Before dawn arrived, Zhu Zhaowei stood on the teahouse upper floor, gazing at Chengtian Gate in the distance. Accompanied by a long, resonant horn blast, lights suddenly blazed on the gate tower, like igniting a star in the dark night.

Zhu Zhaowei knew this meant the personal guard troops accompanying the winter hunt were mustering.

Light, steady footsteps sounded behind him.

Zhu Zhaowei didn’t turn around. As if he had known this person would come, he spoke quite naturally: “Two days ago, the Tenth Prince came to pledge allegiance to me. Do you know what his offering was?”

The black-robed figure behind him didn’t answer.

Zhu Zhaowei laughed once: “He said he has a way to help me save Qian Zhihuan and preserve the Ministry of Finance. If all goes smoothly, he can even dismantle the Ministry of Justice and present it to me as a show of sincerity.”

The Minister of Justice was none other than Shen Tuo, Shen Xi’s father.

The black-robed figure asked in surprise: “He can actually move against the Shen family?”

Zhu Zhaowei laughed lowly: “It truly frightens one to hear it. The Tenth Prince said he has an accomplice in the Imperial Censorate who can help me obtain concrete evidence of Qian Zhihuan’s embezzlement of tax grain and, incidentally, manipulate things to frame the Shen family.”

The black-robed figure said: “The concrete evidence of Qian Zhihuan’s embezzlement of tax grain came from the Dengwen Drum case involving Magistrate Qu. Those in the Imperial Censorate who could access this case must hold no small position. Among the four leaders—Liu Yun, Zhao Yan, Qian Yueqian, and Su Shiyu—each is formidable. Who is the person Zhu Yiheng mentioned?”

Zhu Zhaowei seemed rather indifferent: “I don’t know. He was unwilling to say.”

The black-robed figure pondered for a moment, seeming to hold a glimmer of hope: “Since you can preserve the Ministry of Finance, does that mean you don’t need to make a move during the winter hunt?”

A flash of crimson from the cinnabar mark between Zhu Zhaowei’s brows appeared: “What a joke. Didn’t you hear what Father Emperor said last night? After the winter hunt, Zhu Minda is to pray for blessings and welcome spring on behalf of the Son of Heaven. By this meaning, after reviewing the troops on the fifteenth, preparations should begin for his enthronement.

“If Zhu Minda ascends the throne, the first person he’ll want to kill is me. Even if I have the fortune to return to Fengyang and lead troops back here, it would be neither justified nor legitimate. Moreover, Zhu Nanxian occupies the strategic location of Nanchang and can command the northwestern garrison posts. If he’s determined to protect this elder brother of his, even if you and I combine our forces, at most we could fight him to a draw. Trying to attack Yingtian Prefecture would be extremely difficult.”

As he spoke, he snorted coldly: “Besides, I don’t know what the Tenth Prince is scheming. He says he needs several more days to deploy before he can give me the evidence he obtained from the Imperial Censorate. Where do I have several days to give him? I don’t want to give him even a single day!”

The black-robed figure’s voice was low, seeming somewhat disappointed: “Among the guards sweeping the mountain before the winter hunt, you have your people. You’ve already planted hidden guards in the hunting grounds?”

Zhu Zhaowei acknowledged with a sound: “These hidden guards are all death warriors, nameless and without identity, impossible to trace. When the deed is done, they’ll die cleanly. Moreover, aside from them, I’ve hidden another secret move.”

As he spoke to this point, a trace of ruthlessness flashed across his feminine yet handsome face. “They schemed against me at Gongqian Hall—wasn’t that enough? Now they’ve arranged a few more cats to mystify things? I’ve figured it out. I don’t care whether the schemer is Zhu Minda or someone else. In any case, I have a secret move to secure victory. First, I’ll seize the throne—that’s what matters. When that time comes, I’ll make sure all those who schemed against and framed me die miserable deaths, one by one.”

The black-robed figure asked: “What if you cannot seize the throne? What will you do then?”

Zhu Zhaowei’s eyes were indifferent: “What’s there to ask about that? Success makes one a king, failure makes one a bandit. If I can’t seize it, isn’t death the only outcome?” He paused. “Have you obtained the Tiger Tally of the Eagle Guard?”

The black-robed figure didn’t answer this question. After thinking for a moment, he said: “Father Emperor will soon pass on the throne. Making your move now is truly hasty. Actually, if Eldest Brother ascends, you won’t necessarily die. I’ll help you find Thirteenth Brother. He’s been kindhearted since childhood and is a man of his word. If he’s willing to protect both our lives under Eldest Brother’s rule, surely—”

Anger rose in Zhu Zhaowei’s heart. He turned around and sneered: “What good is finding Zhu Nanxian? To live on borrowed time? All these years, I’ve already lived on borrowed time long enough.”

The black-robed figure said: “But Seventh Brother—”

“All you know is Thirteenth Brother, Thirteenth Brother. Has Thirteenth Brother been so good to you? Are you truly unaware or pretending not to understand? Everything you, Zhu Qiyue, have received over the years is what Zhu Nanxian didn’t want and casually handed to you.”

A gust of wind passed by, pushing back the black hood slightly, revealing Zhu Qiyue’s pair of long, attractive eyes with upturned corners like swallow tails, but carrying a trace of bewilderment.

Zhu Zhaowei sneered: “Isn’t it so? When you were young and wanted to learn martial arts, no matter how your mother consort begged Father Emperor, he refused to allow it. Instead, it was Zhu Nanxian who pulled you into the military camp as a sparring partner with just one word before Father Emperor. Did any of those soldiers who judge people by their station take you—this secondary prince who followed behind his legitimate Thirteenth Prince all day—seriously?

“You once liked Qiling and yearned with all your heart to marry her. Then Thirteenth Brother said he didn’t wish to marry and wanted to lead troops in the northwest, so Father Emperor canceled his betrothal to Qi Huan. To preserve the Qi family’s dignity, he forced Qi Huan on you.

“All princes who study martial arts must gain experience outside. Back then, General Cao wanted to take Zhu Nanxian away, but everyone in the palace—Father Emperor, Zhu Minda, the Crown Princess—all felt General Cao was too strict and feared our legitimate Thirteenth Prince would suffer hardship with him. What happened then? Weren’t you shoved in his place?”

Zhu Qiyue lowered his eyes and said softly: “Back then, the General wanted to take Thirteenth Brother away because Mother Empress had passed away, and the General feared he would be depressed staying in the palace day after day. Though the General was strict, I could learn real skills from him. Thirteenth Brother knew this, which is why he petitioned Father Emperor to let me go in his place.”

“So what? When you fell into the mountain bandits’ hands with your life hanging by a thread, wasn’t it I who rushed over to find soldiers to save you? When your leg bone was fractured and you nearly couldn’t practice martial arts, wasn’t it I who carried you from one physician to another seeking treatment? The bitterness you suffered from bullying in the military camp, the grief when you were forced to marry Qi Huan, the tears you shed when your life hung by a thread and you thought you’d never practice martial arts again—does Thirteenth Brother know any of this? He doesn’t.

“Because you don’t dare let him know.

“Because long ago, when he could make Father Emperor break the rules with just one word and allow you to practice martial arts in the military camp, you understood that Zhu Nanxian and you are different. Between the Thirteenth Prince and the Twelfth Prince of the Zhu family, there is a hierarchy of status.”

Zhu Qiyue said: “Those are all past matters. I’ve studied martial arts since childhood, doing all I could without neglecting a single day. The General treated me like a son, teaching me everything he knew. That time he lost me to the mountain bandits, he felt guilty about it until his death. And Huanhuan—she’s wonderful. In these years since our marriage, I’ve gradually learned to care for her.”

Zhu Zhaowei looked at him incredulously, almost laughing aloud: “Have you spent so long with that rough general Cao Zhi that you’ve learned all his chivalrous righteousness? Do you really think you’re some wanderer of the jianghu, where you can muddle through by talking about feelings and loyalty? Take a good look at yourself—you’re a prince, and this is a succession struggle. Without enough ruthlessness, there’s only one outcome—death.”

Then he put away his mocking expression and asked flatly once again: “Have you obtained the Tiger Tally of the Eagle Guard?”

Zhu Qiyue fell silent for a moment, then turned and melted into the dim lamplight of the teahouse: “The troops are in my hands. I’ll only use them to protect you, not to harm others.”

Zhu Zhaowei stared at his retreating figure and snorted coldly: “Childish. When turbulent seas surge, jade and stone are destroyed together. I’m afraid when the time comes, it won’t be up to you.”

Mount Fenglan was located west of Yingtian Prefecture. The mountain range ran southwest, extending directly into Huguang territory.

The winter hunt procession of carriages and horses departed from the Imperial City precisely at the hour of Mao. Along the way, the Tiger Guard cleared the path. After passing through Ao City, they arrived at the foot of Mount Fenglan at the hour of You, then made camp.

According to custom from previous years, the winter hunt lasted three days—from the second to the fourth day of the new year. The first day was for competition among the princes; the following two days, accompanying officials could also enter the hunting grounds. If His Majesty was in high spirits, staying an extra day was possible, but they had to return to the capital by the sixth at the latest, or they wouldn’t make it in time for the blessing ceremony at Zhaojue Temple on the seventh.

In these past two years, as the Jingyuan Emperor’s health had been poor and hunting inconvenient, fewer officials from the various bureaus came along. Most were merely accompanying the imperial presence for entertainment, so the main event was placed on the competition among the princes.

Because Zhu Nanxian had won the competition in previous years, this time not only did he have to bring Qiling along for the hunt, but he was also arranged to enter the forest last.

On the morning of the second day, the princes first drew lots to determine the order of entering the forest.

When the results came out, the first to enter the hunting grounds was the Fourteenth Prince, Zhu Mixiao. He stepped forward from the crowd in his fitted hunting attire, cupped his hands toward the Jingyuan Emperor, and said: “Father Emperor, your son has an unreasonable request.”

He looked around at the assembled princes and smiled: “Since your son is entering the forest first, I have an unfair advantage over my brothers. Your son is unwilling to win without honor and wishes to follow Thirteenth Brother’s example by bringing someone into the forest.”

The Jingyuan Emperor said: “There are few women accompanying us. The person you bring can only be chosen from among the officials. You already have personal troops—wouldn’t bringing another person give you additional assistance?”

Zhu Mixiao’s gaze swept across the officials surrounding the imperial carriage and fell upon Su Jin: “Reporting to Father Emperor, the person your son wishes to bring is—Censor Su.”

A bleak wind blew from the mountain forest. Zhu Nanxian’s hand hanging at his side suddenly clenched tight.

But he didn’t move or speak out. He simply listened quietly as Zhu Mixiao continued: “Censor Su is a rising star of the court and is attending the winter hunt for the first time. If he accompanies your son into the forest, your son will inevitably be distracted looking after him. Moreover—” he smiled, “—your son has always admired the Censor’s great talents. I’ve heard that in these past two years, it was precisely by consulting him that Thirteenth Brother made such progress. Therefore, your son also wishes to take advantage of this winter hunt opportunity to seek instruction from Censor Su. I hope Father Emperor will grant permission.”

After hearing these words, the Jingyuan Emperor made a sound: “Let me think about it.”

As he said this, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally fell upon Zhu Nanxian. Seeing no reaction from him, the Emperor slightly raised his brows and was about to refuse when, unexpectedly, Zhu Min’er suddenly stepped forward from the crowd and bowed: “Father Emperor, why not let Censor Su accompany your son instead?” He paused, then thought of another reason. “Censor Su composed a courtesy name for your son. Your son hasn’t yet had the chance to express gratitude and also wishes to use this winter hunt to show sincerity.”

However, after his words fell, there was no response from above.

Zhu Min’er couldn’t help but look up, only to see Zhu Nanxian still standing with lowered eyes, seemingly unmoved. Instead, Shen Qingyue, standing beside the Jingyuan Emperor, had shed his usual playful expression. His eyes were coldly fixed on him, his brows seeming to carry hidden concern.

Zhu Min’er felt somewhat bewildered.

He knew Su Jin was close to his Thirteenth Brother and knew the Fourteenth Prince never had good intentions. He had originally thought to help intercept, but from the current situation, had his good intentions backfired?

Before he could figure it out, he heard Zhu Jingyuan say slowly: “Min’er, you are the youngest, and your Fourteenth Brother is the elder. Why are you competing with your brother for no good reason?” Then he glanced at the Fourteenth Prince. “Mixiao, let’s do as you suggest.”

A strange gleam flashed through Zhu Mixiao’s eyes as he respectfully replied: “Yes.”