The Emperor's pupils dilated in terror.
He struggled violently, roaring, "No! You cannot kill me! I must not die! The empire will descend into chaos! You’ll regret this!"
Luo Jingfeng, watching the scene with amusement, added mockingly, "We’ll just keep your death a secret, Your Majesty. Rest in peace—the imperial examinations won’t be affected, the new Emperor’s ascension will proceed smoothly, and chaos? Impossible."
"You… you…!" The Emperor coughed up blood in rage.
Zong Zhao produced a pill from his sleeve.
Leaning down, he asked, "Do you know what this is, Your Majesty?"
The Emperor recoiled, trembling. "Poison… You’re poisoning me! How heartless!"
Zong Zhao crouched beside him, his voice low and icy. "This is what you forced Huaishui to feed the Crown Prince for ten years. A decade of torment, slowly destroying his health. But I’m not as cruel as you—one pill, and you’ll face your ancestors in the afterlife."
"No… I won’t take it! I refuse to die! I—mmph—!"
His neck was seized, his jaw forced open.
The pill slid down his throat, settling deep within his organs. The enhanced toxicity took swift effect, and within moments, the former Emperor was no more.
Outside, thunder rumbled; inside the hall, silence reigned.
All sins had met their end.
Luo Jingfeng rose from his seat. "I’ll summon Eunuch Huang to tend to him. We’ll announce his death in a few days. The edict still needs finishing—let’s shorten the mourning period from twenty-seven days to three. Will you draft it, or shall I?"
Zong Zhao descended the steps. "I’ll write it. Yours would look too much like a coup."
Luo Jingfeng scoffed. "What, do I seem like the rebellious type? Zong Zhao, you’re just as guilty!"
Seated on the throne, brush in hand, Zong Zhao replied with rare patience, "This edict only needs the imperial seal, but someone will examine the handwriting. Given your… unique relationship with Jin Cheng, it’s best you avoid suspicion."
The words pleased Luo Jingfeng.
He was Jin Cheng’s maternal uncle, while Zong Zhao was merely a foster father. Between the three of them, his bond with the boy was strongest.
Flushed with triumph, Luo Jingfeng added, "Since you’re drafting the edict, include this—appoint me as Regent to govern in the new Emperor’s stead until Jin Cheng comes of age—"
Zong Zhao cut him off. "If you’re named Regent, do you truly think he’ll live to adulthood?"
Luo Jingfeng’s temper flared. "Without me shielding him, the courtiers will devour him alive!"
Zong Zhao met his gaze solemnly. "Appoint multiple regents instead. If you stand alone, it’ll only fuel rumors that Jin Cheng’s throne was stolen by your family."
"Let them talk!" Luo Jingfeng snarled. "This empire belongs to the Luo family! With the throne and the military in my hands, who dares defy Jin Cheng will perish—along with their entire bloodline!"
Zong Zhao set down the brush, refusing to write further.
Luo Jingfeng as Regent would unleash the Luo clan’s tyranny.
He couldn’t replace one despot with another.
"Why stop?" Luo Jingfeng demanded, eyes narrowing. "What are you plotting?"
Zong Zhao repeated firmly, "Three regents: you, me, and Prime Minister Shen. Let Jin Cheng ascend legitimately."
Luo Jingfeng stormed forward, looming over him. "Zong Zhao, how dare you hand power to Prime Minister Shen?!"
Zong Zhao didn’t flinch. "He handles most state affairs. Would you even read them?"
"Then what about you?" Luo Jingfeng roared. "What’s your role?"
Zong Zhao lifted the City Patrol Commander’s token, his voice cold. "My tens of thousands of troops may not defeat your army, but they can plunge the capital—and all of Great Chu—into chaos. If we clash, the world will know Jin Cheng’s throne was seized by force. You Country’s cavalry will invade, and your nephew’s reign will collapse before it begins."
"You—!" Luo Jingfeng trembled with fury. "Jin Cheng is your foster son too! How can you betray him?"
Zong Zhao held his gaze. "Test me, and you’ll learn exactly how far I’ll go."
The two generals stood locked in a battle of wills.
For all his ruthlessness, Luo Jingfeng had one weakness.
And Zong Zhao’s icy resolve left him uncertain—but he could think of only one threat: the Crown Prince.
Clenching his fists, Luo Jingfeng hissed, "Zong Zhao, the late Emperor’s decree is written. The throne is Jin Cheng’s. You and your Crown Prince—abandon your schemes. With the Luo family guarding him, Chu Heng will never seize power!"
Zong Zhao said quietly, "Neither the Crown Prince nor I have ever sought to use Jin Cheng."
"You’d better mean that!"
After weighing the risks, Luo Jingfeng relented—for his nephew’s sake.
Civil war was unthinkable.
He couldn’t afford to break with Zong Zhao.
"Fine," he gritted out. "Three regents. But add the Prince of Southern Pacification."
Four regents—his family would claim half.
Recognizing this as Luo Jingfeng’s limit, Zong Zhao sat and resumed writing. "I’ll finish the edict."
Luo Jingfeng: "…!"
A thousand curses burned in his throat.
Once the edict was sealed, Eunuch Huang was summoned.
At the sight of the Emperor’s corpse, he shut his eyes and knelt. "This humble servant greets the Duke of State Protection and the Great General."
Already seething, Luo Jingfeng glared. "You knew everything the Emperor did, didn’t you?"
Eunuch Huang whispered, "Yes."
More than knew—he’d orchestrated some deeds himself. The Emperor’s chief eunuch was no fool.
With the regime change, his fate—and his family’s—was sealed.
"Good," Luo Jingfeng circled him. "Keep the Emperor’s death secret, help us crown the new Emperor, and I’ll spare your kin."
Eunuch Huang kowtowed fervently. "This servant pledges his life to your service!"
As Luo Jingfeng ordered him to prepare the body, he muttered, "Imperial robes take months to craft. Jin Cheng’s too small for an adult’s. I should’ve had them made earlier."
Zong Zhao ignored him.
Preemptive robe-making would’ve exposed their treason.
To Eunuch Huang, he said, "The Emperor’s upcoming ceremony—have the tailors resize the new robes. I’ll give you Jin Cheng’s measurements."
"At once, my lord."
Zong Zhao glanced at the storm outside. "The imperial exams proceed tomorrow, but without morning court, the edict can’t be announced to all officials."
Luo Jingfeng replied, "That's simple. I'll have the palace notify the officials in the name of the late Emperor to attend the morning court as usual."
Zong Zhao reminded him, "The imperial examination is scheduled an hour later than the morning court."
Luo Jingfeng scoffed, "Then let them wait outside to welcome the new Emperor into the palace. Why are you looking at me like that? Standing for an hour is nothing—I didn’t even make them kneel."
Zong Zhao turned away to handle other matters.
