The Emperor had just finished his morning court session when he heard that Prince Zhao had forced his way into Fengyi Palace. He felt a throbbing in his temples.

He had no choice but to set aside his current tasks and rush to Fengyi Palace with his retinue, not stopping for a moment.

By the time they arrived at Fengyi Palace, Yin Meiren had already endured her thirty strokes of the cane.

She lay prone on the ground, barely breathing. Blood had soaked through the back of her clothes, a shocking crimson.

When everyone in Fengyi Palace saw the Emperor arrive, it was as if they had seen their savior. One after another, they knelt to plead for help.

Even the Empress’s eyes welled with tears, as if she had suffered a thousand grievances.

"Your Majesty, you’re finally here."

The Emperor looked at the scene before him, and the throbbing in his temples grew more intense.

’I just went to morning court,’ he thought. ’How did so much trouble erupt in the rear palace?’

When Yin Meiren realized the Emperor had come, she struggled to lift her head and cried out in a hoarse, weak voice.

"Your Majesty, save me..."

No matter how much the Emperor favored Li Ji, he couldn’t allow him to be so audacious in Fengyi Palace.

This was the Empress’s residence, after all. For Li Ji to openly injure someone here was not just a slap in the face to the Empress, but it also made him, the Emperor, lose face.

The Emperor was about to reprimand Li Ji and tell him to restrain himself.

But before the words could leave his mouth, he saw Li Ji bend over, coughing violently. Immediately after, Li Ji opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The Emperor’s expression changed instantly. He threw all thoughts of reprimand to the back of his mind and quickly commanded.

"Quickly, take Prince Zhao back to Hanzhang Hall! Summon the Imperial Physician!"

At the Emperor’s command, everyone scrambled into action, working together to lift Li Ji onto the Dragon Carriage.

In the blink of an eye, the Emperor, Prince Zhao, and all the men they had brought with them were gone.

Everyone in Fengyi Palace was left behind, and for a long while, no one dared to make a sound.

They all stole glances at the Empress.

The glimmer of tears in the Empress’s eyes had long vanished, replaced by pure resentment.

’She was the one who had been humiliated, yet the Emperor hadn’t said a single comforting word, much less shown any intention of punishing Prince Zhao. He had completely disregarded her feelings.’

’In front of so many people, she, the Empress, had lost all face!’

After a long silence, a female official finally asked cautiously.

"Yin Meiren seems to have fainted. Should we summon an Imperial Physician for her?"

The Empress took a deep breath, suppressing her fury, and said coldly.

"Send her back to her quarters, and then get an Imperial Physician for her."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

...

Ever since Prince Zhao had left, Hua Manman had been on edge.

She was worried that Prince Zhao would be punished for causing a scene at Fengyi Palace.

She had waited anxiously for his return, only to see him looking weak, with blood at the corner of his mouth.

She was terribly startled.

"Prince, what happened?"

Chen Wangbei whispered to her, "The Prince’s poison has relapsed."

Hua Manman was utterly astonished.

’Hasn’t Prince Zhao already recovered? How could the poison relapse?’

Soon, the Imperial Physician rushed over, having heard the news.

The Imperial Physician was about to take the Prince’s pulse, but Prince Zhao refused.

The Emperor said urgently, "Jie’er, now is not the time to throw a tantrum. Quickly, let the Imperial Physician examine you."

But Li Ji wouldn’t listen.

He struggled to extend his right hand toward Hua Manman.

Hua Manman hurried over and took his hand.

While clutching her hand, Li Ji spoke to the Emperor in an incredibly weak voice.

"Your Majesty, your subject does not know how many days I have left to live. Although this life was short, I have served you and the Great Zhou Dynasty loyally.

For the sake of the many contributions your subject has made over years of campaigns, please grant your subject one last request, will you?"

The Emperor said in a heavy voice, "What nonsense are you talking about? With so many Imperial Physicians here, they will do everything they can to cure you. You’ll be fine!"

Li Ji refused to let go of Hua Manman’s hand, his eyes fixed on the Emperor.

The Emperor, helpless, could only compromise.

"Tell me, what do you want me to promise you?"

Li Ji: "Your subject wishes to marry Manman as my main wife. I hope for your approval."

The Emperor snapped, "What time is it to be thinking about such things?!"

But Li Ji insisted, "Your subject has never given my heart to anyone in this life. Manman is the only one I cannot bear to leave behind. I beg you to fulfill this last wish of your subject."

He had even called it his last wish. What else could the Emperor say? He could only reply with a somber face.

"I promise you. Now hurry and let go so the Imperial Physician can take your pulse."

Having received the Emperor’s permission, a satisfied smile appeared on Li Ji’s face.

He let go of Hua Manman, then slowly closed his eyes and stopped moving.

Everyone was shocked at the sight.

The Emperor was so frantic his voice cracked, "Imperial Physician! Imperial Physician!"

The Imperial Physician practically scrambled to the bedside, not even bothering to grab a pulse pillow before placing his fingers directly on Prince Zhao’s wrist. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Who would have thought that upon taking the pulse, the color would instantly drain from the Imperial Physician’s face.

He widened his eyes in disbelief, staring at Prince Zhao. After a long moment, he extended a trembling forefinger and placed it under the Prince’s nose.

Seeing this, the Emperor’s heart sank to the pit of his stomach.

Hua Manman also held her breath, her anxiety reaching its peak.

The Emperor asked urgently, "Speak! What’s wrong with Prince Zhao?"

The Imperial Physician hastily withdrew his hand, fell to his knees with a THUD, and cried out.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Zhao... Prince Zhao is no longer breathing!"

The Emperor was incredulous. "How is this possible?

Jie’er’s condition had clearly improved. His spirits have been much better these past two days. How could he suddenly die from a poison relapse?

You must be mistaken!"

The Imperial Physician kowtowed heavily. "Prince Zhao truly isn’t breathing. If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, you can check for yourself."

The Emperor kicked the Imperial Physician aside, strode over, and reached out to check Prince Zhao’s breath.

Indeed, there was no breath!

Unable to accept this devastating blow, the Emperor’s body swayed twice, and he nearly fell.

Zuo Ji and Wu Wang, who were beside him, quickly reached out to support him.

Hua Manman collapsed to the floor, staring blankly at Prince Zhao.

’How could this be?’

’I already gave him a Life Reviving Pill. Why is he still dead?’

’I had gone to so much trouble, even enduring a heart-wrenching punishment, only for it to end like this.’

’Is heaven toying with me?’

’Or is this just my fate?’

’No matter how hard I struggle, in the end, I can’t escape the fate of being cannon fodder.’

A thousand emotions surged into her heart. She couldn’t hold back any longer and broke down, crying out loud.

Seeing her cry so heartbrokenly, the Emperor’s eyes couldn’t help but redden as well.

Even if the others had no particular feelings for Prince Zhao, seeing the Emperor’s eyes redden, they all began to cry along.

For a time, Hanzhang Hall was filled with the sound of sorrowful weeping.

It rose and fell, an unending chorus.

When the Empress learned of Prince Zhao’s death by poison, the gloom and resentment in her heart instantly vanished, replaced by intense excitement.

’That arrogant, audacious Prince Zhao is finally dead!’

She couldn’t help but look out the window at the sky and ask with a smile.

"Cheng’er, did you see that? Mother has avenged you."