After the Spring Rites, news soon spread from the palace that the Empress had been struck by a grave illness. Neither the Imperial Medical Academy nor the Zixiao Academy could do anything. Both the Manor of Marquis Cheng'en and the Eastern Palace closed their doors to guests under the pretext of the Empress's critical condition. A few days later, a grand mourning was held in the palace, followed by a thunderous edict deposing the Crown Prince for practicing witchcraft. Emperor Qiansheng had struck suddenly, dealing swiftly with the Zheng clan. The Crown Prince's power was almost completely uprooted. For a time, a palpable sense of panic filled the Capital and its surroundings, and the officials of the court were silent as cicadas in winter.

Amidst the city-wide turmoil, Wei Ming and Chi Lian were each occupied with their own busy affairs. The Ran Dragon Case was closed without a sound, and meeting was no longer as convenient as before. Coupled with Wei Ming's subtle sense of guilt, the two had not seen each other since the Shangyang Festival until they finally met at the end of the fourth month, once again under the Sweet Dew Terrace.

The spring light of the fourth month was rich, with grass growing and orioles flitting everywhere. The Sweet Dew Terrace was originally a fine destination for a spring outing, but because of the national mourning, public feasting and music were forbidden. Thus, the outskirts of the city were sparsely populated, with only the chirping of sparrows to be heard.

Both Wei Ming and Chi Lian were in plain clothes and unafraid of being recognized. They tied their horses to a tree and strolled leisurely around the Sweet Dew Terrace. It was strange; when they first met, they had been familiar for no reason at all, and their relationship had since become incredibly close. But this time, reuniting after a month, neither spoke first. It was as if they had cooled down after being too impulsive, or perhaps it was like the timidity of returning home—because they valued it so much, they had become restrained.

In the end, it was Chi Lian who broke the stalemate: "Has Your Highness been well lately?"

Wei Ming replied dryly, "Everything is fine."

The atmosphere once again fell into silence.

Chi Lian finally stopped walking. Wei Ming's heart skipped a beat as he saw him frown and say, "The palace has been in turmoil lately, and this subject was too busy to spare a moment, thus neglecting Your Highness. It is my fault. I will have no complaints if you wish to beat or punish me. What has happened to Your Highness? Or were you injured on the Sweet Dew Terrace that day?"

He had so cleanly and decisively accepted the blame that it shocked the dazed Wei Ming back to his senses. He quickly said, "It's nothing, I was just lost in thought."

Chi Lian raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat skeptical. Wei Ming changed the subject: "This is the first time I've seen someone indiscriminately take all the blame on themselves—you're the great Grand Preceptor of Zixiao Academy, why are you being so subservient? Don't say things like 'beating or punishing' in front of me again. I'd like to see who dares to even flick a finger at you."

After speaking, he remembered to ask, "How are the injuries you sustained from your fight with Chou Xinwei?"

Now, Chi Lian could finally confirm that he was of sound mind. He said gently, "Your Highness, rest assured. Those minor injuries healed long ago. As long as you are alright, that's all that matters."

Wei Ming hadn't yet grasped the depth of Chi Lian's skill in reporting only good news and not bad. He tentatively believed his words and continued the conversation along the same lines, "When the Empress was gravely ill, I went to the palace to pay my respects. Although she was weak, she was still conscious and seemed no different from a living person. Did you find someone to impersonate her, or did you use some other method?"

Chi Lian answered softly, "It was a straw doll plus a little illusion. It was enough to fool the imperial physicians."

Wei Ming hummed in acknowledgment. "What about Chou Xinwei's whereabouts? Any new information since then?"

"No." Chi Lian shook his head. "That person's movements are secretive, and he is not of this world. It's hard to say where he might have fled."

When Wei Ming's mind wandered, he was like a handsome, quiet puppet that only moved when prodded. Once he returned to normal, he became His Highness, Prince Duan, with a meticulous mind and many questions. No matter how familiar Chi Lian was with him, he couldn't help but feel like he was holding his breath when answering, afraid that one slip of the tongue would allow Wei Ming to follow the trail and uncover the facts he was trying to hide.

"I always have a feeling that Chou Xinwei's goal isn't as simple as exposing the truth of the past. Even avenging the Ran Dragon was just his means to an end. His real target is someone else." Wei Ming gave Chi Lian a deep look. "Perhaps someday, he'll suddenly appear before us again."

Chi Lian agreed, "This subject feels the same. From the looks of it, he's most likely targeting me."

"So what exactly is Chou Xinwei's identity?" Wei Ming asked curiously. "Did you two have a feud in the past?"

Chi Lian led him to the shade of some pear trees. White petals twirled and floated down like jade filings, landing on their plain white outer robes like embroidered patterns. He pondered for a moment before answering, "It's hard to say. His hair is silver-white, but his blood is blue. Based on these characteristics, he might be some kind of great spirit, or possibly..."

"What?"

"A demon."

Wei Ming: "...But isn't half of your hair silver too? Do you immortals identify people just by their hair?"

"Your Highness heard what Chou Xinwei said that day, didn't you? I was originally a disgraced official banished from the Heavenly Court." Chi Lian casually took a lock of his long hair from behind his back and held it between his fingers. "A Heart Demon causes white hair. It's the same if an immortal falls into demonhood."

Wei Ming opened his mouth, but for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Comforting him felt wrong, pretending not to understand also felt wrong. Anything he said would seem offensive.

"Your Highness." Chi Lian had agreed to come out with him today and was already prepared to be questioned. He got straight to the point, "Whatever Your Highness wants to ask, just ask."

A pear blossom fell from a branch and was caught by Wei Ming. The long pause was less about applying pressure and more about Wei Ming considering how to begin.

This was actually out of character for him. Although Wei Ming was always easygoing and rarely made things difficult for others, when it came to serious matters, he was always direct, hating roundabout ways and evasiveness. But his hesitation now was precisely because it was too important—both Chi Lian's answer, and Chi Lian himself.

He glanced at Chi Lian, thought for a moment, and asked his first question, as light as a joke, "So did you just admit it? You're really an immortal?"

'Their Highness is still so soft-hearted.' Chi Lian thought with a bit of helplessness, while replying aloud, "Yes."

"So the things Chou Xinwei said are also true?"

Chi Lian thought for a moment and said, "More or less."

"The last time I asked you why you helped me, you said it was a karmic bond from a past life," Wei Ming said. "So can you tell me now? What exactly is the connection between you and me?"

Chi Lian was taken aback, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "That's a long story..."

Wei Ming saw his hesitation, and his heart sank. The question that had been lingering in his mind slipped out: "Does it have to do with that 'Emperor Cangze'?"

He regretted it the moment the words left his mouth. Chi Lian's eyes widened slightly, his momentary astonishment unconcealed, which Wei Ming clearly saw. "Where did Your Highness hear of the Emperor?"

Wei Ming remembered what Chou Xinwei had said, that the Empress and Chi Lian thought alike in some ways, both trying to hide something important. Could it be that the secret Chi Lian wanted to hide was related to him?

"I sometimes dream of an immortal," Wei Ming said softly, gazing at the snow-white pear blossom in his palm. "Although I've never seen his face clearly... Hey, what are you doing?"

Chi Lian suddenly grabbed his left hand, placing two fingers on his wrist for a moment, and asked with a grave expression, "Has Your Highness not been sleeping well recently?"

"...Yes." Wei Ming pulled his hand back and said irritably, "Thanks to you. I used to have maybe one dream a year, but since meeting you, I've had two in one month."

"What Your Highness wants to ask, this subject cannot tell you yet. The time is not right," Chi Lian said decisively. "When the time is right, you will naturally know. For now, please don't overthink it, lest you cause your Divine Soul to become unstable and needlessly exhaust your mind and spirit."

Wei Ming: "..."

He asked, unwilling to give up, "Who was it just now who said he would tell me whatever I wanted to know?"

"This subject knows Your Highness's concerns," Chi Lian said in a reassuring tone, as if everything was under control. "Please rest assured, Your Highness. This subject will not force you to go against your heart, nor will I ever do anything to harm you."

'What do you know? Those aren't my concerns at all,' Wei Ming thought, just as he heard Chi Lian continue, "In the past, The Emperor feared a change in the mandate of heaven and believed Jinghui's slander, which is why he allowed Your Highness to drift about for so many years. But now that this subject is here, I will set things right and take back everything Your Highness has lost."

Wei Ming: "Wait a moment... What have I lost?"

Chi Lian said as if it were a matter of course, "Your Highness corresponds to the heavenly signs; it is your destiny to be emperor. If not for Jinghui's interference, you should have already ascended the throne by now."

Wei Ming was stunned by this sudden and treasonous confession. It took him a long while to regain his senses. He grabbed Chi Lian. "Stop! How are you any different from Jinghui? When did I ever say I wanted to be... that?!"

Chi Lian gave a subtle 'I understand' expression. "Your Highness's cultivation over these years—has it really just been staying obediently on Mount Ying without taking a single step out?"

Cultivation is divided into worldly and otherworldly. From the Ran Dragon Case, it was clear that Wei Ming was experienced and flexible in handling matters, definitely not the type to sit in a cave and meditate facing a wall. These years have been enough for him to travel through the markets, cities, mountains, and rivers of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Perhaps he already has a map of the land in his heart, but no one has had the chance to see its true face.

Wei Ming was stumped by his question. Chi Lian pointed to the sky. "Putting aside human effort and speaking of heavenly destiny, Your Highness's destiny star enters the Ziwei Star directly... Who under heaven could surpass you? This destiny is that of a sage lord in times of peace, or a great conqueror in times of chaos. In short, it is the fate of an emperor. There is nothing more to be said."

If he were an ambitious prince, he would probably have fainted with joy upon hearing this. But Wei Ming's heart felt a dull ache, as if struck by a falling stone from the sky. The root of his tongue turned bitter for no reason, and he suddenly asked out of the blue, "So it was the same in my past life?"

"What?" Chi Lian was stunned for a moment.

Wei Ming said, "The karmic bond from a past life you spoke of—is this what you meant?"

Of course, an immortal wouldn't care about a physical vessel. Even after several reincarnations, as long as the Divine Soul remains unchanged, it is fine. But a mortal's century is like being born in the morning and dying at dusk. After death, their memories return to heaven and earth. Even if the soul remains, it is no longer the same person.

Chi Lian didn't understand his hidden thoughts, only feeling that his expression was not joyful, but rather a bit heavy. "You could say that."

'That's right.' Wei Ming thought calmly. 'Chi Lian is an immortal from the heavens. Whomever he chooses is the one favored by the Heavenly Dao.'

Wei Ming suddenly tightened his five fingers around his wrist. "If... I am ultimately to become the emperor, will you always stay by my side?"

"Of course." Chi Lian's attitude was so matter-of-fact, as if he had asked a particularly childish question. He gave his promise without hesitation. "This subject came precisely to protect Your Highness. Even if Your Highness no longer needs this subject after ascending the throne, I will not leave."

A god will stand by his believers, watching them fight lifetime after lifetime for this ethereal destiny. And he, with his mortal body, wishing to hold on to that affection, which was as fleeting as morning dew, could only don his armor without a second thought.

Wei Ming let go of his hand.

"Alright."

No matter what secret Chi Lian was trying to hide, whether it was reincarnation or a foreign star falling into the mortal realm, since it had been entrusted to him, struggling and agonizing over it was futile.

Since there is only this one lifetime, then he must seize this one lifetime.

"Speaking of which, this subject also has something to ask Your Highness," Chi Lian suddenly asked. "That day, why did Chou Xinwei suddenly stop midway? I wonder if Your Highness saw clearly."

"No." Wei Ming's confused expression did not seem fake, and it was mixed with a bit of genuine disgust. "How would I have the time to look at him? I was too busy worrying you would fall and hit your head. Besides, he did such a wicked thing, it wouldn't be surprising if he broke heavenly laws and got struck by lightning."

Chi Lian gave him a thoughtful look and said lightly, "I see."

Wei Ming: "Hm?"

"It's nothing." Chi Lian changed the subject. "Let's enjoy the flowers. I heard that Your Highness's manor has transplanted a large number of Trumpet Vine Flowers. When they bloom in the summer, the scenery must be quite lovely."

Wei Ming said, "Whether it's lovely or not, you'll know if you come and see for yourself. Right, speaking of which, I remembered something else I need to tell you. It's about that Ran Dragon that Chou Xinwei left behind."

"Oh, what about it?" Chi Lian hadn't paid it much mind and was just asking casually, but then Wei Ming continued, "I picked it up and took it back."

Chi Lian abruptly turned his head to look at him and repeated, "Picked it up and took it back?"

"It was able to maintain such a huge form before because Chou Xinwei was casting a spell to help it, but it was just an illusion, not its real body. Later, it got a little bit of Dragon Marrow back from the Empress, but it wasn't enough, right? So now it's only this big." Wei Ming gestured with his hands, indicating something about the length of a chopstick. "That day, I saw it dying under the Sweet Dew Terrace, and Chou Xinwei didn't take it with him when he fled. I guess he just used it as part of his plan, so I picked it up and am now raising it in a pond."

Chi Lian rested his hand on his forehead, at a complete loss for words.

Wei Ming quickly tried to placate him, "Don't be angry. I promised you before I wouldn't raise anything in the Prince's Manor. This is just a temporary measure. Once it's better, I'll send it back to Mount Yao and release it. I couldn't just watch it die there."

"I'm not... I'm not angry," Chi Lian said helplessly. "It's fine, you can raise it. To be raised by Your Highness can be considered a blessing from its ancestors."

Wei Ming hesitated, "Does that tone of voice count as not being angry?"

Chi Lian: "..."

Besides Ye Xuan, probably no one would treat a Ran Dragon as a beloved pet. Moreover, considering the past karma, it was as if it was destined for Wei Ming to save its life. Chi Lian wasn't worried that it would cause any trouble.

"This subject is truly not so idle as to have the time to fuss over a water snake." He reached out and brushed the fallen blossoms from Wei Ming's shoulder. "But for Your Highness to take this subject's words to heart—that sentiment is more than enough."

In the gentle spring breeze, Wei Ming met his eyes, which were as clear as autumn waters. He suddenly understood those scholars in storybooks who had their souls captured by spirits—a mere fox spirit could already make one's heart flutter and lose self-control, and yet standing before him now was a genuine, bona fide immortal.