"The Regent... the Regent will not let you get away with this!"

Su Jinxiu's shrill curse, like that of a vengeful ghost, carrying the most vicious resentment, echoed in the deathly silence of the hunting camp, lingering for a long time.

The words "Regent" struck the hearts of all the imperial relatives and ministers present like a black lightning bolt!

If the previous rebellion of Consort Xian and Wei Xiao was merely an "internal strife" caused by the struggle for favor in the harem and the arrogance of military generals, then when the three words "Regent" were involved, the nature of the event underwent a dramatic change!

That was no longer an internal strife, but a coup d'état that was enough to shake the foundations of the nation and overthrow imperial power!

The expressions of all the imperial relatives and ministers present changed slightly!

The last vestige of hope on Prince An's and the others' faces, which had been trying to plead for the Su family, vanished the moment they heard those three words, replaced by a deep and undisguised fear and apprehension.

The atmosphere in the entire camp instantly became even more tense and eerie than before. A huge, invisible, suffocating shadow seemed to have been cast over the air.

However, Xiao Che, who sat on the throne, remained expressionless, despite being the direct target of this shadow.

His expression was as calm as an ancient well. It was as if the name Su Jinxiu uttered before her death was nothing more than an insignificant passerby to him.

But Lin Wanwan saw, in that familiar area above his head, a turbulent inner world that was completely opposite to his calm exterior!

There, all the emojis representing anger and murderous intent disappeared.

Instead, there was a huge, slowly rotating, bottomless black vortex!

The vortex, like a black hole in the universe, exuded a terrifying aura that could devour all light and hope. And at the very center of that black vortex, four characters emitting an ominous red light slowly and clearly emerged:

[Final boss.gif]

Lin Wanwan's heart sank the moment she saw the meme!

Final boss?

She understood instantly.

It turns out that whether it was the Empress Dowager before, or the Consort Xian and Wei Xiao who had just fallen from power, they were all just appetizers, the pawns and henchmen of the real enemy who was hiding deep behind the scenes!

And now, this real, most powerful mastermind is finally about to surface!

An unprecedented and immense pressure instantly enveloped Lin Wanwan's heart. The joy of victory she had just felt after defeating Consort Xian was completely washed away by this sudden, more powerful, and unfathomable enemy.

Xiao Che ignored the ever-changing expressions on the faces of the people around him, and made no response to Su Jinxiu's accusations.

He simply gave the final order in an unquestionable, cold tone:

"Guards, take her away and keep her under strict guard!"

"Issue my decree: immediately break camp and return to the capital!"

"strike camp?!"

Prince An and the others were shocked! This autumn hunting ceremony was supposed to last for several days, but it had only just begun on its second day, and it was already going to end so hastily? This was unprecedented since the founding of the dynasty! If word got out, wouldn't it confirm the rumors of instability in the court and the assassination attempt on the emperor?

However, all their attempts to dissuade him were rendered futile by Xiao Che's cold, emotionless gaze.

They knew that the young emperor had made his decision.

And no one could change his decision.

The royal autumn hunt, which should have been a lively and exciting event, came to a hasty end in such an eerie and oppressive atmosphere.

...

The atmosphere on the carriage back to the palace was somber and oppressive.

Lin Wanwan leaned against the cushion, the wound on her shoulder still throbbing slightly. But compared to the physical pain, the pressure she felt from the title of "Regent" was far more overwhelming.

Xiao Che kept his eyes closed, seemingly recuperating from his internal injuries, and remained silent the entire way.

He only slowly opened his eyes when the carriage entered the imperial city and was on the smooth road.

For the first time, he took the initiative to mention that taboo name to Lin Wanwan.

“Regent, Xiao Yuan,” his voice was soft, yet carried a weighty significance befitting his name, “is my imperial uncle, and also the late emperor’s only half-brother.”

"When the late emperor was on the throne, he was enfeoffed as a prince for his military achievements and held immense power in the court. Before my death, my father specially appointed him as regent to assist me in handling state affairs because I was young and weak."

Xiao Che's tone was as calm as if he were recounting a historical fact that had nothing to do with him.

"He is the true supporter behind the Su family and Wei Xiao."

Although she had already guessed it, Lin Wanwan's heart still sank when Xiao Che confirmed it himself.

She looked at Xiao Che's calm and composed profile, and said softly, in a tone of summary:

"So everything we did before, whether it was overthrowing the Empress Dowager's power in the Imperial Kitchen or eliminating Wei Xiao and Su Jinxiu..."

She paused, her voice carrying a hint of seriousness.

"They're just eliminating...his henchmen."

"That's right."

Xiao Che turned his head, and in his deep eyes, there was no longer any pretense or frailty. Instead, there was an unprecedented sharpness, as sharp as a knife!

He reached out and took her slightly cold hand, which was resting on her lap.

His palms were warm yet strong, carrying a reassuring power.

He looked at her, his gaze so sharp it seemed to pierce the future:

“The real war,” he said, “is only just beginning.”