Chapter 49

My lord, you are like the blazing sun, illuminating my heart to its depths...

When Lu Huaigui awoke, it was the dawn of the next day.

He slowly sat up, the Crane-Embroidered Great Cloak draped over him sliding down to his waist.

His hand instinctively reached out to touch the spot beside him. The cold straw mat still radiated faint warmth, as if someone had left only moments ago.

His head still throbbed faintly. He raised his hand to massage his temples, but froze mid-motion.

The shackles on his hands and feet had been removed.

He threw off the cloak and stood up. As he sat down at the table, his gaze snagged momentarily.

A letter and the prison cell key lay on the table.

Lu Huaigui picked up the letter and unfolded it.

Lu Huaigui:

May this letter find you well.

When I first saw you, you were kneeling in the snow, enduring humiliation. I had just transmigrated then, unaware of the atrocities the original owner of this body had committed against you, and ignorant of the depths of your suffering.

Yet I still saved you.

In good conscience, healing and saving lives is a physician's sacred duty. Selfishly, I rescued not you, but the past version of myself.

You and I are alike, yet different.

I am timid and cowardly, drifting through more than twenty years, never knowing what I truly seek.

But you are resilient and brave, willing to shatter your body and bones rather than fear Heaven's Will or fate.

You are the blazing sun, illuminating the depths of my heart.

My life has been a tumultuous journey, yet I am fortunate to have had you by my side.

Only through your existence did I realize that my sole desire in this life is for you alone.

You once said I was your variable, but to me, you are the one who changed my destiny.

Tomorrow is the Accession Ceremony. I've struck a bargain with Xia Houyu. Even if he doesn't keep his word, it will buy us some time.

That will be your chance to escape.

After you leave, I beg you, do not think of me.

Lu Huaigui stared blankly at the thin sheet of paper, his knuckles turning white as he gripped it.

He gently traced the words with his finger, and a teardrop splashed onto the paper, blurring the ink.

He wiped his face, his eyes bloodshot.

Just then, Xie Huainan's nonchalant voice cut through the air: "Hey, Lu Huaigui, are you coming or what?"

Snapping back to reality, Lu Huaigui folded the letter and tucked it into his inner robe, rising to walk to the prison bars.

Xie Huainan studied him for a moment, then waved his hand in front of his face. "What's wrong? Did the Heir Apparent rescuing you make you cry with gratitude?"

Lu Huaigui didn't reply, asking instead, "Is everything taken care of?"

Xie Huainan nodded, kicking the unconscious jailer and patting him down. "That's odd. Where's the key?"

Before he could find it, Lu Huaigui saw the cell door slowly creak open. Lu Huaigui stepped out.

"You had the key all along? Why didn't you get out sooner?" Xie Huainan asked.

Lu Huaigui ignored him and strode swiftly out of the cell.

Xie Huainan, abandoning his usual banter, grew uncharacteristically serious and followed Lu Huaigui.

Though still wounded, Lu Huaigui moved with the speed of a gale.

"Strange, though," Xie Huainan trailed behind him. "Did you know that today's Accession Ceremony wasn't for your Highness, but for Xia Houyu?"

Lu Huaigui froze in his tracks.

He whirled around. "Where is His Highness now?"

Startled by Lu Huaigui's fierce gaze, Xie Huainan replied, "I don't know."

Lu Huaigui's eyes narrowed, and he remained silent for a long moment.

He tilted his head back and took a deep breath.

"Xie Huainan, I have a favor to ask," Lu Huaigui said, his gaze heavy. "Would you help me find His Highness?"

Xie Huainan froze, noticing for the first time that the sword hanging at his hip was now in Lu Huaigui's hand.

"I'm going after Xia Houyu."

"You... what do you want with him?"

"Revenge."

Xie Huainan hadn't yet recovered his wits when he saw Lu Huaigui striding away, heading straight for the Accession Ceremony.

He clicked his tongue, scratched his head, and made his way to the entrance of the Imperial Prison.

A dense crowd of soldiers stood before him. Seeing his return, the leading general asked, "Your Highness the Heir Apparent, where is the Young Marquis? What are our orders now?"

"Find Your Highness the Crown Prince," Xie Huainan snapped. "If you can't find him, your entire families will be executed as collateral."

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.

"Did the Young Marquis say that?"

"...Xie Huainan snorted, annoyed. "What are you waiting for? Get moving!"

By the time Lu Huaigui arrived, sword in hand, Xia Houyu had already donned the Imperial Crown and Dragon Robe.

As if anticipating Lu Huaigui's arrival, Xia Houyu's expression remained unchanged.

He sat regally on the Dragon Throne, his folding fan swaying gently in his hand, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Junior Brother, you're quite prompt."

Lu Huaigui remained silent, glaring fiercely at Xia Houyu.

"Where is he?" Lu Huaigui slowly raised his sword, its tip aimed directly at the center of Xia Houyu's brow.

Xia Houyu smiled warmly, his jade-green eyes curving slightly. With a casual wave of his hand, the surrounding Imperial Guards swarmed around Lu Huaigui, encircling him completely.

Lu Huaigui's eyes darkened, his grip tightening on the sword hilt.

"Junior Brother, don't lose your temper," Xia Houyu rose to his feet, the hem of his robe brushing against the floor as his gaze settled on Lu Huaigui's shoulder. "After all, you're still wounded."

Lu Huaigui scoffed coldly, drawing his sword and slashing down several Imperial Soldiers who charged forward to their deaths. Warm blood splattered across his robes—whether his own or his enemies', he couldn't tell.

"I'll ask you again," Lu Huaigui said coldly, "Where is he?"

Xia Houyu chuckled softly, his tone measured and calm. "Him? Oh, he's dead."

"You two are equally naive," Xia Houyu said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "He believed everything I told him. The moment he heard he could save you, he threw caution to the wind." He chuckled coldly. "Such a touching display of devotion. I'm truly moved beyond words."

Lu Huaigui froze, rooted to the spot. His blood seemed to rush backward, as if something vital were being drained from him. Another attacker lunged forward, jolting him back to awareness. He swiftly retreated two steps, but a long gash still opened on his arm. Yet he seemed oblivious to the pain, slaughtering every assailant who dared approach.

Crimson blood stained the white jade steps, surrounded by a chaotic sprawl of corpses—a veritable hellscape.

"Junior Brother, he's already dead," Xia Houyu sneered, his emerald eyes narrowing. "Is it really worth risking your life for a corpse?"

Lu Huaigui swallowed the metallic tang of blood in his throat, his black hair cascading wildly over his shoulders. But his eyes burned with icy fury as he glared at Xia Houyu, each word cutting through the air like a blade: "The one who deserves to die is you, Xia Houyu. We'll settle both old scores and new grievances together."

The Imperial Guards seemed endless, their ranks closing as soon as one fell. Yet Lu Huaigui showed no fear, cutting down each wave of attackers with ruthless efficiency.

The fierce battle raged from the palace halls to the mountain cliffs, from the blazing midday sun to the moonlit night.

By now, Lu Huaigui was utterly exhausted, his body crisscrossed with fresh wounds. He leaned heavily on his sword, the cold wind whipping through his disheveled hair. Behind him, relentless pursuers closed in.

It was as if he had been transported back to his past life, yet this was no mere repetition of history.

Xia Houyu's gentle voice echoed in his ear once more: "Junior Brother, you're on the verge of death. Why persist in this futile struggle? Why are you still as foolish as you were in your previous life? If you beg for mercy and surrender now, I might, out of our shared brotherhood, grant you a complete corpse."

"I won't yield," Lu Huaigui abruptly turned to face Xia Houyu, their eyes locking in a dark, intense gaze. "I won't yield even in death. No matter how many times I'm reborn, I... I will kill you."

Xia Houyu's eyes were utterly devoid of warmth as he stared coldly at Lu Huaigui. "Heh, if that's your choice, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

Lu Huaigui wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, took a deep breath, and lunged at Xia Houyu with his sword.

The Imperial Guards around Xia Houyu surged forward to intercept him, but their path was blocked.

Just as the blade grazed his neck, Xia Houyu casually raised his folding fan and struck Lu Huaigui in the back of the heart.

Lu Huaigui immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably.

He braced himself on his hands, preparing to rise and fight again, but Xia Houyu's foot abruptly pinned his wrist to the ground.

A sharp pain shot through his wrist bone. Gritting his teeth, he raised his gaze to meet Xia Houyu's viper-like emerald eyes.

"Junior Brother," Xia Houyu leaned in, his voice soft and gentle, "Why bother with this? If you'd simply surrender, I might have shown mercy and let you go."

Lu Huaigui lowered his head in silence.

A smirk curled Xia Houyu's lips. He released his foot, casually snatched a sword from an Imperial Guard, and slashed at the back of his neck.

Thwack—

The blade sank into flesh.

Crimson blood trickled down the blade.

Yet the searing pain never came. Instead, Lu Huaigui felt a lukewarm embrace.

He tried to open his eyes, but a hand covered his eyelids.

After a long moment of stunned silence, he gently removed the hand from his eyes, his vision clearing.

Gu Jin's chin rested on his shoulder, holding him tightly.

The sword had pierced through Gu Jin's body, blood gushing freely.

The taut string in Lu Huaigui's mind snapped. His eyes burned crimson as his trembling hand reached for the sword.

Just pull it out... just pull it out.

"It's... all my fault."

A faint voice drifted into Lu Huaigui's ear. He turned his head to see Gu Jin's pale lips moving, murmuring something under his breath.

"It was me... who wanted him... to live," Gu Jin whispered, the blood seeping from his lips staining Lu Huaigui's shoulder. "Please... spare him... I'll offer my life... in exchange..."

Who was he pleading with?

Was it Xia Houyu, or the merciless Heaven's Will?

All the desperate pleas Lu Huaigui had never uttered himself were now being spoken for him by Gu Jin.

As if that could truly save him.

Lu Huaigui tightened his hold on the man in his arms, burying his face in the crook of Gu Jin's neck, his body shaking violently.

Xia Houyu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Since that's the case, you can go down to the underworld and become a pair of ghost lovebirds."

He gripped the sword hilt, preparing to withdraw the blade piercing Gu Jin's body.

Suddenly, his wrist was seized in a vise-like grip.

Xia Houyu lowered his gaze, his eyes locking with Lu Huaigui's.

"Junior Brother," Xia Houyu sneered, kicking Lu Huaigui to the ground. "You're truly pathetic. You can't kill your enemies, let alone protect those who matter to you. What a waste. Weren't you going to kill me? Weren't you going to get revenge? All you're good for is empty talk."

Lu Huaigui lay on his back, his numb, spasming fingers desperately reaching for the sword that had fallen nearby.

Seeing this, the corners of Xia Houyu's lips curled into an even wider smile.

Just as he was about to deliver another cutting remark, a commotion erupted around them.

"Listen up, everyone! The Tiger Tally is here! Surrender now, while you still have a chance!" Xie Huainan declared, brandishing the Tiger Tally. Behind him stood a vast army, outnumbering the Imperial Guards several times over.

Xia Houyu's mouth twitched, his fingers clenching tightly beneath his sleeves. Yet his expression remained warm and composed as he said smoothly, "Your Highness the Heir Apparent, we have no quarrel. Why resort to such measures?"

Xie Huainan snorted coldly, refusing to answer. He simply waved his hand, signaling his troops to advance.

It was a clear rejection of Xia Houyu's plea.

Xia Houyu's face darkened abruptly. "Guards, seize the Tiger Tally!"

Before he could finish his command, a searing pain stabbed through his chest.

Xia Houyu turned to face Lu Huaigui.

Lu Huaigui's dark eyes were fathomless, his entire body drenched in blood, like a demon crawling out of hell.

"You..." Xia Houyu frowned, his lips trembling slightly. "How could you possibly..."

He had clearly beaten Lu Huaigui to within an inch of his life, and should have crushed his wrist as well. How could he possibly still be able to charge at him and try to kill him?

As Lu Huaigui's figure reflected in his eyes, Xia Houyu belatedly realized this man had always been a madman.

Lu Huaigui suddenly drew his sword, and Xia Houyu collapsed to the ground.

With only a few breaths left, Xia Houyu stared intently at Lu Huaigui. "Lu Huaigui..."

But Lu Huaigui didn't even glance at him. He gently lifted Gu Jin into his arms and staggered away.

Xia Houyu watched their receding figures, his pupils gradually dilating.

Unwilling. He was truly unwilling to accept this.

He had been just one step away from seizing the throne and using the Secret Art to return to the past.

Something rolled out from his embrace—a small wooden box.

The box hadn't been properly sealed to begin with, and the impact caused its contents to spill out.

An Imperial Decree slowly unfurled before his eyes, its tail stained with blood, but the writing at the top was still faintly discernible.

"We hereby decree that Crown Prince Xia Houyu be established as the New Emperor..."

Xia Houyu suddenly burst into laughter.

So the so-called Imperial Secret Art was nothing more than an Imperial Decree left behind by his Imperial Father.

"Imperial Father, Imperial Father... why didn't you tell me sooner? Why... I truly hate you..."

His voice gradually dissipated in the wind, barely audible.

How utterly laughable.

The very thing he had sought his entire life had been his all along.

Snowflakes began to drift from the heavens, settling on Xia Houyu's shoulders.

"Brother, Brother," Xia Houyu heard someone call, tugging at his sleeve. "Let's go home."

Xia Houyu turned to face a pair of round, black eyes.

It was his younger brother, Xia Houjin.

Xia Houjin still looked like the five-year-old he remembered, but the sickly pallor had vanished from his face.

"I've memorized Changdi, the poem you taught me. Can we go home now, please?"

Xia Houyu stared blankly for a long moment before reaching out and violently seizing Xia Houjin by the throat.

"What are you doing here?" Xia Houyu's gaze was icy, his grip tightening. "It's all your fault. All your fault."

"Why did Imperial Father and Empress Mother focus all their attention on you after you were born?"

"Why was your body always so frail?"

"Why did you have to take that drink for me that day? It led to my banishment! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this state today!"

"If only you'd never been born. If you'd never existed, I could have..."

But Xia Houjin showed no sign of pain, enduring the choking grip with flushed cheeks and unwavering eyes.

Startled, Xia Houyu slowly released his grip, turned, and walked away.

His sleeve was suddenly tugged.

"Brother, where are you going?" Xia Houjin asked, tilting his face upward, his expression a mix of grievance and pleading. "Let's go together."

Slap!

Xia Houyu struck his hand away, his voice icy. "Get lost. Don't cling to me."

Without another glance, he turned to leave.

But before he could take a single step, Xia Houjin had wrapped his arms around his thigh.

"Brother," Xia Houjin murmured softly, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to die."

Xia Houyu clenched his fists, his back still turned, his expression icy.

He remembered that day: Xia Houjin huddled in his arms, vomiting torrents of blood that stained his palms crimson.

Xia Houjin had always been frail; the potent poison had overwhelmed him in moments.

He was gone before half an hour had passed.

The poisoned wine, originally intended for Xia Houyu, had been snatched by Xia Houjin in a cruel twist of fate, the younger brother even cooing sweetly as he insisted on feeding it to him.

All of this became damning evidence of his fratricide.

He had known it all along.

Xia Houjin had never done anything wrong.

Neither had their Imperial Father nor their Empress Mother.

The fault lay with those who craved power.

The fault lay... with him.

He had heeded Zhou Cheng's slanderous whispers and personally murdered his own flesh and blood.

He was weak and useless, unable to protect his parents and brother, unable to slay their true enemies.

"Brother," Xia Houjin said, tugging at his sleeve and looking up. "Are you still mad at me? You promised you wouldn't be angry if I could recite that poem."

The blossoms of the Changdi tree, so vibrant and bright. Among all people now, none are like my brother...[1]

Before Xia Houjin could finish, two strong arms pulled him into a tight embrace. He nuzzled against Xia Houyu's shoulder, his cheek squished against the fabric.

"Brother," Xia Houjin murmured, patting Xia Houyu's back gently, "don't cry. Imperial Father and Empress Mother will be sad."

Xia Houyu shook his head, tightening his grip on Xia Houjin's arm.

In this world, he hated him most.

Hated his frail health that stole their parents' attention and care, hated that after his death, the Imperial Father blamed everything on him.

Yet, he also loved him most.

The osmanthus cakes slipped to him during late-night study sessions, the occasional sprigs of flowers appearing on his desk, and that soft, warm voice calling him "Brother."

He had long since stopped hating him.

As long as Xia Houjin lived, he wouldn't be utterly alone.

But after Xia Houjin's death, he was nothing but a solitary figure.

"Brother," Xia Houjin whispered, "I want to go home. I miss Imperial Father and Empress Mother."

Xia Houyu gave a low hum and slowly stood up, taking Xia Houjin's hand.

As he looked up, he saw the Emperor and Empress standing a short distance away.

The two stood smiling amidst a vibrant sea of crimson Manjusaka flowers, their expressions tender and gentle.

It was as if they had been waiting for the pair for a long time.