Chapter 185: All that is left is duty
The Prime Minister stood motionless under the moon-drenched sky, his thoughts still haunted by the blood-soaked memory of his past. The stars shimmered above him, as indifferent to the turmoil in his heart as they were to the fate of the empire below. Just then, the sound of soft footsteps echoed through the quiet corridor.
A shadow peeled from the darkness, forming into a man clad in dark robes with the insignia of the Prime Minister’s most trusted circle. The officer came to a halt a few steps away, breath short and urgent. He leaned forward, and in a voice barely above a whisper, he said, "Sir, something happened to the Emperor."
The Prime Minister’s entire expression changed. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Instead, his eyes narrowed sharply, and for the first time in a long while, uncertainty marred his features. The officer took a small step back, awaiting orders, but the Prime Minister remained frozen, the weight of the empire pressing down upon his shoulders.
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At the same time, within the walls of Hua Jing’s courtyard, peace reigned for only a fleeting moment. Zhao Yan and Hua Jing were wrapped in the comforting warmth of each other’s arms, savoring the brief solace in the midst of endless chaos. The flickering oil lamp by the bedside cast a golden glow over their resting forms.
Suddenly, a knock exploded against the door. It was not the polite tap of a servant, but an urgent, insistent pounding that reverberated through the walls.
"Your Highness!" Wei Ling’s voice rang out from beyond the door, strained and panicked. "Sir, we have a problem!"
Zhao Yan and Hua Jing shot up, the serenity of their embrace shattered. Without needing to exchange a word, they moved in practiced sync. Zhao Yan threw on his outer robe as Hua Jing quickly reached for her sash. Their hearts beat with the same rhythm—something was terribly wrong.
They flung open the doors. Zhao Yan’s face was taut, Hua Jing’s eyes wide with fear.
"What happened?" Zhao Yan demanded.
Wei Ling bowed deeply but did not speak.