Chapter 28: What a Devoted Son

Jian Hang was wise enough not to go buy the book in person today, instead sending a servant. He had anticipated the massive crowds and figured he would likely be unable to squeeze through the throng.

Once the servant returned with the book, he eagerly flipped it open.

The story described the Emperor summoning Prince Jia to discuss his marriage, only for the Prince to refuse point-blank. The Emperor scolded him for defying imperial orders and attempted to force his hand, but Prince Jia chose death over submission, swearing he would marry none but Chu Muxue.

Enraged, the Emperor summoned Chu Muxue to the palace, curious to see what kind of woman could possess such influence over the Prince that he would dare disobey his own father.

The Emperor had little impression of her, remembering only that she was the daughter of the traitor Chu and a woman of loose morals who had entangled herself with multiple men.

Yet, upon meeting her, he discovered that Chu Muxue was remarkably calculating and skilled at reading hearts. No wonder Prince Jia was so hopelessly devoted to her.

The Emperor decided to take her into his harem to shatter the Prince’s hopes. Thinking her own schemes were brilliant and that the Emperor had truly fallen for her, Chu Muxue smugly accepted.

Jian Hang felt a complex, indescribable emotion as he read this. *So, to make his son compromise, he simply married his son’s beloved? What kind of genius could even conceive of such a solution?*

And as for Chu Muxue—hadn’t she been whispering sweet nothings to Prince Jia and bidding him a tearful farewell just a moment ago? Why did she agree so readily?!

Jian Hang was stunned.

Prince Jia received word that his beloved had been made an imperial consort. Consumed by rage and ignoring all decorum, he stormed into the Emperor’s bedchamber, only to find the Emperor and Chu Muxue together in bed.

He froze, his mind racing to find an excuse that the Emperor had forced her, only to hear his beloved’s soft, sweet voice—there was no hint of reluctance in her tone.

*Good heavens,* Jian Hang thought, *they had only just announced the title, and they were already sharing a bed? How desperate was this Emperor? Or wait—was this a deliberate ploy to let Prince Jia catch them, to show him exactly what kind of woman she really was?*

Jian Hang stroked his chin, his eyes narrowed in contemplation as he read between the lines.

Betrayed by both his father and his lover, Prince Jia found it impossible to accept the reality. Overcome by a surge of intense emotion, he impulsively grabbed a decorative sword from the wall and lunged at the Emperor.

The bedchamber erupted in a woman’s scream and a man’s roar of fury.

Fortunately, the Emperor dodged in time, and with the guards rushing in to intervene, he suffered only minor flesh wounds. Yet, being attacked by the son he loved most sent the Emperor into such a state of agitation that he vomited blood and collapsed.

*My God! What a "filial" son! Trying to slay his own father.*

Jian Hang couldn't bear to keep reading.

The Emperor did not recover, and with his final breath, he had his ministers gather by his bedside to draft his will.

The Emperor’s speech was slurred; his words sounded like "Jiang" or "Jia." When the ministers asked for confirmation, the Emperor passed away before he could clarify. Thus, everyone assumed he meant Prince Jiang.

As Jian Hang read this, he felt something was amiss. *The Emperor wouldn't have given up that easily, would he? He still wanted Prince Jia to succeed him! What a mountain of paternal love!*

With the matter settled, Prince Jiang ascended the throne. Together with Empress Luo Muqing, they ruled the land, governing with diligence. The people lived in peace, the nation flourished, and the world was tranquil.

Luo Muqing utilized her medical expertise to benefit the populace, establishing a network of clinics for women and children across the realm, helping the weak and earning the praise of the people.

Even more celebrated was the deep bond between the Emperor and Empress; even in their twilight years, they could be seen strolling through Yanjing, enjoying the company of the common folk.

And so, the story concluded.

Finishing the book, Jian Hang felt as though he had witnessed the entire life journey of these characters, and he exhaled a long, wistful sigh.

*Wait a minute,* he thought. *Something is off. Did Luo Muqing and her husband disappear during the entire ordeal between Prince Jia and the Emperor leading up to the final will?*

*If not for this father-son fallout, would they have simply let Prince Jia inherit the throne?*

*And they are the protagonists—why were they absent for such a large portion of the narrative?*

Puzzled, Jian Hang flipped back and reread the text carefully, discovering several suspicious details.

For instance, it was Luo Muqing who told Prince Jia that Chu Muxue was at the Prince Li estate, and it was Prince Jiang who leaked the news of Chu Muxue’s appointment as consort.

Furthermore, every so often, Luo Muqing would present the Emperor with a tonic to boost his energy and blood. He hadn't thought much of it the first time, assuming it was an act of filial piety. Now, it was hard not to link it to the Emperor’s death by apoplexy.

*No way. Could it be? Is it really what I think it is?*

Jian Hang felt a chill run down his spine, goosebumps erupting on his arms.

*Is this couple’s scheming really that deep? And they were dealing with the Emperor!*

*It shouldn't be... surely not? It must be my imagination. How could the author write such a thing?*

Jian Hang consoled himself, pushing down the terrifying thought.

"Big Brother, are you finished? You didn't let me read the previous parts; surely I can read this one?" Jian Tong skipped into the room.

The contents of the earlier volumes hadn't been suitable for her, so Jian Hang had kept them away, only giving her a rough summary of the plot.

"No... not this one either," Jian Hang said, lost in thought.

"Oh, Big Brother, you're so mean!" Jian Tong pouted, her expression suggesting she could hang an oil lamp from her lower lip. "What about the illustrations? Surely I can at least see the pictures?"

Jian Hang remembered the drawings and hurriedly pulled them out from under the book.

"Wow! Sister Luo is truly beautiful!" Jian Tong leaned in, her eyes sparkling, her joy evident.

"It’s not proper for you to keep portraits of a lady in your room, Big Brother. Why don't you give it to me?" She snatched the drawing and ran off before Jian Hang could answer.

Jian Hang shook his head with a helpless sigh.

.

The final volume of the serial novel caused quite a sensation in Luoyang. Whether noble or commoner, the characters of the story were the talk of every tea house and street corner; even three-year-olds could recite parts of the plot.

Those unaware might have mistaken it for genuine royal secrets, though such people were rare—likely just travelers. After hearing the locals recount the story with such pride, they couldn't help but buy a few copies to see what the fuss was about.

"I’ve felt so restless these past few days. My heart feels empty, as if something is missing."

"Who’s to say? When I went to buy the newspaper two days ago, I actually thought about buying a new volume, and only when the shopkeeper spoke did I realize it was already over."

"I wonder when Lady Xueming will start writing another one. I still want to read more."

"Maybe there will be one in a few days?"

"In your dreams. Those scholars take days to write a single page. This book must have been written long ago. Don't expect the next one anytime soon."

"Heh, well, at least there’s the newspaper to read, so it’s not too boring."

Xu Chengming, who had no idea everyone was talking about her, was busy preparing for her trip. The three of them planned to visit Mount Laojun for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

She had been swamped lately—first the newspaper, then handling the plagiarism incident, and keeping up with her writing. Xu Chengming had not had a moment of leisure.

Now that everything was on the right track and the first book had officially concluded, she certainly deserved a good rest. Heading out to travel and relax her mind and body would be a wonderful change of pace.