"How did you get out of bed? Go back and lie down immediately."
Seeing Shen Zhao awake, Song Yanran rushed forward, fussing over him with concern and completely ignoring Ji Bingyan and Jun Yutian.
"You were gravely injured, yet you didn't tell me? Do you consider me an outsider?" Shen Zhao frowned, feeling awkward under Song Yanran's anxious gaze.
After nine lifetimes of hardship, he had grown accustomed to surviving in cold, indifferent environments. This display of warmth left him utterly unprepared.
"Empress, there's no need for this. I'm already fine."
This wasn't mere politeness. After ten days of dormancy, his injuries had completely healed, and he felt his qi sea and dantian had grown even more robust.
Unconvinced, Song Yanran picked up the freshly brewed premium spirit medicine, brought it to Shen Zhao, blew on it to cool it, and offered a spoonful to feed him.
Shen Zhao refused to be docile. He stopped her intimate gesture and said, "There's no need, Empress. I'll do it myself."
He snatched the bowl and drained it in one gulp.
Song Yanran's face flushed, her eyes fixed on Shen Zhao.
*I never imagined his true form would be even more handsome than his avatar,* she thought.
Ji Bingyan, standing nearby, felt a surge of irritation but dared not speak.
After all, being favored by the renowned Dragon Han Empress was enough to prove her master's extraordinary nature.
Setting down the medicinal bowl, Shen Zhao began to inquire about the events that had transpired during her ten-day coma.
"The Wind and Rain Pavilion has been disbanded... *Sigh*..."
A flicker of melancholy crossed Song Yanran's eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by a sense of relief.
"Those children still can't accept that I am Ying Zhaoyun. They couldn't bear the shock and left.
In truth, it's my fault. Had I revealed the truth to them sooner, as you suggested, perhaps this wouldn't have happened.
I have no right to blame them. After all, this is the consequence of my own ambition to seize power all those years ago. I accept the blame."
Shen Zhao nodded. He had anticipated this outcome, and it was far better than he had feared.
"With time, they will naturally understand your good intentions."
"Hmm, I don't expect them to forgive me. I only hope they won't stray from the right path in their future lives."
"What about Prince Rui?"
"My imperial brother conspired with you to advance the palace coup. To lure Nine Nether into the open, he told me everything. I wanted to recall him to court to act as regent, but he refused. So, I demoted him to Protector-General of the Xiongnu, overseeing construction in Hebei and guarding the distant border. He departs soon."
"Indeed. Prince Rui acts with great integrity. Had he not taken such a desperate risk, this entire situation would have been precarious."
"When he plotted with me, he had already prepared himself mentally."
"I was truly foolish. How could my imperial brother betray me? In the end, it was my own lack of trust in kinship."
"What about the rebellious vassals and royal traitors?"
"I originally intended to capture them all in one net, but after the deaths of two Great Emperors and the ongoing disasters across the Central Region, I ordered them to redeem themselves by pacifying the disaster-stricken areas and quelling the unrest.
Through this experience, I've learned that one cannot always decide the fate of others solely through force and schemes. Sometimes, necessary compromises can lead to better outcomes."
Shen Zhao silently nodded in agreement.
"What about Di Feijing?"
"Ah, him. I gave him a large sum of money—enough to ensure his family's comfort for generations—and he has already left. I wanted to keep him in the capital and give him an honorary title, but he refused.
So, I had to publicly announce that Prince Jing died in the rebellion, and that was the end of it."
"It seems the Empress had long known he wasn't the poisoner?"
"Actually, I sought him out partly because of you, but after realizing he wasn't you, I also used him to deal with those parasitic noble families in the court.
Over the past year, all the prisoners were disposed of through his hands.
Though he was arrogant and ostentatious, he had no real desire for power. How could I believe he was the poisoner?"
"Then does the Empress know who the poisoner is?"
"Sigh..."
Song Yanran sighed softly, a look of helplessness on her face.
"Hu Yushu has served me for many years and was the only one who knew the secret between me and the Wind and Rain Pavilion.
Yet she betrayed me and defected to the Nine Nether, secretly poisoning my incense with the Seven-Star Begonia a year ago.
It's a pity I didn't heed your warning back then."
"Where is she now?"
"Dead. She poisoned herself, preserving her last shred of dignity. I have no desire to harm her family any further."
The court was now being purged, and the palace coup had caused considerable upheaval.
However, the future Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty would undoubtedly usher in a new era.
Shen Zhao rose from the bed and glanced at the sky outside, letting out a long sigh.
"Good. I've fulfilled Linghu Ming's final request. With this matter settled, it's time for me to leave."
"You're leaving?" Song Yanran was startled.
"Yes, it's time to go." Shen Zhao smiled faintly. "I'm just a restless soul, with many other matters to attend to."
"You... you're not going back to *her*, are you?" Song Yanran asked cautiously, afraid of upsetting him.
Shen Zhao knew exactly who she meant. He waved his hand dismissively. "I am now an Enforcement Elder of the Public Judgment Council—is that not more prestigious than being a mere son-in-law?
Rest assured, I have no intention of debasing myself again to endure that miserable life."
Song Yanran let out a sigh of relief. "Actually, the 'Imperial Consort' isn't as despicable as you think," she continued. "You simply loved the wrong person. If you were to stay, I could offer you an entirely different experience."
Her words were a blatant, naked hint to Shen Zhao.
"Haha, thank you for your generous offer, Empress," Shen Zhao replied. "But I'm not in the mood for romance right now."
Song Yanran seemed to have anticipated his response, her expression unwavering. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she leaned closer, whispering, "Let me ask you something... before you leave, could you... could you leave me with a child?"
Shen Zhao stumbled, nearly falling. *Is she trying to make a deal for sex?*
He quickly glanced at Ji Bingyan and Jun Yutian, who were not far away. *Good, those two probably didn't hear.* He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Empress, I can't do something so irresponsible."
"Are you sure you don't want it?"
"I'll pass."
"Very well. I won't force you, but I'll wait for you."
Shen Zhao was puzzled. Why did Song Yanran value him so highly? He couldn't recall doing anything particularly remarkable. Why was she so openly declaring her feelings?
Seeming to notice the confusion in his eyes, Song Yanran lowered her head bashfully. "You don't know... you're the only man in my life who has ever kissed me."
A chill ran down Shen Zhao's spine. He quickly said, "Your Majesty, at the time, I didn't know you were the Empress. I was only cooperating with Ying Zhaoyun of the Wind and Rain Pavilion. The kiss was to draw out the poison in your body. I truly had no other improper intentions."
"But I did!" Song Yanran suddenly looked up, her eyes brimming with tears as she gazed at Shen Zhao. "Do you know? That kiss stole my heart. I never imagined that stories of sacrificing one's life for another could actually happen to an emperor like me, who grew up covered in blood and scheming. But why were you so cruel? When I thought I'd finally grasped a hard-won love, you vanished from my life—so suddenly, so completely. Do you know how I survived those days without seeing you? Shen Zhao, I'm begging you, please don't leave me so silently again. In my previous life, I didn't even know you were Shen Zhao. When you died on the Nine Heavens Peak, I even felt relieved to have eliminated a major enemy. Oh God, what have I done? I didn't realize Shen Zhao was the man I'd been searching for all along, and I even privately mocked the man willing to die for me! These past few days, every time I recall this, I hate myself so deeply."
If only I had known... why would I have stood by and watched you die at Yu Xiyan's hands?
I...
Song Yanran, who had always been so composed, completely lost control. She threw herself into Shen Zhao's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, her tiny fists pounding against his chest.
"You must blame me, don't you? Blame me for not recognizing you immediately, and now you're leaving me again?
Will it be like last time? Will I never find a trace of you again?
Please, don't torment me anymore! I can't bear this soul-wrenching pain again!
I don't care if you have someone else in your heart, or if you love me. Just let me feel your presence—that's all I need!
Shen Zhao, please don't disappear again! I'm begging you, just pity me, won't you?"
Feeling the sincerity of her heartfelt confession, Shen Zhao's heart stirred. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around Song Yanran in response.
"Now? Do you feel it?"
"Yes, I feel it."
Listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart against her cheek, Song Yanran closed her eyes in bliss, wishing time would freeze in this moment.
Not far away, Jun Yutian and Ji Bingyan stared in stunned silence.
Jun Yutian showed no reaction.
Ji Bingyan watched with a mix of envy and a hint of sourness.
*How I envy the Empress!*
After a long silence, Shen Zhao patted Song Yanran's shoulder. "Alright, I swear I won't disappear again. But I still have many things to attend to, and I must leave. Can you give me some time? I truly don't know how to respond to you right now."
Song Yanran nodded obediently. "Yes, I won't stop you from leaving, but..."
Suddenly, she bit down hard on Shen Zhao's shoulder.
"Ouch!"
Shen Zhao grimaced in pain.
Only when she confirmed a deep tooth mark had been left on his shoulder did Song Yanran release her bite.
"Shen Zhao, this is my token. I'll wait here for you. The day you decide to abandon everything, I'll follow you without hesitation. In this lifetime, you'll never be allowed to leave me alone again. Do you understand, Shen Zhao?"
Song Yanran's heartfelt confession added not only weight to Shen Zhao's shoulder but also a burden to his mind.
Two days later...
"Alright, you should go now. I promise I won't disappear. Can you let go now?"
"You promised me. You absolutely can't go back on your word."
"Then it's a deal."
Song Yanran clung tightly to Shen Zhao's shoulder, finally releasing him with great reluctance.
"Go!"
As for Song Yanran, Shen Zhao didn't know what to do.
He could feel that her fervent love was absolutely genuine.
But...
After experiencing the tragedies of nine lifetimes, the pain Yu Xiyan had inflicted upon him made him afraid to make any further commitments in love.
This was his way of protecting himself, the only way he knew to avoid getting hurt.
He was truly afraid—afraid that such genuine devotion would ultimately lead to such a desolate outcome.
In the distance, Shen Zhao, Jun Yutian, and Ji Bingyan stood outside Yanhuang City.
Gazing at the resplendent, bustling metropolis bathed in the morning sun, Shen Zhao felt a surge of emotion as he recalled their experiences over the past year.
"It's time to leave. What are your plans?"
"I must return to the Northern Region to report. So, I'll take my leave here."
Jun Yutian bowed to Shen Zhao, then soared into the sky on his sword.
"What about you?" Shen Zhao turned to Ji Bingyan.
"Wherever you go, I go, Lord. Please don't leave me behind." Ji Bingyan's reply was firm and resolute.
Shen Zhao knew that refusing would break her heart, so he relented. "Very well. Then follow me."
"Thank you, Lord."
"But you don't need to call me 'Lord' anymore. You're not a servant. If you must address me, call me 'Elder' instead."
"Understood, Lord."
"..."
Shen Zhao cast one last glance at the walls of Yanhuang City. Then, with a thought, the Kunpeng immediately materialized from within him.
The two mounted its back. In an instant, they soared to the highest clouds and raced southward.
"I wonder how Yun Ying is doing," he mused. "By my calculations, the Divine Phoenix Ruins should be opening soon. I hope we can get there in time."
For some reason, thinking of Su Yunying brought a sense of calm to his heart.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again, his expression hardening.
The plan he had been setting in motion for Su Yunying, ever since their days in Orange Prefecture City, to gain control of the Fire Phoenix Clan...
It was time to bring it to a close.
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)