chapter 4

“Yunling! Yunling!”

Xiao Qi always woke in terror on stormy nights.

I held a candle and hurriedly lifted the bed curtains.

“Your Majesty, I am here.”

The candlelight flickered. Xiao Qi’s face was deathly pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

I gripped his hand tightly, finding it cold and devoid of warmth.

“Your Majesty, Yunling is here.”

“It’s all right now, Your Majesty.”

“I am here.”

Xiao Qi’s ragged breathing gradually calmed.

In a hoarse voice, he said, “I dreamed of Duan Changfeng.”

“I used my sword to slowly sever his neck.”

“He died with his eyes open, asking me if he was not my dearest friend.”

“Dearest friend… ha, hahaha…”

He almost laughed to tears.

I gently patted his shoulder.

“Your Majesty, have you forgotten? The Duan Family was executed to the last member, and the traitor Duan was torn apart by five horses.”

“His head was hung in the East Market as a warning to others.”

“Three hundred and seventy of his remaining followers and those implicated have all been executed.”

“Good, good…”

Xiao Qi let out a low, bitter laugh.

He coughed up blood, his expression wild.

“I will kill them all!”

I supported his frail, swaying body.

He felt as light as a drifting cloud.

“Yunling will follow Your Majesty to the death.”