Protagonist's Halo

The bedchamber was cold as ice.

Xiao Qianyu narrowed his long, narrow eyes, his gaze seeming to casually sweep across everyone's faces. He gave a soft laugh. "Prince Qi—Father Emperor won't let him come in?"

Emperor Yongchang frowned, seemingly troubled over how to deal with Xiao Qianyì, and did not answer for a moment.

The Empress's lips moved, conflict surfacing on her face. She glanced at the Emperor, then closed her mouth.

As for the Second Prince, Xiao Qianze, he was somewhat gloating. Malice flashed through his eyes, as though he dearly wished to see Xiao Qianyì suffer.

After all, he too was the Empress's legitimate son. With Xiao Qianyu suppressing him before, he could only bow his head as second best, keeping far away from Xiao Qianyu's exalted position as Crown Prince.

Who would have thought Xiao Qianyu was a fake?

Before he could even rejoice, Xiao Qianyì had been brought into the palace. Yet the son of some country bumpkin tycoon proved more refined and learned than he was, easily winning over the Empress Dowager, Father Emperor, and Mother Empress, eclipsing him entirely. Xiao Qianze had nearly coughed up blood from rage.

He wanted to see how Xiao Qianyì, who had stumbled into becoming an Imperial Prince through dumb luck for only a few days, could still keep acting so proud and lofty now.

The Empress Dowager spoke first. Her aged, stubborn lips pressed tightly together as she rebuked, "Why is he joining the commotion at a time like this? Have him return to his own palace and await orders. He is not to wander around outside."

Since Xiao Qianyu's bloodline was pure, Xiao Qianyì was the false one.

If Xiao Qianyì's adoptive parents had not beaten the Petition Drum to confess and turn themselves in, setting off this bloody case of the true and false Crown Princes, Xiao Qianyu would not have needed to remove his Crown Prince robes and clank into prison, suffering every hardship and nearly ending up beheaded before the public at the Execution Grounds.

Everything had begun with Xiao Qianyì's adoptive parents. How could he not hate Xiao Qianyì and vent his anger on him?

Now that Xiao Qianyì had come knocking at such a moment, who knew what the greatly changed Xiao Qianyu might do?

Although the Empress Dowager had not spent much time with Xiao Qianyì, perhaps it was fate. From the bottom of her heart, she believed this child was her own direct bloodline. Grandmother and grandson got along harmoniously, so she feared Xiao Qianyu might harm him if they met and wanted Xiao Qianyì to avoid him.

The Empress Dowager gave a look, and Nanny Feng immediately prepared to go out and convey the order.

Xiao Qianyu gave a soft laugh. The Empress Dowager's words appeared to express annoyance at Xiao Qianyì's ill-timed arrival, but he heard traces of protection within them.

The corner of his lips curled in amusement. Was this the protagonist's charm—easily winning the favor of important supporting characters?

Xiao Qianyu spoke to stop her. "Let him come in. I want to see him."

As the true Crown Prince and protagonist of this world, what sort of person would he be? Xiao Qianyu was rather curious.

Nanny Feng's body stiffened, and she instinctively looked at the Empress Dowager.

Xiao Qianyu curled his lips. "What? Could it be that this Crown Prince cannot see Prince Qi?"

The Second Prince muttered quietly, "What Prince Qi? He has no blood ties to the royal family. Does every stray cat and dog deserve to be called a prince?"

A trace of hidden anger flashed over the Empress Dowager's face, and her lips tightened.

Seeing that Emperor Yongchang voiced no objection, the young eunuch immediately scrambled up and went to summon him.

For a while, the hall fell silent.

Before long, footsteps approached from afar, and a tall, imposing figure like a clear breeze beneath a bright moon appeared.

As the protagonist, Xiao Qianyì's looks were beyond reproach. Every shift of his brows and eyes brimmed with feeling; though seemingly heartless, he appeared affectionate. An easy, open smile hung from his lips, making him seem approachable. Anyone who met his gaze could not help but feel warmth and delight toward him.

Though he knew that upheaval had suddenly struck and his identity was now in grave peril, not a trace of fluster or panic showed in his words or actions. He remained calm and composed.

His gaze swept over the hall before he saluted the people above him with open ease. "Greetings, Imperial Grandmother, Father Emperor, Mother Empress, and Second Younger Brother."

Such composure—and such thick skin—was not something ordinary people possessed. The Second Prince muttered again, "Shameless. Who is your younger brother?"

Xiao Qianyu heard it, his eyes curving faintly. Good. At least I have figured out this man's identity. So he is the Empress's second legitimate son.

At that moment, Xiao Qianyì looked up, his gaze meeting Xiao Qianyu's. Surprise flickered in his eyes.

This was Xiao Qianyì's first time seeing the False Crown Prince who had taken his identity. He had not expected him to be anything but the lewd, wretched figure he had imagined, yet his appearance was as though he had descended from heaven.

His entire person seemed carved from jade. His bearing was clear and cold, as if he stood atop a snow-capped mountain; one glance was enough to make a chill rise in one's heart.

The other man's eyes were likewise dim and icy, inspiring fear at the slightest touch, like having a bucket of cold snow dumped over one's head.

His skin was pale, and even his lips were white. An inexplicable fragility showed between his brows, yet it was mingled with the fierce chill of frost and ice, making him impossible to underestimate.

The cruel words on Xiao Qianyì's lips could not help but be swallowed back. The words that burst from him instead were, "You were born a beauty—why become a thief?"

Such a graceful, romantic figure had originally been a noble, untainted member of the royal family. He could have lived in peace and luxury as a young lord of a princely estate, yet he had instead sought to impersonate the Royal Bloodline and plot for the Position of Crown Prince. What a waste!

Xiao Qianyu's brows lowered, coldness rising in his pupils. "Are you speaking to me?"

Which one was the beauty, and which one was the thief? Was the man blind?

Xiao Qianyì stood proudly. "Yes."

Xiao Qianyu smiled, then crooked a finger at him. "Come here. Closer."