0p0 Chapter 365
Chapter 365
The night was as dark as ink, thickly spilled between heaven and earth. Outside the city gates of the capital, Nightfall stood alone, the cold wind howling past him, ruffling his clothes. Everything before him was so familiar; every brick, every street carried his past memories. Yet now, due to long separation and changes, it all seemed so strange.
His eyes burned with fury, his resentment surging like a tidal wave in his chest. Once, he was the noble crown prince, yet he had inexplicably suffered an accident, forced to wander far from home, enduring untold hardships. Now he returned, but everything had changed; the glory and status that should have been his had been stolen. Thinking of this, Ye Jingchu clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. He silently vowed in his heart to reclaim everything that was rightfully his and make those who betrayed and framed him pay a terrible price.
To fulfill his vow, Ye Jingchu decided to first seek the help of the ministers who had once supported him. He knew that in the complex political situation at court, he alone could not shake the existing order. Therefore, he tirelessly traveled between the residences of various ministers. However, reality dealt him a heavy blow. Many ministers, fearing the authority of the current emperor, Ye Erxiao, and afraid of incurring his wrath by being implicated, kept their doors tightly shut, avoiding him completely. Even when Ye Jingchu sincerely requested an audience outside the door, and even explained his purpose, he only received a cold rejection coming through the crack in the door.
But Ye Jingchu was not discouraged; he possessed an unwavering tenacity. He understood that to regain the trust and support of the people, he needed to produce solid evidence proving that he hadn't defected or died, but had disappeared due to an accident. In the days that followed, he traveled tirelessly, delving into the streets and alleys of the city, searching for the truth buried beneath the dust of time. He didn't overlook any small clue, interviewing everyone who might know the inside story, even if it was just an insignificant passerby or a small vendor on the street.
As the saying goes, perseverance pays off. One day, by chance, Ye Jingchu heard astonishing news: the imperial palace possesses a rare treasure with incredible healing power, which might unlock the secrets of the mysterious woman who has been troubling him. This mysterious woman is inextricably linked to his fate, and since his return, he has been trying to uncover her mysteries. This treasure is undoubtedly a possible key.
Thus, a daring plan quietly took shape in Ye Jingchu's mind—he would infiltrate the palace and find that priceless treasure. To ensure the plan's success, he began meticulous preparations several days in advance. He carefully observed the palace guards' patrol routes, studied the palace's architectural layout, and even knew the opening times of each palace gate and the changing of the guards' routines. Finally, on a moonless night, when the darkness enveloped the entire capital like a vast black silk ribbon, it was the perfect opportunity to execute his plan.
Dressed in a black night-clothes, Ye Jingchu moved like a nimble black panther, displaying superb lightness skills as he silently scaled the high walls of the palace. The palace was silent, save for the occasional footsteps of patrolling guards. Relying on his previous observations and memories, he cautiously approached the treasure's location.
However, the closer he got to his destination, the greater the danger became. Just as he approached the treasure's location, he suddenly triggered a series of traps and mechanisms. In an instant, arrows whistled from all directions, and the stone slabs on the ground began to violently shift, revealing bottomless pits. Ye Jingchu remained calm, his movements as swift as lightning, weaving nimbly between the rain of arrows and the traps. Relying on his superb martial arts skills and agility honed over many years, he skillfully avoided fatal attacks time and time again. After a difficult struggle, he finally succeeded in passing through the numerous traps and mechanisms, and found the treasure he had longed for.
Just as he picked up the treasure, a series of hurried footsteps approached. It was Emperor Ye Erxiao, arriving with a entourage of guards. Dressed in a magnificent dragon robe, Ye Erxiao appeared incredibly imposing amidst the guards. His gaze was piercing as he stared intently at Ye Jingchu, who held the treasure, and roared, "You audacious madman! How dare you break into the palace and steal treasures! Today is your death day!"
Ye Jingchu showed no fear. He straightened his back, held the treasure in his hand, met the emperor's gaze, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I am the former Crown Prince Ye Jingchu. The accident I suffered back then was not due to defection, but rather a deliberate frame-up. Today I have come here only to seek the truth and unravel the mystery." He then recounted his experiences over the years and the clues he had discovered to the emperor in detail, revealing the conspiracy that had deliberately framed him.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Ye Erxiao wore a look of disbelief. He found it hard to believe that the man who had suddenly appeared before him was the Crown Prince who had disappeared years ago. Just then, something unexpected happened. The treasure in Ye Jingchu's hand suddenly emitted a strange light, a light like a dazzling sun, instantly enveloping everyone present. The intense light caused everyone to involuntarily close their eyes. When the light dissipated, everyone was astonished to find that Ye Jingchu exuded a sacred aura. His face, illuminated by the light, appeared solemn and dignified, as if he had received the approval of the heavens.
The emperor was deeply shocked by what he saw. After much deliberation, he finally decided to reinstate Ye Jingchu as crown prince. He knew that this might be the will of Heaven, and could not be disobeyed.
After regaining his position as Crown Prince, Ye Jingchu was not blinded by joy. His first priority was to study the rare treasure in order to unravel the secrets of the mysterious woman. He knew that a greater conspiracy might be hidden behind this secret. Therefore, he immediately summoned all the renowned physicians in the capital to the Imperial Hospital to jointly explore the mysteries of this treasure.
These physicians, each possessing exceptional medical skills, sat together, carefully observing the treasure's texture and color, and discussing its various possible effects and methods of use. After many days of research and discussion, and through the efforts of many wise individuals, they finally discovered that this treasure required a special medicinal ingredient to maximize its efficacy. After consulting ancient texts and conducting extensive research, they determined that this ingredient was a thousand-year-old snow lotus that grows in extremely cold regions.
Upon learning this news, Ye Jingchu embarked on a journey to find the snow lotus without hesitation. He knew the journey would be long and fraught with difficulties, but he was determined to unravel the mystery. Along the way, he traversed mountains and valleys, crossed dense forests, and forded swift rivers.