After the doctor left, Jasrah remained seated, her eyes fixed on her elder sister.
Her mind spun wildly with countless questions. What exactly is happening? Even in the middle of her own husband's political crisis, she never felt this level of emotional turmoil. Yet here was Dowager Taihou.....a woman who lacked nothing in life..... slowly falling apart for no clear reason.
Lately, she had visibly lost weight. Often, she looked withdrawn and deeply lost in thought, her whole demeanor unsettled. Jasrah could feel it in her heart..... this went far beyond simple hostility toward Zhan. There was something else. Something hidden. Something they deserved to know, because this matter was beginning to feel truly dangerous.
Just look at what had happened: she completely destroyed the room, shattering valuable objects she would never have allowed anyone to touch, not even when they were children.
Jasrah stood up and cleaned everything herself. Calling in a maid felt too risky....servants in the palace were rarely just servants. Many of them worked as informants for other factions. And with Dowager Taihou's level of power, everyone kept their ears open, waiting for even the smallest piece of scandal linked to her.
While she was still cleaning, the doctor called that he had returned. She left briefly to receive the medicine, then came back and restored the room until everything looked normal again.
Just before dawn, Dowager Taihou woke up in a panic far worse than even what the doctor had warned about.
Her body shook violently, and the bed vibrated along with her. She let out a strangled scream when horrifying figures she had seen in her dream seemed to appear clearly inside the room. Dark, twisted shapes crowded around the bed, their crying sounds harsh and unbearable.
She tried to scream. She tried to call out, but her lips only trembled, unable to form any words. Despite the cold air conditioning in the room, her body was drenched in sweat as if she had just been thrown into water.
"Hahahaha!!!"
A voice cut through the air.
Cao appeared, laughing bitterly.
As always, she sat casually in her chair, dressed in deep red. Her already aged face twisted into something even uglier, distorted by madness. Her laughter echoed through the room.
"So you thought you could escape? Hahaha! I told you, Taihou....you shameless little fool! A reckless woman! From now until the day my goal is fulfilled, I will make you suffer. Engrave it in your heart.....the real game begins now."
Her eyes darkened.
"And you must pay for everything… with the blood of the child we helped you bring into this world. In the end, I'll expose your secret so your people will see your true life.... nothing but betrayal and filth."
She clapped sharply.
"Go to her. Change her face."
At her command, the dark figures lunged toward the bed.
Just then, the door flew open.
Jasrah rushed in, panicked. She had woken suddenly, feeling as if hooves were pounding all over the palace. But instead of chaos throughout the palace, the strange sensation narrowed to just one place..... Dowager Taihou's chamber. That instinct had pulled her straight here.
In that instant, the dark figures vanished without a trace.
Only Dowager Taihou remained.... completely detached from reality.
Jasrah let out a shaky breath and rushed to the bed.
She climbed onto it in panic, remembering the doctor's words..... that Taihou might wake up confused and frightened. She thought Taihou wouldn't wake until morning because of how strong the injection had been.
She pulled her close and held her tightly, tears filling her eyes in pity for her sister.
A terrible thought crept into her heart.
Could she have been cursed…?
Zhan's Restlessness
At the same time, just before dawn, Zhan woke up from a familiar kind of nightmare....the kind that always left him shaken.
His head throbbed as if being pierced by needles. He pressed his hand against it, breathing unevenly until the pain began to dull.
He stayed like that for nearly five minutes before he slowly calmed down.
Then he turned his gaze to King Yibo, who lay beside him, sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the storm inside Zhan's mind.
Zhan studied his face, as if trying to read answers from his dreams through Yibo's sleeping expression.
He hadn't had a nightmare this disturbing in a long time.
These strange events were beginning to exhaust him. One problem after another, never-ending. Solve one.....another appears. What kind of life is this?
He whispered softly, releasing a slow breath of frustration, wishing for the troubles to finally end.
Zhan started to rise from the bed when he felt a hand grab him.
He turned and looked at King Yibo, surprised....he hadn't realized he was awake.
Yibo pulled him back down and shifted his body on top of him. His voice was still thick with sleep as he reached up and placed a hand against Zhan's neck.
"Fever?" he murmured.
Zhan slowly shook his head.
Still affected by the remnants of his nightmare, he whispered, "No… I just woke up. It's already close to dawn."
He let out a quiet breath and said nothing more.
Zhan tried to sit up again.
Once Zhan finished what he needed to do, he slipped out quietly, moving fast but carefully. He wanted to return before King Yibo came back from his early-morning outing.
He headed straight toward Dowager Taihou's quarters, walking with the same stealth he had used when leaving his own room.
The sky was still painted with the last darkness of early dawn. Even though lights surrounded the palace grounds, none of the few servants who had started their duties didn't paid attention to who passed by.
When Zhan reached her wing, only a handful of servants were already sweeping. He moved past them skillfully without allowing anyone to recognize him.
Reaching the door he believed Dowager Taihou's inside, he paused, calming his racing heart, listening carefully to confirm there were no movements inside. Then he slowly twisted the handle and slipped in.
Zhan released a quiet breath as he scanned the room.
No one was inside....except Dowager Taihou, who sat leaning against the bed.
He locked the door behind him and stepped further in.
At that exact moment, she lifted her head and looked at him.
Zhan narrowed his eyes slightly, shock flickering across his face. She looked deeply disturbed.... anyone could see something was terribly wrong with her.
"What brought you here?" she asked, her voice hoarse, edged with anger.
Zhan's lips tightened.
He answered coldly, frustration rising in his tone:
"You already know why I came. Are you really never going to return to your senses? I keep showing you a path. I keep warning you. But you can't understand because your selfishness has blinded you."
He stepped forward slightly.
"Do you really have to drag the people who love you into suffering and misery? Tell your...…whatever she's you're hiding behind to stay out of my way. I'm stronger than her. And the one you keep talking about.....even if he's your son....he is stronger too."
His voice dropped, sharp and dangerous.
"Control yourself. Stay within your limits. You are the one who invited this chaos into your life."
He scoffed.
"I warned you long before this day would come, but you refused to listen. If she ever becomes bold enough to face me directly, I will make her regret existing. I don't care what she does to you....that's your mess to deal with. I warned you, and you ignored me."
His final words were cold and final:
"If she crosses into our side again, both you and her will regret it."
With that, Zhan spun around and left.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Dowager Taihou could only watch him go.
Her heart twisted with a single terrifying thought:
Is this boy even human…? Or was he born carrying something not of this world inside him?
That thought was cut off when Jasrah entered hurriedly from the bathroom.
The suspicious, confused look Jasrah gave her made her blood run cold.
Only then did Taihou feel her awareness fully return to her body.
Everything the boy had said had been clearly heard by Jasrahn, as she was inside the bathroom.
"Jie!"
Jasrah snapped her out of her thoughts. Startled, she looked at her, but she couldn't respond. There was no trace of playfulness in Jasrah's face as she spoke again,
"Sister, I heard someone like royal consort Zhan. Tell me, why he is telling you these disrespectful words? What is really happening?"
Dowager Taihou slowly lifted her eyes to Jasrah, her heart pounding violently in her chest.
"So that means my suspicions were correct. Sister, there is something you are hiding from us between you and that boy, Zhan? How can someone like you....the mother of the king, his superior.....allow him to speak to you in such a sharp and disrespectful way, and you didn't even cough in reaction? Truly, sister…"
"Jasrah!!"
Dowager Taihou cut her off harshly, her voice sharp and heavy as it fell. Jasrah fell silent but couldn't tear her eyes away from her. Her thoughts were filled with Zhan's harsh words, words that hinted that there was something deeply rooted between them. And one particular word he had said kept pounding loudly in her chest, a word she found impossible to repeat.
¦
¦
When Zhan returned, he found that King Yibo was already back, though he had gone straight to the gym. Zhan let out a quiet breath of relief, changed his clothes, and went to the kitchen.
Today again, he prepared the breakfast with his own hands. The cooks were all tense, even though they stood beside him. They only dared to assist by cutting chicken, washing ingredients, and doing minor tasks.
Zhan personally prepared everything himself, and he stood over them until the food was carried into the dining room.
King Yibo had just come out of the bathroom when Zhan entered, holding a tray with a cup of tea that was still steaming. Zhan moved carefully until he reached him and placed it before him.
"Good morning," Zhan said, pouring a little honey into the tea.
With a slow blink, King Yibo responded quietly, "How are you?"
"I'm fine," Zhan replied as he handed him the cup.
King Yibo accepted it. "Thanks."
Zhan only nodded slightly, smiling softly. Then he walked back toward the bathroom.
King Yibo followed him with a quiet, lingering gaze, his heart unsettled.
By the time Zhan returned, King Yibo had finished getting ready, so he helped Zhan dress as well, with meticulous care and attention. Together they walked out to enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Everything Zhan looked at was filled with love and tenderness as King Yibo completed arranging everything for them.
Zhan gestured silently toward the food, signaling him to eat. King Yibo shrugged slightly and turned his face aside.
Zhan reached out and lightly tugged at his ear, smiling. At that exact moment, one of the king's trusted aides stepped out unexpectedly from the small sitting room and froze.
With shocking speed, the aide turned, nearly stumbling, his eyes locked on Zhan's hand tugging their king's ear.
Zhan's eyes widened instantly. He quickly stood and wrapped his arms around King Yibo, not realizing anyone had been behind them.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know there was someone beside us in this room". Zhan said with a pout.
King Yibo struggled to hold back his laughter and pressed his fingers lightly into Zhan's waist teasingly. Startled, Zhan jerked forward and ended up climbing straight onto his lap…
:-*:-*:-*:-
Court
The court was filled to capacity again today. Even those who had been absent the previous day showed up. However, Dowager Taihou was not present. She had been struck by a severe fever and a splitting headache, so intense that Jasrah had to call a doctor to examine her again.
Once the court session ended, Jasrah planned to return home. Her mind was still in turmoil. She intended to inform their eldest brother, who now stood in the position of a father figure to them all, since Dowager Taihou still refused to tell her what was truly troubling her. Perhaps they would come and investigate what kind of hidden conflict existed between her and her son-in-law, Zhan, especially since such dangerous words had passed between them.
After making that decision, she headed to the courtroom just as everyone else gathered.
Zhan entered with Daneen and Mah that day. After finishing breakfast, they had gone to greet Dowager Ruyan, since Wei Po and Mah had spent the night there. Barrister Aas and Zeng had already returned to their homes with their families the day before. Grandfa had not slept over; he had gone home with Babiy and Huan, planning to return today.
Grandfa had done that intentionally so they could discuss where Daneen would stay. King Yibo had already informed them that, once this judgment was passed, Daneen would be moved into her own residence shortly after.
King Yibo was the last to enter. Instantly, the courtroom fell into deep silence. Everyone lowered their heads until he took his seat.
As usual, Prince Yuhui stepped forward, holding a set of documents in his hands. After offering formal greetings to the king, the trial began.
"After yesterday's court heard the testimony of Langya, another closely related case has been brought forward in this same session. We listened to a major issue that caused great confusion, and for that reason, the session was suspended with a promise that everything would be concluded today.
To confirm what we heard from Langya, and what we also heard from the elder who appeared before us today, we now present solid evidence.
First, we will play the recording that was prepared to be presented from the very beginning of yesterday's trial, but could not be played at the time. We will now listen to it for verification.
Secondly, we will present the servants who carried out the assassination of Prince Maiqing, under the instructions of Deng, and also bring forward their accomplice, a man called Barbushi, to obtain further details from them.
In addition, although Daneen already confirmed the old man's statement yesterday, this fair court ordered additional tests to verify everything once more. Chief of the guards, proceed."
After the chief of the guards greeted the king, he carried out the court's order and played the secretly recorded audio of the conversation between Prince and Deng inside the prison, without their knowledge.
The court fell into complete silence. Powerful speakers had been placed in every corner, so everyone heard everything clearly.
The conflict between Prince Deng and Prince Langya, from their very first day sharing a prison cell, was laid bare.....their insults, their mutual threats, and their bitter exchanges, continuing right up until the previous morning.
Bit by bit, Langya's words played out, along with statements he had never openly admitted. A cold chill passed through everyone in the court. People cursed them silently for their cruelty and evil deeds, even though some in the courtroom secretly carried their own hidden sins. Only theirs had not yet been exposed, which made them feel safer.
Barbushi, the sorcerer, was then brought in. Ever since Grandfa had summoned him to the palace, he had been stripped of all his ritual items, his head shaved, dressed in plain clothes, and forced to bathe.
Completely changed, he barely looked like the same man anymore. He kept lowering his head, stealing fearful glances at Prince Deng, just as they stared back at him in shock.
He bowed to the king, and then Prince Yuhui began questioning him.
"Are you the one who supplied them with the substances used to harm people?"
"I… I beg forgiveness. I was wrong, Your Majesty."
"How long have you been working with them?"
"Eighteen years."
"So you admit you've been helping them plan killings and cause harm all this time?"
He fell silent, unable to reply.
Prince Yuhui continued,
"The court needs to hear every crime you guided them to commit."
With a trembling voice and dry lips, he began to confess everything. In the end, he added,
"I didn't tell them the truth from the beginning because I was afraid they would stop paying me. But I knew they were never strong enough to succeed wherever they struck. And they would never fully achieve their goals."
No one in the court....not even Prince Deng and Prince Langya.... could hide the shock in their eyes as they looked at him. Yet he refused to look back at them even once.
After him, the servants who had killed Prince Maiqing were brought forward. They told everything: how Prince Deng had assigned them the task, how they kidnapped the prince at dawn as he stepped out of his quarters, and how they tortured him cruelly. It was that torture that eventually led to his death.
Many people in the courtroom began to cry. Only his family truly understood the depth of the pain burning inside their hearts. Nothing hurt more than realizing that one of his most trusted aides was among those who killed him.
Prince Yuhui took a deep breath and slowly turned to face the court again.
"This concludes that matter. Next are the biological test results ordered by this court between the royal consort and his three supposed parents. The test confirms that Xiao Zinnu and Dannen are his true biological parents. These are the official results, and they will now be read."
He read the report line by line.
Instantly, the group of young people who Zhan gathered burst into cheers, filling the courtroom with excitement. It took great effort before they were warned into silence.
Prince Deng suddenly broke down in tears, his heart tightening painfully as if everything inside his chest had collapsed into one crushing point.
After the silence returned, everyone fixed their eyes and ears on the throne, waiting for the king and his closest advisers to deliver the judgment.
King Yibo remained silent for four long minutes before drawing a slow, steady breath. With his usual calm control, he gently pressed his lips together, his eyes sliding toward Zhan through the glass partition that separated the seating areas.
Zhan was leaning weakly against Dowager Ruyan's shoulder, his eyes half-closed, looking like he still wasn't feeling well.
Slowly, King Yibo withdrew his gaze, lowered it to the documents before him, and lightly pressed his lips together once more.
"Based on the solid evidence and the clear testimonies heard directly from the perpetrators, this court of justice has carefully examined the weight of their crimes and the severe punishments that befit them.
In order to bring closure and justice to this nation, Prince Deng and Prince Langya are hereby sentenced to execution by hanging in the presence of the united public of this land, in accordance with their crimes…"
The courtroom instantly erupted in shock and emotional turmoil, especially from Prince Deng and Prince Langya, who both jolted violently in panic. It took great effort to restore order before he continued.
"Their execution will take place on the day of the grand traditional festival, where citizens from every corner will gather. Until that time, they will remain in prison and will publicly confess all their crimes before the press.
We do not accept interference from any external organization in this matter. They are also ordered to pay compensation for the life of Prince Hilui's daughter and Prince Maiqing to their families. In addition, they must pay heavy reparations to the family of Consort Xiao Zhan, whom they caused great suffering through their selfish actions.
Their sorcerer is sentenced to life imprisonment. The servants who carried out their orders are also sentenced to life imprisonment.
The individual who supplied them with poisonous snakes has been released under strict warning. Should he repeat such negligence, he will face severe consequences. Consort Xuan Ji is sentenced to one hundred lashes and ten years imprisonment for attempted murder and conspiracy.
With that, this court is adjourned."
King Yibo stood up immediately after the ruling. No one moved until he had left the court room.
The courtroom fell into chaos. Many people condemned the behavior of Prince Deng and Prince Langya, and the terrifying nature of their final fate made them avoid eye contact with anyone.
Prince Langya....the master of deception.... began to cry openly. He deeply regretted following Prince Deng through life, even though he had his own ambitions. He had never found the courage to act alone until they joined forces. Eventually, they were dragged out of the courtroom and returned to prison.
Zhan did not want any noise or chaos that day. His body felt weak, and he was unsettled. The night before, he had fought intensely with Cao in his dream. Worse, his pregnant body still felt fragile, even though he had felt perfectly fine before yesterday afternoon.
He left the courtroom ahead of Dowager Ruyan and headed straight to his residence. All he wanted was to lie down in silence and be alone. He only lifted his hand briefly to his attendants before entering and ordering warm, boiled milk to be brought to him.
His trusted attendant answered quickly. Zhan moved slowly, his steps heavy and tired.
He entered the beautifully arranged room, filled with a soft, pleasant fragrance. Zhan closed the door behind him.
Just as he turned around, his eyes fell on Cao, who was sitting arrogantly on a chair like a bed....or perhaps what looked like a ritual seat.....with an air of dominance and strange confidence. Her large nose flared as she breathed in deeply…
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛