Have You Fallen for Someone Else?

The crown prince's punch shook the ground for several miles around, sending faint tremors through the earth and mountains. The Black Tiger Guard were so alarmed that their hearts quivered; they dared not rest and swiftly gathered around His Highness, looking as though they needed only one command to immediately set out and drive straight into the capital.

Xiao Hanye would never reveal the unparalleled humiliation of being threatened into returning to the capital. His face went cold. "Hear my orders."

Everyone straightened their backs, their voices ringing like great bells. "This general awaits your command!"

Xiao Hanye said mercilessly, "Run another lap around the mountain."

The Black Tiger Guard's expressions changed drastically. "?!!"

Run again?

They were already tired as dogs!

Xiao Hanye very immorally vented his anger on his personal guards, then dragged Yuchi Sheng along to give him some military instructions. After that, he mounted his Dayuan horse and raced back to the capital as though flying, terrified that the wolves would end up in someone's belly.

He had originally intended to hide away on Mount Li for a month or two of peace and quiet, hoping that when he returned to the capital, he would hear the good news that Shen Tingjue had recovered his memories. Even remembering the tiniest bit would have been enough.

Unfortunately, heaven did not grant people everything they wished for.

The Imperial Guard Bureau's Commander-in-Chief was a Principal Third Rank official and, by rank, had to attend court. Early in the morning, Shen Tingjue was hauled out of bed by the chancellor.

Having grown accustomed to sleeping in, he could not adapt so quickly to days that began earlier than a chicken's crow. Once he arrived at the Golden Hall, he tucked both hands into his long sleeves, closed his eyes with the calm composure of an old sage, and brazenly caught up on sleep.

The Chenghuan Emperor actually praised him especially, calling on all the ministers to learn from his fearless spirit of dragging his weary body to court—even if he had to crawl.

The ministers: "..."

Heh.

You were the emperor. Whatever you said was right.

The Imperial Guard Bureau commanded both cavalry and infantry, with its garrison stationed at Fengtai, five li outside the city. The Assistant Commandant was named Lian Su, built as strong as an ox, with an unshaven face full of stubble. He spoke bluntly and was warm in manner. As he led Shen Tingjue along, he said, "You've only just taken office, so I'll first show you around."

"No need." Shen Tingjue looked at him and gave him an exceedingly friendly, gentle smile. "Gather everyone at the training grounds first. I want to..."

Lian Su: "?"

Shen Tingjue said, "Challenge you one-on-one."

Lian Su nearly rammed his head into a pillar.

Shen Tingjue kindly pulled him back and patiently explained, "I got in through the emperor. I'm just a pretty boy clinging to a powerful thigh. There must be people who aren't convinced, so I'll use you to establish my authority first."

Lian Su: "..."

Damn it!

What did he mean, using me first to establish his authority?

Did I not care about my dignity?

Though... he really did have a few reservations in his heart.

Xiao Hanye returned to the imperial city without stopping for even a moment and headed straight for the Chancellor's Residence.

Steward Feng was startled by the chill radiating from him, his heart skipping a beat. Rubbing his chest, he forced himself to greet him with a smile. "Your Highness honors us with your presence. May I ask what important matter has brought you here? Please, have a seat and some tea."

Xiao Hanye's tone was unfriendly. "Where are my wolves?"

They had better not tell him they had already been carved up and eaten.

If that was the case, he would tear down the Chancellor's Residence immediately!

Steward Feng swallowed hard. "The young master took them out to patrol the streets."

Xiao Hanye: "?"

"His Majesty assigned the young master the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard Bureau, to patrol and guard the capital." Steward Feng feared him from the bottom of his heart, and even his voice grew softer. "So the young master is not in the residence at the moment, and neither are the wolves."

Xiao Hanye froze for a moment, unable to decide whether his imperial father had not woken his brain up yet or had been bewitched by Shen Tingjue. Then he gritted his teeth. "He went to patrol the streets. Why did he take my beloved pets with him?"

Were they supposed to serve as his left and right protectors?

"The young master said wolves are the same as dogs. They need to be taken out for walks now and then, to see the world."

Steward Feng quietly stepped back two paces. "Rest assured, Your Highness, the young master takes excellent care of them. He feeds them fine fish and meat, and he even picked out a female dog to be their wife."

"..."

The crown prince pondered for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed. He said "Good" several times in a row.

Steward Feng found it anything but good and forced out a smile uglier than crying.

The Imperial Guard Bureau patrolled day and night, overseeing theft, disturbances, brawls, and such within the capital. They were generally only busy around major festivals or the year's end, when merchants and travelers came and went in great numbers. Where there were more people, there was more trouble. Normally, however, they had it quite easy.

Before a stall selling sweet cakes, a stout auntie had gotten into an argument with the vendor. Spittle flew as they traded verbal blows, their faces flushed red from the quarrel.

At the entrance of the tavern opposite, a circle of idle patrons squatted around eating sunflower seeds and watching the spectacle. Shen Tingjue was among them.

On his first day in the Imperial Guard Bureau, he had turned the training grounds into his own martial arena. After crushing the Assistant Commandant in a one-sided fight, he declared that anyone in the bureau who refused to accept him could come challenge him. With that single battle, he became famous and firmly claimed the top seat of the Imperial Guard Bureau.

After being watched over by the eldest princess and made to drink deer-antler soup for several days, Shen Tingjue's complexion had visibly turned rosy. His eyes gleamed with moisture, making him look especially innocent and adorable.

Thus, many people were deceived by his appearance.

The tavern proprietress knew his identity and saw how pleasing he looked, so she waved for a waiter to bring over candied fruit, hibiscus cakes, millet candy, and beef jerky one by one.

White Dragon and White Tiger crouched obediently beside Shen Tingjue, their mouths wide open as they waited to be fed. Lian Su rubbed his hands together. While they were busy eating jerky and had no attention to spare, he abruptly stretched out a hand and stroked the wolves' fur. Just as he was basking in satisfaction, the corner of his eye caught sight of the crown prince.

Lian Su shot to his feet, quickly rubbed the wolf fur off his hands, and cupped his fists in salute.

The vendor and auntie, who had been quarreling furiously, instantly fell silent like chickens. The idle spectators scattered like a receding tide, vanishing with a swish so fast that not even a shadow remained.

Shen Tingjue ate a hibiscus cake and looked up fearlessly.

Xiao Hanye stood with his hands behind his back, staring down at him from on high.

The two stared at each other, locked in a silent stalemate, as though whoever spoke first would lose.

Upon seeing their master, White Dragon and White Tiger happily circled around Xiao Hanye. After circling him for a while, they sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere and tactfully withdrew, returning to their beef jerky.

Lian Su and several subordinates looked at one another, their minds full of question marks. With their tails tucked between their legs, they held their breath and did not dare breathe too loudly, consciously retreating several steps.

Xiao Hanye lowered his gaze and stared at the sword hanging from Shen Tingjue's waist for a while. Suppressing the urge to snatch it back, he looked away and lifted a hand to call White Dragon and White Tiger back with him. The moment his words fell, something struck him.

It was a hibiscus cake with two bites missing.

Xiao Hanye: "..."

His fists hardened again.

Still not satisfied, Shen Tingjue picked up another piece and hurled it at him. His eyes reddened, his lips pouted, and he looked as though he had suffered a grievance as vast as the heavens. Pointing at Xiao Hanye, he demanded loudly, "Tell me! Have you fallen for someone else?"

Since their reunion at the palace banquet, Xiao Hanye had not even taken the initiative to hug him once, much less kiss him. He had not said a single sweet word either, and he had even dared to run off to Mount Li without a word.

He had definitely fallen for someone else!

How could this be endured?

Especially after Steward Feng told him yesterday that the crown prince was the heir to a nation and would surely have three palaces and six courtyards like the emperor in the future, Shen Tingjue had been both angry and worried. He had lain awake all night, punching the crown prince's pillow more times than he could count.

Young Master Shen tearfully accused the crown prince of changing his heart. In full public view, he looked every bit as though, If you betray me, I'll throw everything away and make a scene until neither of us lives in peace.

"..."

Xiao Hanye suddenly felt deeply depressed, even somewhat dizzy. Standing where he was, he conducted a profound self-reflection and ultimately attributed everything to retribution.

It had to be because he had fought across east, west, south, and north over the past years, spilling too much blood. That was why heaven had deliberately sent such a secret guard to torment him.

Very good.

He truly had been tormented.