Seeing Zhu Nanxian, Zhu Mixiao’s expression turned somewhat ugly: “Imperial Brother, instead of accompanying Imperial Father for dinner in the palace, why have you come here?”

Zhu Nanxian ignored him, took Su Jin by the wrist, and said to the two sword-wielding guards blocking their way: “Get lost.”

The two guards hastily sheathed their swords and bowed.

Seeing this situation, the dancing girls in the water pavilion also retreated to the side and knelt. Su Jin glanced at these dancing girls—Zhu Jiyou knew how to enjoy himself, even selecting dancing girls who resembled each other in appearance.

Supported by the two blue-eyed women, Zhu Jiyou swayed as he stood up and came before Zhu Nanxian: “Thirteenth Brother has arrived?” His cheeks were flushed red, his eyes glazed, and his mouth reeked of alcohol. “Someone, serve wine to this prince’s Thirteenth Imperial Brother!”

A maid presented wine. Beside the wine cup was also a pill bottle.

Zhu Nanxian asked: “What is this?”

Zhu Jiyou let out a wine-belch and said: “This is Cold Food Powder. After taking it—” He glanced at Zhu Nanxian’s hand gripping Su Jin’s wrist and laughed with a “heh heh,” saying: “Someone, serve Censor Su a cup of ‘Crimson Water.'”

Another scantily clad maid presented wine. The wine was bright red in color, identical to one of the three colored wines from earlier.

Zhu Nanxian silently released Su Jin’s wrist, picked up that cup of “Crimson Water,” swirled it, and said to the maid presenting the wine: “It’s yours as a reward.”

The maid lifted her eyes to glance at Zhu Nanxian. Her cheeks immediately flushed red. She took the cup from his hands and slowly drank it all.

The wine’s effects dispersed extremely quickly. In just a moment, the maid’s breathing became rapid, and fine perspiration seeped out between her jade neck.

Seeing this scene, Zhu Jiyou couldn’t help but lick his lips.

Zhu Mixiao beside him said to the maid: “What are you standing there for? Why don’t you hurry and properly serve the Thirteenth Prince?”

The maid responded “Yes.” Whether urged by the wine’s effects or genuinely moved, she disregarded propriety and pressed herself toward Zhu Nanxian, but he sidestepped to avoid her.

Zhu Nanxian glanced at the Cold Food Powder on the tray and said coolly: “Aside from these vulgar things, does Third Brother have nothing else here?”

These words clearly cursed both Zhu Jiyou and Zhu Mixiao together.

Zhu Jiyou reigned as prince in Datong Prefecture in Shanxi. Who didn’t bow before him? When had he ever suffered such abuse? His face twitched, and he was about to explode, but remembering that Zhu Nanxian was a legitimate imperial prince, he forcibly swallowed his frustration.

Zhu Mixiao was also extremely hateful inside. The vicious look in his eyes was almost impossible to conceal, yet he still smiled and said: “Third Brother, we nearly forgot—Thirteenth Imperial Brother has practiced martial arts since childhood and now also has a preference for men. Don’t you have some young men in your residence who can perform sword dances?”

Zhu Jiyou understood his meaning and put on a hesitant expression: “I do have some, but with Ninth Brother, Fourteenth Brother, and Censor Su all present, and none of them skilled in martial arts, I’m afraid those useless ones might make a mistake—swords and blades have no eyes.”

Only then did Zhu Nanxian notice that the Ninth Prince Zhu Yutang was also seated across from him.

Zhu Mixiao said: “What harm is there? We’re not unaccustomed to such scenes. Please proceed.”

After a moment, twelve sword-wielding young men walked into the water pavilion, all uniformly dressed in open-chested white garments. Suddenly drums and zithers began to play. The sword-wielding young men moved to the drumbeats—some scaling mountains to capture the moon, some plucking stars with bare hands. They truly did seem somewhat like trained fighters.

The pipes and songs sounded again, the drumbeats quickened. Suddenly, the twelve sword-wielding young men split into groups of three and thrust toward the four directions.

Zhu Mixiao had somehow already moved to Su Jin’s side and was about to raise his hand to push Su Jin toward those thrusting swords, but she sidestepped to avoid him.

At the same time, Zhu Nanxian’s left hand grabbed his arm. His right hand held his sword. The scabbard deflected the sword blade, the handle turned a flourish in his hand then suddenly pressed down in reverse. The sudden force caused the sword hilts to jar upward. The three sword-wielding young men were caught unprepared, and their swords all clattered to the ground.

Zhu Nanxian turned back without courtesy. His left hand twisted back, and with a “crack,” Zhu Mixiao let out a miserable scream. His elbow bent at an incredible angle—it had been dislocated.

Zhu Nanxian sheathed his sword and only then said: “Flowery fists and embroidered legs—not worth watching.”

Zhu Jiyou and Zhu Yutang were shocked speechless.

They finally saw that Zhu Shisan had come today precisely for Fourteen.

After a good while, Zhu Jiyou finally said: “Thi-Thirteenth Brother.” Zhu Nanxian looked up at him. Zhu Jiyou trembled, swallowed, and said: “The-the arm.”

Zhu Nanxian said coolly: “Mm, the arm.” Then gripping Zhu Mixiao’s hand, he pushed it back and reconnected the arm.

Where had Zhu Mixiao ever suffered such torment? The pain made him scream hoarsely. After finally recovering with difficulty, he no longer concealed his hatred: “Good, good, Zhu Shisan, you wait—this prince—”

Before he finished speaking, he saw Zhu Nanxian lift his foot to kick up one of the long swords that had fallen to the ground. His right hand caught it, then turned to thrust it toward him.

A cold gleam flashed past Zhu Mixiao’s eyes, grazing his right ear and stabbing into the ground beside him.

The water pavilion fell silent.

Zhu Nanxian pulled the long sword from the ground and toyed with it in his hand: “What? Do you still want this prince to loosen all your muscles and bones for you?”

Beads of sweat the size of beans seeped from Zhu Mixiao’s forehead.

His ear had only been cut slightly, yet it hurt as if piercing bone and drilling marrow.

This time Zhu Mixiao was truly somewhat afraid. He said tremulously: “This prince has no grievances or enmity with you. You came uninvited—what exactly do you want?”

“No grievances or enmity?” Hearing these words, Zhu Nanxian pointed the sword at Zhu Mixiao’s neck, actually making him not dare to rise for a moment. “This prince spent barely over a year in Nanchang Prefecture, and you sent assassins five times. When this prince returned to the capital, you ordered your household troops to ambush me at the teahouse. Each time you wanted this prince’s life. You call this no grievances or enmity?”

Having spoken, the sword tip pushed in a bit more. A thin bloody mark appeared on his neck.

Seeing this scene, the Ninth Prince Zhu Yutang slumped to the side and couldn’t help but advise: “Thirteen, let it go.”

Zhu Mixiao struggled and said: “Since you turned the tables and had your troops move ahead, setting up an ambush early to capture all those household troops, you should know they weren’t sent by this prince. They were—” He paused. “They were from Ninth Brother’s residence.”

Zhu Nanxian sheathed the sword and looked at Zhu Yutang: “You’re still speaking up for him?”

Then he took out a letter from his sleeve, threw it on the ground: “What about this then?”

Zhu Mixiao wanted to pick up the letter, but his left arm couldn’t move, so he could only urge Zhu Yutang: “Quickly read it to this prince!”

But when Zhu Yutang read halfway through, Zhu Mixiao became increasingly alarmed. This was actually his personal handwriting from years ago to the assassin assigned to harm Zhu Nanxian. No longer caring about his arm’s pain, Zhu Mixiao snatched the letter, using his teeth in place of hands, and tore it to shreds.

He raised his eyes and looked around. Zhu Yutang dared not look at him. Zhu Nanxian had an indifferent expression. But Su Jin—in his eyes there actually seemed to be a hint of mocking smile.

Zhu Mixiao was now seeing enemies everywhere and asked: “What does that expression mean?”

Su Jin bowed: “Reporting to Your Highness, doesn’t Your Highness seal secret letters with wax?”

That’s right—secret letters would all be sealed with wax to prevent them from being opened and destroyed beforehand. But that letter just now had no trace of wax on it. It should have just been copied by someone at Zhu Nanxian’s order.

Zhu Mixiao truly hated these two people. He pounded the ground with his fist: “Third Brother, have your household guards arrest these two and execute them on the spot! This prince will bear all consequences!”

Zhu Jiyou said blankly: “Fourteen, this-this is Thirteenth Brother and the Vice Censor-in-Chief.”

Zhu Nanxian was unconcerned. He looked around and said: “How many household guards does Third Brother keep in this residence? Even adding those from your Fourteenth Prince’s residence, it’s only several hundred men.”

Zhu Mixiao’s eyes widened: “What do you mean?”

Zhu Nanxian said: “Nothing much. Just wanted to tell you that since this prince dared come alone, I’m not afraid of your household guards.” He curved his lips in a smile again. “You want to know where your personal letter is? Before coming, this prince already gave it to Shen Qingyue and ordered Zuo Qian to guard the alley entrance. As long as there’s any disturbance in this residence, the Golden Guard will break in, and Shen Qingyue will naturally deliver the letter to Imperial Father and Elder Imperial Brother. Then with both person and evidence caught together, how many people here could survive?”

Zhu Mixiao gasped viciously several times and finally said: “This prince knows now. You did it deliberately—deliberately not reporting to Imperial Father about my sending assassins in order to catch my mistakes, deliberately lying that your troops would follow later to capture my household troops. Even today, you deliberately came to threaten me while I was unprepared.” He paused and roared: “Zhu Shisan, what exactly do you want to do?!”

Zhu Nanxian said: “What I want to do, this prince has already told you. As long as this prince wants to protect someone, you cannot touch a single hair. Otherwise, you’ll bear the consequences yourself.”

Having spoken, he ignored Zhu Mixiao further, extended his hand toward Su Jin, and said softly: “Come.”

Su Jin understood his intention, lowered her eyes, and placed her hand in his palm.

After the open struggle in the water pavilion, they hadn’t noticed that snow had begun falling in the world outside.

Fine snow fell gently. The two left the Third Prince’s residence together. Outside the residence it was quiet. At the end of the alley only Zheng Yun and Tan Zhaolin were waiting. There was no Zuo Qian, nor any Golden Guard.

As expected—Zhu Nanxian had just returned to the capital. Command of the Golden Guard was still in Emperor Jingyuan’s hands. If he acted rashly now, wouldn’t that give people something to talk about?

That entire speech earlier was merely his stratagem. But Zhu Mixiao had a guilty conscience and dared not disbelieve.

The warmth of his palm was somewhat scorching. Su Jin called out softly: “Your Highness.”

Zhu Nanxian started, hastily released her hand, and lowered his eyes: “I was negligent. I spoke that way earlier because, because…”

Su Jin nodded slightly and said: “This subject knows. Your Highness spoke that way for this subject’s benefit, so that the Fourteenth Prince would no longer dare act rashly against this subject.”

Zhu Nanxian pressed his lips together. He wanted to say something but held back.

The two walked side by side together toward the alley.

Snow particles scattered and drifted down, as if slowing time itself.

After a moment, Zhu Nanxian asked: “Is being a censor good?”

Su Jin made a sound of acknowledgment and said: “Setting disorder right, maintaining inner clarity—no need to muddle through days anymore.”

Zhu Nanxian was silent for a moment. He wanted to say something but ultimately said: “As long as you’re happy.”

The fallen snow melted upon touching the ground, yet still dyed heaven and earth with clear, cold white.

In the alley was an old tree. Winter had come and its leaves had all fallen, leaving only bare branches.

Zhu Nanxian looked up at the old tree and suddenly said: “Su Shiyu, look.”

But Su Jin turned her face to look at him. His handsome profile was unparalleled in its distinguished bearing. Snow fluttered down, and one particle came to rest on his long lashes. His lashes moved slightly. Zhu Nanxian seemed to realize something and also turned his face.

The fine snow on his lashes melted into water, dissolving into the lake-light and mountain scenery in his eyes. Zhu Nanxian said softly: “Wait a moment.”

With that, he suddenly leaped up, borrowing force from the trunk to jump onto a thick branch.

Something on the branch seemed to have been startled and fell. Zhu Nanxian held onto one branch with one hand, removed the long sword from his waist with the other, touched his toes to the thick branch, turned his body downward, and extended the sword handle to catch the falling thing.

It was actually a fledgling bird the size of a fist, not yet fully feathered.

Zhu Nanxian knelt on one knee on the thick branch, placed the fledgling in his palm, bent down and extended his hand: “At year’s end the weather is cold, migratory birds fly south. Though it was left behind, it survived these days alone. It’s a fortunate bird. I’m giving it to you.”

Su Jin looked up at him again.

The eyes beneath his handsome brows were extremely beautiful, with pupils bright as if studded with stars, yet also carrying gentle smile.

Su Jin lowered her eyelids and softly made a sound of acknowledgment, extending both hands.

Zhu Nanxian carefully placed the fledgling in her palms, then added: “You’re well-read—give it a name.”

Her hands were somewhat cold. Leaving Zhu Nanxian’s warm palms, the bird actually seemed to shiver and shrink its neck. After a moment, it began looking around dazedly with its silly little head.

The corners of Su Jin’s lips curved with an extremely faint smile. In her lowered eyes flowed a soft and gentle smile rarely seen on ordinary days.

She thought seriously for a moment, then raised her eyes and said softly: “This subject would like to call it ‘A’Fu.'”

Su Jin’s childhood had been lonely, her youth filled with wandering and bitterness. After many years, her eyes that had been solitary for half her life no longer held that prairie-fire burning intensity. In its place was infinitely bright and serene spring light.

Zhu Nanxian’s heart drummed like thunder, yet for a moment he couldn’t look away. He could only stare at her blankly.

After a long while, he lowered his eyes. Suddenly seeing the dagger at her waist, he was stunned for a moment before saying: “You still carry it with you.”

Su Jin glanced in the direction of his gaze, responded with a low “Yes,” then suddenly couldn’t help but say: “This subject heard that this dagger is extremely precious to Your Highness, so I carry it at all times, not daring to be negligent.”

Zhu Nanxian shifted his gaze to look aside: “Who told you that? It’s just an ordinary object.”

Su Jin said: “It was Lord Shen—Lord Shen Qingyue who told me.”

She raised her eyes and looked at Zhu Nanxian: “He said that every time Your Highness carries this dagger to the flower houses, Your Highness’s romantic luck is good.”

Zhu Nanxian was stunned for a long while. After a moment, he lowered his eyelids and said in a low voice: “You actually believe what he says.”

Then, thinking of Su Jin’s slightly cool fingertips earlier, he reached out to untie his cloak’s fastening, leaped down from the tree, spread open the dark cloak and draped it over her. His lips slightly pressed together as he said: “Until now, this prince has been to that kind of place twice, but only sat briefly in the entrance hall before leaving. I carried the dagger only for self-defense.”

Su Jin didn’t know how to respond and could only say: “It’s already late. Your Highness should return to your residence.”

Zhu Nanxian made a sound of acknowledgment, looked up at the increasingly heavy winter snow, and said to Zheng Yun waiting in the alley: “Let Tan Zhaolin have the carriage.”

After seeing Su Jin off, Zhu Nanxian silently led an old horse tied in the alley and turned to walk toward the other end of the street.

Zheng Yun was confused and caught up two steps: “Your Highness, you’re going the wrong way. Our prince’s residence is to the east.”

Zhu Nanxian was silent for a moment before saying: “This prince isn’t returning to the prince’s residence. This prince is going to the Shen residence.”

Zheng Yun was even more confused: “Going to the Shen residence at this hour?”

Zhu Nanxian said through gritted teeth: “To find Shen Qingyue. Today this prince absolutely must dismember him into ten thousand pieces!”—

**Author’s Note:**

Let me clarify the names of the princes who have appeared so far:

Crown Prince: Zhu Minda

Third Prince: Zhu Jiyou

Seventh Prince: Zhu Zhaowei

Ninth Prince: Zhu Yutang

Twelfth Prince: Zhu Qiyue

Thirteenth Prince: Zhu Nanxian (given name: Ai)

Fourteenth Prince: Zhu Mixiao

Really, in my future works, there may never again be anyone surnamed Zhu.