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"How dare you!"

Gu Changjin bowed calmly and replied, "I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Forgiveness?

Emperor Jiayou looked at his unperturbed face and scoffed. "Do you really need my forgiveness? Are you aware of the crime committed by impersonating an imperial successor? Do you truly believe I wouldn't punish you for deceiving the emperor?"

Gu Changjin lowered his gaze, remaining silent.

Emperor Jiayou exhaled slowly. "I have already found Xiao Yan's remains on Floating Jade Mountain. Soon, I will send someone to transport them back to the Imperial Mausoleum."

The skeleton was indeed Xiao Yan's. Sun Bailong had recognized Xiao Yan's leg injury, as well as Ni Huan's corpse, at first sight.

In other words, this young man standing before them was truly just Gu Jun, the second son of a hunter from Floating Jade Mountain!

"I humbly request that His Majesty allow Xiao Yan's remains to remain on Floating Jade Mountain."

Gu Changjin lifted his head, meeting Emperor Jiayou's gaze. "Xiao Yan never wanted to be Xiao Yan; he always wished to stay on Floating Jade Mountain."

Six-year-old Xiao Yan had no desire to bear the weight of his father's vendetta and the nation's grudge. He adored the Floating Jade Mountain. If given the choice, he would rather be Uncle Ni's son, preferring to share his view and live as an ordinary child on the slopes of the Floating Jade Mountain.

Emperor Jiayou gazed at Gu Changjin in quiet contemplation.

Before him, the young man was undeniably still the same, yet there was a subtle difference in the aura he exuded.

That air of authority, restrained yet profound, is something only those who have held high positions for years can possess.

Emperor Jia Yu said with a composed demeanor, "He is a member of the Xiao family."

"Gu Changjin shook his head and said, 'He has never wanted to be part of the Xiao family, nor to be the son of Prince Qiyuan.' 'Not everyone in this world is eager to be a member of the Xiao family,' he added."

Xiao Yan felt the same, as did Zhaozhao.

Emperor Jiaoyu understood whom they were referring to.

Once upon a time, he too had no desire to be a descendant of the Xiao family, preferring instead to live an ordinary life.

In a solemn voice, Gu Changjin continued, "If His Majesty truly wishes to do something, he should erect a memorial tablet for him and Uncle Ni."

"I consent," Emperor Jiaoyu said slowly. "Now, explain to me why I should let you remain the Crown Prince of Great Yin instead of throwing you into the imperial prison for your treachery against the throne!"

"Because this subject owes a debt of virtue to the people and land of Great Yin."

In his previous life, the people of Great Yin had erected monuments in his honor, lit countless eternal lamps, and hung numerous prayer flags, all to pray for his well-being and accumulate virtue on his behalf.

He had borrowed that virtue to turn back time to four decades ago.

Yet, he had yet to do anything for those people or the prosperity of Great Yin.

He wished to repay that virtue to the people and the nation.

"Moreover, this subject wishes to give Zhaozhao a Great Yin where the land and its people are unharmed."

"When Yangzhou was in peril, she tirelessly worked outdoors, settling its people and providing provisions for the military on the front lines. When there was a shortage of warhorses at the border, she sold her dowry to purchase a horse ranch, all to alleviate Great Yin's future crisis of horse scarcity."

"Though she is a lady of the inner chambers, her heart holds the world and its days."

He desired to give her the prosperous era she desired, to show her the Great Yin he once created, all for the sake of returning to her side.

Emperor Jiayou's gaze darkened. "Why do you say that you owe a debt of virtue to the people and land of Great Yin?"

But Gu Changjin didn't answer this question.

Instead, he spoke slowly, "At the beginning of this year, there was heavy snow in the Two Greater Provinces for seven days, piling up over a foot deep. In the following winter, the usually warm Hainan saw snowflakes like pearls during the day, with frozen corpses appearing on the roads. The next year, at the start of the Yuanzhao era, the snow disasters struck fiercely, sweeping from north to south, sparing no part of Great Yin. Three consecutive years of cold disasters led to failed harvests, resulting in a famine in the second year of Yuanzhao. At the same time, the Jurchens of Jianzhou rose to power, while the Tatars unified their tribes and launched an attack on Great Yin. With famine and shortages of food and horses within our borders, and powerful enemies at our gates, it was this subject who, alongside the soldiers and people of Great Yin, defended our land."

The man's voice was calm and low, without a ripple, but his expression was as indifferent as a deity enshrined in a temple.

As each word fell from his lips, Emperor Jiayou's face grew increasingly grave.

When there had been seven days of heavy snow in the Two Greater Provinces the previous year, the Director of the Board of Astronomy had anxiously warned him that Great Yin might face cold disasters in the coming years. The report had been personally delivered to him by the Director, who burned it after he read it. There was no way Gu Changjin could have seen it.

As for the rising military strength of the Jurchens in Jianzhou and the Tatars, it weighed heavily on his mind.

That was why he had sent Gu Changjin to Liaodong this year.

Emperor Jiayou never believed that anyone could truly predict the future. Yet every word Gu Changjin spoke was like a thunderbolt, ringing loudly in his ears.

He actually believed him!

Gu Changjin gazed at Emperor Jiayou and said, "After ten years on the throne, it's my debt to the Great Yin, its people, and my promise to Zhaozhao as Gu Yunzhi. In another decade, I will pass the throne to Xiao Huaian and leave the capital with Zhaozhao, accompanying her wherever she desires. Your Majesty, rest assured, not a single day more will I stay in this palace once the ten years are up."

He had never sought status from Emperor Jiayou.

Instead, he wanted the emperor to willingly hand over the throne to him!

In his previous life, before Emperor Jiayou passed away, he had revealed the truth to him, confessing that he was not the real Xiao Yan. He also told the emperor that his only daughter had died without knowing her true identity during the "Third Watch of the Night."

"You do indeed owe her your lives!"

Emperor Jiayou abruptly rose from his dragon throne, his face cold as he asked, "If what you say is true, then I will die next winter. Before my demise, what have I given you?"

When an emperor passed away, they would typically leave behind an imperial edict to pass on the throne and the jade seal symbolizing supreme power.

Yet, Gu Changjin merely replied nonchalantly, "A chess piece. Your Majesty, you gave me a white chess piece that you and the former Minister took from the Dali Temple prison while playing a game."

Emperor Jiayou's expression changed.

In a side chamber of the Qianqing Palace.

Wang Dehai was attending to Rong Shu with utmost dedication, moving swiftly like a horse and carriage before her.

He served her honey water for a while, then presented her with pastries and fruits. Just moments ago, he had brought a box of honey-sweetened tangerines.