Anjiu of the Dove Squad knelt on one knee before Liu Jue. Ever since handing over Prince Anqing’s letter, his master had said nothing at all, frozen in place.

Liu Jue’s heart churned like a stormy sea. He believed A’Luo was capable of going to the Li household to break off the engagement herself — but had she really gotten this angry? A rhythmic ache pulsed in his chest; with every throb, the nerves in his head strained along with it. Only by clenching his teeth unnaturally hard could he barely hold back the roar of fury threatening to spill from his throat. That fury spiraled back inward, crashing about within him, howling for release. Anger and pain warred inside him like two opposing forces of true energy, leaving his body alternating between hot and cold, unbearably wretched. The nerves in his mind throbbed, shouting a single sentence again and again — she doesn’t want him! She doesn’t!

At last his palm struck the rosewood writing desk, and it shattered to pieces with a crack. Anjiu felt a sudden lightness in the air — the crushing pressure his master had been radiating had all turned into that strike and dissipated.

Liu Jue’s mind went blank for an instant. He stood there dumbly. He had thought she at least understood his feelings to some degree; he had thought she cared for him at least a little in her heart; he had thought the two of them could understand each other and stand shoulder to shoulder against anything. He had thought that if she threw the occasional tantrum, so be it — but now she had actually fled from their wedding, and now she wanted to call off the engagement! What did she take him for? Someone to be pinched and kneaded at will? What other man could possibly tolerate this kind of insolence!

He began to regret it — regretting that he hadn’t clipped her wings sooner, plucked out her feathers, cut down her claws. How had he ended up spoiling such an ungrateful, snarling creature! Liu Jue’s teeth ached with hatred, his handsome face turning iron-blue. “What else?”

Anjiu frowned slightly and reported again, “New news came along the road. The Eastern Palace has confirmed that the Third Young Lady played the tune ‘Autumn Waters’ again.”

Autumn Waters? What are you trying to do — throw yourself into the Crown Prince’s mouth? Are you not afraid of the Crown Prince having designs on you now? Liu Jue, alarmed, blurted out, “Does the Crown Prince truly intend to take her as a secondary consort?”

Anjiu froze, lowering his head, not daring to look Liu Jue in the eye. “The Third Young Lady — she — she declared openly that Prince Li is her soulmate.” The moment the words left his mouth, Anjiu knew this was bad.

Liu Jue felt his heart might not survive it. What exactly was she trying to do? Openly stirring up the Crown Prince’s desires while also dragging Prince Li Liu Fei into it. She really was a vixen! There was no way the Crown Prince would take her as a consort at a time like this — and clinging to Liu Fei was courting death! Liu Jue, furious to the point of madness, spat, “What the hell is that old man doing?”

“The old Prince — the old Prince is very angry, he’s fallen ill from it. He says he’s lost all face. Master, if you don’t rush back to Feng City before the third day of the second month, the rice will be cooked into rice porridge, and after that no one will be able to show their face in Feng City anymore. The old Prince also said—” Anjiu steeled himself, closed his eyes, and repeated the message he’d been told to deliver, heedless of the consequences. This is nothing but pouring oil on the fire, he thought inwardly.

Liu Jue crushed the letter in his hand into a crumpled ball out of fury. He glared at Anjiu and kicked out at him. “As if your master weren’t angry enough already? And you’re helping the old man fan the flames!” He knew full well there was something suspicious going on beneath the surface, yet he couldn’t get a clear answer from anyone. All manner of guesses and suspicions knotted up inside him; he wished he could sprout wings and fly straight to Feng City that instant. “Send orders — the garrison at Linnan City is to hold position, all garrisons along the way are to hold position, all other troops are to advance quickly and gather at Gu City to await this Prince! Anjiu, send word to General Tianxiang that this Prince has gone back to Feng City to snatch his bride! Tell him to keep a close eye on affairs in Linnan City!”

With that, Liu Jue led the Black-Robe Guard riding hard toward Feng City.

After seeing off Chi Feng, Zili sat gazing steadily at the secret letter sent by Prince Anqing. Is Father truly dying? His thoughts drifted far back to a sunlit afternoon many years ago. He and his mother had been nestled beside his father, the three of them together, happy and content. His father had teased him: “When Zili grows up, will he be a good prince?” He had smiled shyly: “With Father here, Zili thinks this is enough.”

His attendant Chen An had followed the Fourth Prince all the way to the border city. This handsome young master always wore a gentle smile at the corner of his mouth, yet there was always a trace of sorrow in his eyes that never faded. The reports from Feng City had not stopped coming these past days, growing more urgent by the day. Even Chen An understood how tense the situation had become. Unable to hold back, he knelt down. “Master, please go back!”

Zili gathered his scattered thoughts and said flatly, “You may go.”

Chen An let out a heavy sigh and left the study.

Zili thought hazily that he might never see his father again. Ten days’ time — not even a fast horse could reach Feng City in that span. A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “A’Luo, that thing you spoke of, that can fly through the sky and cover a thousand miles in an hour — does it really exist? Where might it be found?” A flicker of wariness rose in him. Without turning around, he said flatly, “Who are you?”

A voice in the dark laughed heartily. “Your Highness has excellent composure!”

Zili’s expression settled back into calm as he slowly turned around. Three meters away stood a black-clad shadow, face concealed, a pair of sharp eyes glinting. “If you meant to strike, I couldn’t beat you. If you meant me harm, you wouldn’t be standing there so calmly.”

The laughter rose again. Anye flipped his hand, revealing Prince Anqing’s seal, and cupped his fist in salute. “The Black-Robe Guard of Anqing Manor. The old Prince sends word—”

Is Prince Anqing afraid I won’t return on my own? Zili laughed. “Report back to Uncle: even riding day and night, Zili cannot make it back before the third day of the second month.”

Anye chuckled lightly. “When the old Prince left, he also said that if Prince Li cannot make it back before the third day of the second month, it doesn’t matter — the eighteenth day of the third month is also an auspicious day. Anye takes his leave!” With that, his figure moved, drifting away without a sound.

Zili stood there, a mist slowly rising in his eyes. Father, Zili will not fail your trust. I will root out the Wang clan’s outside influence and revive Ning Guo! The eighteenth of the third month. Uncle, these coming days will be a great trouble for you to manage.

A low, mournful bell tolled, startling a flock of cold crows into flight, circling above the royal palace with plaintive cries. The sound rolled and drifted from the foot of Yuxiang Mountain, spreading through every corner of Feng City. In the thirty-fourth year of the Qingyuan era, in early spring, on the second day of the second month, Prince Ning passed away.

Prince Anqing’s tiger-eyes brimmed with tears as he gazed steadily at Prince Ning lying on the bed. The Queen, the Crown Prince, and a host of ministers were already weeping uncontrollably. Within the Yulong Palace, the sound of mourning turned into streamer after streamer of white mourning banners; though the branches of early spring had not yet unfurled their green buds, they were now draped in sweeping white cloth. Prince Anqing comforted the Queen, and in the names of the Queen and the Crown Prince, issued the decree: a nationwide period of mourning. Prince Li was summoned back to the royal city to pay his respects.

Chancellor Gu wept old tears. “I beg the Crown Prince to ascend the throne swiftly — the nation cannot go a single day without a ruler!”

The Queen was startled, exchanging glances with the Crown Prince — why would Chancellor Gu be the one to speak up at a time like this? The Crown Prince’s face was streaked with tears. “By Ning Guo’s tradition, the formal enthronement need not take place until the eighteenth of the third month. For now, this prince is overwhelmed with grief; the great and small affairs of state will have to rely on the two Chancellors.”

Before anyone else could speak, Prince Anqing said, “The Crown Prince’s health matters greatly, and state affairs must come first. Please let the Crown Prince serve as regent for now — I shall see to the preparations for the enthronement ceremony.”

The ministers echoed in agreement, “Please let the Crown Prince serve as regent and handle our King’s funeral affairs!”

As the string of commands fell into place, Liu Jian felt for the first time the intoxicating pull of royal power — the exhilaration of standing above all, answerable to none.

The ministers took their leave one after another. The Queen, sobbing, said, “In all matters, I shall have to rely entirely on you, Uncle.”

Prince Anqing sighed. “Your Majesty need not worry too much. The Crown Prince, too, I watched grow up — his abilities are extraordinary, and his subjects admire him.” Then his face darkened. “And to think I watched Liu Fei grow up from childhood — what an insolent whelp, showing no respect for his elders! To even steal his own brother’s betrothed — how could he do such a thing!”

He slumped down, dispirited. “That unfilial son of mine, Liu Jue, running back here for the sake of some woman — it’s enough to infuriate me to death! It’s because his mother passed so early, and I was far off at the border, that I failed to raise him properly. Ah!”

The Crown Prince hurried to say, “Uncle, don’t let this anger harm your health. Never mind Prince Pingnan — who could swallow such an insult! When my fourth brother returns, I, as his elder brother, will give him a proper talking-to! Our royal house must never allow such a disgraceful affair!”

That morning, A’Luo woke early to hear the household filled with weeping, and the faint sound of bells drifting from the direction of the royal palace. She sat bolt upright in bed — Prince Ning has passed away! A’Luo leapt up. “Liu Ying! Xiao Yu!”

The two rushed into the room at the sound. A’Luo paced back and forth anxiously, then made up her mind. “Liu Ying, I’m entrusting Xiao Yu to you. Leave the Chancellor’s residence right now and take her to the Cheng residence in the East City to find Uncle Fu.”

Xiao Yu cried out anxiously, “No — has something happened to you, Young Lady, that you want us to leave?”

A’Luo said sharply, “If we don’t leave now, we won’t be able to leave at all. Only once you’re out of here can you find a way to save me!”

Liu Ying said gravely, “Do you mean the Fourth Prince is about to return and contend with the Crown Prince?”

“Not only that — Zili will surely respond as well, and I, your mistress, am about to become a hostage! Go quickly, both of you. If more than one of us stays, it’ll only tie our hands and become an extra burden! And also — unless there is absolutely no other choice, you must not have any contact whatsoever with Prince Anqing’s household! Otherwise everything will be ruined!” A’Luo spoke rapidly.

“But how can we leave you here alone, Young Lady?” Xiao Yu wept.

“Liu Ying, take her away! Now! Within two hours, I’m afraid not even a fly will be able to get out of this place!”

Liu Ying looked deeply at A’Luo for a moment, then pulled Xiao Yu along and left.

After the two had gone, A’Luo stood in the courtyard, lost in thought. Did the Crown Prince mean to place her under house arrest here, or drag her into the palace? Most likely the latter. For the coming month or so, she would have to rely entirely on herself.

Sure enough, just as she expected, Chancellor Li stormed into Tangyuan with a dark expression. “Look what you’ve done! Prince Li may well be powerless to help you now! The Crown Prince is about to be enthroned — whether you marry Prince Pingnan or not is no longer up to you! The old Prince is so furious he’s fuming — how could his household possibly still want you?”

A’Luo thought to herself, Right — Liu Jue is furious enough as it is; a daughter-in-law who’s brought him this much humiliation, they’d sooner kill me than hand me over to Zili. He’s probably still keeping me around, waiting for Zili’s reaction to buy himself time. Why was her fate so bitter, to have to risk her very life like this?

Her expression turned resolute. “Father, I’ll tell you the truth. Three years ago, Zili and I already pledged ourselves to each other for life — I will marry no one else. When I ran away that time, it was Zili who helped me — otherwise how could I have gotten away so cleanly!”

Chancellor Li trembled with fury and raised his hand to strike her. A’Luo caught it gently. “Don’t hit me — my grip is strong, I’m afraid I might hurt you by accident!”

Chancellor Li stamped his foot. “Do as you please, then! If you keep clinging to the Fourth Prince, consider that I never had a daughter!”

Not long after, a summons came from the palace: A’Luo was to be brought into the palace.