His eyes were dark as lacquer, the corners slightly upturned, containing a smile that seemed both present and absent, making even the brilliant snow around them lose its luster.

When he called her “Crown Prince,” it indicated that he must have met her brother before.

As an impostor, Zhao Yān naturally wasn’t foolish enough to directly ask: “Who are you?”

She casually lifted the curtain and lowered her voice: “Fishing alone in the snow—you have quite the refined taste.”

The man lowered his crossed legs, lightly tapping the book in his hand against his palm. “Your Highness walking through the snow to reach here shows a refinement no less than mine.”

Crown Prince Zhao Yǎn never had the robust constitution to stroll through snow.

Zhao Yān was perfectly aware of this. Covering her mouth, she coughed lightly and said, “I wouldn’t call it refinement. I was merely seeking a place to shelter from the wind and snow. You don’t mind, do you?”

The man suddenly smiled, his flawless jade-like face against the light showing a mysterious depth.

Zhao Yān grew wary: Had she said something wrong?

Impossible. She had imitated her brother Zhao Yǎn’s temperament, gauging the conversation perfectly, and there should be no flaws in her performance.

…

…

When seated, the man had seemed tall, but standing up, she realized just how tall he was!

Zhao Yān considered herself not short, yet she barely reached his shoulder. Looking up, his cold, pale face against the crimson court robes appeared as beautiful as an immortal.

The man extended his hand; the dark iron ring on his finger reflected cold light, causing Zhao Yān to instinctively step back.

However, that large hand with its prominent knuckles merely brushed past her ear, gently dusting away the fine snow that had accumulated on her shoulder.

The man smiled, speaking in a refined manner: “Your Highness jests. All under heaven belongs to the sovereign—Your Highness may seek shelter from snow wherever you please.”

This person was indeed a gentle and courteous, refined gentleman.

Zhao Yān relaxed slightly and casually turned to find a windproof place to sit.

After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help but ask: “In such cold weather, can you catch any fish?”

The man’s voice was rich, with a half-smile he replied, “The not-so-clever ones will throw themselves into the net.”

Knowing that saying too much risked exposure, Zhao Yān responded with a smile.

Estimating that enough time had passed, she stood up and said: “The snow has lessened. I must go now.”

The man smiled benignly, nodded slightly, and gestured for her to proceed.

As soon as she stepped outside, the warm fragrance that had clung to her was thoroughly cooled by the north wind. This time, Zhao Yān didn’t need to feign weakness—the wind made her sneeze repeatedly.

Passing through the gallery, she indeed saw Liu Ying returning with a cloak.

Zhao Yān put on the moon-white fleece-lined cloak and pulled up the hood.

“I just met someone in the warm pavilion, very young and extremely handsome.”

After thinking for a moment, she said to Liu Ying, who was holding an umbrella beside her: “Judging from his clothing, he must be at least a prince or heir. Send someone back to find out this person’s name and status to avoid any mishaps.”

Liu Ying dared not delay and immediately replied: “This servant knows many people; I will go personally.”

In the warm pavilion.

Left Deputy General Zhang Cang pushed open the door to find his master standing by the railing, his incomparably handsome profile gilded with the cold light of snow.

Looking at his fine appearance alone, who would imagine that he was the immensely powerful Prince of a different surname?

“Your Highness.”

Zhang Cang closed the door and said softly, “Unexpected that the Crown Prince is truly still alive—his luck is remarkable. But this will inevitably block our path…”

Seeing his master silent, Zhang Cang proposed: “Would you like your servant to handle it personally?”

“Interesting.”

Wenlin looked toward the direction the Crown Prince had departed, thoughtfully saying, “My intelligence has never been wrong before.”

“Is Your Highness suspecting… some kind of illusion?”

The bodyguard quickly replied, “But I observed secretly—that Crown Prince’s demeanor and speech were weak and frail, seeming no different from usual…”

As he was thinking, he heard a soft laugh.

“No different?”

Wenlin repeated in a light voice.

Zhang Cang broke out in a cold sweat and immediately lowered his head: “Your servant is foolish, please enlighten me, Your Highness.”

Wenlin half-closed his eyes, pointedly saying: “This little Crown Prince is not afraid of me anymore.”

Wind and snow swept across the pool surface, and a tiny piece of tile fell from the eaves, making an extremely faint sound.

In a flash, Wenlin casually grabbed the fishing rod beside him and cast it—the line twisted like a silver snake, heading straight for the eaves.

The fishhook reflected a cold light. An attendant hiding on the eaves of the warm pavilion had his neck caught by the hair-thin fishing line. Before he could even let out a scream, he plunged into the cold pool below.

The wind stopped. Crimson blood rose and spread from the bottom of the pool before disappearing.

That a skilled assassin had been hiding on the eaves without his knowledge made Zhang Cang break into a cold sweat. He clasped his fists and knelt: “Your servant failed to detect this threat. Please punish me, Your Highness!”

“Enough. Clean this up and find out whose dog this was.”

The man’s voice was casual as he wiped his hand on the thin snow covering the carved railing. “First, I’ll go meet the Emperor. As for this troublesome little Crown Prince…”

His thin lips moved slightly. “He’s blocking not only my path.”

“…Yes.”

Zhang Cang picked up the broken fishing rod, attempting to make amends: “This fishing rod, a tribute from the Southern Seas, your servant will have it restored to its original condition.”

“Unnecessary,” Wenlin said leisurely as he walked past with his hands behind his back.

After all, today he had caught more interesting prey.

A cup of tea later, Liu Ying returned and quietly pushed open the door of the warm pavilion.

The bamboo blinds fluttered, but the room was completely empty, with only faint ripples on the icy pool surface gradually returning to stillness.

The “gentle beauty” that her mistress had described as unparalleled in the world had long vanished without a trace.

……

Eastern Palace.

Zhao Yān had just alighted from the carriage without time to catch her breath when a lady official approached, saying gravely: “By order of Empress Wei, you are summoned to the main hall immediately.”

Hearing the Empress’s name, Zhao Yān’s delicate brows furrowed slightly: “That was quick.”

The doors and windows of the Eastern Palace’s main hall were tightly shut.

The dim light of silk lanterns reflected on the spotless floor tiles, which in turn reflected the young boy’s downcast, weary expression.

On the high seat ahead, an elegantly dressed woman in phoenix robes sat with her hand resting on the armrest. With vermilion lips and long eyebrows, her phoenix eyes were cold, with very faint fine lines appearing at the corners, yet still not diminishing her beautiful features, emanating a natural dignity and authority.

She frowned as she stared at the “Crown Prince” sitting below, as if looking through that face to see someone else.

“Who gave you permission to speak up and directly confront the officials?” Empress Wei clenched her fingers and got straight to the point.

The young boy rested his chin on his hand, his long eyelashes casting shadows, covering the tiny cinnabar mole at the corner of his eye.

“I decided myself. The matter at the Taiji Hall was someone fanning the flames. If I had remained silent like a puppet, it would have been like giving them a handle. When the mastermind behind it persisted and pressured the Emperor…”

Without deliberately lowering her voice, Zhao Yān’s tone revealed a hint of girlish softness, “By then, would Mother Empress still be able to keep it hidden?”

Empress Wei’s expression changed slightly, her icy voice dropping even lower: “Even so, you cannot act on your own! Do you know what your current status is?”

Status?

Yes, she had to play the role of the son Mother Empress loved most.

After so many years apart, Mother Empress still treated her the same way, scolding and questioning her at every turn, never speaking kindly…

No, she was never this harsh with Zhao Yǎn. Of the twins born fifteen years ago, she was always the less valued, less loved one.

“If my brother had made the same decision today, would Mother Empress scold him so severely?”

Unable to suppress her emotions, Zhao Yān finally asked.

The Empress coldly replied: “Yǎn is steady in his actions, benevolent and kind, and would never do such opportunistic things.”

Though she had no expectations, Zhao Yān’s heart still felt a subtle emptiness.

She felt that her performance as “Crown Prince” today had been quite dutiful. Though discontented, she didn’t want to argue with her mother while assuming her brother Zhao Yǎn’s identity, so she offered no further explanation, only staring absently at the wisps of incense smoke rising from the table.

The cinnabar mole applied to match Zhao Yǎn’s appearance seemed to come alive, red and delicate.

Empress Wei’s throat tightened, yet she still sat proudly, showing not the slightest weakness.

They remained in wordless opposition.

“Your Highness, it’s time for your medicine.” Liu Ying’s shadow appeared on the door, breaking the silence at the appropriate moment.

The dark brown medicinal brew was placed before Zhao Yān, emitting a strong bitter smell.

Unlike her robust and mischievous nature, Crown Prince Zhao Yǎn had been frail and sickly since birth, practically raised on medicinal brews. Naturally, Zhao Yān now had to follow suit to avoid suspicion.

However, the medicine before her had been secretly modified—it had no strengthening effect but could temporarily alter her voice, making it deeper and more similar to a young man’s.

Zhao Yān frowned imperceptibly and, under Empress Wei’s complex gaze, picked up the medicine and drank it all in one go.

Bitter!

So bitter it made her stomach ache.

Empress Wei’s gaze softened, and as usual, she gestured for Liu Ying to bring over the prepared preserved fruits.

The sweet scent entered her nostrils, and Zhao Yān moved the corner of her mouth, forming a smile that seemed half-mocking.

When she spoke again, it was in a slightly hoarse boyish voice: “Mother Empress has forgotten again that I dislike sweet foods.”

Empress Wei was taken aback.

The one who loved sweets was her son, Zhao Yǎn.

“Your child takes leave.”

Before Empress Wei could speak, the slender, beautiful youth folded his sleeves in salutation and bowed to depart.

Her face was naturally blessed with beauty, and she deliberately imitated the deceased Crown Prince’s demeanor. Empress Wei felt a mixture of emotions, and amid the surge of thoughts, she blurted out:

“Fortunately, today you encountered Prince Yong’s rabble. Had you met Prince Su, you would already be dead, do you understand?!”

The harsh warning came from behind, causing Zhao Yān to pause momentarily.

This was the second time since her secret return to the palace that she had heard Mother Empress mention Prince Su Wenlin.

He must be a ruthlessly terrifying person for even someone as proud and hard-hearted as Empress Wei to speak of him with such fear.

As the slender figure disappeared outside the hall, Empress Wei seemed to lose her support and bent her back, pinching the bridge of her nose and sighing deeply.

Her pair of twins were as different as spring water and raging fire, with opposite temperaments.

When that accident occurred, it was she, their mother, who had heartlessly driven her daughter out of the palace, not seeing her for many years. Had there been any other choice, she would never have summoned her daughter back at such a time.

“Your Majesty, please don’t be angry.”

Liu Ying came to massage the Empress’s aching chest, comforting her: “Actually, the Young Highness’s temperament is much like yours was in the past.”

“Liu Ying, watch her closely for me.”

Empress Wei closed her eyes and said wearily, “With wolves surrounding us now, I… cannot afford to lose.”

Meanwhile, outside the Taiji Hall.

The Emperor stood barefoot in the thin snow, his Taoist robe billowing in the wind, while an old Taoist with a yellow cap and feather fan performed divination nearby, making gestures and chanting softly.

Wenlin arrived late in his crimson robes, stepping through the snow, just in time for the conclusion of this divination ceremony.

“Prince Su, you’ve come at the perfect time.”

The Emperor pointed to the sky with one hand, his sleeves filled with wind: “Look, this is a sign of good fortune from heaven!”

Wenlin faced the Emperor directly without performing the customary kneeling salutation, merely bowing slightly: “Heaven-sent auspicious snow—the rebels in Sichuan won’t withstand the severe cold. This is indeed a heaven-sent opportunity.”

The Emperor was extremely confident: “They won’t be rampant for much longer.”

“Your Majesty is wise, however…”

Wenlin changed the subject, seeming concerned, “Recently, there has been much defeatist talk at court, disturbing the people’s hearts.”

The Emperor opened his eyes and, after a moment, made a decision: “Since Heaven blesses the Great Xuan, these people should be silenced. Anyone who mentions ‘relocating the capital’ again needs not keep their lives.”

Having said this, he looked at the seemingly gentle young man before him: “This matter is entrusted to you.”

With his lips curving slightly upward, Wenlin replied softly: “Your subject accepts the command.”

Possessing the power of life and death, he remained gentle to the point of cruelty.

The Emperor was in high spirits and gestured to the old Taoist beside him: “Bestow the immortality pill.”

The old Taoist concluded his ritual and presented a palm-sized red lacquer box: “Wishing Prince Su longevity and exemption from all taboos.”

Wenlin accepted it with an unchanged expression, saying: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Entrusting the task of purging the court to Prince Su, the Emperor was naturally at ease.

He had ignored all objections to enfeoff Wenlin as a Prince of a different surname, granting him boundless power, making him the sharpest and most terrifying blade in his hand—

Because he knew very well that among all the civil and military officials at court, only this young man would never betray him.

“Never betray?”

In the carriage returning to his residence, Wenlin sat with one leg bent, the fine material of his sleeve cascading over his knee.

His hand with its distinct tendons turned the small lacquer box on the table, spinning it slowly again and again.

With a soft click, he pressed down on the lacquer box, the murderous intent making his smiling eyes strikingly beautiful.