In the Moonlight

The flames grew increasingly fierce, devouring everything in their path with thick, billowing smoke.

The brilliant firelight illuminated the elegant contours of the detached palace's rockeries and pavilions. Imperial guards clashed with several rescue teams in close combat, all driven to a frenzied state. Blades met with sharp clangs, and blood splattered through the air.

The vast night sky rumbled with several muffled thunderclaps as the night wind carried the pungent scent of blood.

One team was forced against the city gate by the imperial guards, their agonized cries merging into a chorus. Among them, a tall, armored figure charged forward with a blade, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. His fearless, ferocious momentum momentarily stalled the imperial guards' assault, and others rallied behind him, breaking through the encirclement.

The flickering firelight fell upon his figure—silver armor, white robe, sharp eyebrows, and phoenix-like eyes, his face etched with brutality.

With a deafening crack of thunder, the solitary moon had long vanished behind the clouds. Half the night sky blazed with the reflection of the fire, while the other half was as dark as spilled ink.

"He's here!"

Amid the crackling of the flames, the imperial guards roared to alert their comrades. More and more guards surged forward, once again surrounding the team.

On the drum tower, Yaoying's heart pounded like a drum. She closed her eyes briefly. "Must Your Majesty annihilate them completely?"

Li De's gaze remained clear as he signaled the imperial guards on the wall to release their arrows.

Arrows rained down like locusts, weaving a net of tempered steel.

Yaoying pushed past the imperial guards and rushed to the battlements. "Li Zhongqian!"

She shouted his name aloud.

He had hidden his identity to return to the capital, not wanting to implicate her, but she deliberately called out his name in public.

The man in the midst of the slaughter looked up, cut down an imperial guard with a single stroke, and spurred his horse toward the vermilion palace gate. Swinging his long blade, he deflected the iron arrows, the thunderous hoofbeats echoing like strikes upon Yaoying's heart.

She had found the letter he left in Gaochang—he had always remembered the matter of the political marriage, believing he had burdened her entire life and wishing to free her from future worries.

His solution was to keep her in the dark, return to Chang'an, and perish together with Li De.

Reckless, impulsive, steeped in bloodlust, and fearless in the face of death.

Just like when he had gone alone to the battlefield to rescue her.

Yaoying wanted to curse him, to berate him harshly, but no words of reproach escaped her lips. Tears streamed from her eyes.

He had not burdened her; without him, she would not have survived until now. They were family, supporting each other through thick and thin.

"Li Zhongqian!" Yaoying shouted to him. "I am not your sister! I am not Empress Xie's daughter!"

Under the dim, fiery glow, Li Zhongqian's expression froze.

Yaoying shoved aside the imperial guards trying to restrain her. "I am the daughter of the Chen family of Southern Chu! I was separated during the war and stranded on the battlefield, saved by Xie Wuliang. The Chen family are sworn enemies of the Xie family—the Chu army that besieged Jingnan included my biological father... Li Zhongqian, you are not my brother!"

Whether or not they shared blood ties, it would not change the bond between them. Yet, she was the daughter of the Chen family, which was why she had delayed, unable to bear telling him the truth.

"I am the daughter of your enemy!"

She nearly screamed the words.

Forget about her. Just go.

Wherever he went, the world was vast and the seas wide.

Li Zhongqian lifted his head, his calm gaze meeting Yaoying's.

Thunder roared, pavilions groaned in the inferno, and through the battling imperial guards, the dancing flames, and the dense rain of arrows, the two shared a silent, intense look.

In the next instant, Li Zhongqian's lips curved into a faint smile. Amid the chilling arrowstorm, he grinned at Yaoying, raised his long blade, and cut down two imperial guards sneaking up on him. With a sharp command, he tightened his grip on the reins, blade in hand, charging forward without hesitation.Fool, he had long known of her origins.

What did it matter that she was a daughter of the Chen family?

He didn't care.

He had raised his sister himself. They had relied on each other for survival, and she would always be his sister, Li Zhongqian's sister.

"Li De, if you dare lay a finger on Bright Moon Slave, I, Li Zhongqian, will tear you limb from limb!"

He charged toward her, cutting through a storm of blades and spears, carving a bloody path as he led his men crashing against the palace gates. The impact shook the earth.

Yaoying's tears fell freely.

Li De's eyes showed surprise as he turned and descended the drum tower: "Return to the Buddha Hall."

The imperial guards seized Yaoying's arms and dragged her down from the drum tower.

Li Zhongqian's phoenix eyes blazed with fury as he charged ahead, breaking through the imperial guards and forcing open the palace gates. Several troops stationed outside the palace turned around and poured in through this entrance.

The imperial guards protected Li De as he withdrew to the Buddha Hall. General Sun hurried to report: "Your Majesty, the palace gates have been breached. Please relocate while I remain to trap the enemy!"

Li De waved his hand dismissively and stood before the corridor, gazing toward the direction where flames were leaping.

Yaoying, her hands bound by the imperial guards, sat beneath the Buddha statue.

General Sun, sweating profusely with anxiety, whispered: "What is Your Majesty waiting for?"

Li De turned back, frowning slightly: "The Western Army, the Xie family's forces, the Royal Court's central army..."

He had deliberately spread false information, yet none of these forces had appeared—only Li Zhongqian, who had been trapped in the city blocks, had come.

A thought flashed through Li De's mind, and he summoned the imperial guards of the capital.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the city remains calm. The Western Army generals and the Xie family's old officers show no unusual movements. No urgent military reports have returned from Gaochang, and the Royal Court remains at peace with us, having only sent several diplomatic notes to the Ministry of Rites requesting Princess Wenzhao's marriage agreement."

Li De turned back in disbelief, glancing at Yaoying.

Yaoying lifted her eyelids: "Your Majesty must be disappointed. The Western Army will not come tonight, and the Royal Court's central army certainly won't either."

Li De remained vigilant and ordered General Sun to send more scouts.

"Why didn't you mobilize the Western Army?" he asked.

Yaoying's gaze was clear and bright: "The Western Army's duty is to guard our borders. The Western Regions have only recently been recovered, and there remains deep estrangement with the court. Involving them in palace turmoil would only deepen that divide. Once the ice is three feet thick, it cannot be melted. If the court cannot trust the Western Army and the Western Army cannot trust the court, how can we work together to achieve a prosperous era? If the Royal Court's central army were to appear in Chang'an, the slightest misstep could ignite war between our two nations."

Li De's expression shifted slightly.

He had considered all these issues.

He walked back to the front hall and looked at Yaoying as if presiding over court, his eyes sharp and penetrating. "That you can think this far and still restrain them, keeping them in their place, shows genuine concern for the greater good. It's a pity Li Zhongqian lacks your broad-mindedness."

Yaoying sneered: "If not for your relentless pressure, why would my brother risk everything to return to the capital and assassinate you? He never cared for the titles of heir, Crown Prince, or emperor. The situation today is entirely the result of your selfishness!"

"Selfishness?" Li De smiled. "Li Yaoying, even without Li Zhongqian, I cannot allow you to continue commanding the Western Army."He sat before Yaoying, his tone softening. "When I took command of the Wei Army, the Li family had no ambition to contend for the throne—we were merely expanding our influence amidst the chaos. Later, as the Wei Army captured cities and gained territory, our reputation grew, attracting more noble families and minor factions to join us. I initially intended to remain a regional warlord, but my troops wouldn't allow it. Having followed me through life-and-death struggles, how could they resign themselves to lagging behind others while witnessing their comrades rise to prominence under their lords?"

"Li Yaoying, you underestimate others' ambitions. The Western Army now follows your lead, but someday, when they desire to march south, they will use your name to collaborate with noble families. No matter how big-picture minded you are, you cannot suppress human desire!"

"Over twenty years ago, when the last emperor fled to Jiangnan, I received an edict to lead troops to rescue him. My subordinates and clansmen vehemently opposed it. At that moment, I understood that I had to embark on the path of conquest—or be replaced by my own followers."

Once you enter the game of thrones, there is no turning back.

Caught in the turbulent currents of power, even someone as exalted as him could not act freely—just as when he learned of Tang Ying and her son's deaths and faced the Wei Army's devastating defeat, he had no choice but to form a marriage alliance with a powerful family.

Li Yaoying, too, would be coerced by her subordinates into making choices. Under the weight of authority, no one is exempt.

"You are merely a pawn in the hands of the noble families. They use you to unite hearts and minds, and when their wings are fully grown, they will use you to oppose the court." Li De locked eyes with Yaoying. "You are a liability. The Western Army cannot be controlled by one person alone. The Western Regions are vast and sparsely populated—only by relying on local noble families and dividing power can we prevent major upheavals."

Yaoying cut straight to the point: "What the Western Regions need now is stability and recuperation—to let the people have enough food and clothing. Your so-called method is nothing more than luring noble families into power struggles with benefits, so you can rest easy. But infighting among noble families does nothing to improve the situation!"

"Stability?" Li De sneered. "The Crown Prince covets you. Once he ascends the throne, will your subordinates remain content with stability?"

He paused.

"Moreover, you plan to marry the King of Tanmo—the Royal Court does have an alliance with us now, and we coexist peacefully. But what about in a few years? Can you guarantee the Royal Court has no desire to annex the Western Regions? After you marry the King of Tanmo and bear his children, your offspring will possess noble blood. If he gives an order, will the Western Army obey him or the court?"

Li De covered his mouth and coughed lightly. "I never trust anyone's loyalty—only interests."

He suddenly smiled. "Seventh Lady, can you honestly claim that when you entered the city amid the cheers of the people, you felt no ambition at all? Do you not wish for your children to inherit the Western Army and the trade routes you control? As Queen of the Royal Court, could you remain impartial? Your trade network has already expanded to Persia. Desire continually grows—once it begins, there is no turning back."

Yaoying looked at Li De, her expression mocking but her gaze still clear and bright.

"Your Majesty is right—I too have my ambitions. Humans are not saints; those truly without any selfish motives are rare in this world. I am merely an ordinary person."

She lifted her head, gazing out at the night sky beyond the hall, crimsoned by the glow of flames."The sage said: 'In obscurity, one should strive to perfect one's own character; in prominence, one should strive to perfect the character of all.' I dare not claim to perfect others, but when destitute, my only thought was how to survive with my elder brother. After gaining the ability to protect ourselves and breaking free from constraints, whenever I see others in similar plight, I lend a hand within my capacity."

"The Western Regions have long been plagued by chaos and incessant warfare. Controlling the trade routes and incorporating all tribes is not for endless expansion, but to bind their interests together. Once they have stakes to consider, anyone who incites conflict will find the flames of war extinguished without the need for the Western Army to intervene. Of course, this also serves as a retreat for myself—a cunning rabbit has three burrows. Having grown up under the Emperor's suppression, I am accustomed to preparing for rainy days."

A faint smile curled at Yaoying's lips. "When I escorted the fallen Western Army soldiers back to the capital, the cheers of the people were for them, not for me. Whether I am Li Qiniang struggling to survive or a commander leading the Western Army, my ambition remains singular: to live well. Since my subordinates trust me, I shall do my utmost to ensure that the people in this turbulent era can live in peace."

Outside the prayer hall, the clamor of battle and the roar of flames shook the heavens, yet within, Yaoying's voice remained composed and gentle, as if engaged in casual conversation.

Li De silently scrutinized Yaoying, then after a long pause, chuckled. "A pity."

Her gaze was too forthright—he believed she spoke sincerely.

But alas, he was an emperor who must take the long view. She was Li Xuanzhen's weakness, entangled with various factions, and he had to clear obstacles for his son.

Hurried footsteps echoed as a blood-soaked imperial guard rushed into the prayer hall: "Your Majesty, Li Zhongqian has broken in!"

Several guards immediately surrounded Yaoying.

Li De slowly rose and stepped out of the hall, standing at the top of the stairs.

A fierce wind swept through the corridor, rustling ominously. The tall figure in silver armor indeed fought his way into the courtyard with his followers. Imperial archers loosed their arrows, but he dodged in his helmet, weaving and striking—with a single swing of his blade, a swath of guards fell.

The imperial guards remained unflustered, forming ranks to continue shooting while others took turns lunging forward. If one strike missed, they flipped mid-air as another group pressed in with palm strikes, draining Li Zhongqian's stamina. Gradually, he weakened, panting heavily. Seeing this, the guards switched to a spear formation. Under the forest of spears, Li Zhongqian struggled—his blood-stained robe was torn open, and a spear pierced his abdomen, gushing blood.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out the spear and fought on, pushing through the layers of guards, step by step, ascending the stone stairs along a path of blood.

Li De stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at his desperate struggle.

Li Zhongqian's face was smeared with blood, his phoenix eyes blazing with fury as he advanced. With a clang, his long blade was knocked away and clattered to the ground. Several arrows embedded in his back, spraying blood.

Still, he pressed forward, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on Yaoying.

The imperial guards swung their spears, striking his legs.

With a thud, he knelt on the long staircase, gazing at Yaoying, then began crawling upward on hands and knees.

Li De watched him coldly.

Yaoying trembled violently, suddenly shoving aside her guards and rushing to Li Zhongqian's side.

He lay at her feet, trembling as he stretched out his mangled hand to clutch the hem of her skirt.

Li De signaled to the imperial guards with his eyes.

A guard stepped forward, his blade descending—the sharp edge sliced through Li Zhongqian's nape, blood pouring forth like a fountain.As the imperial guards were about to strike with lethal force, Yaoying shielded Li Zhongqian, lifting her head with tears and surging hatred blazing in her eyes—so brilliantly fierce that none dared meet her gaze. "Li De, if you dare harm my brother, you'd better kill me too! Otherwise, I swear I will personally avenge him and make you pay with your life!"

Li De lowered his gaze, his aged face twitching slightly in the night breeze.

"You are the West Army Commander... I cannot simply execute you like this..."

He looked up at the night sky, his tone abruptly shifting. "But sparing you would only buy temporary obedience even if I captured Li Zhongqian. Only by eliminating you both can my eldest son ascend the throne unimpeded."

Yaoying's pupils contracted. Her mind racing, she swiftly scanned their surroundings, her eyes widening with panic flashing across her face.

Li De smiled at her, his expression almost gentle. "You have leverage, knowing I dare not kill you—that's why you took this risk. Seventh Princess, you're clever and made no mistake. But you underestimated a father's resolve."

The most terrifying foes are those with nothing left to lose, for all strategies crumble before their desperation.

His own past indecisiveness had bred bitter consequences. Today, he would end everything personally, leaving no loose ends.

Yaoying shook her head in disbelief. "Impossible!"

Before her words faded, a thunderous crash echoed as imperial guards stormed the courtyard carrying iron-reinforced barriers, swiftly sealing all corridors. Crossbows bristled along the walls, trapping everyone in the ancestral hall with no retreat.

Observing the dark mass of guards, Li De remarked, "Perhaps it's just as well the Western Army isn't here. Those are promising young men who should die wrapped in horsehide for their country, not buried here with us."

The taste of blood seeped between Yaoying's teeth. "So it was Your Majesty who truly sought mutual destruction all along."

Li De nodded. "I understand Li Zhongqian because I'd make the same choice. For my eldest son's sake, I must eliminate you siblings. And for your sake, he would certainly return to kill me."

Besides Li Zhongqian, Li Xuanzhen also sought his life. After conquering Southern Chu, Li Xuanzhen had been secretly plotting. Li De anticipated this day and feared not death, but he could never rest easy while Li Zhongqian and his sister lived.

Rather than waiting for Li Xuanzhen to commit patricide and regicide, he would act first for his son—conveniently eliminating Li Zhongqian, Li Yaoying, Southern Chu remnants, and court ministers loyal to the Xie family in one stroke.

Yaoying's voice trembled. "The Western Army remains in the capital!"

Li De replied calmly, "By tomorrow, the Western Army will find no evidence, and the Royal Court will have no grounds for protest. However wise the Tantuo King may be, he cannot raise the dead. When Northern Rong surrendered, I had prisoners brought to the capital—along with Southern Chu remnants... Seventh Princess, the Court of Judicial Review will soon reveal that the Southern Chu official you spoke with at the banquet was the mastermind. They conspired with Northern Rong forces seeking restoration, hence this ambush. Your rescuers tonight included them. Over these years, I've watched your close ties with Du Sinan—a talented man whose identity now proves useful. He was your liaison to Southern Chu noble families."

"When we all perish here, Northern Rong and Southern Chu remnants will bear the blame. You and Li Zhongqian will be suspected assassins. What cause would the Tantuo King have to trouble Great Wei?"

A lightning-bolt realization flashed through Yaoying's mind, illuminating countless past mysteries she had never understood.Li De had refrained from exposing her background publicly precisely for this day. Once they were all buried in the Buddhist hall, no one would suspect Li De of framing Southern Chu. The surrendered officials of Southern Chu were also his arrangements—they would inevitably accuse her of secretly aiding Southern Chu due to her bloodline, conspiring to assassinate the emperor! Du Sinan would likely uncover evidence of her collusion with Southern Chu. Moreover, Li Zhongqian had once attempted regicide, and his presence here was the best proof of guilt.

An emperor’s life was enough to render all doubts feeble. Who would believe Li De was so insane as to stake his own life in setting this trap?

Thunder rumbled dully, and the night wind grew cold.

Yaoying closed her eyes for a moment. "How have I warranted such honor? To eliminate me, Your Majesty would go so far as to sacrifice his own life."

Li De shook his head. "This is a worthwhile trade."

Using his blood to pave the way for Li Xuanzhen, Li Xuanzhen would face no further obstacles. The Royal Court and the Western Army had also been dealt with accordingly. With the Western Army leaderless, it was the perfect opportunity for the court to strike. As per his arrangements, the Hexi noble families would inevitably feud over the imperial marriage. The Southern Chu remnants, having lost their moral standing by attempting assassination, would be powerless to resist the court. From east to west, south to north, true unification would be achieved.

And Li Xuanzhen would not bear the stigma of patricide or regicide.

Yaoying gritted her teeth and suddenly asked, "What about Li Xuanzhen? How will he avoid suspicion?"

Li De replied, "He is not in the capital. All forces of the Crown Prince's Palace are far from Chang’an. I have made thorough preparations—ministers will handle matters afterward. Seventh Lady, by tomorrow, everyone will know it was you who invited me to the temple to visit Empress Xie."

Yaoying stared into his slightly clouded eyes. "Yang Qian and the others won’t suspect me."

Li De glanced at her and waved his hand. "What if we add this?"

With a deafening roar, an explosion tore through the silent night, like a thunderclap from a clear sky. The roof tiles trembled, and dust rained down.

After the first blast came another, this time from a different direction, flames shooting into the sky.

Yaoying’s heart raced. Stunned for a moment, she came to her senses drenched in cold sweat.

"Thunder Swords, fire pellets—known throughout the land," Li De said calmly. "These are the Western Army’s secret weapons. You hold the formula. Even when you collaborated with the Royal Court’s forces to resist the Northern Rong, you never disclosed it. All those planting the fire pellets are elite Western Army troops. Seventh Lady, tonight, this entire detached palace will be flattened by such fire pellets. Tell me, aside from you and the Western Army, who else in this world could possess so many?"

Yaoying smiled faintly. "You stole the formula, planted the fire pellets long ago, waiting only for my brother to return to the capital... After tonight, to clear their name, the Western Army must sever ties with me."

No one could prove her innocence.

When a person is gone, the tea grows cold. If she died here, the Western Army’s first priority would be to elect a new commander. Li De had surely left contingencies to ensure the Western Army had no time to investigate the detached palace affair. If even they couldn’t investigate, the Royal Court would be even less able to intervene.

Li De gazed toward Chang’an and raised his hand, signaling the imperial guards to ignite the fire pellets.

In an instant, this Buddhist hall would be blown apart. No one in the courtyard would escape—including himself.

This was the grave he had dug for himself.

...

"Wait!"

At the critical moment, Yaoying broke free from her bonds, brushed away the tears at the corner of her eyes, and stopped Li De, all traces of fear gone from her face.

Li De frowned.Yaoying took out a bronze whistle and blew it. Amidst the crackling flames, the whistle emitted a sharp, piercing sound.

With several flapping wingbeats, a massive creature swept over the courtyard in the darkness, suddenly diving downward. Its sharp talons struck directly at the imperial guards' eyes, instantly causing chaos—men and horses tumbling, guards either raising swords to slash or covering their heads to dodge in disarray.

Simultaneously, sounds of imperial guards collapsing beyond the wall echoed, followed by the successive clatter of long swords hitting the ground. After shouts of battle, shadowy figures scaled the wall tops, all clad in identical black helmets and armor.

Li De frowned deeply and made a hand gesture. No matter what unexpected event had occurred, as long as they all died here, everything would be settled.

"Your Majesty!" Yaoying called out to him, "Look."

She pointed in a direction. Li De followed her gaze and suddenly jolted in shock.

On the courtyard wall, a tall figure with sword-like eyebrows and phoenix eyes wielded a long blade, battling archers hidden in the shadows.

How could there be another Li Zhongqian?

A possibility struck Li De, causing his body to tremble violently. Shoving aside the imperial guards supporting him, he rushed down the stone steps, lifted the person collapsed at the foot of the stairs, tore off the helmet, and frantically wiped the blood from the face.

Long hair spilled loose, the firelight illuminating a stern, cold countenance.

Li De was momentarily speechless, his entire body rigid. Unnatural red flushed across his cheeks, and a guttural rasp escaped his throat before he vomited a mouthful of dark blood.

After all the painstaking efforts made for his sake, he had come here to die for Li Yaoying!

Did he hate him so much? Willing to ruin his own plans just to oppose him?

All his efforts had come to nothing.

In that instant, Li De’s heart turned to ashes. Another gush of blood spewed from his mouth, staining his chest red.

Everyone stood frozen.

They were loyal to Li De and knew they would die in the detached palace today, fearless. But with the Crown Prince here, who would dare detonate the thunder bombs?

With a clatter, the imperial guard who had wounded Li Xuanzhen earlier dropped his long blade and knelt, kowtowing.

Li De’s face turned livid, a sickly pallor showing beneath the greenish hue. His pupils contracted, nearly bulging from their sockets. Snatching up a long blade from the ground, he summoned strength from nowhere and swung it down toward Yaoying.

Once a military commander who had fought through illness, though plagued by sickness in recent years, his foundation remained. This strike carried immense force, unstoppable.

On the courtyard wall, Li Zhongqian, having dealt with several imperial guards, caught sight of the commotion below. His phoenix eyes widened—separated by the entire courtyard, he was powerless to help!

The blade descended, a foul wind gusting against her face.

Yaoying lay slumped at the base of the long steps, a sharp pain piercing her waist as thick blood trickled down, drip by drip, onto her face.

She opened her eyes, meeting a deep, intense gaze.

Li Xuanzhen held her. "Are you hurt?"

Yaoying remained silent.

He had taken Li De’s furious strike for her. The blade was embedded deep in his back, revealing bone.

For a moment, Yaoying’s mind drifted.

Aside from the ache in her waist from hitting the steps, she felt nothing.

During her last slumber, she had sensed it faintly, but now she was certain: Li Xuanzhen’s life and death were completely detached from her own.

"Zhangnu!"

Li De stared blankly at the blade in Li Xuanzhen’s back, releasing his grip. The color drained from his face, his eyes turning cold and profound as he screamed, "Summon the imperial physician! Fetch the imperial physician!"

"Where are they? Go summon the imperial physician!"

The imperial guards stood motionless.

Li De, appearing deranged, randomly drew a guard’s blade and slashed wildly. "Fetch the imperial physician!"

Several were struck by the blade, stumbling and falling. Others snapped to awareness, dodging his frenzied attacks.

Disheveled, Li De suddenly lifted his head, eyes bloodshot, and charged at Yaoying once more with the blade.

Whoosh—an iron arrow shot through the air, striking the blade in his hand with a shower of sparks.

A Falcon screeched as it swooped down, its sharp claws tearing a patch of hair and scalp from Li De’s head.

A few bold imperial guards seized the moment, grabbing Li De’s arms, wresting the blade from him, and pinning him down.

A medic-soldier squeezed through the crowd, carefully extracted the blade from Li Xuanzhen’s back, stopped the bleeding, and bandaged the wound.The courtyard was in utter chaos. The black-clad soldiers outside the walls had long seized the opportunity, scaling over and leaping in. Iron arrows whistled through the air, blanketing the sky. After one volley, the imperial guards resisted desperately. By the second round, another group of guards had fallen. Soon, someone realized they were facing the Flying Cavalry and that reinforcements from other parts of the detached palace must have been cut off. Without hesitation, they retreated to Li De’s side, forming a human wall to protect him tightly.

After five consecutive volleys, the imperial guards refused to surrender, preferring death.

Li Zhongqian raised his hand, signaling the Flying Cavalry to halt their attack, and ascended the long steps.

Li De shielded Li Xuanzhen, a flicker of clarity passing through his clouded eyes.

"Does Your Majesty think I intend to kill you?" Li Zhongqian smiled faintly and walked directly to Yaoying’s side. "The various armies are waiting outside. If I dared to commit regicide, I would be torn to pieces the moment I left this palace."

Li De sneered, "You managed to mobilize the Flying Cavalry—I must say, I’m impressed."

Li Zhongqian glanced at the severely wounded Li Xuanzhen.

"The Flying Cavalry wasn’t summoned by me, Your Majesty. I returned to the capital not to clash with you. The one who secretly mustered troops and sought your life is him."

Li De closed his eyes.

Yaoying had not brought a large force into the capital, and Li Zhongqian commanded few soldiers. Even if Li De miscalculated, the two could not escape Chang’an. But he had forgotten that Li Xuanzhen, through multiple campaigns, might have quietly won over military commanders.

Only the Flying Cavalry and elite troops could silently eliminate the forces he had stationed at the detached palace. Li Xuanzhen’s solitary entry into the capital was not recklessness but part of a calculated plan.

He had accounted for everything but never expected Li Xuanzhen to plot usurpation so early—and to coordinate so seamlessly with Li Zhongqian.

Yaoying’s deliberate fall into the trap was meant to lure the snake out of its hole.

Li Zhongqian continued, "I received the letter you intentionally sent me while I was at the Royal Court. When I rushed back to Gaochang, Li Xuanzhen’s letter arrived as well. He knew you were planning to eliminate me and Bright Moon Slave and invited me to join him in patricide and regicide. In that regard, we are indeed true brothers."

Li De staggered back and collapsed to the ground, exhaustion and despair etching his features. In an instant, he seemed drained of all vitality, unable to conceal his aged frailty.

"What of Chang’an?"

Yaoying replied calmly, "Your Majesty need not worry. The Crown Princess is holding Chang’an. After she and the Crown Prince’s heir were attacked, she summoned the imperial guards to defend the palace, sealed all gates, and prohibited any entry or exit. The imperial guards in Chang’an will not come to your rescue here."

Li De laughed bitterly.

So Zheng Shi was also in league with Li Yaoying. She must have been the one to rescue Li Xuanzhen from the dungeon.

Li Zhongqian stepped forward, his long blade pointing at Li De.

Li De looked at him, his expression serene.

Li Zhongqian’s face was cold as he declared, "Li De, you blamed my mother for your own incompetence, suppressed me, and marginalized me. As your son and your subject, I could not resist—only endure. I charged into battle for you, devoted myself to the Great Wei. You ordered me to massacre cities, and I did. All I asked was that you spare Bright Moon Slave. You broke your promise and even threatened me with my mother."

Then do not blame him for disregarding father and sovereign.

He sneered, swung his blade, and the sharp edge sheared off a few strands of Li De’s hair.

"To carry your blood in my veins is the greatest shame of my life."

Li De remained motionless.Yaoying walked past him: "Your Majesty, there is one thing I forgot to tell you. Back in Gaochang, I had already informed the Western Army of my true origins. Tomorrow I will announce to the world that I am a daughter of the Chen family. The reason the Western Army did not come tonight is because I instructed them that they should not interfere in palace conflicts."

She would not let the Western Army lose control. Whether she married or not would not change her ambitions. Li De had forced her into a corner.

Li De's eyelids twitched.

"I kept my origins hidden only for my brother's sake, not because I feared the Western Army would abandon me." Yaoying raised her hand to lightly touch her hair. "Since I am not of Li blood, it is fitting to sever ties with Chang'an. The Western Army will always be a righteous force defending the borders and the people, and will never enter Chang'an."

Li Zhongqian took Yaoying's hand, and the siblings walked out without looking back.

He had once wished he could kill Li De with his own hands, but now he did not want to dirty them. Letting Li Xuanzhen do it brought him greater satisfaction.

The entanglements among the father and sons were cut off with one stroke, and from then on, there would be no further connection.

...

The courtyard was littered with corpses, leaving only Li De, his son, and the Flying Cavalry.

Li De looked at Li Xuanzhen, who was barely breathing.

"Working for the benefit of others... I schemed tirelessly for you, yet you colluded with outsiders. Zhangnu, you will eventually die at Li Yaoying's hands."

Li Xuanzhen was helped up by his guards, his lips pale as paper, his gaze following Yaoying's retreating figure.

She did not look back.

Suppressing his bitterness, he said, "Li De, more than twenty years ago, you did not know what my mother truly wanted. The one who caused my mother's death was not Lady Xie. You vented your anger on others, punishing Lady Xie and her son to ease your guilt... More than twenty years later, you still do not know what I truly want."

"Do you know why my mother took her own life?"

He waved for his guards to withdraw, leaned in, and whispered a few words.

Li De trembled violently, his eyes wide as he stared fixedly at Li Xuanzhen.

"Impossible! Impossible!"

Tears glistened in Li Xuanzhen's eyes.

Li De shook his head incessantly, stumbling to his feet and pacing frantically.

"Impossible! Impossible! I knew you were still alive, I sent clansmen to rescue you... If only I had married Xie Manyuan, if only the Wei army had won the battle, you could have returned... Just half a month... I was only delayed by half a month..."

Li Xuanzhen understood the unspoken implications in his words and raised his face in anger, the hatred in his eyes burning even fiercer.

Back then, Li De had known that he and Tang Ying were still alive before marrying Xie Manyuan! Fearing that Tang Ying would disrupt the wedding, he had only sent clansmen to rescue the mother and son. It was precisely during that half-month that Tang Ying lost her chastity.

Li Xuanzhen laughed, unsure whether he was laughing at Li De or at the mockery of fate.

"Half a month! Half a month!"

Li De screamed madly, running around until he slipped and fell amidst the piles of corpses. He closed his eyes in agony, his face desolate, repeatedly muttering.

"Half a month..."

He had gone mad.

...

With such a commotion at the detached palace, the people in the imperial city did not sleep all night.

During the day, the city was under strict martial law. Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen suddenly appeared, holding an edict, ordering the Imperial Guard, Palace Guard, and Golden Guard to obey the Crown Princess's commands and defend the imperial city at all costs. The generals were filled with anxiety and were apprehended by others who had long since pledged allegiance to Li Xuanzhen.The court ministers had long foreseen an impending confrontation between father and son and intended to intervene with counsel, but they were abruptly detained in the Taiji Palace by the sudden appearance of the Flying Cavalry. By the time they were released, it was already midnight.

The next day, a rumor spread that Li De, while visiting Empress Xie, had suddenly fallen into a fit of madness—hysterical and slashing at anyone in sight. Court physicians examined him but found no cure. Crown Prince Li Xuanzhen took over state affairs as regent, with no objections from the officials.

The common people raised no objections either: the Crown Prince had been appointed by Li De himself, and with the emperor ill, it was only right for the Crown Prince to assume governance.

Subsequently, the Crown Prince acted decisively, purging a large number of officials and generals. Among them, surrendered ministers from Southern Chu died one after another, but no one paid much attention, assuming they had succumbed to illness due to homesickness and depression.

A few months later, Li De passed away in the detached palace, reportedly from exhaustion due to overwork.

What followed had nothing to do with Yaoying.

On the night she emerged from the detached palace, Xie Qing approached her holding a whip. Yaoying snatched the long whip, turned around, and lashed it at Li Zhongqian.

“Taking matters into your own hands to return to the capital? Conspiring with Li Xuanzhen behind my back to force the emperor’s abdication? And leaving me a letter telling me to live peacefully and not seek revenge for you?”

Gritting her teeth, Yaoying swung the whip again with a backhanded strike.

“If I hadn’t returned, the two of you would have had to confront Li De head-on. Do you have any idea how many casualties there would have been? Li De had thunder bombs! If pushed to desperation, even with your martial skills, you wouldn’t stand a chance against the imperial guards!”

Li Zhongqian dared not argue, enduring several lashes before finally pleading, “I didn’t plan to charge to my death. Li De set a vicious trap, and Li Xuanzhen feared he would strike first, so he resolved to kill the emperor. I only helped him with a few small tasks. Whether we succeeded or not, Li De would have been severely weakened.”

Li Xuanzhen had met with him privately after returning from Southern Chu. Li Zhongqian had been hiding in Chang’an, while Li Xuanzhen feigned imprisonment but had actually already escaped. The two brothers had originally planned to exclude Yaoying from their scheme, as she was supposed to be in Gaochang. Even if she sensed something amiss and rushed back to Chang’an, someone in Liangzhou would have stopped her.

Though he and Li Xuanzhen had deep-seated conflicts, back during their time with the Northern Rong, the two brothers had stirred up trouble and cooperated seamlessly. In the matter of killing Li De, their goals aligned, and they had no qualms about collaborating once more.

No one had expected that by the time news of Yaoying’s return arrived, she had already reached the capital prefecture.

At that time, Li Zhongqian was still in hiding and unable to send word to Yaoying. Frantic with worry, he rushed to the detached palace to rescue her. If Li Xuanzhen hadn’t arrived in time to restrain him and exchange silver armor and felt robes with him, he would have thought Yaoying knew nothing and had truly been deceived by Li De.

Yaoying snorted lightly, aware that Li Zhongqian hadn’t revealed the whole truth. He and Li Xuanzhen hadn’t been entirely confident in their plan. Fortunately, she had returned in time and, working in concert with the Crown Princess, diverted Li De’s attention, allowing Li Xuanzhen to seize the opportunity to strike.

“We were still too careless. Li De actually obtained the formula for thunder bombs. If Li Xuanzhen hadn’t been there, the detached palace would have been razed to the ground today.”

Frowning, Yaoying realized there was a spy in the Western Army. She needed to thoroughly purge the workshops. The formula was no great secret—she would hand it over to the court—but the spy could not be allowed to remain.

Li Zhongqian also felt a surge of fear and let out a long sigh of relief.

Yaoying put away the whip. “Elder Brother… I am a daughter of the Chen family.”

Li Zhongqian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and ruffled her hair. “I’ve known for a long time, Bright Moon Slave. I don’t care. You will always be my little sister.”When he learned of Yaoying's true parentage, he sat in a daze for an entire day. There was no anger in his heart—her biological parents had both perished in the turmoil of war, and her clansmen were distantly related. The grievances of the previous generation would not affect the bond between them as siblings. Beyond melancholy and reflection, what filled his heart most was joy for Yaoying.

She was not Li De's daughter. Had her biological parents survived, they would have cherished her deeply.

"If you wish to pay respects to your parents, let Tanmoroqie accompany you," Li Zhongqian said with a light laugh. "Though they did not raise you, it is right to honor them. Du Sinan wrote that they believed you had died in the war and erected a cenotaph in your memory. It is a pity they never had the chance to know you."

Yaoying hummed in agreement, linking her arm with Li Zhongqian's.

"Elder Brother, let us return to Jingnan to pay our respects to our uncles and the others."

Li Zhongqian's lips curved into a smile as he nodded.

Descending the long steps, they were met by guards escorting a carriage. Yaoying climbed inside, leaning against the wall as if her bones had turned to jelly, and fell into a deep sleep.

The carriage jolted along the rugged mountain path. Faint lamplight seeped through the curtains, and the sound of hurried footsteps echoed everywhere—Li Xuanzhen had mobilized many troops that night, leaving the area in disarray.

Yaoying suddenly awoke with a start, pushing aside the carriage curtain to meet a pair of serene green eyes.

She smiled, her weariness vanishing instantly, and leaned against the window. "Luojia, I knew you would be watching over me."

Just as he had in Gaochang.

"You've been following me all along, haven't you? Were you the one shooting arrows at the detached palace?"

Tanmoroqie remained composed, showing no trace of embarrassment at being discovered. He nodded, his brow slightly furrowed. "Sleep."

Yaoying reached for his sleeve. "Come inside and stay with me."

Without a word, Tanmoroqie tugged the reins, dismounted, and entered the carriage while a guard led his horse away.

Yaoying had been rushing nonstop, fearing any delay. She hadn't seen Tanmoroqie for days, but she knew he was nearby. Every time she blew her whistle, she could sense his presence. Knowing he was by her side brought her peace, no matter what she faced.

She guided him to sit back, then settled onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. With a soft sound, she kissed his cheek.

"Didn't you promise not to let the Royal Court enter the capital?"

They had returned to the Central Plains together, parting ways in the outskirts days earlier. She had taken the light cavalry ahead while Tanmoroqie agreed to wait outside the city, only revealing himself if she or Li Zhongqian encountered danger.

Tanmoroqie lowered his head, tightening his arms around her as he kissed her hair.

"I am Princess Wenzhao's lover," he murmured.

As her lover, how could he not follow closely when she returned to the capital?

Yaoying chuckled softly, breathing in his familiar scent. A sense of calm and comfort washed over her, and weariness surged once more as she drifted back to sleep.

Tanmoroqie pressed gentle kisses to her temples.

Tomorrow, he would make his presence known.

She had once left Chang'an in sorrow, amid the tears of the people. This time, he had come to the Wei court to formally request her hand, to take her away and replace her painful memories with joy.

Through the long journey of life, they would walk side by side. She would remain by his side until their hair turned white, sharing a lifetime together.