After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

Xie Jinchen slowly walked to Chu Jingyu's side, and the two stood side by side, gazing at the empty dragon throne.

The hall was filled with a faint smell of blood, which mixed with incense to create a unique and oppressive odor.

Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting distinct shadows on the polished gold-brick floor and elongating the two figures' shadows.

"Mingzhao," Xie Jinchen spoke first, his voice low and solemn, "thank you."

These two words contain too much.

If it weren't for Chu Jingyu's inside help, the journey today would not have been so smooth; it would have been a scene of bloodshed.

Upon hearing this, Chu Jingyu smiled with a sense of relief.

He didn't respond to the thank you, but instead asked a seemingly unrelated question:

"Ah Chen, do you still remember what I said when you dragged me, barely alive, from the pile of corpses under the siege of those assassins sent by the Second Brother?"

Before Xie Jinchen could speak, Chu Jingyu continued speaking, his voice echoing clearly in the empty hall:

"At that time, I had three broken ribs, a broken arrow stuck in my shoulder, and I was covered in blood, so I could barely see the road ahead."

"You stood before me, holding your still-dripping sword, surrounded by corpses lying in disarray, the moonlight cold."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he could see again the tragedy and desolation of that night:

"With my last breath, I looked at you and said: Thank you, Jinchen. I will remember your life-saving grace for the rest of my life."

He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing, and his voice held a hint of the resolute determination of yesteryear:

"Then I said: This path to the Eastern Palace has always been fraught with corpses and bloodshed; it is extremely difficult to traverse alone. Xie Jinchen, would you be willing... to stand beside me, and together we will traverse this thorny path to see the view from the highest point?"

Xie Jinchen felt as if he had returned to that night filled with murderous intent.

He didn't speak, he just listened quietly.

Chu Jingyu turned his head to look at Xie Jinchen. The sunlight streaming through the window fell into his eyes, reflecting a faint light.

"I also want to tell you that I hope one day I can truly become worthy of the name Mingzhao bestowed upon me by my imperial grandfather."

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinchen reached out and patted Chu Jingyu's shoulder heavily. "Mingzhao, you did it today."

Chu Jingyu's shoulders trembled slightly, then he smiled. The heaviness and coldness in his smile were replaced by a touch of sincerity.

He patted Xie Jinchen's arm in return: "Alright, enough with the sentimentality. Go on. I know there are many things you want to ask him yourself."

Xie Jinchen didn't say anything more, but just gave Chu Jingyu a deep look, everything was understood without words.

He turned around and strode away from the Zichen Palace.

Outside the Zichen Palace, Jiang Dusheng was already waiting there, dressed in a light yellow dress with a moon-white cloak over it, standing under the corridor.

The autumn wind fluttered her clothes, her features were clear and cold like a painting, seemingly out of place in the oppressive palace, yet like a ray of clear moonlight breaking through the murky atmosphere.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around and saw Xie Jinchen striding towards her with a solemn expression and an aura of lingering murderous intent emanating from him.

His eyes were like a bottomless, icy pool, reflecting the sunlight but unable to warm them.

Jiang Dusheng didn't say much, and didn't even ask "How is it?"

As Xie Jinchen approached, she naturally stepped forward and reached out to grasp his hand, which was hanging by his side.

Xie Jinchen paused, his gaze falling on the two clasped hands. The icy coldness surging in his eyes seemed to melt a crack with this touch.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice was lower and hoarser than usual, "Dirty."

He whispered, trying to pull his hand back, "Just came from Xuande Gate, and dealt with a few loyal dogs who refused to submit."

He omitted the bloodshed of the process, only mentioning it lightly with the word "cleaning," but the lingering chill on his fingertips and the indelible smell said it all.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng tilted his head slightly, deliberately drawing out his words with a hint of teasing: "Oh? Are you sure you want me to let go?"

She lightly scratched his palm with the tip of her thumb, a very light touch. "Okay, then I'll really let go?"

As she spoke, she indeed loosened her grip slightly, making a move to pull away.

The next moment, her hand was suddenly gripped tightly.

Xie Jinchen almost instinctively reached back and firmly enveloped her hand in his palm.

His brow furrowed as he stared at her, the icy coldness in his eyes shattering completely. "You've really loosened up?"

Jiang Dusheng gave a soft snort, struggling slightly against his wrist in his palm, but failing to break free, so he let him hold it, only the teasing in his tone became more obvious:

"Xie Jinchen, be reasonable. You were the one who used foul language and begged me to let go. I did as you asked, so why are you unhappy now? Is this what they call 'retreating to advance' in military strategy?"

Xie Jinchen was speechless for a moment, and his tense shoulder line relaxed almost imperceptibly.

He sighed deeply and said deliberately, "You really don't like me. You can't understand my insincerity."

Jiang Dusheng: ...

For the first time, she realized so clearly how troublesome it could be for a man to act unreasonably.

Inside Emperor Cangqi's bedroom.

The imperial physician had finished his examination and left tremblingly. In accordance with the Crown Prince's strict orders, he kept the news under wraps, leaving only the most reliable palace servants to attend to him from a distance.

At this moment, in the vast palace, there was only Emperor Cangqi lying on the dragon bed with a weak breath, and Xie Jinchen and Jiang Dusheng who had just entered.

The air was stagnant, filled with the strong smell of medicinal herbs and the air of decay and impending death.

Jiang Dusheng did not hesitate at all, let alone show any pity or tenderness towards the woman.

She walked straight to the dragon bed and picked up a talisman between her fingertips.

Without even glancing at Emperor Cangqi, she flicked her wrist, placing the talisman between his brows, and simultaneously uttered a clear shout:

"When heaven and earth are clear and bright, the mind is naturally clear!"

"Wraiths and demons, begone! Souls, return to your rightful place!"

"Imperial Edict!"

The talisman shimmered with golden light and seeped into the skin.

Almost simultaneously, the unconscious Emperor Cangqi's body trembled violently, he coughed violently, his eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes.

At first, his eyes were cloudy and unfocused, but when he saw Xie Jinchen standing in front of the bed with a cold and aloof expression, his cloudy eyes suddenly emitted a terrifying hatred and madness.

"Ni... Nizi!"

With a hoarse voice, he managed to utter those two words, struggling to sit up, but he fell back down due to exhaustion.

He could only stare intently at Xie Jinchen, his chest heaving violently.

Xie Jinchen looked down at him.

Upon hearing the word "rebellious son," he not only did not become angry, but instead curled his lips into a cold smile.

"Unfilial son?" he repeated, his tone chillingly flat. "Chu Yan, when have you ever truly treated me as a son?"

He tilted his head slightly, as if deep in thought, then nodded as if suddenly realizing something. "Oh, I think so too."