The Core of His Fief, Wu'an City, Would Soon Shine with the Iron Light of a Mighty Pass

Ying Zheng's voice was a little hoarse, edged with a trace of hesitation.

Zhao Cheng curled his lip, his tone full of disdain. "What could be so difficult? He simply lacks the courage to take responsibility."

He straightened his back, and his Black Armor clinked crisply. "If it's something I've done, then even if it means climbing a mountain of blades or plunging into a sea of flames, I'll shoulder it.

"I don't care whether someone's born legitimate or illegitimate. If anyone dares wag their tongue or meddle, I'll kill them!"

His words rang out with his usual domineering force, yet they were like a needle, piercing through every excuse Ying Zheng had.

Indeed, that child had always been this way.

Whether sneaking out at night with a blade to confront his father, or pointing a halberd at the Chancellor and striking at his heart, he had always been this way.

He had never been one to wrong himself or bend over backward to accommodate others.

Ying Zheng fell silent again. The sandalwood incense in the hall seemed to thicken, stinging his nose until his eyes felt wet.

He gazed at Zhao Cheng's sharply defined face, which bore a striking resemblance to his own when he was young. Guilt, relief, and helplessness churned in his heart, a thousand conflicting feelings tangled together, yet he did not know how to begin.

In the end, that thin veil between them was still so hard to pierce...

He drew a deep breath, pressing down the turmoil in his heart, and waved a hand. "Enough. Since you're unwilling, we'll leave the matter for now.

"I'll have Li Si send you capable officials to govern your fief tomorrow. But don't leave everything to them. You must learn from them properly, lest you truly become a