The funeral bells resounded throughout the city. Before dawn broke, all ministers and imperial descendants lay sleepless.
Through the night, Prince Jin was summoned to the palace by Liu Wenji.
While dispatching messengers to invite Prince Jin and seizing this opportunity, Liu Wenji simultaneously strangled the Emperor with his own hands—swift and undetected.
After emerging from the Emperor’s bedchamber, Liu Wenji set a fire and pinned the blame on the late Crown Prince, who had taken his own life. A dead man could offer no defense, and none doubted the claim that the Crown Prince had fought desperately to the end.
The fault lay with the late Crown Prince himself.
Who could blame Liu Wenji? He had just informed the Crown Prince of the fate of Prince Qin’s associates, and the very next moment, the Crown Prince chose to end his life. Though the Emperor despised the Crown Prince and Prince Qin for their rebellion, they were still his sons, and he clearly had no intention of killing his own flesh and blood.
Moreover, the Emperor had shown leniency toward the Crown Prince.
Thus, on this night, both the Crown Prince and the Emperor had to die.
But there were still loose ends to tie up—Liu Wenji confronted the commander of the imperial guards: “You’re telling me my master, the Grand Eunuch, has disappeared?! How could you delay reporting something so critical?”
The commander knew full well that Liu Wenji now held sway over palace affairs. Unwilling to offend the eunuch, he offered an apologetic smile: “Amid the chaos when the incident occurred, we couldn’t locate Duke Cheng immediately. We’ll continue searching…”
Suppressing his unease, Liu Wenji replied with veiled menace, “You must find him!”
He suspected Cheng An had witnessed his actions and fled… but where could a fifty-year-old eunuch, nearing the end of his days, possibly escape to?
And even if he fled, whom could he turn to for justice?
Liu Wenji’s tone turned icy: “Search not only the palace but also beyond its walls. Cheng An conspired with the traitorous Crown Prince to assassinate His Majesty—he must not be spared!”
The commander of the imperial guards wore a grave expression.
Liu Wenji intended to press further, emphasizing the gravity of the matter, but a young eunuch whispered in his ear that Prince Jin had arrived. Liu Wenji turned to greet this more important figure.
Standing beneath the pale, overcast sky, the commander watched respectfully as Gong Liu walked away. Once Liu Wenji was out of sight, the commander spat contemptuously and cursed, “Damned eunuch, how dare he throw his weight around with me!”
His deputy asked, “But Gong Liu ordered us to find the man…”
The commander waved it off: “A perfunctory search will suffice. Is finding someone truly important now? With the new Emperor about to ascend, our priority as imperial guards is to align with him. Liu Wenji is nothing.”
The others nodded in agreement.
—
When Liu Wenji hurried to the side hall of the Emperor’s bedchamber, he found Prince Jin staring transfixed at the half-burnt ruins.
Prince Jin’s gaze was a mix of exhilaration and dreamlike unease.
Liu Wenji raised his horsetail whisk, a respectful smile playing on his lips as he said, “Your Majesty, I have been awaiting your arrival.”
Prince Jin turned in confusion, watching blankly as Liu Wenji led the eunuchs in kneeling before him. Still disoriented, he thought Liu Wenji’s “Your Majesty” referred to his father, the Emperor.
Only when Liu Wenji smiled at him did Prince Jin startle, hastily helping him to his feet: “I dare not accept such honor! Gong Liu, is it true that my father was murdered by the traitorous Crown Prince? But my father never named me as his successor.”
Anxiously glancing around, he pulled Liu Wenji into a corner and whispered, “Didn’t you say my father never once considered me?”
Liu Wenji inwardly scorned the fool.With a serious expression, he retorted: "What if there's no edict? The Emperor only has three sons. The guilty Crown Prince has been executed, Prince Qin was demoted for rebellion, leaving only Your Highness as the sole candidate. Who even has any other choice?
"Even if you announce your ascension at tomorrow's morning court, none of the ministers would dare challenge you."
Prince Jin still hesitated.
Liu Wenji raised his head and declared loudly: "Moreover, I will support you!
"The reason I invited you to enter the palace early tonight was precisely to discuss the matter of ascension and assist Your Highness in dealing with those troublesome ministers. With my help, you can rest assured."
Liu Wenji emphasized his words, adding: "Have you never desired the imperial throne?"
Prince Jin was stunned.
Then he slowly said: "I... do want it."
He dreamed of becoming emperor.
But his two elder brothers were too formidable, gradually crushing his spirit under their pressure. To survive as a prince under their dominance, he had forced himself to become someone who avoided all affairs and retreated from conflicts.
In his earlier years, he had secretly confided his ambitions to his mother, but over recent years, he gradually stopped speaking of them. Because he grew increasingly desperate, increasingly convinced the throne could never be his.
Could he match Prince Qin's influence, or rival the Crown Prince's cunning?
He could only endure, endure... until one day! The throne actually fell from heaven right into his lap!
As lucky as catching pie from the sky!
Emerging from his dazed disbelief, Prince Jin grasped Liu Wenji's hand, excitement flashing between his brows: "Gong Liu, help me! To secure this empire, I'll need your assistance. I shall never forget your kindness, and I will surely live up to your expectations."
So quickly he began using the imperial "We," already feeling self-satisfied.
Liu Wenji sneered inwardly, while outwardly maintaining his usual flattering tone to placate this man—compared to the Emperor, the Crown Prince, even Prince Qin, this Prince Jin was the easiest to manipulate.
A waste on the throne was exactly what Liu Wenji wanted.
—
Though reassured by Liu Wenji's promises, years of suppression by the former Crown Prince and Prince Qin had left Prince Jin perpetually insecure.
The next day during morning court, Liu Wenji pushed Prince Jin to ascend the throne. Propelled onto the imperial seat, Prince Jin forced himself to look down at the assembly, feeling dizzy.
So the emperor's seat was this hard, the emperor's perspective this lofty. Stiffening his posture, Prince Jin struggled to maintain his downward gaze, his back soaked with sweat, feeling every minister coldly scrutinizing him, examining him.
Everyone was judging his worthiness.
Immense fury rose in Prince Jin's heart, yet he dared not show it. Having lived through his father's reign, he knew better than anyone how formidable these ministers could be.
The entire court, every official, was sizing him up, perhaps even considering whether some collateral royal descendant might be more suitable... Liu Wenji subtly nudged Prince Jin, bringing him back to reality.
Forcing a stiff smile as if to ingratiate himself with the ministers, Prince Jin said: "We... We shall rule the empire together with all of you, never betraying our late father's trust. We are still young and unfamiliar with some governmental affairs, so we must rely on your guidance.
"But rest assured! We will definitely make Great Wei stronger under Our reign."Prince Jin had been wary that these ministers might not acknowledge his imperial legitimacy, yet to his surprise, they did not give him much trouble. Instead, they proceeded to discuss how the late Emperor had died, why the disgraced Crown Prince had resorted to such desperate measures, and how the late Emperor’s funeral should be conducted.
Prince Jin was dazed.
Lord Liu, the chief minister, reminded him, "Your Majesty, the court is no place for daydreaming."
Prince Jin hastily agreed and composed himself with proper decorum.
Seeing that he indeed carried himself appropriately, the ministers said nothing more—what else could they do? He was the only legitimate prince left. Would they expel the rightful heir and replace him with an adopted one?
That would surely plunge the empire into chaos.
—
Prince Jin had not yet formally ascended the throne; his official coronation and proclamation to the world were scheduled for the coming spring. However, with the court leaderless, he had already been thrust onto the imperial seat and had begun handling state affairs.
The matter of the former Crown Prince and Prince Qin’s rebellion remained unresolved—this was the first task Prince Jin needed to address after assuming power.
On his first day holding court as emperor, the sky was overcast, drizzling with rain.
Yan Shang returned from the court holding an umbrella, yet half of his wide sleeves were soaked by the time he entered his residence. He had just sat down in his bedchamber to sip some hot tea when Mu Wan Yao pushed the door open and entered.
Mu Wan Yao asked, "How was it?"
In the July heat, Yan Shang sat by the window wringing the water from his robes. Hearing her question, he looked up and countered, "What do you mean, 'how was it'?"
Mu Wan Yao sat beside him, shooting an impatient glare at his unhurried demeanor. Frowning with dissatisfaction, she said, "Naturally, I’m asking about the new Emperor."
The new Emperor’s disposition would determine where she and Yan Shang would focus their efforts in the future. She was so anxious she couldn’t sleep, yet Yan Shang seemed entirely unperturbed.
Yan Shang raised an eyebrow slightly, carefully weighing his words. "Each reign brings its own courtiers. The new Son of Heaven is naturally different from your father, and the ministers will need time to adjust. This process will take at least half a year. It’s too soon to judge the Emperor now."
Mu Wan Yao understood. "It must be that you couldn’t discern any remarkable ability in him, so you have nothing to say, right? I told you long ago, my fifth brother is utterly useless, unlikely to possess any real skill. Look at you—trying so hard to find something positive and coming up empty."
She drifted into thought. "I heard that on the night Father passed, Prince Jin entered the palace immediately. It must have been Liu Wenji’s idea... Liu Wenji couldn’t wait to show his loyalty. From now on, we won’t be the most favored in the Emperor’s eyes anymore."
Yan Shang covered his mouth, turned his head aside, and coughed lightly. "We never were to begin with. Let’s focus on fulfilling our duties properly and not meddle in unnecessary matters."
Noticing his cough, Mu Wan Yao immediately reached for his hand. Finding it ice-cold, she grew alarmed. "Why are your hands so cold again? You haven’t fully recovered, yet you insist on attending court. You really don’t take care of yourself!"
Yan Shang softened his voice to reassure her. "With the new Emperor just beginning to govern, I needed to observe. Didn’t you want to see for yourself as well? Hmm... cough."
He tried to suppress the urge to cough but failed. With each cough, Mu Wan Yao’s expression grew more troubled.
Staring at him intently, Mu Wan Yao suddenly declared, "Request leave."
Yan Shang sighed in resignation. "Yao Yao! The late Emperor has just passed, and the new Emperor has only just assumed the throne. The Ministry of Personnel is at its busiest. As subjects, it is our duty to assist the ruler in managing these affairs. How can we think of taking leave over minor ailments?"Mu Wan Yao said coldly, "Do you plan to request leave yourself, or shall I enter the palace and ask the Emperor for leave on your behalf? After all, I am a princess who holds sway over the court. If I request leave for you, our new Emperor would surely be more than eager to grant it."
Yan Shang was momentarily speechless.
After a long pause, he said, "Then I'll take two days off first."
Mu Wan Yao raised an eyebrow. "One month."
Yan Shang: "..."
Yan Shang chuckled wryly. He embraced Mu Wan Yao and explained gently, "Yao Yao, I cannot rest like that. The court can only be in chaos right now—leaderless, with the new Emperor lacking authority. Whenever such times arise, all manner of sinister forces emerge.
"I cannot leave the court at this moment."
Mu Wan Yao muttered, "You're not even the Prime Minister. Why care if they live or die?"
Yan Shang still spoke softly, "One who eats the ruler's grain should serve the ruler with loyalty."
Mu Wan Yao felt both anxious and angry, yet she knew he wasn't someone who could idly read, write, play the qin, or visit friends. She could only accept it this way.
And it wasn't just Yan Shang—even Mu Wan Yao herself couldn't stay idle. After Prince Qin's defeat, Mu Wan Yao had gained influence in the Ministry of War. She took advantage of the chaos to swiftly install her own people in positions of power.
Only by having influence herself could she contend with the new Emperor.
—
Amid the transition between the old and new courts, when no one was paying attention to this matter, Yan Xiaozhou entered the prison to visit Yang Si.
Originally, the former Crown Prince had taken his own life, and Liu Wenji intended to pin the crime of assassinating the late Emperor on the guilty Crown Prince. He expected no opposition in court, but to his surprise, Yan Shang was the first to question it.
In the Great Wei court, first and second-rank officials held titular positions—prestigious but without real power. Third-rank officials were at the level of the Prime Minister, while fourth and fifth-rank officials could attend court daily and hold a place of influence.
Moreover, Yan Shang was not only the Director of the Ministry of Personnel but also the current leader of the common-born officials.
His questioning naturally carried significant weight: "The former Crown Prince has already confessed. When the late Emperor was alive and questioned him, the Crown Prince admitted to his crimes without reservation. He was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace—how could he have the military strength to rebel again and assassinate the late Emperor?
"The former Crown Princess, who emerged from the Eastern Palace, stated that the Crown Prince took his own life to plead for mercy for her, his third son, and those close to him. Would someone trying to protect their loved ones go to the extra trouble of continuing a rebellion? Who would follow his orders? Was he truly so omnipotent?"
The new Emperor sat on the throne, listening uneasily to Yan Erlang's questioning, his scalp tingling. He glanced sideways at Liu Wenji.
Liu Wenji was also in the court, watching Yan Shang with a sarcastic smile. "The former Crown Prince dared to rebel once—why wouldn't he dare a second time? Why does Director Yan believe he wouldn't? Could it be that you have private dealings with him? How do you know he wasn't omnipotent?"
Yan Shang replied mildly, "If he were truly so omnipotent, why would he set fire to the Eastern Palace? Why would he plead for mercy? If he were that powerful, what would be the point of our discussions here?"
He always spoke with restraint.
But Wei Shu, who usually remained silent in court, suddenly interjected bluntly, "If the former Crown Prince were truly that capable, he would be the one sitting on the throne now. Your Majesty and we wouldn't be discussing how to deal with his descendants."
Liu Wenji gritted his teeth but could say nothing for a long moment: "..."
The new Emperor's face turned pale and flushed by turns, unsettled by Wei Shu's directness.
The new Emperor still hadn't realized, but Liu Wenji began to grow wary. He thought: if Yan Shang represents the common-born officials and Wei Shu represents the newly rising power of the noble families... what if these two factions join forces? Wouldn't he lose his voice in court?
Yan Shang was no longer the Yan Shang of the past.He wanted to prevent Yan Shang from gaining too much power.
As for the three-way struggle at court, the new emperor only half-understood it and resorted to vague responses, not daring to intervene lightly.
—
To prevent the aristocratic families and common-born officials from joining forces, Liu Wenji privately pressured Censor Zhao to arrange a marriage between Wei Shu and Zhao Lingfei, Censor Zhao’s daughter. The aristocratic families should ally with the eunuchs to first drive out the common-born officials.
But Liu Wenji could only resort to such tactics because he could not clearly explain the connection between the late emperor’s death and the former crown prince.
This detail remained ambiguous.
Neither Yan Shang and his officials nor Liu Wenji could provide concrete evidence. Fortunately, Yan Shang was mild-tempered and did not hold deep affection for the late emperor. When the new emperor privately persuaded Yan Erlang to let the matter rest, Yan Shang stared at the emperor for a moment, making him uneasy, but Yan Erlang ultimately agreed to drop the issue.
Yan Shang only made one plea on behalf of the former crown prince—
The punishment should not extend to wives and children.
The Yang family should be demoted, not exterminated.
Although Yang Sanlang had rebelled, he had been deceived and misled by the former crown prince, so his crime did not warrant death.
The new emperor approved Yan Shang’s proposal for handling the former crown prince’s case: the Yang family was exiled to Liaodong, while Yang Sanlang was sent to the Jiannan border as a laborer, serving as a militia soldier.
In the end, Yang Si’s life was spared.
—
On the day Yang Si was exiled, Mu Wan Yao and Yan Shang came to see him off.
Yan Shang was accompanied by his younger sister, Yan Xiaozhou.
Mu Wan Yao was followed by Zhao Lingfei. Censor Zhao had severed ties with the Yang family and refused to bid Yang Si farewell. Zhao Lingfei had sneaked out on her own.
Dressed in prisoner’s garb, shackled, and with disheveled hair, Yang Si remained silent and withdrawn. He did not even glance at Yan Shang and his wife. Mu Wan Yao watched him, her heart aching.
Yan Shang stepped forward, handed some silver to the guards, and asked them to step aside so the group could speak privately.
After the guards moved away, Yan Shang gazed at Yang Si, whose eyes were vacant and unfocused, and said softly, “Don’t worry. Your father has been exiled to Liaodong but hasn’t left yet. Given his advanced age, I will do my best to mediate for the Yang family. They were merely implicated and not deeply involved in the rebellion. Their punishment is lighter than yours. After a few years of labor, they can settle down peacefully, and there will be chances to reunite.”
Yang Si said nothing.
Yan Shang continued, “The Crown Princess has been taken away by her family. Before she left, she asked me to pass on a message from the Crown Prince to you.”
A flicker of emotion crossed Yang Si’s expressionless eyes. He looked at Yan Shang, his lips trembling.
After a long silence, Yang Si rasped, “What message did Eldest Brother leave for me?”
Mu Wan Yao stepped forward, looked at Yang Si, and said gently, “No matter what people at court say, no one can provide evidence. I don’t know who is telling the truth, but the Crown Princess said the Crown Prince took his own life with the dagger you gave him when you were children.
“He left you these words—Chengzhi, go and become the person you wish to be. Be an eagle soaring in the sky, fly beyond Chang’an. Do not let me influence you, do not let me hold you back.”
Chengzhi, Chengzhi.
Yang Si’s courtesy name was “Chengzhi.” The Crown Prince, out of affection for him, had given him this name before he even reached adulthood.
The Crown Prince had wanted him to marry the daughter of the Youzhou Governor, but now, as a convicted criminal, he no longer had to.
In the end, the Crown Prince called him “Chengzhi,” returning all that he had given—if the eagle belongs to the sky, then let it soar. Do not linger in the mortal world, do not be bound by earthly attachments.
Yang Si listened in a daze, the light in his eyes flickering like sparks. He murmured a few words and let out a low, bitter laugh.He said to the married couple Yan Shang and Mu Wan Yao, "Thank you."
Yan Xiaozhou watched him quietly, thinking he might have something to say to her. If he spoke just one word, she would take a step forward.
But Yang Si did not.
In front of Yan Shang, Yang Si would not take a single extra step.
Yang Si turned and walked toward the officials. Zhao Lingfei choked back a sob, calling out "Cousin!" before lowering her head to wipe her tears. Her heart was filled with sorrow, thinking of the cousin who had played with her since childhood, the cousin who had vowed to become an eagle... Why had it come to this?
Mu Wan Yao called out from behind, "Third Brother Yang!"
Yang Si's back stiffened, but he did not turn around.
Mu Wan Yao's voice was choked with emotion, "I had someone bring your father out of the dungeon. Don't you want to see him?"
Yang Si straightened his spine, still not turning back, and strode forward, "An unfilial son who has implicated his family has no face to meet his elder. There is no need—"
The officials waited for Yang Si to arrive, then cupped their hands in salute to the nobles present before leading him away in chains.
But at the gates of Chang'an, a carriage arrived swiftly. Yang's father, dressed in coarse clothing, was ushered out by the officials. Mu Wan Yao immediately approached him, nodding and pointing the way, "He has left—"
Yang's father gazed into the distance and saw his son's figure being dragged along by the officials, looking desolate under the setting sun. Frustrated and helpless, he was about to give up when Mu Wan Yao lent him a horse. The nearby officials moved to stop him, but Yan Shang waved them back.
Yet how could a convict leave Chang'an? How could he implicate the princess and her husband?
Yang's father rode out less than a few zhang before halting. Sitting astride his horse in the outskirts of the city, he watched his son's lonely retreating figure, his eyes filled with grief, and cried out loudly—
"Third Son! Third Son—" This world is harsh, and as your father, I don't know what to say. I do not blame you; you have done nothing wrong. The Yang family does not blame you. Your loyalty and righteousness are unwavering—what is wrong with that?
"It is only because we raised you too well!"
Yang's father wept bitterly, "Third Son, Third Son! If I wished for you to be evil, then evil cannot be done; if I wished for you to be good, then have I not done evil? Third Son, it is only because the world is harsh. You are still the fine son of the Yang family, still my good son!
"When the opportunity arises, your mother and I will come to see you! Our family will be reunited, we will be reunited—"
From afar, Yang Si turned back, his eyes seemingly brimming with tears as he looked at those seeing him off. The setting sun cast a crimson glow, and all things seemed to mourn. After all these years in Chang'an, each time he turned to leave, it was still only these few who came to bid him farewell.
Han Shu Xing, standing behind Yan Shang, felt the sorrow of everyone present. But he could not understand the meaning behind Yang's father's words, so he asked Yan Erlang.
Yan Shang gazed into the distance at Yang Si, who had turned back with tears in his eyes beneath the mountain ridge, and explained softly:
"If I wished for you to be evil, then evil cannot be done; if I wished for you to be good, then have I not done evil?
"This means: I want you to be a bad person, but doing bad things is wrong; I want you to be a good person, yet I have done no evil myself, so why have I come to this end?"
Han Shu Xing was bewildered, "What does that mean?"
Yan Shang could not continue. Mu Wan Yao answered for him, "It means the world has forced Third Brother Yang to this point. He has done nothing wrong.
"Han Shu Xing, none of us... have done anything wrong. We are not evil people." It is just that in this world, nothing is simply black and white. We spend our entire lives searching for our place..."
Yan Shang finished the thought with her, "All we seek is a clear conscience."
Everyone was grieving, only Yan Xiaozhou remained calm.The young woman gazed into the distance, listening to her brother and sister-in-law's words, hearing Old Man Yang's sobs, watching Yang Si's tear-filled eyes. Her thoughts drifted back to that rainy day in Chang'an.
Back then, Yang Si could have killed both her and Zhao Lingfei, yet he had chosen to leave. He didn't harm innocent civilians - he had principles, he merely walked that path.
Yan Xiaozhou suddenly felt a pang in her heart - a place to call home.
Had Yang Si found his place to call home?
As a friend and old acquaintance... should she help him?
This is not the end.
Yang Sanlang's ending should not be so hastily concluded.
OpenNovel