The state banquet descended into chaos, with exclamations of shock echoing throughout the hall.
Ji Yan’s eyes gleamed with uncontrollable joy and excitement. With Ji Lan dead, what did he have to worry about? Today’s events had gone more smoothly than he had anticipated. As he thought of the smiles on Sun Yinlan and her son’s faces, Ji Yan’s heart raced with excitement, imagining that he could soon have them by his side. He took a step back and waved his hand, prompting the hidden guards to rush towards Dou Hongyan.
Prince Linsi and Prince Guangxian exchanged a quick glance, and the people they brought also sprang into action.
In the midst of the commotion, Gu Jianli quickly reacted. She lifted her skirt and ran swiftly up the stone steps on either side of the high platform, ascending step by step with the hem of her apricot-colored long dress fluttering in the air.
The pain in Ji Lan’s chest throbbed, each throb bringing a surge of blood from his body. His legs could barely support him, and his body weakened, slowly sliding down. He supported himself on one side of the table, preventing himself from collapsing completely. His vision began to blur, and past memories floated by like clouds until Gu Jianli’s face appeared before him.
Gu Jianli crouched in front of Ji Lan, clutching his collar and urgently questioning, “Where is my aunt? What did you do to her?”
As Gu Jianli pulled at him, she tore open the bloody hole in Ji Lan’s chest, causing blood to gush out and his internal organs to twist in pain. Ji Lan gazed at Gu Jianli, a faint smile tugging at his lips, reminiscent of the past.
“Say something!”
Gu Jianli was almost frantic. She cared nothing for edicts, jade seals, or the emperor’s throne; she only wanted her loved ones to be safe and sound!
Ji Lan’s vision grew increasingly blurry, and Gu Jianli’s face became indistinct. In a daze, Ji Lan seemed to return to that winter day last year, to the night when a great fire lit up the sky. Gu Jianli, dressed in purple, sat before the ruins, injured, with her clothes dirty and her hair disheveled. Despite her disarray, she was as beautiful as ever, almost unreal.
Time had flown by, and another winter had passed unnoticed. Her once stunning features had now become even more extraordinary.
Unfortunately, Ji Lan, now so close to her, could no longer see her clearly.
Ji Lan sighed deeply, his breath carrying his long sigh. Throughout his life, he had desired too much. Whether it was initially wanting food and clothing or later protecting his mother, or even later questioning why he could not inherit the throne like other dragon sons.
One by one, his wishes seemed to have been fulfilled, yet he had achieved nothing. His mother had died before he grew up, and he handed over the vast kingdom he had ruled for just a year.
Suspicious by nature, cautious, cold-blooded, and unemotional, he had never acted on feelings. The only time he had felt emotion, he dared not admit it.
Ji Lan wanted to raise his hand to touch the near Gu Jianli, even if only the hem of her dress. But he lacked the strength. Though it was his own hand, it felt as if it were not his, too heavy to lift.
“Where is my aunt?” Gu Jianli frowned, pressing him.
Ji Wujing, with a dark face, watched Gu Jianli clutching Ji Lan’s clothes. He wanted to say something, but seeing Ji Lan’s near-death state, he lazily crossed his arms and said nothing.
The pain in Ji Lan’s body eased a bit, and his blurred vision miraculously cleared somewhat. He finally saw Gu Jianli’s eyebrows and eyes clearly. Ji Lan felt a bit dazed, belatedly realizing it was not an illusion.
He saw Gu Jianli’s tightly furrowed brows, her slightly angry expression, and the worry tinged with red in her eyes.
“No…” Ji Lan coughed out a mouthful of blood.
As he spoke, blood surged from within him, the metallic taste almost unbearable.
“What do you mean ‘no’?” Gu Jianli stared intently into Ji Lan’s eyes. “Were you lying to me? My aunt is not in your hands?”
Ji Lan took deep breaths, suppressing the taste of blood. Once his breathing stabilized, he managed to utter with difficulty, “Yes.”
Gu Jianli immediately breathed a sigh of relief, her grip on Ji Lan’s collar gradually loosening. She had suspected that Ji Lan might just be using Lady Li as an excuse to deceive her. But as long as there was a possibility, she couldn’t ignore it.
Ji Lan, supporting himself on the table, slowly stood up and moved with difficulty. Gu Jianli stepped back two paces, retreating to Ji Wujing’s side, watching Ji Lan’s figure.
Below the platform, the civil and military officials, palace maids, and eunuchs all looked up at Ji Lan.
In his current state, not even Hua Tuo reincarnated could save him.
Ji Lan slowly walked to the edge of the high platform, blood flowing down his black dragon robe, forming a river. He turned his head slowly to look at Gu Jianli, a gentle smile curling his lips.
Meeting his gaze, Gu Jianli was momentarily stunned, a vague understanding dawning in her heart.
Ji Lan had never intended to use Gu Jianli as a hostage. Before the banquet began, he had anticipated today’s defeat.
Since he was young, Ji Lan had enjoyed walking alone along the red walls of this vast palace. He had walked alone his whole life. Inviting Gu Jianli to join him was just a wistful wish for her to accompany him for a short stretch on the green-brick road, even just a little. Having schemed all his life, he suddenly wanted to act freely for once. Unfortunately…
Ji Lan turned his head, looking down at the majestic and imposing palace that loomed like the jaws of a beast. He slowly spread his arms and leaped off the high platform.
Gu Jianli’s lips parted, her eyelashes trembled, and she turned her head away, suddenly feeling a pang of compassion.
Ji Wujing’s narrow fox-like eyes squinted slightly, glancing at her with the corner of his eye, and let out a light snort.
Gu Jianli quickly composed herself; today’s events were not over, and she couldn’t afford to relax her vigilance.
As Ji Lan’s body was being cleaned up, Prince Linsi stood up, looking around, and said, “The country cannot be without a ruler for a day; today we should establish a new emperor.”
Ji Yan could no longer contain the joy in his eyes. He had waited for this day for far too long. Since childhood, he had been unwilling to always fall short of Ji Chong. As a prince, how could he not have the ambition to inherit the throne? But Ji Chong was too outstanding, leaving the other princes far behind. No matter how much Ji Yan’s heart itched, he dared not harbor disloyalty.
It was Ji Lan’s secret machinations that had reignited his suppressed desires, and with Ji Chong’s death, he had truly become the heir apparent. He would never forget the dreamlike feeling he had then. Later, when the situation changed, and the throne was snatched away by Ji Lan, he lost the throne for a year and was finally about to reclaim it!
Thinking of this, he could no longer suppress his overwhelming joy, nor did he need to. He stood silently, head held high, waiting for the ministers he had arranged to propose him as the new emperor…
“…It’s a pity the crown prince died young; it is indeed a great loss for the Ji dynasty,” the Right Minister began a long speech, expressing his remembrance of Ji Chong.
As Ji Yan listened, he felt something was wrong. Reminiscing about Ji Chong was understandable, but why lament for so long? He glanced at the Right Minister, but the minister didn’t notice his look. Ji Yan frowned, coughed lightly, and signaled to Prince Guangxian.
Prince Guangxian gave a barely perceptible nod, stepped forward, and continued the Right Minister’s words: “The Right Minister speaks the truth. How wonderful it would be if the crown prince were still alive.”
The Right Minister nodded, but before he could speak, Prince Linsi interjected, “Fortunately, heaven has eyes and did not let the crown prince’s line be cut off. The young prince is wise and brave, just like the crown prince in his youth. Right Minister, you were once the crown prince’s teacher. In your opinion, how does the young prince’s talent compare to the crown prince’s youth?”
The Right Minister replied, “The young prince is not inferior to the crown prince.”
Ji Yan’s expression changed, and he asked in a deep voice, “What young prince? Right Minister and Prince Linsi, what are you talking about?”
The Right Minister, an elderly man with snow-white hair and soft features, gave an impression of great kindness. He looked at Ji Yan with benevolent eyes, stroking his white beard, and said, “Second Prince, you are indeed a person of deep feelings and righteousness. Braving danger, you entered the palace to clear the First Prince’s name and support the young prince in inheriting the throne. If the First Prince knew in the afterlife, he would surely be grateful.”
Ji Yan’s expression froze.
What nonsense was this old man spouting? He didn’t understand a single word!
Prince Guangxian was equally stunned. How was this different from what they had planned? Weren’t Prince Linsi and the Right Minister on their side? Was there a sudden change in the plan?
Confusion reigned.
Before Ji Yan could speak, Prince Linsi continued, “The Second Prince’s fraternal loyalty is not surprising; it is, in fact, expected.”
“Indeed,” the Right Minister replied with a smile.
Wen Jingshan, with a hoarse voice, expressed her gratitude, “Second Brother, we, mother and son, are eternally grateful for your great kindness. I also thank you on behalf of Ah Chong.”
Ji Yan’s face turned ashen in an instant.
He finally understood what was happening.
Nearby guards stepped aside, allowing Changling and Changlin to lead Ji Xinglou forward.
Ji Yan stared at Ji Xinglou, his anger boiling over, his hands trembling violently at his sides. Ji Wujing’s nephew was actually Ji Chong’s posthumous child? Why had he never considered this?
Ji Yan abruptly turned his head, looking at Ji Wujing.
Ji Wujing was leisurely walking down the stone steps on one side of the high platform with Gu Jianli. Gu Jianli said something, and Ji Wujing turned his face to her and smiled.
The two appeared relaxed and at ease, as if they had completely forgotten they were in the midst of a coup.
“Ji Zhao!” Ji Yan pointed at Ji Wujing, shouting angrily. His intense rage made his hand shake uncontrollably.
It was all a lie! Everything was a lie! Ji Wujing’s defection had been false from the start! Ji Yan had been used as a stepping stone, like a fool!
Ji Wujing lazily turned his head, looking down at Ji Yan from the white stone steps, and drawled, “The Second Prince not only went through fire and water for the First Prince but also willingly gave up the throne, returning it to the First Prince’s bloodline. Truly a noble act.”
Ji Wujing’s fox-like eyes glinted with amusement as he smiled, “Thank you, Second Prince.”
There were many ways to elevate Ji Xinglou, but none as convenient as having Ji Yan step aside willingly.
“You’re dreaming!” Ji Yan spat, his throat filling with the taste of blood.
He turned in fury, glaring at the assembled ministers.
“Lord Jiang!”
Lord Jiang smiled and praised, “Second Prince, your righteousness is commendable!”
“General Song!”
General Song saluted and proclaimed loudly, “I have followed the Second Prince’s orders to defend the palace gates and assist the young prince in ascending the throne!”
“Lord Lin!”
Lord Lin, with a submissive demeanor, responded cheerfully but said nothing more.
These were all his people! Why were they all turning against him today? In an instant, Ji Yan felt a chill run down his spine.
“Prince Guangxian!” Ji Yan finally looked to Prince Guang Xian, placing his last hope in him.
Surely Prince Guangxian hadn’t been bought by Ji Wujing as well?
Indeed, Prince Guangxian had not been bought. However, surveying the situation, he wisely chose to step back.