Chapter 153: A Moment Alone

## Shaky Morale

With Wei Jie now a reliable back up, Xiao Ze's throne is even more secure in a stark contrast to Prince Jin and his ilk.

Prince Jin is showing up at the court less and less. His clout has diminished each day since the internal strife. There are even people who would pledge allegiance to Xiao Ze in private and further distance themselves from Jin. No one has any confidence in the prince, it seems.

Xiao Ze: Prince Jin has been absent from the Court under the pretense of illness in the past two months, but I think he is planning something big.

MC: It's okay, we're ready for him. We got all the preventive measures in place.

Xiao Ze: In that case, perhaps we should keep waiting until he makes a move?

MC: [Shake Head] No, we should not wait for Prince Jin when we can preempt him and even snuff out all chances for retaliation.

Xiao Ze: Any ideas?

MC: The insurgency is never completely quelled. Maybe we should take the opening. They rallied around Jin, but I'm sure some of them would want the throne for themselves.

Xiao Ze: [Wide-eyed] Let them fight among themselves before we swoop in!

## Everything in Place

On top of strategizing with Xiao Ze, Si Yan has became an ally after Xiao Ze succeeded the throne. You two write each other daily for you to keep tabs on Jin's latest move. On this day, Si Yan meets you and hands over a thick envelope.

Si Yan: I believe you'll want this. Inside is all the evidence I gathered on Prince Jin, every one could lead to capital punishment.

MC: Very nice! You just saved me a lot of work!

Si Yan: [Looks up at sky] The Moon Festival is almost here.

MC: I recall Moon Festival was when Miss Yan passed away.

Si Yan: This will be the day Jin is completely ousted, right?

MC: The plan is all but in place. Although it would be poetic to fall on Moon Festival, I'm worried we may not be able to take him out completely.

Si Yan lets out an inscrutable smirk.

Si Yan: Worry not, he doesn't stand a chance.

## One Big Happy Family

On the day of the Moon Festival, Xiao Ze throws a party specifically for Jin--to ambush and capture him. You had thought Jin might beg off, claiming sickness again, but he showed. You stand on a tall tower, observing the open-air party below from afar in darkness. You can't quite make out Jin's demeanor, but he is obviously sluggish, content with lounging in a chair and ignoring attempts to start a conversation with him.

Shadow: Why didn't you attend, County Lady?

MC: Prince Jin loathes me. My presence will only cause trouble.

Shadow: I do have a question, if I may... After ousting Prince Jin, do you think the King of Western Liang might turn on you?

That brings up a lot of things in your mind. You have thought about the possibility before, actually.

MC: If I were a man, I'd probably be concerned. But I'm a woman and he has no reasons to target me. Also, there's Wei Jie.

Shadow: You have many friends. Do you know the Forth Prince?

## Chaos of War

Before you can answer, the ambush is set in motion at the party. Jin isn't totally unprepared, however, so capturing him may not be easy still. The battle cries ring out below. Jin's formidable bodyguards have formed a circle with him in the middle and are fending off anyone who gets near. It's a stalemate, when Xiao Ze suddenly looks in your direction.

MC: Come on, let's move!

You and Shadow head down only to be intercepted by several intruders who engage Shadow in fierce combat.

Shadow: Get to the emperor, I'll handle this!

You run toward Xiao Ze but a pair of hands reaches out of darkness and stops you cold in your track. Next thing you know, you're locking eyes with Prince Jin.

Prince Jin: You can kill me, but you'll have to do it yourself!

## Highest Gallery

The sky is dark and the moon is bright on a slightly chilly night. You're in the tallest tower in the Royal Palace that oversees the entire Western Liang premise. Surprised and puzzled, you were unable to get help and brought here by Prince Jin.

MC: (What does he want?)

You watch Jin from behind. He has not moved in a long time. You contemplate sneaking off, but are afraid you can't outrun him and will infuriate him even more.

* Convince him to surrender
* Ask him what he wants
 MC: If you surrender now, I believe the emperor will spare your life.

Prince Jin: I will be spared, all right, but I might as well be dead.

He turns, gazes at you and comes toward you. He grabs you before you can back away, but then he falls to the ground in agony.

MC: [Shocked] You...

Prince Jin: [Stares and smiles] You look surprised. I guess it wasn't you, then...

Cold sweat drip from Jin's forehead, his face pale as ghost as he tries to fight off the pain. He cannot stand, just keeping a hold of you as if you would run off at any moment.

Prince Jin: Fear not, I won't live past today.

MC: What happened to you?

Prince Jin: Not much, just poisoned.

He brushed it off while keeping his eyes on you. You've never seen that look from him, like he's grasping for the last straw and making this scene indelible in his mind.

MC: [Shocked] You're poisoned?

Prince Jin: Yes. So, I wasn't worried this whole time. I endured it just to have a moment with you alone. I almost killed you and put you through a lot of fear and suffering, so I understand if you wanted me dead. However, I want to ask you a question. If I treated you differently from the start, would you still want me dead?

You don't get why he would ask you that and you're thoroughly confused.

MC: [Slowly] Your demise is not what I wanted, but...

Your goal is to stop his ascension to the throne and terminate all chances of that happening. Unfortunately, that would mean his eventual death, if not immediate.

Prince Jin: Okay, that's all I wanted to know.

He lets go of you.

Prince Jin: You may leave.

That's it. You're perplexed and not moving at all.

Prince Jin: I regret everything I did to you and I'm sorry... Before I die, mind telling me your real name?

After a pause, you tell him your name. He watches you leave his sight, smiles, and slowly wipes the blood dripping from his mouth.