Yan An stammered, looking like he was having a hard time explaining.
Seeing that An Si was getting anxious, he decided not to tease him anymore. "Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be satisfied with the anniversary of Yan Zhixiao's death."
"Based on what you've said, it should only take a month at most," Yan An estimated, and also felt that the time was about right.
Yan Zhixiao has now entered a nightmare phase.
On the surface, he is resting, but in reality, his dreams are filled with his greatest fears.
It was a shadow that haunted him for the rest of his life.
It felt like experiencing it firsthand.
Even when he wakes up, the nightmare will continue to haunt and torment him.
When a person endures such immense mental stress for an extended period, their brain and nerves will inevitably develop problems.
Even after a month, Yan An felt that the conversation had gone on for a while.
Given the current situation, Yan Zhixiao must have been having nightmares for days.
After hearing Yan An's accurate answer, An Si was completely relieved and turned to pack his things.
——
Inside the royal palace of the Yan Kingdom.
Yan Zhixiao's court sessions began later and later each day.
Many ministers have already expressed their dissatisfaction.
However, due to the oppression of the 'Shadow', they dared not utter any complaints.
They were afraid that they would be the next ones to be used as an example to deter others.
Yan Zhixiao didn't respond to his father-in-law's calls from outside for a long time, but he didn't dare to go in rashly.
A few days ago, seeing that the emperor had not made any move, he took it upon himself to push open the door and enter.
This enraged the emperor, who nearly had him executed.
This time, he dared not go in without permission again and could only go to find Cheng Ying.
Inside the room, Yan Zhixiao lay on the large bed, his face as pale as paper, his lips bloodless, his eyes tightly closed, and his brows furrowed, as if he were enduring great pain.
His body trembled slightly, and his once strong and powerful muscles now appeared weak and loose.
Sweat poured from his forehead, neck, and back, soaking the sheets and blankets beneath him.
His undergarments were soaked with sweat and clung tightly to his skin, making him feel very uncomfortable, but he had no strength to change his clothes or wipe away the sweat.
In my dream—
It was pitch black, and I couldn't see anything clearly except for a bridge in front of me.
Slowly, the two figures walked hand in hand down the bridge.
A deathly pale face, dressed in white, flying freely even without wind.
As he approached Yan Zhixiao step by step, bright red blood suddenly flowed from his pale face, as if it were gushing from the corner of his eye.
Blood and tears slid down his cheeks, leaving a scarlet mark that sent chills down one's spine.
"Who's playing tricks here!" Although Yan Zhixiao was a little scared, he knew that even ghosts couldn't be as terrifying as the human heart.
He mustered his courage and angrily rebuked the two people in front of him.
"Give me your life! My good son! It was you! You killed your father! Come down here, and our family can be reunited."
The sinister smile, like a chilling aura, permeated the air, sending a shiver down one's spine.
Each laugh was like a sharp dagger, piercing his ears deeply.
“My good son, you actually killed your father for the throne! And you even deceived him in my name.”
Yan Zhixiao then realized that the two people in front of him were his father and mother.
He laughed wildly, as if he were a madman. "So what if he is? Isn't he the person you love most, Mother? I sent him to accompany you, and instead of thanking me, you blame me. What kind of logic is that?"
"And you! You truly wanted to pass the throne to me, and besides, I am your own son. What's wrong with giving me the throne?"
"One of you is the late emperor, and the other is the successor. I have bestowed this honor upon you. Why don't you kowtow and express your gratitude!"
"Hahahaha!" Yan Zhixiao became more and more frantic as he spoke, his words no longer distinguishing right from wrong.
His laughter echoed in the darkness, his eyes filled with madness and obsession.
Suddenly, a gust of cold wind swept in, causing Yan Zhixiao to shiver involuntarily.
He looked closely and found that the surrounding environment was beginning to blur, and the bridge and his parents were gradually disappearing.
Instead, there were the late Emperor Yue, Empress Dowager Yue, Emperor Yue, Yue Xiyuan, Yan An, and the respectable men he had persecuted...
They surrounded him.
They flitted around Yan Zhixiao like ghosts, their chilling laughter causing him to clench his fists tightly.
Despite his best efforts, it was all in vain.
Yan Zhixiao stared wide-eyed at these once-familiar faces, his heart filled with fear and despair.
He tried to escape, but his legs were rooted to the spot and he couldn't move.
"Yan Zhixiao, you unfilial son!" the late Emperor Yue roared angrily. "You and your mother have resorted to any means to seize the throne, murdering your father and harming your brothers. Your crimes are truly heinous!"
"Yan Zhixiao, come down quickly. Once you come down, our family of three can be reunited." Yan Shaoheng reached out his hand to him, appearing much more amiable.
With tears streaming down her face, Chen Jingshu said sadly, "Zhixiao, why have you become like this... Come with us."
At this moment, the Moon Emperor and Yue Xiyuan also condemned Yan Zhixiao's crimes. Yan An watched coldly from the sidelines, a mocking smile on his lips.
Faced with the accusations of the crowd, Yan Zhixiao's psychological defenses gradually crumbled. He knelt down, buried his face in his hands, and wept bitterly, filled with remorse.
However, at that moment, a mysterious light flashed, and everything disappeared.
Yan Zhixiao opened his eyes. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on him. The dream he had just had seemed to be still there, sending chills down his spine.
My whole body felt as if it were bound, like I was in a dream, unable to move.
This was the fourth time he had had a nightmare.
And each time it became more and more realistic.
Each time it terrified him more than the last.
"Your Majesty, it's time for your morning court session." Cheng Ying pushed open the door and bowed to him. "Your Majesty, it's getting late, and the ministers have been waiting for quite some time."
Yan Zhixiao was still not recovered from the dream he had just had. "I understand."
Yan Zhixiao responded listlessly, letting the palace maids wash and dress him.
In the imperial court, the ministers were arguing incessantly, but they quieted down when Yan Zhixiao arrived.
"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned," Yan Zhixiao said wearily.
The ministers stared at Yan Zhixiao's dark eyes, swallowing back the words they were about to say, fearing that if they displeased him, they would suffer the same fate as the former prime minister.
After the court session ended.
Yan Zhixiao deliberately left Cheng Ying behind, asking, "Do you know where Yun Xi is?"
At this moment, perhaps only he can relieve his torment of this nightmare.
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