For days, Xue Liulan stayed by Murong Jin's side. Sometimes he talked to her; sometimes he just sat, staring blankly.
Xu Wan'er had told him everything.
"Guo Shangzhong again." Xue Liulan's fist clenched. Despite all precautions, the eunuch still had eyes in the palace.
"What will Your Majesty do?" Xu Wan'er heard the murderous intent in his voice.
"From the moment he targeted her, I decided he would not live." He snorted, lost in thought. Their plan to uproot Guo Shangzhong was nearly ripe.
Xu Wan'er hesitated. "When will that be? Guo Shangzhong's power is deep-rooted. How confident are you?"
He looked at her, surprised. This woman was Suyi's wife—or rather, his former wife.
Months ago, a scandal in Yin had shocked the dynasty. Princess Xu Wan'er of Jin, married to Prince Suyi, had framed her husband. She was sent back to Jin in disgrace. But not before accidentally causing Suyi's concubine to miscarry during a confrontation. In a rage, the Duke of Yin had ordered her beaten, causing her own miscarriage.
Suyi divorced her. At the same time, Xue Liulan received Suyi's letter.
Delivered by Liu Nanfeng, it asked for two favors. In return, Suyi would help destroy Guo Shangzhong.
First, take the divorced Xu Wan'er as a concubine until Suyi resolved matters in Yin. Second, lend the Fifteen to help stabilize Suyi's rule.
Xue Liulan had done both. And Suyi had kept his word, secretly gathering evidence against Guo Shangzhong.
"How confident is Suyi that he can take you from this palace?" Xue Liulan asked, turning back to Murong Jin.
Xu Wan'er froze, then bowed her head. "I overstepped."
"In destroying Guo Shangzhong, both Suyi and I have gambled the fate of the women we love. We must succeed, whatever the cost."
"Oh?"
"If the one you love is gone, what difference is there between life and death?" He sat beside Murong Jin, taking her hand.
Xu Wan'er sighed softly. Perhaps, at their core, Xue Liulan and Xiao Suyi were the same.
"Murong Jin."
His sudden, strangled cry startled her.
"What's wrong?" She couldn't see, but she knew something terrible had happened.
Xue Liulan's hands trembled as he rubbed Murong Jin's fingertips, trying to warm the icy flesh. For half a month, she had slept. No reaction. No change.
"Murong Jin, don't give up." He murmured it over and over.
"What is it?" Xu Wan'er asked anxiously.
He stood abruptly, snatching his sword from the wall and striding toward the door. Little Dingzi opened it, jumping back at the sight of the murderous Emperor.
But before he could step out, a voice stopped him.
"Xue Liulan, are you going to kill Guo Shangzhong?"
"Yes." He answered without hesitation, not even checking who spoke. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore.
Just moments ago, he had realized. The faint breath he had been sustaining with ginseng was gone. She had passed peacefully. No sound. No warning.
He had lost everything. He had nothing left to fear.
"Is this how you face her?" The man stepped forward, blocking his path, and closed the door. The room darkened.
Xue Liulan finally saw him. Weather-beaten face, solemn and grave. Time had aged him, but not dimmed his heroic spirit.
"Why are you back?" He knew the answer.
"I came for my daughter." Murong Yan took off his bamboo hat. He looked at the sword in Xue Liulan's hand, and his heart skipped a beat. He knew.
The only thing that could make Xue Liulan draw his sword in such despair was the death of Murong Jin.
The silver-robed general would never ride again.
"I'm taking her home." Murong Yan stepped forward, trying to bypass him.
"No." Xue Liulan blocked him. "She is my wife. You cannot take her."
"Wife? Are you worthy of being her husband?" Murong Yan glared at him, wanting to kill him where he stood. "She gave up her freedom, her life in Wuchuan, for you. And what did you do for her?"
"I… I only hurt her." Xue Liulan lowered his eyes, unable to face the father's grief.
"Yes. You only hurt her." Murong Yan looked past him to the still figure on the bed. "Marrying her to you was the biggest mistake of my life."
"If not for that marriage, she would be the freest bird in Wuchuan." Xue Liulan's sword clattered to the floor. The sound was like something breaking beyond repair.
"You are right." While he was distracted, Murong Yan moved to the bed and lifted her into his arms. "Jin, Father is taking you home."
"You can't take her!" Xue Liulan snapped out of it, blocking him again. "I said, she is my wife. I won't let anyone take her from me."
"Even if you can't protect her? Even if she is covered in scars? Xue Liulan, let her go. Let her have peace in death." Murong Yan's eyes bulged, tears streaming down his face, but his hold on her was firm.
This was her last wish. He would fulfill it.
Xue Liulan didn't answer, but he didn't move.
Xu Wan'er listened to the two men arguing. Sister Murong, if you could hear this, what would you choose?
"Gentlemen, may I say something?" she asked softly.
Xue Liulan turned. "Speak."
She stepped forward and knelt. "Your Majesty, please let General Murong take the Empress."
"What?" He gritted his teeth.
"It was her last wish." She kowtowed, tears falling.
"Her last wish?" He stared at her.
"That day in the garden, before you arrived, she held my hand. She asked me to send her back to Wuchuan. She never forgot her life there, her freedom. Now that she is gone, please let her go. Let her be free of these chains."
"She thought this… was chains?" He swayed, nearly falling.
"Your Majesty!" Murong Yan exclaimed. Little Dingzi rushed to support him, but he pushed him away, stumbling back to grip the bedpost.
Xu Wan'er steeled herself. "Yes. She always felt bound. She gave up everything because of her promise to you, letting her youth wither in this deep palace."
"So, she regretted it? She chose death to escape me, didn't she?" He roared, his voice echoing in the room before fading into silence.
Xu Wan'er choked, bowing her head deeply. She couldn't answer.
In Murong Jin's heart, did she value Xue Liulan more, or her freedom? No one knew. Perhaps not even Murong Jin herself.