Three days later, a majority of court officials suddenly submitted a joint petition urging Xuan Li to ascend the throne immediately. This time, the movement was unprecedentedly massive—Xuan Li had truly decided to act. Both in and out of court, officials who had always concealed their allegiances and secretly worked for Xuan Li now stepped forward. Everyone was shocked to realize the Eighth Prince's influence was so vast, sending chills down their spines. Among his supporters were veteran officials spanning two dynasties, civil and military officers alike, many holding significant power. In comparison, those backing Xuan Pei appeared pitifully weak.
It was no wonder Xuan Pei had few supporters—Xuan Li had been scheming for this day for years. Long ago, he began covertly bribing court officials in preparation. Back when Xuan Pei was still a useless prince, Xuan Li's reputation among the court and commoners was impeccable. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse, and Xuan Li was especially adept at masking his true strength.
Under such overwhelming pressure, even Empress Dowager Yide struggled to hold her ground. The petition clearly stated: since ancient times, unless the emperor personally designated an heir, the eldest son was to inherit, not the youngest. During his reign, the Emperor had always favored Xuan Li, while Xuan Pei was still too young to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. Moreover, Xuan Pei now bore the suspicion of patricide.
In the Golden Hall, the officials argued endlessly, but a closer look revealed most speakers were Xuan Li's men. Even if Xuan Pei's supporters wished to debate, they were hopelessly outnumbered.
Xuan Li stood quietly in place, his face still wearing the same gentle smile as always, warm as a spring breeze, as if he were deaf to the quarrels around him. Yet beneath it lay an unshakable confidence, as though the throne was already his for the taking. And in truth, it should have been.
Xuan Pei remained under house arrest, unable to appear. At the Garrison General's Residence, Lord Gu watched the situation unfold, his brows furrowed so deeply they might drip water. Gu Yi, because of Jiang Ruan, had thrown his support wholeheartedly behind the Thirteenth Prince, Xuan Pei. His reasoning was simple: "Miss Jiang is so clever—has she ever suffered a loss since the beginning? Trusting her can't be wrong!" This infuriated Lord Gu, who gave him a sound thrashing. Yet afterward, Lord Gu pledged his loyalty to Xuan Pei—not because he believed Gu Yi's words, but because Jiang Ruan stood on Xuan Pei's side, which meant the Brocade Hero King Manor did too. Lord Gu never underestimated the power of Jinying Wang Manor; that couple was anything but ordinary, and he had higher hopes for them.
But now, with Jiang Ruan's fate unknown, Xiao Shao solely focused on finding his wife, and Xuan Pei imprisoned, Xuan Li was being pushed onto the throne at this very moment. The situation couldn't be worse. Lord Gu couldn't help but worry—had he made another misstep?
Empress Dowager Yide sat on the high throne, her long fingernails unconsciously brushing her temple. Against such overwhelming momentum, who could turn the tide? No matter what, she couldn't defy the collective will of the court—their power was not to be underestimated. Her gaze swept over Lin Wei, standing in the hall. If this man was determined to secure his future here, why did he remain unmoved even now?Lin Wei's lips curled into a faint smile, as if the surrounding events had nothing to do with him, exuding an air of serene detachment. Yet to Xuan Li's followers, this demeanor seemed nothing more than an affected pretense, a mere act of posturing.
At that very moment, a clear voice rang out from beyond the hall: "Hold!"
The crowd turned in unison to see a young man clad in a deep indigo official robe walking steadily forward. His gaze was resolute, carrying a brilliance unlike his usual self as he slowly made his way into the hall.
This was none other than Liu Min, the current Grand Tutor and the top scholar of the imperial examinations.
Liu Min's position in the court was peculiar. While he held the prestigious title of Crown Prince's Tutor, he wielded little real authority. Yet, despite this, he was highly respected and deeply trusted by the Emperor, making him an undeniable favorite in the imperial court. Crossing him would bring no benefits to anyone.
His sudden interjection puzzled the assembly. It was known that Liu Min had later been assigned to tutor the Thirteenth Prince, Xuan Pei, and likely shared a mentor-student bond with him. But could a mere scholar, a Grand Tutor, possibly alter the current course of events? The idea seemed not just delusional but outright laughable.
Mocking glances filled the room, yet Xuan Li's expression grew increasingly grave.
Liu Min's attire today was unusual. He had always favored light-colored robes, embodying the refined elegance of a scholar. But today, clad in deep indigo, whether due to the garment or not, he exuded an air of sharp intensity. It was as though the scholar's hands, usually holding scrolls, now gripped a razor-sharp blade. His gaze, fixed on what seemed like a battlefield of demons, carried a faint but unmistakable killing intent.
What was he planning? Xuan Li sensed something amiss and instinctively turned to Lin Wei. Sure enough, Lin Wei's smile had widened into an almost gleeful grin, his delight unmistakably genuine. How could this be? Xuan Li felt as though he had stumbled into a trap, yet he couldn't grasp the threads of the scheme. All he wanted now was to stop Liu Min before it was too late.
But before he could act, he watched helplessly as Liu Min drew a bright yellow scroll from his robes and unfurled it. Standing before the assembled officials in the golden hall, he declared in a clear, resonant voice: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—"
At these words, the crowd gasped in unison, dropping to their knees and proclaiming, "Long live the Emperor!"
Empress Dowager Yide, too, was momentarily stunned before straightening in her seat. Suddenly, she understood. Glancing at the smiling Lin Wei and then at the upright figure of Liu Min, realization dawned. So this... this was the true masterstroke.
Liu Min continued, his voice ringing out: "The Thirteenth Prince, Jiu Chen, is virtuous and capable, embodying Our virtues. He is hereby appointed to succeed Us as Emperor. So it is decreed—"
Jiu Chen was Xuan Pei's courtesy name. The proclamation was brief, yet Liu Min deliberately delivered it slowly. His voice, usually carrying the gentle cadence of a scholar, now cut like an unsheathed blade, each word laced with an oppressive force that left the listeners breathless.
Silence. A deathly silence filled the hall.
One could have heard a pin drop. Liu Min remained motionless, his back ramrod straight, as though bearing the weight of the world upon his shoulders.A court official was the first to cry out, "How could an Imperial Edict suddenly appear? Grand Tutor Liu, forging an Imperial Edict is a capital offense!" This man was a military officer from Xuan Li's faction, who had always looked down on scholars. Liu Min's unexpected move had overturned everyone's plans, prompting this outspoken individual to voice his doubts immediately.
"Your words are mistaken, sir," Elder Wang interjected. He had never aligned himself with any faction in court, but since Lin Wei's return, he had indeed been drawn into Xuan Pei's camp. Seeing the man's sarcastic tone and undisguised hostility toward Liu Min, he couldn't help but mock, "Grand Tutor Liu's character is known throughout the court. To accuse him of forging an Imperial Edict is truly judging the heart of a gentleman with one's own petty measure."
Liu Min was universally recognized in the court as a straightforward man who never erred. In his world, right and wrong were clearly defined—black was black, and white was white. He was a man of unwavering principles. Even his adversaries had to admit this. To accuse Liu Min of forging an Imperial Edict was an assertion that would hold no credibility before anyone. Thus, the man was left speechless.
"Words alone are no proof. Let someone verify it personally," Lin Wei spoke up, glancing at Liu Min. Understanding the hint, Liu Min strode to Empress Dowager Yide, bowed, and presented the Imperial Edict with both hands, saying, "Your Highness, please examine this—"
Empress Dowager Yide took the edict, glanced at it, then smiled faintly and uttered just four words: "It is genuine."
The court erupted in an uproar. The gazes of all the officials involuntarily turned to Xuan Li, whose expression had already darkened considerably. Though he struggled to maintain his composure and appear as composed as ever, today's events had been entirely unforeseen. According to the plan, he should have been smoothly ascending the throne with the support of the courtiers. Yet now, an Imperial Edict had suddenly appeared—one that did not bear his name. The muscles in his cheeks twitched slightly, and his hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves. He tried to convince himself that Liu Min's edict couldn't possibly be real. The genuine edict was with Qi Man—they had already obtained the true one. How could the Emperor have issued two edicts? It was impossible!
Even after hearing Empress Dowager Yide's words, Xuan Li refused to believe it. He assumed the Empress Dowager had already sided with Xuan Pei. Since Lin Wei had visited her earlier, perhaps this was all part of their scheme. The Empress Dowager was merely lying to support them. Thinking this, Xuan Li shot a glance at one of his followers, who stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, the late Emperor's edict is a matter of grave importance. May we, the officials, examine it as well?"
This was highly irregular, but given that the current heir apparent was suspected of patricide—a far cry from the ideal ruler in the courtiers' eyes—it was somewhat understandable. To everyone's surprise, Empress Dowager Yide readily agreed and casually ordered the edict to be passed around for inspection.What wouldn't she dare? These people merely hoped the Imperial Edict was false, but unfortunately, it was absolutely genuine. It wasn't her who ended up with egg on her face, so why shouldn't she make these people abandon all hope completely? Only... Empress Dowager Yide's gaze fell upon Lin Wei. As for today's events, Lin Wei had likely known all along. This man truly remained unchanged from his former self—once he stepped into the court, he wouldn't rest until he turned everything upside down. Take this moment, for instance: the sudden presentation of this Imperial Edict in the throne hall carried enough weight to shake the heavens.
The edict passed from hand to hand among the court officials—all elderly ministers of rank and position, many of whom had wielded significant power and previously enjoyed harmonious relations with the Emperor. Naturally, they could discern whether the edict was genuine. From the handwriting to the imperial seal, there wasn't a single trace of forgery. Even Xuan Li's faction, searching for flaws where none existed in hopes of proving the edict false, ultimately failed.
The edict eventually returned to Liu Min's hands. Taking it, he declared loudly, "When His Majesty was gravely ill, he secretly wrote this edict and entrusted it to me. Eunuch Li was present that day, but now that he has passed, there is no witness. However, an Imperial Edict cannot be falsified. I am merely carrying out His Majesty's decree. Now that His Majesty has passed, the nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day. Since His Majesty has already designated his successor, we must honor his will." He stepped forward again before Empress Dowager Yide, presenting the edict with both hands, and said respectfully, "We beseech Your Majesty to preside over the coronation ceremony and set a date for the new Emperor's ascension—"
Liu Min had always enjoyed the Emperor's trust, so it was entirely plausible that the edict had been given to him. His words were indeed irrefutable. Those of Xuan Pei's faction, who had been at a disadvantage, saw the situation abruptly reverse—and this time, with the edict in hand, the outcome was truly irreversible. Naturally, they felt a surge of vindication and immediately followed Liu Min's lead, kneeling in unison and proclaiming, "We beseech Your Majesty to preside over the coronation ceremony and set a date for the new Emperor's ascension—"
Lin Wei mingled among them, a faint smile playing on his lips, his handsome face brimming with unmistakable delight—even carrying a hint of provocation as he glanced at Xuan Li's faction. Those men now looked utterly disgraced. Every word they had spoken earlier, declaring Xuan Li the rightful heir, now seemed to slap them across the face. Whatever they said now would only be wrong. Xuan Li's expression had lost all traces of a smile, his face stiff—but upon closer inspection, one could detect something terrifying beneath. To have victory snatched away at the last moment, to have made a fool of himself from start to finish—this was an irreparable blow to both his ambitions and his pride.
Empress Dowager Yide also smiled. Lifting her chin slightly, she replied in a solemn yet gracious tone, "Granted—"
The dust had settled.
No one had expected Liu Min to step forward at this moment and produce an Imperial Edict, the sheer power of which was now undeniable. From the moment the edict was revealed, no matter what Xuan Li did in the future—even if he drew his sword in rebellion—he would stand on completely unjustifiable ground. Stripped of the people's support, even if he eventually seized the throne, his reign would be illegitimate, forever tainted by accusations of usurpation. For an emperor, the voices of the masses could never be silenced—the people of the realm could never all be killed. He had already been trapped in an irreversible predicament.He forcibly suppressed his fury. After Empress Dowager Yide casually spoke a few more words, she declared the court session adjourned. She relinquished power with ease—since the future crown prince of the Da Jin Dynasty had been decided, why should she cling to court affairs any longer? Once Empress Dowager Yide left, the Golden Luan Hall erupted in commotion. Xuan Pei's faction, having suffered under Xuan Li's people earlier, finally had their chance to retaliate. They wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to mock and ridicule their opponents.
Xuan Li ignored the verbal sparring and turned to leave the Golden Luan Hall. He walked alone, his steps hurried, his expression twisted into something terrifying.
"Eighth Brother." At the corner of the corridor, a familiar voice called out. Xuan Pei emerged from the other side. After being under house arrest for so long, his sudden appearance meant someone must have delivered the news to him immediately. With the Imperial Edict, his charges were almost instantly cleared—those accusations of patricide were nothing but slander. The young man, absent for so long, now reappeared in splendid robes, his delicate features adorned with a smile. Yet the noble air about him had faded considerably, replaced by a hidden sharpness—like a slumbering beast. What was once thought to be a young wolf now revealed itself to be a lurking lion cub, already displaying the instinct to take lives.
This cub was growing, gradually revealing the bearing of an emperor.
Xuan Li was startled by his own thoughts. How could he see imperial qualities in this boy? Xuan Pei was nothing but a wet-behind-the-ears child. Imperial bearing? Preposterous!
"Eighth Brother doesn’t look well," Xuan Pei said with a smile. "I’ve already heard about what happened in the Golden Luan Hall. Aren’t you going to congratulate me?"
"Congratulations," Xuan Li replied stiffly. There were court officials watching from a distance—how many were waiting to see him humiliated? He couldn’t afford to lose face in front of a child. Even if it meant gritting his teeth, he had to maintain decorum.
But Xuan Pei seemed intent on provoking him further. "I’ve told you before, Eighth Brother, my luck has always been good. Who knew fortune would turn in my favor? Just days ago, I was burdened with an inescapable stain on my name, and now the truth has come to light. Isn’t this a joyous occasion? Don’t you think my luck is excellent?"
"Excellent," Xuan Li said curtly. The boy before him smiled brightly, his eyes dazzling. Xuan Pei had a handsome face, but Xuan Li had never encountered a youth with such cunning. At his age, Xuan Li himself had only known how to endure in silence. But Xuan Pei was like a venomous snake, lying in wait—he didn’t even consider it endurance. He seemed to relish the process.
As Xuan Li stared into Xuan Pei’s eyes, he suddenly realized how much the boy resembled Jiang Ruan at that moment. That woman was the same—smiling, luring people to the edge of a trap before leisurely pushing them in, all while the prey foolishly believed they were about to succeed. And afterward, her subtle mockery, the way she rubbed salt in wounds—it was all executed with masterful precision."Eighth Brother seems to have urgent matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you further." Xuan Li smiled again, then turned and walked away leisurely. "Farewell."
Those last two words were uttered with an unmistakable flippancy, as if they carried an unspoken message: "This game is already mine. Staying here is pointless for you—scram."
Xuan Li stood rooted in place, forcing himself to calm the storm of emotions raging within him. If he could, he would have torn Xuan Pei to pieces right then and there. The humiliation of being trampled upon was enough to drive him mad, yet amidst this fury, he maintained an icy clarity. Something about this situation was deeply strange. How could Liu Min possess two Imperial Edicts? The one presented in court today was undoubtedly genuine—he had seen it himself. So what was the edict Qi Man had taken away? What was really going on? He needed to find Qi Man immediately and demand answers.
That night, thousands of miles away, atop the frozen peaks of Mount Canaan, within the blooming spring warmth of Green Willow Villa, an elderly man with snow-white hair sat at the mountain’s summit, gazing at the divination spread before him. He sighed deeply, then lifted his head to the boundless starry sky. Amidst the glittering constellations, his eyes lingered on one particular point before he finally closed them and shook his head. His voice was hoarse and ancient: "A new ruler emerges. Fate shifts, order fulfilled."
...
That same day, within the palace, Dong Yinger received the news. She rose to her feet in disbelief, her voice shrill as she stared at the visibly panicked maid before her. "What? The Imperial Edict names the Thirteenth Prince as heir?"
"Your Grace, please calm yourself," the maid hastily knelt. "The entire court knows of this now, Your Grace..."
Dong Yinger sank back into her carved chair, as though all strength had been drained from her body in an instant. How could this be? How could an Imperial Edict suddenly appear out of nowhere? And why... the Thirteenth Prince?
Why had the Emperor made this choice? Dong Yinger couldn’t understand. Even after serving him for so long, even after seemingly earning his trust, she had never truly grasped what went on in that man’s mind. She had tried to probe subtly, hoping to extract some hint, but the Emperor was more vigilant than anyone—so much so that she had nearly exposed herself and dared not try again.
Back then, the Emperor had never shown favor to either of the two princes. It was as though he had already chosen someone else entirely. And as far as she knew, he had never privately consulted Liu Min. So where had this damned edict come from?
With so many court officials having witnessed it, there was no chance it was a forgery. Dong Yinger knew exactly what this meant.
When the Emperor was to be entombed, she had fought desperately to avoid being buried alive with him, pleading for Xuan Li to grant her freedom. If Xuan Li succeeded, the Dong family would rise to prominence, and she would gain her liberty. But now, Xuan Pei had become the legitimate heir. Xuan Li might still raise an army in rebellion, but before that, executing her in the Emperor’s name would be a trivial matter. She had framed Zhao Jin and dragged Jiang Xin Zhi into implicating Xuan Pei—how could Xuan Pei possibly spare her? The thought sent a bone-deep chill through her entire body.How could it all come to nothing in the end? Was this her fate? She had staked everything—forsaken friends, cast aside dignity, abandoned conscience—yet in the end, gained nothing. Even this fleeting wealth and status couldn't last? Her entire Dong family had aligned themselves with Xuan Li's faction—what would become of them now?
Dong Yinger suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head. A wave of dizziness overwhelmed her, nearly causing her to faint, and she almost collapsed on the spot. A palace maid at her side was startled and quickly steadied her, exclaiming in alarm, "Your Highness, what's wrong? This servant will fetch the imperial physician at once..."
...
The Zhao family members were also released, and the whole ordeal seemed like a theatrical play. The rapid changes in the palace were beyond their expectations, and what shocked them even more was Dong Yinger's downfall. Someone had discovered genuine Southern Borderlands poison in her chambers—a different kind from the one that had fatally harmed the Emperor. This poison was more like an addictive substance; the more it was used, the more dependent the victim became, while their health slowly deteriorated from within. Dong Yinger had been doing exactly that. During those days when the Emperor favored her imperial cuisine, she had laced every dish with poison, which was why he had fallen gravely ill so suddenly.
But this poison wasn’t harmless to the user either. Prolonged exposure would infect the handler, though they might remain unaware. Dong Yinger had been poisoning the Emperor for years, and in doing so, she had unwittingly harmed herself as well. The previous day, she had collapsed inexplicably in her chambers. When the palace summoned a physician to examine her, they were shocked to find her symptoms eerily similar to the Emperor’s. Xia Qing was called in for further diagnosis, and that was when the truth came to light.
The most innocent-seeming Dong Xiuyi turned out to be the mastermind behind it all, and the accusations against Zhao Jin were now clearly seen as baseless slander. Dong Yinger had provoked widespread outrage this time, and Empress Dowager Yide’s methods were never idle threats. Yet, on the very night she was imprisoned, Dong Yinger took her own life with poison.
Though it was called a suicide, the prison guards whispered that it didn’t seem like one. Why would anyone choose such an agonizing poison when arsenic would have sufficed? She had used a Southern Borderlands hallucinogenic drug. According to Xia Qing, those who ingested this poison suffered excruciating pain before death—swallowing insect eggs along with the liquid, only to be devoured alive from within. Dong Yinger’s corpse was horrifically disfigured, barely recognizable as human.
When Zhao Jin heard the news, she stood frozen for what felt like half an hour, saying nothing. She skipped her meal and retreated to her room alone, so lost in thought that she didn’t even notice Jiang Xin Zhi’s arrival.
Jiang Xin Zhi gently patted her head. "Go eat something."
"She didn’t kill herself," Zhao Jin muttered darkly. "She was terrified of pain and obsessed with beauty. Even in death, she would never choose such a vile method—she’d want to go out with dignity. This… this is just disgraceful."
Zhao Jin should have hated Dong Yinger, but upon learning of her gruesome fate, she felt an indescribable weight in her chest. It wasn’t pity or sympathy—she wasn’t selfless enough for that. But the heaviness lingered, a suffocating gloom. Denouncing Dong Yinger felt like erasing the carefree days of their youth. Not everyone could treat a once-close companion as a stranger without some lingering emotion.
"Xuan Li did this," Jiang Xin Zhi said, squeezing her shoulder. "Using such poison means he’s likely consumed by rage now, venting his fury even on a mere pawn."
Dong Yinger had been Xuan Li’s pawn, and with the truth exposed, silencing her was inevitable. But resorting to such a torturous method was unlike Xuan Li’s usual tactics. It could only mean Liu Min’s Imperial Edict had driven him into a violent frenzy, his fury with no outlet—so when Dong Yinger fell, she became nothing more than a tool for his wrath."He's not human!" Zhao Jin said bitterly, "A beast in human skin!" The thought of Xuan Li now filled her with utter disgust—someone who appeared so refined yet wielded such cruelty, capable of harming a defenseless woman, especially a former ally.
"The victor becomes king, the loser a bandit—that's the way of the world since ancient times," Jiang Xin Zhi replied. "Besides, she made a pact with the devil. Having made that choice, she should have had the courage to face the consequences." He glanced at Zhao Jin and sighed helplessly. "There's no need for you to dwell on it too much. I know you're grieving, but you must understand—she was no saint. When others show you no mercy, you're no bodhisattva either. This is simply retribution, or perhaps heaven finally opening its eyes."
Jiang Xin Zhi held not an ounce of sympathy for Dong Yinger. Anyone who could drag the entire Zhao family into ruin couldn’t possibly be virtuous. As a soldier, he had witnessed countless brutal deaths on the battlefield. To him, Dong Yinger had brought this upon herself. Had she shown even the slightest restraint when framing others or poisoning the Emperor, she might not have met such a fate.
Zhao Jin sighed but didn’t argue. Jiang Xin Zhi took her hand and said, "Let’s get something to eat. The capital is likely to be turbulent for a while. Your household should tighten security—Xuan Li may make his move. Since your Zhao family has already crossed him, you’ll naturally be his primary target."
……
Jiang Ruan remained unaware of everything that had transpired in the Golden Hall. Day by day, she grew increasingly drowsy and found herself eating more without realizing it. Even if she tried to restrain herself, the changes were impossible to hide. Staring at her protruding belly, she couldn’t help but smile bitterly. If this continued, the next time she saw Xuan Li, there would be no way to conceal it.
Just as she was lost in thought, the mute maid entered, carrying several pieces of clothing. Jiang Ruan was momentarily taken aback, but the maid smiled and gestured, holding them up against her. Understanding dawned—these were new clothes made for her. Yet, in all this time, no tailor had come to take her measurements. Of course, the people here wouldn’t allow her to interact with outsiders—no one at all, lest she devise some scheme. Jiang Ruan examined the garments. "Ready-made?"
The mute maid nodded. Jiang Ruan took the clothes and said, "You may leave first."
Once the maid had gone, Jiang Ruan unfolded the garments. None were red—all were in muted tones, likely to avoid drawing attention and make it easier to move her discreetly in the future. She shook out one dress and draped it over herself, only to find it slightly oversized. Then it struck her—ready-made clothes from a shop were never a perfect fit, but this was far too large.However, after a moment, a faint smile appeared on Jiang Ruan's face. She stroked the garment—though such oversized clothing would have been unsuitable before, it was perfect now. Perhaps it could help conceal her slightly protruding belly, making it less noticeable. That would be quite good. Even if Xuan Li came in person next time, she could probably find a way to hide it. She glanced at the date marks scratched by the bedside, unsure of the current situation. Had Xuan Li already made his move? If he had, once the Imperial Edict was issued, Xuan Li would likely come looking for her very quickly. Only then could she figure out a way to escape.
But why hadn’t Xiao Shao’s people come for her yet? Jiang Ruan felt puzzled. In the past, she wouldn’t have feared dragging things out with these people, but now, with a child in her belly, every moment of delay meant greater danger for the baby. She didn’t want to take risks with the child, and her expression gradually grew solemn.
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