Chen He stood in the courtyard of the Eastern Depot, one hand behind his back, accompanied by people from the Western Depot. Dou Hongyan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stared at Chen He. Behind him were also people from the Eastern Depot.
The feud between the Eastern and Western Depots had been going on for many years, and this confrontation was not the first. To prevent one side from gaining too much power and causing eunuchs to dominate, the emperor encouraged their endless struggle.
Dou Hongyan spoke in a sinister tone, “Chen He, why have you brought people from the Western Depot to my Eastern Depot with such aggression?”
“Supervisor Dou, why ask when you already know the answer?” Chen He smiled gracefully and said slowly, “Your people from the Eastern Depot injured my subordinates. Though I am reluctant to cause a dispute, as their supervisor, it is my duty to seek justice for them. Only then can I be worthy of my position.”
Chen He was stalling, dragging the conversation out until someone came running to report a fire at Yongli Palace.
Dou Hongyan was shocked. Although both the Eastern and Western Depots had responsibilities to protect the palace, the primary security was the Eastern Depot’s duty.
The two shadow guards beside Emperor Chang were so frightened that they broke into a cold sweat.
Ignoring whether Chen He and his men from the Western Depot were still there, Dou Hongyan hurriedly led his people from the Eastern Depot to Yongli Palace.
Chen He feigned surprise, lagging slightly behind the Eastern Depot’s people, heading towards Yongli Palace. On the way, a young eunuch ran out from a corner and approached Chen He.
Chen He, looking straight ahead without glancing at him, asked, “Did you deliver the message?”
“Forgive me, I was unable to see the master of the Xuanjing Sect… and I got injured…”
Chen He looked at him in surprise.
The eunuch immediately lowered his voice to explain, “The guard of Sect Leader Ji is incredibly skilled and wouldn’t let me into the courtyard. I told him it was an urgent matter, but he wouldn’t budge, repeatedly saying that his lady had instructed that no one should be allowed into the courtyard until Fifth Master wakes up. Unable to reason with him, I tried to force my way in, but unfortunately, I couldn’t defeat him. How is it that even the doormen of the Xuanjing Sect are so formidable…”
Chen He recalled Gu Jianli’s calm demeanor when she said, “I’ve killed people.” He slightly raised his head, squinting towards the direction of Yongli Palace.
Had she arranged so much even before entering the palace?
He suddenly felt that this little girl might actually succeed.
Now this… was getting interesting.
When Chen He arrived at Yongli Palace, the first thing he saw was Gu Jianli. She was standing in front of the raging fire, supported by someone. Her purple dress was billowing in the night wind, her black hair falling softly on her shoulders, making her small, delicate face look even more striking. Her beautiful eyes were filled with fear as she looked at the fire in front of her. She kept trembling and saying, “Hurry, put out the fire! Save His Majesty!”
No one would doubt her concern. In fact, seeing her like this, people already felt sorry for her.
The loft, being made entirely of wood, was engulfed in fierce flames. Seeing the intensity of the fire, Dou Hongyan’s heart sank. He rushed to Gu Jianli and asked, “What happened? How is His Majesty?”
Gu Jianli’s eyelashes trembled as if in shock, and she took a fearful step back.
Chen He walked over slowly and said leisurely, “Supervisor Dou, you’re scaring her. Speak slowly, why did the fire start, and how is His Majesty?”
“I-I don’t know… I was sleeping soundly when suddenly there was a fire. I ran to the Empress and we both shouted for help, but no one came! Not a single person! The fire grew bigger and bigger, we were so scared, and the door was engulfed in flames, we couldn’t get out. We decided to jump out of the window. His Majesty, being of noble status, couldn’t risk jumping, so only the Consort and I jumped out to find help!”
Dou Hongyan asked anxiously, “How is His Majesty?”
“When the Consort and I jumped out, His Majesty was still fine. But we must put out this fire quickly!”
Dou Hongyan’s tone was harsh, “How could you leave His Majesty alone in the loft!”
Gu Jianli whispered in grievance, “His Majesty couldn’t and wouldn’t jump with us, he ordered us to jump out and find help…”
Chen He chimed in leisurely from the side, “Yes, it’s baffling how His Majesty’s shadow guards could leave him alone.”
Consort Li, who was supporting Gu Jianli, asserted with the authority of a noble consort, “Right now, extinguishing the fire is the priority. If anything happens to His Majesty, no one can bear the responsibility!”
Dou Hongyan quickly agreed with Consort Li’s words, stopped talking, and led his men to fight the fire.
Not long after Dou Hongyan and Chen He arrived, news reached the Third and Fourth Princes. As the only remaining princes in the palace, they dared not delay at such a critical moment. They personally joined in fighting the fire, demonstrating filial piety in their grief.
The fire was not extinguished until dawn, alarming the civil and military officials who rushed to the palace. With the situation urgent, palace guards tightened the security at the gates. Most officials could only kneel outside the palace gates, weeping and secretly plotting.
Emperor Chang’s charred body was carried out, and the two princes displayed heart-wrenching sorrow, acting their parts convincingly. Once the show was over, they hurried to Emperor Chang’s bedchamber.
They were after the edict in the sandalwood box.
Time was of the essence, every moment counted.
Dou Hongyan personally took down the sandalwood box from above the dragon bed and retrieved the edict inside.
Ji Lan and Ji Song grew tense.
Dou Hongyan slowly unfolded the edict, several pairs of eyes fixed on it. Second Prince Ji Yan’s name appeared, causing Ji Lan’s eyes to tighten, while Ji Song visibly relaxed. Ji Song, just thirteen years old, shared the same mother as Ji Yan.
“With Father suddenly passing, the nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day. I will send someone to bring Second Brother back immediately! Third Brother, you have no objections, right?”
“Of course not,” Ji Lan replied with a graceful smile.
Ji Song beamed, grabbed the edict from Dou Hongyan’s hand, and turned to run out, happily going to fetch his second brother back to the capital! However, he didn’t get far before an arrow pierced through his back, emerging from his chest.
The edict fell to the ground from his hands, and with his last strength, he turned to look in disbelief at his third brother holding a bow.
Ji Lan’s face was expressionless.
In the royal family, there is no such thing as brotherly love.
The palace was in chaos, everyone on edge. Consort Li, choking back sobs, supported Gu Jianli as they took a break in the farthest wing of Yongli Palace, which the fire had spared.
As the sun gradually set, its soft rays filled the courtyard. The door was open, and Gu Jianli kept her gaze fixed on the distant courtyard gate through the doorway.
Consort Li, still trembling, held Gu Jianli’s hand, her fear palpable. She worried aloud, “No conspiracy in this world is foolproof. What if they find out? Even if they don’t, we could still be punished for failing to protect His Majesty…”
Gu Jianli turned her head, a faint smile on her face. Her gentle expression calmed Consort Li’s anxious heart.
“Aunt, do not worry. If Emperor Chang had even a breath left in him, our chances would be slim. Now that he is dead, our path to survival opens. A new emperor brings new ministers. The most important thing now is how the new emperor secures his throne, not the death of the old emperor.”
“Do you mean we will survive?” Consort Li was still skeptical.
“It depends on whether the new emperor is the one I desire.” She turned her gaze to the door, her tone slowing, filled with a touch of expectation, “If it is him, not only will we leave alive, but Father can regain his power. Aunt, you can also leave the palace, living incognito.”
“What?” Consort Li was stunned. Before she could ask more, the courtyard gate opened.
Gu Jianli tightened her grip on her sleeve, suddenly tense. As the eunuchs filed in, Ji Lan’s figure finally came into view, and Gu Jianli smiled.
With great effort, she stood up with Consort Li’s support. As Ji Lan crossed the threshold, she knelt down and respectfully congratulated him, “The daughter of the Gu family congratulates Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor.”
Ji Lan stood at the door, looking deeply at the prostrate Gu Jianli. After a long time, he waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave. The door slowly closed, and the light inside dimmed.
He walked in slowly and sat in the chair at the head of the room. He did not tell Gu Jianli to rise, but asked, “How did you know?”
Gu Jianli raised her head and said, “Your Majesty is both literate and martial, outstanding among the princes, and supported by the influential ministers in the court. Your ascension is only natural.”
Supported by influential ministers?
Ji Lan chuckled softly.
Unlike the other princes whose mothers’ families were powerful, Ji Lan’s mother was just a palace maid. So, despite his exceptional abilities, he was the least powerful. He had to win over the ministers himself, seizing every opportunity, even secretly meeting the disgraced Gu Jingyuan multiple times.
He needed support and had to win it himself. It didn’t matter what crimes Gu Jingyuan had committed as long as he had the ability to help him.
“Rise,” Ji Lan raised his hand. “It seems Gu Er is injured. Have the imperial physician take a look later.”
Consort Li immediately helped Gu Jianli up, her heart aching.
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern.” Gu Jianli lowered her eyes.
Ji Lan’s original intention in coming here was to use Gu Jianli to secure Gu Jingyuan’s allegiance. Now, seeing Gu Jianli’s attitude, he felt slightly relieved. The edict did not bear his name, and as long as Ji Yan was alive, he remained a threat. There were still too many matters he needed to handle.
Just as Ji Lan stood up, a eunuch urgently reported from outside the door, “Your Majesty, General Liu has entered the palace through the West Gate!”
Ji Lan frowned.
General Liu was an ally of Ji Yan, the most pressing threat to his ascension.
Suddenly, Gu Jianli spoke, “General Liu and Prince Wuxian do not get along. He bribed Consort Li to falsely accuse Prince Wuxian of adultery. Before the late emperor passed, Consort Li, in her grief, revealed the truth before following him in death. General Liu’s wickedness must be punished by execution.”
Ji Lan turned sharply to look at Gu Jianli.
Gu Jianli still maintained her gentle and serene demeanor, speaking softly as if she were an innocent and harmless young girl.
Consort Li was also shocked, staring at Gu Jianli in disbelief.
Ji Lan stared at Gu Jianli for a long while, his gaze darkening and then softening like the melting ice of early spring. He strode out and ordered General Liu to be shot with arrows.
After Ji Lan left, Gu Jianli’s body suddenly went limp, the excruciating pain in her legs bringing tears to her eyes.
“Jianli!” Consort Li, with tears streaming down her face, supported her, only to find her face pale and cold sweat soaking through the back of her clothes, her entire body trembling.
Amid the palace chaos, a red figure swiftly flew past.
“Who goes there?” the guards shouted, blocking the way.
“Get out of the way,” Ji Wujing’s voice was hoarse, his eyes turning crimson. His blood wings swept past, disregarding the guards as if they were nothing.
When Ji Wujing appeared in front of Gu Jianli, she was stunned. Despite the pain, she tried to smile weakly and said, “You’re awake.”
Ji Wujing stared at Gu Jianli’s face, the red in his eyes fading, though the dark gloom remained, making him appear ominous and terrifying. He grabbed Gu Jianli’s wrist, turning away angrily.
Gu Jianli hurriedly held onto him.
Ji Wujing turned back.
Her other hand clung to Ji Wujing’s lapel, her body sliding down weakly as she trembled, “It hurts…”
