Chapter 115: The Final Chapter

Edited By: Mim

On the steps of the Ziwei Palace, Prince Langya, Xie Lanxu, formally received the Crown Prince’s golden seal, becoming the rightful Crown Prince and assuming the duties of regency.

After years of silence, the Eastern Palace—the symbol and home of the crown prince—once again opened its grand, dust-laden gates under the watchful eyes of the court and the people.

That same evening, Xie Lanxu moved into the Eastern Palace, and stacks of memorials from officials across the empire were immediately placed upon his desk.

Li Zhi, now appointed as a senior female officer of the Eastern Palace, took a set of tea utensils from the hands of the palace maids and poured a cup of fragrant tea for Xie Lanxu, who sat at the desk. The palace maids, visibly nervous, quickly exited the hall, leaving the two alone.

Xie Lanxu’s style of management—sharp, focused, and intimate—remained the same as it had been during his days at Mingyue Tower. His staff were few but skilled, chosen for their discretion and ability to work seamlessly in the background. They knew better than to linger unnecessarily in his presence.

As Li Zhi gracefully poured the tea, the emerald leaves unfurled in the water, releasing their delicate aroma. She placed the cup before him and, without a hint of formality, perched herself on his lap and took the first sip of the tea she had just brewed.

“Fit for an emperor,” she remarked with a smile, savoring the exquisite flavor.

Xie Lanxu smiled indulgently and handed her two memorials.

“The Minister of Justice and the Chief of the Court of Judicial Review have both submitted their resignations,” he said lightly.

“Because they’ve discovered something they’d rather not face?” Li Zhi asked knowingly.

“Perhaps,” he replied with a faint smile, his fingers brushing her cheek with affection. “Do you think I’ll let them get away with it?”

“Do you think I’d let them get away with it?” she replied, her lips curving into a sly smile.

Later that afternoon, the Minister of Justice and the Chief of the Court of Judicial Review were summoned to the newly constructed Baihui Corridor.

The Baihui Corridor was an architectural marvel, a winding covered walkway built over a serene lake. Its intricately carved columns were adorned with images of night blooming cereus flowers, so detailed they seemed to emit an ethereal fragrance. The corridor twisted and turned, leading to a series of star-shaped pavilions scattered across the lake’s surface, all centered around a grand lakeside tower.

But when the two officials arrived, it was not Xie Lanxu who greeted them.

Instead, it was Li Zhi.

“The Crown Prince has entrusted me with hearing the grievances of both esteemed officials,” she said with an air of poise and authority.

The two officials were momentarily taken aback. Though it was unusual for a woman to handle such matters, the Crown Prince’s trust in her left them with no room for objection.

Feigning humility, they began to elaborate on their supposed “health issues,” claiming that their bodies could no longer endure the rigors of public service.

Li Zhi listened patiently, her expression serene. But when they finished, she delivered a pointed question, “Or is it that you have discovered something… unsettling?”

The officials stiffened, their practiced composure faltering under her sharp gaze.

Seeing their hesitation, she continued with a sweet yet chilling smile, “If the two of you truly wish to retire, His Highness is, of course, benevolent enough to grant your request. Moreover, he will ensure that your sons inherit your positions—Justice Zhao Si and Assistant Magistrate Zhang Zhiqiao, correct?”

At this, the two officials paled.

“Your sons are fine young men,” Li Zhi went on, her tone polite yet unyielding. “Both have been waiting in the wings for quite some time, and this would be an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate their capabilities. Don’t you agree?”

The Chief of the Court of Judicial Review trembled as he stammered out a response.
“My son… my son is far too inexperienced for such a role…”

“The Crown Prince believes that the empire is in urgent need of fresh talent,” Li Zhi said with a gentle smile. “Experience is hardly a concern.”

Her calm demeanor only heightened their dread.

The Minister of Justice, breaking under the pressure, hastily spoke up, “The Assistant Chief of Minister of Justice is highly competent and far more suitable than my son for this position. Surely—”

“Minister Zhao,” Li Zhi interrupted, her voice soft but unyielding. “Do you know how vast the world truly is?”

The question caught him off guard.

“The size of the world depends on one’s perspective,” she continued. “For a farmer in the fields, the world is their village. For a merchant in the city, the world is the marketplace.

“But for the Crown Prince—the future master of this empire—the world is as small as the palm of his hand. Do you understand?”

The Minister of Justice fell silent, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

Li Zhi’s voice grew softer, yet each word carried an unshakable weight.

“From the moment I was born alongside my twin sister… from the moment the two of you entered the court as officials… from the moment His Highness was born into the royal family, destined to wield power over all others… there was something that bound us all.

“It is invisible yet ever-present, inescapable and unyielding.”

When the Minister of Justice and the Chief of the Court of Judicial Review heard Li Zhi’s final words, their pale faces turned even whiter.

“You two have enjoyed a lifetime of glory and privilege, thanks to the duties entrusted to you by the empire. But now, when it’s your turn to fulfill your obligations, you want to flee?”

The two officials stammered incoherently, their words stumbling over each other.

“I… no…”

“This is not…”

Li Zhi’s smile remained calm and unyielding.

“These two cases are of grave importance. The individuals implicated hold significant power, and any investigation might bring turbulence to the court and the nation. We understand your concerns, but if you insist on resigning, the Crown Prince won’t stop you.” She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. “However, your sons, Zhao Si and Zhang Zhiqiao, will inherit your posts and take over the investigation. After all, as the saying goes, ‘A tiger does not sire a dog.’ Surely, your sons will not disappoint us.”

Their faces, already pale, drained of what little color was left.

“Yet,” Li Zhi continued smoothly, her tone softening, “if the two of you can rise above your difficulties and fulfill your duties, the Crown Prince will ensure that you are rewarded generously in the future. Gentlemen, it is in your best interest to take the long view.”

The Minister of Justice hesitated. “But…”

Seeing their resolve wavering, Li Zhi pressed on.

“There’s no need to worry. All His Highness and I seek is justice. You’ll be left to conduct the investigation as you see fit, free of interference. You simply need to uncover the truth and present your findings to the Eastern Palace. Right now, the emperor is gravely ill and unable to speak. His authority has been entrusted to the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince’s will is effectively the emperor’s will. Gentlemen, the choice is yours—make it now.”

By this point, the two officials had no choice but to comply.

With the emperor’s power slipping and even his life in jeopardy, they realized they could no longer shirnk their responsibilities. Throwing away this “scalding sweet potato” might have spared them immediate discomfort, but it would also forfeit their families’ safety.

Sighing deeply, the Minister of Justice was the first to bow. “We… we accept the order.”

The Chief of the Court of Judicial Review had no choice but to follow suit, reluctantly bowing and resuming his “duty.”

—-

A Month Later

Having no path of retreat, the two officials poured their full effort into the investigation. One month later, the Three Judicial Offices jointly submitted their findings to the Eastern Palace.

That very day, the Eastern Palace had the results posted on public notice boards throughout the capital.

On the Streets of the Capital

“What?! The former Crown Prince was innocent all along! I knew it! I always knew it!”

“That former Minister of Justice was a scoundrel! To think he fabricated evidence and falsely convicted the Crown Prince!”

“And look here—their whole faction has been imprisoned for aiding and abetting the injustice! It says the Crown Prince’s spirit can finally rest in peace!”

Crowds of commoners surrounded the notice boards, their reactions ranging from weeping with joy to heated discussions.

One person murmured in disbelief, “So it was the emperor himself who violated the young lady of the Li family… Who would’ve thought…”

Another replied, “But if it was the emperor, what can they even do about it?”

“The Crown Prince is truly bold, making something like this public!”

The speaker was quickly met with glares from others in the crowd.

“Of course! Don’t you know whose son the Crown Prince is?”

“Like father, like son! Truly a worthy successor to his late father! With a Crown Prince like this, our great empire has nothing to fear!”

While the crowd debated, most assumed that no real consequences would come of it. After all, this was the emperor they were talking about. What punishment could he possibly face for the assault of one girl?

They would never have guessed that, as the capital buzzed with excitement over the notice, the emperor himself was being forced to press his trembling handprint onto a Sin Confession Edict of abdication.

Xie Shencong’s hands shook uncontrollably as he watched the decree—his confession and resignation—being taken from his sight.

Chief Eunuch Gao Shan, with a blank expression, presented the edict to Xie Lanxu, dressed in the formal robes and crown of the Crown Prince.

With deliberate care, Xie Lanxu picked up the imperial jade seal and pressed it firmly onto the edict, leaving a bold red mark beside the emperor’s handprint.

Realizing the finality of it, Xie Shencong erupted in an incoherent howl, his voice raw and animalistic. Blood sprayed from his lips as he struggled, his eyes fixed on the edict with a look of sheer hatred.

“Does Your Majesty know,” Li Zhi said calmly, stepping forward, “who has never abandoned you, even now?”

Xie Shencong froze, his furious movements halting for a moment.

“It’s the woman you stripped of her noble title, Su Changxi.”

His expression shifted to one of disbelief.

Li Zhi’s voice remained steady.

“All your life, you saw women as mere objects, unworthy of respect. Yet the only one who truly cared for you was a woman.”

“You’ve prided yourself on your mastery of manipulation, on your ability to play the game of thrones to perfection. But you failed to see that you’ve been abandoned by everyone who once mattered.

“The position you’re in today is not because of me. It’s not because of the Crown Prince.” Li Zhi’s eyes bore into his with quiet intensity. “It’s because of you.

“Your sins have consumed you. In the end, you’ve destroyed yourself.”

As she spoke, the setting sun bathed the golden tiles of the Ziwei Palace in a fiery red, as though painted with the blood of countless girls who had suffered in silence.

It was as if they were watching, bearing witness to the fall of the man who had wronged them.

Carrying the Sin Confession Edict, Li Zhi and Xie Lanxu left Ziwei Palace, leaving behind Gao Shan to oversee the fallen emperor.

Xie Shencong, now dethroned, collapsed from his chair and writhed on the floor like a worm, his cries echoing through the palace halls.

Let him rage.

Let the fires of hell burn within him forever.

Let him live out the rest of his days consumed by regret and fury, just as he had once condemned others to live.

As Xie Shencong flailed helplessly, a slender figure entered the room.

He raised his bloodshot eyes, and for a moment, hope flickered in them.

But as the figure stepped into the light, his face twisted in terror.

It was Lu Yao.

“Your Majesty…” she began softly, before correcting herself. “No, I suppose I should call you Supreme Emperor now.”

[Supreme Emperor or Grand Emperor:- The abdicated emperor or living father of the current emperor. A rare unicorn that is only seen in select dynasties]

Lu Yao’s soft and delicate exterior masked her sinister intentions. Her hands, hidden behind her back, clutched a whip with barbed edges—a weapon as cruel as the games she intended to play.

“Now, it’s your turn to play with me,” she said sweetly, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. Her eyes gleamed with malice. “Make sure you live long enough. That way, it’ll be more fun.”

The crimson glow of the sunset broke through the clouds, washing over the palace’s golden glazed tiles and illuminating the towering, interwoven hope of a new dawn.

—–

A Day Later

The Sin Confession Edict was officially posted on the imperial bulletin boards for the entire nation to see.

The empire was in uproar.

Xie Shencong’s reign—the era of decadence, paranoia, and cruelty—had come to an end.

Under the mediation of the Crown Prince, the Shengzi Palace’s army of four hundred thousand soldiers surrendered and rejoined the imperial forces. With this, Xie Lanxu solidified his hold over the empire, and within three days, he ascended the Dragon Throne amidst the unanimous support of officials and citizens.

As soon as the grand coronation ceremony had ended, Prince Xie Fengshao sought an audience with the newly enthroned emperor.

“You wish to meet Li Zhi?” Xie Lanxu’s piercing gaze swept over Xie Fengshao, his tone unreadable.

Xie Fengshao stood unwavering, his demeanor calm and composed. There was no fear in his eyes, only an emptiness—like a fire that had long since burned out.

After a moment of contemplation, Xie Lanxu granted his request.

When Li Zhi and Xie Fengshao’s eyes met again, a wave of complex emotions washed over her. Guilt churned within her, silencing her tongue and preventing her from speaking first.

Xie Fengshao’s gaze, however, held no affection—only sincerity and resolve. He uttered only one sentence.

“I wish to take her with me when I leave, to give her a proper burial as my rightful wife. May I?”

Li Zhi’s heart tightened, and for a moment, she couldn’t bring herself to respond. But deep down, she understood. She believed this was what the real Li Zhi would have wanted.

After a long silence, she nodded.

Xie Fengshao, though a prince, bowed deeply to her in gratitude. He cast her one last glance—a look that carried all the weight of his sorrow—and turned to leave.

He never looked back.

As his figure disappeared into the distance, Li Zhi noticed how hunched and weary he seemed. He was no longer the proud and radiant prince she had first met.

With Xie Fengshao’s departure to his fiefdom, another storm in the capital dissipated.

For the first time in years, peace seemed within reach.

—–

The imperial court had grown accustomed to the new emperor. Xie Lanxu’s throne grew steadier with each passing day, and so too did the ambitions of his officials.

Soon, waves of letters recommending noble daughters for consortship flooded the emperor’s desk, each more extravagant than the last.

None could have anticipated that, within a month, they would witness a second grand ceremony—the Empress’s Investiture.

The Empress’s Coronation

In honor of the empress’s birth, which coincided with a rare night when all the epiphyllum flowers of the capital bloomed at once, the emperor chose to follow the elegant style of the Wei and Jin dynasties. The ceremony was adorned with white silk, delicate gauze, and purple ribbons.

On the grand ceremonial stage, under the watchful eyes of countless officials, Xie Lanxu took the empress’s hand and placed a familiar seashell bracelet on her wrist.

“I’ve fulfilled all my promises to you,” he said with a smile. “Do you have any lingering wishes?”

Li Zhi, her eyes shimmering with tears, gazed deeply at the man before her. Slowly, she shook her head.

“No,” she replied softly.

“Then from now on,” Xie Lanxu declared, “you must stay by my side, and we’ll walk this path together.”

He extended his hand toward her, waiting patiently.

Li Zhi looked at his hand, and after a brief hesitation, grasped it firmly.

Their fingers intertwined, and together, they stood beneath a tidal wave of cheers and blessings.

As Xie Lanxu turned to face the court, basking in the adulation of his officials, he failed to notice the fleeting change in her expression.

Her tender, moved demeanor faded the moment his gaze shifted away.

A sharp, clear cry pierced the air, drawing everyone’s attention skyward.

A magnificent azure bird, its feathers gleaming and its long tail trailing behind it, soared across the endless blue heavens.

The white silk draped over Li Zhi’s shoulders fluttered in the wind like flowing snow, weaving a striking contrast to the blue expanse above. It was as if she herself were the bird, her presence both ethereal and fleeting.

Xie Lanxu squinted against the sunlight, his gaze following the bird’s ascent.

Just then, Li Zhi broke the silence.

“Do you think phoenixes can be tamed?”

Her question caught him off guard. He paused for a moment before replying thoughtfully, “If it can be tamed, is it still a phoenix?”

Li Zhi laughed softly. “Great minds think alike.”

“No,” Xie Lanxu corrected her with a smirk. “Husband and wife think alike.”

The azure bird circled a few more times before disappearing into the horizon.

Perhaps it had lost count of how many times it had flapped its wings that day, just as a person might lose track of the lies they’ve told in their lifetime.

The greatest lies, after all, are the ones that even the liar comes to believe. Truth becomes indistinguishable from falsehood, until the very end.

But that end was not today.

Xie Lanxu’s gaze remained fixed on her, overflowing with affection.

The crimson glow of the setting sun bathed the world in golden light, veiling their secrets in its warmth.

In his eyes, she was pure and flawless, her figure unsullied by even the faintest shadow.

She, however, held tightly to her treasures and smiled; a smile brimming with mystery.

Author’s Note:

That’s the main story wrapped up! Feel free to dive into the side stories, which I’ll update irregularly. No need to wait, just drop by whenever you’re free!

Translator’s Note:-

Hey guys its the end of the main story!!! I hope you liked the novel. And about the side stories they have been translated but aren’t edited yet by the editor so do you want me to post them unedited or edited one?