Imperial Clan Court and Tianlao have completely different layouts,
Only those related to the imperial family can be confined here,
So, officially, it's called confinement, but in reality, it's just keeping people in a spacious and well-decorated room, restricting their movements.
In addition, Xiao Jingyan had instructed Nalan Cuo to take good care of Prince Rui,
Thus, Prince Rui's daily life, during these four years, was never neglected.
Guided by Nalan Cuo, the two stopped at a house shaded by wutong trees,
Nalan Cuo pointed to the lock on the door handle, saying,
"Your Highness, Prince Rui has been confined in this place."
While speaking, an official presented two mahogany trays before Xiao Jingyan.
One contained fine wine and delicacies,
The other, covered with a dark cloth, hid its contents.
Although the items on the tray couldn't be seen, it was easy to guess – likely poisoned wine, white silk, and a dagger – the three usual things used in the palace for executions.
Nalan Cuo said, "Prince Rui, born in the imperial family, has enjoyed a luxurious life. In consideration of brotherly bonds, the Emperor allows Prince Rui to have a hearty meal before departure, hoping for prosperity in the afterlife."
Xiao Jingyan nodded indifferently, "The Emperor is considerate."
Nalan Cuo asked, "Does Your Highness need me to accompany you inside and see Prince Rui off on his final journey?"
Xiao Jingyan waved his hand, "No need, I and Fifth Brother are true brothers. In the end, I want to send him off properly."
Nalan Cuo respectfully agreed and ordered the opening of the heavy lock in front of the door.
Entering, Xiao Jingyan saw Prince Rui sitting cross-legged on a warm seat, turning Buddhist prayer beads in his hands, chanting scriptures.
Despite the commotion, he didn't lift his eyelids, engrossed in his prayers.
Observing him closely,
He appeared much older, even though he was just a year older than Xiao Jingyan, his hair was white, and his posture was hunched,
Looking no different from a fifty-year-old man.
After the official placed the two mahogany trays on the table and left, Xiao Jingyan couldn't help but sigh and said to Prince Rui,
"Fifth Brother, how have you been?"
The movement of Prince Rui's turning beads paused, slowly lifting his eyelids to look at Xiao Jingyan,
His eyes were cloudy, and he smiled with a sense of desolation,
"You've come."
After speaking, his gaze fell on the table, and upon seeing the conspicuous trays, he instantly understood Xiao Jingyan's intention,
So calmly, he said,
"The Emperor spared my life for four years, why can't he endure it today? What's the reason?"
His voice was somewhat muffled, as if there was a jujube pit in his mouth. Xiao Jingyan had to listen carefully to discern what he said before replying,
"The exposure of the Dong family's land-grabbing in Jizhou was all orchestrated by Fifth Brother behind the scenes. The previous dynasty couldn't tolerate Fifth Brother's crimes. Allowing Fifth Brother to leave with an intact corpse is already the Emperor's mercy."
Upon hearing this,
Prince Rui's gaze trembled intensely,
But soon, he regained his calm expression, disdainfully saying,
"Enough, it's a matter of time."
He stood up, staggering to the table,
His gaze didn't fall on the covered "corpse" but instead lingered on the fresh and hot dishes, smiling as he took his seat.
Casually tapping the empty seat beside him with his fingers, he said, "Sit, consider it accompanying me on my last journey."
Prince Rui handed over two white jade wine cups, filling them one by one and pushing one in front of Xiao Jingyan.
"These years, I've been alone every day. Now, my speech is becoming unclear," he said.
"No worries," Xiao Jingyan shook his head. "Between brothers, even a glance can convey the elder's intentions to the younger."
He raised his cup, clinking it with Prince Rui's, and downed it in one gulp.
"Hahaha, refreshing! Truly refreshing!" Prince Rui laughed loudly, then continued, "I remember when we were children, the Emperor and I were closest to you. Back then, our elder brother was still around, along with our second and fourth brothers. We were always together, practicing martial arts and exploring."
He lowered his gaze, sighing deeply, full of melancholy. "Those days, without schemes or calculations, are truly missed. Now, the Emperor's siblings are only you and me."
He drank another cup, his gaze landing on Xiao Jingyan, and suddenly smiled, saying, "No, it's only you left."
"Brother..." Xiao Jingyan sensed Prince Rui's sorrow and patted his shoulder, saying, "What's there to be sad about? This is a good thing. Rather than being trapped here for the rest of my life, it's better to be freed early. But what I hate most in my life is my own dullness. I've been manipulated by the Emperor all my life, foolishly treating him as an elder brother, trusting him in everything, defending him everywhere. It's ridiculous."
Xiao Jingyan was stunned. "You know all this, Fifth Brother?"
Prince Rui nodded coldly, "I know that Father favored me to be the crown prince, I know that Mother was harmed by Xiao Jingheng in the past, I know that I fought with the Ning family for so long, only to end up with both sides suffering losses. It's all Xiao Jingheng's cunning plan. Haha, he truly deserves to be the Emperor..."
Many of the things Prince Rui mentioned were only recently learned by Xiao Jingyan from Zhao Hua. How could he be so well-informed while being imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court?
Prince Rui saw Xiao Jingyan's confusion and spoke before he could, "A few days ago, Consort Hui sent me a letter, delivered in secret at night, telling me many things. I didn't believe it at first, but when you said Xiao Jingheng wants to punish me, blaming me for instructing Dong Shi to claim land in Jizhou as our own, haha, he's so eager to send me to the underworld, he wants me to see clearly."
With a sudden fierce look in his eyes, he gritted his teeth, "He thinks that if I die, he can live a carefree life? The scoundrel is dreaming!"
He abruptly picked up a dagger from the table and swiftly walked to the bed, lifting a piece of floor tile with the blade. From underneath, he retrieved a wooden key carved out of wood and threw it to Xiao Jingyan.
"Take this and find a blacksmith to cast a key according to the teeth marks. The Prince Rui's Residence has been sealed, but beneath the sixth brick at the entrance to the cellar, there's a hidden compartment. Use the key to unlock it, and you'll find a tiger token. It's my private army, with over twenty thousand elite soldiers. They were bestowed upon me by the late emperor. With the token, you can command them."
Prince Rui's eyes sparked with deep blue fury as he spoke with solemnity:
"Xiao Jingheng has gone mad. If there comes a day when he cannot even tolerate you... do not hesitate to rise against him!"
Xiao Jingyan looked down at the wooden key lying quietly in his palm.
It must have been the Prince Rui who had memorized the appearance of the key to the hidden compartment early on, and gradually carved it out from a block of wood after entering the Imperial Clan Court.
Yet Xiao Jingyan did not accept the key. Instead, he placed it on the table and retrieved a brown pill from his pocket.
He handed the pill to Prince Rui, whispering softly into his ear:
"This is a fake death pill. Once consumed, it will induce a three-day coma. After you fake your death and are carried out for burial, someone will come to rescue you. With full of resentment, you must seek vengeance on your own."
Prince Rui's pupils trembled, tears glistening in his eyes.
He clutched the pill tightly in his hand, saying in a solemn tone:
"Thank you, Sixth Brother."
"Don't say more, Fifth Brother. Time is of the essence. Hurry and take the pill."
Xiao Jingyan hurriedly turned to fetch water and help Prince Rui ingest the fake death pill.
But in the instant he turned around, he felt a scalding liquid splatter on the back of his neck.
Stiffening for a moment, he quickly turned back around, only to see...
Prince Rui, without hesitation, plunging a dagger into his own heart,
At that moment, he wore a radiant smile, calmly looking at Xiao Jingyan.
"Fifth Brother!!"
