C1763 I Beg Royal Father to Return to the Palace

Xiao Minghe knelt on the cold steps of the Country Protecting Temple, located several miles from the royal city, bowing deeply with each step up the eighty-eight stairs leading to the temple's entrance.

"Please, Royal Father, return to the palace!" he pleaded.

Bang! His voice echoed as he struck his forehead against the steps. By the forty-fifth step, his forehead was bleeding