Love and Crown

I remember the voice of this man in white—it was him I encountered outside the tea warehouse that day.

He also looked at me with a smile, "So this is Her Majesty the Empress?" As he spoke, he turned to Xiao Huan, "Come to think of it, after meeting Your Majesty that day, I had a brief encounter with Her Majesty as well."

"Your humble servant"? When speaking to Xiao Huan, he neither referred to himself as "your humble official" nor as "this commoner," but as "your humble servant." Addressing the emperor as "your humble servant" was a privilege granted by Emperor Taizong to the collateral descendants of the Xiao clan of the Great Wu.

Xiao Huan slowly stood up, leaning against the tree trunk. His movements were deliberate, as if moving too quickly would disturb something. He coughed softly, his voice clear and measured, word by word: "Couldn't even wait these few days... Prince Chu."

The man in white chuckled, narrowing his phoenix eyes slightly, a faint trace of amusement flickering at their corners.

His eyes were the color of distant, misty mountains—deep indigo with an emptiness in their depths that made one want to lose themselves in their mesmerizing depths. Matching those bewitching eyes was a face exuding innate allure. If Xiao Huan only revealed a hint of his own charm when his hair was loose, this man in white seemed born with it—every glance, every tilt of his brow, radiated natural seduction. It was a face heaven had bestowed to enchant the masses.

He was Prince Chu, Xiao Qianqing—renowned since his youth for his unparalleled beauty. Legends said the people of Chu would willingly wait three days along the roads just to catch a glimpse of his peerless countenance. Wherever his carriage passed, crowds would gather, creating a spectacle.

With a light laugh, Xiao Qianqing's elegant voice remained unhurried: "Indeed... I couldn't wait. What if Your Majesty doesn't die on his own? Whose throne would I sit on then?"

Xiao Huan didn't respond, his head bowed deeply as he leaned against the tree. Though he tried to steady himself, his shoulders trembled faintly.

My mind buzzed chaotically, and I suddenly shouted, "A feudal prince leaving his fief without imperial decree is a capital offense! Xiao Qianqing, you have some nerve!"

No matter how ridiculous or pointless the words, let me keep talking. Every extra sentence bought Xiao Huan more time to regulate his breathing.

"What?" Xiao Qianqing laughed in disbelief, his eyes flashing with surprise. Those pale indigo pupils flickered as he smiled faintly, "Her Majesty... have you lost your mind?"

"Do you think you can escape the heavily guarded Forbidden Palace all by yourself?" I clenched my fists and continued loudly, "Even if you do escape, you'll no longer be a revered prince but a traitor beyond redemption. Think carefully—put down King Wind and step away from His Majesty at once!"

Xiao Qianqing smiled, his eyes glinting like silk threads: "Defeat makes one a traitor, but victory makes this Forbidden Palace mine." He paused, then suddenly curled his lips, "Including you, Her Majesty who enjoys dressing as a little maid. Though I find you rather plain, on a whim, I might reluctantly keep you around to sweep and serve."

I scoffed coldly, "Who do you think you are? Let me tell you—aside from Brother Xiao, even if others knelt and kowtowed to me, I wouldn't deign to serve them.""How loyal," Xiao Qianqing actually set aside Xiao Huan to chat idly with me, smiling faintly. "Is this what they call unwavering devotion?"

I snorted coldly. "I don't care what you think, and I can't be bothered to explain. I love Brother Xiao, so I'm willing to do anything for him. It's that simple." As I spoke, my nose suddenly stung, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Xiao Huan leaning against the tree trunk, lifting his head to look at me. He curled his lips into a faint smile.

This fool! I'm working so hard to buy him time, and he still has the leisure to smile at me? Fool!

My cheeks were wet—tears had started flowing again without me realizing. How embarrassing.

"Pfft—" Xiao Qianqing actually laughed out loud beside me. His gaze seemed distracted, whether fixed on my face or elsewhere. "Don't expect His Majesty to regulate his inner energy anymore. Even if he were uninjured, I'd still defeat him if we fought."

"Bragging won't make your tongue fall out from the wind!" I sneered, raising an eyebrow. "If you're so confident you can beat Brother Xiao, why resort to traps instead of facing him fairly? You won't admit it, but deep down, you're afraid of him!"

"Think what you will," Xiao Qianqing wasn't provoked. He casually pointed King Wind at Shi Yan and chuckled. "Enough idle talk. Commander Shi, go back and tell the Empress Dowager to follow my orders. Otherwise—" He smiled. "The Xiao Clan's Vermilion Bird Branch will truly be extinguished."

Shi Yan's veins bulged on his face, fists clenched, frozen in place—neither retreating nor daring to move.

"Shi Yan!" Xiao Huan leaned against the tree trunk, barely standing, his face as pale as paper. He called out sharply.

Shi Yan understood Xiao Huan was telling him not to act recklessly but to hurry and inform the Empress Dowager. He lowered his head and responded in a subdued voice, "Yes." Then he turned and ran out of the courtyard without looking back.

Xiao Qianqing watched Xiao Huan with amusement. "His Majesty is quite perceptive."

Xiao Huan's chest heaved violently as he glanced coolly at Xiao Qianqing. "You flatter me, Prince of Chu."

Hong Qing then stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Xiao Qianqing. "My lord, what shall we do with the Empress?"

Xiao Qianqing smiled. "Li Hongqing, back then, you begged me to spare the Empress's life, and I agreed. But this woman—I find her utterly displeasing. Gouge out her eyes and sever the tendons in her wrists and ankles." He spoke casually, as if disposing of a discarded doll.

Hong Qing's shoulders trembled violently, but in the end, he lowered his head and murmured almost inaudibly, "Yes."

"If you dare touch her," Xiao Huan suddenly spoke, pausing to take a breath before continuing, "you can forget about the throne."

Xiao Qianqing raised an eyebrow. "Oh? With your life in my hands, why should I listen to you?"

"If you want to ascend the throne, you need me to issue an Imperial Edict naming you as my successor. Otherwise, your claim will be illegitimate. Do you think the other princes of the Xiao Clan's Azure Dragon Branch will willingly submit to you?" Xiao Huan took a deep breath before finishing, then lifted his dark eyes to meet Xiao Qianqing's gaze. He chuckled softly. "You should know... besides you, the old Prince of Qi and that fat Prince Liu also covet the throne..."

"Nonsense!" Xiao Qianqing's pale face suddenly flushed red. He grabbed Xiao Huan by the collar and shoved him against the tree trunk. "Those fools—how could they possibly compare?"Pushed by him, Xiao Huan suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. Xiao Qianqing hastily let go and dodged, but his snow-white sleeve was still splattered with droplets of blood, like a scattering of blooming red plum blossoms.

Leaning against the tree trunk, Xiao Huan covered his mouth as he coughed, sneering coldly: "What unfortunate timing... If you still... want me alive to write that Imperial Edict for you... you'd better treat me with more courtesy... Before your subordinate... injured me... my Cold Poison had already flared up... My heart meridian... now... cough ... could snap at any moment..."

Hearing the words "your subordinate," Hong Qing's shoulders trembled again, his head bowing deeply.

Xiao Qianqing frowned tightly at the bloodstains on his sleeve and said to Ying, who had been sitting on the rooftop enjoying the spectacle: "Give him some life-sustaining medicine. I don’t want a dead emperor."

Ying shook her head, still smiling: "Why would you think I have life-sustaining medicine? I only deal in killing, not saving. But I do have some Ecstasy Aroma here. No matter how severe the injury, anyone who inhales it will suddenly regain their strength, as if they’ve become a different person. Should I give some to big brother?"

I couldn’t help but shout in rebuke: "That drug only numbs the nerves temporarily. Once the effect wears off, it worsens the condition. Do you want your brother to die sooner?"

Ying’s expression remained innocent: "You saw through me. I was going to kill big brother anyway."

"You..." I was speechless with anger.

"Enough!" Xiao Qianqing frowned, staring at the crimson stains on his robe, and waved his hand. "Fine, the Empress’s eyes don’t need to be gouged out. You can leave—"

Before he could finish, I quickly interjected: "I’ll stay as your hostage too. More hostages are better than fewer."

Xiao Qianqing gave a faint hum. "As you wish."

Without waiting for him to finish, I hurried to the locust tree and supported Xiao Huan. He was still covering his mouth, coughing incessantly, his body trembling violently.

"I told you to rest, why did you come out?" My eyes stung as I held him. I couldn’t cry now. With Xiao Huan so severely injured, it was up to me to find a way to escape Xiao Qianqing’s grasp with him.

"The stench of blood in this courtyard is too strong. Let’s go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Li Hongqing, lead the way." Xiao Qianqing’s tone was indifferent, though his light jade-green eyes lingered on my face for a moment longer than necessary.

Before our arrival, the maids and eunuchs of the Hall of Mental Cultivation had been driven out. The entire courtyard was silent and desolate, appearing especially bleak under the overcast sky.

After much effort, I managed to help Xiao Huan lie down in the Eastern Warm Chamber. His coughing continued unabated, each hack flecked with specks of blood.

Xiao Qianqing hadn’t anticipated that Hong Qing’s attack would coincide with Xiao Huan’s Cold Poison flare-up. Regretful and wary of being accused of regicide, he ordered Hong Qing to summon a physician from the Imperial Hospital.

With Li Mingshang absent, the physician sent was the one I had seen a few days earlier at the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility—Physician Yang.

Physician Yang remained composed. After taking Xiao Huan’s pulse, he retreated without a word.

I grabbed him and asked, "How is the Emperor?"Physician Yang glanced at Xiao Qianqing leaning by the door and spoke calmly, "Forgive my bluntness, but His Majesty has carried the Cold Poison of the Glacial Love Tribulation within him since childhood. This toxin accumulates between the heart and lungs, making His Majesty's cardiopulmonary system inherently weaker than that of ordinary people. How could it withstand such repeated damage? If my deduction is correct, His Majesty's body suffered another severe injury recently. Though his life was preserved, the damage to his heart and lungs was particularly grave, reaching an irreparable state. And now, today, he was struck with heavy force again—truly..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

"With all due boldness," Physician Yang paused before continuing, "in my humble opinion, it seems the Mandate of Heaven has been exhausted. The great departure is imminent."

"Nonsense! If Physician Li were here, would he say the same?" I couldn't help but snap, then immediately covered my mouth, remembering Xiao Huan was resting inside.

Physician Yang shook his head. "His Majesty is Physician Li's disciple. His medical skills are no less than mine. He likely understands his own condition better than anyone else. There is no need for Your Majesty to carefully conceal it from him." He paused before adding, "Your Majesty, my abilities are limited. I dare not say Physician Li would be as helpless as I am, but the cycles of heaven are beyond human control. In the end, the strength of one person has its limits. It would be best not to cling too stubbornly."

I waved my hand, unwilling to listen further. "Enough talk. Just prescribe whatever medicine can alleviate the symptoms—at least something to stop the coughing—and do it quickly."

Physician Yang hesitated. "Human effort has reached its limit. Moreover, the illness is incurable. Merely suppressing the cough would be like drinking poison to quench thirst—only adding to the suffering."

"So you're saying we just wait for death?" I didn’t know whether to laugh coldly or calm myself. Raising a hand to my forehead, I asked, "Tell me, how much time is left?"

After a moment of silence, Physician Yang replied, "At most, three to five days. At least... within a single day."

I lowered my hand from my forehead. My body seemed to tremble uncontrollably. Pointing at the door, I said, "You may leave."

Without another word, Physician Yang bowed, picked up his medicine chest, and walked out.

The night had deepened. The cold wind of the twelfth month blew in through the open door, making the candlelight flicker in the vast, almost empty Hall of Mental Cultivation. Beyond the door panel, Xiao Huan's faint coughs drifted intermittently from the warm chamber—sometimes audible, sometimes not.

I placed my hand on the oak door. A chill seeped through, slowly penetrating my heart. Squatting down, I buried my head in my arms. My eyes and throat were dry, aching dully with a scorching bitterness.

"I say, you..." A warm hand rested on my shoulder, accompanied by a voice.

I jerked away violently. "You get out too! All of you, get out! Every one of you has been wishing for his death. Now that he’s really going to die, are you all happy? Satisfied? Content? Get out!"

"I say, you," the voice laughed lightly, "your hairpin fell. If you don’t care about your appearance, I’d rather not see someone with disheveled hair looking like a ghost."

Xiao Qianqing's voice remained elegant, clear as a mountain spring, cool and pleasing.

Regaining some composure, I looked up and saw he was indeed holding a silver hairpin. Taking it, I muttered a thanks. My mind was a mess. Mechanically, I pinned up my hair and stood.Xiao Qianqing strolled over to the imperial desk in the hall, tapped the surface with his finger, and shook his head. "Just a pearwood table, medium quality at best." He turned his head and smiled, his light-colored eyes shimmering like water under the candlelight. "My clothes are dirty. Find me something to change into, will you?"

I didn’t even know what I was doing as I nodded in agreement. "Follow me."

For a moment, Xiao Qianqing was as obedient as a child, nodding and following me.

In a side chamber of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, there was a small room dedicated to storing Xiao Huan’s everyday attire. I lit a candle and went in to find clothes for Xiao Qianqing to change into.

Xiao Huan preferred simple, understated colors, so most of his casual garments were plain and unadorned. Since Xiao Qianqing’s height and build were similar to Xiao Huan’s, many of the clothes would fit him. But no matter how I searched, I couldn’t bring myself to hand over any of Xiao Huan’s favorite outfits to Xiao Qianqing. In the end, I grabbed a crimson gauze robe with five coiled dragons embroidered on the narrow sleeves—something Xiao Huan had worn for banquets—and handed it to Xiao Qianqing. "Here, change into this."

Xiao Qianqing’s expression darkened instantly. "You’re giving me such gaudy clothes?"

"Aren’t you the one who wants to be emperor? Isn’t this a dragon robe? Consider it a preview—what’s wrong with that?" I looked up at him.

Xiao Qianqing scoffed. "I’d rather keep wearing these dirty ones." Then, suddenly, he smiled at me. "Do you know Luo Xianxue?"

"You know about Xianxue?" I was surprised by his sudden mention of the name and couldn’t help asking.

"Three feet of peerless steel, three lives washed in blood—no gold, no strike; no kill, no return. What splendid swordsmanship." Xiao Qianqing chuckled lightly. "Feng Yuanjiang had quite the struggle killing him."

I stared blankly at his smiling face, so flawless it seemed lifted from a painting, undimmed even in the darkness. Softly, I repeated, "So, you were behind this?"

Xiao Qianqing nodded without hesitation. "Yes, not only was I behind it, I was there that day. Before he died, Luo Xianxue was clutching a white jade fan pendant—you gave that to him, didn’t you? It had your name carved on it."

I drew a sharp breath, clinging to the last shred of calm in my mind. "Why did you kill Xianxue?"

Xiao Qianqing spoke casually, his tone light. "He was too stubborn. I wanted to recruit him, but after doing just one job for me, he said he wanted to retire from the Martial World. So I sent Feng Yuanjiang to kill him." He covered his mouth with a laugh. "Oh, and the one who sent Luo Xianxue into the palace to assassinate His Majesty the Emperor—that was me. Back then, I couldn’t understand why he’d agree to such a suicidal mission. But now, it seems he was already looking for a way to die..."

A deafening buzz filled my head, drowning out whatever else he said. I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The sharp sound echoed in the small chamber. He seemed stunned, as if he hadn’t expected me to hit him, and covered his cheek while staring at me in disbelief.

I pushed past him and walked out of the room, throwing the candleholder to the ground.

Why was I even asking these questions? What had I been so concerned about before? Whether Xiao Huan had sent someone to kill Xianxue? Whether the killer had been punished? Why Du Tingxin had said those things to me? What kind of relationship did Xiao Huan and Du Tingxin really have?

To think I had once cared about such things... How laughable. It was already far too late.It was all too late... I suddenly understood the meaning behind the Empress Dowager's words. She said that one day, I would recall the mistakes made in the recklessness of youth, and remember those who would never return.

But before I could grow old, before I could hold onto the person I thought I could still grasp, everything was already too late.

The cold wind swept through the empty courtyard, lifting the withered and broken leaves from the ground. Why must winter always be so desolate?

Xiao Huan coughed intermittently throughout the night. I stayed by his side the entire time. Late into the night, he urged me to rest, but I shook my head and refused. Instead, I held his hand and dozed off briefly by the bedside.

In my drowsy state, I seemed to hear the sound of a flute drifting in from outside the window—a ethereal and distant melody. It played on for a long time, not stopping even as the sky began to lighten.

In the morning, I lifted my head from the bedside to find Xiao Huan already sitting up, his eyes half-closed, listening to the music floating through the window.

I smiled at him. "Not resting anymore?"

He shook his head, coughed lightly twice, and smiled. "Beautiful flute music. The Prince of Chu is a man of refined taste."

It was Xiao Qianqing playing the flute? I nodded but said nothing.

The flute music stopped abruptly. Xiao Qianqing pushed open the window and leaned against the sill, dressed in snow-white robes that outshone the winter scene outside. His fingers held a jade-green flute, and against the bleak winter backdrop, his beauty was otherworldly, like an immortal.

He smiled at Xiao Huan. "You recognized it was me just by the sound of the flute. Could it be that His Majesty is my soulmate?"

"You played all night, yet your breath remained steady and strong, without faltering. Aside from the Prince of Chu, neither Hong Qing nor Ying could manage that," Xiao Huan replied with a light laugh.

"So it was just deduction... I thought perhaps Your Majesty understood my heart," Xiao Qianqing said lazily, his eyes flickering as he chuckled softly. "Never mind."

Xiao Huan also smiled, then lowered his head and coughed lightly a few times. "The Prince of Chu didn’t come to the capital alone, did you?"

Xiao Qianqing's smile didn’t waver. "Naturally. Without bringing along some loyal warriors and winning over a few court officials, how would I dare oppose Your Majesty?"

Xiao Huan coughed lightly again and smiled. "If there’s anything unexpected... I just didn’t understand why the Prince of Chu, who has always stayed aloof from worldly affairs, would suddenly desire the throne."

Xiao Qianqing jumped down from the windowsill, still holding his flute, and laughed. "Why the throne? Simple—because anything that belongs to you, I find joy in taking."

Xiao Huan nodded and coughed again. "I see... Come to think of it, it’s been over ten years since we last met."

At these words, Xiao Qianqing suddenly narrowed his eyes and sneered. "As an exiled prince, I couldn’t return to the capital without an imperial decree. Since Your Majesty hadn’t spared a thought for Xiao Qianqing in Chu for over a decade, I had no choice but to force you to remember me."

Even I could hear the resentment in his words and couldn’t help but freeze in surprise.

Xiao Huan lowered his head in silence for a moment before smiling again. "The Prince of Chu need not think that way."

Xiao Qianqing was growing impatient. He tapped the flute against his palm and said coldly, "Your Majesty should hurry and draft the imperial edict of abdication. Who knows when you might take your last breath? Who would I turn to then?"

Xiao Huan nodded and smiled at me. "Cang Cang, fetch paper and ink for me."

I couldn’t hold back. "Brother Xiao, are you really going to pass the throne to him?"Xiao Huan nodded: "A nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day. Among the imperial relatives of the Xiao family, the Prince of Chu is the best choice in terms of literary talent, martial prowess, and reputation. I had originally intended to pass the throne to him—this is merely happening a bit earlier."

Hearing this, Xiao Qianqing smiled even more coldly from the side: "So it seems I’m the one who appears too eager?"

Xiao Huan was about to write the abdication edict, yet Xiao Qianqing still spoke like this. I couldn’t help but retort: "You’re not eager at all—you’re just a selfish regicide who seized the throne!"

Xiao Qianqing was stunned by my words and momentarily left speechless.

I ignored him and got up to fetch writing brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone from the western Warm Chamber. I placed a small table on the bed, then spread out the paper.

Xiao Huan was writing an imperial edict at the small table. The short edict was interrupted several times by his coughing fits. I replaced the handkerchief in his hand, already stained with blood, with a clean one.

When the edict was finished, I picked up the imperial seal and was about to hand it to Xiao Huan when Hong Qing burst through the door from outside the hall, his face pale with alarm: "Master, the Empress Dowager has ordered her men to surround the Hall of Mental Cultivation and is preparing to storm it. Fortunately, Ying had already scattered intoxicating incense outside the walls, so they can't get in for now."

Before Hong Qing could finish speaking, Xiao Huan suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood onto the freshly written edict. He quickly covered his mouth with the handkerchief.

Xiao Qianqing was momentarily stunned, then chuckled softly: "Your Majesty, it seems your mother no longer cares whether you live or die. She is determined to capture this rebellious traitor."

Frantic, I moved the table aside and tried to help Xiao Huan lie down, but he shook his head. Removing the handkerchief from his mouth, he coughed and said, "Leave the palace... get out..."

Xiao Qianqing frowned. "Leave the palace? What can we do outside?"

"Outside... there might still be a chance to live... cough ... Do you want to die defending this place?" Xiao Huan spoke with difficulty, then suddenly grasped my hand tightly. "My life won’t last much longer... Mother has known for a while... She wants to kill you."

"Me?" I was stunned.

Xiao Huan coughed violently again, blood gushing from his mouth. He pressed the handkerchief to his lips, the green silk quickly staining a dark crimson. With a trembling hand, he reached toward Ying by the bedside, his deep eyes flashing with a piercing intensity: "Your... Ecstasy Aroma... cough ... Give it to me now..."

Under his gaze, Ying actually took a step back before snapping out of it. "Alright," she said, pulling a small porcelain bottle from her pocket.

I immediately wrapped my arms around Xiao Huan. "Are you insane? That thing will kill you!"

He paused, then smiled at me. "I promised to protect you for a lifetime..."

Protect me for a lifetime? The words struck me as oddly familiar. When had I heard them before?

He looked at me, his deep eyes still gentle. "I'm sorry... I didn’t expect this life to be so short."

After that, everything descended into chaos.

Ying fumbled as she handed over the bottle. Xiao Huan took it and drank the entire contents in one gulp. Bending over, he picked up the imperial seal and, without bothering with ink, stamped it onto the edict, using the still-wet blood as a makeshift seal.

He tossed the edict to Xiao Qianqing, took my hand, and stood up, issuing orders without hesitation: "Hong Qing and Ying will lead the way. The Prince of Chu will guard the rear. Once we leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation, head toward the Hall of Heroic Splendor. The corner towers won’t be heavily guarded now—we’ll escape from there."

Hong Qing, accustomed to following Xiao Huan’s commands, responded immediately: "Understood." He and Ying rushed out first, with Xiao Huan pulling me along close behind. Xiao Qianqing hesitated briefly before tucking the jade flute and the edict into his robes and following.

By then, the elite Brocade Uniform Guards had already stormed into the courtyard. Hong Qing and Ying carved a narrow path through the crowd, and Xiao Huan stood among them, shouting, "Who dares block our way?"

At the sight of Xiao Huan, the guards froze, their weapons lowering involuntarily.

Seizing the moment, Xiao Huan pulled me through the crowd and out through the Zunyi Gate. The northern corridor was packed with black-clad Imperial Bodyguards. In the center of the path stood a bright yellow parasol, beneath which the Empress Dowager waited, flanked by Du Tingxin and Shi Yan, both standing with bowed heads.Upon seeing Xiao Huan, the Empress Dowager trembled and took a step forward, her voice shaking slightly, "Huan'er, for this woman, are you truly willing to throw away your life?"

"You've asked this many times, Mother. My answer remains the same," Xiao Huan stopped in his tracks, smiling as he tightened his grip on my hand. "As long as I live, I will protect her. Empress Dowager, I am taking her out of the palace. Please step aside."

"It seems we have nothing left to say," the Empress Dowager sneered coldly. "Twenty years of mother-son affection cannot compare to a single promise made to this woman. Have you forgotten how she threw herself into another man's arms? How she glared at you with disdain? Go ask her—ask if she still remembers that vow from years past? To throw your life away for a promise long forgotten by others, Xiao Huan, when did you become so foolish?" Her voice was sharp with fury.

"It hasn't been about that promise for a long time," Xiao Huan replied, still smiling. "Don’t you understand, Empress Dowager?"

After a deathly silence, the Empress Dowager's voice trembled as she spoke, "You are so much like your father, Huan'er. Why must you resemble him so much?" Her hand rose, shaking, as she addressed the Imperial Bodyguards behind her, "Listen well—your Emperor is already dead. Seize these rebels! If they resist, kill them on sight!"

At the forefront stood Shi Yan, commander of the Escort Battalion. Clasping his fists in acknowledgment, he drew his longsword and advanced slowly.

Meanwhile, Xiao Qianqing and Hong Qing fended off the encircling guards. Xiao Qianqing even found time to jest, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has turned against you. Does your Imperial edict still hold any weight?" Dressed in pristine white, he moved effortlessly through the storm of blades and arrows, his sleeves fluttering gracefully, his demeanor as composed as ever.

"Just keep it safe and stop talking nonsense," Xiao Huan retorted sharply. As Shi Yan swung his sword, Xiao Huan dipped his shoulder to evade, then extended two fingers to catch the blade mid-air.

"Too many openings," Xiao Huan said with a faint smile. "Showing mercy to an enemy is the height of foolishness."

Before the words faded, Shi Yan's sword snapped in two with a metallic clang. Xiao Huan twisted his wrist, catching the broken half—now the perfect length of King Wind. White Rainbow erupted from his hand, the pale blade tracing a crimson arc across Shi Yan's chest. Blood gushed forth like spilled ink as Shi Yan collapsed to the ground.

Xiao Huan lowered the short sword with a cold laugh, its tip pointing downward as blood dripped steadily. His deep eyes narrowed. "Who else wishes to die?"

Shi Yan had been renowned as the foremost warrior in the Imperial presence, Xiao Huan's ever-loyal shadow. Yet Xiao Huan had felled him in a single move. The scene fell into stunned silence; none of the tightly encircling Imperial Bodyguards behind the Empress Dowager dared step forward.

Even the Empress Dowager seemed momentarily frozen. The corridor was eerily still.

Without hesitation, Xiao Huan turned. "We go forward!"

Xiao Qianqing and Hong Qing had already repelled the nearby guards. Xiao Qianqing stood to the side, flute in hand, and chuckled lightly. "It just occurred to me—the Empress Dowager must have stationed heavy forces behind us. Why not charge straight through the Meridian Gate and catch them off guard?"

As he spoke, he dashed ahead without delay.

Hong Qing pulled Ying along, following Xiao Qianqing, while Xiao Huan and I brought up the rear. Before stepping out, I glanced back one last time.In the corridor, Shi Yan lay on the ground covered in blood. The Empress Dowager remained silent, her expression unreadable, while Du Tingxin stood quietly by her side. Just as we were about to turn past the doorway, she suddenly raised her head.

She didn’t look at me, nor anywhere else—her gaze fixed directly on Xiao Huan’s retreating figure.

The Imperial Bodyguard in dark robes brushed past her, sword in hand as he pursued us, yet her eyes never left Xiao Huan’s back. There were no tears in her eyes, but I saw despair—a despair so deep no tears could wash it away.

Du Tingxin was an exceptional woman—stunningly beautiful, erudite, gentle, and serene. She was nothing like me, who had nothing to offer.

Sometimes I even wondered—why me, and not her?

Why was it me?

Long before the young man I met in the autumn breeze of Jiangnan smiled at me, there was a boy from an even earlier time who had smiled faintly at me. His face was pale and delicate, his deep black eyes like the night sky narrowing as he grinned. “Little girl, it’s settled—in this lifetime, I’ll protect you.”

So it had been promised long ago. Through countless trials, amidst the treacherous storms of the Martial World and the desolate life of the palace, that boy had always remembered that vow.

No matter how cold and aloof he appeared, he never truly hurt me. No matter how much he was misunderstood or resented, he never once thought to let go of my hand. When I was in danger, he would charge alone into enemy territory. Even in his final moments, knowing I was in peril, he would exhaust every last ounce of his strength to save me. Time and again, all he ever wanted was to protect me. It turned out everything had been promised between that boy and that oblivious little girl. He remembered, but the little girl had long forgotten.

The guards in the front courtyard hadn’t been mobilized in time. It wasn’t until we reached the Rear Right Gate that we saw a squad of soldiers rushing toward us from the other end of the corridor. Xiao Huan frowned and pointed toward the steps. “Go up.”

The Three Great Halls were strictly off-limits under normal circumstances, so the platform was empty. We made our way smoothly. As we exited the side door near the Hall of Supreme Harmony and were about to find a path down to the front of the hall, Xiao Huan suddenly halted. Following his gaze, I saw the figure clad in gray.

The man stood directly in our path, hands clasped behind his back. The morning sunlight illuminated half of his face—pale and ghastly, utterly expressionless. He wore a mask, but even so, I recognized him at a glance: Gui Wuchang. No one else could carry such an overwhelming aura of desolation and solitude—an aura so cold it felt like death itself.

“This is as far as you go. Stay here.” His voice was equally icy. He slowly raised his right hand, the empty fingers curling slightly as though gripping an invisible sword.

Xiao Huan released my hand, his eyes locked on Gui Wuchang, but his words were for Xiao Qianqing: “You and Hong Qing take them and go. I’ll hold him off.”

Xiao Qianqing let out a light, dismissive laugh. “Don’t make it sound like you’re marching to your death. Is this man really so formidable? Why not just defeat him and leave together?”

Xiao Huan didn’t respond, but Gui Wuchang gave a faint, cold chuckle. “Such arrogance, boy.”Before his voice faded, he swiftly attacked Xiao Qianqing. Even with Xiao Qianqing's quick reflexes, he barely managed to block the incoming fingers with his jade flute.

With a crisp "crack," the flute snapped in two as if repelled by an invisible Sword Energy. Xiao Qianqing took a step back, his chest heaving, momentarily speechless.

Xiao Huan struck at Gui Wuchang with his palm and sharply commanded, "Leave now!"

Xiao Qianqing froze momentarily before regaining his composure and tugging at my sleeve. Hong Qing nodded at Ying, "Go with your master." With that, he drew his sword and joined the fray.

Xiao Qianqing stamped his foot in frustration, "What are you doing? Leaving me alone with two young girls?"

At the sight of Hong Qing, Gui Wuchang sneered, "You're Li Xiaowo's son? You should know the consequences of betraying the imperial family." As he spoke, he diverted Xiao Huan with one palm and struck down at Hong Qing with the other.

Ignoring the thunderous force of the attack, Hong Qing angled his sword to exploit the opening under Gui Wuchang's arm—a reckless move aimed solely at wounding his foe.

After intercepting Gui Wuchang's strike, Xiao Huan immediately followed with another palm strike, forcing Gui Wuchang to withdraw his attack on Hong Qing and retreat a step.

Without turning his head, Xiao Huan barked at Hong Qing, "I ordered you to escort Her Majesty away. Do you mean to disobey?"

Hong Qing stood frozen with his sword, murmuring after a long pause, "Your Majesty..."

Gui Wuchang scoffed, "How magnanimous of His Majesty. Perhaps you should worry about your own life first." His palm slipped precisely through the gap between Xiao Huan's arms and struck his abdomen.

Xiao Huan leaped back several steps to dissipate the residual force of the blow, kneeling on one knee. He wiped the blood from his lips with his sleeve and pulled himself up using the nearby white marble railing.

Gui Wuchang mocked, "Your Inner Force has long since scattered. Do you really think this dying body can hold me back?"

Xiao Huan remained silent, glancing at Xiao Qianqing, who bit his lip and said, "Fine!" He then turned to Hong Qing, "Obey your Emperor's command. Take Ying and go."

Ying, unusually compliant today, silently approached Hong Qing and tugged at his sleeve. "Let's go."

Xiao Qianqing pulled me down the steps. I looked back at Gui Wuchang and Xiao Huan standing motionless in confrontation. From a side gate, black-clad Imperial Bodyguards began pouring in—the pursuers had arrived.

Xiao Huan kept his gaze fixed on Gui Wuchang. He didn't look at me. If I fled now, we would never meet again. From this moment on, through the depths of the underworld or the vastness of the heavens, I would never again see that figure in blue.

I abruptly shook off Xiao Qianqing's hand and ran back.

Caught off guard, Xiao Qianqing called out anxiously behind me, "You—"

Brushing past Gui Wuchang, I sprinted toward Xiao Huan.

Seeing me, his deep eyes flickered with worry and urgency. "Cang Cang..."

I rushed forward and threw my arms around him.

His body was cold. Burying my face in his robes, I inhaled the faint scent of medicinal herbs.

Flustered, he tried to push me away. "Cang Cang, listen to me. Don't do this."I took a deep breath and looked up at him: "Out of everyone, you're the worst. Talking about protecting me—do you think I care? And now you're the one dying... It'd be so easy if you just died, but what about me left alone? I hate you, you silent fool who never says anything!" I hugged him tightly, staring straight into his eyes. "I hate you! I want you to hear it, I want you to die without peace!"

He looked at me quietly, then suddenly smiled, reaching out to wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes: "Even without makeup, crying makes you look messy."

"You dare say I don't look good?" I glared at him.

"I wouldn't dare," he chuckled. "Cang Cang is the most beautiful, even with a tear-streaked face."

"That's what I wanted to hear," I said smugly, standing on tiptoe to plant a light kiss on his lips. "Brother Xiao, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard in my life... I'll remember it well, remember it until my hair turns white, until I'm too old to walk, and never forget."

He nodded with a smile: "Good, that makes me happy too."

I raised an eyebrow: "Then it's settled—remember it until we're too old to walk."

He laughed, his brow relaxing as he nodded gently: "Settled. Remember it until we're too old to walk."

A tremendous force wrenched me away from Xiao Huan. Gui Wuchang's palm struck his chest, and he staggered backward, his body flipping over the white marble railing, plummeting toward the platform below.

I reached out to grab him but missed. That young man slipped through my fingers and fell.

The last thing I saw was his serene, smiling face. What a fool—he had fallen from the highest point of the Cloud Dragon Stone Wall in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. I'd never seen anyone fall from the clouds and smile so peacefully.

I desperately braced myself against the railing. Every part of me wanted to jump after him, but I couldn't—because I'd already promised to remember those words until I was too old to walk. So when that time came, could we go together then?

Darkness gradually crept into my vision. Faintly, I heard Xiao Qianqing calling: "Cang Cang! Cang Cang!"

Something shattered inside me. That young man's figure dissolved into a swirl of black. So many words left unspoken—I hadn't told him nearly enough.