“This is my only chance.” If he couldn’t seize it, there would be no way to turn things around.

“Why not stop here? A life of wealth and nobility – isn’t that good enough?” Xiao Changkang asked.

Xiao Langyan had another path – to give up the throne. Though there was conflict with the Eastern Palace, as long as he no longer touched their interests, the Eastern Palace wouldn’t seek revenge. He would forever remain Prince Jing.

“It’s too late,” Xiao Langyan sighed deeply. “I wouldn’t be content with that anyway.”

“Eighth Brother…” Xiao Changkang looked up at Xiao Langyan. “Did Eighth Brother plot against the Crown Prince?”

Having been at Xiao Langyan’s side, Xiao Changkang had a rough estimate of how much power Xiao Langyan still commanded. Though these forces weren’t few, it was almost impossible for them to get close to Xiao Huayong.

Like the Crown Prince, he doubted Xiao Langyan’s alleged plot…

Hearing this, Xiao Langyan smiled without answering Xiao Changkang: “This is a grudge between the Eastern Palace and me. Twelfth Brother need not concern himself. You may go.”

Xiao Changkang’s brows furrowed slightly. Seeing Xiao Langyan pour himself a drink, he knew no more would be said.

Xiao Changkang silently took what Xiao Langyan had given him and left the prince’s residence. However, just as he stepped out of Prince Jing’s mansion, a figure that had been lying in wait for who knows how long swept past him like a gust of wind. Before Xiao Changkang could react, the items in his hands were snatched away!

The mansion’s guards rushed out in alarm, but the person moved incredibly fast, landing on the roof opposite.

Prince Jing’s guards drew their bows, but the black-clad, masked figure with deep-set eyes threw a dart.

Xiao Changkang dodged, and the dart embedded itself in the mansion’s main gate, pinning a letter.

By this time, Xiao Langyan had also arrived at the commotion and personally retrieved the letter.

The envelope was addressed “For Prince Jing’s Eyes Only” – the familiar handwriting made Xiao Langyan’s eyes sharp with recognition.

“Everyone withdraw,” Xiao Langyan waved, dismissing the mansion’s guards, but showed no intention of opening the letter, perhaps not wanting to do so in front of Xiao Changkang.

“Eighth Brother, your younger brother was incompetent…”

“If it truly was him, even I would have difficulty protecting what he wished to take.” Xiao Langyan didn’t blame Xiao Changkang. “Twelfth Brother need not mind. Return to your residence first. The items falling into his hands should be no concern.”

Xiao Langyan’s words indicated he knew who it was. Xiao Changkang was puzzled, wondering if this person was arranged by the Crown Prince, or if someone had acted ahead of the Crown Prince.

However, he maintained his composure before Xiao Langyan. If something unexpected happened, leaving earlier would allow more time to discuss countermeasures.

Xiao Changkang’s residence wasn’t far from Xiao Langyan’s. After waiting a while back at his mansion with no one coming to seek him out, it seemed to confirm that the person was indeed arranged by Xiao Huayong.

Whether Xiao Langyan had been deceived in recognizing this person, or if there truly existed someone Xiao Langyan wouldn’t guard against, Xiao Changkang had no way of knowing.

Xiao Langyan returned to his residence and dismissed all servants before opening the letter alone. The bold, forceful handwriting matched that on the envelope, containing only one line: Old friend returns, meeting at the Hour of the Pig.

The letter didn’t even specify a location, but this very fact convinced Xiao Langyan. If it truly was that person, he would know where they would wait.

Furong Garden was decorated with lanterns and ornaments – by Imperial grace, Shen Xihe and Xiao Changfeng would hold their grand wedding here. Tomorrow was the wedding day, and the entire garden was adorned with flowers and splendor. Red silk banners fluttered everywhere, and at night, countless lanterns swayed in the wind, casting crystalline light.

Yet even in this place of heavenly radiance, there were desolate areas.

Xiao Langyan walked step by step along the overgrown weeds. This place wasn’t like this over a decade ago, but a strange incident had occurred then, nearly claiming both his and Xiao Changying’s lives.

At that time, Xiao Changying had Xiao Changqing’s selfless rescue, while he, trapped in despair and believing death certain, was saved by another.

The Emperor’s subsequent investigation found the fire had started without cause, not human-made. Later, following a sage’s advice, this place needed to remain desolate for the imperial family to prosper.

Otherwise, it would be unfavorable for the imperial bloodline’s continuation. The following year, the eldest brother died mysteriously here, and afterward, the Emperor had no choice but to let it fall into ruin.

“Eighth Brother.” As Xiao Langyan was lost in thought, an unexpected low call sounded in his ear.

He turned to see a face both familiar and strange.

Familiar because the person before him was his brother by blood, having grown up together for over a decade, and even saved his life.

Strange because the person before him had lost the dignity and composure of one born to the imperial family. He wore black fitted clothes, yet lacked the casual air of a wandering warrior.

He appeared spirited and cheerful, suggesting his days must have been comfortable and pleasant.

“Sixth Brother.” Xiao Langyan looked at the arrival in a daze.

It was Xiao Changyu, the sixth brother who supposedly died four years ago, perishing in the Tianshan Mountains.

He was alive!

Standing before him against the light, half his face shrouded in shadow, Xiao Langyan couldn’t see Xiao Changyu’s expression and stepped forward: “Why has Sixth Brother come?”

Why did Xiao Changyu fake his death? Why appear now? And why steal his things to deliberately lure him here?

Even without stealing those items, if Xiao Changyu had simply sent a letter, he would still have come.

Xiao Changyu: “I’m carrying out a task entrusted to me, serving another’s cause.”

“Entrusted by whom?” Xiao Langyan had a vague guess but was unwilling to acknowledge it.

After all, Xiao Changyu’s journey to Tianshan for snow lotus was for the Crown Prince’s sake!

Even if they weren’t enemies, they couldn’t possibly be friends!

As if reading Xiao Langyan’s thoughts, Xiao Changyu smiled gently: “Eighth Brother, the world is unpredictable, nothing remains unchanged forever. Just as I could once dive into flames to save you, today we must cross swords.”

Xiao Changyu’s words put Xiao Langyan completely on guard. So his ominous premonition wasn’t groundless anxiety – this half-brother who once risked his life to save him had now come to take his life.

Xiao Changyu brought forward the hand hidden behind his back, palm holding a box: “The imperial family is heartless. Among us brothers, except for the Fifth Brother and Ninth Brother, we share only surface relationships, openly and secretly struggling to death. You and I do have some connection.

That year when the fire suddenly broke out, I happened to be there. If I hadn’t saved you, I would have faced blame. If anything had happened to you and Ninth Brother, I would have borne the hatred of Noble Consort Rong and Consort De Fei. Saving you wasn’t out of brotherly affection.

Therefore, today I have no right to claim that debt. Still, we are different from other brothers, and needn’t fight to the death unnecessarily.

Why don’t we keep this brief? Within ten moves, if Eighth Brother can snatch back what I hold, you win. Otherwise, I win.

If Eighth Brother wins, take this item and leave. If I win, Eighth Brother comes with me.”