Just now, seeing Chi Lian grievously injured and on the verge of death, Wei Ming had no choice but to reveal that he was conscious and step in to take control of the situation. Ye Jintan, likely intimidated by his presence, obediently followed his instructions. He now walked over and said in a low voice, Grand Preceptor, Your Highness, what should be done with The Empress's remains? Should we take them back, or bury them on the spot?”

Wei Ming didn't answer, naturally ceding the decision-making authority back to Chi Lian. Chi Lian thought for a moment and said, “For now, place her in the carriage of Marquis Cheng'en and bring her back to the palace. As for what to do next, let The Emperor decide for himself.”

He glanced around at the scattered broken tiles and bricks. The Sweet Dew Terrace had nearly half collapsed, and he couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. Nevertheless, he had to clean up the mess. “Your Highness's jade pendant, may I borrow it for a moment?”

Naturally, Wei Ming did not refuse. Chi Lian held the jade pendant in one hand and formed a seal with the other, silently chanting an incantation. His silver hair and sleeves stirred without a wind as he stood tall and graceful between heaven and earth. A gentle, pale green light emanated from his palm, washing away the murderous aura. At this moment, he looked especially like an immortal, a completely different person from the cold figure who had drawn his blade at the slightest disagreement and fought Chou Xinwei to the death just moments before.

The faint glow gradually formed a fuzzy ball of light, which rose from Chi Lian's palm and flew into the air. It spread out luminously like a small, bright lantern, spiraling upward along an invisible path, constantly scattering specks of light. Wherever the spiritual light shone, broken wood and shattered tiles flew back to their original places, reforming into a majestic pavilion. The smashed rocks and trees were all restored to their former state. Even the incense ash spilled on the table returned to the censer, not a single grain missing.

It was as if time had reversed, with everything returning to its starting point.

If not for the mottled bloodstains that remained on the stone steps, Wei Ming would have almost believed the soul-stirring tragedy he had just witnessed was nothing but a groundless fantasy.

Before Chi Lian could act, Ye Jintan, who had been standing silently beside him, took the initiative to cast a spell and erase the bloodstains.

“Do you have any talisman paper?” Chi Lian asked in a low voice.

Ye Jintan took out a sheet and gave it to him. Chi Lian held the talisman paper in his hand, seemed to ponder for a moment, and then finally made up his mind. He instructed Wei Ming as concisely as possible, “Your Highness, in a moment, just pretend you know nothing and wake up along with the Crown Prince and the others. Ye Jintan and I will be enough to handle The Emperor. It's best that Your Highness doesn't get involved. As for what happened today...” He hesitated, glancing at Wei Ming. “Once I've cleaned up this mess, I will give Your Highness an account.”

Wei Ming knew what he had a guilty conscience about, but he didn't fully understand why. It was not a pleasant feeling, especially after realizing what kind of feelings he held for Chi Lian. It had felt like they were old friends at first sight, and he had regretted not meeting him sooner, yet every little detail now seemed to remind him that his understanding of this person was far from enough.

He sighed softly and corrected Chi Lian's wording: “It's an ‘explanation’.”

Wei Ming's attitude was less of a tacit concession and more like a form of indulgence born from personal feelings. Upon hearing this, Chi Lian smiled, and the gloom that filled the sky was swept away by his brief, radiant expression. “As you command.”

He gestured for the two to step back, then bit his fingertip and drew on the yellow talisman with his blood in a single stroke. The talisman immediately burst into flames without a wind, green smoke rising straight into the air. Chi Lian chanted in a low voice, “Wandering souls, where do you remain? Startled spirits, return swiftly to your own.” After speaking, he clapped his hands with a sharp sound and shouted sharply, “Return, souls!”

The voice was deep but not hoarse, resounding like the shattering of gold and jade, echoing through his mind. In an instant, Wei Ming felt a coolness pour down from the top of his head, like a clear spring washing away all worldly troubles. The dazed feeling vanished, and his thoughts became clear.

A light breeze brushed his face. The teetering barrier finally collapsed completely, and the air and time began to flow once more.

The thousands of specks of fluorescent light that lingered in the sky after the reversal of the spell formation seemed to recognize their owners, returning to their original bodies like weary birds to their nests. A moment later, the common folk kneeling on the ground gradually recovered from their stiffness and began to get up, their faces filled with the daze of someone who had just woken from a dream. They looked around, and seeing that everyone else was just as dazed as they were, couldn't help but mumble, “Did it just rain? How did the rain stop in the blink of an eye?”

“The sacrificial ceremony ended so quickly... wasn't it quite long in previous years?”

“Well, we never managed to pray for rain in past years. Look how soaked I am. I should hurry home and change. This year is sure to be a prosperous one.”

The Crown Prince knew nothing. He only felt as if his mind had wandered for a moment, and in a blink, the sacrificial text had been read. Chi Lian smoothly transitioned to the next part of the ceremony, so he too followed the ritual official's arrangements and completed the proceedings without a hitch.

Emperor Qiansheng, who had fainted earlier, now regained consciousness along with everyone else. He subconsciously glanced beside him and saw the Empress sitting there with dignity, a benevolent smile on her face as she watched the Crown Prince. Her expression and complexion were just like a living person's, and the sight scared him so much he almost passed out again. Fortunately, Chi Lian's secret voice transmission reached his ear at that moment: “Your Majesty, no need to be alarmed. It is a small illusion. I will report to Your Majesty in detail after the ceremony has ended.”

An uncontrollable look of defeat appeared on Emperor Qiansheng's face. After experiencing such a bizarre and outlandish event, the current peace and quiet felt more like a dream. Right now, everyone was in their proper place, and no one had even noticed anything amiss. This left him ample time to handle this disgraceful royal secret, which could be said to be the only silver lining in this misfortune. He knew who was responsible for this and couldn't help but gaze deeply at the person, his eyes filled with both curiosity and fear. Chi Lian met his gaze and walked forward. Unsurprisingly, he saw the Son of Heaven flinch back a few inches. Chi Lian still bowed in accordance with a subject's etiquette, his posture humble. After receiving permission, he approached Emperor Qiansheng and said a few words. Others couldn't know the exact content, but those who stole glances with lowered heads could see The Emperor nod, his lips moving slightly to say, “Approved.”

Down below the Sweet Dew Terrace, the accompanying princes and ministers did not know why Chi Lian had suddenly gained Emperor Qiansheng's trust, as if he had reached the heavens in a single step in a place they couldn't see. But anyone with eyes knew that for him to be able to stand in that position, and to never retreat from it again, was enough to be called a “confidant of the Son of Heaven”.

Although this spring's ceremony was spectacular, with the Crown Prince even succeeding in praying for rain, Chi Lian's subsequent actions and Emperor Qiansheng's attitude were clearly more intriguing. This caused everyone's thoughts to drift, and the ceremony ended with a rather rushed and perfunctory feeling.

An hour later, the imperial procession returned to the palace. The imperial clan and all the officials followed back to the city, and the spectating commoners also dispersed. Only Wei Ming did not hurry to leave. He stood alone in the shadow of the Sweet Dew Terrace, raising a hand to shield his eyes as he watched the daylight break through the clouds and illuminate the entire Capital once more.

In the Jade Capital, the heavens were about to change.

From the time he returned to the Capital—no, to be more precise, from the time Chi Lian appeared—in just a few short months, the two most stable powers in the palace had fallen one after another: Grand Preceptor Jinghui of the Zixiao Academy had gone into seclusion, and the Empress and Crown Prince were embroiled in a scandal of colluding with a demon. For so many years, Wei Ming had been excluded from the center of power. While this was partly due to his own plans, Jinghui and the Crown Prince were indeed two great mountains he could not bypass.

Now, the situation had undergone a world-shaking change. If Wei Ming had the heart to contend for power, this was his best opportunity.

But why was Chi Lian doing this?

Wei Ming was not yet so arrogant as to believe he was favored by destiny, to the point of startling an immortal into descending to the mortal realm specifically to help him. Mortals do not act without incentive, and even ghosts and gods must have something they seek. Chou Xinwei said Chi Lian was an immortal exiled from the Heavenly Court. Wei Ming was unwilling to speculate in a malicious direction. Did he have some unavoidable difficulty? Or was he plotting a comeback, to return to the Heavenly Court?

Or perhaps... was it for that Emperor Cangze, whom Chou Xinwei had mentioned repeatedly, only to be cut off by Chi Lian each time?

Perhaps his doubts were too deep, and the events he had experienced today were too sensational, for that night after returning to his manor, Wei Ming had another dream.

Last time, he had only seen a figure from afar. This time, however, it was as if he were floating in mid-air, witnessing the entire course of events from an observer's perspective.

Passing through the moon gate and proceeding along a winding path flanked by green jade trees, a clear stream flowed into a hundred-acre lotus pond behind the hall. After crossing a short bridge paved with agarwood, one could look up and see ornate windows and vermilion doors nestled amidst the cool shade.

The tightly shut palace doors parted automatically without being pushed. An Immortal Lord dressed in magnificent pale gold robes stepped over the threshold and gave a deep bow to the man sitting alone in the depths of the hall. “Emperor.”

“Danchen, you're here.” The man did not rise to greet him, nor did he even put down the object in his hand. His tone carried the nonchalance of one long accustomed to a high position. “Come, sit.”

The sleeves and hem of his deep blue, silver-embroidered robes draped all the way to the floor. He wore no crown, having simply used a silver, jade-inlaid circlet to tie up half of his long hair, while the rest cascaded like dark clouds over his shoulders and back.

Perhaps because it was a dream, the Emperor's face was not revealed, but Wei Ming subconsciously knew that he was very young, around the age of a twenty-seven or twenty-eight-year-old mortal. He was sufficiently composed without being old-fashioned and stuffy. Even seated, one could tell he was tall, able to carry the wide robes and broad sleeves, and when he leaned forward slightly, the soft, draping fabric would outline his firm shoulders and narrow waist.

The young man called “Danchen” sat down opposite him, holding a delicate black jade bottle. He pushed it towards the Emperor's hand. “This is what Divine Lord Gantang asked me to bring. It's the antidote the Emperor asked him to refine the day before yesterday.”

The Emperor picked up the small bottle and turned it halfway against the light, examining it closely. Yet, he said, “His Highness truly has a lot of leisure time.”

“Ahem, it was no trouble at all,” Danchen said, touching his nose uncomfortably. “Hey, don't open it... Gantang said this medicine must be used immediately after opening. It can't be left out, or its efficacy will be reduced.”

The Emperor placed the bottle to one side. Danchen asked curiously, “When I was coming from the Jade Purity Palace just now, I saw the lord of Li Continent heading for Lingxiao Palace. He looked furious, so I'm afraid he's going to file a complaint. I heard the Emperor just made a trip to the North Sea two days ago?”

The Emperor lowered his gaze to the still-wet ink on the blueprint on the table, his expression seemingly displeased. He didn't even lift his eyelids. “What of it?”

“Haven't you always been very tolerant towards the three continents of the North Sea?” Danchen asked curiously. “What did Ye Xuan do to offend you this time?”

The Emperor dipped his brush and added a few strokes to the blueprint. “Who are you running this errand for? Gantang, or the Heavenly Emperor?”

Danchen smiled. “For no one. It's purely my own curiosity. Emperor, for the sake of the sincerity I've shown by traveling such a long way to deliver this medicine, please enlighten me.”

The Emperor sighed wordlessly, put down his brush, and said concisely, “A few days ago, at the Ten Directions Annual Banquet, the spirit pet Ran Dragon accompanying Continent Lord Ye Xuan of Li Continent caused a disturbance in Xuanjian Pavilion and injured more than a dozen Immortal Attendants. It's just that the immortal official on duty didn't want to stir up trouble, so it wasn't made into a big issue.”

Danchen nodded in understanding. “Ah, so that's what happened. That is their usual style.”

The Emperor said, “The Immortal Attendants of Xuanjian Pavilion are all transformed from spirit flowers and spirit grasses, with low statuses. I'm afraid Ye Xuan doesn't regard them highly. Since no one is pursuing this matter, I will. Committing a wrong and being punished is only right and proper. It's the same even if he complains to the South Heaven Gate. There's nothing more to be said.”

Danchen said, “That makes me even more curious. Then how did the Emperor find out about this matter?”

“There was one among that group of Immortal Attendants who wasn't afraid of death,” the Emperor said. “In order to protect his colleagues, he braced himself and went up with his sword. Although his swordsmanship was sloppy, he managed to trade blows with the Ran Dragon. But in the end, he was still too young. He didn't last until reinforcements arrived and ended up being gravely injured instead.”

Danchen let out a long “Ohhh.” “I understand. So the Emperor's personal visit to Lizhou of the North Sea before wasn't just to punish the Ran Dragon clan, but also a special trip to find a way to heal that injured Immortal Attendant—it was Dragon Marrow, wasn't it? You even specially entrusted Yixia Palace to refine the spiritual medicine. No wonder Divine Lord Gantang's attitude was exceptionally good today. So it turns out he was won over by your noble character...”

The Emperor said lazily, “If you want him to have a good attitude towards you too, you should first rein in that frivolous demeanor of yours.”

Danchen smiled, completely unconcerned. He didn't pursue the topic and asked, “From the Emperor's words, it seems you intend to transfer that Immortal Attendant to Jiangxiao Palace? What's his name? Why not invite him here for a meeting?”

As he was speaking, a few faint sounds came from the direction of the inner chamber. The Emperor narrowed his eyes and tilted his head. He immediately put down his brush, grabbed the medicine bottle on the table, and said to Danchen, “It's inconvenient today. When he joins Jiangxiao Palace another day, Your Highness is welcome to come and observe the ceremony. I won't see you out.”

Danchen: “...”

The windows of the inner chamber had been enchanted, blocking out the bright daylight from outside. The room was illuminated only by pearls embedded in the walls. The Emperor walked into the inner room with practiced ease and saw a faint, soft white light filtering through a gauze canopy, revealing the vague silhouette of a person on the bed. He deliberately made his footsteps heavier. The person immediately turned their head toward the sound and asked in a hoarse voice, “Who?”

“It is I.”

From within the gauze canopy came the muffled thud of something heavy landing on the mattress. The Emperor's sharp eyes caught a fleeting glint of cold light, but he did not expose it, nor did he step forward. He simply stood quietly in place.

A moment later, a thin hand covered in fine scars parted the gauze curtain. A cool, lingering scent of lotus flowers wafted through the screen, silently pervading the dim room.

Wei Ming opened his eyes in the faint, cherry-blossom-colored light of dawn. The scent of lotus from the dream seemed to linger in his nostrils. Compared to the last time he woke up with his heart pounding, this could even be considered a peaceful and beautiful dream.

But, but.

He closed his eyes again, hugged the quilt tightly, and turned over to face away from the bed. He didn't know who he was being petulant with, as if doing so could completely cast the dream from his mind and he would no longer have to trouble himself over nothing.