King Ping still looked elegant and refined. He gazed at the emperor on the throne, smiled lightly and said: "The Empress Dowager is the mother of the world, how dare I..."

  A faint venomous glint flashed in his eyes, and the sunlight outside the hall cast an eerie chill on him, making one shiver involuntarily.

  "I have always had a close relationship with Third Brother, but this time he has committed such a serious crime, it is indeed unrelated to me. I only hope that the Emperor can distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and restore my reputation."

  The words of Ping Wang made everyone present aghast, as if they had fallen into a thick fog.

  The emperor saw him being so calm and collected, not taking it to heart at all. A hint of 'evil' rose in his mind, he quickly thought to himself, but on the surface, he smiled and said: "Fourth brother, you say you are innocent and flawless, yet don't you know that holding the empress hostage is a grave crime that implicates the entire imperial clan?!"

  "The Empress Dowager is now safe and sound, brother, you may go with me to pay your respects..."

  King Ping gazed at him, his eyes unwavering and unyielding. The Emperor met his gaze, secretly shocked in his heart, and quietly replied: "Alright... I will go with you."

  He rose from his throne, looked down at the officials below, and said calmly, "This is a family matter of mine, you all temporarily withdraw."

  Everyone's eyes were on him, but he felt as calm as a rock, his heart not relaxing in the slightest, only to suddenly realize that everyone was already drenched in sweat.

  "His Imperial Highness has always relied on his chariot to travel, it's not as good as you and I brothers walking together..."

  The imperial brothers, resplendent in their formal attire, exuded an air of confidence and vigor between their eyebrows, yet subtly hinted at a tinge of melancholy. Smiling effortlessly, they strolled with an air of nonchalance, as if attending a mundane family gathering. The sunlight illuminated the glazed tiles on the palace roof, dazzling the eyes with its splendor and grandeur. The two brothers walked side by side, while their guards followed closely behind, treading carefully like walking on thin ice.

  Neither of them paid attention, they just slowly strolled along the narrow and winding path.

  The sun was gradually getting higher. The heat was so intense that it made people feel hot all over, and they had to keep walking. As the emperor passed by the Fragrant Garden, he saw a pool of emerald green water, and when the breeze blew, the lotus leaves were gently swaying. He casually plucked a large lotus leaf and held it in his hand to block out the sun.

  Ping Wang looked at him coldly and smiled: "Brother has such a hobby, it's rare!"

  He gazed at the lotus pond, but didn't approach it, just stood far away and stared. When the emperor returned to the path, he slowly said: "I've been afraid of water since I was a child."

  The emperor looked at him in surprise, and only heard Ping Wang laugh: "When I was young, I didn't know the danger, playing by the Mirror Lake. I was pushed into it and almost drowned."

  He spoke lightly, almost playfully in the sunlight, yet with a kind of shocking solemnity.

  Yuan Qi's sword eyebrows slightly moved, and he said: "Who did it?!"

  "I don't know."

  King Ping seemed nonchalant. He took the lotus leaf from his hand, deeply inhaled the fragrance for a long time, and then said: "It's probably the handwriting of Empress Dowager."

  The emperor was taken aback, just about to retort, but suddenly remembered the scene when the empress dowager recovered from her illness----

  The frail and gentle mother's hand exerted force with a golden-inlaid jade sleeve, instantly crushing the spider...

  His sharp and resolute face, with a snowy complexion, had a gentle and compassionate smile. He couldn't help but shiver, and the words that reached his lips retreated back.

  The king glanced at him faintly and said, "From the time I can remember, I have been living in fear, my mother queen always took care of me, afraid that I would suffer another disaster..."

  "You should report to the Emperor!"

  "Father?!"

  The king seemed to have heard something ridiculous, his handsome face slightly twisted, and his eyes emitted a very venomous light.

  "The Empress Dowager was once the mistress of the imperial palace, with a beauty that surpassed all others. She enjoyed exclusive favor for over ten years without decline. After her death, there was also the support of the influential Lin family, and with just a slight movement of their finger, they could have us... reduced to dust..."

  His voice was full of resentment and venom as he continued: "Even if Father Emperor is willing to ask about me, he can only protect me for a while, but cannot protect me for a lifetime..."

  Yuanyuan gazed at him intently, her chest heaving with emotion, almost as if the words were bursting out from between her teeth.

  "Why didn't you come find me?!" He growled in a pained tone: "I'm your elder brother, why didn't you come find me?!"

  "Looking for you?"

  King Ping repeated in surprise, and only after looking into his determined eyes did he take a deep breath.

  "Big brother..."

  His voice dropped down and was no longer as tense as it had been just now.

  "You were just a young man at that time... let alone,"

  He almost burst out laughing and said softly: "That's your mother!"

  Yuanyu gritted her teeth and remained silent for a moment, before saying in a low voice: "I was too naive... This is the palace, after all. It's always a matter of life and death!"

  "Yes, we were born in this palace, and it's inevitable that one day we'll have to face this."

  King Ping burst out laughing, and in a moment of clarity, he saw the desolation. He turned his head back, lowly and abruptly, and called out...

  "Big brother!"

  Yuanyi trembled, raised her eyes and saw that Ping Wang was smiling as usual: "Hurry up, the Empress Dowager's life is still in my hands!" Lu Zhong spurred his horse to gallop, his sleeves and robes fluttering in the wind like clouds and smoke, passing through the streets in an instant, and arrived at Zhou Jun's mansion in a moment.

  On the vermilion gate, the bright copper nails dazzle with majesty. At a glance in the morning dew, it's clear that they are arranged according to the Eight Trigrams diagram. There is no pair of stone lions in front of the gate, as is usual for official residences. Instead, two rows of soldiers stand guard on either side, holding spears and standing sternly. A glance reveals a scene of solemn severity.

  She dismounted quickly and strode straight to the main gate, ignoring the halberds thrust in her face. With a light flick of her fingers, the soldiers felt their wrists go numb, and they stumbled back several steps before they could regain their strength.

  "General Zhou, I've come as promised to pay a visit."

  "The noble guest has arrived, it is an honor to welcome you. With a gentle smile, I lead the way, listening for the sound of footsteps, and guide you through the courtyard, towards the inner hall."

  In the hall, various weapon racks were filled with all sorts of weapons. In the center, over a dozen knives and swords shone brightly, their curves perfectly rounded. At a glance, it was clear that these were the master's favorites, often handled and polished.

  Zhou Jun still wore his usual black robe, with no weapon in hand, only holding a small object, looking listless.

  Morning 'dew' eyes like a torch, one glance and she saw that it was a branch of jade inlaid with pearls and palace flowers. She looked again several times, and doubts arose in her heart once more----

  "That is the formal attire of the imperial court of the previous dynasty."

  Although she was not favored by the Lin family in her previous life, she had also seen the luxurious furnishings of the aristocratic and imperial families. Lin Wan's birth mother was a princess, so she had some impression of these palace 'flowers' and silk decorations.