"The matter you asked me to handle, Yao'er, was completed last night. Will you go now, or later?"
Upon discussing official matters, Mu Hen's expression grew serious, his eyes flashing with wisdom, composed and earnest.
Qing Yao frowned. She wanted to see the Prince of Nan'an immediately to ascertain if there was anything else between him and the Emperor.
"I will go to the Ministry of Justice's prison right away."
As Qing Yao spoke, she stood up. Usually composed, her brow was now etched with a trace of anxiety.
This was because the one imprisoned was the Prince of Nan'an, the person the Emperor valued most. Perhaps the Emperor had impulsively made a decision, only to regret it later. She did not wish for him to regret it.
"Alright, Father has made arrangements. You may go, but you should disguise yourselves, or you might be recognized."
"Yes, Father."
Qing Yao responded, leading Mo Chou and Bing Xiao, who were disguised as men, towards the Ministry of Justice's prison.
Little Fish understood the gravity of the situation and did not insist on accompanying them. Ming Yue and Shen Yu also did not go, as too many people would draw attention and increase the risk of being discovered by those with ill intentions.
The Ministry of Justice's Prison.
It was dark and damp, with layers of soldiers guarding the entrance, along with a military officer. When Qing Yao stated her father's identity, the officer instructed his men to lead them in, only urging them to leave quickly.
This matter inherently carried risks, and Qing Yao, knowing this, nodded and led her companions inside.
She thought that as a noble prince, this was the second time the Prince of Nan'an had fallen into such a predicament. The last time was due to Ji Feng's death; this time, the Emperor himself had sent him in. He must have been heartbroken.
Even Qing Yao felt heartache for Liu Zhao.
He was a man of integrity and selflessness. Although he was as cold as ice, he was chivalrous and loyal. He had slapped her once in the past, and conversely, she had slapped him once, but he was the type of person who, once he deemed you good, would remain so for life.
The Prince of Nan'an was confined in the innermost cell.
With a double layer of prison doors secured by iron locks, the dark and damp cell contained neither bedding nor anything else, a stark contrast to the previous time.
The last time the Prince of Nan'an was imprisoned, everyone knew he would eventually be released, so the cell was adequately furnished. This time, however, there was nothing, making his situation appear dire.
The man in a long robe sat on the ground, his ink-black hair cascading down, obscuring his handsome face, making his expression unreadable.
He sat there motionlessly, as if petrified. Even as Qing Yao and the others stood at the door, they saw no movement from him for a long time.
Qing Yao's heart ached. She waved to the jailer behind her to step aside.
In the silent space, she slowly spoke, "Liu Zhao, are you alright?"
Upon hearing this voice, the Prince of Nan'an, Mu Rong Liu Zun, stirred, but then quickly froze again, suspecting he had misheard. It was only when Bing Xiao's anxious voice rang out, "Prince of Nan'an, my mistress has come to see you. Please say something!"
This time, the Prince of Nan'an, Mu Rong Liu Zun, heard clearly. He quickly raised his head, extending his hand to push aside the ink-black hair obscuring his face, revealing a handsome visage. His eyes held a dense, unresolvable sorrow that rolled over him like a tidal wave.
Seeing the man who was usually cold and untamed in such a state, Qing Yao felt no better. She stepped forward.
"Liu Zhao, what exactly is going on? Why did the Emperor arrest you? Did you offend him? What is it all about?"
Upon seeing Qing Yao's arrival, Mu Rong Liu Zun's entire expression softened, bathed in a faint glow. He knew that his subordinates must have found Qing Yao. It was good to see her; even if he were to die, he would die without regret...
"Qing Yao, you've returned."
His hoarse voice rang out. It was evident he had suffered greatly. His clothes were disheveled, and his hair was messy, but it did not detract from his face, which still appeared dashing and heroic.
His aura of icy aloofness remained, and his dark, lustrous pupils seemed to radiate a dazzling light only when facing Qing Yao.
"Yes, you will be alright."
Qing Yao said slowly. Although she didn't know what had transpired between him and the Emperor, she was one hundred percent certain that the Emperor would not kill the Prince of Nan'an. There must be some misunderstanding.
"Qing Yao, he is no longer the same Imperial Brother as before."
Mu Rong Liu Zun stood up and walked over, gripping the wooden pillar of the bars with his large hand. His knuckles protruded, veins popping, revealing the immense anger and despair within him. His entire being was shrouded in a sorrow as dense as rain.
"What exactly happened? I know the Emperor asked you to impersonate him and remain in the palace. How did it become treason for usurping the throne?"
Mu Rong Liu Zun raised his head, a vague smile playing on his thin lips.
"Yes, he asked me to impersonate him and remain in the palace. I diligently played the role of a puppet. Although I detested it deeply, I was willing to stay in the palace, thinking he was going to help you.
But the moment he returned, he brought people to imprison me. I have no idea what happened. Weren't all these his ideas? Have we reached the stage where the hunter is discarded once the prey is caught? The world is finally unified, and he no longer needs people like us."
"No, Liu Zhao, don't think too much about it. The Emperor is not that kind of person," Qing Yao said, quickly comforting him as she saw his pain.
The Prince of Nan'an's eyes suddenly widened, emitting a chilling gaze. The suppressed frustration in his chest churned, and a nameless heartache overwhelmed him.
"Perhaps we have all been deceived by him. This is his most brilliant stratagem, after all. Otherwise, how could he become the shrewd Emperor Xian in the eyes of the world?
All along, I thought he was different. Qing Yao, only he can bring you happiness, so I wish for you to be together forever, happily and joyfully.
But now, Qing Yao, if he truly kills me, his scheming is too deep. Qing Yao, you should return to Wuding Valley."
"Liu Zhao, are you crazy? He is your Imperial Brother! Don't you know what kind of person he is?"
Qing Yao shook her head, disagreeing with Mu Rong Liu Zun's words. Scenes flashed through her mind.
These past three years, they had spent countless nights together. He cared for her and looked after her. She knew that sincere affection was real. He was not a treacherous villain; he was a gentleman.
For his sake, she had prepared to enter the palace. If it all turned out to be an illusion, how would she face herself?
"I always thought I understood him. He was the Imperial Brother who doted on and pampered me, but have you seen this? This is my ultimate fate."
"Liu Zhao, I believe the Emperor must have resorted to this tactic to force me to return. In any case, no matter what, I will not let anything happen to you."