Hearing these words, Shuangyue gritted her teeth and glared at Sun Ping. “I never expected the person my lady saved would turn out to be such an ungrateful wretch! Fine! Consider today the last time you ever see me!”
Behind her, Sun Ping shook his head, a shrewd glint flashing in his eyes.
Once accustomed to luxury, who would willingly return to hardship? Having lived a life of comfort, how could he possibly go back to suffering with Ye Shaohua?
As for the Empress—he was certain that while others might fall, she never would.
When Shuangyue disappeared, Prince Yuwen Zhe initially intended to have her captured as well. But despite turning the entire palace upside down, she was nowhere to be found.
This deepened their wariness toward Ye Shaohua, prompting them to reinforce the guards at the imperial prison.
“Has Ye Shaohua still not revealed who’s behind her?” Yuwen Zhe questioned the prison warden.
The warden bowed respectfully. “She refuses to speak, even after two days without food or water. She’s as stubborn as they come.”
Yuwen Zhe sneered. “A tough one indeed.”
Dismissing the warden, he went to the palace to meet Emperor Yuwen Jing.
Everyone knew today was the day General Ye would return. The palace gates had been rigged with layers of traps, ensuring that anyone who entered would never leave alive.
“General Ye claims his son, Ye Shaofeng, is severely injured and unable to attend court, so he came alone,” Yuwen Zhe reported, pausing briefly before adding solemnly, “That’s undoubtedly an excuse. Ye Shaofeng couldn’t possibly be injured. They must know about the ambush—this proves the Ye family is plotting treason.”
For a returning general to enter the palace without his deputy was highly suspicious.
Moreover, Yuwen Zhe refused to believe they were unaware of Ye Shaohua’s imprisonment. General Ye must have come prepared—but so were they.
“If Shaofeng is too injured to attend,” Yuwen Jing said coldly, “then send the imperial guards with a royal physician to the Ye residence. Let’s see just how ‘severely wounded’ the young general is that he can’t even pay his respects!”
Yuwen Zhe accepted the order and withdrew, his eyes dark with bloodlust.
Ye Shaohua and Ye Shaofeng’s names were derived from the phrase “elegant and radiant”. Though Yuwen Zhe had never liked Ye Shaohua, he had once been close to Ye Shaofeng. But no friendship could outweigh his loyalty to Yuwen Jing.
He had already imprisoned Ye Shaohua—what was one more betrayal?
The two brothers split up.
Yuwen Jing received General Ye in the throne room.
General Ye was a towering figure, his piercing eyes like cold stars, his entire being exuding an aura of blood and steel.
He set down his wine cup with a sharp clink and rose to his feet. “Your Majesty, this subject has an urgent matter to report.”
Here it comes.
Yuwen Jing’s grip on his cup tightened imperceptibly, but his expression remained composed. “General Ye, let us discuss this in the study.”
He led General Ye toward the imperial study.
As he turned, he exchanged a glance with the commander of the imperial guards, who immediately understood.
Once the two entered the study, the area outside was silently surrounded by guards. At Yuwen Jing’s command, General Ye would have no chance of escape.
Head bowed, General Ye followed Yuwen Jing inside—unseen by anyone, his eyes flashed with mockery.
“The empire owes its peace to you, General,” Yuwen Jing said, seated behind his desk. Repeating his earlier words, he added, “Name your reward. What does the general desire?”
He smiled, watching General Ye closely.
General Ye lifted his head, maintaining the demeanor of a blunt warrior. “Your Majesty, this subject has an important matter to present.”
With that, he solemnly produced an embroidered box and offered it to Yuwen Jing.
Wary of treachery, Yuwen Jing did not take it directly. Instead, he had the chief eunuch receive it and hesitated before opening it.
“Your Majesty, would you not inspect it personally?” General Ye chuckled warmly. “This item is of great importance—it would be best for Your Majesty to secure it himself.”
At the word “importance,” Yuwen Jing stiffened. He gestured for the eunuch to carefully open the box.
When the lid was lifted just a fraction, Yuwen Jing caught a glimpse of its contents.
His entire body jolted, and he shot up from his seat. “Gen-General Ye…!”
General Ye laughed heartily. “The military tally. The late Emperor entrusted it to me before my campaign. Who would have thought that upon my return… he would already have departed this world?”
His expression darkened with sorrow.
But Yuwen Jing barely registered his tone. He stared at the tally in disbelief.
It was real.
Yet… why would General Ye surrender it so easily?
Clutching the tally, Yuwen Jing gripped the armrest of his chair, his mind reeling.
Just then, an urgent report came—Prince Rui had arrived.
Yuwen Zhe would not interrupt unless it was critical. Distracted, Yuwen Jing permitted his entry.
He closed the box, still dazed. He had expected the Ye family to cling to the tally as a tool for rebellion. But now… he was at a loss.
When Yuwen Zhe entered, his expression was strange.
“What is it?” Yuwen Jing asked.
Yuwen Zhe’s voice was hollow. “I saw Shaofeng. He was bedridden—a gaping wound on his abdomen, his shoulder nearly cleaved off. The royal physician said… even if he recovers, his right arm will never regain full function. He’ll never wield a sword again.”
Yuwen Zhe had stormed into the Ye residence, expecting to drag out a traitor. Instead, he was met with an atmosphere of grief.
Ye Shaofeng was not feigning illness—he was truly incapacitated. According to his subordinates, he had wanted to be carried into the palace to see the Emperor but feared it would dishonor the late Emperor’s memory, so he remained at home.
Yuwen Zhe, who had arrived in fury, now stood in stunned silence.
Hearing this, Yuwen Jing slumped back into his chair, his strength draining away.
The Ye father and son had fought for the empire—one now crippled, the other willingly surrendering the military tally without complaint. Such loyalty… how could Prime Minister Qu have called them traitors?
They were rough around the edges, yes, but their hearts were true.
Yuwen Jing could barely look General Ye in the eye. The Ye family had given everything for the throne, and in return, he had repaid them with suspicion and betrayal.
If word spread, the people would lose faith in him entirely.
Shame burned through him. He wished he could erase this day from existence.
What have I done?
But General Ye was not finished.
Looking up with a humble, almost bashful expression, he said, “Serving Your Majesty is an honor. I seek no reward—only your permission for my daughter to return home and see her brother. It has been a year since I last saw her, and Shaofeng… he’s always been close to his sister. Now that he’s ill, he keeps calling for her. Your Majesty… may I see my daughter?”
