Warm sunlight scattered over the courtyard of the Western Depot. Under a withered willow tree was a rattan chair. Chen He, dressed in a blue robe, leaned back in the chair, his eyes closed, and his long, clean fingers gently stroking the snowball on his lap. Normally, he wasn’t a lazy person. Even when relaxed, he didn’t exhibit much laziness, maintaining a cold and aloof demeanor.
It was only when Ji Wujing approached that Chen He opened his eyes and greeted, “Senior Brother.”
“Get up, let’s go start a rebellion.”
The snowball lying on Chen He’s lap was woken up by the noise. It stretched lazily and nuzzled Chen He’s palm with its head.
Chen He glanced down at it, lifting its face in his hand. The snowball habitually tilted its head, nuzzling his hand more forcefully. Chen He looked at the snowball, smiling gently, and said, “Senior Brother should find someone else. You know I dread trouble.”
Suppressing his impatience, Ji Wujing said sarcastically, “If you enjoy petting cats and basking in the sun so much, why not go to the seaside? You can listen to the waves and watch the tides, how delightful. Staying here in the Western Depot isn’t a hassle?”
“Senior Brother, you misunderstand. While the Western Depot has many affairs, if I manage them properly, there are responsible people for each matter. I only need to check occasionally. At most, I might mediate a conflict or two. If you’re interested, I can share some management experience.”
The Xuetuan slowly climbed up Chen He’s spotless blue robe, placing its little paws on his shoulder and nuzzling his chin.
Ji Wujing watched and said helplessly, “Chen He, she’s already dead. Concubine Xue is dead, completely dead, and has nothing to do with this cat.”
Chen He’s fingers, lightly stroking Xuetuan, paused momentarily before continuing to gently caress its soft fur. He replied, “I know.”
But it is her last connection to this world.
Chen He gazed down at Xuetuan. His face always wore a gentle smile, long devoid of sorrow.
At fifteen, he accompanied her from the distant Beichuan, leaving their homeland for an arranged marriage far away, and entered the palace with her. Two years later, she passed away, leaving him alone in this foreign land. In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed.
The willow sapling she sent had grown, shedding seeds in March and providing shade in summer. Even in the cold winter, it accompanied him.
He had promised her he would live well, seriously live, and protect her clan.
Ji Wujing took a step forward, crouching lazily beside Chen He, eye to eye, for once speaking seriously, “Senior Brother knows you don’t care who becomes emperor. You just want to be the Supervisor of the Western Depot, spending time in this courtyard, under this willow tree, with your cat. But think about it, if my son becomes emperor, wouldn’t your life be even more stable?”
Chen He looked at Ji Wujing.
“You could be the Supervisor of both the Western Depot and the Eastern Depot,” Ji Wujing tempted. “Money, soldiers, all sent to the Xue Clan to ensure a hundred years of prosperity.”
Chen He stared at Ji Wujing for a long moment before finally speaking, “What exactly do you want me to do? I don’t think there’s anything the Western Depot can do that you can’t handle yourself.”
Ji Wujing smiled slightly, “It doesn’t make much difference whether you’re involved or not, but with you, it’s perfect.”
For the first time, a trace of exasperation appeared in Chen He’s calm eyes.
He said, “Just to be clear, I won’t do anything that risks my life.”
“Alright, alright, if the sky falls, Senior Brother will hold it up for you.”
When Ji Wujing and Chen He arrived at the banquet, it was precisely the moment Gu Jianli was stepping out from behind the screen.
“Gu Jianli?” Ji Pinglian’s expression shifted multiple times. She had been excited all day, thinking her father would be a hero, leading to her own future glory.
Her heart had been warm until Gu Jianli appeared, like a bucket of cold water was poured over her, making her slightly more alert.
Why was Gu Jianli here? Shouldn’t she have been taken by Batur? This was different from what she expected, which displeased Ji Pinglian. She appeared magnanimous, but was actually quite petty, having held a grudge against Gu Jianli ever since she embarrassed her at the last birthday banquet.
No matter how Ji Yan questioned, no matter how many witnesses he brought forward, and no matter how sharp the words of the court officials, Ji Lan remained composed. But when he saw Gu Jianli appear, he suddenly clenched the wine cup in his hand. He squinted slightly, staring at Gu Jianli as she approached step by step until she stood close to Wen Jingshan. Only then did Ji Lan speak slowly, “Does Princess Shengyi wish to get involved?”
“The Emperor’s tampering with the decree is a fact,” Gu Jianli replied, looking directly at Ji Lan.
Ji Lan stared into Gu Jianli’s eyes for a long time before suddenly letting out a soft laugh.
To think they would meet again under such circumstances today. He didn’t know whether it was fortunate or unfortunate. He slowly turned the wine cup, appearing somewhat lost in thought.
Ji Yan looked at Wen Jingshan, then at Gu Jianli, his confusion deepening. Why was Gu Jianli here?
In fact, he had struggled to find evidence of Ji Lan tampering with the decree and had resorted to fabricating evidence. With so much real evidence already present, he thought he could muddle through. Ji Wujing had sent Chang Ling to tell him that Chen He would testify at the national banquet, but Ji Yan didn’t trust Ji Wujing’s methods. He had captured an ignorant young eunuch, planning to make the eunuch provide false testimony. As expected, Chen He didn’t show up, and just when he was about to bring the eunuch forward, Gu Jianli appeared instead.
Whether it was Wen Jingshan or Gu Jianli, their appearance clearly helped Ji Yan. He should have been happy, but instead, a strange unease grew in his heart.
“Princess Shengyi, be careful with your words today,” said Prince Linsi.
Gu Jianli nodded slightly at him, her voice calm yet firm, “On the night of the late emperor’s passing, I was in the palace. I was the last person to see the late emperor. That night, a great fire broke out, and the current emperor and the fifth prince soon arrived. Upon learning of the emperor’s death, both princes rushed to retrieve the decree. The person named in the decree was indeed the second prince. The fifth prince wanted to send someone to invite the second prince, who had already left the capital, but was personally shot and killed by the current emperor.”
The banquet erupted in uproar, whispers growing louder and more chaotic.
“My wife is really beautiful,” Ji Wujing said lazily, with a hint of pride, from his corner.
Chen He turned his head and asked, “Did Senior Brother bring me here to see Sister-in-law?”
Ji Wujing ignored Chen He, his gaze fixed on Gu Jianli in the distance.
Ji Lan opened his mouth, wanting to say something to Gu Jianli, but in the end, he only smiled with a gentle elegance.
Over the past year, he had often thought of killing Gu Jianli. He had eliminated everyone who knew what happened on the day the late emperor died, so why leave Gu Jianli, who held his secret? He kept telling himself that Gu Jingyuan was still useful, and if he killed Gu Jianli, Gu Jingyuan would certainly retaliate.
But was it really just because of Gu Jingyuan?
Not entirely.
Do I regret it?
Ji Lan straightened up and slowly placed the wine cup on the table.
No, he did not regret it.
He had never regretted anything in his life.
Having nothing to begin with, he had climbed to his current position. Even if he lost everything again, he would not be at a loss.
As Ji Lan remained silent, the atmosphere at the banquet changed. Ji Lan’s silence at this moment seemed too much like an admission of guilt.
“Your Majesty, is what the Second Prince and Princess Shengyi said true?”
“Did Your Majesty frame the late Crown Prince, use the Second Prince’s hand to kill him, falsely accuse the Fourth Prince, tamper with the decree, shoot the Fifth Prince, and pursue the Second Prince? Are these accusations true?”
“Does Your Majesty have anything else to say?”
“I had the honor of educating you and your brothers when you were young, watching you grow up. Your actions deeply disappoint me.”
For a moment, the court officials began to denounce him collectively.
Dou Hongyan was sweating profusely. He hurriedly leaned toward Ji Lan and whispered, “Your Majesty, you must not give up. We still have fifty thousand Imperial Guards, the forces of the Eastern Depot, and the assistance of the Khagan of Wai Liang…”
Ji Lan raised his sleeve and slowly poured himself a cup of wine. He wore a faint smile, appearing calm and untroubled.
What use were the Imperial Guards, the Eastern Depot, and Wai Liang now?
Given today’s situation, with the court officials rebelling and the troops outside, the exposure of past events had left him without support. He had no people, no troops, no popular support.
Even if he fought desperately with these fifty thousand Imperial Guards today and won a temporary peace, the greater trend had already turned against him.
Besides, he had learned to endure from a young age and had no desire to continue a life on the run.
Unconsciously, the commotion in the hall ceased. Hundreds of people remained silent, their eyes fixed on Ji Lan on the high platform.
Ji Lan took a sip of the fine wine, savoring its sweetness as it flowed down his throat. His gaze fell on Gu Jianli below. He looked at Gu Jianli and slowly said, “Does the Princess miss her aunt?”
Gu Jianli’s expression changed instantly.
Ji Lan’s calm gaze swept over the entire court. “My second brother is virtuous and capable. I am willing to abdicate. To be honest, the abdication decree has already been written.”
Ji Yan was stunned, finding it hard to believe. He stared at Ji Lan’s face, trying to discern some clue from his expression.
Ji Lan stood up, and as he moved, all eyes followed him.
“Would Princess Shengyi be willing to accompany me to retrieve the abdication decree?”
Ji Lan’s suggestion startled everyone again. Could this be another scheme?
Ji Lan smiled gracefully, “The decree and the imperial seal are hidden in a secret place. Even if others were to dig up the entire palace, they wouldn’t find them. Would Princess Shengyi be willing to accompany me to retrieve the decree and the seal for the new emperor?”
Gu Jianli’s heart was in her throat, filled with thoughts of her aunt!
Could it be that her aunt had been captured by Ji Lan? This thought sent a chill through Gu Jianli. She couldn’t let her aunt endure any more suffering and pain!
“Alright, I will go with His Majesty,” Gu Jianli heard herself say.
No matter what Ji Lan had in mind, she had to go. Even if it cost her life, she had to go.
Before Chen He could react, he felt a gust of wind pass by, and his sword at his waist was gone.
Ji Wujing, expressionless, flew down from his hidden spot in the corner to the high platform as fast as the wind. In an instant, his figure crossed the entire banquet hall, landing on the platform. With a twist of his wrist, he plunged the sword into Ji Lan’s chest. Blood gushed out, staining the blade.
Even Dou Hongyan, who was guarding Ji Lan, didn’t react in time.
Ji Wujing looked at Ji Lan with disdain. Why so many words, why so much trouble? Just kill him and be done with it.
Let my little Lili go with you? Hah.
Gu Jianli stared blankly at the scene, too shocked to react.