Her smile cracked inch by inch, screaming, "You're not dead!"

It's hard to believe she could still recognize me. I smirked, "If you're not dead, how could I be dead?"

"Qi Chaoyang, you led troops to force the palace, intending to rebel, committing a heinous crime, do you know your guilt?" I raised my sword and pointed it towards her from a distance.

Princess Zhaoping's face kept changing, then she raised her head, showing a fierce look, "What are you, to come and question me?"

With a gesture, the Jin Yi Wei around immediately gathered, protecting her in front of her.

Princess Zhaoping raised the imperial decree in her hand, ordering the Jin Yi Wei to kill me.

I sneered, slowly moved aside, revealing behind me the Crown Prince Qi Zhang and Xiao Run.

"The Crown Prince is here. If you all lay down your swords, this matter will be forgiven. Otherwise, there will be no mercy."

The Jin Yi Wei who rushed forward hesitated, and the people I brought seized the opportunity to quickly subdue these traitors.

Princess Zhaoping turned to flee, I quickly drew my bow, the arrow whistled out and shot into her leg. She screamed in pain and fell to the ground.

The soldiers chasing her quickly caught her and brought her in front of me.

She stared at me with resentment, her gaze passed over me and fell on Xiao Run, "Xiao Run, dare you deceive me?"

Xiao Run laughed boldly, "So what if I did? You disregarded family bonds, killed your father and brother, and attempted to seize the throne as a woman. Everyone must be punished."

Princess Zhaoping laughed heartily, "Hah! Xiao Run, you speak so self-righteously, just seeking revenge for her. But do you think I really let my guard down against you?"

I sensed trouble, Princess Zhaoping spoke again, tauntingly, "You must have noticed, you've been coughing up blood every day recently."

"If you release me, I will give you the antidote. Otherwise, you will accompany me in death."

I stiffly turned my neck, drew my sword to her neck, "Hand over the antidote."

Princess Zhaoping was not afraid at all, even raised the corner of her lips, smiling at Xiao Run.

Seeing her confident demeanor, my hand holding the sword involuntarily trembled.

"Accompany in death?" Xiao Run showed that eerie expression again, "Are you worthy too?"

He suddenly grabbed my sword, without hesitation pressed it fiercely against Princess Zhaoping's fair neck.

Bright red blood sprayed out instantly, splattering on his palm. The blood drops fell through his fingers onto the ground.

Princess Zhaoping still had a triumphant smile on her face, but her body had already collapsed softly.

I was startled, instinctively let go, then regained my senses, couldn't help but roar at Xiao Run, "What are you doing? Didn't you hear what she said? You..."

Before I could finish, Xiao Run weakly raised his head, black blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, smiled at me, then fell down with a "thud."

I hurriedly dismounted to support him. Qi Zhang reacted, quickly helped me lay him flat, and shouted for the palace's surviving imperial physician to come and check on him.

Xiao Run grabbed my hand, shook his head, "No need, An'er, after I die, take my body back to Qinghe and bury me with your mother."

"Stop talking!" I felt a suffocating sensation in my chest, "You have the energy to say so much, why not save some strength! The physician will be here soon."

Xiao Run smiled, no matter how I shouted, he slowly closed his eyes, his palm then loosened, dropping down.

I stood there, feeling like a huge piece of my heart had been ripped out, opened my mouth, but couldn't make a sound.