No one expected Li Chengzhen to suddenly rush into the sea of flames. Everyone around froze, and it was Shen Wei who reacted first: "Go save him!"
Boom—
A charred beam collapsed in the raging fire, blocking the path of the palace servants trying to rescue him. Blistering flames surged forward, the intense heat instantly turning hair to ashes.
The Empress screamed, "Chengzhen! Someone, put out the fire now!"
She nearly lost her mind, desperate to charge into the inferno, but the smoldering beam at the palace gate barred her way.
The Empress threw herself onto the scorching beam, her hands instantly searing with pain as the stench of burnt flesh filled the air.
"Chengzhen!"
"My son!"
Chaos erupted around them as palace servants scrambled to fetch water. The Empress collapsed to the ground, as if aged ten years in an instant. She stared blankly into the fire, belatedly realizing that her last hope had been extinguished.
She no longer had a son.
