The Empress had gone mad. The Emperor, from an unknown source, had found a woman and intended to crown her as the new Empress.
However, not a single minister dared to object.
Sheng Huai Zhi’s thunderous actions had silenced them all.
The Wang family's estate was confiscated overnight.
Even the Crown Prince was deposed in the blink of an eye.
He was accused of colluding with the Wang family and plotting rebellion.
It wasn't until the coronation ceremony of the new Empress that everyone finally saw the woman.
Clad in robes as red as blood, she entered from outside the hall like a vibrant flower.
Her appearance was strikingly identical to the previously missing Consort Yao.
Yet, upon closer inspection, her eyes were distinctly different.
"Long live His Majesty! Long live the Empress!"
Over the years, time had left little trace on Sheng Huai Zhi's face; aside from increased maturity, he seemed unchanged.
The new Empress appeared to be no more than twenty years old.
Younger ministers couldn't discern the truth, but the elder ones saw it. Still, they dared not speak of it, merely sighing and hoping that the past tragedies would not repeat.
They knew Sheng Huai Zhi's nature well and understood their own powerlessness to change anything; it would be like throwing an egg against a rock.
The coronation ceremony concluded without further incident.
…
“Sister A Jin, are you returning to Xi Liu City?”
“Jiu Jiu, take care!”
After their farewells, Liu Jin boarded the carriage.
Xiao Yuan rode his horse beside the carriage, escorting them.
Qin Jiu Jiu was reluctant to part with Liu Jin, but Xi Liu City had already been retaken by the Emperor’s forces, and someone needed to return to rebuild it.
On the very night the First Prince Sheng Xuan Zhi rebelled, not only was the Divine Observatory purged, but the Man Luo soldiers in Xi Liu City who had colluded with the First Prince were also eliminated by Sheng Huai Zhi.
The world finally saw what kind of ruler Sheng Huai Zhi truly was.
From that day onward, the Divine Observatory was sealed.
The Emperor of Sheng Qi Kingdom no longer pursued immortality.
The matter of crowning a new Empress seemed like a trivial affair amidst these events.
Liu Jin became the City Lord of Xi Liu City and returned with Xiao Yuan.
However, Liu Qi could not return to Chun Feng Du for the time being due to the Crown Prince.
The Eastern Palace became considerably desolate.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
Liu Qi had to resort to various means to enter the Eastern Palace, which was now sealed, preventing anyone from leaving or entering.
Even the Empress, it was rumored, had succumbed to madness due to the Wang family's affairs and was confined to her chambers.
“Xian Qing.”
The Crown Prince bore no resemblance to his former dignified self. He appeared to have aged several years overnight, his hair already showing streaks of white.
Seeing the once eloquent and refined youth in such a state, Liu Qi felt a pang of sadness and regret.
It had all happened in a single night.
There seemed to be no opportunity for anyone to intervene.
Yet, Sheng Xuan Yin, though raised under the Empress, had always kept his distance from the Wang family. How could he have plotted rebellion?
But for the Emperor to impose a charge, how difficult could it be!
“Your Highness, how can Xian Qing save you?”
Sheng Xuan Yin shook his head, as if defeated, his body unable to straighten.
He sat there, his face obscured by his bangs.
“Your Highness…”
Liu Qi refused to give up.
“Xian Qing, forget it. My father… he is far more than he appears. Under his rule, Sheng Qi Kingdom will expand its territory and enjoy eternal peace. I can… rest assured.”
A dark shadow emerged from the darkness.
Liu Qi stood outside Qin Jiu Jiu’s room, lost in thought for a long time.
He did not knock.
Until—
“Creak!”
Moonlight spilled onto the doorway, and a figure’s shadow fell on the ground.
Small in stature, with dark eyes that gleamed in the moonlight.
Liu Qi’s eyes finally held a flicker of other emotions.
“Brother Liu.”
Qin Jiu Jiu, surprised, stepped out and walked towards Liu Qi.
Liu Qi forced a smile.
“Jiu Jiu.”
But his smile was clearly different from his usual demeanor.
Qin Jiu Jiu noticed but didn’t pry.
“Brother Liu, are you troubled by something? If you have nothing to do tonight, why not join me for a drink?”
But what trouble could she possibly have?
She simply wished to offer Liu Qi some comfort.
In the darkness, something lurked, ready to pounce at any moment.
A fatal blow.
“That would be wonderful.”
Liu Qi smiled gently, and Qin Jiu Jiu returned his smile, her expression exceedingly sweet.
Under the cover of night, they sat at the highest point of the Star Observation Tower.
“Brother Liu, what is on your mind?”
Liu Qi shook his head. There were some things he could not tell Qin Jiu Jiu.
Qin Jiu Jiu understood his unspoken words and did not press further, changing the subject. “You needn’t take to heart what my father said, Brother Liu…”
Liu Qi heard this and turned his head to look at her.
He caught sight of her slightly flushed cheek.
A stirring in a certain part of his heart told him that he was fond of the woman before him.
However, Qin Jiu Jiu’s intentions were already clear.
Liu Qi, being a gentleman, would not force the issue. “Don’t mind it. Jiu Jiu, it’s late. After finishing this pot of wine, let’s head back.”
Qin Jiu Jiu nodded, then drained her cup.
Liu Qi escorted her to the courtyard where she resided before turning to leave.
“Jiu Jiu, regarding Uncle Qin, I’m afraid you’ll have to speak to him personally.”
This sentence seemed to imply something, yet also nothing at all.
Qin Jiu Jiu no longer dwelled on it, merely nodding. Her eyes were crystal clear, much like a luminous pearl.
“Creak!”
The room was shrouded in darkness, but as Qin Jiu Jiu entered, she was pressed against the wall.
The door was closed.
“Xie Jing?”
The familiar scent enveloped her, and in a moment, Qin Jiu Jiu recognized the person before her.
He remained silent, but the instant she spoke, he found her lips and kissed her.
His actions were rough and wild, leaving her no opportunity to refuse or to leave.
Qin Jiu Jiu knew that when Xie Jing was like this, it was usually because he had been provoked.
“Xie…”
But as she tried to speak, he took the chance to slip in, wantonly stealing her breath.
“Mmm… ah…”