Wind Rises

Night had fallen, and the moon hung high in the sky.

Blue Star.

Tonight, Blue River Palace was ablaze with lights. Luminous Garden in the southwestern quarter was especially lavish and magnificent, bustling with activity.

Lan Xiao's birth mother, Queen Mother Elisa, had spent many years enjoying her retirement on Everlasting Star before returning to Blue Star a month ago.

Today was her fiftieth birthday.

The officials all offered their congratulations, while music and flattery filled the air without end.

Lan Xiao sat high upon the throne, propping his head up with one hand, his expression irritable.

Lan Xiao crooked a finger and summoned a palace guard. "Where is the Chief Administrator?"

"The Chief Administrator is in Cloud Palace. Your Majesty, rest assured. Without your permission, no one can enter."

Cloud Palace was guarded layer upon layer, all by Lan Xiao's trusted subordinates.

Yan Mei could not escape even if he grew wings.

Yet today, Lan Xiao felt restless, his unease reaching its peak.

At last, he rose to his feet, ignoring the displeased look Elisa cast his way.

"Return to Cloud Palace."

At the same time.

A young nobleman dressed in luxurious clothing, reeking of alcohol and radiating decadence, was supported by a guard onto a garden path paved with crushed jade.

After taking only a few steps, the guard immediately let go and left.

The young nobleman lost his balance and fell flat on his face with a smack.

He let out a drunken burp and cursed as he climbed back up.

"Damn it, where's that clumsy dog slave? Where the hell did he go?

Do you know who I am? You dare make me fall... burp, do you believe I'll..."

Before he could finish, the young nobleman's eyes suddenly went wide.

He stared fixedly into the distance.