"Wеnхuаn's wоrds аrе not without rеаsоn."
Аs sоon as Pеi Wеnxuan finishеd speаking, Реi Liming immеdiаtеly piсked up the thread.
Originаllу from а cоnсubinе brаnch, hе hаd lоng bееn at оdds with Pei Lixiаn. Вefоre Pei Lizhi's dеath, his offiсial cаrееr hаd bееn smоoth, but aftеr Рei Lizhi раssеd awаy, hе hаd been suррressеd by Pei Liхian. It was onlу аftеr Pеi Wenxuan mаrriеd Li Rоng that hе wаs рrоmоtеd from Viсе Ministеr of Justiсe to Мinister.
Тhеrе werе quitе а fеw peoрle like him. As soon аs Pei Liming spоke, clаn membеrs whо had аlready communicated with Pei Wenxuan stepped forward one by one, stating the pros and cons.
The Pei family had long been tied to the Crown Prince. Ever since Pei Wenxuan had outmaneuvered Consort Rou, they had become mortal enemies with her. If Li Cheng ascended the throne, it would likely spell disaster for their entire clan.
The Pei family argued internally for a long time until Pei Xuanqing finally spoke: "Enough."
Pei Lixian and Pei Wenxuan both turned to look at Pei Xuanqing. He raised his clouded eyes: "Wenxuan, if the family head token is not given to you today, what will you do?"
"Grandfather, the Crown Prince is my wife's younger brother. Naturally, I cannot leave."
If Pei Wenxuan stayed, regardless of whether the Crown Prince won or lost, the Pei family would be implicated.
"Then, how confident are you?"
Pei Xuanqing stared at Pei Wenxuan, who gave a light laugh: "Grandfather, Prince Su is already dead."
"What about the one in the palace?"
"He is an imposter."
Pei Wenxuan's voice was soft: "I am not the only one who knows this. They cannot hide it for long. Grandfather, what do you think the Crown Prince's chances are, given that a treacherous consort has confused the imperial bloodline?"
Pei Xuanqing fell silent for a long while before finally laughing: "Back then, your father was the same."
With that, he turned to the others: "What is everyone's choice?"
"We believe Wenxuan's reasoning is sound."
A chorus of voices spoke up, interspersed with some supporting Pei Lixian, but they were all drowned out.
Pei Xuanqing nodded and turned to Pei Lixian: "Give him the family head token and the treasury keys."
"Father." Pei Lixian grew anxious. "He's just a child..."
"I am not a child."
Pei Xuanqing's voice grew stern: "This is not his decision; it is mine. Give him the family head token."
Pei Lixian pressed his lips together. Seeing his defiance, Pei Xuanqing slammed his palm on the table and shouted: "Give it to him!"
Pei Lixian remained silent, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense. Pei Xuanqing frowned: "Second Son."
"Father, I cannot watch him repeat his father's mistakes. The Pei family must not involve itself in this matter. We should arrest Pei Wenxuan immediately and deliver him to the palace! Guards!"
Pei Lixian shouted, and a group of sword-wielding guards burst through the door, rushing in and surrounding the entire ancestral hall.
Pei Liming's face turned cold: "Pei Lixian, drawing blades in the ancestral hall—what are you doing?!"
"Merely dealing with an unfilial descendant. Pei Wenxuan, you have rebelled against your superiors and plotted treason. Today, I will uphold justice over family ties, execute you on the spot, and deliver you to the palace to see how His Majesty judges! No one is to move today!"
Pei Lixian gestured sharply, his expression icy: "Otherwise, you will be considered accomplices and charged with treason."
Everyone present paled at these words, but Pei Wenxuan merely smiled, found a seat in the hall, and calmly sat down. Tong Ye poured him tea, and he smiled faintly at Pei Xuanqing: "Grandfather, Second Uncle has drawn blades before the ancestral hall. May Wenxuan relieve your worries on your behalf?"
Hearing this, Pei Xuanqing hesitated for a moment before nodding.Pei Lixian sneered coldly, "A grasshopper in autumn, pretending to be calm. Guards, seize him!"
Pei Wenxuan smiled without speaking, calmly lifting his teacup. As the guards in the courtyard charged toward him with raised blades, arrows rained down from all directions like a storm. In an instant, the guards at the forefront of the ancestral hall were struck down!
Blood from the guard closest to Pei Lixian splattered onto his face, forcing him to close his eyes.
Then, the sounds of battle cries erupted from outside the main gate. Everyone in the ancestral hall stood pale-faced, not daring to speak.
Only Pei Wenxuan remained seated leisurely in his original spot, savoring the fragrance of his tea. Finally, he raised his head and looked at Pei Lixian. "Second Uncle, sit and wait. There’s still a long road ahead on the journey to the Yellow Springs." As he spoke, Pei Wenxuan lifted the lid of his teacup and chuckled softly. "Don’t tire yourself out."
Pei Lixian’s face was pale, and he remained silent. After a long wait, the commotion outside the courtyard finally quieted down.
Zhao Chongjiu strode in and knelt before Pei Wenxuan. "My lord, all the traitors have been executed, totaling one hundred and forty-two. Please verify the count."
Pei Wenxuan nodded and glanced at Tong Ye beside him. Tong Ye stepped forward, presenting a prepared cup of poisoned wine to Pei Lixian, and said respectfully, "Second Master, please."
Pei Lixian stared at the poisoned wine before him. Pei Wenxuan smiled faintly. "Second Uncle, this cup of wine is my gift to you. If you don’t drink it willingly, it will be forced down your throat. It’s more dignified to drink it yourself."
Pei Lixian’s hands trembled slightly. Before he could speak, several screams erupted from the crowd. Several members of the Pei clan who had long followed him were dragged out. With a swift swing of the blade, blood splattered across the ground.
Pei Lixian’s face turned ashen. Pei Wenxuan stood up and lifted the wine cup. "Second Uncle," he said softly, "my father drank his cup. Now, it’s your turn."
Hearing this, Pei Lixian looked up at him. After a long pause, he trembled and uttered, "You wolf cub…"
"If you don’t drink it now," Pei Wenxuan’s voice remained gentle, "it won’t be just you drinking it."
At these words, Pei Lixian finally relented. He took a deep breath, downed the wine in one gulp, and turned to rush out of the hall.
Pei Wenxuan called out, "Wait."
Pei Lixian halted in his tracks. Pei Wenxuan raised his hand. "The clan leader’s token."
Pei Lixian remained motionless, feeling pain searing through his lungs and organs.
Pei Wenxuan stepped forward himself, retrieving the clan leader’s token from Pei Lixian’s waist. The moment he took it, Pei Lixian spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed straight to the ground.
Blood splattered onto Pei Wenxuan’s robes. He took out a handkerchief, wiped the droplets of blood from his pale face, and turned away, issuing orders directly. "Mobilize all Pei family troops and assemble them. Order Pei Xiao to wait with the city defense forces at the southern gate."
While the Pei household descended into chaos, the Su residence maintained an unusual tranquility.
Su Rongqing entered Su Minzhi’s bedroom. Su Minzhi was practicing calligraphy. As Su Rongqing entered, he knelt respectfully. "Father."
"Do you know why I called you here?"
Su Minzhi did not look up, his brush slowly drawing a horizontal stroke on the paper.
Su Rongqing replied softly, "I know."
"Your elder brother told me about your affairs. You’ve always been a child who knows your place. I can’t understand," Su Minzhi raised his eyes to look at Su Rongqing, "how you could be less sensible than your elder brother."Su Rongqing remained motionless. Seeing no sign of remorse in his expression, Su Minzhi frowned. "The Crown Prince is the eldest legitimate son of the empress. By both seniority and legitimacy, he is the rightful heir. His character, learning, and demeanor are beyond reproach. What is Consort Rou's background? What is Prince Su's nature? What are you doing?"
"Earlier, when you argued with Pei Wenxuan in court, I already sensed something was amiss, but I thought you were..." Su Minzhi pursed his lips, tossing aside his brush, and simply said, "acting impulsively in your youth. I know of your feelings for Princess Pingle, but she is already married. What are you doing now?"
"Father?" Su Rongqing looked up in shock. He had never known that his feelings were even known to his family.
Su Minzhi seemed to feel a pang of guilt and softened his tone. "During your three years at the academy, in every examination, whenever Princess Pingle was present, you would deliberately show off. Every time you entered the palace, if Princess Pingle was there, you would dress with extra care. Rongqing, I am your father. No one knows a son better than his father. You and Her Highness were not suited, and I thought you would not cross the line, so I never brought it up. But what has happened to you? I no longer understand you."
"It is I who have failed my father's teachings."
Su Rongqing took a deep breath. "But your son believes that Li Chuan is truly unfit to be emperor."
"And is Prince Su fit?!" Seeing Su Rongqing unwilling to yield, Su Minzhi could not help but grow angry. "Where is there a ruler who is perfectly suited? A ruler is the vessel that steadies the nation. It is not about strength, but about stability."
"But he is not stable."
Su Rongqing remained calm. "Father, in truth, everything Princess Pingle has done was at the Crown Prince's behest. Even the tax reform proposed by Consort Rou was actually a trap set by the Crown Prince for her. What you said, your son believes is correct. A ruler must be stable; ministers must be talented. Although Prince Su's character is poor and his background is illegitimate, he cannot stir up much trouble. But what of the Crown Prince?"
Su Rongqing looked up at Su Minzhi. "Even before ascending the throne, the Crown Prince has already thrown the court into chaos. If he becomes emperor, how will you, Father, be able to restrain him?"
"That is not for you to worry about!"
Su Minzhi snapped. As he spoke, Su Ronghua entered the courtyard from outside. Hearing the argument inside, he quietly slipped around to the back window and hid there, watching Su Rongqing and Su Minzhi speak.
Although he had reported Su Rongqing, he was also worried that Su Rongqing might be beaten to death by Su Minzhi. He had known since childhood how strict Su Minzhi was with Su Rongqing, and part of that strictness stemmed from the fear that his younger son might follow in the footsteps of his own failure as the eldest son. Thus, Su Ronghua always felt a bit more guilt toward Su Rongqing.
He eavesdropped through the window, waiting for Su Minzhi to take action so he could intervene.
After scolding Su Rongqing, Su Minzhi was so angry that he reached for the teacup beside him. Before he could touch it, he heard Su Rongqing speak: "I wish to help Li Cheng ascend the throne."
"What did you say?!"
Su Minzhi turned abruptly, his sleeve knocking over the teacup.
Su Rongqing stood up to pour tea for Su Minzhi. As he poured, he said, "I am asking for Father's opinion."
"I absolutely disagree," Su Minzhi said, too angry to say more. He pointed to the door. "Go and receive your punishment yourself. Do not even entertain such thoughts!"
"Then," Su Rongqing held the teacup, knelt before Su Minzhi, and raised it above his head, "your son will not think of it anymore. Please calm your anger, Father."Su Minzhi looked at Su Rongqing's expression. After hesitating for a moment, he finally softened his attitude. He raised his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "It's good that you understand, Rongqing. No matter what, the Crown Prince is the ruler, and we are his subjects. As long as the Crown Prince has not done anything contrary to heavenly virtue..."
As Su Minzhi spoke, his tongue began to stiffen. He felt his surroundings gradually darken.
"Rongqing?"
Su Minzhi grew panicked. Su Rongqing quickly stood up to support him. "Father."
"I... why can't I see?"
Su Minzhi became frantic. "Quick, call a physician."
As he spoke, he slowly began to lose his hearing. Su Rongqing held Su Minzhi steady and raised his voice. "Father?"
Su Ronghua, hiding outside the window, now realized something was wrong.
He faintly heard footsteps approaching from outside. Holding his breath, he retreated into the woods behind the rockery.
Su Rongqing helped Su Minzhi to the bed. By the time Su Minzhi collapsed onto it, he could no longer speak at all.
"Father," Su Rongqing reached out to tuck the blanket around him, his voice gentle. "Rest for a while. Once I've taken care of matters, I'll return."
After speaking, Su Rongqing's expression instantly turned cold. He reached out, took the clan leader's token from Su Minzhi, and stood up to leave. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw that the courtyard and corridors were already filled with his men.
"Guard the inner courtyard. Do not allow anyone to approach. Father is gravely ill, and I am acting as the head of the Su Clan," Su Rongqing hung the clan leader's token at his waist. "Find the eldest young master and place him under house arrest. Arrange for all other unrelated clan members to leave Huajing in batches immediately. Order the Su Clan's private soldiers to assemble. The city guard is to remain stationed at the south gate for now. Rush to Tianshou Pass and notify Su Ping that Huajing is in turmoil. Have him bring eight thousand elite troops here."
After giving these orders, Su Rongqing strode out.
Once the surrounding footsteps faded into the distance, Su Ronghua seized an opportunity and hurriedly rushed out. He followed the wall to an unmanned area, arriving at the dog hole in the rear courtyard of the Su residence.
He took a deep breath and finally bent down, crawling out with a head full of dog fur.
The commotion caused by the confinement of the Su and Pei families was like two drops of water falling into the sea across Huajing, barely causing a ripple. However, perceptive individuals still sensed something unusual. By the afternoon, the number of people leaving the city had suddenly increased. At this time, palace officials also arrived at the Crown Prince's residence with an imperial decree.
Li Chuan had long since finished grooming himself. Kneeling before the couch, he stared silently at the long sword laid out in front of him.
Fulai led the men into the Crown Prince's residence and spoke respectfully at the doorway, "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence."
Li Chuan raised his head and looked at Fulai at the door. His gaze was icy. Fulai's expression remained unchanged. After a long while, Li Chuan picked up the long sword, cradled it, and stood up, walking toward the outside. "Let's go."
Li Chuan boarded the carriage. At this time, Zhao Chongjiu also returned to the Princess's Manor and escorted Li Rong into a carriage.
Li Rong sat inside the carriage, observing her surroundings. She clearly sensed an unusual tension in the streets, with many more people heading toward the city gates.
Along the way, some young beggars still stubbornly remained in their spots. They watched Li Rong's carriage pass by before shifting their gaze away. Li Rong knew these were all Pei Wenxuan's eyes and ears. Pei Wenxuan's foundation lay in his ability to gather information.
Li Rong watched the pedestrians on the street, frowning as they hurried along. She suddenly remembered the north that both Pei Wenxuan and Li Chuan had mentioned. She turned to look at Zhao Chongjiu sitting beside her. "Chongjiu."
"Your Highness."Zhao Chongjiu thought she had some orders and immediately spoke up. Li Rong pondered for a moment: "I recall you are from the northwest."
"Yes," Zhao Chongjiu replied respectfully, "from Suzhou in the northwest."
"Do the common people in the northwest, before a war breaks out, live the same way as those here in Huajing?"
Li Rong observed the people on the streets. Zhao Chongjiu chuckled, and Li Rong turned back, somewhat puzzled: "What are you laughing at?"
"Your Highness," Zhao Chongjiu lowered his head, "the northern armies excel in surprise attacks and cavalry. Before a battle begins, the common folk would have no idea. They attack cities suddenly at night—either they fail to take it and everyone flees, or they succeed, leaving no time for much thought."
Zhao Chongjiu lifted the curtain, watching the pedestrians heading toward the city gates. These were the more alert citizens who had caught wind of the unusual movements of the city guard. He studied them: "Look at them—they even have someone to pass on warnings. In the northwest, there is none of that. You might wake up to find your head gone, and that’s considered fortunate. If you’re unlucky enough to be in a city that puts up a desperate resistance, gets breached, and whose defenders fail to organize an evacuation in time—that is the true tragedy."
How tragic it was, Li Rong dared not ask further.
Sitting in the carriage, she lowered her head for the first time to look at the masses around her.
The carriage departed through the southern city gate, where the Pei family’s garrison was stationed. As Li Rong left the city, she turned back to gaze at the weathered city walls standing firm, as if watching her departure like a sentient being.
She was about to leave this place.
Leave the place where she had lived for fifty years.
Leave the power she had been so passionate about, the court she had fought for all her life.
A sense of dizziness rose within her, and for some reason, she suddenly understood the sorrow of a hero breaking his sword or a beauty fading with age.
She could not bring herself to imagine life after reaching Qingzhou. With every step the carriage took forward, she felt as if a rope were tugging at her heart. A sudden urge to struggle surged within her—she desperately wanted to try.
Could she do better?
She wanted affection, and she wanted power. She wanted both. Was there any ruler who could hold the heart of an ordinary person and remain invincible?
She watched as the characters for "Huajing" grew increasingly blurred. Just then, from within Huajing, the sounds of slaughter suddenly erupted.
The noise shook the heavens, and the entire city seemed to boil over like water brought to a sudden boil—screams, shouts, and urgent cries echoed through.
Li Rong gripped the edge of the carriage, her eyes fixed intently on the battlefield that had been hers for fifty years.
Meanwhile, within the palace walls of Huajing, soldiers clashed in fierce combat. Li Chuan stood before the palace gate, sword in hand, watching as the gates slowly opened. He coldly gazed at the grand hall stretching out beyond the gate and shouted: "The bewitching consort of the Xiao Clan has seduced the sovereign, disrupted the governance of the state, and confused the imperial bloodline. Her crimes warrant execution. Now, having taken the Emperor hostage, I, by His Majesty’s request, enter the palace to cleanse the court of evil and ensure the safety of the imperial carriage."
"Those who obstruct," Li Chuan raised his hand and drew his sword, standing before the palace gate, "shall be slain!"
With that, soldiers flooded in like a tide. Li Chuan lifted his sword and strode swiftly into the palace.
Li Rong listened to the distant commotion, not daring to look any longer. Just as she was about to lower the curtain, she saw a young girl galloping out of the city on horseback, racing toward her at full speed.
"Stop!" Shangguan Ya, not daring to call Li Rong by name, shouted at the carriage ahead, "Stop!"
Hearing Shangguan Ya’s voice, Li Rong immediately ordered the carriage to halt: "Stop!"The carriage had just stopped when Shangguan Ya halted before Li Rong, panting heavily. Li Rong could tell from her expression that something was wrong. "What happened?"
"Su Ronghua came to find me just now. He said Su Rongqing has rebelled. He has taken control of the Su family. The Su Clan and other noble families have allied with Consort Rou and transferred ten thousand elite troops from Tianshou Pass."
"Has he made his move yet?" Li Rong asked urgently. Shangguan Ya shook her head. "No."
If he wasn’t acting now, then Su Rongqing was waiting for Li Chuan.
Once Li Chuan truly moved to kill Li Ming, Su Rongqing would have a legitimate reason to kill Li Chuan.
If the noble families within the city allied with him, Su Rongqing would have close to ten thousand troops in Huajing alone. By mobilizing forces from around Huajing tonight, the Wang and Su Clans could bring twenty thousand soldiers to Huajing by tomorrow.
If Li Chuan killed Li Ming, with only ten thousand troops at their disposal, they would surely lose.
If Li Chuan did not kill Li Ming, there would only be one path left: agree to Li Ming’s demand to pacify the Shangguan Clan, then join forces with Li Ming. That would give them a chance of victory.
"Your Highness," Shangguan Ya looked at Li Rong, "what should we do now? Please decide."
Decide? How could she decide?
Su Rongqing was holding back because he thought they were unaware of his plans. Otherwise, he would have ambushed Li Chuan from the rear right now, coordinating with Li Ming from within and without. Li Chuan would be doomed, and Pei Wenxuan, who had joined the mutiny, would have no chance of survival.
If she left now, she could still return to Qingzhou. Perhaps Su Rongqing would keep his promise and spare her life.
If she went back now, she would only be watching them die.
As the word "die" flashed through her mind, she suddenly recalled the question Pei Wenxuan had asked her.
"If I die today, what will you do?"
What would she do?
She had thought it would never happen, but at this moment, she clearly realized it was not impossible.
If Pei Wenxuan died...
If Pei Wenxuan died...
Li Rong closed her eyes.
"Go back."
Her voice was hoarse. "I will go to the palace to bring the Crown Prince out. Do not alert anyone. I will remain in the palace to continue directing the siege. Zhao Chongjiu, go tell Pei Wenxuan that something happened to me on the road and he must come rescue me. Then, evacuate as many people from the Shangguan and Pei Clans out of the city as possible. A'Ya, you also leave Huajing." Li Rong looked up at Shangguan Ya. "Preserve your strength. As long as the Crown Prince lives, wait for Xun Chuan to arrive, then launch the siege immediately."
Shangguan Ya stared at Li Rong for a long time before asking, "And what about you?"
"I must stay in the palace," Li Rong replied. "Without someone in command, Su Rongqing will soon discover that Chuan'er has left. And with me there, even if we are discovered, I can delay Su Rongqing for a while."
Shangguan Ya remained silent. Li Rong pushed her. "Hurry, leave now."
Shangguan Ya took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes."
With that, Shangguan Ya rode away. Li Rong sat back in her seat, closed her eyes, and said calmly, "Let's go back."
They hadn’t gone far. The carriage carried Li Rong back into the city.
When she had left, she had been lost and uncertain.
But now, as the carriage returned to Huajing, carrying her toward the battlefield, she felt an extraordinary calm.
Her carriage passed through the completely chaotic streets and arrived at the palace gates. When parting with Zhao Chongjiu, she handed him the letter from the carriage. "Take the Imperial Son-in-Law far away, then give him this letter."
Zhao Chongjiu accepted the order and quickly retreated.Pei Wenxuan led the Pei family and the Supervisory Department personnel to guard outside the palace walls. Zhao Chongjiu found him after searching through the crowd. Seeing Zhao Chongjiu, Pei Wenxuan was somewhat startled: "Why are you here? Where is Her Highness?"
"Her Highness is in trouble," Zhao Chongjiu lowered his voice, sounding extremely anxious, "at an inn outside the city. Imperial Son-in-Law, Her Highness requests your immediate presence."
After speaking, Zhao Chongjiu presented Li Rong's token. Upon seeing the token, Pei Wenxuan was momentarily thrown into panic.
He glanced at the palace walls, then at the token in his hand. Zhao Chongjiu immediately urged, "My lord, make a decision quickly. If we delay..."
"Pei Ming!" Pei Wenxuan called out. Pei Ming stepped forward. "Young Master."
"You guard this place first. I need to leave the city for a while and will return soon."
After speaking, Pei Wenxuan gathered a group of top-tier experts and followed Zhao Chongjiu out of the city.
Pei Wenxuan hurried toward the outskirts, while Li Rong, draped in a fox fur cloak and holding a hand warmer, walked step by step toward the palace.
Inside the bedchamber, Li Ming lay on the couch, watching Li Chuan, who stood before him holding a sword.
"I originally intended to give you a choice," Li Ming said weakly. "But it seems you don’t even want a choice—you’ve already given me the outcome. Li Chuan, do you know what infamy you will bear in history if you kill me?"
"I care nothing for infamy."
Li Chuan’s expression was indifferent. Li Ming sneered, "Not even afraid of infamy? It seems you truly are a disloyal, unfilial bastard. You must be mad for the throne, aren’t you? Oh, wait," Li Ming seemed to have suddenly realized something. "It’s not you who’s mad—it’s your mother, your sister, the Shangguan Clan."
Li Ming clapped his hands as if he had guessed correctly, pointing at Li Chuan. "They are the ones who are mad for it."
"Father," Li Chuan spoke, seeming somewhat pained by Li Ming’s words. "I don’t understand."
"What don’t you understand?"
"Why... can’t you just accept me?"
"At a time like this," Li Ming found it laughable, "you’re still asking me such a question. Chuan'er," Li Ming sighed, "who taught you such naivety? It’s not that I don’t accept you. You are my child, and I raised you with my own hands. What I cannot accept is your mother."
As they spoke, Shangguan Yue pushed the door open and entered.
Li Ming looked up at the woman entering the room. Without pausing, he continued, "The Shangguan Clan is insatiable in their demands. They treat the Li Clan as puppets, attempting to rule the empire jointly through marriage. They have no feelings in their hearts. Do you think your mother loves you? Does the Shangguan Clan truly see you as family? No, Li Chuan," Li Ming laughed, "you are merely a pawn of the Shangguan Clan. A tool they use to rule Great Xia."
Shangguan Yue listened to Li Ming’s words as she walked step by step to stand behind Li Chuan.
Her expression was calm as she looked at the man on the bed.
He had aged.
An aura of decay surrounded him, bearing no resemblance to the young man who had once flown kites with her and repaired the Northern Yan Tower.
She gazed at him with pity, a look that enraged Li Ming. He shouted, "What are you looking at?!"
"One last look at you, Li Ming," Shangguan Yue said calmly. "You’ve grown old."
After speaking, she turned her gaze to Li Chuan. "What are you waiting for? Do it."
Li Chuan stood still, holding his sword. Shangguan Yue frowned. "Li Chuan! How many people are waiting for you outside? Every moment you delay your ascension could lead to chaos. Hurry!"
Li Chuan lowered his head. Shangguan Yue picked up a soft pillow from nearby and handed it to him. "Quickly. Don’t use a sword—it’s too obvious. Go and smother him."
Li Chuan looked up at Shangguan Yue before him. "Mother...""Shangguan Yue, he is my son!" Seeing the standoff between Li Chuan and Shangguan Yue, Li Ming grew excited. "Do you think patricide is so simple? Haven't I been good to him? I held him, I taught him to write. When he was hungry, I took him to the kitchen in the middle of the night for extra food. When you punished him with writing practice, I copied for him..."
Li Ming recounted old stories from Li Chuan's youth.
Back then, his conflict with the Shangguan Clan was not so sharp. He and Shangguan Yue were still a loving couple. The Northern Yan Tower had not yet been built. He was still a big child himself, who would take Li Chuan by the hand and let Li Rong sit on his shoulders to play.
He had intended to use these memories to provoke Shangguan Yue and Li Chuan, but as he spoke, his voice grew hoarse.
The bedchamber fell silent for a moment. Shangguan Yue's eyes reddened: "You won't do it, will you?"
With that, Shangguan Yue suddenly drew her sword: "I'll do it!"
"Mother!"
Seeing Shangguan Yue raise her sword and rush forward, Li Chuan grabbed hold of her: "Wait... just wait a little longer..."
"Wait for what!"
Shangguan Yue turned and slapped Li Chuan across the face: "How can you be so indecisive? How can you be Crown Prince, how can you become Emperor! Kill him!"
Shangguan Yue placed the sword in Li Chuan's hand: "Kill him! Have you forgotten how he usually treats you? He treats Li Cheng so well, yet only gives you that tiny bit of kindness. Don't you even want to kill him?"
As she spoke, Shangguan Yue pulled Li Chuan forward.
Li Chuan's sword trembled continuously as Shangguan Yue forced him onward.
"Kill him."
Tears streamed down Shangguan Yue's face, as if pouring a lifetime of madness into this moment: "Kill him, and it will all be over. You will be Emperor, and the whole world will be yours."
"You are the Crown Prince. Don't be so weak. It's just killing one person—a father who has been nothing but unkind to you. What are you hesitating for!"
The sword tip inched closer to the old man on the bed, while outside the palace doors, Li Rong ascended the steps one by one.
Just as the sword tip touched Li Ming's neck, Li Rong pushed the door open.
A cold wind swept into the room. All three turned to see Li Rong standing at the entrance, dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold thread, draped in a pure white fox fur cloak, holding a hand warmer. She watched them quietly.
Li Chuan stared at her in disbelief, tears quickly welling in his eyes.
Looking at Li Chuan, for a moment Li Rong felt as if she had returned to many years ago.
Standing at the crossroads of fate, she had been given a chance to set things right.
"Put down the sword," she said softly. "Chuan'er, come here."
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