With legs weak, the sickly stable boy became a mad regent.

Shen Nannan raised her head.

Xiao Yunzhao looked down at her, his eyes devoid of emotion.

"After the great fire in the palace, Xiao Yunting went to the old land of Chen. He knew she was not dead, and he also knew the origin of that phoenix-tailed snake hairpin."

"Over the years, he has seemed to be idle and never paid attention to politics, but he always seems to appear in places related to her."

"He's either working for her or covering for her."

Another possibility is that he never approved of what Consort Yu did, but he also never truly wanted to stop her.

Shen Nannan recalled the words on the folding fan.

Chengtian Gate has prepared a dead end for you.

Since Xiao Yunting knew what was behind that door, it meant that he was much closer to Consort Yu than they thought.

The carriage had been traveling for less than half an hour when it stopped in front of a deserted long street.

The plaque of the former Prince Rui's Mansion has been eroded by wind and rain, making the characters illegible.

The vermilion gate had faded, and large patches of moss grew in the corners of the walls. If it weren't for a sliver of light shining through the crack in the door, anyone would have thought that no one had been here for many years.

Mo Bai first led his men in to investigate.

Only after confirming there were no ambushes inside did he return and lift the carriage curtain.

"Your Highness, the person is in the main hall."

Xiao Yunzhao got off the carriage first, then turned around and carried Shen Nannan down.

The moment her feet touched the ground, the man lifted her up again. "I can walk by myself."

In Xiao Yunzhao's eyes, there was probably no road in the world suitable for Shen Nannan, who was pregnant, to walk alone. In any case, wherever she went, she had to be carried there.

"Prince Zhao is becoming more and more caring these days."

A smiling voice came from ahead.

Xiao Yunting stood under the corridor, still holding the folding fan he always carried with him.

He wasn't wearing his princely robes today, only a dark gray robe. His eyes, which usually carried a somewhat lazy smile, looked tired in the night.

"I wrote on the paper that I wanted you to come, but I didn't say that you should bring your pregnant queen as well."

Xiao Yunzhao walked past him carrying Shen Nannan, saying, "If Third Imperial Uncle was really worried about her catching a cold, he shouldn't have chosen a place like this."

"The old house has been uninhabited for many years, and I had no idea that you two were inseparable even for a moment." Xiao Yunting followed behind, tapping his palm lightly with his folding fan. "If I had known, I would have had two more charcoal braziers lit."

The main hall was not as desolate as the outside.

Although the tables and chairs were old, they had been wiped clean. A charcoal brazier was placed in the corner, and hot tea and several plates of snacks were laid out on the table.

Xiao Yunzhao did not let Shen Nannan touch those things.

He placed her on a cushioned chair, then personally tested the tea, pouring only a cup of lukewarm water and placing it in front of her.

Xiao Yunting watched his series of actions, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "You are indeed different now than before."

Have you seen what I looked like before?

Xiao Yunzhao looked up.

Xiao Yunting stopped folding his fan.

"I've seen it."

He did not continue to cover it up.

When you were very young.

The main hall fell silent. Outside the window, the wind swept across the abandoned courtyard, causing the withered branches to tap against the windowpane.

Xiao Yunzhao sat down next to Shen Nannan. "What's behind Chengtian Gate?"

He did not immediately inquire about his childhood.

There isn’t much time left for them to talk about the past tonight.

Xiao Yunting understood, walked to the table, and placed an old scroll of palace map in front of the two of them.

"The Crown Prince's men have replaced some of the Imperial Guards near Chengtian Gate."

"Once things really get chaotic in the palace, someone will deliberately spread the news that the emperor is in danger, luring you into the palace through Chengtian Gate."

Xiao Yunting pointed to the palace gate on the map.

"If you lead your troops in, the door will close behind you."

"It's not just bows and arrows that are prepared inside."

Shen Nannan looked at him, "Anything else?"

"The corpse."

Xiao Yunting answered calmly.

"The Crown Prince's guards, imperial guards, and several court officials who have been bribed by the Crown Prince."

Those people have long been abandoned.

The prince thought they were guarding the gate for him.

However, some people have already come up with another use for them.

Once Xiao Yunzhao has stepped over the corpses, no one will care whether there is blood on his blade or not.

Those outside Chengtian Gate will only see him leading his troops in. Those inside Chengtian Gate will all die.

"No wonder that edict has already been written." Shen Nannan's voice was somewhat cold.

The evidence, the charges, and even the person who would eventually ascend the throne had all been arranged in advance.

All that's missing is Xiao Yunzhao himself stepping through that door.

"You've seen the imperial edict?" A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Yunting's eyes.

"Niannian saw it." Shen Nannan didn't go into too much detail, "The Crown Prince plotted rebellion, Achao committed treason, and in the end, the Sixth Prince succeeded to the throne. Isn't that right?"

Xiao Yunting was silent for a moment, then said, "Yes."

"Was that edict prepared by the Empress Dowager?"

"It was at her behest."

"Where is Consort Yu?"

Xiao Yunting did not answer immediately.

Xiao Yunzhao looked at him, his eyes gradually turning cold.

Just now in the car, Xiao Yunzhao could only confirm that Xiao Yunting was related to Consort Yu. But now, he finally connected the two completely.

Xiao Yunting lowered his eyes and slowly closed the folding fan. "She did it..."

Shen Nannan's expression also changed. "The Third Prince has been by Consort Yu's side all this time?"

"Not always." Xiao Yunting walked to the window, his shadow stretched long by the candlelight. "Sometimes she needs me, and sometimes she wishes I would never appear."

"Then why did you betray her tonight?" Xiao Yunzhao asked coldly.

"I did not betray her." Xiao Yunting looked out the window at the desolate courtyard. "If I were truly on your side, I should have handed her over to my brother as soon as I knew she was still alive."

"But you didn't."

"Yes, I didn't." He admitted without hesitation.

Because he couldn't bear to see her like that, even knowing her hands were stained with blood, even knowing her hatred had consumed him, he still covered for her time and time again.

"I've just had enough."

Xiao Yunting turned around.

"I've seen enough of her taking other people's lives to avenge her brother, and I've seen enough of her torturing herself again and again for the sake of the long-destroyed Chen Kingdom."

"If she continues down this path, in the end she will not only want to destroy the Great Yin Dynasty."

"And you."

Xiao Yunzhao's eyes remained unmoved. "But she never treated me like a son."

"She did it," Xiao Yunting suddenly said.

Xiao Yunzhao's fingers, which were resting on the table, paused slightly.

Xiao Yunting's gaze fell on his face, as if through this cold and dangerous man, he saw the young child from many years ago.

"On the night the palace caught fire, she really didn't plan to take you with her."

"She hated her elder brother, and she also hated herself for giving birth to a child with the blood of the Xiao family. When the fire broke out, she sat in her bedchamber, half of her face burned, but she wouldn't allow anyone to come near you."

"She wants you to burn down with that palace."

Shen Nannan subconsciously tightened her grip on Xiao Yunzhao's hand.

The man's palms were cold. "And then?"