Who understands? He traveled through time with a high-spec spatial ability.

As the blood moon faded, the east began to lighten with the first light of dawn. Inside Emperor Liang's palace, the air was filled with the bitter scent of ambergris mixed with medicinal herbs.

Emperor Xuanjing leaned back on his dragon throne, his face ashen but his eyes blazing. He stared at Tantai Ming, who knelt in the center of the hall, his fingers trembling slightly on the brocade quilt: "I have treated you well... and yet you dare to commit patricide."

Tantai Ming pressed his forehead to the ground, his shoulders shrugged, and he let out a low laugh: "Not stingy? Has Father ever cared about his son? The Shadow Guard, the Tiger Tally, the important position in the Ministry of War... all were given to Seventh Brother!"

He suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, "Your subject is merely reclaiming what rightfully belongs to me!"

"You scoundrel!" The emperor grabbed the medicine bowl and smashed it, the porcelain shards blooming into a flower of blood on Tantai Ming's forehead. "Colluding with Northern Qi, murdering the emperor and his father, is this all you've got?"

Everyone in the hall held their breath. Qiao Jingjing stood behind Tantai Zhou and noticed that the emperor's left hand twitched unnaturally as he spoke, indicating that the poison had not been completely eradicated.

She quietly took out a drop of spiritual spring water from her spatial storage and flicked it into the incense burner while adjusting her sleeves.

Blood stained his purple robe, yet Tantai Zhou remained ramrod straight: "Father, please calm your anger. Your health is of utmost importance. Secret letters found in my second brother's residence indicate that the Northern Qi delegation will arrive in the capital in three days. I'm afraid..."

"Report—" A guard rushed in, "Princess Jin of Duan has hanged herself in prison!"

The prayer beads in the Empress's hand snapped with a crack, the sandalwood beads scattering all over the ground. Qiao Jingjing bent down to pick them up, but heard the Empress say very softly, "Too convenient to die."

The emperor closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, he had regained his imperial majesty: "Issue an imperial decree. The Second Prince, Tantai Ming, is to be placed under house arrest in the Imperial Clan Court. The lineage of Prince Duan... will be temporarily placed under the supervision of Xiao Qi."

His gaze swept over Qiao Jingjing, "This girl has rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor, she should be granted a title..."

"Father," Tantai Zhou suddenly knelt down, "Your subject wishes to request an imperial decree to grant you a marriage."

The whole hall was in an uproar.

Qiao Jingjing's eyes widened, and a sense of panic washed over her.

Emperor Xuanjing narrowed his eyes slightly, as if considering something. "Little Seven, have you thought it through?" the emperor asked slowly.

Tantai Zhou's voice was firm: "Your subject's mind is made up. Miss Qiao has rendered meritorious service in saving Your Majesty. She is intelligent and kind, and I have long admired her."

All eyes in the hall turned to her, some with surprise, some with curiosity, and some with jealousy.

From this day forward, Prince Chen will undoubtedly be the crown prince, and his princess will be the future empress. Who wouldn't be envious?

Qiao Jingjing's fingertips trembled, and the Buddhist beads she had just picked up rolled away again. She saw Old Feng stroking his beard and winking at her, making her ears burn with embarrassment.

The Empress's lips curled slightly upward, a knowing glint in her eyes. Outside the palace, Consort Shu and the others, who had rushed to attend to the ailing Prince Chen, overheard his request for a marriage decree. One by one, they pleaded with the Emperor for his favor, begging him to grant Prince Chen's request.

Emperor Xuanjing was silent for a moment, then laughed loudly: "Very well! I will grant your wish. Choose an auspicious day to hold the wedding."

In fact, he had wanted to do this for a long time, but there were many people present, so he deliberately showed a cautious attitude to avoid anyone causing trouble for Jingjing.

Qiao Jingjing hesitated for a moment, but ultimately bowed and expressed her gratitude.

A buzzing sound filled my ears, as if a million bees were swirling around in my brain.

She mechanically followed Tantai Zhou in kneeling down to express her gratitude, and only when her knees touched the cold gold bricks did the biting chill bring her back to her senses.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness." She heard her own voice as if it came from a very far place.

The emperor waved his hand wearily: "You may all leave, I am tired." But his gaze paused slightly when it swept over Qiao Jingjing. "Girl, you stay."

The expressions on the faces of the people in the hall varied. Consort Shu and Consort De, along with their entourage of concubines, looked at Qiao Jingjing with delight, even winking at her in what they thought was a subtle hint; the Empress, on the other hand, calmly tucked the broken Buddhist beads into her sleeve, and before leaving, gave Qiao Jingjing a meaningful look, signaling her to rest assured.

After the palace doors closed, the emperor suddenly coughed violently, and shocking black blood smeared onto his handkerchief.

Qiao Jingjing disregarded etiquette and rushed forward to support the swaying emperor: "Your Majesty!"

"It's alright." The emperor, panting, pointed to the incense burner. "What...did you just add to it?"

Qiao Jingjing's heart skipped a beat—her seemingly discreet little actions had been seen by the emperor.

"It's...it's an antidote incense I made myself." She replied, forcing a smile, her fingers secretly slipping into her sleeve, ready to retrieve more spiritual spring water from her spatial storage at any moment.

The emperor suddenly laughed: "Jingjing, you are a good child. I am very satisfied with Zhou'er's choice of you." Before she could reply, he continued, "Xiaoqi is just like me when I was young... Once he sets his mind on something, he won't let go."

Qiao Jingjing didn't know how to respond, so she could only stare down at the tips of her shoes. They were still stained with the Second Prince Tantai Ming's blood, dark red and mottled like withered plum blossoms.

"Raise your head." The emperor's voice suddenly became stern. "The first thing a daughter-in-law of the imperial family must learn is to stand tall."

Qiao Jingjing subconsciously looked up and met the emperor's sharp gaze. Those eyes, though plagued by illness, were still as sharp as a hawk's, as if they could pierce through people's hearts.

"You have saved my life, and I should reward you handsomely." The emperor changed the subject, "But you must remember that from today onward, your every word and action will affect Xiao Qi's safety."

Suddenly, a dispute arose outside the hall.

The emperor frowned: "Go and take a look."