In the hidden corner of the dungeon, Qi Heng and Qin Yue stood quietly, watching as Qin Shi’s voice grew hoarse.
Qin Yue had learned the entire truth from Emperor Jin. It turned out that his sister had been loyal to the Emperor, even after marrying into Prince Chen’s household, where she continued to monitor the Prince’s every move.
As her older brother, Qin Yue had thought he understood his sister better than anyone. However, in reality, he had never truly understood her.
He had believed his sister to be gentle and kind, yet it was clear that despite Prince Chen’s consistent affection, she harbored feelings for other men. Even when she knew their child had been switched, she had remained silent, allowing the child to suffer in poverty and hardship among the common people.
His sister had deceived everyone. She had raised someone else’s child as her own, playing the role of a loving mother and pretending to adore Prince Chen to gain his trust. But in secret, she was acting as a spy for the Emperor.
Her disguise was too convincing.
So, when Qin Yue saw Qin Shi in her current state, his first instinct was not to feel sympathy but rather to wonder if she was feigning this condition to soften Prince Chen’s heart once again.
Qin Yue suppressed his burning anger and said, “Prince, let’s go outside to talk.”
He couldn’t allow Prince Chen to witness this any longer.
Qi Heng nodded, his gaze briefly scanning the almost transparent soul inside the dungeon, and then he and Qin Yue walked to the open area outside.
A line of guards on duty passed by, and they all saluted the two men. Qi Heng nodded in response.
“Prince, does Yuyao know about this matter… about that woman?”
Qi Heng shook his head. “I haven’t told her the truth.”
“She doesn’t know… good, it’s good that she doesn’t know.” Qin Yue repeated this phrase multiple times. “Let Yuyao believe that her mother was killed in an assassination.”
The child had already endured a lot during her first ten years, being abandoned by her biological mother. There was no need to burden her with this knowledge.
“I share the same sentiment,” Qi Heng spoke calmly. “Initially, His Majesty’s intention was to execute her. But as she was my legally married wife, and she gave birth to Yuyao, I pleaded with His Majesty to let her fake her death and escape, considering our past connections.”
“I’m sorry for the trouble caused by the consort,” Qin Yue’s eyes reddened, and Qi Heng sighed softly. “A Yue, Consort Qin has already passed away. Take her with you.”
The two returned to the dungeon, where Qin Shi had fallen into a coma. There was a cup on the ground, and some water had spilled.
“Poison was added to the tea. It should be enough for you to take her to a safe place.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Qin Yue felt both touched and ashamed. He was ashamed of what Qin Shi had done, yet touched by Qi Heng’s consideration for their old relationship and his willingness to let her go. Despite all her faults, she was his only family. After years of friendship with Qi Heng, he knew this all too well.
Qin Yue unlocked the dungeon, bent down, and lifted the person from the ground. He stopped in front of Qi Heng and assured with determination, “I know that my lord has thought this through carefully. After sending her away this time, she won’t have any chance to appear in front of outsiders again.”
Qi Heng remained silent, quietly watching him leave the dungeon.
The soul in the dungeon floated out, but it didn’t exit through the door. Instead, it intentionally passed through the iron bars.
Qi Heng raised his gaze to look at the soul and asked, “You suddenly changed your mind. Aren’t you regretting it?”
This soul was none other than Prince Chen.
Prince Chen’s soul smiled for a moment, “I initially wanted her dead. She gave me the life of a good daughter, and in this lifetime, she hasn’t had a chance to do those things. Perhaps, in the future, she won’t either. Over these past dozen years, apart from not loving me, she has done everything else very well. So, I spared her life, considering it payment for managing the mansion’s finances all these years.”
“Your soul seems to be getting lighter,” Qi Heng changed the topic.
Prince Chen scratched his head and then placed a hand on his chest, “It seems so. I feel like the resentment in my heart isn’t as strong as before.”
Qi Heng placed his hand on Prince Chen’s chest, and in no time, Prince Chen’s soul visibly solidified.
Prince Chen found it fascinating and patted his own chest, then looked at Qi Heng, “What did you do?”
He didn’t seem as transparent as before.
“Do you have any other wishes?” Qi Heng didn’t answer his question but instead asked one of his own.
“Wishes?” Prince Chen was puzzled. “My previous wish was to live and seek revenge. But now, it seems like I don’t have many wishes left.”
Qi Heng placed his hands behind his back and walked away, saying, “You still have time to think about it.”
…
The sun rose in the east and set in the west, as the days and nights passed by.
It seemed like in the blink of an eye for the people of Jin, there was a new person on the Dragon Throne in the imperial palace.
The new emperor’s reign was named Zhao.
On the second day after the new emperor ascended, there was no imperial decree for a general amnesty in the realm. Instead, a proclamation was issued declaring war on Northern Qi, with General Qin Yue leading the troops.
Northern Qi had used the pretext of an assassination attempt on Empress Dowager Qin Shi, who was none other than the late Empress of the Regent, to declare war due to their earlier defeat in the Battle of Zhao Pass.
The people of Jin were momentarily puzzled upon hearing the name Empress Qin Shi, only to realize that she was the regent’s wife who had been assassinated.
“Northern Qi is truly despicable. Although they never directly faced our Emperor on the battlefield, they resorted to such underhanded means in the shadows,” people lamented.
A man took the lead, and the crowd gathered around the notice board joined in the condemnation of Northern Qi’s treachery.
“You foolish people! This is clearly a false accusation against our lord!” The spies hidden in the crowd were infuriated. This was obviously a conspiracy fabricated by Jin, and they had never even considered harming that woman before she died.
“Who do you think you’re calling foolish people?” A woman nearby overheard his remarks and was not pleased. “It’s all written here in black and white. Who’s making false accusations?”
“It’s none of your business.” The spy glared at the woman and tried to walk away.
“You’re not going anywhere!” The woman grabbed his sleeve. “Today, you explain to me clearly who you think is foolish and who’s making false accusations!”
“Making a scene!” The spy forcefully removed the woman’s hand, but in response, the woman promptly fell to the ground, crying out, “Assault! Someone is assaulting another person in broad daylight!”
Many people had already gathered to watch by the notice board, and upon hearing the commotion, the crowd immediately surrounded them.
The spy realized the situation was turning against him, and attempting to escape was no longer an option as the crowd had encircled him.
“Spit!” Someone spat on him indignantly. “A young, strong man like you, bullying a defenseless woman – have you no shame?”
A woman picked up a cabbage from her basket and threw it at him before rushing to the fallen woman’s side to help her up.
“Guihua, did you fall somewhere?”
“Older sister, I’m fine, just got tripped over,” Liu Guihua replied as she used the support to stand up.
“You’re talking nonsense; I didn’t push you at all!” The spy angrily retorted, revealing that from top to bottom, the people in Jin were all shamelessly deceitful.
“Our Guihua is known for her friendliness to everyone in the neighborhood,” the woman said, pushing Liu Guihua behind her and glaring at the young man in front of her. “If it wasn’t for you pushing her, would she have held onto you and not let you go?”
“I didn’t push her at all!” The spy’s temples throbbed, veins bulging.
“Since you don’t admit it, I suggest we report this to the authorities,” someone loudly proposed.
“We can’t involve the authorities!” The spy instinctively denied it, but then he quickly realized, “I have things to do; involving the authorities will waste my time. You all just want money, don’t you?”
The spy took out a money pouch from his waist. “Here, take it. Can I go now?”
“Who wants your money!” Liu Guihua leaned forward, snatched the money pouch, and threw it back into his arms. “Don’t insult people with your filthy money. Today, I’m going to report to the officials and demand justice from them.”
“You’re really causing trouble, mad woman!” The spy fumed; if it weren’t for the many people around, he would have dealt with this woman already.
“What are you all doing here?” A loud voice suddenly came from outside the crowd.
“Leader Zheng!” Liu Guihua pointed at the spy. “This man pushed me and won’t admit it. I want to report to the authorities, and he’s trying to escape. Our fellow villagers are all here to witness.”
Zheng’s eyes glittered, and he instructed the people behind him, “Go, take them all with us.”
The spy was furious but found himself in a difficult situation. He was using a civilian identity, couldn’t reveal his martial skills, and had to put on a show of being wronged and angry as these patrolling soldiers took him away.
“Let’s go,” Zheng glanced at Liu Guihua and gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”
The spy had expected to be taken to the patrol station, but as they walked further, he felt increasingly uneasy. “Where are you taking me?”
Liu Guihua grinned and bared her teeth, “Of course, we’re taking you, this spy, to the prison.”
“What nonsense are you talking about!” The spy glared fiercely at Liu Guihua, then turned his gaze to Zheng. “Do you have some close relationship with her, so you’re deliberately using a pretext to favor her and pervert justice?”
“Why do you care about our relationship? Tell me, who is the person you’re talking about?” Liu Guihua asked with a cheerful smile.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about!” The spy angrily turned his head away.
“Don’t play dumb. You’re not the first one we’ve lured in,” Liu Guihua patted his shoulder.
The spy’s agitated expression suddenly froze. “I’m not the first one you’ve lured in?”
“Yeah, there were a few small fish like you caught before. But don’t worry; you’ll soon be reunited with the fish in the cell.” Liu Guihua said with a grin. “We didn’t expect you spies to be so clueless. Doesn’t Qi train you at all?”
No wonder these past few days those spies suddenly lost contact.
The young spy’s eyes rolled back, and he fainted from anger.
“All right, take him to the cell,” Zheng stopped at the entrance to the dungeon. “I’ll head back to the palace and report this to His Majesty.”
Liu Guihua waved her hand. “Don’t worry; he won’t escape. Safe travels, Leader Zheng.”
Zheng Yi returned to the patrol barracks, took his horse, and rode swiftly to the palace gates. As the leader of the Imperial Guards, he encountered no obstacles after presenting his waist token, allowing him to enter the palace freely.
At this moment, Qi Heng was in the Taigeng Palace. Since Emperor Jin had abdicated, he had moved to the Taigeng Palace to reside. Whenever Qi Heng had some free time, he would come to discuss the current state of affairs with Emperor Jin.
Zheng Yi arrived during one of these sessions, and with Emperor Jin’s consent, he was ushered in.
“I pay my respects to Your Majesty and the Former Emperor.”
“Rise,” Emperor Jin said, and Zheng Yi stood, bowing in respect. He then recounted the events involving the capture of another spy.
“You really hit the bullseye with that adopted daughter of yours, the one you plan to grant marriage to,” Emperor Jin said with a lighter tone today, as he was in a relatively good mood.
“I’ve heard you intend to arrange a marriage for her?”
Qi Heng glanced at Zheng Yi and chuckled, “It’s not that I intended to arrange a marriage; she requested it herself.”
Emperor Jin was momentarily surprised and somewhat incredulous. “Zhao Yan’er doesn’t seem like… the daring type.”
As Zheng Yi became increasingly uncomfortable with the conversation, he bowed and said, “I shall return to my patrol duties. Please excuse me.”
Qi Heng waved his hand, allowing Zheng Yi to leave, and Emperor Jin, still puzzled, asked, “Why did he leave so quickly?”
“Because he’s the reason Zhao Yan’er became bold,” Qi Heng explained in a single sentence, clearing Emperor Jin’s confusion.
Emperor Jin chuckled and then furrowed his brow as he asked, “What are your chances in this upcoming battle?”
“I won’t engage in anything without assurance,” Qi Heng calmly replied. “Brother, you should rest. I’ll return to handle state affairs. Zhao Yan’er gave me a prescription before. I’ve already instructed the Ministry of Works to test it.”
“Go ahead,” Emperor Jin waved his hand. After Qi Heng left, Emperor Jin turned to Lin Dahai, who was standing nearby. “It’s been a while since I’ve been outside. I’d like to go out and soak in the sun.”
Lin Dahai, seeing the Emperor’s condition, felt a lump in his throat. “I’ll assist you, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Jin got up, and a palace maid stepped forward to drape a cloak around him. Lin Dahai reached out to support his arm, but the Emperor stopped him. “I have some strength today; you don’t need to help me walk.”
Emperor Jin walked along the veranda to a pavilion where the sun could reach him. Palace attendants brought a rocking chair, which was cushioned with a layer of bedding. Emperor Jin lay down on it without feeling the cold.
With his eyes closed, he folded his hands over his abdomen and sighed, “The sun today feels so comfortable.”
Lin Dahai stood quietly behind Emperor Jin. This moment marked the beginning of twilight.
“Your Majesty, it’s time to return.”
“Let’s go.”
Half a month later, news of a great victory for the Jin army on the front lines arrived. Meanwhile, in the south, the State of Wei, taking advantage of Jin’s diversion of Qi forces, launched a surprise attack on Sishui Pass and achieved a resounding victory, capturing seven cities of Northern Qi.
Jin and Wei caught Qi off guard, and under the pressure from both sides, Qi suffered continuous defeats. Eventually, they submitted a surrender letter, relocated their capital, and retreated to the north of the grasslands.
On the day the news of the great victory arrived, Emperor Jin, Qi Xianlong, held a grand banquet in honor of the triumph.
The following day, Emperor Wei personally sent an envoy to Jin with a letter proposing a 50-year peace treaty between their countries. This treaty would allow free movement of people between the two nations during this period.
Qi Heng responded with agreement, and in his letter, he suggested that it was time for his eldest nephew, Crown Prince Qi Shao, to return to Jin.
After the funeral of the late Emperor and his interment in the imperial mausoleum, an envoy from Wei arrived, requesting that Crown Prince Wei Chao personally go to Jin to sign the 50-year peace treaty.
Meanwhile, in the Wei capital, Crown Prince Qi Shao and his companions were also included in the group headed for Jin.
The moment Qí Shao received the news, tears welled up in his eyes.
After hearing that his father, the emperor, was passing the throne to Qi Heng, Qi Shao even briefly suspected whether Qi Heng was afraid he would seize the throne, deliberately sending him to Wei State as a hostage.
From Wei State to Jìn State, the convoy traveled for over a month. When they arrived, a thick layer of snow had already accumulated on the carriages.
Qi Shao pulled back the curtains and looked outside, feeling that the streets of the capital city were particularly familiar.
