Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Rebellion Commences Immediately

For Wang Ji, this was truly a godsend—could it be that even Heaven longed for his demise?

Having learned of Yu Hualiang’s plan, Wang Ji outwardly played the benevolent card, feigning sympathy, yet inwardly he cursed him, wishing he would descend to hell quickly.

During the days of Yu Hualiang’s execution of his plan, Wang Ji refrained from interference, waiting for the right moment. That night, the moment came.

Han Wu arrived with his beloved maiden to consult Yu Hualiang on the final steps.

Yu Hualiang advised that three people escaping together was too conspicuous; it was better to go one by one. Han Wu agreed, giving precedence to the lady. Thus, Han Wu’s beloved escaped first.

As for the second, Yu Hualiang was naturally reluctant to separate them. After Han Wu left, Yu Hualiang sighed and prepared to depart as well.

But unexpectedly… Lian Sheng appeared.

“Are you trying to run away again?” Lian Sheng’s words left Yu Hualiang speechless. He knew that if he left now, many would be heartbroken and disappointed.

Yet Lian Sheng’s approach surprised him. He sighed, stepped over, and embraced him. “Then… take care, Ziliang.”

“Hmm?” Yu Hualiang was shocked not by this uncharacteristic behavior, but because Lian Sheng actually called him by his given name.

Returning to his usual proud expression, Lian Sheng said, “The palace is too dangerous. Though I don’t know how you provoked the Emperor or why the Emperor spared you, staying here is never safe. After you leave, I will explain everything to my master and mistress. When you get out, remember to write a letter.”

Hearing such heartfelt words from Lian Sheng for the first time, Yu Hualiang was almost moved to tears. Smiling, he said, “I will… Then I’m off. Take care.”

Once again, Lian Sheng watched his departing figure. His mood seemed lighter, filled with reluctant affection clearly etched on a face that usually hid it well.

Then Yu Hualiang bid farewell to the princess and cautiously set off. Yet unexpectedly, halfway along the road, he encountered Ye Hao.

Ye Hao’s intent was clearly hostile. Yu Hualiang feigned ignorance, “You just finished eating and came out for a walk too? What a coincidence. Oh, I should be going…”

Ye Hao’s tone was emotionless: “Painter Yu, the Fourth Prince summons you.”

Thus, Yu Hualiang was taken out of the palace by Ye Hao.

Wang Ji arrived hurriedly with palace guards—only to find no one there.

“Hey! Where did those who wanted to escape the palace go?” Wang Ji muttered with a frown. “Impossible! He can’t still be here.”

To confirm his suspicion, Wang Ji and the guards checked Yu Hualiang’s quarters. Sure enough, the room was empty. Wang Ji smirked evilly; he knew Yu Hualiang was doomed this time.

Lian Sheng never expected Wang Ji to betray Yu Hualiang. Now, he could only pray silently that Yu Hualiang would not be caught. He sighed deeply—when would Yu Hualiang finally stop making him worry?

The Emperor learned of the matter the next morning. Muttering to himself, “Finally, the truth shall be revealed? Seventh Brother…”

As usual, he called out, “Don’t you agree, Tang’er? Tang’er?”

But this time, Lin Tang did not appear as usual. The Emperor knew his little wildcat must have gone after Yu Hualiang.

Yu Hualiang was abducted by Ye Hao to a small woods five li outside the palace, where a carriage awaited. Inside was a rather familiar face—the Fourth Prince.

As before, he smiled faintly, holding a worn fan: “Little painter… we meet again.”

Yu Hualiang knew he was at a disadvantage and politely said, “It’s the Fourth Prince. Greetings, Fourth Prince.”

The Fourth Prince was pleased by his friendly tone and smiled, approaching him. “Little painter, you know how much I’ve missed you during our time apart.”

When he said “missed you day and night,” Yu Hualiang suddenly found the Fourth Prince’s gaze strange. When his hand casually brushed Yu Hualiang’s shoulder, Yu Hualiang tensed abruptly, understanding his true intent.

He stepped back and refused, “Thank you, Fourth Prince, for remembering this humble one. I’m truly honored, but I think… it’s more appropriate to seek out the Seventh Prince.”

At this, the Fourth Prince’s expression darkened, ready to force the matter, but was almost struck by an unseen projectile.

Yu Hualiang seized the chance to put distance between them. From the shadows, Lin Tang slowly emerged.

Yu Hualiang was both surprised and elated, nearly rushing forward to embrace him. “Guard Lin! You came to save me?”

Lin Tang’s face was tense. Facing three fierce wolves before him, no matter how skilled, he was just a sixteen-year-old boy—especially with Yu Hualiang, a liability, trailing behind.

Yu Hualiang knew the situation was perilous. The Fourth Prince had secretly abducted him without the Seventh Prince’s knowledge. If the Seventh Prince truly intended rebellion, he could have killed Yu Hualiang and framed the Emperor—thus ensuring the Seventh Prince’s guilt.

He did not want to add trouble to the Seventh Prince, so he had to survive.

But facing three such foes, Yu Hualiang realized survival would be difficult.

The Fourth Prince, upon seeing Lin Tang, was delighted rather than angry. Opening his fan, he smiled: “Lin Tang, just in time.”

He signaled, and Ye Hao and Ye Mo lunged forward. Lin Tang shielded Yu Hualiang and fought them both.

Oddly, despite their skill, Ye Hao and Ye Mo could not land a single hit on Lin Tang. Strange as it was, Yu Hualiang kept his distance from the Fourth Prince, wary of getting too close.

The Fourth Prince noticed his evasiveness and slowed down, engaging in a psychological battle.

“Painter Yu, why so nervous? Lin Tang is the Emperor’s man.”

“Heh,” Yu Hualiang replied, unusually defiant, “Fourth Prince, you’ve come this far—why pretend? Why not speak plainly?”

The Fourth Prince’s smile grew sinister, sending a chill down Yu Hualiang’s spine as they circled each other.

“Oh? Little painter, you want me to speak honestly?”

“Whether you do or not is your business; whether I believe it is mine.”

“Haha, little painter, you’re bold.” The Fourth Prince began to confess, “Surely the Seventh Brother has mentioned the rebellion plot to you.”

Yu Hualiang was stunned. Hearing this from the Fourth Prince himself, he could not imagine the Seventh Prince—who spent most nights reading memorials—dreaming of rebellion.

“Alas, the Seventh Brother has not confided in me a word.”

Realizing this, the Fourth Prince laughed: “What a pity. The Seventh Brother wouldn’t trust anyone so quickly. Little painter, you’re not that important to him.”

Though pained, Yu Hualiang sensed a trap. “Bah! Don’t try to sow discord between me and the Seventh Prince! Shameless!”

The Fourth Prince, likely unused to such scolding, grew angry.

Yu Hualiang saw his expression shift and suddenly drew a dagger from his sleeve. Realizing the danger, Yu Hualiang knew he couldn’t outrun the Fourth Prince.

Just as he braced to accept his fate, he smelled the metallic scent of blood. Opening his eyes, he saw Lin Tang had intercepted the blade.

The knife had deeply pierced Lin Tang’s arm, and the Fourth Prince took a long time withdrawing it.

Yet the fearless Lin Tang still shielded him. Yu Hualiang was more than moved—this boy, no matter how strong, was still just a youth.

To let this boy die in his stead? Yu Hualiang could not bear it.

He rose from the ground, rushed to Lin Tang, gripping his wounded arm with one hand and pulling him into his embrace.

Lin Tang looked up, surprised. The Fourth Prince sneered, “Little painter, you’re truly popular—first Ye Hao risks punishment to see you, now Lin Tang is willing to die for you!”

Yu Hualiang glanced at Ye Hao, who lowered his head guiltily.

“Fourth Prince! You know I want Yu Hualiang. I’ll go with you! He’s innocent!”

Yu Hualiang boldly bargained with the Fourth Prince, but how could he agree? The Fourth Prince, distraught and desperate, cut his own wrist, watching the darkening blood flow down his hand.

Yu Hualiang felt a foreboding chill. The Fourth Prince, indifferent to pain, stepped closer like a demon.

“Oh-oh-oh, isn’t brother nice? Let you die out there… I fear he won’t feel enough pain. Let him live a hellish life in front of you… What do you think? Hahaha.”

“You! Have you gone mad?” Yu Hualiang was baffled by his behavior but knew his intent to harm Lin Tang. He could no longer owe him anything.

Moreover, from previous glimpses into his relationship with the Emperor, Yu Hualiang suspected it was complicated. If the Fourth Prince died, he would frame the Seventh Prince...

With this in mind, Yu Hualiang gathered courage and lunged at the Fourth Prince. Taken by surprise, the Fourth Prince instinctively raised his dagger, but Yu Hualiang swiftly grabbed the blade.

Holding the Fourth Prince tightly, preventing movement, Yu Hualiang felt his life hanging by a thread. He shouted to Lin Tang, “Run! Tell the Emperor! The Seventh Prince is innocent! The Fourth Prince is plotting rebellion!”

Lin Tang understood the situation and fled swiftly.

The Fourth Prince, annoyed by Yu Hualiang’s interference, knocked him unconscious. Holding his limp form, he glared fiercely at Lin Tang’s fleeing silhouette.

“Catch him! Kill him!”

At his command, Ye Hao and Ye Mo vanished into the night like unsheathed swords.

Lin Tang ran far but soon felt numbness and itching in his wound—it was poisoned.

Clutching his arm in agony, he hurried towards the palace wall under the cover of darkness.

Fatefully, he collided with Liu Yu’s silver threads. Liu Yu was surprised to catch Lin Tang, noticing the blackened blood—a clear sign of poisoning.

He sneered, “I never thought you’d fall into my hands, Guard Lin. Haha.”

Lin Tang avoided argument, trying to break free, but the poison greatly weakened him.

Just as Liu Yu contemplated toying with him a while before release, Ye Hao and Ye Mo arrived in pursuit.

Without hesitation, they intended to kill Lin Tang. Liu Yu retracted his silver threads and pulled Lin Tang behind him.

Though startled by this move, Lin Tang seized the chance to escape into the palace.

After exchanging a few blows with the two, Liu Yu felt weary. He released a signal flare—calling the twelve guards.

Ye Hao and Ye Mo, knowing better than to linger, retreated.

Liu Yu gasped for breath and finally noticed his own bleeding wound.