The Prime Minister reacted quickly, but after glancing at Shangguan Ye and then at Murong Qiufeng, his expression turned somewhat subtle. His face flushed slightly as if he were a bit excited, and he coughed a few times.
The sound of his coughing immediately brought everyone back to their senses.
“Oh dear, my lord,” the Prime Minister’s wife quickly went to pat his chest to help him breathe more easily. Murong Qiufeng also hurried over, supporting the Prime Minister so he could sit up and catch his breath. “Father, shall I go and ask my master to come down the mountain and take a look at you?”
“No, no, it’s just a cold. Don’t trouble your master with this. Madam, please bring me some warm soup to soothe my throat.”
“Alright, you all have a good chat,” the Prime Minister’s wife, being sharp, immediately realized they had something important to discuss and left without further ado.
“Your Highness, please sit. Feng’er, you sit too. I have something to ask you.”
Shangguan Ye sat down without ceremony on another chair in the room but remained silent.
Murong Qiufeng nodded, sitting anxiously by the bedside, unsure of what his father wanted to ask.
After catching his breath and clearing his throat, Murong Xing asked, “Feng’er, tell me the truth—what’s the situation outside right now?”
“Well…” Murong Qiufeng’s heart tightened, and he hesitated.
“Don’t tell me everything’s fine. I have a general idea of what’s happening. I just want to know the truth: has your eldest brother really committed such treacherous acts?”
Murong Qiufeng’s heart sank. As expected, he couldn’t hide it. Yet, he didn’t know how to respond.
Seeing his hesitation, Shangguan Ye stepped in. “The evidence against Murong Hao is conclusive. I expect Hou Qianxing will soon come knocking.”
Despite having anticipated this and preparing himself mentally, the Prime Minister was still visibly shaken. His head spun with dizziness, and his coughing worsened.
Murong Qiufeng immediately moved to his father’s side, pressing several acupoints to ease his breathing. “Father, I’ll figure out a way to handle this. You needn’t worry. You must focus on recovering. The family still needs you to hold the fort.”
Murong Xing shook his head, waving his hand dismissively. He seemed to age in an instant. “No need. Don’t bother trying to save him. This is his own doing. Your Highness, please don’t hesitate to administer justice. If my cooperation is required, just let me know. It’s just a shame that after forty years of loyal service to Yan, I must now bear this stain in my twilight years.”
“One man’s crime doesn’t tarnish the entire family. Your contributions to Yan will be remembered in history. As for Murong Hao… perhaps his only option now is to sacrifice himself for the greater good.”
Murong Xing closed his eyes, exhaustion written across his face, as though he feared his tears might fall if he kept them open.
Murong Qiufeng sat beside him, deeply pained. Though he had never been close to his older brother, they were still family by blood.
“There may still be a way. If Murong Hao cooperates, he might earn a chance to atone for his crimes. His guilt won’t be erased, but he might at least keep his life.”
Suddenly, an alarmed cry came from outside.
“Young Master! Master!”
A guard, who had come to report Hou Qianxing’s arrival, unexpectedly encountered Murong Hao attempting to flee. The guard’s startled shout was cut short as Murong Hao pulled a dagger from his sleeve and stabbed him.
Hearing the scream, those inside the room were shocked. Shangguan Ye rushed out first, with Murong Qiufeng close behind.
As they opened the door, the sight of the dying guard lying in a pool of blood greeted them. A dagger was embedded in his abdomen, and he was barely breathing.
They exchanged grim looks, immediately realizing what had happened and sprinted outside. Just then, Hou Qianxing and his men appeared, searching the area.
“Did you see Murong Hao?” Shangguan Ye asked urgently.
Hou Qianxing looked surprised and shook his head. “No, I haven’t. Why?”
Their expressions darkened. Murong Qiufeng’s eyes widened with dread as he rushed back toward the courtyard.
Shangguan Ye followed, his face set in a cold, hard mask. Murong Hao hadn’t been spotted fleeing the courtyard, which meant he was still hiding nearby.
“Brother, what are you doing?!” Murong Qiufeng’s desperate, heartbroken voice rang out as he backed into the courtyard.
Emerging from the room, Murong Hao held the bloodied dagger in one hand and had his other arm wrapped around the Prime Minister’s shoulder, the blade pressed against his father’s throat.
His face was smeared with blood, his eyes red and wild. His grip on the dagger trembled.
“Stay back! All of you! Or I’ll kill him!”
The Prime Minister remained calm, though his eyes betrayed deep sorrow.
“Brother, look at what you’re doing! That’s our father! Can you really go through with this?” Murong Qiufeng’s face was pale, his voice filled with pain. His gaze remained fixed on the dagger, speaking cautiously to avoid provoking Murong Hao.
“Ah! My lord! Hao’er, what are you doing?!” The Prime Minister’s wife arrived, shrieking in terror.
“I know exactly what I’m doing!” Murong Hao snapped. “Don’t you all lecture me! Back off, or I won’t be responsible for what happens!”
Hou Qianxing’s face turned livid. “Murong Hao, how can you do this to your own father? Have you lost all humanity?”
“Don’t preach to me!” Murong Hao sneered. “He’s never truly seen me as his son! To him, I’m just an illegitimate child, a pawn to support Murong Qiufeng! Everything was supposed to be mine! I worked myself to the bone for this family, but the moment Murong Qiufeng showed up, everything was taken from me! The family, the estate, even the emperor’s favor!”
“You’re wrong, Hao’er,” the Prime Minister’s wife sobbed. “The lord always intended for you to inherit the family. Qiufeng was never a threat to you!”
Murong Hao laughed bitterly. “Don’t try to fool me! That sickly weakling can’t compare to me! Yet the moment he appeared, everyone turned against me!”
Murong Qiufeng’s face turned deathly pale, guilt and anguish welling up within him.
“You can’t compare to him,” Shangguan Ye’s voice suddenly cut through the tension—steady, calm, and cold.
The weight of his words stunned everyone. Their hearts raced. What was he trying to do, provoking Murong Hao like this?
