Rong Jing always knew that his daughter was exceptionally intelligent, not inferior to any son.

He also knew that Rong Miaoyan cared deeply for Gu Lan, even though Gu Lan had deceived her.

Therefore, even at this moment, when Rong Miaoyan, with the troops under her command, opened the palace gates, Rong Jing was not surprised that she appeared here.

"This subject pays respects to Princess."

Song Zhi nodded slightly to Rong Miaoyan. Even at such a moment, he maintained complete courtesy and respect towards those whom Rong Jing cared for.

Currently, Rong Heng and Gu Lan are attacking the palace gates, yet Rong Miaoyan came to Rong Jing’s side. Perhaps this is the blood bond between the Princess and the Emperor; such emotions ultimately remain unchanged by external factors.

This is why Song Zhi was determined to protect Xie Yun and Rong Qijun back then. They are relatives bound by blood to Rong Jing. Even if Rong Jing doesn’t care, he would still be saddened if they were truly gone. Song Zhi did not want the Emperor to be sad.

Rong Miaoyan wore a plain white cloak, with the hem embroidered with light gold peonies. Her hair was only tied with a jade ribbon, without the usual delicate makeup, her expression particularly weary.

Her gaze swept around the hall. After discerning the current situation inside the hall, she urgently spoke: 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Emperor, Rong Qijun wants to save you. He rebelled in the city with his household soldiers, but was surrounded by Gu Lan’s troops. He... he then took Jingqi brother hostage, saying he wants them to die together!"

"Xie Yun—!"

Rong Jing’s hand uncontrollably trembled. With a ’crack’, the medicine bowl shattered into pieces.

The brown herbal medicine spilled onto the ground, seeping into the cracks of the green jade stones, merging with the long-standing scent of blood in this palace.

Xie Yun...

Rong Jing thought that his heart would never again be stirred by anyone or anything. Yet upon hearing the words "Xie Jingqi," his fingers involuntarily quivered.

Rong Jing knew that last night, when the officials greeted Prince Xiang upon his return to the Capital City, Xie Yun was among them.

His most trusted minister, his true brother, had finally taken an opposing stance.

However, Xie Yun was different from Rong Heng.

Xie Yun did not deceive him but simply followed his own heart and did what he believed was right.

Perhaps Xie Yun also once had other thoughts and may have even feigned compliance before him; but now, Rong Jing lacked the energy to ponder deeply.

In his mind, Rong Jing recalled that exceptionally handsome face, also remembering the rare instances as a child when he saw Xie Xu.

Back then, he did not know Xie Xu was his biological father; he only regarded him as the heir of Grand Tutor Xie, a famously cultured young man in the capital.

Grand Tutor Xie was literary; the Xie Family was genuinely of scholarly lineage, and Xie Xu was a true gentleman.

He was likely deceived by Su Xinyu only once, so he did not know his identity. Each time they met, he conducted himself with propriety, gracefully.

After Xie Xu married, there were rumors in the capital claiming he was once the Empress’s intimate friend. Since then, even for official banquets, he feigned illness to avoid meeting Su Xinyu, making his career difficult.

That man entrusted his paternal emotions onto Xie Yun, and Xie Yun indeed lived up to expectations, excelling remarkably.

If the Xie Family hadn’t faced misfortune, Xie Xu should be sitting in Lu Bingxin’s position at this moment.

Xie Yun resembled Xie Xu greatly. At times, when Rong Jing looked at Xie Yun, he couldn’t help but imagine if Xie Xu knew his identity, would he have earnestly guided him, just as he did Xie Yun?

Surely he would have. Xie Xu was the best father in the world, a thousand, ten thousand times better than Rong Huan.

It’s just a pity he never experienced such a feeling.

Most times, Rong Jing dared not let himself indulge in these fantasies.

Years ago, when the Xie Family was falsely accused of corruption, executed by Rong Huan—he understood nothing back then. By the time he learned of his background, only Xie Yun remained of the Xie Family.

Later, Rong Jing discovered that this incident was a collusion between the Su Family and Rong Huan. Because Grand Tutor Xie was close with Rong Jue, Su Wenzhong orchestrated a plot to ensure his claim to the Crown Prince position, resulting in the Xie Family’s downfall.

In other words, his biological father died because of him.

For so many years, he left Xie Yun in Su Wenzhong’s care, neglecting him, simply because seeing that face resembling Xie Xu’s reminded him of his youthful powerlessness and guilt.

Until the youth graduated as the top scholar, using his abilities to clear Grand Tutor Xie’s unjust accusations, becoming an elegant gentleman just like his father.