After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

Cao Yuan stood quietly outside the hall, her gaze occasionally drifting to the tightly closed door, pondering to herself.

As the time it takes for an incense stick to burn passed, the once calm lake of my heart began to ripple, and anxiety gradually welled up inside me.

Although Cao Yuan knew very well that the father and daughter, who had been separated for many years, would have a lot to say after their reunion, the waiting time always seemed exceptionally long.

She unconsciously bit her lower lip, her hands slightly clenching the hem of her skirt, pacing back and forth to ease her inner anxiety.

Xiao Jinghan, who was standing to the side, took in Cao Yuan's anxiety. He spoke casually, breaking the silence, "Why hasn't Princess Zhaoyang come out yet? Has she forgotten that there are other people outside?"

As he spoke, his gaze seemed to casually sweep over Cao Yuan's slightly worried face.

Cao Yuan explained on Cao Chun's behalf, "We haven't seen each other for so many years, so naturally we have a lot to talk about!"

“Not everyone is like you, never going home and always meddling in other people’s family affairs.” Cao Yuan rolled her eyes at her.

Xiao Jinghan changed the subject, "How did you find your trip to Shu, Princess? Did the old emperor treat you with great care?"

"Can the princess handle these two men alone? But it doesn't matter, anyway, my brother likes other people's women!"

Cao Yuan knew he was mocking her, but she didn't respond. "His Majesty is seriously ill! If you go back now, you might still be able to see him one last time. After all, he is your royal uncle."

A flicker of helplessness crossed Xiao Jinghan's face, followed by a cold laugh, revealing no trace of sadness. "Finally dead! Died so quickly, actually. Hahaha..."

"However, now that he's dead, my brother can ascend the throne, right? Then why did you come back, Princess? Why don't you become the Empress of Shu?"

"I……"

"what!"

Just as Cao Yuan opened her mouth, a sharp, piercing, and chilling scream came from the bedchamber.

The sudden shout was like a thunderclap ripped through the night sky, instantly shattering the otherwise peaceful conversation between the two.

In an instant, everyone waiting outside the bedchamber seemed to be frozen in place, their bodies jerking violently as they quickly entered a state of high alert.

"Someone come here! Father Emperor, wake up! Wake up!"

Cao Chun's shouts came from inside the bedchamber.

Upon hearing the sound, Cao Yuan's expression changed drastically, and she thought to herself, "This is bad!"

She flashed and rushed into the bedchamber like an arrow.

Cao Yuan moved with lightning speed, rushing into the bedchamber ahead of everyone else. She saw the emperor lying by the bedside, spitting out a mouthful of black blood, while Cao Chun slumped on the ground.

"Father!"

Cao Yuan called out anxiously, rushing forward with lightning speed. She knelt down and came to the bedside, exclaiming, "Why is he vomiting blood!"

She looked at the frail figure on the bed with concern, and said in a slightly trembling voice, "Father, what's wrong with you? How did you become so ill!"

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and call the imperial physician! Call the imperial physician!" Cao Yuan shouted.

Xiao Jinghan, standing to the side, was also startled by the scene before him. He frowned, sensing something was wrong, and whispered to the guards standing outside the door, "Go quickly! Quickly fetch the imperial physician and the Second Prince."

Cao Yuan helped him lean against her to help him catch his breath.

The emperor gazed at Cao Yuan, his eyes filled with apology and heartache, and forced a smile as he said, "Yuan'er... Father is sorry for you, for making you suffer."

"Father, hold on, the imperial physician will be here soon." Cao Yuan shook her head.

"I'm sorry... Father..."

Seeing the emperor tormented by illness, his hair already turned white, Cao Yuan only regretted why she hadn't returned sooner.

"I'm sorry, Father, I'm useless. My second brother has already taken away that half of the tiger tally."

The emperor shook his head. "It's alright, I know you're still blaming me."

He wrote two words in Cao Yuan's hand. Cao Yuan was slightly taken aback, her eyes darting around, yet she dared not let others see through her.

"Father, please take good care of yourself. Your son will definitely..."

Before Cao Yuan could finish speaking, the emperor tightened his grip on her hand.

"You'll have to walk this path alone from now on! Be careful..."

The emperor pointed his trembling hand at Cao Chun.

Cao Yuan looked at Cao Chun with tear-filled eyes. Cao Chun shook his head innocently, then knelt down and walked to the bedside, taking the emperor's other hand.

"Father! Please take good care of your health! I know you are very angry because we returned to the country without permission. We really only came back because we were worried about your health. Rest assured, we will set off for Shu immediately!" Cao Chun pleaded tearfully.

As Cao Chun finished speaking, the emperor's chest heaved violently like a raging storm. His eyes widened as he stared intently at Cao Chun, only able to utter broken, furious roars: "You...you..."

“父皇……父皇！”

In that instant, the emperor's face turned deathly pale, his arm, which had been raised high, fell limply to his sides, and his head rested weakly on Cao Yuan's shoulder.

This once mighty and powerful ruler of the Wei Kingdom closed his eyes forever and passed away.

"Father, Father!" Cao Yuan's face was full of disbelief. She shouted at the top of her lungs while tightly grasping the emperor's gradually cooling body and shaking him desperately.

"Father, please wake up! Don't leave me... Father!" Cao Yuan's tears flowed like a burst dam, streaming down her pale cheeks and dripping onto the emperor's robes.

At this moment, she had lost her usual composure, her heart filled only with deep affection and reluctance to part with the emperor.

"Oh, Father! How could you leave like this... Waaah..." Cao Chun cried, tears streaming down his face.

Just then, Cao Ji and the imperial physician rushed over. They could hear the heart-wrenching cries from inside the palace from afar, and their pace quickened.

Upon seeing this scene, Cao Ji's expression instantly turned solemn and puzzled.

The imperial physician quickly stepped forward to check on the emperor's condition.

Cao Yuan's desperate cries seemed to say it all, and a suffocating atmosphere of sorrow permeated the entire palace.

After the imperial physician stepped forward to take the emperor's pulse, he knelt down and cried out in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty... has passed away!"

Then he kowtowed deeply to the ground.

Everyone in the room knelt on the floor, including the guards outside the door. Only Cao Ji stood there, frozen in place.

"Respectfully bidding farewell to His Majesty on his journey to heaven!" the palace servants shouted in unison.

Cao Yuan glared at Cao Ji, her disappointment and hatred fully revealed. "Is this really the result you wanted?"

"Cao Ji! You murdered your father and usurped power! You are unworthy of your position!"

While they were talking, Xiao Jinghan quietly withdrew from the hall.