After being exiled for eighteen years, the prince returned to the capital as a veritable immortal.

Everyone dies eventually.

Looking at the pile of heads on the execution platform, Hu Die sighed.

Zhou Yi turned his head to look at her, then put his arm around the beautiful woman's shoulder.

I could tell she was somewhat saddened.

With his other hand, he took out the Qian Yuan Mirror from his bosom and gently stroked it.

This bronze mirror was the only item left to him by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

His enemies had been beheaded, and he hoped that this bronze mirror could reach their spirits in heaven.

Hu Die stretched out her slender hand and stroked the "Qian" character engraved on the bronze mirror, saying softly:

"Sometimes, I do envy the Crown Princess."

She spoke very carefully, as if afraid of upsetting Zhou Yi.

Yet, I can't suppress my urge to express myself.

Gently stroking her warm shoulder, Zhou Yi pulled her closer, listening attentively to her story.

"The Crown Princess will forever keep her most beautiful image in the Crown Prince's heart."

Zhou Yi had always known.

Hu Die had a worry in her heart.

She had very poor talent for cultivation, so she gave up on it.

Life in this mortal world ends at a hundred years old, turning to ashes.

Her beauty will soon fade and she will no longer be beautiful.

But Zhou Yi will truly live for a thousand years, a thousand years, just as the world worships him.

She couldn't accept it.

While Zhou Yi was still handsome and dashing, she had already become wrinkled and ugly.

The more beautiful a woman is, the more she worries about getting old and ugly.

This has remained unchanged throughout history.

Over the years, Hu Die had already made up her mind.

In three to five years, when her looks have faded, she will leave the Prince Yi's mansion.

He left Zhou Yi, slowly grew old, and died.

“I will make you stay young forever,” Zhou Yi said.

"Heh." Hu Die laughed.

Even if one's appearance remains unchanged, aging does not mean the most beautiful moment.

Their lifespans differed too much, so they were destined not to stay together for long and grow old together.

Then.

Why not turn away when life is in full bloom?

Leave the best version of yourself in his heart.

"One day, when I'm gone, please don't look for me."

Hu Die buried her head in broad shoulders and pleaded.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to help but turn back."

……

The sun sets in the west.

Zhou Yi, Hu Die, and Si Xuan entered the palace.

It's still early before the banquet ends.

Zhou Yi strolled along, continuing his tour of the palace.

"Ugh."

Si Xuan sighed softly in his heart.

The road ends at the Yao Mother Palace.

Your Highness's intentions are self-evident.

"Stop...stop!"

The young eunuch guarding the palace gate stammered:

"The Palace of Yao's Mother is the Empress's bedroom. No one may enter without the Empress's permission!"

The golden dragon plaque almost blinded the other person.

The sign had eight large characters on it.

"The Emperor himself is here; those who disobey will be executed."

Yesterday and today, the two streams of deathly energy drifted away in the direction of this place.

He has the Dragon Token in his hand.

Zhou Yi stopped by to take a look.

Inside the Yaomu Palace, the garden is colorful and vibrant, which further accentuates the grandeur of the main hall.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Yi has arrived!"

The young eunuch dared not stop them, so he could only shout into the palace.

The palace maids didn't understand why the eunuchs hadn't stopped Zhou Yi from leaving the palace.

Despite their fear, they stood firmly in a row, blocking the main entrance.

Zhou Yi didn't seem to be in a hurry.

In the garden, I looked around, east and west.

It was as if they were touring the Empress's palace as if it were the Imperial Garden.

Si Xuan, carrying the dragon sparrow, followed behind, completely bewildered.

Why did he choose to stroll through the garden in the Empress's palace? Was it a provocation?

“There’s a very well-hidden formation here,” Hu Die explained in a low voice.

Although she cannot cultivate, she has extremely high standards.

Zhou Yi finally stopped.

He stood opposite the palace maids, but his gaze was fixed on the eaves of the house.

The palace maids trembled inwardly, their legs shaking slightly.

The person before them was the head eunuch of Yaomu Palace who had just killed them yesterday.

Moreover, he also killed the arrogant chief eunuch, Jiang Chong.

This kind of serial killer can take their lives with just a flick of his finger.

"His Royal Highness King Yi."

Empress Jade Hook's voice rang out from inside the room:

"I am taking a bath. Would you like to come in?"

Withdrawing his gaze, Zhou Yi turned and left without even bothering to reply.

He already had a general idea of ​​why the death energy was converging on this place.

"Humph!"

A cold snort came from inside the room.

Then came the sound of the teacup shattering.

……

Yongchang Pavilion.

It was magnificent and brightly lit.

In the very center, there was a long table carved with dragons, which was naturally the Empress's seat.

On both sides, long tables were set out, and the princes sat down according to their age.

The first table on the left is also filled with delicacies and fine wines, but it has always been empty in previous years.

Everyone knows that this is the position of Crown Prince.

The first table on the right is the seat for the Second Prince.

Then, proceed in order.

It was still early, and Emperor Wu had not yet arrived.

The princes and concubines chatted idly in twos and threes.

The second prince sat at the table, grinning foolishly as he ate the grapes his mother had peeled.

The sixth prince sat at the end of the table, holding a wine jug with a narrow spout, already drunk.

……

Standing at the entrance of the pavilion, I gazed into the distance.

The Fifth Prince was deeply worried and said:

"Father has bestowed such a generous reward upon the Grandson Si; could it be that he intends to make him the heir apparent...?"

"impossible!"

The Third Prince interrupted, "In my opinion, it is precisely because they do not want to establish him as emperor that they are rewarding him handsomely."

"Third Brother, are you sure?"

"probably."

The promised investiture of the crown prince has been postponed without cause.

Moreover, the Empress Wu didn't even offer an explanation.

This left the two of them extremely frustrated.

after all.

The sudden appearance of the Imperial Grandson Si was truly too fierce.

Even if they were to compete based on their backing, the two brothers combined would probably be no match for him.

"Your Highnesses, are you feeling melancholy about autumn?"

Empress Yugou walked in with graceful steps and elegant demeanor.

The fourth prince's lifeless eyes immediately widened to the size of a cow or a horse.

"The Emperor is about to arrive, so I will speak frankly and openly."

Looking at the sixth prince, who was completely drunk in the pavilion, Empress Yugou said:

“If the two princes want to succeed to the throne, we must join forces.”

"..."

The Third Prince and the Fifth Prince nodded silently.

In the eyes of the two princes, the sixth prince was already out of the running.

However, the Empress did not give up and continued to work on his behalf.

“A bastard of unknown origin, crude and uncouth, what right does he have to inherit the throne?”

Empress Jade Hook roared angrily.

After all, the Crown Prince's grandson was stolen from the Crown Prince's residence and imprisoned for many years.

His identity has always been the subject of manipulation by those with ulterior motives.

The fourth prince struggled to tear his gaze away from the curves and slender waist, and said:

"How is my nephew? He's handsome, graceful, and charming."

"Hmph, him?" The Empress scoffed lightly.

The more she looked at Zhou Yi, the more she disliked him.

Although unwilling to admit it, the Third Prince spoke from the heart, saying:

"The grandson of the emperor is indeed extraordinary, as if he holds the whole world in his hands."

The Fifth Prince also praised it, saying:

"What he does always excites me. I feel an innate desire to follow him and join him."

Empress Jade Hook glared fiercely at the three of them and said:

“If he is really that good, once the Martial Emperor gets to know him better, you brothers will have even less of a chance.”

The two brothers nodded.

Yes.

Take action as soon as possible.

For example, this dinner party.

……

Zhou Yi and Hu Die arrived together.

Their stunningly beautiful figures immediately drew everyone's attention.

Although everyone felt uncomfortable, they still couldn't help but be amazed.

They are a match made in heaven.

"Prince Yi, please sit here."

The Fifth Prince patted the spot behind him.

At this banquet, a special seat was set up for Zhou Yi, the grandson of the emperor.

Zhou Yi and Hu Die bowed to the elders with clasped hands.

Then, he nodded and smiled at the Fifth Prince, and turned to walk towards the first long table.

hiss--

The whole place fell into silence.

All eyes followed Zhou Yi and Hu Die toward the Crown Prince's seat.

No one ever sits at this table.

The island was given to the Crown Prince; this was Empress Wu's intention.

If the grandson of the emperor dared to sit there, it would definitely provoke the wrath of the emperor.

The fifth prince stood up and stepped forward to persuade him.

Even the Third Prince stood up.

They didn't want Zhou Yi to inherit the throne, but they also didn't want him to lose his life because of it.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"