Victory tidings from the far north had not yet reached Chang'an when the witchcraft scandal detonated.
Crown Prince Liu Ju was framed by Jiang Chong; the entire princely household faced execution.
In Ganquan Palace, Liu Che received a blood-written letter:
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is innocent! It is the Dou remnants borrowing corpses to return souls!"
Signature: Liu Two-Dog of Jiangnan.
Liu Che read it, overturned the table with shaking hands, and spat three liters of blood before collapsing.