Huo Dao quickly stopped Xie Beihan, who was about to give chase.
"The general sent word. His Majesty has suddenly passed away. At this critical juncture, the Crown Prince, as the master of the Eastern Palace, must rush back to Yan Capital immediately."
Ever since Ye Luan appeared, the Crown Prince's actions had become increasingly incomprehensible to him. At the height of the succession struggle, he had personally come to Da Liang. It was utter madness.
Xie Beihan was forced to rein in his horse, his gaze fixed on the two figures not far away.
"Who did it?" he asked, his voice sinister.
"Regent."
"He's seeking death!" The veins bulged on his hand gripping the reins. He was furious. "Where are the men watching the old emperor? Are they tired of living? How dare they let that old man die while I, the Crown Prince, am away from Bei Qi."
Huo Dao said in a low voice, "Crown Prince, please calm your anger. Noble Consort Yue was murdered, and Eunuch Qu was ambushed. While you were away, their people sent a young maid to poison His Majesty."
"They are all useless."
Seeing Xie Beihan's fury, Huo Dao quickly spoke.
"Crown Prince, we cannot delay any longer. If we continue fighting, we won't be able to leave Da Liang, and your years of planning will be in vain."
"Moreover, there will be time in the future. Once you ascend to the throne, do you fear you won't be able to have a woman?"
Bei Qi and Da Liang had long been at odds, with constant border conflicts. Even if hostilities broke out again, it would not be criticized for the sake of a woman.
The Crown Prince must return to Yan Capital now to seize the throne.
Xie Beihan looked at the dead assassins scattered on the ground, a flicker of thinly veiled anger surging in his dark eyes.
"Even artillery couldn't kill him. Useless things."
Disregarding everything else, he spurred his horse to chase.
Huo Dao anxiously called out, "Crown Prince."
"Crown Prince!"
Suddenly, a deep and cold voice came from behind.
Xie Beihan's expression sharpened, and he stopped, his menacing gaze softening slightly.
Xu Qing!
"What are you doing here?"
Xu Qing, clad in his kasaya, his gaze filled with compassion, remained unfazed.
"The Regent is forcing the emperor's hand and supporting the eldest grandson's ascension. The million troops on the border await the Crown Prince's command to quell the rebellion and save the throne. Does the Crown Prince still intend to contend with him here?"
Xie Beihan pursed his lips, his somber face covered in a terrifying layer of frost.
"The Crown Prince was born to ascend the imperial throne. Your heart must be as cold as ice. No one can control you or become your weakness. If you have one, she must die!"
"Xie Xuanchen, you have remarkable audacity to threaten me!"
Xie Beihan narrowed his eyes slightly, his wicked face radiating danger.
Xu Qing clasped his hands together in respect, but his tone was unafraid.
"Crown Prince, do not act on impulse. You must return to Yan Capital to ensure a smooth succession."
Huo Dao immediately added, "Please, Crown Prince, reconsider."
"We have already lost so many of our men. The capital is in turmoil, and the forces awaiting your arrival are still waiting. If you do not return to stabilize the situation, the killings will be endless."
"Crown Prince, please reconsider."
"We beg the Crown Prince to reconsider."
The others also knelt.
Xie Beihan looked coldly at these people, his face filled with ferocity. He swept his gaze towards Xiao Chizhan, who was watching the scene unfold not far away, his expression becoming terrifyingly dark.
"The Crown Prince is a formidable figure in the Nine Provinces. Your lifelong pursuit should be to conquer the world. A woman cannot compare to your grand ambitions. Once you ascend the throne and expand your territories, Bei Qi will undoubtedly become the most prosperous nation in the Nine Provinces, and you will be admired by all."
Admired by all?!
Xie Beihan scoffed, "What is that thing? Xu Qing, I suddenly feel that the position of emperor is no longer important."
Xu Qing's expression shifted slightly.
"Today, I intend to kill Xiao Chizhan."
"Crown Prince!" Xu Qing's expression turned cold as he forcefully grabbed his hand, his voice commanding, "Do not forget what he said before he died."
"You must become the Emperor of Bei Qi!"
Xie Beihan suddenly froze, as if remembering something. His usually sinister expression stiffened slightly.
"Go!"
Under the moonlight.
Ye Luan leaned weakly into Xiao Chizhan's embrace.
Xiao Chizhan, mounted on his horse, held her, a hint of excitement on his fierce face.
"Did you see?"
He cupped her head with his hand, forcing her to look at the person not far away.
"Between power and you, he chose the supreme imperial throne, not you. Ye Luan, only I, only I will resolutely want only you."
Xiao Chizhan sneered as he spoke, tightening his grip on the person in his arms.
"Men."
"My Lord."
Xue Ren's voice came from behind.
"Stop them. Kill Xie Beihan and bury the thirty thousand troops of Qizhou alive."
"Yes."
"Wait—wait a moment."
Ye Luan gasped, touching her neck. She could speak now.
She coughed uncomfortably, feeling a strong urge to vomit.
This medicine is so strange.
Why does her throat feel so uncomfortable?
"Wait—wait—"
Xiao Chizhan's ruthless and heartless eyes fell on her face.
"What, you still want to protect him? I didn't let him take you away. Are you very disappointed?"
Ye Luan had no time to heed his words, saying with difficulty, "Let him go."
Xie Beihan had taken her out of the sea cave. She could not bear to watch him die in Da Liang.
Crows flew overhead, stirring up waves of mournful cries.
The pungent smell of blood and gunpowder all around made one feel nauseous.
Xiao Chizhan coldly clenched her waist, his eyes filled with crimson.
She was so reluctant to see him die.
Truly deeply affectionate.
"My Lord."
Behind him, Xue Ren's reminder came.
Xiao Chizhan remained silent for a long time.
As Xie Beihan rode away, he glanced back.
Under the faint moonlight, her eyebrows were lowered, her hand covering her neck, held tightly in that man's embrace. He could not discern her expression, only catching a glimpse of her smooth forehead.
He slightly narrowed his eyes, turned his head, and with a sharp cry, spurred his horse to leave quickly.
Xue Shi's men, not having received orders, stopped in their tracks.
"My Lord, should we send troops to pursue?"
Xiao Chizhan looked down at the person in his arms and said, "You dared to leave with him of your own accord, and you still want me to let him go? Ye Luan, on what grounds?"
Ye Luan's throat felt like it was burning. Perhaps it was a side effect of swallowing the medicine. She did not want to speak and kept her head lowered.
Upon hearing his chilling words, she held onto his arm and explained, "You misunderstand. I did not intend to go with him."
Speaking made her throat feel even worse.
"He saved my life once. I owe him."
After saying this, she felt her body weaken and leaned into his embrace, feeling drowsy.
Xiao Chizhan remained silent for a moment.
Seeing this, Xue Ren immediately gave his orders. In no time, Xue Shi's men all left, disappearing without a trace.
This jungle was filled with corpses, blood, and smoke. There was no sign of life.
Xiao Chizhan held the person in his arms tightly and whispered into her ear.
"Ye Luan, this time, I will not indulge you anymore."
Ye Luan did not want to acknowledge him. With her eyes half-closed, as he rode away, she couldn't help but succumb to exhaustion and faint.