Now the court and the public appear peaceful, but Zhang Fengcai knows that Prince Xiang has already led a large army back to the capital under the pretext of "cleansing the court’s side," while the Dingyuan Marquis has remained inactive, not following the Emperor’s intentions. The court officials all blame the Emperor for forcing loyal ministers into rebellion, and even the Prime Minister has claimed illness and not attended court as a sign of dissatisfaction with the Emperor.

Amidst such circumstances, Dayan is already like oil over a blazing fire, poised on the eve of a storm.

Looking at the injured and unconscious, paper-pale Emperor, Zhang Fengcai felt a surge of boundless sadness.

From when did he start becoming more and more afraid of this man who grew up with him, and forgetting what kind of days the Emperor once experienced.

Zhang Fengcai had been serving Rong Jing since childhood, now over thirty years, but until last year he gradually felt the strain of age. First, because his secret support for his adopted father was accidentally exposed, leading to being threatened by Rong Heng, and failing to report Rong Heng’s unauthorized access to the palace. Then, because Princess Ning’an took over the power of the Inner Supervision, he engaged in open and covert struggles with her.

Afterwards, in a moment of folly, he intervened in the Crown Prince and the Second Prince’s dispute, resulting in the Emperor cutting off one of his arms. His martial arts declined significantly, and so did his health.

He often thought about quitting, but he still wanted to serve the Emperor for a few more years.

Afterwards, without him, who could take over the Inner Supervision? Who could protect the Emperor’s safety? 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Deep in his heart, Zhang Fengcai harbored resentment towards Rong Jing, mingled with reverence and fear for the Emperor. Yet, perhaps he was the person closest to Rong Jing in the world. He watched the young boy step by step ascend to the highest throne, knowing the pain and suffering he had endured. So, although he had his own selfish motives, and resentment towards Rong Jing, he remained unwaveringly loyal to him.

Gu Lan allowed Lin He to bind him and asked, "Eunuch Zhang, what will happen to A’s body?"

Zhang Fengcai snapped back to reality, glanced at the female corpse on the ground, contemplating something.

Miao Ci suddenly realized, "I understand, it was A who betrayed Your Majesty. She didn’t administer the Soft Muscle Powder to Gu Lan last night, allowing Gu Lan the opportunity to act against Your Majesty! Just now, she deliberately died under Gu Lan’s sword, committing suicide out of guilt!"

"So that’s how it is," Zhang Fengcai said coldly, "Then drag her corpse to the chaotic burial mound to feed the dogs. Let not such traitors taint the sight of His Majesty."

Gu Lan asked, "Does Eunuch Zhang know why she willingly died by my sword, and why she extinguished the Soft Muscle Powder?"

Zhang Fengcai was slightly startled and dared not meet Gu Lan’s clear eyes.

Death Warrior A was previously under Zhong Liang, who was notorious for his greed and for his preference for tormenting women, turning a blind eye to some of his actions.

Zhong Liang died at the hands of Young Master Gu, which might be the reason why Death Warrior A extinguished the Soft Muscle Powder aroma.

A did not wish to betray the Emperor either. Ultimately, she sought death voluntarily and fell under Gu Lan’s sword.

Zhang Fengcai sighed and said, "Her original name is no longer known. Roll her up in a straw mat, give her a proper burial, and erect a tombstone."

Only then did Gu Lan look away, taking one last deep look at A, as if trying to etch her face into memory.

Lin He gave her shoulder a sharp shove, his handsome face carrying a hint of ferocity, his eye tails richly painted, "Gu Lan, hurry up and come with me. The taste of the seventy-two tortures in the dungeon, you will soon know."

Gu Lan stumbled slightly, with no displeasure on her face, as if she had already resigned to her fate.

The dungeon,

This name sounds ordinary, but it is clearly no ordinary prison, nor is it the Ministry of Justice’s dungeon, nor the Heavenly Prison, or the Imperial Prison.

But unfortunately, she would not get to see the so-called dungeon.

Lin He and his men were escorting Gu Lan out when the side hall doors opened. Inside the hall, dimly lit, several Imperial Physicians were nervously treating Rong Jing, while outside, the sun was bright and splendid.

The winter sun slanted across the blue tiles, bathing the thousands of palatial halls in a golden light, with the bright yellow ridge tiles covered in a layer of golden lacquer by the sunlight, glittering.

Gu Lan looked up, slightly squinting, gazing at the sky.

After more than a month without seeing daylight, she hadn’t seen such good sunlight for a long time.

She glanced at Rong Jing, then turned back, following the Inner Supervision escorting her out of the hall.

Because she had experienced darkness, she cherished the light even more, but some people abandoned the readily available brightness to sink into darkness.

Zhang Fengcai watched Gu Lan’s back as the sunlight cast a dappled shadow behind her. The person tied her eyes with moon-white silk brocade, the snow-white cloak splattered with mottled bloodstains, resembling blooming red plum blossoms, with an extraordinary appearance, like an immortal in a painting.