Xu Jiawei opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the words reached his lips and then he swallowed them back.
He had not been doing well at all.
Ever since Xu Yanli had removed his mask in Star Luo City five years ago, he had not slept a single peaceful night.
Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw Xu Wangshu standing before him, drenched in blood and expressionless.
Every time he jolted awake, he was covered in cold sweat and could no longer fall asleep.
But he could not say any of that.
He was the ruler of an empire, the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire. He could never show weakness in front of anyone, especially not Xu Yanli.
"Sorry for the trouble," Xu Jiawei said, his face deathly pale.
Xu Yanli nodded and strode into the main hall.
Xu Jiawei froze for a moment, then followed without thinking.
The main hall was empty. The morning court had not yet begun, and the civil and military officials had not arrived.
Xu Yanli walked straight to the Dragon Throne and sat down. He did so as if it were only natural, as though he looked more like an emperor than the pale-faced Xu Jiawei.
Xu Jiawei stood in the middle of the hall, staring at Xu Yanli seated in the emperor's place. His expression was dark enough to drip water, but he did not dare say a word. He turned, climbed the steps, and sat in the Crown Prince's seat beside the throne.
One sat in the Crown Prince's seat, the other on the Dragon Throne. Across the wide hall, they exchanged a glance.
The morning light poured in through the windows, casting mottled shadows on the floor between them.
The eunuchs and palace maids had already withdrawn. In