Yan Hongtian suddenly cast a meaningful glance at Yang Zhilan and asked with feigned distress,
"Mother, in your opinion, do you believe the ministers will raise any further objections?"
Yang Zhilan trembled slightly, biting her lip in secret before forcing a smile and replying,
"The ministers will surely praise Your Majesty's wisdom."
But did she realize just how forced that smile was? A nameless fire surged in her chest.
Suddenly, Yan Hongtian slammed his palm onto the table and growled at Shan Yulan,
"The case is not yet concluded. Lord Shan, continue your investigation.
To steal from the national treasury and frame loyal officials—such treachery shall be met with the harshest punishment!"
His sudden fury seemed unprovoked, but such is the fate of those who serve—this they had long grown accustomed to. Shan Yulan bowed respectfully and responded,
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You may go."
With a wave of his sleeve, Yan Hongtian dismissed them, his gaze no longer acknowledging their presence.
Hand in hand, two figures walked under the quiet veil of night, their fingers tightly entwined, treading the silent bluestone path within the palace walls.
The night breeze caressed their hair, entangling strands like threads of fate.
Though the hand she held was cool and slender, Zhuo Qing felt her heart full and warm.
"Xiyan..."
So this is happiness—just calling his name softly and having him respond without delay.
Lou Xiyan gently stroked the soft back of her hand with his forefinger, smiling faintly.
"Qing'er, let's go home."
"Mhm."
Home.
The moonlight cast their shadows long and deep, blurring their edges until it was no longer clear if they were one or two people.
From afar, it looked as though they would hold each other's hand and walk on together, until the very end of life.
Watching the pair disappear into the night, Lou Muhai felt a faint tremor in his chest.
So this is the love Xiyan spoke of—one that belongs solely to a single soul across a lifetime.
Perhaps... he was right.
That girl... she might just barely be worthy.
But Lou Muhai wasn't the only one shaken by the sight of those two, eyes filled with only each other.
Even Su Ling felt an inexplicable agitation rise within him,
For in his mind flashed a figure—radiant, defiant, and always meeting him fist to fist.
Outside the palace gates, four carriages awaited.
As the group emerged, a petite but nimble figure leapt from beside one of the carriages and came up to Lou Xiyan and Zhuo Qing.
She glanced at their clasped hands and the joy on their faces, then exhaled with relief.
"So you've finally come out. All that effort acting wasn't in vain."
Lou Xiyan gave her a slight nod and smiled,
"Thank you, Miss Qing. No, I should say... dear sister-in-law."
The title earned him a double eye-roll from Gu Yun and Zhuo Qing.
Sisters? Not even close. And in terms of age, Gu Yun was older by a few months.
Waving her hand dismissively, Gu Yun laughed awkwardly,
"Thanks unnecessary. That was my first—and hopefully last—performance."
Reading others' lies was one thing. Speaking them herself was a whole other ordeal—her acting was downright dreadful.
Zhuo Qing cast her a sidelong glance and muttered,
"I hope it's the last. My shoulder nearly got crushed by your grip!"
This woman's strength surpassed most men's. She nearly wept from the pain.
Shrugging, Gu Yun replied,
"I call that dedication."
In truth, it was just nerves. She rarely lied, and if not for Zhuo, she wouldn't have bothered.
Thinking of Bai Yi's eyes—deceptively innocent yet dark and cunning—Gu Yun couldn't help but worry,
"Are you sure that brat has really returned to Liaoyue? He might still be hiding somewhere in the capital, plotting something."
Zhuo Qing's eyes gleamed as she chuckled,
"If he's not a complete fool, he should've realized by now he was tricked."
Bai Yi was cautious to a fault. Surely he took the note with his handwriting. She wanted him to know he'd been duped.
As long as he remained in the capital, they couldn't truly feel safe.
"Then good," Gu Yun murmured. If Zhuo said so, there must be a reason.
Zhuo Qing glanced at Su Ling behind Gu Yun and quietly asked,
"Are you coming with me to the Prime Minister's residence, or...?"
After all, she and Su Ling had quite the argument. If Gu Yun didn't want to return to the General's manor, she was welcome at Zhuo's place—though...
"She belongs to the General's manor!"
As expected, Zhuo's words were cut short by Su Ling's glare, sharp as blades under the moonlight. His cold, unyielding voice left no room for doubt.
Gu Yun blinked, then turned on her heel and jumped into the Prime Minister's carriage behind Zhuo, snapping coldly,
"Lunatic."
She didn't know exactly what it meant, but it sure wasn't a compliment.
Su Ling's face darkened, and without a word, he followed her into the carriage.
Moments later, the sound of fists and feet erupted within, the small space trembling with every blow.
Zhuo Qing turned to Lou Xiyan and said,
"Shall we just walk home instead?"
Lou Xiyan raised a brow, eyes lingering on the violently shaking carriage roof.
"Are you sure Miss Qing will be alright?"
General Su was not known for his gentleness.
"Well..." Zhuo Qing hesitated, then gave a dry laugh.
"She should be fine. Probably."
Inside the imperial study, everyone else had departed. Yan Hongtian waved away the eunuchs and maids, leaving the grand hall even more desolate and cold.
He sat silently, face dark and brooding.
Yang Zhilan stood nearby, uncertain, heart suspended in dread.
Was he about to speak—or simply sit in silence?
This son of hers... she had never truly understood what went on in his mind.
A quarter of an hour passed, yet he said nothing. His expression only grew darker.
Unable to bear the silence, Yang Zhilan finally rose and sighed softly,
"After such a trying day, Your Majesty must be weary. Please rest. I too shall retire."
She stepped toward the center of the hall when Yan Hongtian's icy voice struck her from behind,
"Is that all Mother wishes to say?
After everything that happened today, you have no explanation to offer?"
Her steps faltered. She turned back, replying dismissively,
"This was clearly Liaoyue's scheme—first framing Minister Lou, then slandering me. Their wickedness knows no bounds. What more need I say?"
"Is that so? I do not share your view."
Yan Hongtian rose suddenly, each step toward her heavy with the weight of betrayal.
His voice, always cold and proud, now carried confusion and wounded sorrow.
"Did you go to such lengths to take revenge on the Lou family... or on me?"
Her hands trembled. She quickly hid them behind her back, forcing herself to meet his gaze only after calming her breath.
"I do not understand Your Majesty's meaning."
Don't understand?
Yan Hongtian sneered.
She dared commit these acts, yet feared admitting them?
He looked at this woman—his mother—who had done nothing but deceive and brush him aside for years, and scoffed coldly,
"The Lou family is a pillar of the state—an indispensable support for both the court and myself.
When you orchestrated all this, did you consider the empire? Did you consider me?
You are my birth mother. For years, I have turned a blind eye to your deeds.
Clearly, I was mistaken. Had you not indulged Prince Hao's factionalism back then, how would he have gone so far as to rebel and attempt regicide?"
Had he not mentioned Hao'er, it might have been bearable.
But that name—her eternal wound—stripped away her restraint.
Driven mad, she cast aside all pretense and screamed,
"You're blaming me for failing as a mother?
Fine! I was a failure.
Otherwise, how could I have raised a bloodthirsty monster who tore his own brother apart!"
"Bloodthirsty monster?!"
It felt like a punch to the skull—his mind roared, heart clenched as if in the grip of some cruel hand.
Only pain remained.
Yan Hongtian suddenly burst into laughter.
The woman who now pointed at him and cursed him a beast—this was his mother.
The same mother who indulged her other son, abetted treason, and betrayed her own flesh and blood...