Lin Zhiji’s words left everyone in the room stunned.
Setting Shen Xian and the others aside — even the generals who had been pushing for war had really only been after more military credit for themselves.
But no matter who it was, the phrase “a war that founds a new dynasty” seized hold of every mind in the room.
This was the merit of helping found an empire!
Even though they had all understood perfectly well that “Prince Regent” was meant only as a transitional title, the temptation of being able to settle the matter of succession once and for all — outright — was something none of them could resist.
But however incompetent the Emperor might be, he was still, undeniably, the legitimate ruler.
The full body of court officials would never allow a change of dynasty to happen so easily. Using the title of Prince Regent as a buffer would spare them a great deal of trouble down the line.
But now, hearing Lin Zhiji say aloud the very thing they’d all secretly been thinking, none of them could maintain that rational caution any longer.
Right at that moment, they received another piece of exciting news.
“What! The Crown Prince is planning to flee through Changhua Gate?!” Luo Zhitang stared at the messenger in disbelief.
The messenger was dressed plainly, his face smeared with yellow dye, giving him a sickly appearance — yet his sharp, lively eyes and the fine features the dye couldn’t quite hide made clear that he was no ordinary person.
It was Cen Xuezhou.
After Cen Junce learned of the Crown Prince’s and Ge Yan’s scheme, he had immediately written it into a coded letter. Something this critical, however, he didn’t dare entrust to just anyone — so he had given it to his own younger brother, Cen Xuezhou.
Cen Xuezhou had traveled day and night without rest, finally managing to reach Nanfeng City.
Xie Yi finished reading the coded letter from Cen Junce that had been presented to him. The cipher matched what they had previously agreed upon, confirming it was genuinely written in Cen Junce’s own hand.
Xie Yi remained deep in thought.
One general couldn’t contain himself any longer. “My lord, this is exactly the opportunity we need! If word of the Crown Prince’s escape spreads, the capital will inevitably descend into chaos. We could exploit that chaos and storm the capital…”
Even Shen Xian and the others didn’t push back against this idea now.
After all, their earlier reluctance had simply been about avoiding a costly direct assault on the capital — if the Crown Prince made a desperate last stand, the casualties would be unavoidable, which was why negotiation, if possible, had seemed preferable to outright war.
But now, with the Crown Prince voluntarily retreating and abandoning the capital, this was an opportunity none of them were willing to let slip by.
Shen Xian said earnestly: “If the Crown Prince is leaving through Changhua Gate, he must be heading north to seek refuge with his maternal uncle stationed at Changzhou. I propose we send a force to intercept and eliminate him, to remove any future threat.”
Listening to everyone weigh in one after another, Cen Xuezhou, knowing his task was complete, let out a long breath of relief — and then noticed Lin Zhiji sitting beside Xie Yi.
Lin Zhiji had never cared for the spotlight. During discussions like this, he typically preferred to stay tucked away in a corner.
But ever since that particular day, something had shifted in Xie Yi, and he had insisted that Lin Zhiji sit beside him from then on.
Unable to talk him out of it, Lin Zhiji had simply agreed.
So now the two of them sat together at the head of the room, his hand held in Xie Yi’s grip beneath the table. Even knowing the table hid it from view, he still felt a flush of self-consciousness over it.
Just then, he noticed Cen Xuezhou, standing below, smiling at him — and silently mouthing a single word.
Zhiji.
Since they had parted ways back in the capital, the two of them hadn’t seen each other in nearly two years. Seeing him again now, Lin Zhiji felt a genuine rush of delight.
Unfortunately, they were in the middle of a meeting, so the two could not speak. Lin Zhizhi could only mouth the words—long time no see.
Yet the moment he finished, the hand Xie Yi was holding tightened.
Xie Yi said lightly, “Young Master Cen has worked hard delivering this message all the way here. Someone, take Young Master Cen to rest properly.”
Cen Xuezhou did not think much of it.
He was not one of Xie Yi’s subordinates. If the matter had not been important, and if his older brother had not been unable to trust anyone else, he would never have been sent to deliver the letter.
But Lin Zhizhi knew exactly what Xie Yi was thinking and felt both amused and helpless.
He and Cen Xuezhou were only good friends, yet Xie Yi was jealous even over this.
The discussion among the group moved quickly, and Xie Yi soon made his decisions, issuing orders one by one.
The entire residence instantly became busy.
These matters had little to do with Lin Zhizhi, so he went to the guest courtyard to find Cen Xuezhou.
By then, Cen Xuezhou had already washed up, removing the dye from his face and revealing his true appearance.
Compared to years ago, he now carried even more of a gentle, scholarly air.
Though the two had not seen each other in a long time, neither felt any awkwardness.
Cen Xuezhou told him many interesting things that had happened in the capital, leaving Lin Zhizhi exclaiming in amazement again and again.
But Cen Xuezhou noticed the fleeting worry in Lin Zhizhi’s brows.
He had always been exceptionally good at reading people. Even when his older brother could not make sense of a person or situation, he would come back and ask for Cen Xuezhou’s opinion, and he had almost never misjudged.
After thinking for a moment, he asked, “Zhizhi, you and General Xie…”
Lin Zhizhi felt a little embarrassed, but still said, “Mm, we’re together now.”
“Congratulations!” Cen Xuezhou smiled, then lowered his voice. “Back then, I already felt he cared about you a great deal…”
Although Lin Zhizhi and Xie Yi had been together for a long time, being in love with another man was still shocking by the standards of this world, so they had never made it public.
But Cen Xuezhou’s attitude was natural, and Lin Zhizhi gradually relaxed, continuing the conversation.
Knowing that Lin Zhizhi was living happily, Cen Xuezhou said sincerely, “General Xie may seem cold, but he is actually deeply devoted. The two of you will definitely stay together for a long, long time and live happily.”
Hearing this, Lin Zhizhi froze.
A bitter confusion rose in his heart.
If his guess was right, this was very likely the final system mission.
Once the mission was completed, he would have to leave.
There was no future for him and Xie Yi.
Though Lin Zhizhi quickly hid his emotions, Cen Xuezhou still noticed.
He could not help saying, “Zhizhi…”
But before he could finish, Xie Yi, who had just entered, interrupted him.
Xie Yi was clearly here to find Lin Zhizhi, so Cen Xuezhou could only swallow the rest of his words and watch them leave.
Lin Zhizhi and Xie Yi walked through the garden.
Yet Xie Yi, who was usually decisive, seemed unusually hesitant now.
Lin Zhizhi knew this was the busiest time. Xie Yi would not come all the way here just out of jealousy and neglect important matters. If he came, it had to be for something important.
Seeing him hesitate, Lin Zhizhi grew even more curious.
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem with the military provisions?”
“No.” Xie Yi quickly denied it. Looking into Lin Zhizhi’s clear eyes, he finally said, “I sent Liu Muzhi to the team tasked with intercepting and killing the Crown Prince.”
Lin Zhizhi had not expected this topic. He paused before saying, “What’s the problem with that?”
Seeing that he still had not realized, Xie Yi continued, “Back then, Liu Muzhi and I made a deal. He willingly served under me, and in return, I would avenge his adoptive parents.”
Lin Zhizhi knew the Crown Prince was the one who had ordered the killing of Liu Muzhi’s adoptive parents, so he nodded.
“Now you’ve fulfilled your promise. That’s a good thing.”
“But if he kills the Crown Prince, he will completely cut off his path to the throne. From then on, he can only abandon his identity as the Seventh Prince and truly become my subordinate.”
Xie Yi’s gaze fixed on Lin Zhizhi, not missing even the slightest change in expression.
Only then did Lin Zhizhi understand.
He had wondered why Xie Yi suddenly brought this up. In the end, Xie Yi was still worried that what Lin Zhizhi had said before was not sincere—that he would ultimately stand on Liu Muzhi’s side.
So Lin Zhizhi said solemnly, “That is his own chosen path. I will only be happy for him.”
After speaking, he felt it was not enough.
So he rose on tiptoe and kissed Xie Yi on the lips.
“I will always stand on your side.”
Their soft lips parted almost instantly.
Looking at the gentle smile on Lin Zhizhi’s face, Xie Yi found himself unable to ask the questions he had intended.
He sighed inwardly.
Forget it.
As long as Lin Zhizhi stayed by his side, the truth no longer mattered that much.
—
News of the Crown Prince’s escape quickly spread throughout the capital.
The civil and military officials were in disbelief.
At first, they thought this was a scheme by Xie Yi’s side.
But they soon realized the Crown Prince had not appeared to discuss affairs for several days.
Previously, they assumed he was angry about their calls for peace and had shut himself away to express his dissatisfaction.
Only now did they realize something was wrong.
They rushed into the palace together and discovered not only that the Crown Prince was gone, but the Empress and Crown Princess had also vanished. Even the Emperor and the imperial physicians caring for him had been taken away as well.
The ministers were both shocked and furious.
Who could have imagined that before Xie Yi even attacked, the Crown Prince would abandon the city and flee?
Just as they were arguing noisily without reaching a solution, they received alarming news—
Xie Yi’s army had already arrived at the city gates.
If the Crown Prince were still here, whether negotiating peace or fighting to the death, they could continue.
But now that the Crown Prince had fled, the ministers had lost all will.
So less than a day after Xie Yi surrounded the city, the gates of the capital swung open, and a group of high-ranking officials came out in disgrace to welcome him.
Lin Zhizhi and Cen Xuezhou sat inside a carriage, entering through the city gates in a daze.
He had never expected that what he thought would be the hardest battle would be won without shedding a single drop of blood.
But entering the capital did not mean everything was over.
The officials in court were full of schemes.
Some tried to curry favor. Some wanted to fish in troubled waters while Xie Yi’s footing was unstable. Others relied on their status as senior ministers and hoped to suppress Xie Yi.
Dealing with these people was far more complicated than fighting on the battlefield.
Fortunately, Xie Yi had not spent these years idle. With the army at his side, he gradually straightened out court affairs.
Those who needed killing were killed.
Those who needed demotion were demoted.
The chaotic court quickly became clear and orderly.
There were still a few stubborn old officials.
But after hearing that the Crown Prince’s group had been attacked by bandits on the road to Changzhou and left with no bodies remaining, even they fell silent.
Everyone in court was shrewd.
How could they not know there was something suspicious about the Crown Prince’s death?
Yet every one of them kept their mouths shut, not daring to utter a single word.
Some clever ones even declared, “A nation cannot go a single day without a ruler,” and submitted memorials urging Xie Yi to ascend the throne.
At this point, no one dared mention titles like Regent Prince anymore.
Once the ascension was settled, although Xie Yi had not yet moved into the imperial palace, he still brought Lin Zhizhi to tour it.
“After this, you will live with me in the same palace hall. I have no need for a harem. If you have other uses for these palaces, you may arrange them as you wish.”
A faintly relaxed smile appeared on Xie Yi’s face. Even the eye clouded with gray seemed lighter in color.
Looking at Xie Yi’s spirited appearance, Lin Zhizhi said nothing.
“Zhizhi?” Xie Yi called.
Lin Zhizhi came back to himself. “Mm… what is it?”
“What’s wrong with you?” Xie Yi asked suspiciously.
Lin Zhizhi lowered his eyes to hide his emotions.
“Maybe I’m just a little tired lately. All those rituals are really exhausting…”
Xie Yi still felt something was off.
But afterward, Lin Zhizhi behaved no differently than usual, so he assumed perhaps he had been overthinking.
After all, Liu Muzhi had completely lost any chance of inheriting the throne, and Xie Yi was about to ascend the throne himself.
Their greatest problem had already been resolved.
Even if small issues remained, they still had many years ahead to slowly work through them.
That night, Xie Yi originally thought Lin Zhizhi had been tired during the day, so he planned not to be too rough.
But just as he withdrew slightly, Lin Zhizhi wrapped his arms around him.
His sweat-damp forehead pressed against Xie Yi’s chest, dark hair spilling loosely behind him as he unusually took the initiative.
Xie Yi let out a muffled groan and gripped his waist, asking in a hoarse voice, “Do you know what you’re doing?”
The corners of Lin Zhizhi’s eyes were red, candlelight reflecting shattered ripples of moisture in his gaze.
He said nothing, but tightened his arms further, leaning close to Xie Yi’s ear to whisper something softly.
Xie Yi’s eyes instantly darkened.
He bent down and bit his earlobe, grinding it lightly between his lips.
“You brought this upon yourself…”
With that, he pressed down without holding back.
Only then did Lin Zhizhi realize that Xie Yi had always been restraining himself before.
But the words had already left his mouth.
There was no room for regret now.
He could only clutch Xie Yi’s arm to keep himself from completely losing direction in the overwhelming tide.
At the very end, he suddenly gripped Xie Yi’s arm tightly.
His eyes lost focus for a moment.
Then, just as they closed, a tear slid from the corner of his eye into his hair.