"He looks very much like the person who disappeared five years ago."

Lady Shui's words thundered in Su Ying's ears like a bolt of lightning. She stared at Lady Shui intently, her voice trembling as she asked, "Who... who are you talking about?"

Lady Shui looked at her deeply, then walked to the window, gazing into the distance through the rain curtain: "The current Emperor, Xiao Zhao."

Su Ying felt her mind go blank, the entire world spinning around her. Lu Zhao... Xiao Zhao... the missing Emperor... How could this be possible?

"No... impossible!" She shook her head vigorously, "He's just a carpenter's apprentice, how could he possibly be..."

"The Emperor?" Lady Shui turned around, her eyes gleaming with complex emotions, "Miss Su, there are many things in this world that are not what they appear on the surface. An amnesiac Emperor wandering among commoners, raised as an ordinary person—while this sounds like something from a storybook, it has indeed happened."

Su Ying gripped her teacup tightly, her knuckles white from the force: "Then... why are you telling me this?"

"Because danger is approaching." Lady Shui's expression became serious, "Regent Prince Xiao Yu has been secretly searching for the Emperor's whereabouts all these years. He would never allow anyone who threatens his position to exist. If Lu Zhao's identity is exposed..."

She didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

Thinking of Lu Zhao's gentle face, of how he had risked everything to protect her, Su Ying felt a strong protective instinct surge within her: "I won't let anyone hurt him!"

"That's easy to say, but what can a weak woman like you do?" Lady Shui shook her head, "Moreover, you can barely protect yourself now."

Just then, urgent hoofbeats suddenly echoed from outside. Both women startled, and Lady Shui quickly went to the window to look.

"Oh no, a group of riders is heading this way!" She turned back to Su Ying, "From their attire, they appear to be imperial soldiers!"

Su Ying's heart leaped to her throat: "Are they Zhao family pursuers?"

"It doesn't look like it." Lady Shui frowned, "These people's uniforms look more like they're from the capital. Could it be..."

Before she could finish, the manor's main gate was pounded heavily.

"Open up! By order of the Regent Prince, we're searching for suspicious persons!"

The Regent Prince! Su Ying and Lady Shui exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

"Quickly go notify the others, tell them to be careful," Lady Shui instructed rapidly, "I'll go stall for time."

Su Ying nodded and hurried from the room. She ran quickly to Lu Zhao's door and knocked softly.

"Lu Zhao, wake up quickly!"

The door opened soon, and Lu Zhao appeared, though just awakened, his eyes remained alert: "What's wrong?"

"Imperial soldiers are here, saying they're searching for suspicious persons by order of the Regent Prince!" Su Ying whispered urgently.

Lu Zhao's expression changed instantly, a flash of anger and authority that even he didn't notice crossing his eyes: "Xiao Yu... how dare he..."

"What?" Su Ying was stunned. What had Lu Zhao just said?

Lu Zhao realized his slip and quickly shook his head: "Nothing, let's think of a way to handle the current situation first."

The two hurriedly packed their belongings. Just as they were about to leave the room, voices came from the main hall.

"Lady Shui, your reputation precedes you." A dignified male voice rang out, "I have come by order of the Regent Prince to search for several criminals. Please cooperate, Madam."

"You're too kind, sir," came Lady Shui's voice, "This humble manor has always been law-abiding. I wonder whom you're looking for?"

"According to intelligence, several rebel elements are fleeing everywhere, and one of them is very likely a key figure from that major case years ago."

Hearing this, Lu Zhao felt sharp pain in his head again, and blurry images flashed through his mind—palaces, bloodshed, betrayal...

"Lu Zhao, are you alright?" Su Ying worriedly supported him.

"I..." Lu Zhao was about to say something when he suddenly heard an aged voice from the main hall:

"Sir, this old minister has a question."

It was Old Lin's voice!

"Who are you?" the dignified male voice asked.

"This old minister is surnamed Lin, once served under the previous Emperor," Old Lin's voice sounded older than usual, "May I ask, sir, the major case you mentioned—could it be referring to the 'Hidden Dragon Incident' from five years ago?"

The main hall suddenly fell silent. After a moment, the dignified male voice slowly said: "Minister Lin, since you were a retainer of the previous Emperor, you should understand that some matters are inconvenient to discuss."

"This old minister naturally understands." Old Lin's voice carried a hint of probing, "It's just that this old minister has always been concerned about His Majesty's safety. I wonder if there's any news of His Majesty now?"

"Minister Lin worries too much. His Majesty... passed away years ago. Now it's Regent Prince His Highness who presides over the great affairs."

Hearing the words "passed away," Lu Zhao's head pain intensified even more, and he could barely stand. Su Ying quickly supported him, her heart filled with both worry and confusion.

"No!" Lu Zhao suddenly said quietly, "I haven't died! I..."

"Shh!" Su Ying quickly covered his mouth, "Keep your voice down!"

But it was too late. Footsteps suddenly came from the main hall—someone was walking toward their room.

"Search all rooms!" the dignified voice commanded.

The situation was critical. Su Ying pulled Lu Zhao toward the back window, but the door had already been pushed open. Several soldiers in official uniforms rushed into the room, led by a stern-faced middle-aged man.

"Stop!" the middle-aged man shouted.

Lu Zhao and Su Ying had no choice but to stop and slowly turn around.

The middle-aged man's gaze fell on Lu Zhao's face. He first froze, then his pupils contracted sharply, and he stood there as if struck by lightning.

"Im... impossible..." he murmured, "Your... Your Majesty?"

Everyone in the main hall heard this "Your Majesty," and the place instantly fell silent.

A look of understanding flashed across Old Lin's face, while Lady Shui clenched her fists tightly, her heart racing for these two young people.

"You've mistaken me for someone else." Lu Zhao forced himself to say, but his voice carried a natural authority that made everyone present feel their hearts tremble.

The middle-aged man slowly approached, tears in his eyes: "Your Majesty, this old minister is Minister of Revenue Li Anguo. Don't you remember this old minister? Five years ago, it was this old minister who escorted you from the palace to safety..."

"Enough!" Lu Zhao suddenly roared, and this roar contained imperial authority, making everyone present involuntarily step back, "I am not any Majesty!"

But this roar actually loosened some shackle in his mind. More memory fragments surged forth—

In the golden throne hall, civil and military officials paying homage; "Your Majesty, the rebels have already attacked the palace!" "Quick! Protect His Majesty and break through!" In the bloodlight, someone stabbed him from behind... Then darkness, oblivion, the blank five years...

"I... I am..." Lu Zhao shook his head, his eyes full of confusion and pain.

Looking at this young man before him, Li Anguo felt a mixture of emotions. Five years—they had searched for five years and finally found the true Emperor!

"Your Majesty, you've finally returned!" Li Anguo knelt down, "This old minister has been secretly searching for your whereabouts all these years. The Regent Prince, he..."

"Silence!" A cold voice came from outside the door, "Li Anguo, what are you doing?"

Everyone turned to look, and saw a young man in luxurious robes standing in the doorway, handsome in appearance but with sinister eyes. It was the current Regent Prince—Xiao Yu!

"Regent Prince Your Highness!" Li Anguo hastily rose and bowed.

Xiao Yu's gaze fell on Lu Zhao, a flash of complex emotions crossing his eyes: "Interesting, really very similar."

"Similar to what?" Lu Zhao looked directly at him. For some reason, seeing this person filled him with disgust.

"Similar to my deceased imperial brother." Xiao Yu sneered, "However, just an impostor with a similar appearance dares to falsely claim to be His Majesty?"

"Your Highness!" Li Anguo said urgently, "This old minister dares guarantee that he is the true Majesty! Look at his features, and this imperial authority..."

"Enough!" Xiao Yu coldly interrupted, "Li Anguo, are you senile? The imperial brother has long passed away—this is known throughout the realm. Now suddenly an impostor appears, and you believe it immediately?"

Speaking thus, he looked at Lu Zhao: "Boy, you have quite some nerve, daring to impersonate the current Son of Heaven. Men, seize him!"

The soldiers were about to step forward upon hearing the order, but Old Lin suddenly stepped out: "Wait!"

"Who are you?" Xiao Yu frowned.

"This old minister is Lin Zhong, formerly Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet under the previous Emperor." Old Lin said slowly, "Regent Prince Your Highness, if this person truly is His Majesty, wouldn't it be inappropriate for you to act rashly?"

A flash of killing intent crossed Xiao Yu's eyes: "Lin Zhong? I was wondering who it was—turns out to be an old fool who should have died long ago. Men, seize him as well!"

"Xiao Yu!" Lu Zhao suddenly spoke, his voice carrying unquestionable authority, "You dare!"

This angry shout shook the entire main hall. Even stranger, upon hearing this voice, the soldiers all hesitated and didn't immediately act.

Xiao Yu's expression became dark as water: "Interesting, seems like a truly well-trained impostor. However..."

He suddenly drew his sword and pointed it directly at Lu Zhao: "An impostor is still an impostor. Today I shall act for Heaven and eliminate you, this demon!"

With that, he thrust his sword toward Lu Zhao.

Seeing this, Su Ying cried out in alarm and without thinking stepped in front of Lu Zhao: "No!"

"Su Ying!" Lu Zhao's heart leaped with urgency, and the shackles of memory completely shattered.

"My woman—how dare you touch her!"

An imperial roar of fury shook the entire Listening to Rain Manor!