Murong Ke hurried up the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, treading steps where the daytime flurry had melted and frozen again. Then he went straight up the five-story tower, still brightly lit despite the dawn, and, panting for breath, came before his elder brother, the Chanyu and emperor.
At the sight of Murong Ke, his hair glistening, the emperor's eyes also lit up with relief. He turned to the empress. "Leave us for now. I have something to say to my fourth brother."
The empress hesitated, but obeyed. She carefully lowered her husband onto the pillow on his couch before leaving, though she did not leave the fifth floor. She merely stood by the stairs in the outer chamber, holding the Crown Prince, who had arrived before her, and listened alongside Murong De and Ding Daoren.
"Fourth Brother, I'm certainly not going to make it." The emperor dared not waste a moment and hurried to speak. "Yisheng just gave me a broad account of the country's situation. It's too difficult... this is all my fault. Yet I can no longer put it right myself. I can only rely on you. Do whatever you wish!"
Murong Ke stood before the couch, wanting to be angry, but for some reason he could summon no anger at all. He merely nodded.
"Fourth Brother, come closer and support me," the emperor hastily continued. "I have a few instructions."
Murong Ke looked up at the ceiling of the spacious bedchamber and paused for several breaths. Only then did he walk over and, just as the other man had intended, sit on the couch and take his hand. "Go ahead."
"The Crown Prince is too young. As for being the Son of Heaven of China... why don't you take the throne instead?" the emperor asked earnestly. "What do