Murong Jin's face drained of color. Xue Liulan saw it—the instant her heart froze.
"Murong Jin, take Qi'er back to Zhaoyang Palace," he ordered, raising a hand to silence Guo Lingyu. He knew his wife. Push her too far, and she would make Guo Lingyu pay, even if she wasn't at her full strength.
She stared at him. Her eyes were silent, dead.
His heart trembled. He wanted to reach out, to pull her close. She had looked at him like this once before, when they were strangers, before life and death had bound them together.
"Jin." Xue Zhuoran caught her as she swayed, his voice low with concern.
"I'm fine, Fourth Brother." She gritted her teeth, forcing back the tears. She straightened her back and looked up at the man on the dais. A faint, bitter smile touched her lips. "Since the Emperor commands it, I will take my leave."
Little Qi'er tugged at her robe. She knelt, ignoring the pain in her legs, and smoothed his hair.
"Father," the boy said, his clear eyes fixed on Xue Liulan.
Her hand paused. In his small world, father and mother should be together.
"Father is busy. Let's go back to the palace, alright?"
He shook his head firmly, still staring at his father. He had her stubbornness. Once he set his mind on something, he wouldn't budge.
Xue Liulan smiled and walked down to them. He knelt, pulling his son into his arms. "Do you want to be with Father, or with Mother?"
"Father, Mother," the boy babbled, reaching out one chubby hand to grasp Murong Jin's, while the other circled Xue Liulan's neck.
She frowned, meeting his gaze for a second before looking away.
"Come, Qi'er." He saw her legs trembling. He picked up the boy and reached out to help her stand.
She pulled back, avoiding his touch. "Since Qi'er won't come with me, I'll leave first."
She turned to go.
"Wait." He stopped her. "He hasn't seen you in so long. Take him back to Zhaoyang Palace."
"No need. He's well cared for here. I have nothing to worry about." Her voice was cool. She took Little Dingzi's arm. "Help me back."
He stood there, holding his son, stunned. Was she spiting him?
"Murong Jin."
"Your Majesty." Guo Lingyu's voice, sweet and cloying, cut in. "I'm still not feeling well."
He froze. He had a deal with Guo Shangzhong. As long as he favored Guo Lingyu, the eunuch would protect his son. Murong Jin was back, yes, but she was injured. Now was not the time to turn on Guo Shangzhong.
"Qi'er, go with your mother." He handed the boy to Xue Zhuoran. His gaze swept over Murong Jin. She was staring straight ahead, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"Liulan." Xue Zhuoran tried to stop him. She was his wife. She loved him.
"Siyou, I'll explain later." He turned and walked toward Guo Lingyu.
Murong Jin forced herself not to turn.
He walked past her. But as he passed, he stopped. He couldn't take another step.
She turned her head slightly. Their eyes met. Her tears, unguarded, fell into his gaze, piercing his heart.
"I will kill her," she whispered.
"No." He whispered back, looking away, unable to meet her eyes.
"Hah." A cold, mocking laugh. She spun around, drawing her soft sword. The blade gleamed like frost as she lunged for Guo Lingyu.
"Murong Jin!" He grabbed her arm. If she hurt Guo Lingyu, Guo Shangzhong would never let it go. He could take the blame, but her legs wouldn't hold under the strain of a fight.
"Let go!" She shoved his hand away, flipping in the air, her sword point aiming straight for Guo Lingyu's heart.
"Ah!" Guo Lingyu screamed, scrambling back and falling into her chair.
He hadn't stopped her. Without thinking, he threw himself in front of Guo Lingyu, ignoring the deadly blade.
"You!" She tried to pull back, but the momentum was too great.
The tip of the sword sank into his chest. Blood ran down the groove of the blade, dripping onto the floor between them.
"Ugh." He grunted, slumping back into the chair. Guo Lingyu caught him.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, are you alright?" she wailed. "Murong Jin! You dare commit regicide? This is a crime punishable by the execution of nine generations!"
Murong Jin heard nothing. She only saw him. He had thrown his life away to save another woman. The man who had promised to live and die with her… had risked everything for someone else.
Xue Liulan, is this your promise?
"Doctor! Get the doctor!" Xue Zhuoran shouted. The baby's wails filled the hall, echoing off the painted beams.
But Murong Jin just stared at him.
"You would die for her," she said woodenly.
"Murong Jin." He stood, fighting the pain, and put a hand on her shoulder. The distant, cold look in her eyes terrified him. "Let me explain."
She slapped his hand away, stepping back. Her face was blank.
"You would die for her. Is that it?"
"We'll talk at home." He panicked. Ignoring the blood seeping from his chest, he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
"Let go!" Her anger finally broke through. "Xue Liulan, I misjudged you. I misjudged you."
She murmured the words, tears sliding down her face to splash on the floor. Silent, but deafening to his heart.
"What do you mean, misjudged?" His eyes went cold.
"Your Majesty, you're bleeding." Guo Lingyu wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. "You risked your life to save me. I will never forget this kindness."
Murong Jin sneered. "Such a righteous and loving ruler."
He gritted his teeth, prying Guo Lingyu's arms off him. He grabbed Murong Jin's hand and, ignoring her resistance, swept her up into his arms.
"Let me go!" She pushed against his chest.
"Shut up." He pressed her head against his shoulder and marched out, leaving everyone behind.
"Siyou, take care of Qi'er for now."
Xue Zhuoran watched his brother's sudden fury and shook his head, smiling wryly. "The palace is going to be noisy for a while."
"What does the Fourth Prince mean?"
"Murong Jin is not one to submit. And Liulan… he never loses his temper, but when he does, it shakes the heavens." He sighed. "Well, Qi'er. Do you want to come home with Uncle, or go to Zhaoyang Palace and listen to your parents fight?"
The baby, tears still on his face, stared blankly at him.
Little Dingzi stifled a laugh. "Fourth Prince, you must be tired. Why not go back and rest?"
"I'll take him. Let his parents come get him when they're done." He started to leave, then stopped. "Little Dingzi, Consort Guo has had a shock. Have the Imperial Physicians take a look at her."
"Yes, I'll remember." Little Dingzi nodded, worrying about his master. He took a sword to the chest, then carried the Empress off. Should I call a doctor for him too?
But Murong Jin hadn't forgotten.
"Put me down. Your wound." She struggled. The more she fought, the tighter he held her.
"Be quiet. Do you want to be the laughingstock of the palace?" He glared at her, but didn't stop walking toward Zhaoyang Palace.
"Let them laugh! I've been a joke plenty of times!" She shouted, reckless.
Since she first donned armor, she had been mocked. When she married the playboy prince, she was a joke. And now? Was she the biggest joke of all? The man she trusted, the man she thought was her life… had stepped in front of her sword for another woman.
He paused. He wanted to say something, but swallowed it. He kept walking.
Palace maids and eunuchs watched, stunned, as their Emperor carried the Empress from Consort Guo's palace all the way to Zhaoyang Palace.
They didn't speak. She was stiff in his arms. He was wooden.
Their bodies were close. Their hearts were miles apart.
"We're here." She looked up at the plaque. "Put me down."
"Mm." The sound was weak. His strength failing, he slowly lowered her to the ground.
His chest was soaked. A large stain of red bloomed on his robes, stinging her eyes.