In the Grand Taichi Hall, facing Prince Zhao’s hysterical struggles and accusations, Prince Chen Liu Shu only asked one question: “Then why did you break into the Grand Marshal’s Temple at night?”

Liu Huai: “…”

His face turned ashen gray as he stiffened—he couldn’t give that reason. If he wasn’t trying to rescue the Prince of Henyang, could he admit to people that he wanted to kill those Northern spies? The case wasn’t even under his jurisdiction, so why was he in such a hurry to silence people?

In the court hall, Second Young Master Lu, Lu Xian, stood among the officials, watching the confrontation between Prince Zhao and Prince Chen with everyone else. After a busy night arranging the Prince of Henyang’s escape, Lu Xian should have been exhausted and anxious at the morning court. But as he watched the confrontation between the brothers, his mind wandered to what he had dreamed last night—

He dreamed that in the original timeline, Prince Zhao was the first to reach the emperor’s side that night.

The old emperor similarly fell gravely ill from the shock, but while in reality Prince Chen took over court affairs, in the dream it was Prince Zhao who had first rushed to save the emperor. The old emperor had the same suspicious nature, but it had little impact on the bigger picture. In the dream, the Prince of Henyang died at the frontier, and without his interference, all the Northern spies were eliminated by Prince Zhao.

Prince Zhao had even framed Prince Chen, who was responsible for the Grand Marshal Temple’s security, causing him to be imprisoned. This was what had enraged his third brother Lu Yun.

Every rebellion has its cause.

In reality, Lu Yun seemed to have… already severed such causes.

A dream that foretold the future—some people tried to adapt and use the dream to avoid crises, while others made bold moves, overturning everything and arranging it according to their plans. Second Young Master Lu’s gaze turned toward Third Young Master Lu, who stood among the officials with noble grace. His face was like snow and jade, his eyes as dark and deep as obsidian, standing firm and unmoved.

Prince Zhao, nearly breaking down, spoke recklessly: “You framed me! Yes, you and Third Young Master Lu… you were the ones who let him escape! Otherwise, why would the Capital Prefect’s men…”

Liu Shu said slowly: “All court officials know that the Young Imperial Uncle and I have long been at odds.”

Prince Zhao Liu Huai: “…!”

He watched the officials nodding in agreement and felt even more desperate. Yes, everyone in Jianye knew that Prince Chen and the Prince of Henyang had conflicting personalities and different political views. Last year when the Prince of Henyang was assassinated, he had even suspected Prince Chen was behind it, and they had been at odds for a long time. Liu Shu and Liu Mu had absolutely no private friendship, even showing hostility. Third Young Master Lu was on Liu Shu’s side, so naturally, he had no private connection with the Prince of Henyang either. In the Lu family, only Second Young Master Lu could speak a few words with the Prince of Henyang, but even that relationship wasn’t deep.

Prince Zhao’s claim that Liu Shu deliberately let the Prince of Henyang escape was simply unbelievable.

Prince Zhao turned toward the confused old emperor sitting on the high throne, desperately pleading his innocence: “Father Emperor, I’m truly being wronged!”

The old emperor’s expression flickered, his suspicious gaze wandering between his two sons. On the left was the panicked Prince Zhao, and on the right was his steady and reserved fifth son, Prince Chen. Rationally, the old emperor trusted Liu Shu more, who had never disappointed him. But since Liu Shu’s previous collaboration with the Lu family to forge an imperial edict, the old emperor had been disappointed in his son. Yet looking at Prince Zhao again…

As the old emperor hesitated, he heard Prince Chen say: “Since we cannot establish guilt, this matter can be discussed later. Now there is another matter—the Northern Princess has testified that Prince Zhao colluded with Northern spies…”

Prince Zhao erupted in anger, interrupting harshly: “You’re talking nonsense! Complete nonsense—”

The old emperor suddenly stood up: “That worthless woman isn’t dead?!”

Liu Shu slightly nodded his head, gesturing behind him for someone to bring in the Northern Princess. His eyes were deep and dark as he quietly watched the hall doors open. A woman who had lost all royal dignity, looking haggard and exhausted, limped in. When the Northern Princess’s gaze met his, fear filled her eyes and her body trembled slightly.

This man! This Prince Chen!

His appearance and true nature were so different… his features were so refined, when Lu Yun first threw her into this prince’s hands, how could she have known this man’s heart was so cold and ruthless, showing not a shred of sympathy for a beautiful, weak woman… The people of Jianye, the Southern Kingdom, and the whole world, were all deceived by this man’s harmless appearance.

The Northern Princess fell to her knees, not daring to look at Prince Chen. Death would be a release; she didn’t want to return to suffer the cruel torture under Prince Chen’s command. The Northern Princess spoke hoarsely: “I’ll speak, I’ll tell everything. I don’t know much, but this Prince Zhao…”

Prince Zhao lunged forward trying to strangle her: “Shut up, you worthless woman—”

Prince Chen: “Stop him.”

The old emperor: “Let her speak! Let her speak!”

The scene descended into chaos, with Prince Zhao roaring as he tried to strangle the Northern Princess, while she trembled and stumbled over her words, occasionally casting terrified glances at Prince Chen. The old emperor’s eyes were bloodshot, his clouded eyeballs bulging. During the Northern Princess’s account, he was alternately enraged by Prince Zhao’s outrageous behavior and this woman’s vicious ambitions. The old emperor trembled with anger, then suddenly coughed up a mouthful of thick phlegm mixed with blood and fell backward. The emperor’s sudden collapse caused another wave of anxiety among the officials, who called out “Your Majesty, Your Majesty” repeatedly and summoned the imperial physicians to the hall.

In the chaos, the diagnosis was that the old emperor had suffered a “stroke.”

Prince Zhao knelt on the ground, watching everyone bustling about, then looked at Prince Chen Liu Shu’s calm profile in the crowd. Prince Chen quietly ordered people to take the old emperor away, his manner unhurried and methodical, winning the trust of the officials. The previously chaotic court now seemed to have become Prince Chen’s “one-man show,” with only this young lord’s low and measured commands being heard.

Prince Zhao suddenly felt a chill run up his spine as he stared at Prince Chen’s refined features, feeling terrified—

Why had Father Emperor suddenly suffered a stroke? Was it deliberately provoked by Prince Chen?

Father Emperor’s health had been poor since that night, and his suspicious nature made him want to kill the Prince of Henyang, after which he would want to deal with Prince Chen. But before Father Emperor could make his decision, the Prince of Henyang suddenly disappeared, leaving Father Emperor restless and anxious. Then Prince Chen suddenly brought out the Northern Princess to confront him. Father Emperor’s health was already poor, and this shock directly caused his collapse…

A stroke!

With the old emperor unable to handle affairs, given the current court situation and backed by the Lu family, wouldn’t the court simply do whatever Prince Chen said? How could the old emperor investigate the Prince of Henyang’s escape now? The old emperor wanted to kill Prince Chen, but how could he do so while bedridden from a stroke?

Prince Zhao’s face turned pale—this fifth brother’s schemes were so deep and heavy, his planning so detailed, everything falling into place piece by piece.

So previously, Prince Chen truly didn’t care about their struggles… when this man put his mind to it, he was truly terrifying.

Prince Chen Liu Shu paid no attention to Prince Zhao’s personal feelings; when he killed, he killed thoroughly, never leaving endless troubles behind. After sending the old emperor back to the inner palace to rest, the old emperor grabbed his hand and tried to speak, his voice unclear, struggling to form the words “Prince of Henyang,” but Liu Shu said quietly: “Father Emperor should focus on recovery, there’s no need to worry about other matters.”

Meanwhile, Prince Zhao Liu Huai struggled desperately, throwing himself onto the dragon bed, grabbing his father’s hand, and weeping loudly. The other princes nearby were startled by Liu Huai’s grief, having never seen Prince Zhao show such filial piety before. Prince Zhao continued to struggle, repeatedly insisting on staying by the imperial bed to care for His Majesty. He was using the old emperor as a shield, desperately resisting Prince Chen…

Liu Shu glanced at him once, maintaining the appearance of a “filial son,” naturally not forcing Prince Zhao away or seeking to execute him based solely on the Northern Princess’s testimony.

The princes relaxed slightly: The Fifth Prince had a gentle and agreeable temperament, so having the court follow his lead seemed not wrong.

But Prince Zhao trembled, trying desperately to hint to the other princes: You fools! You’ve all been deceived by him! Save me, quickly save me! He will surely kill me!

Liu Shu’s refined and scholarly appearance, and his steady and proper temperament, gave people the wrong impression. He never showed anger, never let emotions affect his decisions, and the harmless image he had cultivated in Jianye over many years now numbed everyone. All knew the old emperor had fallen ill from anger, but no one thought it had anything to do with Prince Chen.

No one knew that Prince Chen was killing his father step by step.

He was different from Liu Mu. The Prince of Henyang knew the Emperor wanted to kill him, and he resisted violently, becoming irritable and angry, unable to believe it, always clinging to illusions about their relationship. Until those illusions were finally shattered by the old emperor. Liu Shu was different—Liu Shu had never received any fatherly love, everything he wanted to obtain had always depended on his scheming. Having reached an unspoken understanding with Third Young Master Lu, once on this path, Liu Shu would not hesitate.

Leaving the palace city, Liu Shu met Lu Yun, Third Young Master Lu, who was waiting for him. Lu Yun raised his eyebrows questioningly. Liu Shu nodded, indicating everything had gone according to plan.

Lu Yun sighed: “I knew once you made up your mind, I wouldn’t need to worry about these matters.”

Liu Shu didn’t say much. The two young lords didn’t take their carriages but instead walked slowly around the palace walls. Liu Shu asked about another matter: “You… want to protect Yue Zihan? He’s not one of our people, aren’t you afraid he’ll develop other intentions?”

Lu Yun said lightly: “Just giving Hua’er a playmate. Little Hua’er is feeling terrible right now but doesn’t dare tell me or her sister… Children, when it’s not necessary, should naturally be indulged a bit. When she’s happy, won’t someone else be happy too? If Yue Zihan truly doesn’t behave, I have ten thousand ways to make him disappear.”

He had always had such methods, so Liu Shu didn’t worry too much for him. Liu Shu only asked: “Are you certain that Luo, little sister, can make Yue Zihan speak and identify Prince Zhao?”

Lu Yun’s lips curved in an ambiguous smile: “Let’s try. We can also see his character from this, see whether he can be kept or not. Could A-Man be angry at me for taking him away?”

Liu Shu glared at his mischievous manner and shook his head. Liu Shu said softly: “How could I be angry with you… Third Brother, Xuecian, I will never be angry with you. I have no other friends, I am only close to you… In the future, no matter when, our friendship will never betray each other.”

Lu Yun said quietly: “That’s not necessarily true. Once you sit in that position, many things will change. If there truly comes a day when you and I become enemies…”

Liu Shu: “With you, I will retreat three steps.”

Lu Yun: “…!”

A warm wind blew from behind, and he suddenly stopped, turning his head, his pupils contracting as he looked at the elegant youth beside him.

They had already left the palace city and walked to the street lanes. Standing on a stone bridge, the lake water below sparkled with golden light, the water’s reflection brushing their faces. The summer wind was dry and cold, their clothes wrinkled by the wind, their sleeves brushing against each other. Liu Shu slowly looked at Lu Yun, their gazes met, and Liu Shu revealed a smile.

The attendants blocked off the crowd, leaving only the two of them standing on the bridge. Liu Shu reached out to hold Third Young Master Lu’s hand, saying softly: “If I become emperor, you will be my Minister.”

“You will be my only Minister.”

“If there truly comes a day when you and I face each other with weapons… I will follow the ancient courtesy and retreat three steps for you.”

“Third Brother, I won’t betray you… don’t you betray me either.”

Under the jade-like sky and golden sun on blue stone, Lu Yun looked at him for a long time, a smile appearing. He said quietly “Alright,” raised his hand, and struck palms with Prince Chen Liu Shu three times, establishing their alliance.

The two men exchanged smiles.

…

That evening, while the old emperor was tormented by illness in the palace, a long-eaved carriage stopped outside the Grand Marshal’s Temple, and the young lady Luo Yunhua, wearing a red hood, walked into the government office.

Because Prince Chen had arranged it beforehand, Luo Yunhua proceeded without hindrance. The Grand Marshal’s Temple was stern and imposing, and the small lady was slender and frail, walking in the night, seeming as if she might be swallowed by the government office at any moment. Luo Yunhua furrowed her brows, and clenched her fists to encourage herself, while thinking of her brother-in-law’s words—

“Yue Zihan is your old acquaintance? Then go say goodbye to him.”

Luo Yunhua hadn’t begged Third Young Master Lu, and when Luo Lingyu learned she knew Yue Zihan, Luo Yunhua also learned that Yue Zihan was an important figure. To have kidnapped the emperor… with such a great crime, how could she trouble her brother-in-law? Moreover, the Grand Marshal’s Temple had just lost the Prince of Henyang, and the old emperor was gravely ill… Standing outside the prison door, looking at the youth sitting cross-legged inside, the girl could only hold back tears, choking with emotion.

His clothes were in tatters, his body covered in wounds, his eyes closed, his complexion pale. Yet she thought of that day when she and Fourth Young Master Lu were surrounded by refugees, how Yue Zihan had descended from the sky.

Luo Yunhua sobbed: “Brother Zihan.”

The youth sitting with closed eyes in the prison suddenly opened them, brightness flashing in his eyes, sharp and bright, looking at the crying young girl outside the prison. Luo Yunhua’s eyes were blurry with tears as she said softly: “I can’t save you, you’re the enemy…”

Yue Zihan’s throat tightened slightly as he said quietly: “…I know.”

Luo Yunhua: “So I brought you some good food… Brother Zihan, don’t blame me… This is all I can do…”

The young man and woman gazed at each other across the bars, falling into silence.

Luo Yunhua didn’t blame Yue Zihan for concealing his identity; things had come to this point, and there was no need to say more. But her attitude was also very firm—she could plead for him, but she wouldn’t do so. Her sister Luo Lingyu’s teachings had always guided her to become a person of noble character. Kind, but before major matters of right and wrong, never troubling others. She had good feelings toward Yue Zihan in her heart, she had the opportunity to see him, to bring food and drink, but she only silently shed tears, unwilling to say another word.

Yue Zihan’s heart suddenly ached.

The little girl was crying before his eyes, her face pale. He suddenly thought of the first time he saw her, how pure and innocent she was, how beautifully she had smiled at him…

What did he have, after all, that he must remain silent about, must resist for?

Yue Zihan’s body trembled as he closed his eyes.

Thinking the youth closed his eyes out of disgust for her, Luo Yunhua’s eyes dimmed, forcing a smile.

…

That night after Luo Yunhua left, in the Grand Marshal’s Temple, Third Young Master Lu and Prince Chen sat playing chess.

They received news: “Yue Zihan is willing to speak, to reveal the Northern Kingdom’s plans and plots, and at the same time identify Prince Zhao.”

After his superior’s death, Yue Zihan was the highest-ranking among this batch of Northern spies. The inside information he knew was far more than what a Northern Princess knew. If he was willing to speak, Prince Zhao would have no chance of turning the situation around.

Prince Chen sighed: “You were right.”

Lu Yun scattered the black chess pieces in his hand, leaned back, and said playfully: “Of course. Since ancient times, heroes have fallen before beautiful women. He originally didn’t have strong loyalty to the Northern Kingdom, as long as there was motivation, naturally…”

Heroes fall before beautiful women.

Liu Shu’s mind wandered for a moment.

Lu Yun: “What are you thinking about?”

Liu Shu’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he suddenly asked: “The scholar Zhou Tan… is almost at Jianye, right?”

Lu Yun raised his eyebrows.

He immediately knew what Liu Shu was asking about—

That lady he loved in his heart, Zhou Yangling, was she about to arrive?

Who knew if that lady would be willing to fulfill the marriage agreement that Zhou Tan had made that day between Prince Chen and Zhou Yangling?

…

Just then, Zhou Yangling entered Jianye with her father, only a day’s journey away from Jianye city.