Time was like sand flowing over fingertips, slipping silently through the gaps.
Fu Su sat upright at his desk, the brush in his hand gliding over rice paper and leaving a line of ink.
Five years seemed no farther apart than yesterday and today, yet when he looked down at his hands, he realized that those once tender little hands had gradually taken on the shape of a youth's.
Outside the window, the parasol trees cast dappled shadows, and cicadas sang.
Fu Su set down his brush and gazed out the window, vaguely recalling what his imperial mother had told him five years ago: twelve was the age of twin hair knots, marking a formal farewell to childhood and the first step into youth.
Fu Su touched the knot of hair atop his head, remembering the clumsy movements when he had first tied his hair for him five years ago. Now, that scene had become a distant memory.
Five years was enough for a child to grow up, and enough for many things to change quietly.
Fu Su drew a deep breath, as though he meant to draw all five years into his lungs and turn them into the strength to move forward.
He knew that the road ahead would no longer be all games and play, but a journey farther and deeper.
Within the West Palace Qilin Hall, the cries of new babies rose one after another.
Fu Su stood beneath the covered walkway, watching his younger siblings chase one another and play, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
His youngest sister was only three, yet she always loved to tug at the hem of his robe and call him "Big Brother" in her babyish voice.
Now he had seven or eight little shadows trailing behind him, so he hardly felt lonely.
Yet beneath that bustle, dark currents surged.
"Twelve-the age of twin hair knots."
The grand tutor held a bamboo scroll, his gaze solemn.
"Young master, you are no longer a child."
Fu Su lowered his eyes, his fingertips stroking the Jade Pendant at his waist. He understood that from now on, every step he took would be scrutinized in the full light of day.
Within the palace walls, rumors had long been flying.
Some said he was gentle and refined as jade, with the bearing of a benevolent ruler; others said he was too frail and scholarly to shoulder great responsibility.
And his younger brothers all watched with the hungry eyes of tigers.
The second prince was only eleven, yet he had already displayed a sharpness utterly unlike Fu Su's.
The boy looked strikingly like the First Emperor, his brows brimming with a fierce edge, and whenever he appeared before their imperial father, he always rushed to speak first.
The third and sixth princes were still young, yet court officials frequently brought them up because of the powerful lineages of their birth mothers.
"Big Brother, look at this!"
The eighth prince came skipping over, holding up a cage with a katydid inside.
Fu Su crouched down and took the cage with a smile.
"Careful, don't fall."
But the hidden guard behind him tightened his grip on his sword hilt-not far away, beneath the shadows of the trees, the second prince's attendant was staring coldly in their direction.
In this palace, no one could truly remain outside the fray.
"Young master."
The grand tutor's voice drew him back to reality.
"It is time for your martial training today."
Fu Su stood and handed the katydid cage back to the eighth prince.
"I'll play with you another day."
On the way to the training grounds, he heard palace maids whispering:
"I heard the second prince hit the target with all ten arrows yesterday."
"The third prince's mother rewarded the ministers with jewels again yesterday."
"..."
At their words, Fu Su gave a scornful little smile.
In the Golden Throne Hall, His Majesty gazed down impassively at the ministers locked in endless argument below.
The assembled dignitaries argued until their faces flushed, spittle flying, as though they would never rest until they had shouted their opponents down.
Some spoke with fervent conviction, others with biting sarcasm, and some even clenched their fists, seemingly ready to roll up their sleeves and start throwing punches at any moment.
Along either side of the hall, however, stood several ministers with their heads respectfully bowed. Their faces were expressionless and their eyes lowered, as though they had already seen through everything, yet dared not speak lightly.
The emperor leaned slowly forward on the Dragon Throne, his voice cold and commanding.
"My ministers, have your arguments produced a conclusion?"
The moment he spoke, the noisy hall fell utterly silent.
Every argument and shout stopped short. As though invisible hands had covered their mouths, the ministers glanced at one another, yet dared not meet one another's eyes.
A moment later, they each stepped back into their places, and no one dared utter another word.
The emperor frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping like a blade across his silent subjects as he asked in a deep voice:
"Why does no one speak?"
Deathly silence filled the hall. Only a few officials secretly exchanged glances before quickly lowering their heads again, afraid of drawing the emperor's formidable wrath.
Just then, a somewhat lean figure stepped out of the crowd and knelt prostrate, his voice steady.
"Your Majesty, this subject has a matter to report."
He was none other than a third-rank dignitary of the court and the second prince's maternal grandfather-the Marquis of Yinping.
"This subject has heard that a nation's rise and fall hinges upon the appointment of its heir."
The Marquis of Yinping's voice rang out, neither servile nor overbearing.
"Looking back upon past dynasties, a proper choice of heir brought peace to the nation and its people, while a mistaken choice brought disaster within the palace walls. Today, my colleagues have each expressed their views in court, all out of concern for the nation and its people.
"Yet this subject believes that the second prince possesses exceptional talent, profound virtue, surpassing wisdom, and a heart that embraces all under heaven. He is truly the finest candidate for heir apparent."
Before he had finished speaking, another minister strode forward and bowed.
"This subject cannot agree!
"The third prince's gifts are unparalleled, his cultivation progresses far faster than that of his peers, and he has scarcely any rival at his level. Moreover, he is gentle by nature and deeply beloved by the people. The mandate of heaven rests upon him!"
At these words, the court erupted like a boiling pot. Ministers supporting the third prince hastened to agree, while another faction refused to be outdone, and someone immediately stepped forward to object:
"The sixth prince possesses outstanding wisdom and humbly accepts counsel. If appointed heir apparent, he will surely usher in an age of prosperity!"
"The sixth prince is wise, valiant, and mighty..."
"The eighth prince is benevolent and generous..."
Arguments rose one after another throughout the court, like a war without smoke.
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly on the Dragon Throne, the corners of his mouth lifting into something that was not quite a smile.
"It seems each of you already has a candidate you support."
At those words, the hall instantly fell silent.
The ministers who had been arguing so fiercely a moment earlier now seemed frozen by a strike to their pressure points. They dropped to their knees together and bowed their heads.
"We would not dare!"
The emperor raised a hand to bid them rise. His gaze slowly swept across the ministers before he finally brought up the eldest prince, whom no one had mentioned, and asked mildly:
"What of the eldest prince, Fu Su?"
His words sent an immediate stir through the court.
Several ministers quickly stepped forward and saluted with clasped hands.
"The eldest prince, Fu Su, is like jade upon a country path-a young master without equal in this world!"
"Young Master Fu Su is resolute and brave, trusts others, and inspires his men. Appointing him heir would ensure that the realm endures forever!"
"The eldest prince possesses both benevolence and virtue and is deeply loved by the common people!"
The emperor gently stroked his chin, his gaze profound, as though he had long since seen through everything.
"The heir should be the eldest son of the empress, and Fu Su has already turned twelve. Not only is he naturally intelligent and gifted beyond compare in cultivation, he is learned and talented, skilled in calligraphy and painting, accomplished in many arts-an all-round talent with knowledge of every field.
"What do you think, my ministers?"
Some ministers, however, looked troubled. Clearly, they did not think highly of the eldest prince, but seeing that His Majesty had already made his decision, they dared not openly oppose him.
The hall sank into silence again, broken only by the faint rustling of robes.
Candlelight flickered inside the hall, shining upon the gilded pillars carved with coiling dragons and stretching the assembled figures' shadows long, then short.
Huo Yunshan, the Marquis of Yinping, suddenly rose. The clang of his iron armor grated sharply in the silence.
He was powerfully built, with a scar slanting across his brow-a mark left from the campaign to subdue the southern tribes.
Now the knuckles of the hand gripping his court tablet had turned white, yet his gaze was like tempered steel fresh from the fire, fixed straight upon the Dragon Throne.
"Your Majesty is wise."
His voice was low as muffled thunder, yet carried precisely the right measure of respect.
"The eldest prince, Qin Fu Su, possesses both virtue and talent. With letters he can bring peace to the realm, and with arms he can secure the nation. He is indeed the finest candidate for heir apparent."
At these words, the minister of personnel, foremost among the civil officials, immediately caught his meaning. He coughed lightly and brushed his sleeve.
"This subject concurs."
The right vice director, the minister of war, and others spoke in succession. Even the deputy chief censor, who was usually at odds with the Marquis of Yinping, murmured his assent.
A chorus of "We have no objections" immediately filled the hall, as perfectly synchronized as though it had been rehearsed beforehand.
The emperor nodded slightly on the Dragon Throne, his gaze passing over them all.
His eyes were deep as an ancient pool, and the faintest trace of a smile hovered at his lips.
"Since that is so, Grand Companion, draft the decree. Appoint the eldest prince, Qin Fu Su, crown prince of the Qin Kingdom. Choose an auspicious day for him to take residence in the Eastern Palace. My ministers, court is dismissed."
"Your Majesty is wise! Long live our emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years..."
As the imperial decree spread, the struggle over the position of heir finally drew to a close.
In the Palace of Nurturing Celebration, Fu Su showed little surprise or delight at the decree's arrival. It was as though he had expected it all along, his composure as still as undisturbed water!
The palace maids and guards, by contrast, cried out in delighted excitement...
"Your Highness, you... you really are going to be crown prince!"
His personal maid, Green Bamboo, was so excited that her eyes reddened and her hands trembled slightly.
"This servant will tell Rong Momo at once and have the kitchen prepare your favorite Dongpo Pork!"
Fu Su turned around, little emotion showing in his face. He merely brushed the edge of his sleeve and said mildly:
"Pass down the order. There is no need to make preparations."
"But, Your Highness-"
Green Bamboo hesitated, leaving her words unspoken.
In the Eternal Spring Palace within the inner palace, the empress reclined on a couch adorned with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, toying with a piece of mutton-fat jade chalcedony between her fingertips.
As she listened to her maid's report, she suddenly chuckled and murmured to herself:
"At least he hasn't disappointed me..."
In a quiet chamber within the Hall of Culture, the second prince's face was dark, his resentment impossible to hide. He actually crushed the game piece in his hand...
At the third prince's residence, the tip of his brush trembled, and the nearly finished Mountains and Rivers Painting was ruined in an instant...
The sixth prince...
As the decree was proclaimed throughout the realm, it stirred towering waves. Some were wild with joy, some seethed with indignation, and others watched coldly from the sidelines...