Duan Changchuan remembered.

He … remembered.

The surging memories were like a tidal wave, engulfing him and returning him to the night before the wedding.

That night, red lanterns hung all over the palace, inside and out.

But the room was freezing.

A few days ago, Chang Le followed his orders and found a pack of arsenic for him. He was angry and thought if things got too bad, he would simply poison the Prince Regent to death. At worst, he would be cursed as a tyrant for eternity.

But now, staring at that pack of arsenic, he suddenly found it all exceedingly dull.

He had been fighting for the imperial power with his uncle for so long. But what did it matter whether he seized the power or not … What difference did it make to the people whether Duan Changchuan or Duan Jingan who was in charge of the country?

Those people who died for power were innocent.

That eldest daughter of the Bai family was also innocent …

And the cause of all this was none other than Duan Changchuan himself.

His mother was right: Why did he need that imperial power?

And ask himself: Can you defeat your uncle? If not, why fight?

Why exactly?

It was all so tedious.

Living was tedious.

Thinking about enduring this for decades more … he felt he didn’t want to continue anymore.

That night, he dismissed all the secret guards and servants. Before he left, he wondered what he could leave behind for this world. If he died, his mother would no longer have to worry about him angering his uncle. She would be very happy.

Only Yun Xie and Feng Yao, who managed everything for him every day, would suffer …

But he knew that Feng Yao always disliked the restrictions in the palace. Yun Xie had long wanted to live in seclusion in the mountains with Feng Yao.

Without Duan Changchuan as a burden, although they would be heartbroken and their efforts wasted, they could finally live the life they always wanted. It was also a good thing.

Who would grieve?

Who in this world would be unable to live because of Duan Changchuan’s death …

After thinking it over, it seemed only Chang Le.

Chang Le was the only one who wholeheartedly cared about him and whose fate was tied to his.

This very letter is in his hands.

[If I die, only you will be left on my mind. Show this letter to my mother or someone for mercy.

While I was alive, I couldn’t do much for you… I hope to use my last bit of strength.

Leave the palace, Chang Le.

Live the life you want. If you lack money, ask Yun Xie for more. Whether you find someone to spend your life with, travel alone through the vast world, or find a quiet place to live peacefully, just to live.]

See the vast world for me, experience true freedom for me …

The more he wrote, the more sorrowful he felt.

[Duan Changchuan, you are the emperor of Datong, the world’s ruler. But only in death can you protect Chang Le …]

And only Chang Le alone.

If I die…

Will the lady from the Bai family, Susu, escape the chains of fate…

[If, I die.]

“Your Majesty … Your Majesty?”

Yi Man’s voice rang in his ears …

The scene in his memory gradually overlapped with reality, and he realized … that the letter in his hand had already crumbled.

He hurriedly smoothed and folded the letter before putting it back, “It’s nothing. Put the letter away … go and ask your master if the water is ready.”

Yi Man put the letter back, then looked at him worriedly, “This servant thinks it should be ready … shall I serve Your Majesty?”

The young man nodded and said, “Alright.”

He then followed him out of the room.

–

In the bathhouse, they ran into Chang Le who was hurrying over.

Seeing the young man in bright yellow clothes, he quickly bowed and saluted, “Your Majesty, the water is ready for your bath.”

Duan Changchuan nodded and opened his arms, allowing him to take off his robe.

He then changed into a bathing gown and stepped into the pool.

The bathroom’s door creaked shut, and only the sound of splashing water could be heard.

The young man quietly gazed at the water’s surface and sniffled. When he blinked, his eyelashes were wet with water droplets.

In the bathhouse where no one could see, the small figure in bright yellow crouched down at the bottom of the pool…

He crossed his arms and slowly … hugged himself.

[It’s fine, Duan Changchuan … that’s not you.]

Right …?

–

The next morning, Duan Changchuan woke up at about seven. Because he had cried last night and didn’t sleep well, his eyes were still a bit swollen.

Chang Le peeled an egg and rolled it on his eyes with heartache.

“Does Your Majesty still feel hot? Why don’t we move to the hall on the mountain? It’s cooler up there. This servant went up yesterday and the mountain breeze was very comfortable.”

The young man paused for a moment before waving his hand, “There’s no need. Many senior officials around me. It’s inconvenient for them to go up the mountain. This place is the best.”

The little eunuch sighed helplessly, “Your Majesty is kind.”

After eating breakfast, Duan Changchuan nestled on the couch and closed his eyes. Only then did he feel a little better. But every time he closed his eyes, he would remember the night he took the poison…

You knew that you wouldn’t die, and you also knew that it wasn’t you, but you couldn’t get rid of the fear of that moment…

It was a fear that came from the bottom of his heart.

Or rather, it was the body’s fear of death.

Therefore, he still didn’t sleep well and remained listless…

After sleeping for a while, he was startled and opened his eyes completely.

He yawned tiredly and called, “Chang Le …”

He realized his voice was hoarse, and his throat was strangely dry.

Not only that …

His nape was itchy, and his entire body felt weak. His lower body was also slightly… damp.

The young man rubbed his eyes and struggled to sit up.

Only then did he realize, his body’s reaction was becoming more intense.

This situation …

It was likely that tonight he would fully enter his heat period.

[Should I have Yun Xie send a message to sister … and ask her to come over tonight?]

However, thinking about why he had to call her over, he felt a little embarrassed.

Should I endure it a bit longer …?

There was only one day left. What was the difference between seeing her tonight or tomorrow?

[I really … need her.]

Not just because of the heat…

He was genuinely a bit scared.

Afraid of the near-death feeling that kept flashing in his dreams.

While in a dilemma, Chang Le had already pushed the door open and entered, asking, “Your Majesty has woken up? Do you still feel hot? This servant will fan you.”

As he spoke, he brought over a cup of water and gently fanned him with a cattail leaf fan.

After drinking a cup of water, Duan Changchuan’s throat finally felt a bit better, but the heat in his body was still unbearable.

He rubbed his collar impatiently and said, “I’m not feeling well today. Reject whoever visits and wait until tomorrow … no, until the day after tomorrow.”

“Yes, this servant will tell Yi Man and the others.” Chang Le fanning him while carefully observing his face, “Where does Your Majesty feel unwell? Or are you tired because you haven’t been sleeping well recently? Should I call Elder Huang to see if you need calming medicine?”

The young man yawned softly and lowered his eyes, “No, I just didn’t sleep well last night and don’t want to handle affairs today. Bai Su is coming tomorrow, and I want to spend the day with her.”

The young eunuch immediately understood, “Oh, oh, It’s this servant’s fault for being foolish. Your Majesty hasn’t seen the empress for over a month and needs to have a good chat with her.”

“Yes …”

–

The summer heat was oppressive and there wasn’t much entertainment. Duan Changchuan only sat for a while before his eyelids began to droop again. But he didn’t dare to sleep. He was afraid that the moment he closed his eyes, that frightening dream would return.

“Your Majesty, don’t sleep anymore. It’s not good to sleep too much during the day. How about this servant find Lord Yun to come and play chess with you or chat for a while? You can sleep after lunch.” Chang Le’s gently suggested.

He waved his hand and said, “No need… Have the imperial kitchen make some osmanthus dumplings. Put less dumplings, more watermelon, and lotus seeds. I want to eat that.”

“Right away, Your Majesty.” Chang Le said, put down the fan, and went out.

As soon as he opened the door, he happened to meet Yi Man.

“Master, the princess’s maid is here. She said the princess sent her to see His Majesty… The princess only visited yesterday. I didn’t dare to decide on my own, so I came to ask you. This … should I inform His Majesty?”

“A mere maid thinks she can see His Majesty as she pleases? Not to mention a mere maid, even high-ranking civil and military officials in the capital can’t request an audience so easily. What did I teach you usually?”

“I remember your teaching, Master … but she said it’s urgent … and she has the princess’s token.”

Their conversation was hushed, and the door was closed, but Duan Changchuan was very sensitive to sound during his pre-heat period, and he heard them clearly.

The young man rested his chin on his hand and thought, ‘I just asked Duan Qinxue to investigate the Regent yesterday, and today her maid hurried over … Could something have happened?’

After all, Considering the Prince Regent’s ruthless nature, he was willing to send his son to the plague area for political achievements. If Duan Qinxue’s actions were discovered, she might be confined.

He immediately got up and went out, instructing Yi Man, “Bring her in, I happen to have a few questions for her.”

Only then did the two young eunuchs stop whispering, and quickly bow, “Yes.”

–

Soon, Yi Man brought the maidservant, Mu Ge over.

Mu Ge should be a little older than Duan Qinxue. With a brisk aura of the Western Regions, although she was wearing a maidservant’s clothes, the charm of a Western Regions woman could still be seen from the accessories she wore.

The woman walked in gracefully and curtsied, “This servant greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty.”

Duan Changchuan only glanced at her and frowned.

He had expected urgency, but her composed demeanor suggested otherwise. Although he could see that she was anxious, her etiquette seemed precisely measured, and he couldn’t find the slightest mistake. The difference could be seen easily, especially when compared to Duan Qinxue who came to see him yesterday.

After a moment’s thought, Duan Changchuan didn’t let her rise. Instead, he put on the airs of an emperor and asked, “As a mere maidservant of a princess, dared to enter the palace without permission and even broke into the Emperor’s Hall. Do you know your crime?”

Only then did the maidservant kneel in fear and explain, “This servant … this servant grew up with the princess in the northwest. This servant didn’t know … the princess … the princess sent me. She said she couldn’t leave openly, so she sent me under the pretense of fetching items … she instructed me to give this to Your Majesty …”

As she spoke, she took a few steps forward on her knees, took out a letter case from her bosom, and presented with both hands, “This servant didn’t know what’s inside, but the princess said it was of great importance and must deliver it to Your Majesty … that’s why I hurried into the palace. Your Majesty, please forgive me …”

Hearing this, Duan Changchuan felt relieved.

So, she didn’t know. No wonder she seemed both anxious and composed.

“Rise and speak. There won’t be a next time.” He said.

Then he opened the letter.

There were indeed many pages inside. Duan Changchuan only had to take a glance to understand they were all letters of secret plans between Duan Jingan and his subordinates. The letters were short, but there were twenty to thirty pages of them, all of which were placed in this letter case. Although the letters were incomplete, he could piece together the other party’s complete plan with a bit of effort.

This evidence was expected, but he didn’t expect Duan Qinxue to send all the original copies directly. Furthermore, she ordered her maidservant to send them over the next day right away.

Thinking of this, the young man closed the case and handed it back to Mu Ge, saying, “I’ve received and read the things. Take them back. Tell your Princess the agreement stands. The princess is wise, so surely …”

Halfway through his words, he suddenly froze.

Because he smelled the sudden rich scent of gardenias in the air.

It was the smell of his pheromone.

The next moment, the suppressed heat in his body surged overwhelmingly.