Chapter 193

Chapter 193

◎Your master died willingly.◎

Luo Wanqing stared blankly at the peach blossoms, listening to the gentle rain. In an instant, she recalled the person who had given her the umbrella.

That rainy night on her birthday, in the dilapidated temple, there was a young man with injuries and a scholarly air.

"His birthday has you, but yours does not have him. Don't you find that unfair?"

"No. I feel fortunate to be by his side. As for me... I can make up for this year's birthday. After all, I'll see him tomorrow."

"Lady, I fear there might be storms along the way. Here's an umbrella as a gift upon our meeting."

It was him...

In an instant, Luo Wanqing realized. She gripped the umbrella, looked at the peach blossoms, and her eyes welled up with tears.

She began frantically recalling the details of that day. That person kept coughing, had a bloody scent, and when he handed her the umbrella, he deliberately hid his hand.

Her breath trembled, feeling her heart being squeezed tighter with each breath, bringing a cold, trembling pain.

Calculating the time, that day was when Li Zong was killed.

After killing Li Zong, he did not immediately head to the East Capital. Instead, he rushed to that dilapidated temple to see her one last time.

Perhaps he feared she would try to stop him, or perhaps he worried she would notice his injuries, so he disguised himself as someone else, silently fulfilling his promise.

He never broke his promises to her.

What did he say?

Why did he come that day?

How severe were his injuries?

She frantically replayed the details of that day, picturing his smile, his demeanor, and his smiling gaze by the fire.

"You must like him very much."

"It's more than just liking. I love him deeply."

"With your words, he would die without regrets."

"Let him live with some regrets. With regrets, there is longing. I hope he cherishes this world countless times."

"He will."

He will.

Luo Wanqing suddenly realized that Xie Heng had made a choice!

He rushed to her birthday that night without hesitation, already making his decision. He cherished this world countless times.

He would fight to save her, and he would strive to live.

Although she didn't know why he chose to kill Li Zong or why he risked his life, he honored every promise they made. He would strive to live.

She needed to help him.

She immediately understood that she had to help him!

She turned and sprinted toward the armory. The guard at the door started to speak: "Lady Luo..."

Before he could finish, Luo Wanqing pushed him aside and rushed into the armory, quickly gathering the gunpowder, arrows, hidden weapons, and poison she needed.

Finally, she looked at the military flag nearby.

It was the flag with the "Luo" character, representing her leadership.

She stared at the "Luo" flag, thought for a moment, then reached out and took it.

The moment she held it, she felt a sense of calm.

Holding the flag, she turned and headed outside, placing all the weapons on her horse, strapped the umbrella to her back, mounted the horse, and galloped away.

The sound of hooves made Qingya, sitting inside the tent, leap up. He rushed out and saw Luo Wanqing riding away, his eyes wide with alarm. He shouted, "Luo Wanqing!"

Luo Wanqing ignored him and rode into the forest.

Qingya leaped forward and grabbed her reins. Luo Wanqing swiftly pressed her blade against his hand holding the reins and pointed it at his neck.

But Qingya did not move. Even as blood seeped from his hand under her blade, he gritted his teeth and said, "Lady Luo, you cannot be so impulsive. If you go today, how will you be responsible for the lives lost in future rebellions?!"

"Luo Qing, I don't need to explain the big picture to you. I only know one thing," Luo Wanqing stared at Qingya, "If we measure gains and losses solely by lives lost, many things wouldn't be worth doing. There's no need to enforce the Great Xia Law, letting wronged citizens die; Li Shengzhao doesn't need to ascend; the Cui family doesn't need to be exonerated; I don't need to seek revenge. Every step involves lives, yet why do we still do these things?"

Qingya frowned, and Luo Wanqing continued earnestly, "Because they are wrong. I may not weigh the pros and cons like you, but I know I want to protect everyone I see. I learned swordsmanship for this reason, and now I wield my sword for this reason. I want to save people, not sacrifice one today, a hundred tomorrow, and thousands the day after. If we lack compassion even for those close to us, what justice are we talking about? We should handle future unrest when it happens, not let a living person die because of potential future evils! Xie Heng is waiting for me," Luo Wanqing's blade pressed into Qingya's skin, drawing blood, and she shouted, "Move!"

Qingya did not respond immediately. He clung to the reins, his eyes filled with determination and trembling, repeating, "You cannot leave. I've already chosen this path, and you cannot leave! If Xie Heng dies, I'll give my life, but I cannot betray Changxi's wish."

"Is that really her wish?!"

Luo Wanqing raised her voice, "Making her brother die and living like a vengeful puppet—is that what Cui Changxi wanted?!"

Qingya was stunned. Luo Wanqing's eyes reddened, and she lowered her voice, hoarsely saying, "Qingya, I've loved someone. If I love him, I hope he lives well. At her last moment, Cui Changxi hoped Xie Heng would live well. She asked you to kill her out of guilt to protect Xie Heng, not for him."

Luo Wanqing lowered her voice further. Qingya looked at her, bewildered, as Luo Wanqing's tears fell. "She wanted you to live."

The leader of the Cui family's secret network, a man who lived on the edge of death, if not for Cui Changxi's wish, he would not have surrendered at Qingyun Ferry.

Luo Wanqing saw his hesitation and said hoarsely, "Just as I hope Xie Heng lives. Qingya, six years."

Qingya's grip loosened, and Luo Wanqing felt a ripple of lightness and joy in her heart. She emphasized, "You've followed Xie Heng for six years. I understand that you want to assist His Highness, but let me go with him. I'll stay by his side, through life and death."

Qingya stood in the rain, holding Luo Wanqing's reins, struggling to move.

Seeing this, Luo Wanqing pushed him away forcefully and rode off.

The wind and rain hit his face as Qingya fell into the mud, watching Luo Wanqing's horse gallop away. His breath trembled, and he was at a loss.

After a long while, he heard Li Shengzhao's voice from behind: "Ah, Lady Luo has gone to save someone."

Qingya turned around in confusion, seeing Li Shengzhao with Xuanshan and the Vermilion Bird approaching him. Li Shengzhao patted Qingya on the shoulder, "Qingya, let's go?"

"Where?"

Qingya could not understand, "What are you trying to do? If you lead troops to attack today, those princes and aristocrats will immediately think you're trying to save Xie Heng. You'll be seen as the mastermind behind regicide. Do you really want to start a fight...?"

"So we'll bypass the army," Li Shengzhao blinked, "Lady Luo has already gone. Lingshu and I can't avoid suspicion. Listen, there's an unfinished secret passage in East Capital. If we dig just a little more, we can enter East Capital directly."

Li Shengzhao gestured, speaking casually, "Lingshu is overseeing the execution. Those nobles will definitely come to watch. We'll bring ten thousand men, surround them, capture them, and kill Li Guiyu. What else is there to fight about? Once we enter the city, we'll give your sister-in-law some help, and she can leave."

"Do you know what you're saying?"

Qingya said urgently, "Your Highness, if you do this, Xie Heng will never be able to distance himself from you..."

"He can't distance himself now either."

Li Shengzhao pointed in the direction Luo Wanqing had left, then smiled, "Your sister-in-law has made our choice for us. We have no other option."

"Yes," Xuanshan spoke seriously, "Qingya, we're being forced into this."

"That's right," the Vermilion Bird nodded, "We're all being forced. Let's hurry and start digging the path."

Qingya looked at them all in panic, stumbling to his feet to get his horse, "You're all mad. I need to chase after her... I need to bring her back..."

"But you can't beat her."

The Vermilion Bird spoke, and Qingya paused.

Xuanshan looked down, Li Shengzhao cleared his throat, and waved his hand, "Go prepare. And... Qingya..."

He walked behind Qingya and whispered, "If you really wanted to chase her, you shouldn't have let go. Waiting here for Lingshu to return, I'm afraid you'll end up drowning in a lake."

Qingya remained silent. Li Shengzhao patted his shoulder, "Let's go."

With that, Li Shengzhao left, leaving Qingya standing alone. He remembered the young man who once sat in a carriage, arrogantly saying, "An average appearance, how can it match my sister?" Later, when he carried a zither outside Cui Manor, the young man stopped the carriage, lifted the curtain, and extended his hand, "Give me the zither."

He recalled their shared trials and tribulations, how Xie Heng, knowing his martial arts were weak, always silently shielded him. Afterward, they would drink together, and Xie Heng would laugh, "You should practice martial arts better. When I die, I fear no one will bury your bones."

Standing in the rain, he suddenly laughed and cried.

"First, clear out the spies nearby. Find a way to move ten thousand men quietly."

He slowly regained his composure and raised his voice. Li Shengzhao paused and turned to look. Qingya, facing away, calmly said, "If I were Li Guiyu, having given you the information, I'd have set up ambushes within the army and spies everywhere, watching for when you depart."

Li Shengzhao's expression grew serious as he thought, "I understand."

Less than two hours after Luo Wanqing left, Li Guiyu received the message.

"Luo Wanqing has departed alone, all hidden lines have been destroyed."

Li Guiyu held the letter, calculating the time.

Huishui County was two days' march from East Capital, but if Luo Wanqing rode alone, she could reach it in a day. She left early this morning, so she should arrive in East Capital by dawn tomorrow.

She came alone?

Li Guiyu frowned, feeling a sudden surge of agitation. He forced himself to consider whether this might be Li Shengzhao's scheme, but his rational mind told him...

Perhaps she really did come alone.

She risked everything to deliver death to Xie Heng.

This thought emerged, and he couldn't help overturning the documents on his desk. The attendants knelt in shock, and Li Guiyu closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down.

After a long while, he finally spoke, "Notify everyone... change the execution time from the day after tomorrow to noon tomorrow."

He stood up and quickly walked out.

Qingzhu and Zitang hurriedly followed, but Li Guiyu shouted, "Don't follow!"

Everyone stopped, and Li Guiyu walked away alone. He entered the prison, had the guards open the cell, and found Xie Heng inside.

It had been a long time since they last met. Xie Heng wore prisoner's clothes, his hands shackled and chained to the sides, kneeling on the ground.

He seemed to have just endured torture, with wounds all over his body. The guards brought a chair, tea, and pastries for Li Guiyu, then quickly withdrew. When only the two of them remained, Li Guiyu sat down slowly, examining Xie Heng, "Been beaten?"

Xie Heng lowered his head, breathing shallowly.

His meridians were severed, and he had lost all his internal strength. Li Guiyu looked at his pitiful state, seeming somewhat tired as he explained, "It wasn't my order. Your father made a deal with me. I promised to spare your life and keep your body intact, but you've offended too many people."

"What happened?"

Xie Heng knew he wouldn't visit without reason, so he interrupted the pointless small talk and spoke hoarsely.

Li Guiyu thought for a moment and said slowly, "I plan to execute you tomorrow."

Hearing this, Xie Heng finally raised his eyes.

Li Guiyu slumped in his chair, his expression carrying a hint of world-weariness and fatigue: "It was originally set for the day after tomorrow, but I changed my mind."

"What do you want to do?" Xie Heng asked, already understanding a bit, "Use my life as bait to lure Li Shengzhao?"

"You're not stupid," Li Guiyu said with a smile.

Xie Heng remained calm, asking, "Did you know Luo Qushu's identity from the beginning?"

"Yes," Li Guiyu understood what he wanted to ask and didn't hide it, speaking calmly, "Back then in the palace, there was someone who was monitoring my mother, whom I discovered. I dealt with him secretly and learned about an organization exclusive to the emperor, the Dark Pavilion. This organization has been passed down through generations of the royal family, only to the emperor. They have a mark. When I was with Luo Qushu, he once took me on a business trip. He suddenly fell ill with a high fever, and while I was taking care of him, I saw that mark and knew his identity."

Li Guiyu recalled the past, feeling somewhat relieved to speak about it for the first time: "At that time, I wondered if it was my father who ordered the killing of my master. But later, I thought it didn't matter anymore, whether he did it or not." Li Guiyu smiled, "He still had to die."

"So, when Xiniang planned to detain and kill you, you were playing along?" Xie Heng realized, "You intended to be detained so we would attack Si Prefecture. After everything was over, even if I gained control of Si Prefecture's military, as long as I tried to clear Cui's name, Li Zong would certainly want to kill Luo Wanqing, and I would kill him."

"Yes."

Li Guiyu spoke calmly, "I originally planned to kill Li Zong at your wedding banquet. If I couldn't kill him, I would kill Li Changrong during the chaos. That way, the Wang clan would only have me left as a prince. But the Wang clan always harbored resentment towards me because..."

"Because you killed Li Shangwen and Li Changrong."

"Exactly," Li Guiyu nodded, smiling, "They feared me and my half-Li bloodline. So when you wanted to kill me, it gave me an opportunity. I went along with it, and when my life was hanging by a thread, the Wang clan would save me. Only then would they think they could control me. But no one can control me."

Li Guiyu raised his hand, looking at his pale skin and scars: "I only know how to wield a knife, not become anyone's tool. But I didn't expect..."

Li Guiyu looked up at Xie Heng: "You actually dared to come back?"

As he spoke, he stood up and walked to Xie Heng: "Why did you come back?"

"I served as a sword for Your Highness once," Xie Heng smiled, meeting Li Guiyu's gaze, "Now it's Your Highness's turn to serve as a sword for me. Without Your Highness, who would bear the blame for regicide? Who else could let me execute officials in the great hall?"

Li Guiyu listened to his words, silently staring into each other's eyes, both seeing the same strength, sharpness, and unwavering determination.

After a long moment, Li Guiyu finally laughed: "So, does this mean we're even?"

"Not quite."

Hearing this, Xie Heng smiled at Li Guiyu: "I've come this far without regrets. What about Your Highness?"

Li Guiyu's eyes flickered at these words. Looking at Xie Heng, he felt a sharp pain in his heart, his eyelashes trembling, and his breath hitching: "Are you seeking revenge for her and me?"

"Shouldn't I?"

"Is it your place?!"

Li Guiyu suddenly burst out in anger, but Xie Heng remained composed. Realizing his loss of composure, Li Guiyu suppressed his emotions and said coldly, "Xie Heng, don't think you've won. I'm here to tell you something."

Xie Heng frowned, and Li Guiyu stared at him, saying almost self-destructively, "Luo Wanqing is here."

Xie Heng's eyes narrowed, instantly regaining his composure, looking at Li Guiyu: "Are you lying?"

"Am I lying?"

Li Guiyu seemed amused: "Do you not know what kind of person she is? She would come even if it meant dying for you."

Xie Heng stared at Li Guiyu, observing his expression. Li Guiyu realized what Xie Heng was doing and finally seemed pleased: "Stop looking. I'm not lying. She came alone, but it doesn't matter. Now that she's here, it means Li Shengzhao sent her. I'll hang her and you on the city gate tower and wait for Li Shengzhao. I'll make her beg me, make her regret, make her understand..." Li Guiyu paused, then continued, "that I am her true destiny."

With that, Li Guiyu turned to leave. Xie Heng called out, "Li Guiyu."

Li Guiyu glanced back coldly. Xie Heng spoke calmly, "When Xiniang obtained a book from the Dark Pavilion, you shattered it. It was later repaired and is now fixed."

Li Guiyu asked suspiciously, "What are you trying to say?"

"Have you seen what Jiang Fengwan looks like?"

Xie Heng looked at him, and Li Guiyu seemed confused: "What does it matter?"

"The young portrait of Jiang Fengwan looks very similar to you."

At these words, Li Guiyu's eyes widened.

Xie Heng looked at him calmly: "I've given the book to my people. If you dare touch a hair on her head, I guarantee this book will spread throughout the world."

Li Guiyu listened, slowly calming down as if realizing something.

Recalling something, he laughed and nodded: "So that's where you were waiting for me?"

Xie Heng stared at him, and Li Guiyu shook his head with a light laugh: "Fine... Fine... The royal lineage is impure... But so what?"

Li Guiyu asked, and Xie Heng looked at him calmly. Li Guiyu laughed, indifferent: "I've already ascended the throne. What does a broken book prove? Whoever dares to question me, I'll kill them. One person says it, I kill one; ten thousand say it, I kill ten thousand! Why should I fear? Don't worry," Li Guiyu spread his arms, turning back, "I'll make everyone understand that I, Li Guiyu, am the true heir of the royal family."

"Do you really have to go this far?"

"What else can I do?"

Li Guiyu countered, "Do I have any other choice? Since the world owes me, why shouldn't I kill? Do you think I got here by chance?!"

Li Guiyu laughed, pointing outside the prison, speaking urgently: "I want all those who wronged me and hated me to pay! Whether it's my father, my mother, the Wang family, or those who sent me as a hostage and abandoned me outside the city gates... those hypocrites who cried and sent me away... I'll settle accounts with each one!"

Li Guiyu became agitated: "The world abandoned me, so I abandoned the world. Am I wrong?!"

"She doesn't owe you."

"She does!" Li Guiyu didn't need him to name names to know who he was talking about, shouting angrily, "Her father killed my master, her entire family owes me! And she—she promised to be with me forever, to love only me, to... she lied to me!"

Li Guiyu's eyes reddened: "Her father killed my master, and I killed her father. She knows it. Even if she doesn't love me, she should hate me. How can she look at others?"

"Your master chose to die."

Xie Heng seemed to have made a decision, speaking calmly.

Li Guiyu was taken aback as Xie Heng looked up at him: "In the letter Luo's father left for her, it said that your master wanted to save you, but the Wang family's condition was for him to bring smallpox into the city with you."

Li Guiyu listened in a daze, his breathing gradually becoming more rapid. Xie Heng spoke calmly: "But your master had a sense of righteousness; he didn't want to do this. So he pretended to agree and planted smallpox. He and Luo's father were close friends, so he sent a message to Luo's father in advance, telling him everything and asking him to shoot him down at the city gates."

"Impossible."

Li Guiyu shook his head and stepped back: "Luo Qushu is lying. No, you're lying!"

"You had smallpox when you were young, so you wouldn't be infected. He sent you into the city not because he couldn't enter, but because he chose to be shot. She has nothing to feel guilty about."

"Impossible!"

Li Guiyu shouted fiercely, then suddenly realized: "Then why didn't Miss tell me?"

He seemed to have found some evidence and exclaimed urgently: "She hates me so much; I killed her father. Why wouldn't she tell me about this?! Telling me would allow her to take revenge on me, make me realize my mistakes from the start, and show me that the grudge I've held onto is meaningless! You're lying."

Li Guiyu laughed, his eyes filled with fear, yet he still affirmed: "You're lying."

"Xiniang once told me something. She said we should punish people's evil deeds, not their good ones."

Xie Heng sounded somewhat weary, but he continued: "Li Guiyu, the reason I didn't directly reveal your lineage to the world is that it wasn't your fault. If you hadn't harmed her, I wouldn't have done anything to you. And Xiniang didn't tell you this news because..."

"She pities me."

Li Guiyu suddenly understood, unable to stop himself from laughing, tears welling up in his eyes. He stared at Xie Heng and said hoarsely: "She knew the truth but didn't tell me. Does she think I'm pitiful, or does she think I can't kill you?!"

"If she told you, would you not kill her?"

Xie Heng looked at him, his tone pleading: "If that's the case, go stop her."

Li Guiyu was speechless. He looked at the silent figure in the darkness and said calmly: "Even if you don't kill her, Wang Lianyang, Wang Yunzhi, and everyone in the Wang family won't spare her. Don't let her come to save me. Li Guiyu, back then, between hatred and conscience, you made the wrong choice once. Now you can choose again."

Xie Heng, looking at the withered grass on the ground, couldn't help but smile bitterly: "I am going to die. You have a lifetime to continue following her. Li Guiyu," Xie Heng paused, speaking with bitterness, "you can be Jiang Shaoyan again."

"I won't listen to your nonsense."

The moment he heard "Jiang Shaoyan," panic surged within him, and Li Guiyu shook his head, retreating hastily.

He felt the surging impulses within him, like a restrained soul about to break free.

He hurriedly suppressed everything, shaking his head repeatedly: "I don't believe you, I don't believe..."

With that, he turned around, opened the gate, and strode out of the prison.

Xie Heng sat silently in the darkness for a long time before calling out: "Senior Zhang."

"I'm here."

Zhang Chunzi's lazy voice echoed. Xie Heng whispered: "I will tell you where your family is. My life... I entrust to you."

******

Li Guiyu hurriedly walked out of the prison, his mind in turmoil.

Every word Xie Heng said echoed in his head, and he forced himself not to believe them, but they kept repeating.

"Your master chose to die."

"She has nothing to feel guilty about."

"Xiniang said we should punish people's evil deeds, not their good ones."

...

How could it be possible?

Fear washed over him like a tide, making his fingertips cold and painful.

He felt as if he were being drenched by snow and ice, shivering and aching in the cold.

How could it be possible?

If his master committed suicide, what did all his actions mean? He killed Luo Qushu, lost Luo Wanqing forever, and was no longer Jiang Shaoyan. What did he become?

But why did his master plant smallpox?

His master... looked very similar to him when he was young...

His master...

Li Guiyu's mind was in chaos. Suddenly, he realized something and turned to run toward Weiyang Palace.

The attendants knelt as he passed, their voices shouting "Greetings, Your Majesty" carried away by the wind.

He ran so fast, just like when he was a child.

When he was very young, four or five years old?

After every class, he would use all his strength to run to Weiyang Palace.

There, he would see Wang Lianyang sitting in the palace, always distant and cold, but he didn't care; he just wanted to see her, to be embraced by her.

This longing reached its peak after Li Shangwen was born.

Because Wang Lianyang never hugged him, but she always hugged Li Shangwen.

He ran all the way to Weiyang Palace. When he arrived at the entrance, he saw the palace lit up, and the maids rushed to block him: "Your Majesty..."

Li Guiyu pushed her aside and entered directly. Outside the hall, he saw Wang Lianyang and Wang Yunzhi inside.

They were clearly discussing something. Seeing Li Guiyu suddenly appear, both were stunned.

Wang Lianyang and Wang Yunzhi exchanged a glance. Wang Lianyang tentatively asked, "Guiyu, what are you doing here?"

"Get down."

Li Guiyu spoke coldly. Wang Lianyang frowned, "Is this how you speak to the Empress?"

"Get down!"

Li Guiyu casually threw a vase at Wang Yunzhi. The vase carried a strong intent to kill, causing Wang Yunzhi to hastily dodge. Her hairpin was knocked loose, and she looked up angrily, "Li Guiyu, you..."

"Go down."

Wang Lianyang sensed Li Guiyu's ill intentions and gave Wang Yunzhi a meaningful look.

Wang Yunzhi suppressed her anger, bowed indignantly, and led the others away.

Wang Lianyang reclined on the high seat, sizing up Li Guiyu, puzzled, "Why are you so angry, my son?"

"I have some questions for you."

Li Guiyu spoke hoarsely. Wang Lianyang asked curiously, "What questions?"

"What is your relationship with my master?"

As soon as Li Guiyu spoke, Wang Lianyang's pupils constricted. Before she could respond, Li Guiyu was already in front of her, grabbing her by the neck.

Wang Lianyang's eyes widened in shock. Just as she was about to cry out, Li Guiyu growled menacingly, "If you dare lie to me, I'll break one of your bones. I'll crush every bone in your body, peel your skin inch by inch, and eat your flesh piece by piece. Think carefully before you speak!"

"Let... let go..."

Wang Lianyang panicked, "I'll tell you the truth, just let go... I am your mother..."

"Speak!"

Li Guiyu threw Wang Lianyang to the ground. She endured her emotions, trying to maintain her composure as she sat up, clenching her fists to calm herself and not provoke Li Guiyu further.

Li Guiyu stared at her coldly. Wang Lianyang reluctantly began, "Before I entered the palace... he served as my guard for a while."

"And then?"

Li Guiyu was uninterested in these trivial details, smiling, "Is that all?"

"That's all."

Wang Lianyang whispered. Li Guiyu sneered, walking up to her, squatting down, and staring intently at her, "Then please explain why my master looked like me when he was young."

Hearing this, Wang Lianyang suddenly looked up, panic-stricken.

Seeing her expression, Li Guiyu confirmed his suspicion, "Did you have an affair with him?"

"I... I didn't..."

Wang Lianyang stammered, clutching her sleeves tightly, trying to cover up, "I didn't..."

"You were in the Cold Palace back then. To regain favor, you needed a child. I came along too conveniently."

Li Guiyu had figured it all out, looking at her calmly, "Is this why you hate me?"

Wang Lianyang did not answer. Li Guiyu grabbed her arm fiercely, shouting, "Speak! Is this why you abandoned me after giving birth? Is this why you sent me as a hostage to pave the way for Li Shangwen?!"

"Let go of me..."

Wang Lianyang pleaded, trying to pull away.

Tears welled up in Li Guiyu's eyes as he asked urgently, "Was it your order or someone else's? Back then, you didn't even want to save me, only my master did, right? He was a loyal guard of the Wang family, and you could kill him anytime without permission. So he had to get your approval. You used this opportunity to plant smallpox on him, making him act out a rescue mission in Beirong, using my rescue as a pretext to enter the city, right?!"

Hearing this, Wang Lianyang froze, unable to move. Li Guiyu found his answer.

He laughed and cried, tears falling as he stumbled backward, looking at the woman in front of him, "Why did you do this? Why... if you hate me, why did you give birth to me? If you gave birth to me... why... why..."

Why don't you love me?

He couldn't say those words aloud.

He had asked himself countless times as a child, thought about it countless times.

But now, he couldn't ask anymore.

He thought of Luo Wanqing, his heart empty and aching.

Suddenly, he remembered Xie Heng's words.

You can be Jiang Shaoyan.

You've made a choice once.

You can be Jiang Shaoyan.

These words suddenly held immense power. Love him, hate him, as long as they still looked at him, as long as there was a tiny possibility of loving him.

Even if it was just pity.

"Miss..."

He called out in a panic, as if remembering something. Without hesitation, he stumbled away, wanting to escape the palace. But after just two steps, he heard Wang Lianyang say behind him, "Do you think I hate you?"

Li Guiyu paused. Wang Lianyang chuckled softly, "I do hate. I hate Jiang Fengwan. He said he loved me, that he would take me away. He was a Sword Saint, one of the Eight Masters. Why couldn't he take me away?"

Li Guiyu turned around, seeing Wang Lianyang raise her head, tears in her eyes. She slowly stood up, seeming slightly deranged, "We were in love. He promised to take me away. I waited for him all night. I, the most honored eldest daughter of the Wang family, destined to become empress, left everything behind to follow him!"

Wang Lianyang screamed out: "I waited for him. I stood in the courtyard, under the watchful eyes of Father, Mother, and everyone else, waiting for him. If he had come, he could have taken me away. I stood there all night, exposed like I was stripped naked, waiting for him. But by the time dawn broke and everyone saw me, he still hadn't come."

Li Guiyu stared blankly at Wang Lianyang, who then laughed: "So I entered the palace. I entered the palace, forever overshadowed by Cui Lianyi, without any children. What could I do when I was sent to the Cold Palace? Only he could enter the imperial palace freely without being noticed. Otherwise, even if it were with a stray cat or dog, I would never have borne his child. It makes me feel sick!"

As Wang Lianyang spoke, she glared at Li Guiyu, her voice filled with hatred: "Seeing him, seeing you, makes me feel sick! I feel as though I've been standing there that entire night, losing everything completely! What are you anyway? You always threaten me. If someone ever finds out, my life will be ruined. The fact that I've let you live this long is already an act of mercy. You should be grateful to me."

Li Guiyu couldn't speak. He felt that his heart, like his body, had become numb and empty after enduring extreme pain.

He stood there, looking at Wang Lianyang's eyes filled with hate, and said hoarsely: "So you want me dead?"

Wang Lianyang remained silent, clenching her fists. Li Guiyu laughed: "So back then, when you made me a hostage, you wanted me dead, to pave the way for Shangwen."

Wang Lianyang didn't respond. Li Guiyu thought for a moment and continued: "Then the face I saw, the face of my teacher... wasn't real?"

"He changed his face to avoid being discovered," Wang Lianyang said hoarsely. She wiped away unexpected tears, trying to maintain composure: "He couldn't bear to leave you, so he found a way to become your teacher. I told him not to come, but he wouldn't listen."

Listening to her, Li Guiyu suddenly felt exhausted.

Standing in the empty hall, he looked at the woman who gave him life and said softly: "Your Highness, I don't have a courtesy name yet."

Wang Lianyang looked at him in confusion. He slowly approached her, his eyes filled with emptiness: "I'm twenty-two years old, and no one has given me a courtesy name."

Xie Heng had Guanlan, bestowed by Cui Qingping, and Li Zong had granted him Lingshu.

Every man reaching adulthood would receive a courtesy name from an elder.

But he didn't have one.

He gazed quietly at Wang Lianyang. After a long while, he raised his hand and gently touched her neck.

Wang Lianyang realized what he was about to do and began trembling uncontrollably.

"Since you hate me so much, don't suffer anymore."

Li Guiyu spoke softly. Wang Lianyang's breathing became rapid. Just as Li Guiyu was about to strangle her, Wang Lianyang suddenly said: "Guiyu! Let me hug you."

Li Guiyu paused. Wang Lianyang cautiously looked up, tentatively saying: "Before you left as a hostage, didn't you say that when you returned, I would hug you?"

Li Guiyu remembered that when she made him a hostage, she had said: "Make a request. When you return, do you want to be the crown prince, or something else? Whatever you want, just tell me."

The fifteen-year-old boy looked up at the woman on the throne, hesitating for a long time before nervously asking: "Could Your Majesty please give me a hug?"

That was his only wish, year after year since he could remember.

He stared at Wang Lianyang, who was breathing nervously. She opened her arms and, while Li Guiyu was distracted, gently hugged him.

This was the first time Wang Lianyang had hugged him, but it wasn't as warm as he had imagined. He couldn't help but try to savor the moment. In that instant, a sharp blade pierced his chest with lightning speed!

Li Guiyu reacted immediately, striking Wang Lianyang with a palm.

However, the force that collided with him was far more powerful than he had anticipated. He was thrown back, spitting out a mouthful of blood, while Wang Lianyang only took half a step back.

The palace doors suddenly burst open, and Wang Yunzhi entered with her guards, bowing: "Aunt."

"Wang Lianyang?"

Li Guiyu looked at this person who had never revealed any martial arts skills, incredulous. Wang Lianyang glanced at him coldly and said: "There is one thing I lied about. He isn't my guard; he's my senior brother. We trained together."

With that, Wang Lianyang raised her hand: "Kill him."

"Wang Lianyang!" Li Guiyu quickly reacted, urgently saying, "If I'm not here tomorrow, how will you fight Li Shengzhao?!"

"You were just a stepping stone."

Wang Lianyang said this as she took a baby from a maid.

Li Guiyu stared at the infant, while Wang Lianyang held it tenderly, looking at the child and saying softly: "This is Shangwen's child."

In a flash, Li Guiyu remembered Luo Wanqing's words when she came to negotiate: "Do you know that one of the concubines in the Crown Prince's residence is pregnant?"

He had investigated but found nothing. He thought Luo Wanqing was threatening him, but now he realized: "You planned this from the beginning?!"

"Do you think we're fools? Supporting a madman like you?"

Wang Lianyang sneered, turned away with the baby, and said coldly: "You should have been obedient. I wouldn't have acted so soon, but unfortunately, you're in the way. With you around, we can't kill Luo Wanqing. Now that you're gone, it'll be easier."

Wang Lianyang played with the child in her arms, thinking aloud: "I'll kill her and hang her and Xie Heng on the city gate, claiming Li Shengzhao sent her to rescue Xie Heng. Most of those troops were led by her. I wonder if Li Shengzhao can tolerate it, but I doubt the soldiers will. Once they attack East Capital," Wang Lianyang smiled, "it will confirm that Xie Heng was ordered by Li Shengzhao to assassinate the emperor."

Li Guiyu remained silent, watching the guards cautiously approach.

His master-level martial arts meant that even severely injured, he wasn't easy to defeat.

Although Wang Lianyang had seriously wounded him, he had managed to dodge in time, so the wound wasn't fatal.

Seeing that he was still resisting, Wang Lianyang's expression turned cold, and she ordered: "Kill him."

As the order fell, the guards attacked Li Guiyu together. He was prepared and leaped up, cutting a bloody path through them, then rushed out of the palace, fighting his way through!

It was raining heavily that night, making it hard to see people and paths. He swung his sword numbly, just as he had done at sixteen, fleeing the palace under pursuit.

He had to get out.

At that moment, he clearly realized he had to go to the outskirts of East Capital to intercept Luo Wanqing.

He couldn't let her enter East Capital.

He fought and ran, and by the time he shook off his pursuers and stumbled to the outskirts, he was almost out of strength.

The wounds on his body kept bleeding. He held them, leaned against a tree, and moved forward step by step.

Li Guiyu didn't know where he was going; it felt like he was walking through the netherworld, aimlessly wandering.

It wasn't until he stepped on the piled-up bamboo leaves that he suddenly realized he seemed to have reached a bamboo grove.

At the sight of the bamboo leaves, he lifted his head in a daze. Not far away was the small bamboo hut. After all these years, it was still there, providing shelter for travelers.

He didn't dare to look more, only gasping as he made his way towards the official road. Every breath pulled at his wounds, causing pain. After walking for an unknown amount of time, he finally lost his strength, fell to the ground, and couldn't get back up.

Rain poured down, washing over him. He lay there quietly, unsure if he would die here.

After a long while, he suddenly heard the sound of galloping horses on the official road. He struggled to open his eyes and saw a woman in black, with a long knife at her waist, carrying an umbrella and a bow and arrows, rushing past in the rain.

He wanted to call out to her but had no strength left.

He watched her ride past him, just like this irreversible, unceasing fate.

He lay still in the mud, breathing hard, struggling to call out to her.

His lips trembled slightly, and he tried to crawl through the mud, but his desperate efforts were so weak they seemed to make no sound at all.

He felt despair seeping into him amidst the sound of the rain.

No...

Miss... Don't go...

He breathed rapidly, struggling, but the rain and hoofbeats grew louder and closer, and he barely noticed until someone grabbed him by the hair and dragged him up.

Instantly, his eyes lit up. Luo Wanqing, who had returned, looked at the pale, wounded man before her and frowned, puzzled: "What are you doing here?"

Li Guiyu stared at her without blinking, managing a difficult smile, and said only two words: "Xie... Heng..."