Chapter 45 No Regrets (The Finale, Part 1)

The gates of the imperial city had already fallen. Liu Yu had concentrated almost 80% of the Dingyuan Army's forces, plus the Flying Tiger Army, which should have been disbanded. The army was encroaching on the imperial city like a flood.

Liu Yu was still wearing that wedding robe, the red of which was stained with blood, making it appear exceptionally vibrant.

In terms of martial arts and military strategy, Liu Yu is no match for the Second Prince Liu Cheng.

But what sets Liu Yu apart from Liu Cheng is his more mature mind and his determination to risk everything.

Liu Cheng was forced to retreat to the front of the Mingzheng Hall, guarding the last line of defense.

The emperor walked out of the palace. He had been so full of vigor, but in just a few nights he had aged so much, which was quite sad.

"Seventh Brother, do you really want this throne that much?"

"Or is it that you are just harboring resentment towards me, and resentment towards yourself for not being valued and suffering since childhood?"

Although Liu Yu was smiling, he seemed incredibly cold at that moment.

"Is Father trying to appeal to my emotions?"

“I am not qualified, because you were never my son.”

Faced with this news, Liu Yu was neither surprised nor saddened. His expression remained unchanged, as if he were listening to a boring story that had nothing to do with him.

"Your mother is far away in the Northern Sect, and no one knows the name of your biological father. You are a filthy and inferior person, which is why you have done such a rebellious thing."

"You should be grateful that even though I know your bloodline is tainted, I still keep you in the palace and nurture you with care."

Unfortunately, even the sharpest words could not hurt Liu Yu.

These seem to be facts that Liu Yu has long acknowledged in his heart: how unpopular he is, and how only Liu Xi is willing to give him her true heart.

“I have no interest in the world, but I want to use the most precious thing in the world as a dowry, and the throne is just right.”

While the two were talking, the Second Prince Liu Cheng quietly retreated into the shadows, intending to kill Liu Yu when he wasn't paying attention.

But Liu Yu had already seen through his intentions, but simply didn't expose him.

"If you kill me today, how many more years will you be able to sit on the throne? Do you think the Northern Faction will let this opportunity pass?"

The emperor kept talking, trying to get Liu Yu's attention.

Liu Yu's patience was almost exhausted. He took a bow and arrow from behind his subordinate, nocked two arrows, and used the rapid-fire technique that Huo Lin had taught him.

However, the accuracy of this shot was far inferior to the triple kill achieved at the grand court assembly.

One arrow pierced the second prince's chest, while the other struck the emperor's shoulder.

Liu Yu was stunned for a moment. For a few seconds, his mind was filled with the image of Liu Xi stroking the deer's head and looking at him proudly.

Just then, Huo's army stormed into the imperial city, instantly turning the tide of the battle.

Liu Yu vaguely heard Liu Xi's voice and turned around in disbelief. He saw Liu Xi riding a tall horse, quickly passing through layers of rebel soldiers and rushing to the front, where he faced Liu Yu face to face.

Time was of the essence, and Liu Xi hadn't had a chance to change out of her wedding robes. Liu Yu smiled knowingly and reached out his hand to Liu Xi.

"Sister, what brings you here?"

Liu Xi looked at the Second Prince lying lifeless in a pool of blood before her, then glanced at the Emperor, whose face was contorted with pain.

"Liu Yu, stop now, you have no chance of winning."

Liu Yu took two steps forward. "Why are you calling me so formally, sister? You used to call me A Yu, didn't you?"

"If I had known that my kindness would turn you into this, I would have preferred not to save you in the first place!"

Liu Xi's words were like a sharp blade, piercing Liu Yu's chest.

He shook his head frantically, his furrowed brows filled with pain and despair.

"No, sister, you won't abandon me."

"You said you wouldn't abandon me! Say it!"

Sitting on her horse, Liu Xi looked down at Liu Yu rushing towards her in a disheveled state, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

“Sister, aren’t we supposed to rely on each other? Once I seize the throne, I will be the most powerful person in the world. Tell me, is there anyone in this world more worthy of your reliance than me?”

"Why can't you just look at me, look at me properly, like before, stroke my head, and whisper to me that your older sister will never leave me?"

Liu Xi closed her eyes, unable to bear watching any longer.

“Liu Yu, my love and care for you have always been limited to the level of family. You and I are connected by blood, and we should have shared hardships and walked hand in hand. I have not broken my promise; it is you who are forcing me to leave.”

“I’m willing to be treated like a younger brother by you for the rest of my life. We’ll always be siblings and family. But it’s enough for you to have me by your side. Isn’t it good enough just the two of us?”

Liu Xi took a deep breath and said calmly.

“I once swore that I would never dedicate my life to anyone again. Liu Yu, I can love you and care for you, but I am still me. I do not belong to you or anyone else. You have no right to restrict my choices.”

"To tell you the truth, I will not kill you, but after today, I will never see you again. This is the greatest tolerance I can show out of consideration for our sibling relationship."

Liu Yu was stunned. His thin body swayed a few times, and then he staggered and knelt down on the ground.

"Sister, are you really not going to want me anymore?"

He cried, but he kept trying to laugh out loud.

"The only person in this world who loves me, and whom I love, doesn't want me anymore."

Suddenly, he drew an arrow, gripped it in his palm, and thrust the sharp arrowhead into his heart.

Liu Xi cried out and jumped off her horse, but still couldn't catch Liu Yu's falling body.

He lay on the cold marble floor, a distance from Liu Xi that he could reach out and touch.

Liu Xi braced herself on the ground, staring blankly at Liu Yu in front of her, her heart clenching with pain.

"Sister..."

Liu Yu struggled to raise his hand, his fingertips trembling in mid-air, unable to move forward any further.

"I don't regret it..."

"Loving you...no, it's my fault..."

As Liu Yu's last strength dissipated, the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.

Suddenly, a hurricane swept through the air, causing Liu Yu's fiery red wedding dress to flutter wildly, along with Liu Xi's skirt, creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

Liu Xi felt pain, and when she closed her eyes, the image of Liu Yu appearing at the entrance of Yi Huai Pavilion for the first time, acting coquettishly towards her, flashed through her mind.

If only I hadn't reached out to him back then.

Liu Xi stroked Liu Yu's eyes with her fingertips and gently closed them.

"If there is an afterlife, I don't want to suffer like this again."

The gust of wind was so strong it seemed capable of carrying everything away, and when it finally subsided, the remaining warmth from Liu Yu's body had completely dissipated.

A grand rebellion ended in the most hasty manner, and even years later, a strange story still circulates among the people.

The dignified Seventh Prince gambled with the throne, only to lose to the woman he loved most.