Lu Zhao adjusted her expression and said calmly, “Don’t blame yourself, Your Highness. After going through this ordeal, I too have come to realize how unpredictable human hearts can be. Eldest Brother Shen said you’ve had a difficult life all these years.”
Consort Mei returned to her usual fragile and sickly state, sobbing as she asked, “How exactly did my Little Seven die?”
Lu Zhao slowly recounted, mixing truth with falsehood: “We were both captured and taken to the Black Mine. That night, we planned to escape… We had already made it out of the mine when we encountered another group of men in black.” Her eyes showed just the right amount of fear: “They relentlessly pursued Eldest Brother Shen… He said they were after him. Before he died, he gave me this jade pendant and told me to find you and help you escape quickly.”
When Consort Mei heard about the men in black, her entire body trembled violently. She grew agitated and spoke incoherently: “Men in black, them again… They still won’t let us go. Ten years, a full ten years…” She covered her chest, coughing incessantly, yet even her coughs sounded weak and feeble.
Lu Zhao quickly reached out to soothe her, then continued: “They wanted to silence me too, but fortunately Captain Qiao and his men arrived in time. I was exhausted and unconscious for two days. When I woke up, Captain Qiao mistook me for Eldest Brother Shen. He told me…” She hesitated, leaving the words unspoken.
Consort Mei pressed, “What did he say?”
Lu Zhao gritted her teeth and said solemnly, “The Zhenguo Jiangjun Fu was destroyed within a year of your disappearance. Old General Shen and Young General Shen died in battle but were falsely accused of treason. Madame Shen passed away with deep regret. The former subordinates of the Shen family were also implicated and have been struggling in Zhongdu City. They want you and Eldest Brother Shen to return to Zhongdu to clear Old General Shen’s name…”
Tears fell from Consort Mei’s eyes like broken strings of raindrops, her eyes filled with remorse.
“Father, Mother…”
During all these years she and her son had been hunted, she hadn’t given up trying to gather information about the Zhenguo Jiangjun Fu. But the remote mountain village was isolated, making it impossible to obtain any news.
Moreover, the Emperor had deliberately suppressed this information.
The successive blows made Consort Mei’s already failing health deteriorate further. Her breathing suddenly became rapid.
Lu Zhao lightly placed her fingertips on Consort Mei’s wrist to check her pulse. The pulse showed no stomach, no spirit, no root—chaotic and disordered, already a critical sign of exhausted vitality.
Consort Mei was nearing her end…
Consort Mei knew this herself: she should have died long ago, but had forced herself to hold on, waiting for her Little Seven.
Now Little Seven was gone, and the Shen family was gone too.
She murmured in self-blame: “I… I was wrong…”
“Your Highness…” Lu Zhao was at a loss, unsure how to comfort her. Finally, she said: “Since Captain Qiao has found you, you’ll be safe. I suppose you don’t need my protection anymore. You should go to Zhongdu with Captain Qiao and his men. That way, Eldest Brother Shen can rest in peace, and there’s hope for clearing the Shen family’s name.”
Consort Mei shook her head, took the jade pendant from the bed and pressed it back into Lu Zhao’s hand. She tightly grasped Lu Zhao’s hand and pleaded: “Help… help me! Go to Zhongdu, clear our name, seek revenge… They showed no mercy to my Shen family. I won’t live much longer…”
Lu Zhao hesitated, remaining silent for a moment.
Consort Mei tightened her grip and urged urgently: “You are Little Seven! You are Da Yong’s Seventh Prince!”
Lu Zhao: “Aren’t you afraid Da Yong’s empire might fall into the hands of someone outside the royal family?”
Consort Mei gave a sorrowful smile. “You… you’re a good child. The royal family’s filth dragged you into this mire—we owe you that much. If you somehow ascend to that position, it would be what you deserve. This consort cares not which surname rules the empire, so long as it isn’t Shen. I only… only wish for those who deserve death to die…”
Her voice broke, the grief and resentment within it bursting forth like a breached flood.
“Promise this consort…”
Lu Zhao still didn’t respond.
The system grew frantic. 【Host, what are you hesitating for? Agree quickly! What if Consort Mei changes her mind?】
Lu Zhao couldn’t be bothered to respond, continuing at her own pace.
She spoke hesitantly, “Finding the culprit who harmed you and Eldest Brother Shen, clearing the Shen family’s name… that’s too difficult, too dangerous… I only promised Eldest Brother Shen I would take care of you.”
Consort Mei’s life force grew increasingly faint. Anxious, she pleaded, “Consider this consort begging you.”
The live stream audience watched in stunned silence.
【Shuaidebumingxian: Holy shit, I thought it would be difficult. How did the host manage it? Consort Mei is actually begging her to take her place?】
【King of Banter: The host’s skills are top-notch, and her psychological warfare is super impressive too!】
【Driver No Brake: Am I the only one feeling sorry for Consort Mei? I’m growing more curious about how Consort Mei and that black-hearted lotus Shen Qi ended up exiled back then.】
【Pacifier Crusader: Host, agree quickly! I’m dying of anxiety here.】
The live chat flooded with messages urging agreement.
Lu Zhao slowly nodded. Consort Mei instantly relaxed, slipping a string of Buddhist prayer beads from her wrist onto Lu Zhao’s slender one. She spoke haltingly, “These beads… back when… this consort was pregnant with Little Seven… His Majesty… specially requested them from Huangjue Temple. This consort… gives them to you… for protection…”
The prayer beads served as both a memento and a token.
Like that Seven-Colored Gemstone Jade, they were one of a kind in this world—key to confirming her identity.
Lu Zhao slowly ran her fingers over the beads’ surface. Each bead was intricately carved with the Heart Sutra in micro-engraving, cool to the touch and calming to the spirit, capable of soothing the deepest murderous intent in one’s soul.
Quite suitable for her indeed.
After giving the prayer beads, Consort Mei weakly said, “Let Commandant Qiao and the others in…”
Lu Zhao helped her lean against the headboard, retied the jade pendant to her own waist, then rose again to open the door. As the door swung open, the Qiao father and son stood ramrod straight outside.
Lu Zhao said softly, “Mother Consort requests your presence.”
The Qiao father and son hurried inside, kneeling before Consort Mei’s bed. Consort Mei reached under her pillow and produced a pre-written letter, handing it over weakly. “Commandant Qiao, this consort fears she cannot return to Zhongdu. Please deliver this letter personally to The Emperor.”
Qiao Bing hastily accepted the letter, carefully storing it away.
Lu Zhao’s gaze lingered on the letter, thoughtful.
Consort Mei continued, “After this consort’s passing, may I trouble Lord Qiao to watch over Little Seven? This consort… and my late father… would be eternally grateful…”
Qiao Bing expressed his unworthiness with clasped fists, vowing, “This humble official will spare no effort in assisting the Seventh Highness.”
Finally at peace, Consort Mei uttered her final wish, “After this consort’s death, forgo burial. Cremate me directly. Be sure to bring my ashes back to Zhongdu, to rest with my parents…”
“Your Highness!” Qiao Bing urgently responded, “Do not speak such ominous words. You will recover.”
Consort Mei interrupted him, “I know my own body well enough. There’s no need for such words.” After speaking, she turned her gaze to Lu Zhao. “Little Seven, when you return to Zhongdu, light a soul-guiding lamp for your mother at Huangjue Temple…”
The Qiao father and son assumed the soul-guiding lamp was for Consort Mei herself, but only Lu Zhao knew it was actually for Shen Qi.
A soul-guiding lamp, to lead wandering spirits back to their homeland.
That scoundrel Shen Qi did have a mother who doted on him immensely.
Lu Zhao nodded, her visibly low spirits apparent to all.
After giving her instructions, Consort Mei’s eyes gradually closed, and she leaned back against the bed as if asleep.
The sun set in the west, dusk descending.
Outside, dark clouds piled up, oppressive and suffocating.
Lu Zhao stepped forward, checked her pulse, then staggered backward as if her whole body had gone weak.
Qiao Bing, standing closest, was startled and quickly supported her, comforting, “Your Highness, please accept my condolences.”
Once steady, Lu Zhao waved him off, her voice hoarse. “I’m fine. You may leave now. I wish to be alone with my mother for a while. Do not let anyone disturb us—just a short while will do…” Her eyes were red and swollen, her slender frame trembling.
Qiao Bing nodded and called Qiao Chi to leave with him.
Once the door closed again, Qiao Chi whispered, “Father, are you sure it’s wise to leave the Seventh Princess alone in there? Consort Mei has just passed—what if Her Highness does something rash?”
Qiao Bing replied sternly, “The Seventh Princess is resilient; she would never act recklessly. She simply needs time alone to grieve. If you stayed, would you want to watch her weep? Remember, even the most magnanimous masters dislike others witnessing their vulnerability.”
Qiao Chi nodded, though not entirely comprehending.
Qiao Bing patted his shoulder and instructed, “Guard the door. Make sure no one disturbs the Seventh Princess. I will go out to purchase funeral supplies.”
Qiao Chi nodded and, after his father left, pricked up his ears, intently listening for any sound from the room.
There was not a single noise from inside.
Her Highness is so frail—I hope she doesn’t cry herself unconscious.
Though worried, he dared not intrude.
Meanwhile, inside the room.
Lu Zhao shed her earlier heartbroken demeanor, calmly seated herself at the table, and pulled a letter from her sleeve.
It was unmistakably the same letter Consort Mei had just given Qiao Bing to deliver to the emperor upon his return to Zhongdu.
The system was stunned, stammering, [Host, when did you manage to take the letter?]
The live-stream audience was equally baffled.
[Rainy Day No Thunder: Holy crap, how is the letter with the streamer?]
[Ji Ji Again: Yeah, I clearly saw Qiao Bing tuck it into his robe earlier. I didn’t notice the streamer making any unusual moves.]
[Jianmengtianxia: Qiao Bing only steadied the streamer for a moment—that must have been when it was taken. Did anyone in the stream see how the host did it?]
No one in the stream had witnessed it.
[Trash Talk King: Damn, the host’s hands are lightning fast. Another new skill unlocked!]
[Bajiaolian: But, isn’t it wrong to read someone else’s letter?]
[February Red: What’s the big deal? What if Consort Mei threw the host under the bus in her letter to the emperor? It’s fine if the host reads it and puts it back.]
[Super Cool: Would Consort Mei really do that? She had favors to ask of the host. She seemed so gentle earlier, really considerate of the host…]
The live-stream chat erupted into debate over Lu Zhao’s act of stealing the letter, then all eyes fixed on her as she began to open it.
Sealed with wax, Lu Zhao held the wax seal near the oil lamp, warmed it briefly, then carefully peeled away the wax layer.
The letter unfolded, revealing elegant, delicate calligraphy in the xiaokai style. Her eyes scanned the lines rapidly. Every sentence expressed longing for the emperor and recounted the tragic circumstances she and her son had endured over the past decade. It pleaded for the emperor to treat their son well and to thoroughly investigate those who had harmed her back then.
This letter was likely written by Consort Mei after Shen Qi was captured, when she realized her own life was nearing its end.
Lu Zhao examined the envelope inside and out once more—nothing seemed amiss.
She held the letter silently, lost in thought.
The system deliberately probed, 【Host, is your conscience starting to ache? Consort Mei was such a good person—on her deathbed, she entrusted the Qiao father and son to look after you and left this letter for the emperor to pave your way. Yet you distrust her so much that you even stole this letter to inspect it!】
Lu Zhao replied indifferently, “What is a conscience? Why should it ache?”
The system stalled: It had truly overestimated the host’s character. How could this man-eating flower possess a heart?
【You deceived Consort Mei. She was sincere and heartfelt, while you were merely acting all along.】
Lu Zhao retorted, “How do you know she was sincere? I was merely the last lifeline she could grasp in her desperation.”
If she didn’t cling to her, the decade of suffering she and her son endured would be in vain, their enemies would continue to revel in freedom, and Zhenguo Jiangjun Fu would never see its name cleared.
Consort Mei was clever—giving her the prayer beads served both as a token and, perhaps, as a way to sense the killing intent within her, a daily reminder not to forget her roots.
“Besides, I wasn’t entirely acting. Couldn’t you see my sorrow?”
Watching a face so similar to her mother’s close its eyes forever—how could she not be moved at all?
The system: “…” It genuinely hadn’t noticed.
Lu Zhao ignored it and brought the letter to her nose, inhaling lightly. Beyond the faint scent of ink, there was an almost imperceptible astringent odor.
Her eyes suddenly gleamed with realization. She dipped her finger into the cold tea on the table and dabbed it onto the back of the paper.
Viewers in the live stream watched her actions with curiosity.
Soon, the water soaked into the paper.
On the reverse side, a clear human face emerged—sharp and cold, unmistakably the visage of that black-hearted lotus, Shen Qi.
Author’s Note: