Tang Xiu loosened his grip, and Tang Haojing, having gained his freedom, rushed into his mother's embrace. He didn't have time to ask what had happened, how could someone be dead and then come back to life?

Tang Xian and Tang Xiu, the two brothers, had already stepped out of the tent.

The firelight illuminated the night sky, making it as bright as day.

General Cheng was known for his unwavering justice, and the soldiers behind him were also all imposing figures.

Tang Xiu narrowed his eyes, and Tang Xian, looking at the soldiers rushing up, raised his hand, "Fall back."

"His Royal Highness, King Jin!"

"General Cheng, without my order, no one is allowed to move. I want to have a match with Fourth Brother."

"That won't do." General Cheng worried about Tang Xian's safety. Just then, Fu Jiujiu happened to come out, so he pinned his hopes on her, "Your Highness, please persuade His Royal Highness, King Jin."

Although Fu Jiujiao thought Tang Xian didn't need to do this, she chose to respect his decision. After all, even among good friends who used to get along well, there are bound to be some things that others don't understand.

Tang Xian's feelings for Tang Xiu are very complicated.

As he said, the heartbreak must be more intense.

"I won't let you." Tang Xiu said, "Of course, you don't have to let me either."

Tang Xian nodded. "Naturally, that would be a humiliation to everyone."

The two brothers each held weapons and assumed stances in the open space.

“You go first. You’re the younger one.” Tang Xiu said.

Tang Xian's heart was a mixture of emotions. Whether it was true or not, when they were children, he always let her go first when they played chess.

It's a pity, his gentle and jade-like fourth brother has already been swallowed by power, now there is only a shell left.

"Fourth Brother, since we're talking about fairness, let's get our hands dirty together."

Tang Xiu nodded. "Good!"

With flashing blades and deadly intent, no one worried for Tang Xiu. Everyone was sweating bullets for Tang Xian instead. Fu Jiujiu watched the two exchange blows, each strike laced with lethal force. She also worried that if Tang Xian's heart softened, what would happen?

But it's okay, Tang Xian didn't.

The contest between masters also allowed everyone to see each other's abilities, and they were all amazed.

Everyone was amazed that Tang Xian, who used to be weak, now possessed such strength. As for the Crown Prince, he seemed even more unfathomable.

"Mother Empress, who will win?" Tang Haozheng asked.

"The outcome was already decided." Nan Yu the Queen glanced at Fu Jiujiu, "I am not grateful to you."

"I don't need your thanks." Fu Jiujiu said casually, but she wasn't looking at him. Instead, she was nervously staring at the two people in the arena.

"I could have died oblivious, but you insisted on making it a conscious death."

"How his death concerns me? I just want Tang Xiu to die less comfortably. A person like him deserves to be abandoned by everyone." Fu Jiujiu said coldly.

"This can't be changed, you are still destined to die."

Tang Haojing listened, bewildered. However, he also guessed some things, “Mother Empress, was she the one who saved you?”

Tang Haojing took the initiative to pull Fu Jiujiu's arm. For the first time, she, who had never called her aunt, shouted, "Jiujiu Auntie, please, save my Empress Mother, don't let her die. I don't want Nan Yu, I just want her to be alive."

Tang Haojing, you're really different from your father." Fu Jiujiu sneered. "However, I really can't help you. Your mother killed so many people, it's not something that can be solved with just saying sorry or reforming. She has to die, and I can't help you with that."

Queen Nan Yu also knew this was the outcome. "Hao Jing, you must live well, and don't be like your father and Empress Dowager. We have never lived happily our whole lives. Look at your seventh uncle, he found a girl who loved him and whom he loved, and they simply stayed together without so much scheming. Nan Yu... I leave it to you."

Tang Haojing didn't understand why his mother said that. But suddenly, she kissed his forehead and then, taking advantage of everyone's stunned silence, rushed into the martial arts arena.

Tang Xiuzhen lunged with a sword, Tang Xian could dodge, but Queen Nan Yu stood in the middle.

The blade pierced her chest, crimson blood dripping from the tip of the sword onto the ground.

Both brothers were stunned.

Tang Xiu looked at the woman in front of him, a hint of emotion flickering in his eyes.

Queen Nanyu looked at him and smiled, "Since I'm destined to die, I'd rather die under your sword. This life is yours saving, even if you saved it for your own calculations, in the end, this life belongs to you."

Tang Xiu frowned, "Ar..."

"Tang Xiu, stop it. We both know there's no turning back... Tang Xian... Haojing... is a good child... I... leave him to you... please... protect him... keep him safe!"

“Arl!” Tang Xiu’s eyes turned red.

This woman finally grew wise, she realized who could protect her children in the future, so she put on this show.

Tang Xian looked at Tang Xiu, who closed his eyes and drew his sword.

"Mother Empress!" Tang Haojing ran over crying, Fu Jiujiu tried to stop him, but the child's strength in that moment was astonishing.

He picked up his mother's body, heartbroken. Queen Nanyu was hateful, but as a mother, she was also admirable.

Even the soldiers present were moved.

"You killed me! I don't want a father like you. My Empress mother told me my father was a good man, but all I see is deceit, darkness..." Tang Haojing roared.

Tang Xiu glanced at the soldiers behind him who glared at him with fury, wishing they could reduce him to ashes.

He closed his eyes, unwilling yet resigned, "You win."

Tang Xian remained silent.

Fu Jiaojiao saw him suddenly raise his hand. She thought he was going to attack her, but at the crucial moment, she realized something was wrong; Tang Xiu wanted to commit suicide.

She shouted, "Tang Xiu, aren't you waiting for her?"

Tang Xiu's sword was already at his neck, but upon hearing Fu JiuJiu's words, he suddenly stopped, "Her?"

"Yes, she's on her way. You surrender now, and I'll let you see her one last time."

Fujujiao knows that Suwen's feelings for this man are complex, but definitely not without love.

So, she was willing to let Tang Xiu live for two more days.

Besides, Tang Xiu couldn't just die like that. That would probably make people criticize him for killing his own brother, Tang Xian.

She can't let Tang Xian fall from grace like this.

Tang Xiu put down his sword and closed his eyes. Soon, soldiers came to bind him.

Tang Haojing picked up his sword, but at this moment he was about to charge forward and stab him, "I will avenge my Empress Mother."

Tang Xian snatched the sword with lightning speed, “Hao Jing, even though he deserves to be punished ten thousand times over, he is still your father. You can't bear the shame of killing your own parent.”

“I don't care, I don't care.” Tang Haojing roared.

She immediately threw herself into Tang Xian's arms and cried uncontrollably.

He will be an orphan from now on.

Tang Xian patted his back, "Go ahead and cry if you want to."

First published on Taiwan Novels Network