Frost for a Thousand Years

Wei Yiyuan's body and spirit were completely worn down in this prison cell. He was like a dead dog, stiffly leaning against the wall, head hanging down, with no luster in his eyes.

Although he hasn't been tormented recently.

In fact, ever since he was submerged in the water and subjected to repeated water torture, and was forced to confess to a fabricated crime, no one has asked him anything again.

How did he recruit these people? What other followers and allies did he have? Most importantly, what was his motive for killing the emperor? Xi Shan didn't ask any of these questions.

How unprofessional would it be to miss such crucial information during an interrogation?

There is only one answer.

All the emperor needed from this farce was for him to confess.

As for the truth, His Majesty does not care.

He was even afraid that if he spoke carelessly, he might implicate certain people and harm others.

For example, his good son, the Prince of Jin.

Father, he's determined to kill me.

Once a person's heart dies, their body will also age rapidly.

Despite his young age, his temples were already gray.

The wrinkles at the corners of my eyes have spread out.

Why……

With your illustrious reputation, you know perfectly well that I would never do such a thing.

What would I gain from assassinating you?
Since you love me so little, I have no power in this court. Those noble families look down on me and would never place their hopes on me.

Even if I kill you, can I become emperor?

If I don't kill you to become emperor, then why?
Do you hate it?

Do I hate you?

No, it's you who hates me.

"Your Highness, we have been sent by the Prince of Jin to rescue you!"

Suddenly, the cell door was flung open.

Several soldiers quickly rushed in.

Wei Yiyuan was stunned. He looked up at these complete strangers. While he was still processing what had just been said, all the soldiers had already arrived.

Before he could react, his clothes were stripped off, leaving him only in his undershirt and trousers.

Then, as if they had been specially trained for this, they quickly draped the armor, helmet, and skirt armor over his body and immediately set him up.

Although his body and mind had collapsed, he had not been abused since the interrogation results were obtained, and he was fed by eunuchs every day, so his bodily functions were not affected.

As they supported Wei Yiyuan, he also moved along on his own initiative.

However, they were like zombies, staring blankly as they splattered kerosene everywhere in the cell.

"Your Highness, let's go quickly."

A soldier pulled him out of the cell, and the next moment, he was set on fire with a torch.

"You are……"

"Your Highness, please run with us and don't say anything."

The leader shoved a spear into Wei Yiyuan's hand and solemnly addressed him.

His mind was completely blank; he didn't have time to think. But he knew that at this point, he could only run with them.

The fire quickly started burning.

At night, they ran with torches in their hands.

But how could such a conspicuous change go unnoticed?

A group of soldiers rushed over and, seeing them fleeing so hastily in the night, immediately assumed attack stance. The leader shouted, "Password!"

"Bows and crossbows!"

After shouting back, the officers who had fled with Wei Yiyuan said anxiously, "Quickly report to His Majesty that Prince Zhongping has been rescued by the rebels and is no longer in prison!"

After saying that, they tried to run away.

But the man clearly sensed something was wrong, and in the torchlight, he vaguely recognized the man's face, so he shouted, "Where are you going?"

"Damn it! All the guards watching over Prince Zhongping have been killed, and everyone has been rescued! What if they escape if we don't give chase?" the leader of the assassins said. "If they contact an inside agent and launch a mutiny, and His Majesty is injured, do you dare to take responsibility?!"

"..." This fierce warning startled him.

Soon, a soldier who had gone to investigate returned and said, "Sir, the Prince of Zhongping is missing, and it looks like all his brothers are dead!"

"Go and report to His Majesty immediately!"

The leader of the assassins roared in fury, his veins bulging.

"Go! Report to His Majesty!"

With no other option, these people could only head towards the 'main hall'.

They drifted further and further away from Wei Yiyuan's team, missing each other.

As the fire spread, more and more troops surrounded it.

"Fire! Quick, put out the fire! Don't let it spread!"

In ancient times, at night, with identical armor and a leader with an extremely thick skin, these assassins would be absolutely indistinguishable.

Of course, this only happens at night.

Once it's daytime, all of these people will be caught.

They'll die a horrible death then.

Therefore, as the most disciplined and elite imperial guards in the world, they are not a rabble and will absolutely not fall into complete chaos because of this internal strife.

"Put out the fire! Put out the fire first!"

"If anyone is found committing arson, arrest them immediately!"

"Even if there are rebels, there can't be too many, and they certainly can't escape our tightly guarded agricultural settlement ceremony!"

The officers in charge of each area quickly took action.

But just as their defenses emphasized, the first thing these people did at night was to set fires.

In each of the four corners—east, west, south, and north—there is a house on fire.

"Don't panic!" Commander Wei Le of the Imperial Guards shouted immediately. "The rebels can't be many, and they wouldn't dare to openly set fires. These few fires are the limit of what they can do. Everyone, don't panic!"

Under his command, the army was extremely disciplined and could fight wherever he was told.

However, he forgot one very important point.

"Where did the fire come from? Where did the fire come from!"

"Are there rebels? Where are the rebels!"

"Quickly put out the fire!"

Because of the fire, the important figures came out of their houses one after another and started running around and shouting.

"Lord Shaofu, please go back."

Wei Le grabbed an old man and quickly said, "We'll put out the fire. It's not safe for you to be outside."

"Nonsense! The fire is almost in front of me! Do you want me to be burned to death?"

The biggest problem with these people is not their willfulness, but their high positions.

They have the right to be capricious.

Dozens of high-ranking officials, along with their cronies, made the scene even more chaotic.

Seeing the risk of things getting out of control, Wei Le mounted his horse and galloped towards the 'main hall'.

Soon, we arrived at His Majesty's residence.

This place had long been surrounded by a heavily armed army.

It was completely sealed off, inside and out.

Not a single fly could escape, and not a single rebel could break in.

Wei Le took his token, held it up in front of him, and rushed inside without stopping.

After passing through the last door, they finally met the emperor.

But the emperor remained seated calmly.

Hee-sun, who was standing to his side, appeared relatively calm despite her panic, thanks to the emperor's unwavering composure.

"His Majesty……"

"No need to report anymore," the emperor said, gesturing with his hand. "I know everything."

How can you remain so calm after knowing?!

Wei Le stared wide-eyed, his body trembling. But at the same time, he maintained an extremely high level of concentration.

"Wei Le," the emperor said calmly, looking at him, "do you know who the enemy is?"

"..." Wei Le frowned, looking very conflicted. "Your Majesty, I do not know."

Since Your Majesty knows, then speak quickly!
Or, tell me how to do it quickly!

If I continue to be so leisurely, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself. "Then why don't you guess?"

"Your Majesty, I... no..." Wei Le dared not, but he realized that the emperor had already sentenced the Prince of Zhongping to death, so at least this person could be guessed. Therefore, he said, "The Prince of Zhongping was rescued by someone, which may be related to those who assassinated Your Majesty."

"Then who are they?" the emperor asked again.

It's the Prince of Jin!
That's what Wei Le thought.

But how could he dare to say it?

"It is the Prince of Jin."

The moment the word "emperor" was uttered.

Wei Le immediately lowered his head and dared not utter a sound.

"Of course, everyone would think it was Prince Jin." The emperor's lips curled into a smile. "The grand ceremony was set on fire everywhere, and the prince who assassinated the emperor was kidnapped by the rebels, causing such chaos. Logically and emotionally, it is all related to Wei Yiyuan. And it all seems to be the work of Prince Jin."

Wei Le was really, really anxious.

This has nothing to do with him; he's just a security captain.

Why are we talking so much now?

Just tell me what to do.

Just then, a man dressed in a python robe slowly walked out.

Looking up at him, Wei Le's pupils dilated in shock.

This man was none other than the Prince of Jin.

He was also very nervous, but he didn't feel guilty at all.

He appeared here for only one purpose—I'm already here, how can you still call me a traitor?

"It was Song Shi'an who did it," the emperor said.

"..." Wei Le clenched his fist and said resolutely, "Now, I will go and arrest Song Shi'an!"

"No, we should invite them," the emperor said.

"Your Majesty, I understand. I will certainly invite him over." Wei Le knew what to do.

He has to come, whether he wants to or not.

Otherwise, I'd have to come.

"Do you know why I'm telling you so much?" the Emperor asked. "You don't seem to be in any hurry at all?"

"Your Majesty has your own considerations, and I dare not speculate," Wei Le said.

With Xishan's help, the emperor rose and said, "I have ordered that the twelve granaries be heavily guarded, and that no matter what happens, they shall not leave them for a moment. This main hall was previously protected by the Imperial Guards, and they shall not leave it for a moment no matter what happens. As for the other places, let them burn."

"What about the adults?" Wei Le swallowed hard and asked.

If arranged like this.

The army was almost entirely concentrated in the main hall, the warehouses, and the 'outer perimeter'.

The remaining troops were practically nonexistent.

It simply cannot cover this entire 3,000-acre grand ceremony area.

Those old men... who will protect them?
"Your surname is Wei, and so is mine." The emperor chuckled, tilted his head, and looked at Prince Jin. "He also has the surname Wei."

"……Yes!"

Wei Le found out.

Those big shots have nothing to do with them. If they want to die, they can just die.

Perfect, it all falls on Song Shi'an's shoulders.

"Your Majesty," Wei Le thought of one last question and asked, "Where is the Sixth Prince?"

"That's none of your business," the emperor said. "I've already sent people to tie him up."

"Yes!"

Wei Le sensed that the emperor had already started playing games.

He kidnapped his own son.

But this Song Shi'an was invited over.

He was very composed.

"go a head."

The emperor waved his hand.

"I obey!"

And so, Wei Le left.

Only the Prince of Jin, the Emperor, and Xishan remained.

"Ziyu, are you afraid?" the emperor asked.

“With Father Emperor here, I have no fear,” said Prince Jin. “I am only ashamed that I cannot share Father Emperor’s burden.”

"From now on, you will have to share the burden with Zisheng," the emperor said.

“If Your Highness is willing, I will do my utmost to assist you.” The Prince of Jin became completely obedient, like a well-behaved child.

"That's fine, that's fine."

The emperor sighed.

"Father..." At this moment, Prince Jin hesitated before speaking. But he quickly swallowed the words.

"You want to talk about the Prince of Zhongping, right?" the emperor asked casually.

"..."

After a moment of silence, the Prince of Jin said softly, "Since this was done by Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng, the Prince of Zhongping should be completely unaware of it..."

"After tonight, you will no longer have a brother like Wei Yiyuan. And Zisheng will no longer have a brother like Wei Wusheng."

The emperor turned his head, looked into his eyes, and said with a hint of pity, "You are the ones who are born of the same mother, the true brothers."

Once the followers who were being mocked by each other were dealt with, the factional strife between Wu and Jin would cease to exist.

An even more powerful force will emerge in the imperial court.

The nobles of Qinzhou who were completely controlled by the Liguogong Mansion.

As the last survivors, these two brothers should support each other.

"Yes."

The Prince of Jin lowered his head.

Although the emperor was saddened, the thought of how he had altered the dream made him unable to resist a smug hum, "Song Shi'an, is this your desperate gamble?"

…………

Wei Le rode his horse and arrived at Song Shi'an's place.

This place is also heavily guarded.

After all, there was a death order from the emperor.

However, they were still quite panicked.

Because Song Shi'an's house also caught fire from the inside. San Gou rushed in immediately.

"Why did this place catch fire?"

"Could it have been a traitor who let him in? But when did he go in?"

"That's impossible, the fire just started like that."

"Could it be that there's an inside agent planted by the Prince of Zhongping among our people, and he's trying to assassinate Song Shi'an..."

The soldiers began to waver.

"Step aside!"

Wei Le dismounted, pushed aside the people blocking his way, and walked towards the burning house.

He pushed the door open.

Inside, Song Shi sat calmly at the desk.

Even though the roof beams were still burning, he remained calm.

The two guards, San Gou and Xin Yue, standing on either side of him, seemed rather flustered.

"Heh, you set a fire yourself, and then pretend to be a loyal subject persecuted by traitors. Is that fun?"

Wei Le wanted to laugh when he saw Song Shi'an, and directly exposed him, saying, "His Majesty already knows. It was all your doing. His Majesty has already seen through your scheme to frame Prince Jin!"

"Your Majesty is truly wise."

Song Shi'an praised with a smile.

"Even when death is imminent, he still grins and laughs."

After cursing, Wei Le held out his hand: "Do it yourself, or should I ask you to?"

Song Shi'an slowly rose and politely extended his hand: "Please." (End of Chapter)