil deeds, even letting him rule Great Zhou for twenty years would have been acceptable. But..."
A storm laced with ice and snow brewed in Yan Ze's eyes. "His so-called diligence in governance is merely a show for the world. Only our parents' generation knows his cruelty and venom. We were too young before - opposing him would have been like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. But now it's different. Yan Chi, you were born with bloodlust in your veins. Even without my saying so, you have your own plans in heart. You should know His Majesty has long intended to kill you, and with the capital in chaos, now is his best opportunity to strike!"Yan Ze's eyes grew increasingly bright as he spoke, like a cluster of sparks igniting within a dark, murky swamp—brilliant yet carrying a dangerous allure that threatened to devour anyone who drew near. Despite Yan Ze's aura of righteous conviction, Yan Chi remained unmoved. The third brother before him was no longer the one he had known, and Yan Chi had never been one to trust others easily. Even now, as Yan Ze made no attempt to conceal the hatred and fury in his eyes, Yan Chi instinctively sensed an uncontrollable danger emanating from him.
"So, third brother still hasn’t stated what you intend to do."
Seeing Yan Chi’s complete indifference, a flicker of disappointment surfaced in Yan Ze’s eyes. Pressing his lips together, he said, "The late Emperor’s decree passed the throne to Prince Luo, yet the current Emperor has usurped the position for years through deception. The Shen clan you mentioned, along with Prince Jin and even Consort Jin, are nothing more than sacrifices to his own ambition. This proves that the imperial bloodline must return to its legitimate line. I had thought the current Crown Prince was firmly seated as the Heir Apparent and would surely inherit the throne in the future, thus restoring the rightful Path. But as you know now, the Emperor has no intention of letting the Crown Prince succeed. All of Prince Luo’s descendants are merely pawns to deceive the public…"
"So, third brother plans to aid the Empress and the Crown Prince?"
Yan Ze nodded. "The Empress commands a hundred thousand Northern Garrison Army. It’s not impossible to challenge the current Emperor."
Yan Chi’s brow furrowed deeply. "Cangzhou has already fallen into the hands of the Northern Garrison Army. If they march south to wage war, the northern populace will suffer. Moreover, the Emperor has already dispatched the Jinzhou garrison northward—and this is only the first step. The garrisons of Jianzhou and Yizhou have yet to receive orders. How can a mere hundred thousand Northern Garrison Army prevail?"
Yan Ze’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. "You are still too soft-hearted, Yan Chi. Back then, our mother and your mother passed away one after the other, all because our mother discovered the Emperor’s secret while treating his illness… Perhaps I lack your composure. At this point, I am resolved to burn my bridges and fight with my back against the river. But you—you still have a way out. A hundred thousand Northwest Frontier Army await you. Once you reach the northwest, you can leave all the grudges and entanglements of the capital behind."
Mention of Princess Consort Rui finally stirred a deeper intensity in Yan Chi’s gaze. Yan Ze, however, rose and walked to the window, his back to Yan Chi, exuding an air of profound desolation. Orphaned in childhood, then blinded—years of pent-up hatred and rage had festered within him, forging the deeply calculating man he had become.
For a fleeting moment, Yan Chi felt he understood this version of Yan Ze. He stood up. "I have heard what you said, third brother. The day after tomorrow, at our brother’s wedding, I will await your presence."
With these words, Yan Chi turned and strode out. Only after the sound of his footsteps faded did Yan Ze finally turn around.
His eyes coldly fixed on the direction Yan Chi had departed, he let out a soft, faint laugh after a moment.
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