Footsteps approached the main gate. Yu Fulan and Meng Xizhao looked up.
Seeing Cui Ye, Meng Xizhao froze, instinctively standing.
Yu Fulan, realizing the weight of his earlier comment, turned pale and worriedly glanced at Meng Xizhao, fearing his careless words might have affected him.
He considered trying to remedy it, but before he could speak, Zhang Shuogong came rushing over, grabbing Yu Fulan’s shoulder armor. “Have Zhen Anluo’s children been captured? Come with me and help search. Though the palace is newly built, perhaps Zhen Anluo left secret passages. We cannot let them escape.”
Meng Xizhao: “…………”
His lips twitched as he ran faster, brushing close along the walls. The sounds ahead grew clearer; soon, the chaos would reach him. Civilians peeked from the alleys, curious about the commotion, while Nanzhao soldiers rushed toward the palace.
Everything was in complete disarray. Flames erupted here and there. Following the route etched in his memory, Meng Xizhao arrived at a hidden alley and saw a figure waiting.
Gu Pingting sighed in relief. “Sir, what do we do next?”
Meng Xizhao studied her attire carefully before answering. “Next, we go to the palace.”
Gu Pingting froze. She hadn’t expected him to intend for her to enter the palace—at a time like this, going in to kill would be almost certain death.
“Enter the palace? Me?”
Meng Xizhao nodded. “But first, some preparations. Wash your face, then change your clothes.”
Gu Pingting didn’t fully understand but saw the towering flames in the distance and nodded. “Alright.”
……
Under the dark, windy night, the palace was ablaze.
Zhen Anluo, asleep, was bound like a pig by the Daqi Precedent Guards. Any attempt to rescue him was blocked, as the guards used him as a human shield.
Meanwhile, Luosahua, restless and anxious, noticed intruders in her palace. A scream drew the guards outside, but following Cui Ye’s orders to capture her at all costs, the Daqi guards did not hesitate—they fought directly. When overwhelmed, they toppled pillars, sparking fires.
Yes… ambushes are universally similar: capture first, set fire later.
If Yin Liu were here, he would certainly feel vindicated.
Luosahua fled, but before she could leave the palace, a wave of Daqi soldiers poured in, cutting down anyone in their path like demonic Asuras.
Unprepared and defeated, she was soon captured, her appearance disheveled.
Only then did Meng Xizhao and Gu Pingting slip in quietly. Having spent nearly a month surveying the palace, Meng Xizhao knew every corner, every step.
His map highlighted Zhen Anluo’s bedchamber and Luosahua’s West Palace. The East Palace was irrelevant—the occupants were already dead.
Following the map, they reached the East Palace without encountering Daqi soldiers.
Suddenly, Meng Xizhao pushed open a door. Inside, a palace servant hastily packed valuables. Shocked to see intruders even here, she knelt and pleaded.
Meng Xizhao ignored her, pushing Gu Pingting inside, then dashed away.
The two women stared at each other. Finally, Gu Pingting asked, “Who are you?”
The servant stammered, “I—I’m from the East Palace. Are you also Daqi?”
……
A few steps beyond, Meng Xizhao slowed.
The Daqi soldiers were now everywhere; the palace was fully under their control. A few spotted him and hesitated, briefly considering killing him to record the merit.
When they closed in, Meng Xizhao asked, “Where is General Zhan? Has General Ding entered?”
The soldiers froze, exchanging glances, then looked at him together.
……
Hearing that Meng Xizhao had been found, Yu Fulan’s jaw tightened. He hurried over to confirm.
Seeing Meng Xizhao, he nearly cried. “Sir Meng, finally!”
He rushed over, unloading all his frustrations. “You have no idea what I’ve endured! Sir Meng, never let this happen again—you see? My clothes are all too big now!”
Meng Xizhao: “…………”
He waited, realizing Yu Fulan only came to vent, having no knowledge of Cui Ye’s location. So he asked, “The Crown Prince?”
Yu Fulan shook his head. “I don’t know. I only entered with your waist token. The Crown Prince ordered me to capture Zhen Anluo and his daughter. He must have gone with the army; I don’t know where they are.”
Meng Xizhao nodded and lowered his head, pressing his fingers together.
Sensing something was off, Yu Fulan asked, “Don’t want to see the Crown Prince?”
Outside, the news that Meng Xizhao had arrived safely spurred the Crown Prince to rush in. Just as he crossed the threshold, he overheard Yu Fulan’s question. Meng Xizhao, head bowed, said nothing.
His heart skipped a beat.
Zhang Shuogong, arriving with him: “…………”
Yu Fulan, think carefully—if you keep this up, you’ll only ever become a platoon leader.
After Yu Fulan was dragged out, Zhang Shuogong turned back to close the gate for them.
Meng Xizhao: “…………”
Cui Ye glanced at the now-closed gate, then back at Meng Xizhao.
Unlike before, Meng Xizhao was no longer talkative. When he first saw Cui Ye, his eyes had flared with excitement—but it quickly faded. He pressed his lips together and lowered his head.
His reaction could easily be misinterpreted.
Outside remained chaotic, but inside, only the flickering candlelight moved across the room. Cui Ye paused, then approached Meng Xizhao.
Step by step, until only a fist’s distance separated them, he stopped.
After a moment of silence, Cui Ye gently lifted Meng Xizhao’s jaw. Without much effort, Meng Xizhao raised his head.
Furrowed brow, eyes avoiding his gaze.
Cui Ye asked, “Why won’t you look at me?”
Meng Xizhao: “…I’m afraid.”
Cui Ye: “Afraid of me?”
He lowered his eyes again, but since Cui Ye still cupped his face, he could only glance down. “Afraid you’ll be disappointed… and won’t tell me.”
Cui Ye was taken aback. Meng Xizhao sniffled, then pulled a handkerchief from his chest, revealing the shattered jade pendant inside.
He hadn’t opened it for days. Seeing it now, his nose tingled. He pitifully held the broken pendant before Cui Ye.
“Look… it’s broken. I—didn’t protect it.”
Cui Ye stared, momentarily stunned. Finally, he said, “…It doesn’t matter. As long as it protected you, that’s enough.”
Meng Xizhao lifted his eyes at last.
Knowing Cui Ye wasn’t unwilling to see him, relief washed over him. Cui Ye returned a calm, forgiving smile.
Then, unexpectedly, Meng Xizhao burst into tears.
“This was the Empress’s relic!”
Cui Ye: “…………”
He froze, unsure how to comfort him. “Your mother left many relics; this pendant is only one of them.”
But Meng Xizhao sobbed bitterly. “This pendant is important to you!”
Cui Ye chuckled. “A mere object can’t compare to you.”
Meng Xizhao clutched the handkerchief to his chest, wiping tears with his sleeve. “It was your first gift to me!”
This time, Cui Ye didn’t reply immediately. After a quiet moment, he finally said firmly, “It won’t be the last. I will give you many more gifts.”
Meng Xizhao: “I just want this one!!!”
Cui Ye: “…………”
Seeing Meng Xizhao so stubbornly childish, Cui Ye felt a warmth in his chest. The sight of him crying melted something inside.
His voice softened. “When we return, have a master craft it in gold, so you can embellish it however you like.”
Meng Xizhao looked at him, eyes red, face full of doubt. “Really?”
Cui Ye smiled. “When have I ever lied to you?”
For Meng Xizhao, this was a new world—he had little experience with jewelry. In his past life, he never touched ornaments. Now, seeing a fractured jade, even a slight flaw seemed impossible to him.
Blinking, he finally stopped crying. He cleared his throat, trying to appear serious—but it came out wrong.
“I want to make a puppy design, so the puppy sits on the break like it’s eating the moon.”
Cui Ye indulgently suggested, “Or the puppy could cradle the moon.”
Meng Xizhao: “…………”
He peeked at Cui Ye, realizing a moment too late how intimate the closeness felt. Just as he didn’t know what to say, Cui Ye stepped closer. They were already nearly pressed together.
Cui Ye whispered, “The puppy can cradle the moon, but can you be cradled by me? For a month, I worried about you every day. Now we meet again, it feels unreal. Will you… ease my doubts?”
Meng Xizhao: “……”
This scheming man—he just wants a hug, wrapped in all these elaborate words!
Meng Xizhao glanced at him, feeling the Crown Prince’s grand aura falter. He stiffened, refusing to move. Cui Ye fell silent, not pressing him after such tears.
After a pause, Meng Xizhao, hesitant, leaned in, opening his arms. He rested his chin on Cui Ye’s shoulder—the first hug felt awkward.
He blinked upward, then shifted to press his face against Cui Ye’s collarbone, forehead against his neck.
This position felt better. Previously, he’d felt distant; now, his heart calmed. Yet he still felt aggrieved, wanting to complain.
Meng Xizhao: “When I was first captured, I was soaked in rain all day. My clothes clung to me—it was unbearable.”
Meng Xizhao: “The Nanzhao people are terrifying. They treated us Daqi people like animals. I had two nightmares of being forced to labor there, with no one from Daqi coming for me… it was hopeless.”
Meng Xizhao: “Luosahua even tried to kill me—she had the knife at my throat. I was terrified… I thought if my people were here, they’d never let me suffer like that alone.”
He paused, waiting, only to notice that Cui Ye remained silent. In that moment, Meng Xizhao felt the kind of indignation women often experienced.
Straightening up with a snap, he glared at Cui Ye. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Say something! Comfort me!”
Cui Ye watched the animated expression on his face, still silent, until he suddenly reached out and pressed Meng Xizhao back against him.
The sudden tightening of his arms nearly left Meng Xizhao gasping.
Just as he tried to kick in protest, Cui Ye finally spoke. “Those who harmed you… I’ll make sure they can neither live nor die. Be good, Er Lang, and let me hold you again…”
Hearing the tremor in Cui Ye’s voice, Meng Xizhao froze, then calmed down completely.
He didn’t confess that he had missed him, didn’t tell him about the fear he endured. Instead, he spoke only of the jade pendant, of grievances. Only he knew that this was his own nervousness in a foreign land—he couldn’t bring himself to mention his fear, for fear of breaking down.
His plan to go to Xiongnu had been carefully prepared; each step had a backup. He moved with confidence, not fear. But coming to Nanzhao was an accident—an uncontrollable variable. To put it bluntly, he could have died there at any moment.
Cui Ye, clever as he was, understood this, but his situation was no better. The only one who could save Meng Xizhao was him. He had to endure, to eliminate every threat to Meng Xizhao, until the day they finally met—without pause.
The past month had left both of their nerves taut, awaiting either good or bad news.
Such days… continued long enough, anyone’s mind might begin to fray.
……
That night was far from peaceful. Few slept soundly. By dawn, Yu Fulan had finally accounted for everyone: Zhen Anluo’s children, all captured. Nanzhao officials had seized the prime minister, though several ministers escaped. The Ningren Mansion ran red with blood, the sounds of battle unceasing. Meanwhile, the palace, most swiftly controlled, had become Daqi’s military base.
Each member of Zhen Anluo’s household remained guarded in separate rooms, with Yu Fulan assigning heavy security, yet he still felt uneasy and came himself to oversee the Nanzhao emperor.
Zhang Shuogong guarded the Crown Prince, though not for long—perhaps only two hours. Noting the time, he decided it was necessary to summon him.
With chaos everywhere, the Crown Prince couldn’t stay hidden while matters demanded his leadership.
He knocked lightly on the door, and the Crown Prince emerged. Clad in yesterday’s clothes, hair unchanged, he looked as if he hadn’t slept.
Zhang Shuogong blinked. “Your Highness, you didn’t sleep?”
Cui Ye: “No.”
Zhang Shuogong: “…………”
So the two of you just talked for two hours? Aren’t you tired?
Cui Ye set off, Zhang Shuogong trailing, then remembered someone still in the hall: Meng Xizhao. “Your Highness, isn’t Meng Xizhao coming out with you?”
Cui Ye shook his head. “He’s still resting. He’s endured too much recently; let him sleep a while longer.”
Zhang Shuogong stared oddly.
You didn’t sleep.
But Meng Xizhao did.
And while Meng Xizhao slept… what were you doing?
The thought struck him so forcibly that he smacked his own head, trying to erase the image.
Absolutely must not think about it.
Cui Ye watched silently. He had a good idea of Zhang Shuogong’s mental gymnastics, but chose not to explain. Whatever fantasies arose today, they would become reality tomorrow.
With that thought, Cui Ye smiled faintly, carrying perhaps the best mood of his life, and stepped out to fulfill his duties as Crown Prince.
＊
Yesterday, they had hugged, then sat down. As they sat, Meng Xizhao dozed off.
When he fell asleep, how he reached the bed—he had no recollection.
He slept until noon, waking refreshed, entirely free from the weight on his heart.
Even the Nanzhao sky seemed clear, no longer misty. Stepping outside, palace guards immediately turned and saluted, asking his instructions.
It was pure bliss.
Yes… this was the life he was meant to live.
He first inquired after Cui Ye, learning he was auditing Nanzhao’s treasury and treasures. Meng Xizhao hummed softly, then beckoned the guards.
“Follow me. I know this palace inside out. Not everyone here is Nanzhao. Some women were captured from Daqi—suffering all their lives, hoping for rescue. Treat them well.”
The guards, loyal to Cui Ye, felt moved by Meng Xizhao’s words.
A benevolent heart indeed, Governor Meng.
He led ten Daqi people to safety, helping them return home. Tears of gratitude rang out, while Nanzhao servants mourned uncertain fates.
For these, Meng Xizhao left them to Cui Ye’s discretion. He merely ensured his own domain was orderly, letting his kindness inspire loyalty.
Even when Gu Pingting, a stranger, appeared, no one minded—her presence did not disrupt the gratitude they felt toward Meng Xizhao.
The others had all been settled. The only ones remaining were Gu Pingting and the middle-aged woman who had served in the Eastern Palace for nine years.
Upon learning that Meng Xizhao was the Prefect of Longxing Prefecture, the woman was so shocked she could hardly speak.
After a long pause, she finally recovered enough to attempt kneeling before him, tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Your Excellency… thank you!”
Meng Xizhao quickly stepped aside, helping her to her feet. “You needn’t thank me. That you survived is not because of me—it’s the court’s incompetence that brought you to suffering, and it’s your endurance and perseverance that brought you home. I haven’t truly saved you; I’ve only saved myself. The one who truly rescued you… is yourself.”
Tears welled in her eyes. Meng Xizhao’s words struck a chord deep within her, and through her sobs she said, “Thank you, Your Excellency, for relieving my heart… for showing me that my survival has meaning…”
Meng Xizhao smiled faintly and let her go. “Wait here for a moment. I have something to discuss with this young lady.”
The woman tilted her head, letting out a distracted, “Ah,” as he moved to the inner chamber. Gu Pingting stood behind him, waiting.
Meng Xizhao turned to face her directly, bypassing any preamble. “You don’t need to return to Jiangzhou. Come back with me to Yingtian Prefecture. I’ve looked into Su Wanjun’s case before. Perhaps we can overturn it.”
Gu Pingting paused. “My master… was truly innocent?”
Meng Xizhao lowered his gaze. “I don’t know. But I do know that Prefect Su could never have done what they accused him of—he couldn’t have taken 1.95 million taels from the 2 million taels of disaster relief on his own, bypassing the transport commissioner.”
Qiu Suming had treated the entire court as blind.
Yet, because Grand Preceptor Gan obstructed matters and Emperor Tianshou did nothing, the court indeed all played blind.
Gu Pingting took a moment to absorb this, then asked, “So you want me to go to Yingtian Prefecture… to testify?”
Meng Xizhao smiled. “No. You were far too young then—no one would believe you. Rather, if the Su family’s case is overturned, someone must claim the compensation owed over all these years. Madam Su has passed, and Lady Su has also perished. You were like a sister to Lady Su, so it should be you to claim it. Far more proper than a distant branch of the family.”
Gu Pingting looked at him in astonishment. “B-but I’m only a maid… I can’t—”
Meng Xizhao interrupted her. “Then we’ll say you were adopted by Madam Su. With me protecting you, no one can probe your identity.”
Her face displayed sheer shock. Meng Xizhao took a chair and sat, continuing deliberately. “I cannot guarantee everything else, but I will ensure Prefect Su’s case is overturned. When you appear in Yingtian as a member of the Su family and reclaim what was rightfully theirs, your future will be secured. Whether you marry, or find a place to live freely, you can live as you wish. No one will intimidate you, and no one will make you suffer. You will live well.”
Gu Pingting looked at him.
After all this time, she had come to understand what kind of man Meng Xizhao was. In her presence, he never lied; every word he spoke came true.
Yet imagining the future he described, she could not feel joy.
“This should all have belonged to my lady…”
Meng Xizhao hummed. “But she is dead and cannot receive it.”
The blunt truth hit harshly. As someone who had been like a sister to Su Ruozun, it was even more piercing.
A surge of frustration welled up in Gu Pingting.
If only they had waited another year… if only her lady’s temperament had been less fierce… if only Nanzhao had fallen sooner… if only the Three Commissioners had targeted someone else, not the Su family…
It seemed that Su Ruozun’s life had been misaligned from the start. The daughter of a prominent family, who should have been cherished, had suffered her entire life—bitter at birth, bitter in death.
The more Gu Pingting thought, the deeper her resentment grew. Then suddenly, an idea struck her. She lifted her head sharply, looking at Meng Xizhao.
He met her gaze calmly, without evasion.
Gu Pingting: “…Your Excellency, is this the only choice you’ve prepared for me?”
Meng Xizhao could not help a faint smile. “You’ve seen it clearly. I need not wait. There is another choice—also to Yingtian Prefecture, but not as a survivor of the Su family. Rather, as yourself, bringing honor to the Su family.”
Gu Pingting remained expressionless, watching him.
Meng Xizhao pursed his lips, then spoke without reserve, outlining his plan. “To be frank, in the palace, I lack someone capable. I hope you can replace Lady Su Ruozun, becoming Su Wanjun’s daughter. I will place you in the palace as a consort. Many things I wish to accomplish will require a consort’s assistance. If you help me, I will help you—overthrow the Three Commissioners, remove Grand Preceptor Gan, and ensure all Su family members are vindicated.”
After a long pause, Gu Pingting asked with difficulty, “Why me? She was a criminal…”
Meng Xizhao: “Being a criminal makes it easier to control. Besides, once the case is overturned, she will no longer be a criminal.”
Gu Pingting looked torn. Thinking she feared danger, Meng Xizhao added, “Once inside the palace, I will protect you. The Crown Prince is there as well; he will guard you. And this won’t last long. When the Crown Prince ascends, you will be the highest-ranking consort in the harem, wealth and honor guaranteed.”
There was one thing Meng Xizhao did not say.
Given the Crown Prince’s current state… there may never be an empress, and concubines are unlikely. Children? None. When the time comes, a royal relative’s child will be adopted, and that child could be entrusted to Gu Pingting. In this way, when Cui Ye eventually abdicates, she would still have her own leverage.
At the same time, Meng Xizhao would not need to worry about the child being raised poorly. Any child nurtured by Gu Pingting as her own would be incredibly fortunate.
But all of this was far in the future—there was no need to mention it now. Besides, Meng Xizhao feared that if he spoke, Gu Pingting might think him mad.
…………
Pressing his lips together, Meng Xizhao waited for her reply. After nearly a minute, Gu Pingting slowly lifted her eyes. “Can’t I enter the palace under my own identity?”
Meng Xizhao was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “No. I’m sorry, your status is too low.”
Gu Pingting did not feel offended. Instead, she looked thoughtful. “Then in the future, I shall be Su Ruozun.”
Meng Xizhao looked at her seriously. “Are you sure? Once your identity is changed, it can never be reversed. Whether in private or in public, you will always be Su Ruozun. Gu Pingting, as a person, will be treated as if she never existed.”
Erasing her own existence—many would find this unbearable. But Gu Pingting merely smiled. “It’s fine.”
Being able to stand in for her lady, keeping her name alive, brought her more joy than even her own life.
However, she had one objection. “Your Excellency, I am willing to follow your plan, but I do not wish for my lady to become a palace consort.”
Meng Xizhao paused. “Then what do you wish her to become?”
Gu Pingting looked at him earnestly. “Empress.”
“The title of palace consort is forgotten in history, but an empress is remembered. My lady has suffered so much—she deserves to be remembered forever by the world. So, Your Excellency, can you help me?”
Meng Xizhao: “…………”
He stared at her in shock.
Empress?!
This was the kind of grand claim he hadn’t even dared to imagine!
The position of empress—well, that belonged to Imperial Noble Consort Gan. How could Emperor Tianshou possibly establish another? Even if he wished it, Grand Preceptor Gan would never consent. They—
Wait.
Meng Xizhao froze.
It… might not actually be impossible.