Thanks to Wei Qingping's timely discovery, the plagues in Bai Province, Qiong Province, and Hua Province were swiftly contained after their violent outbreaks. The epidemic followed the river's course and did not spread further to surrounding areas. However, many cities had already shut their gates, and the three provinces faced severe shortages of medicinal herbs. Fortunately, with no ongoing wars, Tao Quan managed to keep the situation under control.
Meanwhile, Shen Wushuang had already infiltrated the imperial palace.
As Wei Yun had predicted, Zhao Yue was secretly searching for renowned physicians across the land. All healers were allowed to take a privately arranged examination set by Zhao Yue. After passing three rounds of tests, they would be granted an audience with him.
For Shen Wushuang, these tests were child's play. After clearing all three, he was quickly escorted to the capital and brought before Zhao Yue.
Disguised as an eccentric young man, he borrowed the name of his senior brother, Lin Yue. Blindfolded, he was led into the palace. Though he knew he was meeting Zhao Yue, he followed Wei Yun's instructions and carefully examined him.
Zhao Yue accepted his prescription and dismissed him. Three days later, Zhao Yue summoned him back to the palace.
This time, the meeting took place within the palace halls. Shen Wushuang understood that Zhao Yue now trusted him. Following Zhang Hui across the vast courtyard and into the grand hall, he saw the young emperor seated high upon the Golden Throne, his expression calm and gentle.
He was gaunt, clearly a result of suppressing the poison's effects. Shen Wushuang bowed deeply, and Zhao Yue spoke softly, "Your medical skills are exceptional, Master Lin. The medicine you prescribed has brought me much relief."
Shen Wushuang replied respectfully, "Your Majesty has been poisoned for a long time. This humble physician can only do his best."
"So, the physician means there is no hope for me?"
Shen Wushuang hesitated. If one exhausted all means, no one could say for certain whether a person could be saved. But in this world, which top physician would go to such lengths to save him?
Even if Yu Linlang were willing, she was ultimately not the most skilled healer.
Seeing Shen Wushuang's silence, Zhao Yue sighed. "Then, Master Lin, how much time do I have left?"
"Five months can still be ensured."
At this, Zhao Yue exhaled in relief and nodded. "Good. That is enough."
He then looked up at Shen Wushuang. "Does Master Lin have any other requests?"
"How many physicians have treated Your Majesty? This humble one wishes to consult with them to better understand Your Majesty's condition."
Zhao Yue hesitated but finally relented. "Very well," he said. "I will take you to see them."
With that, Zhao Yue descended from the Golden Throne. Zhang Hui stepped forward to support him. His steps were unsteady, and though he was not yet thirty, he moved as slowly as an old man.
Shen Wushuang waited quietly, then followed behind Zhao Yue's palanquin after the emperor left the hall.
Though weak, Zhao Yue still made an effort to engage Shen Wushuang in conversation, speaking intermittently. His words were refined, his knowledge vast—nothing like the tyrant Shen Wushuang had imagined, the one who had murdered his own brother and brought suffering to the people.
"Master Lin, I am glad you came," Zhao Yue said gently. "With your arrival, I may live a few months longer..."
"A few more months, a few less," Shen Wushuang replied coldly. "What difference does it make?""Of course there is." Zhao Yue lowered his eyes, his tone tinged with regret. "A few more months would allow me more time with my child. You know... Consort Mei is pregnant," he said, unable to suppress the joy in his expression. "She's already nearly six months along."
Speaking of these matters, Zhao Yue seemed like any ordinary father. Shen Wushuang remained silent, simply watching him quietly, feeling the absurdity of the world all too keenly.
Zhao Yue chatted and laughed as he led Shen Wushuang into a courtyard within the Cold Palace.
The area around this courtyard was deserted, with many herbs drying in the sun. A blind woman, accompanied by a young apprentice, was tending to the herbs. Zhao Yue stepped down from his palanquin and called out cheerfully, "Physician Yu."
Yu Linlang raised her head at the sound. Though blind, she seemed to perceive his presence and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty."
"Physician Yu," Zhao Yue's voice was brimming with obvious delight. "I've brought another physician with me—the one who reviewed your prescription last time. He wished to exchange knowledge with you."
Yu Linlang showed no surprise at this. Calmly, she asked, "And who might this visitor be?"
"Lin Yue, at your service."
"The renowned Physician Lin." Yu Linlang nodded and smiled. "Long have I heard of you, yet we never crossed paths in the jianghu. Who would have thought we'd meet here in the palace?"
"Miss Yu." Shen Wushuang offered no further words, merely acknowledging her with this address. Seeing the two exchange pleasantries, Zhao Yue interjected, "You two carry on. I must attend to official matters. Physician Yu," he added, remembering, "the medicine you mentioned—leave it to Zhang Hui."
Yu Linlang assented with a wave of her hand, and the apprentice beside her entered the house to retrieve several medicine bottles.
Shen Wushuang glanced at the bottles but said nothing. Once Zhao Yue and the others had departed, Yu Linlang gestured to Shen Wushuang. "Physician Lin, please come inside."
With that, she led him into the house. Shen Wushuang followed, feigning casualness as he asked, "What medicine did you just give His Majesty, Miss Yu?"
"Just some sedative pills."
Yu Linlang replied indifferently. "As you know, His Majesty is burdened with worries and finds it hard to sleep."
She motioned for Shen Wushuang to take a seat. Kneeling down, he noticed the tea already prepared on the table. Yu Linlang continued, "When I saw your prescription, I knew you would come to see me."
"Oh?"
Shen Wushuang smiled. "How did you know, Miss Yu?"
"Physician Lin, are you aware that your approach to medicine differs greatly from that of other physicians?"
At these words, Shen Wushuang tensed. Yu Linlang went on calmly, "Most renowned physicians in the world hail from the Hundred Herbs Pavilion. Back then, because of my blindness, they refused to take me in, so I've always been self-taught. My method was simple—I familiarized myself with the prescriptions of all the famous physicians of our time, studying their thought processes. Your prescriptions, Physician Lin, often take unconventional and risky paths. If the patient isn't completely cured, they meet an early demise. Yet, you have a junior brother whose methods are entirely different..."
Shen Wushuang remained silent, his fingers tightening around the hidden weapon in his sleeve. The room filled with a faint fragrance, a mingling of grass and orchids."That junior brother was originally the younger sibling of the then-chief imperial physician in the Imperial Hospital, a prodigy in the Hundred Herbs Pavilion. Later, he traveled far to the Northern Di and lost all contact. I once spent a fortune to acquire his prescriptions from the Northern Di, and coincidentally, his method of prescribing medicine closely resembled Physician Lin's recent prescriptions."
"There's no need to be nervous," Yu Linlang took a sip of tea and said calmly, "There are no poisons in my room, only antidotes. I know you're not here to kill me—"
"How can you be so sure?"
"Doctor Shen is a righteous person and would never harm the innocent." Yu Linlang's words were calm. Shen Wushuang's hand trembled slightly as Yu Linlang looked up at him gently and said, "I heard that Your Majesty killed Doctor Shen's elder brother."
"Since you already know, what is there to discuss with me now?" Shen Wushuang sneered, "Why not just have someone arrest me directly?"
Yu Linlang fell silent. After a moment, she slowly said, "Doctor Shen, you are a healer."
Shen Wushuang remained silent. Yu Linlang's blind eyes seemed to see through everything: "We healers do not kill or harm others."
"By saving Zhao Yue, you are harming others."
Shen Wushuang spoke coldly: "Yu Linlang, just because your hands aren't stained with blood doesn't mean you haven't killed. If you save Zhao Yue, then every person he has killed will be on your conscience."
"Yu Linlang," Shen Wushuang stood up and approached her, his voice icy, "You still have a chance to atone."
Yu Linlang said nothing. After a long while, she slowly replied, "Why do you always think about how to kill him, but never about how to save him?"
"What?"
Shen Wushuang was stunned. Yu Linlang looked up at him earnestly and asked, "Why do you only think about killing the wicked, but never about turning a wicked person into a good one?"
"He is already evil—shouldn't he be punished?!"
Shen Wushuang growled, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?! He killed my brother, he killed so many people—which of his crimes doesn't deserve death? I don't care what he's been through," Shen Wushuang trembled as he drew his blade, his voice resolute, "I only know one thing: if everyone who was wronged could indiscriminately kill the innocent, then only the wicked would survive in this world."
Shen Wushuang's hands shook violently as he gripped the knife. He looked at Yu Linlang and said solemnly, "Miss Yu, I'll ask you one last time."
He stepped closer: "Are you determined to protect Zhao Yue?"
Yu Linlang remained silent. After a pause, she replied calmly, "I must protect my patient."
The moment the words left her lips, Shen Wushuang's blade slashed across Yu Linlang's throat!
Blood sprayed instantly. Yu Linlang barely had time to let out a gasp before Shen Wushuang clamped his hand over her mouth. Her face was frozen in shock. Once he confirmed she had stopped breathing, Shen Wushuang stood up, trembling.
Just then, a young apprentice carrying a tray of pastries stood at the door and asked respectfully, "Miss, may I come in?"
Startled, Shen Wushuang immediately leaped out through the open window. Once outside, he quickly fired the signal flare Wei Yun had given him and hurriedly hid in a nearby stone cave.
Moments later, screams erupted. Shen Wushuang crouched in the cave, frantically rubbing the blood from his hands as footsteps rushed back and forth outside.
He had never been so terrified before—he didn't even know what he was afraid of.He couldn't shake Yu Linlang's final image from his mind—her calm, resolute expression as she said, "I must protect my patient."
These words echoed relentlessly in Shen Wushuang's thoughts. Moments later, he heard fighting erupt outside, followed by frantic shouts: "Doctor Shen!"
"Doctor Shen!"
Shen Wushuang rushed out, only to be splattered with blood the moment he stepped outside. Arrows rained down, peppering the grass before him with feathered shafts. He stared blankly at the field of corpses, then caught sight of a flash of imperial yellow entering the courtyard.
"What a pity."
Zhao Yue's voice was icy. Shen Wushuang looked up numbly to see the emperor standing amidst his retinue, wearing an expression of regret. "Doctor Lin," Zhao Yue said with feigned concern, "have I wronged you in some way?"
"Oh wait," Zhao Yue seemed to recall something, smiling as he corrected himself, "I believe I just heard them call you... Doctor Shen?"
Shen Wushuang remained silent, transfixed by a single drop of blood. Zhao Yue approached, glancing at the blood on his hands. "Did you kill Yu Linlang?"
"A healer," Zhao Yue mused, lifting Shen Wushuang's hand with his sword, "actually killed an innocent person?"
"She wasn't—"
"She wasn't innocent?" Zhao Yue laughed coldly. "Tell me, Doctor Yu—a woman who healed countless lives—just because she refused to betray her medical oath to protect a patient, she deserved death? She wasn't innocent?"
"Then tell me, who in this world is innocent?!"
"If you wanted to kill someone, why not come for me, Shen Wushuang?"
Zhao Yue's words ignited a fire in Shen Wushuang's eyes, but in that instant, Zhang Hui struck—dislocating both his arms, confiscating all hidden weapons and poisons from his robes, then slamming him face-first into the ground.
"Shen Wushuang," Zhao Yue crouched down, speaking gently, "you could never have killed me. Every prescription you gave me was tested. My guards are all elite warriors. You never stood a chance against me. The only lives you could take were innocent ones, staining yourself as filthy as I am. If I'm bound for hell, you all should join me. Who in this world has clean hands? Murder is murder—does having a justification make it right? Shen Wushuang, watch me closely. Even if I die, I'll drag you all down with me."
"And you're powerless." Zhao Yue patted Shen Wushuang's cheek. "You couldn't stop me from killing your brother back then. Now, even after becoming as monstrous as I am, you can only watch me destroy everything you hold dear. Power. Less."
"ZHAO YUE!!" Shen Wushuang thrashed violently. The emperor stood calmly. "Take him to the dungeons. Interrogate him thoroughly. Shen Wushuang, I'm giving you one choice: heal me, and I'll negotiate peace with Wei Yun. The peaceful world you desire—I can grant it. Otherwise, we all perish together."
"Shen Wushuang," Zhao Yue chuckled darkly, "remember this well: I'm placing the fate of the realm in your hands. When chaos descends, it will be because of your selfish thirst for vengeance. Understood?"
"You bastard Zhao Yue—"
Shen Wushuang's gritted words were cut off as Zhao Yue turned away laughing. But the moment he stepped outside, the emperor could no longer maintain his composure—blood gushed from his mouth.
"Your Majesty!" Zhang Hui caught him in alarm.Zhao Yue gasped for breath and spoke slowly, "This can't go on... They killed Yu Linlang. I can't hold on any longer. If anything else goes wrong now, I won't be able to endure it..."
"Your Majesty..." Zhang Hui panicked, "What should we do... What can we do?"
"How are the epidemics in Bai Province, Qiong Province, and Hua Province?"
"Every city along the river has been affected, but Wei Qingping discovered it early. Now it's all under control and hasn't spread further."
"Wei Qingping..."
"But there's good news," Zhang Hui lowered his voice. "Song Shilan has contracted the plague and is currently in Taiping City. The fourth young master of the Song family has taken control of the situation. He's on good terms with one of my subordinates. Given his soft and timid nature, I've already sent a persuader. For the sake of protecting the Song family, he likely won't send troops."
"Good..."
Zhao Yue closed his eyes, swallowing back the blood rising in his throat.
He said slowly, "According to Yu Linlang's words, the medicine she gave me is barely keeping me alive. My time is running out. If I could just protect my heart meridian and sleep, I might live a little longer. Today's medicine was for emergencies—after taking it, I can stay awake, but only for a few more days at most."
"Your Majesty, why are you saying this?"
Zhang Hui grew anxious. Zhao Yue grasped his hand, panting as he spoke, "The Northern Di need time to mobilize their troops, and Chen State also needs time to deploy theirs. I need that time. Starting today, I'll stop taking the medicine. You must immediately take my secret letters and go out to persuade the various warlords to ambush Wei Yun, Song Shilan, and the others while they're at war. Tell them that if these three families truly seize the empire, there will be no place left for them. I'll give each of them a proclamation to crusade against the rebels—any warlord in the land can take up arms against these three families on my behalf. Meanwhile, you must develop Yan Province well and keep a loyal army ready to protect the throne."
"Your Majesty, what exactly are you planning?!"
"Listen to me," Zhao Yue gasped. "I'm done for, but I must protect Consort Mei's child. I'll coordinate with the Northern Di to attack Wei Yun from both sides, have Chen State tie down Chu Linyang, and then lure the Northern Di into occupying Hua Jing. Hua Jing is the foundation of Great Chu—these nobles and Wei Yun will fight the Northern Di to the death. By the time the Northern Di, Wei Yun, and the nobles have exhausted each other and retake Hua Jing, none of them—whether the Northern Di, the noble families, or Wei Yun—will pose a threat to my son."
"By then, the Wei, Chu, and Song families will be severely weakened from the war. You'll lead the army and unite the warlords—whoever dares to claim the throne, you'll crusade against them. With this stalemate, they'll have no choice but to push my son onto the throne."
"Your Majesty..."
Zhang Hui trembled, realizing Zhao Yue was already making arrangements for after his death. Zhao Yue gripped his hand and said with difficulty, "With the Eldest Princess's determination, if you can assist her in stabilizing things for five years, she'll find a way."
"What if Consort Mei can't find a way?" Zhang Hui asked hoarsely. Zhao Yue laughed."You underestimate her too much," he said gently. "She has had her wings clipped by me, but a girl like her, if you set her free into the sky, she would soar like an eagle. Trust me, she is more than capable of being the Empress Dowager—she could even be an empress in her own right. The Wei and Chu families are finished, and as for the Song Family, once Song Shilan is dead, they will pose no threat. The Northern Di have been severely weakened, and Chen Country has suffered heavy losses. After my son ascends the throne," Zhao Yue smiled, "a few years of turbulence will give way to a prosperous era."
Zhang Hui remained silent, gripping Zhao Yue tightly, his eyes red but saying nothing. Zhao Yue patted his hand gently. "Uncle Zhang, don’t grieve. Even if I die, as long as my child lives, it will be as if I still live."
"Uncle Zhang," he looked up at him solemnly, "in this lifetime, I have trusted very few people wholeheartedly—you are one of them."
Zhang Hui parted his lips slightly, gazing at Zhao Yue. After a long pause, he finally said, "Your servant will not fail in this duty."
"Go now."
Zhao Yue patted his shoulder. "Take the men and harass Kun Province. When the Northern Di are ready, join forces with them to attack Bai Province. I am tired now and wish to visit Consort Mei."
Zhang Hui bowed and withdrew. With the support of a eunuch, Zhao Yue made his way to the palace of The Eldest Princess.
It was already night when he arrived. The Eldest Princess was sitting before her mirror, applying floral decorations. Startled by Zhao Yue’s sudden appearance, she quickly began to think of how to explain her belly to him.
This was the first time Zhao Yue had visited her in two months. They were separated by a curtain, and she knew he could now see her condition. If four months of absence could still be explained away, how could she hide the fact that she was nearly six months along?
On ordinary days, she could stuff a pillow under her robes, but how could she deceive Zhao Yue, who had once been so intimately close to her?
Her mind raced for words, but Zhao Yue simply sat down outside the curtain.
He seemed weaker than usual, even more fragile. He sat there quietly, not disturbing her, as if he were still the respectful and courteous male concubine he had once been in her household.
This demeanor inexplicably eased her anxiety. She lowered her eyes and said gently, "Your Majesty, what brings you here so late at night?"
"Elder Sister," Zhao Yue’s voice carried a hint of warmth, "I missed you and wanted to see you."
The Eldest Princess was taken aback. It had been years since he had addressed her so familiarly. She remained silent, and Zhao Yue did not rush to enter. They stayed like that, separated by the curtain, gazing at each other’s silhouettes. Yet, for Zhao Yue, this was the most peaceful moment he had felt in many years.
"Elder Sister, the world is in chaos," Zhao Yue said softly, "but don’t be afraid. I have made all the necessary arrangements. You need only take care of yourself and protect the child."
"What arrangements have you made?"
The Eldest Princess spoke quickly, but Zhao Yue did not answer. His gaze seemed distant.
"Elder Sister, lately I’ve felt my health deteriorating. I fear I don’t have much time left."
"Don’t... don’t speak such nonsense.""I often think back to our childhood. It's been so many years, yet for some reason, when I recall it now, it feels as though the past was just yesterday, so close to me. Sister, do you remember when we were little and someone bullied me during an outing? You fought them off single-handedly. Watching you take on several people at once, I thought my sister was truly amazing. With you by my side... cough ..." Zhao Yue broke into a fit of coughing. The Eldest Princess tightened her grip on the comb in her hand. Zhao Yue gasped for breath, and after a long while, he finally recovered, murmuring, "With you by my side, I feared nothing."
The Eldest Princess remained silent. Zhao Yue gazed at her figure with longing and asked, "Why won't you speak, Sister?"
"Those are just old memories," the Eldest Princess replied slowly. "I don't know what to say."
"To you, they may be old memories," Zhao Yue said hoarsely, "but to me, they are my entire life..."
The only warmth, the only solace in his lifetime.
Even if the rest of his days were filled with humiliation and wandering, even if he later ascended the throne as the Son of Heaven, those moments remained etched deeply in his mind and bones.
The Eldest Princess didn't know what to say. She simply stared quietly at her reflection in the mirror.
The woman in the mirror exuded grace and nobility, her features as strikingly beautiful as ever. Once, a fortune-teller had claimed her looks bore the mark of bringing misfortune to kin and friends. She had promptly driven that charlatan out of Hua Jing. Yet now, gazing at her reflection, she couldn't help but laugh.
Zhao Yue was exhausted. He slowly closed his eyes. "Why won't Elder Sister come out to see me?"
The Eldest Princess remained silent. Zhao Yue smiled faintly. "Since Elder Sister doesn't wish to meet, then so be it."
With that, he braced himself and began walking away.
The Eldest Princess turned her head, catching sight of his gaunt figure retreating. After a moment's hesitation, she finally rose, lifted the curtain, and stepped out. "Your Majesty!" she called.
Zhao Yue halted, watching as the woman ran toward him barefoot before throwing herself into his embrace.
He smiled gently, adjusting her robes for her. "You couldn't bear to let me go after all."
The Eldest Princess lifted her gaze to meet his eyes.
Their stares locked, and Zhao Yue saw the struggle in her eyes before she spoke: "Won't you kiss me?"
Zhao Yue didn't respond, his gaze lingering on her lips.
"This poison spreads through bodily fluids..."
Yu Linlang's warning flashed through his mind. He gave a bitter smile. "Why the sudden coquetry?"
"I want to kiss you," the Eldest Princess said, looping her arms around his neck with playful insistence. "Have you stopped loving me?"
Zhao Yue's smile widened, though his eyes brimmed with sorrow. He studied her face quietly before answering hoarsely, "I do love you. I'll love you all my life."
The Eldest Princess stiffened. Then she heard him ask, "And you, Elder Sister?"
She remained silent. Zhao Yue coaxed gently, "Say you love me, Elder Sister, and I'll kiss you. Would you like that?"
The Eldest Princess stared at him blankly. He seemed to be restraining something, as if he knew everything. For a fleeting moment, she almost believed he had discovered it all—why else would he look at her like this?
Yet if he truly knew, given his ruthless nature that recognized no kinship, he would have torn her limb from limb already.
The grief in his eyes was unmistakable, the despair impossible to hide. She suddenly felt plunged into darkness, a biting wind howling around her.
For the first time, she wavered. "Say it," he urged with a smile. "Say you love me."
The Eldest Princess closed her eyes and sighed. "Enough. Let's retire for the night."
With that, she released him and turned away. But in that instant, Zhao Yue seized her arm, yanking her back into his embrace before crushing his lips against hers.
His kiss was ferocious, his tongue tangling desperately with hers as if trying to exchange something. There was no trace of passion—only overwhelming anguish. Then she tasted blood. Pushing against him in alarm, she felt warm liquid gush from his nose and mouth. She tried to cry out, but his grip was ironclad. Finally, she mustered all her strength and shoved him away violently.
He crashed into the door with a heavy thud. "Zhao Yue!" she shouted furiously.
"Was it enough...?" he gasped, as if enduring unbearable torment. "Was it enough...?"
The Eldest Princess stood frozen. His vision blurred, his limbs grew weak. Crawling on the ground, he scrabbled toward her.
In truth, he had wanted to endure it. To pretend he knew nothing. Even if he knew, he wouldn't let her realize that he knew.He wanted to pretend nothing had happened, that the world was at peace. But he was born with such sharp perception—he couldn’t even feign ignorance if he tried.
So he couldn’t hold back. Tears fell as he crawled forward on his knees, groping blindly until he reached her. Clutching the hem of her robe, he lifted his head, revealing a face caught between laughter and tears, and whispered, “Is it enough?”
Giving you the world, my heart, my life—everything you wanted or didn’t want—was it enough?
He didn’t say it aloud, yet in that instant, she seemed to understand what he was asking. Trembling, she listened as he spoke again.
“Elder Sister,” he choked out, tears falling like rain. She had never seen him cry like this in all her life. He clung to her as if she were the last thing left in his world. “This time… did you like me?”
When we took refuge in the Li family as children, did you like me?
When I was the timid Qin Prince Heir in my youth, carefully picking flowers to give you, did you like me?
When I served as a male concubine in your household after my family was executed, tending to your every need, did you like me?
Now that I’ve given you this wretched life, this empire, these half-lived years—this time, did you like me?
It was a love accumulated over twenty years—deep, enduring, and burning. But after asking this one question, he could no longer hold on. A mouthful of blood spilled from his lips.
The Eldest Princess hurriedly caught him, panic rising in her voice. “Someone! Call the imperial physician! His Majesty is vomiting blood!”
Zhao Yue clutched her desperately. Outside, chaos reigned. After what felt like an eternity, the physician finally arrived—but by then, Zhao Yue had already fallen into a deep slumber in the princess’s arms.
They carried him to bed, and the physician examined him before prescribing medicine. Later, the physician reported the situation to the Eldest Princess, who nodded through her tears, though inwardly, she felt a strange sense of relief.
The symptoms matched exactly what Gu Chusheng had described. No matter what the physician said, Zhao Yue would never wake again.
Now, all that remained was to announce his grave illness tomorrow, allowing her to take over governance. She would work with Gu Chusheng to stabilize Hua Jing, summon Wei Yun to lead troops into the capital, and then, once she gave birth, find a child to pass off as the heir. Soon after, Zhao Yue could “succumb to illness.”
At the thought of those words—“succumb to illness”—the princess froze. Zhao Yue’s tear-streaked face flashed through her mind, leaving her momentarily lost.
After a long silence, once everyone had withdrawn, she sat by the bed, quietly studying his face.
He had aged.
Everyone did. Even if his features remained handsome, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were unmistakable—nothing like the boy he once was. She reached out, tracing the lines with her fingers. After a long while, she finally whispered,
“I did.”
But the words were too soft, too faint—no one heard them but herself.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away in Xining, Wei Yun had already infiltrated the ranks of the guards. Keeping close to the King of Xining, he followed the procession up the steps of the Goddess Temple.
Spring had long since arrived in Xining. Peach blossoms swirled through the temple grounds, and the sound of chanting filled the air. With a longsword at his waist, Wei Yun bowed alongside the others in reverence.
Midway through the ceremony, however, chaos erupted at the foot of the mountain, interrupting the rites. The King of Xining frowned and turned. “What’s happening down there?”
“Assassins!”Someone screamed, and in an instant, the crowd erupted into chaos. Guards rushed forward to protect their masters. Wei Yun swept his gaze across the surroundings—from this distance, attempting to seize the King of Xining would be far too difficult. Moreover, even at this moment, the King of Xining remained remarkably composed, making it clear he wouldn’t be an easy target. Wei Yun swiftly changed his plan and lunged toward a young woman nearby.
The girl appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen. Wei Yun had followed her for a while and was almost certain of her identity—she must be Wulan, the Eldest Princess of Xining. His movements were lightning-fast, and Wulan, standing right beside him, had already been thrown into panic by the earlier commotion with the assassins. Before she could react, Wei Yun seized her, gripping her by the neck.
Wulan let out a startled cry, and the guards immediately drew their swords, pointing them at Wei Yun. He spoke in a low voice, “Don’t move!”
“Hold your weapons!”
The King of Xining spoke at the same time, his gaze settling on Wei Yun. After a moment, the King said slowly, “The Prince of Peace of Great Chu?”
“Oh?” Wei Yun smiled. “Your Majesty recognizes me?”
“Your skills are impressive,” the King remarked calmly. Wei Yun chuckled. “Your Majesty, since you refused to see me, I had no choice but to resort to this.”
“I refused because what you wish to discuss is something I will not agree to.”
“Does Your Majesty know what I came to say?”
“Your Great Chu’s civil war is not something Xining will involve itself in.”
The King’s expression was indifferent. “Xining is a small nation. Given Great Chu’s strength, this is not our affair.”
“Your Majesty speaks wisely,” Wei Yun nodded. “But unfortunately, I am not here to ask for your aid.”
“Oh?”
“On the contrary,” Wei Yun said earnestly, “I am here to help you.”
The King raised his eyelids slightly. Wei Yun continued gently, “Your Majesty, I have only one thing to say: within three years, Xining will inevitably fall.”
At these words, everyone present froze. The King’s face darkened. Wei Yun released Wulan, took a step back, and bowed respectfully. “My apologies for the offense, Your Highness.”
Wulan, frightened, quickly retreated to the King’s side. Wei Yun straightened and smiled, offering another bow to the King. “My message has been delivered. I shall take my leave now.”
Without hesitation, Wei Yun turned and strode down the mountain path, showing not a trace of hesitation. Murmurs spread through the crowd, and the King frowned. Just as Wei Yun was about to descend beyond the mountain gate, the King finally spoke.
“Prince of Peace,” he raised his hand. “Please, join me in the palace for a discussion.”
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