I am the villain in the book

Han Zhao had been "absorbed" into the Same Boat Society just two days prior, and was also the last official of the third rank or higher in the capital to "join." Unlike others who were "chasing fame and fortune" or "forced by circumstances," the reason for his "defection" should be the most unique.

However, this matter is too complicated to mention for now.

In short, with his joining, the Same Boat Society could be considered to have temporarily completed its stage goals, and Wei Changtian had basically played his last card in the Great Ning court.

By this point, all the court officials whose fatal weaknesses he had grasped and who had value had already taken the puppet pill.

The total number was thirty-two, accounting for one-fifth of all officials with the "right to attend court."

"Clang ~ Clang clang ~"

"All is peaceful ~ Third watch ~"

The slow-fast-fast sound of the gong echoed in the distance, it was already midnight.

Tightening his collar, Han Zhao bent over and got into the sedan waiting outside the palace, his mind filled with thoughts of Ning Wenyu.

Since there had been no morning court for the past few days, he had not known that this Second Prince was also a member of the Same Boat Society.

But after seeing him just now, he already understood who had sent out that piece of information.

Han Zhao had considered helping Ning Wenyu.

But today, "the higher-ups" had just issued an order requiring them not to contact each other within five days, not to communicate with the outside world, and even more so, not to act without authorization.

In other words, the intention was to have them hide themselves well, to prevent Ning Yongnian from following the clues and wiping them all out.

In Han Zhao's opinion, this already meant abandoning Ning Wenyu.

"Alas."

The sound of the watchman's repeated announcements grew farther and farther away.

"All is peaceful, third watch."

"Father Emperor, this son takes his leave."

In the Stone Canal Pavilion, Ning Wenjun bowed and retreated from the side room, taking seven or eight steps backwards before slowly straightening up.

He turned to look at Ning Wenyu, who had been waiting outside, and said in a low voice with an unchanged expression: "Second Brother, Father Emperor wants you to go in."

"."

"I understand."

"Creak."

The sound of the door opening and closing was very soft, and Ning Wenyu's footsteps were even lighter.

He knew that he had to pass this test no matter what, otherwise he might never see the sun tomorrow morning.

"Father Emperor."

He walked around a screen and saw Ning Yongnian, who was facing away from him.

The latter did not turn his head, and after a moment of silence, he simply pointed to a painting on the wall and casually asked:

"Yu'er, what do you think of this calligraphy?"

"."

Ning Wenyu fixed his eyes on it and saw a sharp "struggle" character.

"Father Emperor, this character's hostility is a bit too heavy."

"Too heavy with hostility..."

Ning Yongnian did not deny it and continued to say to himself: "Yu'er, this character is from your Imperial Grandfather's hand."

"Besides me, each of your thirteen Imperial Uncles has one, all writing this 'struggle' character."

"At that time, I was just about your age."

The last sentence seemed to have a hidden meaning, but Ning Wenyu had already prepared himself mentally, so he just stood respectfully and waited for the following words.

After a few breaths, Ning Yongnian's voice sounded again.

"Yu'er, in this world, everything must be fought for."

"Mortals fight for fame and fortune; martial artists fight for luck and opportunity; emperors fight for power and the world."

"There is nothing wrong with the 'struggle' character itself, but you must know what you are fighting for and for whom you are fighting."

Slowly turning his head, Ning Yongnian's eyes were calm as he looked at Ning Wenyu and asked: "Do you know who you are fighting for?"

"Father Emperor!"

Ning Wenyu did not hesitate, and immediately straightened his chest and said loudly: "This son is naturally fighting for the eternal foundation of the Ning family!"

"Is that so..."

Ning Yongnian smiled and did not directly respond to Ning Wenyu, but shook his head.

"Yu'er, people in the court privately say that you are not as good as your brother, but do you know what I think?"

"."

Hearing this sentence, Ning Wenyu's pupils suddenly contracted, and his breathing was uncontrollably stagnant.

"Son... this son doesn't know."

"Hahaha, then I will tell you now."

Ning Yongnian took two steps closer and gently patted Ning Wenyu's shoulder.

"Yu'er, just as others say, you are indeed not as good as Jun'er in literary talent and martial strategy."

"But you have one point that is above him, and that is that you understand the principle of using any means to achieve your goals."

"As a prince, this is a good thing, but it will also harm you."

"Yu'er... no matter what, I am your father."

"You must know that there is no father in this world who wants his son to sink deeper and deeper on the wrong path."

"You are still young, if you have done something wrong, I don't blame you."

"I only hope that you can find your way back and compete openly with your brother."

"At that time, no matter whether you win or lose, at least you will be worthy of the ancestors of the Ning family, worthy of me..."

"And also worthy of yourself."

"."

The room was so quiet that a pin could be heard, with only a broken breath.

Looking at Ning Yongnian's calm and kind expression, Ning Wenyu did not know what to say for a moment.

Before coming, he had anticipated countless possible situations and had made corresponding preparations.

But the current scene was something he had never thought of.

"Father Emperor..."

His mouth opened and closed several times, and his thoughts were like a mess of tangled threads.

And at this moment, Ning Yongnian finally mentioned the main topic for the first time.

And the opening was a decisive kill.

"Yu'er, I have actually known for a long time that the plan in Jizhou was exposed because of you."

"To be honest, when I first heard about this, I really wanted to tear you to pieces."

"But just as I said just now, no matter what, you are my own flesh and blood."

"Even a tiger does not eat its cubs, let alone me."

"Jizhou City will always be broken one day, and the Xu family will always be wiped out one day, but if I kill you, I will forever lose a son."

"I can't do it."

"Alas, I don't know if what I've said has reached your heart."

"In fact, nothing else matters now, I just want to know one thing..."

Ning Yongnian paused, his eyes seemed to have endless fatigue.

He looked at Ning Wenyu, who was breathing rapidly, and gently asked the last question with some self-blame and expectation.

"Yu'er, do you still recognize me as your Father Emperor?"

"."

Beneath Old Man Mountain, Jade Abyss flows back, thirty thousand green pines planted by hand.

Like the sweet pear tree, they are not pruned, waiting for the return of the hoary beard and white armor.

It seems that no matter what their status or position, the hearts of parents in the world are always the same.

"Crack."

Ning Wenyu's body swayed slightly, and his psychological defenses were completely torn apart at this moment, and an infinite sense of regret and guilt rushed to his heart.

He did not dare to look at Ning Yongnian, but knelt down on the ground with a "plop," and said word by word as if choking with sobs:

"Father Emperor!"

"This son... this son was wrong..."

"It was indeed this son who leaked the news about Jizhou. At that time, this son was momentarily confused, and then... then told this matter to, uh..."

Suddenly, Ning Wenyu's eyes widened, and he finally remembered the puppet pill he had taken.

Betrayal means death, it turned out to be true.

His vision instantly became blurred, and a sticky liquid seemed to be gushing from the corner of his mouth. Ning Wenyu could clearly feel the rapid loss of vitality in his body.

He desperately wanted to reach out and grab the corner of the person in front of him, but his trembling hands eventually drooped weakly halfway.

And the name that he failed to say became a secret forever.

"."

Everything seemed long, but in fact it was only in the blink of an eye.

When the truth stopped before being revealed, Ning Yongnian suddenly had a chilling feeling.

And as time passed, this fear turned into incomparable anger.

"Bang!!!!!"

A palm mixed with boundless power blasted out, and the stone wall opposite exploded with a loud noise.

Countless guards rushed towards this side upon hearing the sound, and Ning Wenjun, who was waiting at the door, was the first to rush into the room.

The room was in a mess, and Ning Yongnian was still venting his anger.

As for the corpse lying in a pool of blood at his feet...

Ever since he realized that the latter was really dead, Ning Yongnian had never looked at it again.