Reunion in the Palace

East Palace.

Soothing incense burned in the bedchamber, its scent making one drowsy. Xiao Hanye rested his chin on one hand, his eyelids half-lowered, an air of cold aloofness seeping from him.

Knowing that he had been in poor spirits lately, Wu Dequan did not dare disturb him. He poured a cup of ginseng tea and gently set it by his hand.

Half a year ago, His Highness the Crown Prince had been ordered to suppress unrest in Jingzhou. Yet on his victorious return to the capital, he encountered assassins. Lin Zhao, the leader of the hidden guards, had sacrificed himself to protect his master, taking an arrow and falling off a cliff. Two months had passed, and there had been neither sight of him alive nor proof of his death. Men had been sent to search for him, but no good news had arrived.

Lin Zhao had entered the palace at six. At fifteen, he became the head of the East Palace's hidden guards through his exceptional martial skills. Loyal, efficient, he was the sharpest blade in the Crown Prince's hand—and the person he trusted most.

Now that his fate remained unknown, the Crown Prince had slept poorly every night because of it. Wu Dequan wanted to offer a few words of comfort, but whenever the words reached his lips, the prince's gloomy expression forced him to swallow them back.

Wu Dequan sighed soundlessly. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a young eunuch peeking in from outside the door and gesturing at him.

Wu Dequan stepped over lightly. "What is it?"

The young eunuch lowered his voice. "His Majesty sent someone with a message. His Highness is to attend a banquet at Purple Dawn Hall before the hour of the Dog."

Wu Dequan was somewhat stunned.

Today was not any special occasion. Why had a banquet suddenly been arranged in the palace?

The young eunuch had bribed the eunuch who delivered the message with a bag of chestnuts and learned a bit of gossip. "Apparently, that young master from the Prime Minister's residence has recovered. His Majesty is holding this banquet so he can show his face before everyone and let the princes and officials get acquainted with him."

Two months ago, the prime minister, who had been ordered to inspect Jiangnan, returned to the capital with a young man. It was said that he had rescued him from the mountains and spent considerable effort pulling him back from death's door.

Unfortunately, he had lost his memories.

The prime minister had no choice but to bring him home.

The prime minister's wife was Princess Changping, the current emperor's most beloved youngest sister. Since her son had tragically died at the age of two, she had remained despondent for years.

Seeing that the young man the prime minister brought home was delicate, pitiful, obedient, and endearing, her maternal affection overflowed. After discussing it with the prime minister, she decided to adopt him as her son and named him Shen Tingjue.

Princess Changping treated him as her own, doting on him in every possible way. The Chenghuan Emperor, fond of him because of her, sent treasures to the Prime Minister's residence whenever he obtained them. Even among tribute and allotted goods, Shen Tingjue was allowed to choose first.

The matter had spread far and wide. Everyone spoke of Shen Tingjue's good fortune before and after meals, both envious and jealous.

The evening banquet was held in Purple Dawn Hall, where red pillars and golden beams gleamed beneath brilliant lights.

Princess Changping first took Shen Tingjue to the Palace of Benevolent Peace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager had a kind face. She held Shen Tingjue's hand and examined him for a long while, liking him more the longer she looked. She smiled so broadly that she could not close her mouth, gripping his hand tightly and refusing to let go.

What a beautiful young gentleman. He was better-looking than all her grandsons.

It was a pity he was too thin.

The Empress Dowager removed all six thumb rings from her hand and stuffed them into Shen Tingjue's hands, saying grandly, "Keep them all safe. I have plenty more treasures."

Knowing that his mother was showing off again, the Chenghuan Emperor naturally refused to be outdone. He raised a hand and signaled for an eunuch to present the gifts he had prepared.

Sandalwood incense curled through the hall, mingling with the fragrance of tea. After chatting about family matters for a while, the Empress Dowager waved her hand when it was nearly time for the banquet. "All right, go attend the banquet. Little Jue, when you have time, you must come to the palace often and keep me company."

Shen Tingjue's lashes curled slightly upward as he nodded obediently. He then saluted and took his leave, heading to Purple Dawn Hall with the Chenghuan Emperor and Princess Changping.

The moment he appeared, he drew everyone's attention.

The young gentleman wore a jade belt and a blue robe, elegant beyond compare. His bright eyes brimmed with smiles, and he resembled a meticulously carved piece of fine jade whose brilliance stunned all who saw it.

Everyone stared in a daze, admiring him for quite some time. No wonder—he was so pleasing to the eye. Who would not adore him?

He was now the treasured darling of the prime minister and Princess Changping, and the Chenghuan Emperor had personally arranged a banquet for him. Favored by the throne, he was surely destined for limitless prospects.

The court officials understood best how to curry favor with the powerful. They raised their cups one after another, showering him with praise as easily as breathing. Shen Tingjue instinctively disliked such occasions. A polite smile hung on his lips as his gaze lowered slightly, and he dearly wanted to get up and leave.

Boring.

At a time like this, he ought to be curled up beneath the covers, listening to the old steward read him romantic storybooks.

Second Prince Xiao Chongrui lifted his wine cup and approached Shen Tingjue with a smile, intending to make friendly conversation. Yet Shen Tingjue suddenly rose to his feet, cupped his hands toward the Chenghuan Emperor at the head of the hall, and said he needed to relieve himself.

The old steward had taught him that using the need to urinate as an excuse worked everywhere and never failed.

The Chenghuan Emperor smiled and summoned an eunuch to lead Shen Tingjue away.

Xiao Chongrui watched Shen Tingjue's retreating back, feeling thoroughly ignored. Gritting his teeth, he silently tightened his grip on his wine cup and returned to his seat. The moment he sat down, a familiar mocking laugh sounded from beside him.

Xiao Chongrui turned his head, his gaze fierce.

The Fourth Prince's smile did not fade. He lifted his cup and clinked it against Xiao Chongrui's, looking exceptionally punchable.

Xiao Chongrui's sleeve bulged.

His fists clenched.

Moonlight poured into the pond, where the wind stirred ripples across the water.

Shen Tingjue had merely wanted to come out for some air and clear his head. The drinkers had come at him round after round without end. If he had not escaped, who knew how much longer he would have had to deal with them?

The eunuch followed behind with a palace lantern. Seeing him sit on a stone beside the pond to enjoy the breeze, he hesitated for a while before cautiously saying, "Young master, the night wind is cold. You have only just recovered from a serious illness, so do not catch a chill."

Shen Tingjue picked up a small stone and tossed it into the pond, sending ripples spreading across the water. He waved a hand unconcernedly. "It is fine. I am hard to kill."

The eunuch: "..."

How impressive.

Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded from the other end of the path, accompanied by a voice. "Your Highness, we are already so late, and we did not even bring a gift. That does not seem quite right. Should this old servant return and prepare a modest present?"

Your Highness?

Shen Tingjue paused mid-throw.

When he had been at the Prime Minister's residence, his father had analyzed the court's political situation for him.

On the surface, there were four factions. One supported the Crown Prince, one supported the Second Prince, one supported the Fourth Prince, and the remaining faction remained neutral.

On the way into the palace, his father had repeatedly warned him to be careful around every prince—especially that damned Crown Prince.

Twenty-three years ago, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau reported an unusual sign involving the Northern Dipper and Purple Star. At the same time, the empress gave birth to the eldest prince. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau calculated his fate and declared that, in Purple Star Astrology, Martial Song and Seven Killings had entered the Rooster Palace. He possessed the lonely and harsh fate of one who brought ruin to kin, born under an exceedingly fierce Metal life palace.

The matter spread until no one in the capital was unaware of it: the eldest prince was cursed with a malignant fate.

The people of the Xiao Kingdom believed deeply in ghosts and gods. Such an inauspicious fate should have greatly affected his prospects of inheriting the position of heir apparent. Yet a month later, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau personally bowed before the emperor and confessed that he had acted under the command of the Imperial Noble Consort and falsely reported the Crown Prince's fate.

The Chenghuan Emperor was enraged. He executed the official of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for deceiving the public with wicked nonsense. As for the Imperial Noble Consort, because she was pregnant, she received leniency and was confined to the Cold Palace. It was said that she went mad every midnight, crying out that she had been wronged.

When the eldest prince turned one, he was named heir apparent and formally took residence in the East Palace. By nature, he was restless. From the age of five or six onward, he spent his days climbing onto roofs, tearing off tiles, kicking at the sky, and digging up wells. His antics were unbearable, worrying the emperor into growing gray hairs.

A few years later, he remained lawless and contemptuous of discipline. Memorials impeaching him piled as high as mountains in the imperial study. Yet he was exceptionally gifted in both literature and martial arts, making people hate and admire him in equal measure.

In the autumn of the twelfth year of Chenghuan's reign, Western Xia invaded. The Crown Prince volunteered to lead the army into battle. He was only fifteen at the time, yet after just one year of warfare, he had already accumulated numerous military achievements. He had also personally established the Black Tiger Camp, known for being cold-blooded and bloodthirsty. He led them in slaughter across all directions year-round, seemingly harboring ambitions of swallowing every kingdom and unifying the world.

In summary: willful and unruly, fond of martial prowess and war, not to be provoked.

Shen Tingjue licked his lips. For some reason, however, his subconscious held a particular interest in this Crown Prince.

He rose to his feet and turned toward the sound.

The footsteps drew closer and closer as two men emerged from the shadowy leaves.

Moonlight fell over them, bringing their figures into sharp relief.

The man in front had neat, decisive brows and eyes as cold and sharp as autumn waters. They stripped all seductiveness from what should have been amorous peach blossom eyes, leaving only an aloof chill. He wore a bright yellow dragon-patterned robe, its gold and silver threads glittering brilliantly, every inch of him radiating imperial nobility.

Shen Tingjue blinked instinctively. His breath caught, and for a fleeting instant, his mind went blank. The small stone in his palm fell with a clatter and rolled into the shadows.

Among his scant memories, one matter and one person had remained lodged in his mind, never dispersing, occupying his thoughts and dreams day and night.

The falling stone made a sound. Wu Dequan jumped, raised the palace lantern, and looked over alertly. "Who is there?"

The eunuch hurriedly bowed. "This servant greets His Highness the Crown Prince."

After speaking, he gathered his courage and tugged Shen Tingjue's sleeve, signaling for him to kneel as well, lest the Crown Prince accuse him of disrespect.

Shen Tingjue ignored him. His eyes remained fixed on that face which had appeared in his dreams countless times, his burning gaze impossible to overlook.

Xiao Hanye frowned and cast a cold glance at him, only to see the man abruptly raise a sleeve to cover his face, for reasons unknown—whether out of shyness or something else.

Xiao Hanye: "..."

Wu Dequan's mouth twitched. He stepped forward two paces and barked, "Insolence! Who are you? Why do you not kneel upon seeing His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Daring to cover his face, too. How presumptuous!