The deep mountains were quiet, the mist lingering without end.
Moss-covered bluestone glimmered with shadowy shapes beneath the night fog.
Stone steps wound upward, with pavilions and towers faintly visible among the trees.
Zhai Le had barely reached the foot of the mountain when guards stopped him. The two men looked troubled and were just about to speak when Zhai Le shoved them aside with a sweep of his palm. He hitched up his robe and dropped heavily to his knees on the stone slabs, the thud echoing dully. Even his voice carried a rare note of choked pleading.
"Father—"
"Mother!"
"Please, just see your son."
Only two sentences, and tears were already rolling uncontrollably down his face.
Just then, a fine, hazy rain began to fall from the sky, making him look even more wretched and helpless. The two mountain guards exchanged a glance. They couldn't very well leave Zhai Le kneeling there, so one hurried up the mountain to deliver the message. The other stepped forward to persuade him. "My lord, look at the hour. The master and madam have already retired. Would you like to come again tomorrow?"
Since being assigned to protect the distinguished residents living in seclusion in the mountains, he had seen Zhai Le turned away more times than he could count on both hands.
For a time, rumors had run rampant that Zhai Le had come to power by illegitimate means.
If the late Lord had truly passed the throne to Zhai Le, why wouldn't Zhai Le's uncle and parents see him? It meant the Palace Coup back then had hidden circumstances.
At first, the guard had quietly wondered about it too.
But once, he had seen the master and madam standing halfway up the mountain, watching the Sovereign leave in disappointment, utterly