The man in black ignored everything, determined to massacre the entire clan.
In the end, the late Empress exploded with a blinding light, releasing an overwhelmingly terrifying energy. Shen Tang’s spirit body nearly got knocked away, and his consciousness instantly plunged into silence.
Within the Spiritual Illusion Realm, years flashed by quickly.
Since the fire, the late Empress completely left, and those mysterious black-clad figures also vanished without a trace, never appearing again.
No one could clearly explain what exactly happened that night.
The death of the late Empress beca a forbidden topic throughout the Empire.
No one dared ntion it again.
Since that incident, Ji Lin suffered severe damage, piling up resentnt and harming his body, bedridden, growing weaker day by day.
Ji Lin, chronically fragile, found himself powerless even with court affairs, let alone able to care for his son.
As the Emperor’s Close Bodyguard, almost like a butler, the responsibility of caring for the Little Prince fell to Qiu Yang.
He raised Shen Li with utmost dedication, treating him closer than a biological son, raising the Little Prince since childhood—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a half-father.
The scene shifts again.
Zhuqiong Palace.
Years passed; the palace had long since been repaired, showing no trace of the fire, but the scars it left on people’s hearts could hardly ever be erased.
Shen Li had already learned to take human form; he was now a boy of eight or nine.
His appearance was beautiful and delicate, with a touch of childish innocence—it wasn’t hard to see the future brilliance to co. His eyes were extrely calm, a significant change from his younger days.
Shen Li held a bowl of soup dicine that he personally prepared, taking care of his ailing father.
The man on the sickbed was emaciated and haggard. Though only a few years had passed, he seed to have aged several decades.
"Li’er, I’m sorry to trouble you." Ji Lin looked at the boy before him, his pale and thin face filled with guilt, "It’s my uselessness that makes you live so exhausting... cough, cough..."
He coughed into his hand, growing increasingly frail.
His body deteriorated day by day, the court unstable, external threats lurking. Young Jiuli had no choice but to shoulder heavy responsibilities, no longer the sobbing cub who wanted to run outside and play as in his childhood.
Now his son no longer needed his worries, but was sensible beyond his years, to the point of heartache.
Far more mature than his peers, yet, still just a young child.
The boy’s eyes turned red, suppressing his emotions, he smiled and replied, "Father, this is what I should do. The Imperial Physician said your health will definitely improve."
"Good, good, may it be as Li’er says." Ji Lin forced himself to sit up, took the dicine bowl, his fingers uncontrollably shaking.
Shen Li could no longer hold back; a tear slipped down his cheek. He sat beside the bed, supporting Ji Lin, held the dicine bowl, and gently said, "Father, let feed you instead."
The bitter dicine slid down his throat.
Ji Lin’s complexion seed slightly better.
He looked at the boy’s tired face, filled with guilt and heartache.
Shen Li had to study etiquette and lessons during the day and still co to care for him at night; over these years, he’d hardly had a good night’s sleep.
But he also felt proud of his good son.
Ji Lin gently touched the boy’s face, revealing a gratified smile, as if through his clear, gemstone-like red eyes, he saw another person.
The man involuntarily said,
"Li’er, you really resemble your mother."
"Father..."
His slender fingers touched the boy’s moist eyes and the faint shadows beneath them, his voice growing even gentler, "You’ve exhausted yourself to the point of dark circles; quickly go rest, I’m alright."
"Okay, Father, call if you need anything."
Shen Li was indeed very tired. After bidding his father goodnight, he turned and left.
Shen Tang did not follow; she saw Ji Lin painfully coughing heavily after his son left, his palm stained with blood.
The candlelight shone on his thin, handso face, making him appear even paler and more withered, as if he might dissolve into smoke at any mont.
Shen Tang looked at the candle beside the bed, almost burnt out, the phrase ca to her mind.
"A flickering candle in the wind, days are numbered."
"Qiu Yang."
Ji Lin softly called outside the hall.
A tall young man entered, bowing respectfully, "What are Your Majesty’s orders?"
"You are the one I trust most; many things can only be said to you."
Ji Lin’s voice was weak, speaking intermittently, "I called you today to entrust you with sothing. I... cough, cough, will only say it once... listen closely today and make sure to accomplish it..."
Qiu Yang was shocked, looking up at the frail Emperor on the bed, then hurriedly lowering his head, solemnly saying, "Your Majesty, please say it; I will not hesitate to die!"
Ji Lin looked out the window, displaying concern, "Since I fell seriously ill, the court hasn’t been quiet; all the great powers of the Empire are watching, too... Now, what worries most in the court is Pri Minister Yuan Ke... cough, cough..."
He paused before continuing, "Yuan Ke holds great power, ambitious as a wolf, and Xiao Li is still young. I’m afraid he might be manipulated by Yuan Ke into becoming a Puppet Emperor, used to commandeer all clans."
Qiu Yang also deeply felt the internal worries, the court rife with crises, too dangerous.
The little prince, no matter how smart, couldn’t outplay those seasoned old players.
Once the little prince ascends the throne, Yuan Ke and his clique unchecked would seize control, truly becoming a Regent King.
"So, Your Majesty ans for to assassinate Yuan Ke?" Qiu Yang lowered his voice.
"No, not only can we not eliminate Yuan Ke, but I must also visibly strengthen his power."
"What?"
Qiu Yang looked at the Emperor, shocked, thinking he misheard.
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