The scarlet sun rose from the east of the capital.

The light replaced the gentleness of the moon, the dominating dawn. As if mocking everyone's heavy hearts, it casted its light on the people, the capital of Yun Chang, as well as the raised flags of Yun Chang fluttering in the wind.

Under siege.

After today, the glamorous dances and sophistication of the famous Gui Le would cease to exist.

Under the shining blades of the Yun Chang army, the heavy city gates began to open inch by inch.

The King of Gui Le, He Su, brought along the Queen and other important officials of Gui Le behind him. The crown had been removed and shoes taken off, as they walked out of the gates. They were stopped from going any further, afraid of the soldiers' long spears on the two sides of the road. The kneeling figures with tears in their eyes, struggling to restrain themselves from weeping, were the numerous peasants of Gui Le.

The country had been destroyed.

Everything was over.

The Jing-An Ducal Residence was gone in flames overnight, rapidly spreading the news of the deeply respected Marquess of Jing-An rebelling and being driven out of the country. Today, the Marquess of Jing-An returned, but their country had ended instead.

On the plains outside the Yun Chang capital, He Su stood before the Yun Chang army. He abandoned his supreme identity, kneeling before his enemy.

"He Su is a sinner, incompetently leading Gui Le, resulting in the peasants' hardship. Since ancient times, treasures are only given to those with power, so He Su is willing to give the Great Seal of Gui Le to Prince Consort of Yun Chang, to represent surrender."

His tone was solemn, every word squeezed out from the back of his throat. He Su held the Great Seal with both hands, slowly raising it as he passed it over.

A country heirloom, more important than thousands of gold.

He Su knelt as he lifted the Great Seal above his head, his arms slightly trembling.

He never once thought the huge Gui Le would be ruined in his hands.

During the last moments of his dying father, he secretly urged, "You have to be extremely careful when it comes to anything regarding the House of Jing-An."

Indeed he had been careful, plotting immediately after ascending to the throne. He carefully arranged every movement, device, assembly set, and the ruthless burning of the Jing-An Ducal Residence to the last blade of grass. He pursued them hard, eventually killing the Duke of Jing-An and the Duchess of Jing-An, only leaving a He Xia behind.

Quite ironically, today, he finally realised the depths of what "extremely careful" meant.

The Queen and the thousand generals were pale, each looking as if their souls were lost, as they knelt behind He Su.

The Yun Chang army was neat and quiet, as their weapon blades gleamed harshly.

He Xia's expression seemed refreshed, in high spirits. He held the reins in one hand as his gaze slowly looked down, glancing the Great Seal quite unexcitedly. The corners of his lips rose, "Put it away."

One of his trusted soldiers answered, "Yes." He got off the horse and came over.

He Su could only feel the weight in his hand lighten, realising the Great Seal was already placed in someone else's hand. He felt Gui Le now truly belonged to someone else. The energy in his limbs vanished, almost causing him to collapse onto the ground.

Now that the country had fallen, how could he go see his ancestors?

But no matter how upset he was at that moment, he couldn't not care about the overall situation, the life and death of the people behind him. In front of He Xia, he could only reluctantly bow, bearing the pain. "Please feel free to enter the capital, Prince Consort of Yun Chang and his troops. The Royal Residence has already been cleared, ready for Prince Consort of Yun Chang to use."

He Su felt a strange feeling on his back. He knew He Xia was sitting on the horse, watching him condescendingly.

After a long time, he heard a familiar voice above his head, slowly saying, "Back when we studied together, I remember Mister say if the monarch of a fallen country wants to express their sincerity, they will generally personally serve the victor, following every command regardless of how brutal. I wonder if King is truly sincere towards He Xia?"

Unease rippled amongst the officials of Gui Le, He Su's expression twisting.

Memories weren't enough, as this was a revenge of hatred seeped in old roots. It seemed He Xia not only wanted his life, but also wanted to humiliate him in front of other people in every possible way.

He's like a knife. I am the fish meat. My death is not enough, but...

He Su's fists tightly clenched, hidden inside his sleeves. He lowered his head and gritted his teeth, "Please allow He Su to welcome Prince Consort into the city to show sincerity."

"King..." The Queen gasped softly from behind, quietly beginning to sob.

The other elderly officials also began to cry.

"Don't say any more." He Su decided to cut off the queen, enduring the humiliation. He stood up from the ground, as if steeping on thorns, and began to step one by one towards He Xia's horse. He reached out for the bridle.

He had yet touch the bridle when something suddenly lashed out in front, lightly stopping him. It turned out to be the whip.

He Su raised his head, not understanding, thinking that it was another way to make his life difficult.

He Xia was cold again, "Although I hate you, that's all." He waved his hand, raising his voice, "Enter the city! We won't go to the Royal Residence, just to the Jing-An Ducal Residence."

"Enter the city!"

"Enter the city!"

"Enter the city..."

The words were passed on from soldier to soldier. The intonations rose and fell, resembling a never-stopping echo.

The Yun Chang army began to slowly move into the capital of Gui Le like a massive beast that just awoke from its slumber.

He Xia sat on the horse, followed by the royal flag, surrounded by his soldiers. He Su and the thousands of officials painfully trudged behind them.

Once entering the city, the unfamiliar yet familiar feeling raged towards He Xia. This ancient city was the place he grew up in, played in its alleys and rode happily on its roads.

Gui Le, Gui Le's Jing-An Ducal Residence, Gui Le's Marquess of Jing-An.

Gui Le's two qin players, Gui Le's Yangfeng, Gui Le's Bai Pingting.

How on earth did all of this happen?

No one could understand what He Xia felt.

This was the first time he'd formally went through the Gui Le capital gates after the Jing-An Ducal Residence fell.

He Xia had achieved his vow for revenge, but for some reason, he realised that this didn't quench the pain and dissatisfaction he felt about the time lost from then at all.

He had the Gui Le capital. This capital no longer had the Jing-An Ducal Residence, no longer had the smiling faces of his parents, no longer had Pingting. Only He Su remained, becoming his enemy for life.

He had avenged and won a country, yet who did he have to tell this piece of great news?

Even Yaotian was no longer here.

The sound of hooves sounded once more, carrying to his former home. When he stopped, it seemed the flowers were crying and birds were startled. Only a pile of rubble remained of the demolished building.

"After the Jing-An Ducal Residence was destroyed by fire, it was abandoned."

He Xia dismounted, gazing at the moss-covered entrance for a long time. Finally, he stepped forwards, slowly climbing up the familiar stairs, stepping over his home's threshold.

The past was fresh in his minds. The scene was busy as guests were invited in.

His father was in the hall, commenting politics with officials, while his mother was surrounded by maids who chatted about rather interesting events and rumours in the Royal Residence. Occasionally, He Xia would hurry in from outside and his mother would stand up from the chair, asking from the other side of the curtain, "Xia'er, there are lots of people outside as it's rather busy. Be sure to go out with some guards, so that you won't take off with Pingting alone."

"Understood. I won't go outside then. Prince He Su has sent messengers, saying the Prince Residence has a Mister who will talk about the art of war. We should go."

"Since it's like that, you can go. Don't ride your horse in the city as it won't be funny if you fall. It's better to sit in the carriage."

"Understood, Mother."

"Also, if the art of war goes on for too long, and you have to eat at the Prince Residence, remember to come back...sigh...that child..."

She had yet to finish instructing. He Xia already excitedly rushed out the door. He looked for Pingting, not caring about what she was busy with, grabbed her hand, and ran. They'd bolt towards the horses at the gate, bringing down the whip until there was no longer any trace of them.

The memories seemed to be trapped by weeds in this place, both near and far. Every corner seemed to hold countless memories, lingering, unable to be rid of.

To forget, was something incredibly hard.

He Xia stopped in the courtyard, his handsome face as cold as ice. He ordered, "Prepare a banquet here, so that I can have a good drink in this Jing-An Ducal Residence."

He now held monstrous power, no one could neglect his smallest command.

The weeds were removed, the fallen leaves were swept. The mud-covered tiles gradually exposed their former gleam, while a mantle was placed above every door.

Red silk, green satin sheets were laid out while differently coloured mantles were round up around the abandoned pillars. They fluttered in the breeze, dancing brilliantly in the courtyard.

The residue of the fallen houses were cleared; new tables and chairs were set. Tea was served, topped with all sorts of fresh fruit.

The scarlet sun set, and the huge Jing-An Ducal Residence had been laid out. A whole day's worth of effort.

During sunset, the Jing-An Ducal Residence's rare antiques were brought out. Only a half of them were left behind after the fire, and it was strangely quite sentimental.

Drinks and dishes were served. He Xia sat in the courtyard, ordering his men to move a hundred feet back, guarding him from a distance.

The Queen of Gui Le was in charge of the jug. She quietly sat at one side, frowning but calm.

Only He Su was able to drink with him.

"Cheers." He Xia lifted his cup, clinking it in midair.

He Su was full of thoughts, but at this stage, he no longer had anything to tie him down. He wasn't afraid of death nor a cup of wine.

He too lifted the cup. "Cheers." He raised his head and drank, the acrid taste heading straight down his throat.

The wine brought in sadness, making him even more unhappy.

He Su looked around, at the splendid arrangements, concealing the ruins of the Jing-An Ducal Residence. The root of everything was him. He Su couldn't help but heave a sigh, "I didn't think we would still be able to drink together."

The Queen trudged forwards, quietly filling their cups.

"You never know, do you?" He Xia unexpectedly smiled, asking He Su, "Do you not know why I invited you to drink?"

"No."

The two had known each other for a long time. In their youth, they could be said to be childhood friends. Neither expected today. Their sharp gazes hit each other.

He Xia held the cup up. In a deep voice he said, "I want to thank you."

"Thank me?"

He Xia's handsome features seemed to be shrouded in a thin layer of smoke, not allowing anyone to see the depths of the bitterness in his eyes. "Who else am I to thank, apart from you, for the reason why I am so majestic today?"

He never thought this day would come.

He used to be the suave, romantic, happy and respected Marquess of Jing-An amongst the four countries.

He had a country to protect, a home to return to, had his parents, Pingting and Dongzhuo to be around with, received the adoration of millions of soldiers. He was prepared to shed blood to fight for his beloved Gui Le.

But everything quickly changed, without any time to breathe. He Xia would never forget the moment he watched the sky burn with the flames in the Jing-An Ducal Residence.

The Queen of Gui Le quietly sat at one side. She could see the boundless hatred under He Xia's calm expression. A shiver ran up her spine.

He Su smiled instead. He lowered his voice, "Are you hating me for getting rid of the Jing-An Ducal Residence? That's right, you grew up with me and I respected the Duke of Jing-An as my elder. That day, to protect the royal authority, I was too cruel."

He Xia said, "No need to explain, I understand."

"You do?"

"That's right, I do." He Xia raised his head, drinking another cup.

Bitter alcohol. Each cup following the next all held bitter alcohol.

He Su ruined the Jing-An Ducal Residence.

Yet he, the honourable and respected Marquess of Jing-An, used poison to murder in Bei Mo, killing his favourite maid Pingting and the Royal Residence of Yun Chang. He cried while listening to Yaotian, his pregnant wife, die.

How could he not understand?

The sky was darkening from the sunset, leaving a faint glow in the clearing.

He Xia raised his cup, cheering the people who ruined his House of Jing-An. Each cup was bitter.

The rubble from the demolished building around him made his heart ache until it was crazed. It was all thanks to these people, yet he was in this sacred place, drinking next to them.

Because, he couldn't find anyone who could share this bitter alcohol, share this deserted Jing-An Ducal Residence with.

Who else?

Where were his parents? Where was Pingting?

And where was his wife who granted his military power, Yaotian?

Time wasn't kind enough to stop, passing by with a sigh. The dusk fell, quietly closing in. The guards remained utterly silent as candles were lit around them.

The two drank in silence, the Queen continuing to serve the wine.

He Su never looked at the Queen. He simply lifted his cup to drink without expression. When he lifted his head to look at the sky, the moon had already passed the transit.

He hardened his heart, putting down his empty cup on the table. He generously said, "Time's up. Go on, whether it's poison or knife. I promise you, I'm willing to commit suicide as long as my wife and son will be safe."

There was a clang as the silver jug fell onto the tiles, spilling alcohol everywhere.

The Queen of Gui Le froze on the spot, suddenly wailing. "King! King you...you..." She fell before He Su's feet, biting her purple lips but was unable to express a single word.

She knew surrendering was their only chance of escape, but she hadn't expected her husband would offer his life to He Xia to exchange for hers.

The night before, she felt they finally walked on the same path, but at this moment, her chest seemed to have been smashed by a hammer, so painful she would rather die.

He Xia looked at the Queen of Gui Le weeping at feet. A vague hint of nostalgia passed on his face, but it quickly left as soon as it came. His expression turned cold and solemn once more, "This woman seized power, causing political chaos to Gui Le. She made you lose everything, yet you would still protect her. What a ridiculous mess of a relationship, totally unlike you."

He Su listened and looked down as his wife crying in distraught. His expression revealed a little bit of warmth as he whispered, "I really did hate her for Le Zhen's rebellion. Two or three times after imprisoning her, I thought of sending an Order to force her suicide. I even once thought before handing the letter of surrender to Prince Consort of Yun Chang, I would kill her before my own death."

He dragged out a long sigh, then continued, perhaps to answer He Xia or only to himself, "The surrender letter has made it clear that I am willing to commit suicide as long as two lives of my Royal House are spared. As a father, my heart belongs to my child so why cannot I commit suicide for Shao'er? But as for the second person I wanted to protect, I thought again and again, until the end, the one I really wanted to exchange my life to protect, was still her..."

"King!" The Queen raised her head as she mournfully cried, choking, "It's my fault! I really deserve death!"

"You don't deserve death. Shao'er has already lost his father, how could he lose his mother to?" He Su sadly smiled. Since ascending to the throne, he was surrounded by numerous beauties due to holding the royal power, causing him to become increasingly cold towards the Queen. Yet now, when death was before his eyes, he realised the woman who had been staying by his side for all these years was the one person his heart was unwilling to leave. He softened his voice, "On our wedding night, I promised to love and protect only you in my lifetime. I have forgotten that promise over these days. But today, I don't know why I suddenly remembered it. Don't cry, Queen, I am merely fulfilling my promise."

He Xia stood at one side, coldly observing them.

He had come to bring hate, crusading into Gui Le. On the way, the Yun Chang army had been invincible, not a single battle lost, until sieging the city. He wanted to force He Su's suicide quickly, so he could mock them to the last minute and let his heart be amused.

He didn't expect this wasn't the soul-healing elixir he wanted to cure the hurt in his heart. Entering the city and seeing the barrenness of the Jing-An Ducal Residence made him feel regret and helplessness.

He Xia just quietly stood at the side, watching He Su softly saying goodbye to his wife, the Queen's grief too much for her body. He turned to his side where there was no one. The ruins of his home scantily decorated with fine silks and satins were printed in the depths of his eyes. The lonely wind lingered.

A hatred from being betrayed by those people began to crash into his heart like a volcanic eruption.

"King may not have to die. For our friendships in our childhood, I will now give you a chance." He Xia sneered, "As long as one of the three members of the Gui Le Royal House is willing to commit suicide, I will allow the other two to live, including King himself."

The Queen of Gui Le hadn't expected this sudden chance. She suddenly stopped crying, turning to look at He Xia. She earnestly asked, "Is Marquess of Jing-An saying the truth?" If it was true, than as long as she committed suicide, then her husband and her son would be spared.

He Xia had yet to reply, when He Su solemnly answered, "No need to say any more, Queen. The decision has already been made, there isn't any need to change it."

He Xia hadn't expected He Su to be so decisive. His face suddenly changed as his hand pressed against the sword hilt, continuing to sneer.

Every word, action, and expression between these two people reminded him of Yaotian. It stabbed at his heart with the intention to kill.

"King," The Queen of Gui Le's eyes were red as she sobbed, "It doesn't matter anything if I die, but if only King could..."