The night wind swept through the palace hall.
Who came here so lightly, wearing a face from bygone days?
Once, in splendid robes, we rode side by side,
A few words over wine made a thousand gold seem cheap.
Meeting again, the resolve between your brows remained-
But the old heart had changed.
Since we parted, wind and cloud had taken separate paths.
Alas for princes, in this world's lonely citadels, true friends were hard to discern.
Since ancient times, traitorous subjects had had no road home,
How bitter to see that youth fold back his sleeves and bow so deeply!
The blade was whetted.
Bear me no grudge.
"One day apart feels like three autumns. Your Highness, I missed you to death!"
Wang Yang entered the hall laughing and talking without restraint, as though he had come to see an old friend rather than a prince. The sight of a long saber planted in the middle of the hall gave his heart a slight jolt, but not a ripple showed on his face. Instead, his smile grew even more brilliant.
The advisers and staff of the Prince's Residence sat on either side. They all knew the Prince of Badong regarded Wang Yang differently from others, but few had witnessed the two together. Seeing Wang Yang behave so boldly, greeting an imperial prince with unabashed street talk and uttering the word "death" the instant they met without the slightest taboo, each was inwardly appalled.
Li Jingxuan wanted to rebuke him, but the sight of that saber in the hall kept him from daring to speak.
The Prince of Badong leisurely poured himself a cup of wine before raising his eyes to Wang Yang. His gaze was cold as ice, a stark contrast to Wang Yang's warm expression, and his voice