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

The guard was taken aback.

These were not mentioned in the message.

Xiao Yunzhao closed his eyes briefly.

No need to ask.

Seeing that the people outside were injured, Shen Nannan would never actually close the gates and only care about her own safety. "Send another team back."

"But what about the prince's side..."

"You don't need to follow me," Xiao Yunzhao said coldly. "Go and protect her."

"Anyone entering the Prince's residence must have their identity verified."

"Yes."

The guards acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Xiao Yunzhao gripped the sachet hidden in his bosom and continued walking towards the outside of the library.

He didn't turn around.

However, he gave half of the few people he already had back to Shen Nannan.

Shen Ce is outside the palace.

She was still in the Prince's mansion.

He believed she could protect him.

Believing is one thing, but being unwilling to let her be in any danger is another.

In front of the emperor's bedchamber, the crown prince had already seen the distant firelight.

The Empress emerged from the palace, her expression slightly changed. "What's the matter with the fire outside?"

The prince gripped his sword and did not answer.

Seeing his expression, the Empress suddenly had a bad feeling.

"I did not order arson. Who gave you the idea?"

The Crown Prince frowned. "What's the point of asking these questions now? We haven't captured the Prince's residence or the city gates. Only by creating chaos in the capital will we have a chance."

"You don't even know who he is, yet you dare to listen to him?" The Empress finally realized something was wrong.

From that fake secret letter about the deposed emperor, to the corpse prepared outside Chengtian Gate, and now to the kerosene being sent into the city.

There is an unseen hand that keeps pushing the prince forward.

"Stop them immediately!"

The Empress said in a deep voice, "He's not helping you. He wants to solidify your charges of treason and the massacre of the city!"

The crown prince's expression changed, but before he could give the order, hurried footsteps could be heard again outside the palace.

"Your Highness!"

"The city is in chaos!"

These words made the hesitation in the Crown Prince's eyes disappear once again.

"It can't be stopped..."

He gazed at the thick smoke rising into the sky in the distance, and slowly tightened his grip on the sword.

"From the moment I stepped into the palace gates, it has been unstoppable."

In the shadows south of the city, Consort Yu was also watching the fire.

The firelight reflected in her eyes, making her burned half-face appear even more grotesque.

She seemed to see the State of Chen from many years ago again.

The collapsed palace.

The people who died in the fire.

And then there's her appearance, which she can never regain.

But not long after, the man in black hurriedly returned.

"Master, the fire is under control."

"Shen Ce and the Qiu family were prepared, and most of the oil carts sent into the city were not lit."

"The Prince Zhao's Mansion also opened a side gate to take in injured people from the nearby area."

The smile in Consort Yu's eyes gradually faded. "Isn't Shen Ce unable to even mount a horse?"

"He's been faking illness." The man in black lowered his head. "The old, weak, and disabled soldiers under Prince Zhao's command are not unusable. They are all former subordinates who followed Shen Ce and Qiu Lie in their battles."

It failed again.

Shen Ce was not transferred from the Northern Border.

The group of useless soldiers sent to Xiao Yunzhao did not become a burden to him.

Even the fire that should have made the people hate the Prince Zhao's mansion was turned into an opportunity to save lives by the Shen family.

Consort Yu raised her hand and abruptly swept the candlestick off the table.

The candlelight rolled to the ground and was quickly extinguished by the man in black.

"Then let the people in the city continue!" Her voice came from the darkness.

"It is said that Xiao Yunzhao secretly returned to the capital."

"They say the fire tonight was set by him to force the emperor to abdicate."

"And Shen Nannan..."

Consort Yu paused for a moment, a twisted smile resurfacing in her eyes.

"Just say she's dead."

"I want to see how a dead woman will defend her husband."

Shen Run returned to the Prince Zhao's residence before dawn.

His sleeves were burned and torn, and his face was covered in ash.

Shen Nannan immediately noticed his reddened palm. "Brother, are you injured?"

"It's nothing, I just got burned while putting out the fire." Shen Run hid his hands behind his back. "Qiu Tong was more seriously injured than me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Tong, who was behind him, said expressionlessly, "I'm not injured."

Shen Run turned to look at her, "Your skirt is burned."

"It's just a skirt."

"If I had been a step later..."

"If you're a step too late, I can put it out myself."

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Shen Nannan asked Qiu Yun to bring some burn ointment. "Sit down, both of you."

Shen Run originally wanted to say that he didn't need it, but when he met his sister's gaze, he obediently sat down to the side.

After applying the medicine to his hands, Shen Nannan asked, "How's it outside?"

"The fire is under control." Shen Run's joking expression gradually faded. "But rumors spread faster than fire. Now people in the city are saying that Xiao Yunzhao didn't go to the northern border at all; he led his troops back to the capital, set fire to the city, and forced the emperor to abdicate."

He paused, his gaze falling on Shen Nannan. "Some people also say that you were killed by the mutinous army. Your body was burned beyond recognition."

Qiu Yun's eyes reddened with anger.

"Our little girl is sitting right here, how dare they say such things?"

"Because they thought that Nannan wouldn't show up at a time like this," Shen Run said. "As long as she stays in the Prince's mansion, they'll believe the lie once it's dawn."

Shen Nannan looked down at her already protruding belly.

Before leaving, Xiao Yunzhao repeatedly told her not to leave the palace.

It is indeed dangerous outside.

But this whole affair wasn't just aimed at Xiao Yunzhao from the very beginning.

That person wanted to make him lose his wife, lose his innocence, and become a monster despised by everyone once again.

Shen Nannan slowly raised her head.

"Since they say I'm dead."

"Then let everyone in the capital see for themselves."

She stood up, holding onto the edge of the table, without a trace of fear in her eyes.

"Can a dead person walk?"