Epilogue
Outside the imperial prison, Li Yuankuo arrived in a hurry. When he saw me standing outside alone, he seemed to know that everything was over.
The Empress and I had both seen he would not kill Li Yuancheng. They had grown up together. They were blood brothers.
So on that day, he had seemed to recognize the assassins as Li Yuancheng's men. Not a single one had been left alive, as if to protect Li Yuancheng.
He had seemed to try to keep a balance, killing the assassins while leaving Li Yuancheng alive.
The wind in the passageway was strong, making my body sway. The look on his face seemed to ease at once. He stepped forward and steadied me.
I moved aside. "Thank you, Your Majesty. This concubine can walk on her own."
But he did not loosen his hold. Instead he used his great cloak to block the wind for me.
He did not say a single word, yet it left no room to refuse.
I did not push him away again.
I still had Elder Brother and Elder Sister.
Under his protection, I walked the long passageway.
At the end of the passageway, Second Elder Sister and Fourth Elder Brother were both waiting for me.
And Suyue. She was now treating Fourth Elder Brother's leg. The two of them were inseparable.
When they saw me come out, the worry on their faces turned into joy, and they walked quickly toward me.
In the last life they had died miserably because of me.
In this life, we would be safe and well, happy and long-lived.