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Ni Huan claimed he was Xiao Yan, the old royal physician confirmed it, and even Xiao Yan and Qi Zhen admitted he was Xiao Yan.

Yet, in this very moment, as she gazed into Gu Changjin's tranquil, icy stare, she suddenly felt uncertain.

This boy had never been close to her. He built his own power behind her back and defied her repeatedly. Now, he had joined forces with Qi Zhen to try to take her life.

There was no hatred in him for Xiao Yan or Qi Zhen; instead, he was filled with animosity towards her.

She still remembered the look in his eyes when she took him away from Floating Jade Mountain, as if he wished to grind her bones to dust.

"Here is the real Xiao Yan," Gu Changjin said, pulling out a portrait from his sleeve and unfolding it before Xiao Fu.

Xiao Fu snatched the portrait, staring at the young figure inside that bore a striking resemblance to Crown Prince Qiyuan, her expression gradually changing.

Gu Changjin rose to his feet, picked up the teapot on the table, removed the lid, and produced a pill from his sleeve, tossing it into the pot.

Then, he turned over a teacup from the table and filled it slowly.

"The princess urged me not to forget my father's murderer and compelled me to swear that I would avenge my father one day. Today, I must fulfill that vow."

Xiao Fu lifted her gaze from the portrait, staring at the teacup with a deathly pale expression. She had already guessed the nature of the medicine within.

It was the third watch of the night, indeed!

The portrait slipped from her grasp as she clenched the wooden wheels of her wheelchair, pushing forward by a fraction. But in the next instant, she abruptly released her grip.

What use would it be to seize the opportunity and rush out of this small Buddhist shrine while Gu Changjin was off guard?

She had personally raised this child; could she not understand his tactics?

The entire Great Compassion Temple lay under his control. Regardless of whether those around her had betrayed her or not, they were all subdued by him.

There was no escape for her.

After a tremendous wave of despair, came an unwavering calmness akin to accepting death.

She had lost this game!

Twenty-some years of her life wasted, existing in a half-human, half-ghost state, all for the sake of avenging Prince Qiyuan and propelling his son to the throne.

Now, she realized that all of it was an illusion!

"Hahaha!"

"Ahahahaha!"

Xiao Fu suddenly bowed her head and laughed. Her shoulders trembled violently, and she even started coughing painfully in the end.

Gu Changjin watched with a cold gaze.

After a bout of coughing that seemed to shatter everything in its path, Xiao Fu's expression returned to calm.

She looked at Gu Changjin and said, word by word, "I'll drink this 'Third Watch.' Give An Nanny and Mama Zhang a quick and merciful end."

Gu Changjin remained noncommittal.

He slowly walked to the window and tapped on the wooden lattice three times.

Moments later, Chang Ji threw in a man whose clothes were tattered, hair disheveled, and body reduced to skin and bones.

The man, with his eyes bound in cloth, huddled on the ground, trembling violently and muttering to himself as if he had gone mad.

Chang Ji disdainfully pulled off the cloth from his eyes and kicked him, saying, "Scram!"

Tan Zhi opened his eyes to see Gu Changjin and Xiao Fu. His expression first showed surprise, then delight, thinking he had been rescued. He scrambled over to Gu Changjin on all fours and bowed, "Young Master!"

After the bow, he crawled towards Xiao Fu, tears welling up in his eyes as he choked out, "Princess!"

"Stay away!" Xiao Fu said with disgust, "Keep your distance from me!"

Tan Zhi froze, using his hands to support himself on the ground. His unshaven face was streaked with snot and tears. Looking at Xiao Fu, he hesitantly called out again, "Princess?"

But Xiao Fu didn't even spare him a glance. She only lifted her gaze to meet Gu Changjin's and said, "Make him leave!"

Gu Changjin continued to turn over a teacup and filled it to the brim.

"Two cups of 'Third Watch.' Princess, choose someone to accompany you. Tan Zhi, Nanny An, or Mother Zhang – who would you like by your side?"

Xiao Fu raised her eyes.

Gu Changjin lifted his teacup with a gentle smile. "If Princess is hesitant—"

"Let Tan Zhi drink with me," Xiao Fu interrupted, speaking without hesitation. "Give Aunt An and Mother Zhang a swift end!"

Gu Changjin hummed in response and turned to Tan Zhi. "The princess has chosen you. Drink this tea, and after death, you will be buried with her as husband and wife. Tan Zhi, will you drink or not?"

Before Tan Zhi could reply, Xiao Fu's face flushed with anger. "Gu Changjin, dare you!"

How could Tan Zhi, a mere lowly merchant, be worthy of sharing her burial?

Tan Zhi looked at Xiao Fu, then at Gu Changjin, as if he had suddenly understood something. "Young Master, what about my son Wen Xi?"

Gu Changjin replied calmly, "Princess Qingxi is unwell and is currently under the care of Empress Dowager."

Upon hearing this, Tan Zhi's dull eyes lifted inch by inch, meeting Xiao Fu's face contorted with anger and disgust. His cracked lips slowly curved into a smile. "I, your servant, am willing to drink with the princess!"

Tan Zhi reached for a teacup, drained it, and then seized another one. Seizing the moment when Xiao Fu was enraged, he poured the tea into her mouth.

"Princess, don't be afraid, I'll accompany you wherever we go!"

The teacup shattered on the floor, and Gu Changjin lifted the curtain, stepping out silently and standing motionless outside the door.

The angry shouts in the small temple soon subsided, replaced by piercing cries of agony.

Those inflicted with "Third Watch Poison" would be writhing in pain so excruciating that they wouldn't have the strength to slit their own throats, feeling life ebb away bit by bit amidst the endless torment.

Gu Changjin listened expressionlessly.

He knew it was painful.

That girl had suffered like this once before.

So, enjoy this pain, he thought. Every torment she endured in her past life, you all shall experience now.

The overcast sky cleared briefly, only to be swiftly blanketed by heavy snowfall again.

As night fell, lights flickered on in the Purple Imperial Palace. Rong Shu lay on the couch, engrossed in a picture book for half an hour until Zhu Jun came to urge her, then she extinguished the lamp and fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, for no apparent reason, I suddenly woke up.