The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 69

Wang Shun had guessed that Gu Huaisheng would take Qian Zhi to see the emperor today, which was why he sent his death soldiers to intercept them at this precise moment.

There were a lot of these death soldiers. Could the secret guards whom Gu Huaisheng had brought today stand a chance against them…?

Before Gu Huaisheng could think further, another arrow shot into the carriage. It was aimed straight at him. He twisted to the side, just in time to narrowly avoid it.

Seeing the attack, the secret guard no longer hesitated. They drew their swords and began fighting back.

Gu Huaisheng was a civil official. While he was well-read and skilled in archery and horseback riding, he had little knowledge of martial arts. At most, he was in better physical shape than the average man. As he was faced with this sudden assault, there was little he could do but hide inside the carriage. If he stepped out, he’d only cause more trouble for his guards.

Gu Huaisheng dug through a chest in the carriage and found a sharp blade. He turned to Qian Zhi, who was huddled under the carriage. He then lowered his voice and whispered, “Don’t come out. Stay hidden.”

Qian Zhi was clearly shaken. He hadn’t expected Wang Shun’s men to arrive so quickly. He couldn’t think of anything else to do and could only nod to Gu Huaisheng. 

Gu Huaisheng pushed him further into his hiding spot.

Though Gu Huaisheng tried to remain composed, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of panic. Only by ensuring Qian Zhi was well-hidden could he feel a shred of reassurance.

Nothing could happen to him—Qian Zhi couldn’t die.

Gu Huaisheng had spent so much effort to find him, who could prove his teacher’s innocence. He couldn’t let this hope be destroyed.

If Qian Zhi perished, what would he do then? Gu Huaisheng didn’t know. He couldn’t even begin to fathom it.

Though it was broad daylight, the long street was practically deserted. After the bloodshed started, the few people nearby had fled entirely.

At this moment, Gu Huaisheng found himself utterly helpless. He was forced to leave everything to fate.

He peeked through the curtain of the carriage and surveyed the situation outside. Things didn’t seem good.

Wang Shun had many loyal servants who’d willingly put their lives on the line for him.

After all, if Qian Zhi was brought to the palace, then Emperor Taihe would learn the truth behind everything that would happen back then. How could Wang Shun allow him to bring Qian Zhi to the palace?

Gu Huaisheng couldn’t bring too many secret guards out, as it was improper. If the city patrol spotted them, they would undoubtedly stop and question them. That’d cause delays that could drag on endlessly.

He had already brought as many men as he could, but he had clearly underestimated Wang Shun.

Wang Shun had actually raised an astonishing number of death soldiers.

They were determined to take Qian Zhi’s life, and even if they were discovered, they would bite their tongues to commit suicide. No one would be able to trace them back to Wang Shun…

Gu Huaisheng couldn’t think any further. The number of people on his side was dwindling rapidly.

Someone came charging towards the carriage. No one could stop them anymore.

Gu Huaisheng crouched behind the carriage. When one of the death soldiers approached, they lifted the curtain and were about to climb inside.

He couldn’t let them discover Qian Zhi.

Absolutely not.

Gu Huaisheng struck first. He drove his blade into the death soldier. The man was caught off guard and took the blow but quickly retaliated. He slashed at Gu Huaisheng’s hand. The sharp edge forced Gu Huaisheng back a step.

The death soldier remained silent. He aimed his blade again at Gu Huaisheng. Gu relied on his agility to dodge a few strikes, but eventually, one landed squarely on his abdomen.

The masked death soldier moved in for another strike. Gu Huaisheng took advantage of a moment’s inattention that he showed and pressed forward to push his blade deeper into his own body. The death soldier’s eyes widened in shock. He’d already stabbed him—why would Gu Huaisheng force the blade in further?

Did he have a death wish?

Before the death soldier could react, Gu Huaisheng closed the distance and drove his sword into the man’s neck.

His bl00d spurted and splattered onto Gu Huaisheng’s face and eyes.

However, the death soldier’s sword was now also buried deeply into Gu Huaisheng’s abdomen. Bl00d spilt from Gu Huaisheng’s mouth in waves.

At that moment, he looked like he had been soaked in a pool of bl00d. It made for a horrifying sight.

The death soldier’s lifeless body fell. His eyes were still widened. He couldn’t believe that he’d meet his end at Gu Huaisheng’s hands.

The blade remained lodged in Gu Huaisheng’s abdomen. He slumped to the floor of the carriage. He used one hand to brace against the seat to keep himself from collapsing entirely.

Qian Zhi poked his head out, only to freeze in terror at the sight of Gu Huaisheng. “You… Why did you go this far?”

He knew that Gu Huaisheng wanted to save him, but how could he go so far as to give up his own life?

Even now, Gu Huaisheng urged him, “Go… go back… hide…”

He tilted his head back in pain. Bl00d still dripped from the corners of his mouth.

He could feel life draining from his own body, drop by drop.

The carriage curtain was suddenly lifted. Gu Huaisheng thought another death soldier had come. He groped for the blade beside him and forced himself to summon what little strength he had left. However, it wasn’t a death soldier—it was Shuliang.

Though Shuliang had also sustained some injuries, they were nowhere near as severe as Gu Huaisheng’s. Shuliang was very startled upon seeing Gu Huaisheng’s condition. He cried out, “Young Master!”

Gu Huaisheng no longer had the energy to concern himself with anything else. He asked, “Are they… all dead?”

Shuliang quickly explained, “The city patrol arrived after hearing the commotion. They killed some of the death soldiers, and the rest bit down on poison and killed themselves.”

So they were all dead.

Gu Huaisheng wanted to say something else, but he heard noises coming from outside the carriage.

“Gu Huaisheng!”

Shuliang lifted the curtain again to reveal Zhao Jinhe outside.

Zhao Jinhe was mounted on horseback. He’d clearly rushed here.

He had been inside the Hall for Worship of Ancestors in the Imperial Ancestral Temple when an eunuch received word from Gu Huaisheng’s men to go to the Meridian Gate to receive someone. 

He had waited there, only to hear that a bloody incident had occurred in a nearby alley. A sense of dread swept over him, and he rode toward the scene immediately.

Sure enough.

It was the Gu family’s carriage.

Through the curtain, Zhao Jinhe caught sight of Gu Huaisheng, drenched in bl00d, and was thoroughly shaken.

How did it come to this?

He dismounted and climbed into the carriage. Seeing Gu Huaisheng’s condition, his voice broke and became hoarse as he panicked. “How are you? Are you alright? Can you hold on?”

“I’m fine.” Gu Huaisheng was on the verge of losing consciousness but still insisted he was fine. He looked at Qian Zhi, who was still hiding under the seat, and said, “Come out…”

Qian Zhi crawled out.

When Zhao Jinhe saw Qian Zhi, his expression darkened instantly. Gu Huaisheng told him, “Take him to see His Majesty. Don’t worry about anything else…”

His voice was barely a whisper. He had lost too much bl00d and was running out of strength. A sword was still embedded in his abdomen, and the excruciating pain had long turned into numbness.

Hearing Gu Huaisheng’s words, Zhao Jinhe knew time was running out, and he needed to hurry. There was no room for hesitation. He grabbed Qian Zhi by the collar and dragged him out of the carriage.

Gu Huaisheng watched as their figures faded from view. He couldn’t hold on any longer and coughed up another mouthful of bl00d.

His entire body ached and felt cold. His vision began to blur, and he could faintly hear Shuliang crying in panic.

“Young Master… Young Master, please hold on. We’ll find a physician right away.”

Gu Huaisheng’s pale face was stained with bl00d, so much so that Shuliang could hardly recognise his original appearance.

He reached out and placed his hand under Gu Huaisheng’s nose, only to feel his breath growing fainter.

“Young Master, your wife is still waiting for you at home. You promised to take her out for a stroll tonight… If you die now, what will happen to her? Think of her. Please hold on a little longer, won’t you?”

The carriage was already heading back to the Gu family residence. Shuliang kept talking to him in an attempt to keep him conscious. If he were to pass out now, he might never wake up again.

Jiang Jingchun…

The thought of her made the pain even more unbearable.

No, he couldn’t die.

She was so vindictive. What if she ignored him again because he broke his promise this time?

Gu Huaisheng was tormented, so much so that tears streamed from his eyes and mixed with bl00d.

He didn’t want to die.

But the sword lodged in his body hurt so much, so terribly much, that it felt like he was about to die.

Snow fell heavily over the capital. The carriage trudged through the snow and left behind trails of bl00d. The bloodstains gradually disappeared, only to be covered by the falling snow—just like the filth of the mortal world buried beneath this great snowfall.

Finally, the carriage arrived at the Gu family residence.

Gu Huaisheng was already on the verge of death. He found his eyelids too heavy to lift now. He had held on all the way, and now they had finally reached the Gu family residence.

The gatekeepers were terrified at the sight of the carriage. Their steps faltered as they rushed inside to call for help.

When Jiang Jingchun heard that something had happened to Gu Huaisheng, she was in her room making a sachet for him. Huayun came running in from outside. Her voice reached Jiang Jingchun before she even entered the room.

“Miss! Miss! Something terrible has happened!”

Jiang Jingchun had felt her eyelids twitching all day. At Huayun’s words, the needle in her hand accidentally pricked her finger, and a large drop of bl00d welled up.

Jiang Jingchun winced in pain. She put down the needle and thread and looked up at Huayun, who had just rushed in. “What’s wrong?”

Huayun was on the verge of tears, and her words came out in broken fragments. “The young master… he’s dying… he’s going to die…”

What!?

Jiang Jingchun shot up from her chair.

She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.

Huayun was always exaggerating. What might be a minor issue would sound like a catastrophe coming from her mouth.

And Gu Huaisheng was so strong—how could he possibly die?

Jiang Jingchun refused to believe Huayun. She said, “Huayun, the new year has just begun. Don’t talk about death. It’s bad luck.”

Huayun shook her head. “No, it’s true. The young master was stabbed with a sword. He can barely keep his eyes open…”

At these words, Jiang Jingchun felt a ringing in her ears.

She rushed outside just as a group of people carried Gu Huaisheng in. A sword was still embedded in his abdomen, and his outer cloak was no longer recognisable, as it’d been soaked in bl00d. His face and body were also covered in bl00d.

Jiang Jingchun felt like she was about to faint at the sight.

This time, Huayun wasn’t exaggerating. She wasn’t trying to scare her. Gu Huaisheng really looked like he was about to die.

But he had been fine when he left earlier. How had he ended up like this?

It wasn’t until he was carried into the room and laid on the bed that Jiang Jingchun finally snapped out of her daze.

The household physician was already by his side, tending to his wounds. However, the sword embedded in his abdomen was a real headache. Leaving it in wasn’t an option, but pulling it out might cause him to bleed to death on the spot.

The physician hurriedly had people prepare needles, thread, and medicinal liquor, getting everything ready before attempting the procedure.

Jiang Jingchun, finally grasping the severity of the situation, rushed forward and threw herself down beside Gu Huaisheng. Seeing all the bl00d on him, her legs nearly gave out.

“Gu Huaisheng… what happened to you…?”

Her voice trembled uncontrollably. She was on the verge of breaking into sobs.

Gu Huaisheng’s consciousness was fading, but upon hearing Jiang Jingchun’s voice, he managed to regain some clarity.

He opened his eyes, but they were blurred with bl00d, which made it hard for him to see clearly.

Before he could fully gather his thoughts, he heard Jiang Jingchun’s endless sobbing.

“How could you do this? You promised to take me out tonight! How could you break your promise? You liar, you lied to me again…!”

Hearing Jiang Jingchun accuse him of lying again, Gu Huaisheng actually started to wonder—when had he ever lied to her?

He had seduced her and deceived her… though these weren’t exactly honourable actions, when had he ever gone back on his word?

This little liar—she was always making things up on the spot.

Gu Huaisheng was in pain, and he didn’t have much strength to speak. However, he still forced a smile onto his face and said, “I’ve never lied to you, Cousin.”

Jiang Jingchun couldn’t remember whether he had lied to her or not, nor did she have the mind to think about it. She was already crying so hard that her face was a mess of tears and snot. 

She said, “Don’t die. I’m only seventeen. I don’t want to be a widow at such a young age. Gu Huaisheng, if you die, I won’t mourn for you. I’ll go out and seek pleasure, find happiness…”

Didn’t he hate it when she acted like this? Didn’t he get upset even when she spoke to others? Could he bear to hear her say such things?

But Gu Huaisheng just smiled. He raised his hand. He wanted to touch her face, but his hand was covered in bl00d, so he hesitated and tried to lower it again. Jiang Jingchun noticed his movement and grabbed his hand, then pressed it against her cheek. The dried bl00d on his hand became wet again because of her tears.

Gu Huaisheng’s hand was already cold, the kind of cold that came with impending death. Jiang Jingchun could clearly feel that his body no longer held any warmth. Gu Huaisheng looked at her, as if he wanted to imprint her face in his memory. Even if he couldn’t hold on any longer, he wanted to remember her forever.

From the heavens above to the underworld below…

He would remember her forever.

He said, “Cousin… at least mourn for me for three years. Three years… I’ll probably still linger in this world for that time. I’m afraid if I see you being affectionate with someone else, I’ll turn into a vengeful ghost and haunt you. That wouldn’t be good… After three years, you can remarry, seek pleasure, do whatever you want… It’s all fine…”

In life, he was a jealous man; in death, he would be a jealous ghost.

Gu Huaisheng was afraid that after his death, he wouldn’t be able to let go of her and that he would cling to the mortal world.

Three years—just three years. He just wanted to watch over her for three more years. After that, she could do as she pleased, as long as she was happy.

If he died, his poor cousin would have no one left to protect her.

The thought alone made him want to cry.

Her life had already been so difficult, and now she would become a young widow…

“Don’t… don’t make me a widow…”

The word ‘widow’ sounded too harsh. Gu Huaisheng couldn’t die. Jiang Jingchun couldn’t bear to think about what she would do if he died.

She had already grown too attached to him.

She didn’t know what she would do if he died.

She was still trying to reason with him. “I won’t ask you to go out and shop with me anymore. Just get better, Gu Huaisheng. If you get better, I’ll forgive you for lying to me this time, okay…”

Tears streamed down her face and fell onto Gu Huaisheng’s palm. Gu Huaisheng had no strength left, but he still smiled, still nodded, and still said okay.

He was only 22 years old. His cousin had come into his life when he was eight. At first, he didn’t like her, but later, without realising it, he’d fallen in love with her. In the end, he used underhanded methods to marry her. It all happened so fast. He felt like he hadn’t had enough happy days with her, and now he was about to die. It was too soon, too soon for him to feel at peace.

When she loved him, he pushed her away. When she pushed him away, he forced her to stay…

She had finally been willing to let go of the past, but now he was about to die.

Was this a divine punishment from Heaven?

But who was this punishment really for?

He wasn’t some chosen one, blessed with a fate that ensured his survival. If he had known this would happen, he would have gotten up half an hour earlier every day to practise his martial arts.

But it was too late for regrets now…

The physician had already prepared everything. He said to Jiang Jingchun, “Madame, please step outside. We need to begin.”

The procedure would be bloody, and it’d be difficult for him to work if she remained, while crying uncontrollably, inside the room. It was better for her to wait outside.

Jiang Jingchun didn’t dare to leave. She was afraid that if she left, she would return to find Gu Huaisheng’s corpse.

Seeing this, Huayun had no choice but to half-support, half-drag her out of the room.

Jiang Jingchun waited outside. Marquis Gu and Madame Gu had already arrived. They had returned home to rest after the celebrations, but not long after, they received news that something had happened to Gu Huaisheng.

When they arrived and saw Jiang Jingchun crying inconsolably, their unease grew.

They had heard about what happened while they were on their way here. Gu Huaisheng had left the Gu family residence and was heading towards the palace when he was ambushed by a group of assassins.

Someone had dared to do such a thing in broad daylight, in the heart of the capital—right under the emperor’s watch.

Now, Gu Huaisheng lay inside. His life hung by a thread. The faces of everyone present were grim, and their expressions were dark.

From that afternoon until after night fell, they waited outside. They were powerless to do anything but wait.

Meanwhile, Zhao Jinhe had already taken Qian Zhi to the palace. Emperor Taihe was still praying in the Hall for Worship of Ancestors. Inside, the empress dowager, the empress, the concubines, and the imperial princes and imperial princesses were all kneeling. The prayers would continue until sunset, but Zhao Jinhe could wait no longer.

Every moment was agony for him.

He couldn’t wait. He entered the Hall for Worship of Ancestors and approached Emperor Taihe, saying, “Imperial Father, I have urgent matters to report.”

All eyes turned to the crown prince.

They didn’t know what had come over him today. Couldn’t he see what was happening? The ceremony would be over in an hour. What could be so urgent?

The empress said, “Crown Prince, don’t be thoughtless. Can’t you see we’re in the middle of prayers? Come back and kneel.”

Zhao Jinhe ignored the empress and remained standing. He insisted, “Imperial Father, I have urgent matters to report.”

Emperor Taihe finally opened his eyes. His gaze remained forward, and he didn’t look at the crown prince. He showed no anger at being interrupted. He cut off the empress before she could speak again by calmly asking, “What could be so urgent?”

Aside from his teacher, who could have caused him to lose his composure and act so out of character?

The emperor asked a question that he’d already known the answer to.

He didn’t wait for the crown prince’s answer. After speaking, he extended his hand to Zhao Jinhe.

Zhao Jinhe understood and immediately helped him to his feet.

The two walked outside, where Qian Zhi was being held down in the snow.

Zhao Jinhe ordered him to speak and reveal the truth about what happened at Hangu Pass.

At this point, there was no use in Qian Zhi trying to hide anything. He knew he might not escape this unscathed, but he hoped they would spare his wife and child.

Qian Zhi shivered from the cold. His teeth chattered as he stammered out the truth. The truth was nothing more than Wang Shun colluding with the Mongolian forces to frame Shen Changqing, which led to the defeat at Hangu Pass.

When he finished speaking, his head nearly sank into the snow. He was too afraid to lift it.

The truth of the events that had been buried for over a year was finally revealed.

After he spoke, the surroundings fell into dead silence.

The crown prince knew that Qian Zhi was involved in his teacher’s death, but he hadn’t expected that it was due to collusion with Wang Shun to betray the country and frame Shen Changqing.

Finally, Zhao Jinhe reacted. He looked at Emperor Taihe and said, “Imperial Father… Did you hear that? My teacher was framed…”

Zhao Jinhe’s voice trembled as he spoke.

Back then, everyone had said Shen Changqing deserved to die. Everyone had said the defeat at Hangu Pass was due to his arrogance. Everyone had accused him of treason and forced him to bear the hatred of the entire nation.

But that wasn’t the truth. That wasn’t what had happened.

His teacher shouldn’t have died. He shouldn’t have met such an end.

Compared to Zhao Jinhe’s emotional state, though, Emperor Taihe looked much calmer. He was so calm, in fact, that he appeared almost indifferent, as if he’d known all of this all along.

He ignored Zhao Jinhe’s gaze. His eyes remained fixed on Qian Zhi, who still lay in the snow.

No… rather than looking at him, it seemed more accurate to say his gaze was empty, focused on nothing but a void in the air.

He responded to Zhao Jinhe’s outburst with a faint, almost dismissive tone. “Mm, I know.”

I know…

He said he knew, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

This matter, it seemed, was even less significant than what he would eat tomorrow.

When Zhao Jinhe heard this, his expression froze.

Was that all? Just ‘I know’?

Why did it seem like he had known all along?

He remembered the time he had pleaded for Shen Changqing’s life. Back then, the emperor had said that the evidence was irrefutable and he must die.

Zhao Jinhe felt a chill run through his body. His voice trembled as he looked at Emperor Taihe and asked, “Imperial Father, did you just find out… or did you know all along?”

What kind of person Shen Changqing was—how could the emperor not know?

How could he be so blind, so biased, to this extent?

If that were the case, why had Emperor Taihe appointed Shen Changqing as his tutor in the first place?

Emperor Taihe heard Zhao Jinhe’s words and let out a faint laugh. Finally, he turned his gaze to Zhao Jinhe, though his eyes still held no emotion.

The emperor said, “It doesn’t matter.”

Whether he had known all along or not—it didn’t matter.

“How can it not matter!?”

Zhao Jinhe’s voice rose sharply. Without him realising it, his eyes reddened.

He couldn’t understand how something so important could be dismissed so casually.

As he spoke, his expression suddenly stiffened, as if he had realised something…

Some things couldn’t just happen suddenly, without warning.

The death of his teacher was one such thing.

It was the emperor who had sent Shen Changqing to the northern frontier, and it was the emperor who had ultimately sentenced him to death.

Was this the will of Wang Shun or the will of the emperor? By now, it was impossible to tell.

Zhao Jinhe practically demanded an answer from Emperor Taihe. Why didn’t the truth matter? If the truth didn’t matter, then what was Shen Changqing’s death for? What about the disgrace he had to bear?

Emperor Taihe answered him with magnanimity. “Didn’t I tell you? He had to die.”

The afternoon sun mingled with snow and fell upon them. The emperor, who was nearing forty, no longer carried the naivety of his youth. Every gesture he made exuded imperial authority.

Compared to the distraught crown prince, he remained composed—almost unnervingly so.

In the past, the emperor had told the crown prince that the evidence against Shen Changqing was irrefutable and he must die.

Was it really because the evidence was conclusive? Or was there another reason he had to die?

“Imperial Father, why? What was the reason!? Why do you have to do this!?”

Zhao Jinhe had always thought it was Wang Shun who wanted Shen Changqing dead. But now, it seemed, it wasn’t just Wang Shun.

However, Shen Changqing’s reforms were for the good of the empire. How could his father be so blind, so willing to stand behind Wang Shun?

Emperor Taihe, surprisingly, did not rebuke Zhao Jinhe for his inappropriate outburst. He didn’t even seem to take it to heart this once.

He looked at him and said, “Why? What was the reason? Because he was your teacher, your imperial tutor.

“A-He, do you know? Clearing someone’s name is the simplest thing in the world.”

He continued, “Once you ascend the throne, you won’t even need evidence. You can restore your imperial tutor’s honour. An emperor can do many things. Do you understand?”

The emperor spoke the truths he had learned over twenty years of struggle. He wanted to show the crown prince how correct his decision had been.

“When I ascended the throne, I was young. The senior grand secretary took everything into his hands. The empire has ministerial officials but no ducal ministers. The six ministries should have answered solely to me, but they fell under his control. Whether funds were allocated to the northern frontier or used to build Tianlu Terrace—it was all up to him. Back then, the senior grand secretary, under the guise of assisting the emperor, joined forces with the empress dowager to turn my authority into his. Imperial autocracy became a farce—the empire was run under the senior grand secretary’s rule.”

The senior grand secretary had obtained power by deceiving the emperor and wielded that great power for a time. However, such power couldn’t last forever. The imperial authority was the emperor’s authority. The emperor was bound to grow older and there’d inevitably come a time when he’d no longer tolerate this, and he’d seek to reclaim what was his. When that time came, a struggle between the emperor and the senior grand secretary would erupt, and bl00d would inevitably be shed.

“Do you know why Wang Shun is so arrogant? Because I trusted him, just as you trust Shen Changqing.”

Perhaps the emperor had already seen through this vicious cycle.

The emperors after him would also inevitably trust their ministers.

The supremacy of imperial authority would eventually become a joke.

And so, this could not continue.

Shen Changqing had to die.

“Throughout my life, I’ve always been constrained by other people and controlled by my ministers. Do you wish to follow the same path?”

He said, “I did it for your own good.”

Of all his children, the crown prince was the one who most resembled him. Perhaps that was why, in the end, he’d fallen into the same predicament as him.

But now, he would resolve this for him. He would not let him repeat the same mistakes.

After hearing Emperor Taihe’s words, Zhao Jinhe remained silent for a long time.

His gaze towards the emperor was one of utter despair.

“For my own good?”

How could he say it was for his own good?

From beginning to end, it was all for his own selfish desires. He was obsessed with breaking free from his own constraints, and that was all there was to it. However, he still claimed that it was for his sake.

He had treated Shen Changqing as a pawn. He wanted Shen Changqing to teach Zhao Jinhe how to stand as a man, yet feared he would become another Wang Shun at the same time.

The tutor Zhao Jinhe respected most was, in the emperor’s eyes, not even a person.

He was someone who could be used and discarded at will.

Zhao Jinhe couldn’t understand. Why would Shen Changqing become another Wang Shun?

“My teacher would never be like him, and I will never be like you, Imperial Father. Never… You carry wounds in your heart, so you trust no one. But he is my imperial tutor, my teacher. How could you treat him like this!?”

By now, Zhao Jinhe was nearly shouting.

They were heartless, they were unjust, so they assumed everyone else was the same, didn’t they?

Even as the crown prince lost his composure, even as his words came to border on treason, Emperor Taihe’s expression remained calm. He looked at him without even the slightest anger in his expression.

He said, “Hmm. The more you act this way, the more I am convinced that my decision back then was not wrong. After all, back then, I was just like you are now. I couldn’t let go of him, just as you can’t let go of Shen Changqing.”

But he wouldn’t allow the past to repeat itself again now.

Regarding the matter of Shen Changqing’s treason, Emperor Taihe finally said, “Wang Shun cannot be touched for now. We still need his men to fight on the northern frontier.”

The current situation in the northern frontier did not allow for a change in governor-general.

This meant that even if Qian Zhi revealed the truth of what happened back then, it would be of no use.

Emperor Taihe stated without hesitation, “Shen Changqing’s grievances will be cleared in due time.”

Perhaps it’d be when Zhao Jinhe ascended the throne, or perhaps at some other time.

Zhao Jinhe wanted to say more, but the emperor had already spoken again, “I know you’re tired today and have spoken some nonsense because of it. Go back now. I won’t hold it against you.”

With that, he did not wait for Zhao Jinhe to respond and turned to return to the hall.

But then, Zhao Jinhe’s voice came from behind.

The crown prince’s voice was colder than the winter wind.

He said, “I am not like you, Imperial Father. It was you who pushed me into this situation. If not for you, why would I be so fixated on my teacher? You do not love me—I am less than a prince in your eyes. But my teacher cared for me, and so I respected him.”

His love naturally flowed towards the person who loved him as well. This was true for romantic love, platonic love, and even his love for his teacher… This was true even for the rarest, most fragile father-son relationship in the imperial family.

Why couldn’t he let go of Shen Changqing? In the end, wasn’t it because of the emperor’s own actions?

The emperor had fallen into this quagmire himself, yet he had pushed his own crown prince into the same predicament.

Zhao Jinhe no longer expected an answer from him. He looked at the emperor’s retreating figure with disappointment and turned to leave.

Even though he had now uncovered the conspiracy and learned the truth, the crown prince would no longer weep as he had in the past.

All he felt was disappointment towards the emperor.

This trap involving an outsider, involving his teacher—he was no longer caught in it. Only Emperor Taihe was still struggling within his own. 

After hearing the crown prince’s words, Emperor Taihe stood still for a long time without moving.

His unshakable expression momentarily cracked, and a flicker of indescribable emotion flashed in his eyes. But in the end, he quickly concealed it. His expression returned to normal, and he re-entered the Hall for Worship of Ancestors.

Seeing that the emperor showed no emotion upon his return, the others remained silent.

Only after the rituals and prayers were completed did the emperor declare the ceremony over, and everyone rose to leave.

Only the empress dowager stayed behind.

She stood to the side and looked at Emperor Taihe, who remained kneeling, and asked, “What was the crown prince so eager to discuss with you earlier?”

Hearing this, Emperor Taihe remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

He looked at her and answered truthfully, “The crown prince came to me with one of Shen Changqing’s former subordinates…”

Before Emperor Taihe could finish, the empress dowager’s expression shifted.

Though she quickly masked it, the emperor noticed.

Emperor Taihe looked at her and continued without pause, “That subordinate said that Shen Changqing’s treason was a false accusation orchestrated by my teacher.”

At this, the empress dowager’s expression worsened further. She immediately said, “This matter was settled over a year ago. Has the background of this subordinate been thoroughly investigated? It could be nothing more than baseless rumours. You know better than anyone what kind of person your teacher is. This crown prince is so desperate to clear Shen Changqing’s name that he’ll do anything!”

Emperor Taihe had only said one sentence, yet the empress dowager had already become so agitated in her defence of Wang Shun.

The emperor glanced at her with a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Then, he chuckled softly and said, “Imperial Mother, why are you so anxious? I haven’t done anything yet. I know my teacher has always had my best interests at heart. Don’t worry, Imperial Mother. This time, I will do as I have always done. I’ll pretend nothing happened, just as you taught me back then.”

At these words, the empress dowager’s expression froze.

The sarcasm in his words was unmistakable, and the empress dowager could not fail to notice it.

Indeed, the emperor was no longer the same as he had been in the past.

To expect him to act as he had back then was impossible.

The empress dowager wanted to say more, but Emperor Taihe cut her off first.

“To be honest, I’ve never quite understood. When Qiongzhang was still alive, you always favoured him. No matter what mistakes he made, you would always protect him. But no matter what I did, you would always say it wasn’t good enough—still not good enough.

“Wasn’t I your child?”

One would often be haunted by the things one couldn’t obtain when one was young.

The emperor was nearly forty years old now.

However, he was still haunted by the grievances of his youth.

He didn’t understand. He truly didn’t understand. He was the child who had come from her womb, not Qiongzhang.

But she’d never said the comforting words she’d said to Qiongzhang to him.

Not when he was a child, not when he was a teenager, and certainly not after he became emperor.

Why was Wang Yu named Qiongzhang while he was named Zhengze?

The characters in Qiongzhang’s name were so much better than the ones in his.

No one knew how bitter he felt when he heard Wang Yu excitedly share the name ‘Qiongzhang’ with him.

Some people’s names were adorned with the clinking of gold and jade, while other people were destined to have only the most ordinary names for their entire lives.

So what if he were the emperor?

He had neither love nor power.

“Imperial Mother, you didn’t love Imperial Father, so you don’t love me either, right? Back when Imperial Father was still alive, Imperial Mother often spent time with Wang Shun. You say you pitied the lonely and widowed, which is why you dote on Wang Yu more. You… Did you really have no ulterior motive yourself?”

In his youth, Wang Shun was a brilliant scholar who gained the first place in the imperial examinations. When the empress dowager was still the empress, during a palace banquet, she fell into the water and was saved by him. Few knew about this incident, but Emperor Taihe was one of the people who did. At the time, he was only five years old. He watched as his mother wept bitterly in Wang Shun’s arms. He thought she must have been frightened, as that near-drowning almost cost her life.

Fortunately, the emperor was magnanimous and didn’t mind these matters. He even suppressed the news and decreed that anyone who dared spread rumours about it would be beaten to death.

Wang Yu was even younger than Emperor Taihe at the time. From then on, the empress told the emperor that out of pity for the orphaned child, she would often bring Wang Yu into the palace to look after him.

The late emperor, kind-hearted as he was, still said nothing about the matter.

Wang Yu had no mother, but the empress treated him as her own child.

Emperor Taihe didn’t think much of it back then. He felt that Wang Yu, who had lost his mother at birth, was indeed pitiable. It wasn’t until he grew older that he began to sense something amiss.

Wang Shun and his imperial mother… There seemed to be something amiss between them ever since that incident when his imperial mother fell into the water.

Emperor Taihe’s eyes finally showed a trace of disgust as he looked at the empress dowager. He said, “Imperial Father treated you so well, so why did you do such a thing?”

His imperial father had been so good to her, yet she treated him like this?

The young Emperor Taihe hadn’t paid much attention to those matters back then. At that age, how could he understand such sordid affairs? Besides, since his imperial father hadn’t said anything, he thought it must not be a big deal.

He had even believed his imperial mother’s words and regarded Wang Shun as closer than his own father.

At the mention of the late emperor, the empress dowager’s expression finally changed.

She looked at the emperor. Her voice sharpened, and her usually dignified face turned twisted. “What have I done? What have I done wrong? You bring up Qiongzhang now because you suspect that Wang Shun and I had an affair! But even until death, I never slept with him, nor did I do anything to betray your imperial father. Isn’t that enough kindness?

“Here in the Hall for Worship of Ancestors, I dare say these words, as I’m not afraid of divine retribution!”

The empress dowager seemed to recall something painful. She pointed at the emperor. She was usually always composed, but now, she appeared agitated and distraught. In a harsh tone, she questioned him, “Wang Shun and I grew up together. We were almost betrothed. We were supposed to be together. If it weren’t for your imperial father, would I have ended up like this? Would I? You speak for him, but what do you know? Why do you defend him!?”

As soon as these words left her mouth, the hall fell into a long silence. No one spoke, and after a while, only the empress dowager’s sobs could be heard inside that hall.

The young Emperor Taihe hadn’t understood their complicated affairs back then. It wasn’t until he grew older and looked back that he noticed the signs. He thought that he’d figured out everything that was going on between Wang Shun and the empress dowager and that everything must have begun with the empress’ fall into the water.

But as it turned out, things had started long before she became empress.

It had all begun earlier than he had imagined.

Emperor Taihe said nothing more. At this point, he truly didn’t know what else to say.

Qiongzhang wasn’t her child, but she loved him because she loved Wang Shun.

He was her child, but she didn’t love him because she didn’t love his father, the emperor.

Love the house, and love the crow upon it. Hate the house, and hate the crow as well.

Emperor Taihe believed he had been kind enough in his first dozen years of life. No matter how partial the empress dowager was, he’d still regarded her as his closest family.

Yes, his imperial father had wronged her, but what about him? What had he done wrong to her to deserve this?

Why did she have to treat him like this?

It was too late.

It was too late to say anything now…

Everything would inevitably come to an end. He had wanted to break free from their control for the past decade. Now, everything was about to come to an end, and there was no need for him to say anything more.

He let out a cold laugh and said, “Imperial Mother, you dote on Wang Shun and made his puppet. It’s fine. He’ll get everything he wants, just like before.”

Emperor Taihe’s expression returned to normal. He asked her, “Did you know Qiongzhang has a child?”

The empress dowager, of course, didn’t know.

Qiongzhang wouldn’t have told her, because she would surely inform Wang Shun.

The emperor smiled and stood up. He looked at the empress dowager and said, “See, Imperial Mother? No matter how well you treat him, there are things he would never tell you, even if he died.”

After saying this, he walked out of the hall.

The empress dowager’s face darkened. She sensed that something was wrong. She shouted at the emperor’s retreating figure, saying, “What do you mean? What are you planning to do…!?”

But this time, no matter what the empress dowager said, Emperor Taihe did not look back.

Wang Shun would soon find the answers he sought.

But whether he could bear the truth this time would depend on himself.