The Imperial Garden truly was the greatest garden under heaven—flowerbeds stretched one after another, and its long corridors crisscrossed like a maze of country paths. Ziqing had sent the eunuch away, and before she’d walked very far, she’d already lost her way.

She couldn’t be bothered wandering further, so she found a comfortable spot in one of the corridors and settled down lazily, leaning back against a wooden pillar, tilting her head up to look at the sky. She was mulling over how many of those seven little beggars would actually stay, and how many could survive her devilish training.

Two days remained. The signing of a life-and-death contract was sacred and solemn—she would have to attend in person. Such were Jun Beiyue’s family rules. When the time came, how was she supposed to sneak away?

Suddenly, the sound of voices broke into Ziqing’s thoughts. Someone was coming.

Ziqing was about to hide when a voice behind her barked out, displeased, “You there, girl in front—stop right there!”

Ziqing halted. The voice behind her was arrogant and full of itself, clearly a young man. Only an imperial prince could give such an order in the Imperial Garden.

Soon the person drew near and, without warning, shoved Ziqing forward. “What are you standing around for? Insolent thing—don’t you know to kneel when you see this prince?”

Ziqing had never expected to run into someone so rude. Caught completely off guard, she stumbled forward several steps, nearly falling. She frowned and turned to look—and immediately froze in shock.

Behind her stood two men, utterly different from one another, worlds apart.

One wore gorgeous golden robes hung with ornaments, more bejeweled than any consort in the palace, yet he had a fat head and big ears, a face full of spoiled arrogance, and a pair of small, shifty rat-eyes that looked her up and down with open lechery.

Ziqing recognized him at once—this was Emperor Tianhui’s most notorious son, second only to Jun Beiyue: the Tenth Prince, Jun Beishen! Known as the number one wastrel young lord of Da Zhou!

The other man was utterly different—clad in flowing purple like an immortal descended from the heavens, silver hair scattered loose, his face pale and pristine as though untouched by the mortal world, refined and elegant to an almost otherworldly degree. His noble, cool aura seemed entirely natural, as if merely glancing at him twice would be a kind of profanity.

For a moment, Ziqing felt as though she had stumbled upon an immortal by chance, and it took her a moment to collect herself.

“Damn girl, you still dare to just stand there?” The Tenth Prince flared up again and moved to shove her once more, but the other young man stopped him. He merely pried the Tenth Prince’s hand away gently, offering no further explanation, and bowed politely to Ziqing. “This one greets the Consort of Prince Yao.”

He actually recognized her?

Who was he?

The moment those words left his mouth, the Tenth Prince froze. He looked at his own hand, then at Ziqing, and immediately hid both hands behind his back, crying out in alarm, “You’re Han Ziqing?”

“There’s no need for such formality, young master.” Ziqing said coolly, then bowed slightly. “Ziqing greets the Tenth Prince.”

To her surprise, the Tenth Prince’s legs suddenly went weak and he stumbled. “You… you… Fourth Brother is here too?”

Was he really being this dramatic?

Ziqing couldn’t help but burst out laughing. People said the Tenth Prince was all bluster and no substance—bullying the weak while cowering before the strong, fleeing and taking detours whenever he saw Prince Yao. Now it seemed the rumors were entirely true!

“His Highness is in the study accompanying His Majesty. I was bored, so I came out for a walk,” Ziqing explained, then couldn’t help glancing again at the silver-haired young man. His expression was utterly still, as if he cared nothing for anything happening around him.

If Jun Beiyue’s coldness was icy and cruel, then this man’s coldness was quiet, indifferent.

The Tenth Prince scrambled back up at once, all his earlier arrogance gone. He bowed repeatedly to Ziqing in apology. “Sister-in-law—Fourth Sister-in-law, I really didn’t know it was you just now, I swear it wasn’t on purpose. Please be generous and don’t tell Fourth Brother, please!”

“Sister-in-law, you can do whatever you want to me, scold me, beat me, I don’t care—just please don’t tell Fourth Brother that I pushed you! Please!”

As he spoke, heedless of propriety, he grabbed at Ziqing’s sleeve, pleading without end.

Ziqing wasn’t in any hurry to respond. Inwardly, she was puzzled—what exactly was the relationship between this silver-haired man and the Tenth Prince? He had stopped the Tenth Prince earlier, yet now, watching the Tenth Prince make such a fool of himself, he wasn’t stepping in to help. He didn’t look like an attendant, yet he didn’t quite look like an honored guest either.

“Sister-in-law, whatever you want, just say it. I’ll move mountains of gold and silver for you, just please wake up and don’t report me to Fourth Brother!”

…

Seeing Ziqing’s conflicted expression, the Tenth Prince nearly dropped to his knees on the spot. Just then, a hearty laugh rang out. “Tenth Brother, who have you gone and offended this time?”

They turned toward the sound—it was the Seventh Prince, Jun Beiyao, dressed in a white brocade court robe, slender and tall, with fine, handsome features, though he lacked the awe-inspiring presence of Jun Beiyue. He seemed much more approachable.

Word had it the Seventh Prince was no pushover either, simply less conspicuous than Prince Yao and the Second Prince.

The moment he arrived, he pried the Tenth Prince’s hand loose and scolded him. “Tenth Brother, let go already. If you frighten Fourth Sister-in-law, just wait and see how Fourth Brother deals with you!”

Then he turned and bowed to Ziqing, gracious and composed. “Beiyao greets Fourth Sister-in-law. May fortune favor you, Fourth Sister-in-law!”

“There’s no need for such formality, Seventh Prince.” Ziqing quickly replied, her expression demure and a touch shy.

“Fourth Sister-in-law, Tenth Brother is simply built that way. If he’s wronged you unintentionally, I hope you can forgive him—let’s make the matter small, and the small matter disappear. Please don’t be angry with Fourth Brother over it,” the Seventh Prince said in a teasing tone, his sword-like brows and bright eyes accompanied by a dazzling smile.

“It was a trivial thing, just a misunderstanding. Of course I won’t report it,” Ziqing said calmly.

“Really! Fourth Sister-in-law, you’re so generous! Come, come, let me take you to my Xuanzhen Palace for tea and music!” The Tenth Prince was overjoyed at once.

The moment he said this, the Seventh Prince turned to look at the silver-haired man, his face full of disbelief. “Don’t tell me Young Master Lige actually agreed to this?”

Lige?

Ziqing’s heart gave a sudden start. His name was Lige? Why such a sorrowful name?

“Exactly! Heh heh, aren’t I impressive? Father Emperor will surely be delighted when the time comes—you must help me keep it a secret!” the Tenth Prince said earnestly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep it well guarded!” the Seventh Prince said with a smile, then added, “Fourth Sister-in-law, since you’re already half in on it now, why don’t you come along too?”

Ziqing was thoroughly confused. She should have made an excuse to leave, but for some reason, she couldn’t suppress her curiosity about the silver-haired man, and found herself nodding in agreement…

A note to readers:

There’s one more update tonight at 7 PM—come back and see it. And yes, I can tell you responsibly: the true male lead has finally shown his face…