Late February, spring rain fell like a shuttle weaving through the sky.

In the deep night after the rain stopped, a thin mist rose in the courtyard. The moon hung in the sky, clear as a lake.

Everything was shrouded in a hazy beauty.

Just like the dream Yan Shang was having at this moment.

In his dream, there was this same indistinct, ineffable darkness, but naturally, the scenery wasn’t all there was.

Ripples spread across the lake’s surface, and flower fragrance quietly permeated the darkness. The mingled breaths of man and woman hidden indoors, both gentle and intense, became exceptionally clear in the darkness.

The bed curtains were like sand, flesh and bone soft and tender, their intimacy deep and lingering. The moonlight was clear and cold, while love threaded through like silk. The lady pinned beneath the man had hair spread like silk, nestling against his shoulder, her brows slightly furrowed. Her lips parted slightly, dark hair falling across her face, the peach-blossom color at the corners of her eyes like suspended teardrops.

Under the bright moon and sparse stars, the pale light on her neck was so beautiful, so soft. Tender as snow and crystalline, with mountain-light glistening. Black hair cascaded down her neck, flowing languorously. The other’s spine was like a mountain – mountain and water reuniting.

Black and white colors mixed and churned, turning the bed curtains a deep red.

Yan Shang walked step by step toward that bed curtain, staring in a daze, his heartbeat clear and strange.

The couple turned their faces. The woman’s alluring beauty went without saying, but the man tilting back his neck in excessive pleasure… was Yan Shang’s face.

Yan Shang’s heart thumped, and he stumbled backward.

He tumbled out of the dream all at once.

The thin moonlight hung in the sky as Second Young Master Yan, wearing only his middle garments, sat on the bed gasping for breath with his head lowered, clutching his collar. His chest still retained that damp and stifling desire from the dream that demanded release, and his throat felt parched.

After closing his eyes and recovering for a moment, Yan Shang pulled back the bedding and looked at his awkward situation with frustration and embarrassment.

Ever since that night, he kept having such dreams. These troublesome matters that didn’t use to come often now occurred almost every night. If this continued, he would drive himself mad.

Yan Shang held his forehead, jaw clenched, forcefully ignoring his body’s discomfort as he waited for it to slowly recover. After sitting stiffly for about a quarter-hour, when the aroused reaction had subsided, Yan Shang finally got up to bathe and change into clean middle garments.

Outside, the servant Yun Shu had just dozed off when he was startled awake by the sound of water from the washroom inside.

Yun Shu looked at the gray, hazy sky in surprise: “Second Young Master?”

The room fell silent as if the person inside was embarrassed.

After a while, Yan Shang’s voice, as gentle and composed as usual, finally rang out: “It’s nothing, I just remembered some official business I hadn’t handled and got up in the night to look at it.”

Yun Shu believed him immediately.

After all, his master was exactly the type to work himself too hard.

Yun Shu only worried about Yan Shang’s health: “Master, you think too much. Really, how many matters need such rushing? I see other officials of your rank in other households don’t even handle half the work you do. Second Young Master, you should get more sleep. You might be fine now while you’re young, but what will you do if you work yourself sick in the future?”

Yan Shang smiled: “I understand. Thank you for your concern. I’ll just look for a moment and then sleep.”

Yun Shu sighed and said no more.

In his heart, he hoped the household should have a mistress to properly look after the Second Young Master. The Second Young Master was good in every way, except he demanded too much of himself, and pushed himself too hard.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Yan Shang shamefully lit a lamp and sat at his desk after bathing. He began practicing calligraphy with some agitation, vainly hoping to find answers to his problems.

He didn’t want to think of Mu Wanyao and have his thoughts turn to base desires.

That was so filthy, so defiling to her.

But he really couldn’t help it.

He could control himself while awake, but once night fell, these desires came to torment him in dreams. This happened so frequently that he was frightened by his desires. He hated himself for having so little self-control, for being ruled by desire.

These past two days, Yan Shang didn’t dare to see Mu Wanyao, afraid that just seeing her smile would make his mind run wild, thinking of unspeakable, outrageous things. But if he didn’t go see Mu Wanyao, she would wonder what was keeping him busy.

Caught between difficulties on both sides, these past days had truly been torment for Yan Shang.

He was deeply frustrated, feeling that if this continued, one day he would truly embarrass himself. And for someone like him, being embarrassed was as unbearable as being killed.

After practicing calligraphy for a while, Yan Shang looked down to see what he had written, and was startled to find the paper filled with “Mu Wanyao.” Looking at his writing, he couldn’t help but open the window and look toward the mansion opposite.

He remembered there was a three-story pavilion in the Princess’s mansion that usually had lights on.

But tonight Yan Shang was destined for disappointment – it was pitch black there.

He alone was suffering; Mu Wanyao had none of the same troubles as him.

Yan Shang sighed and began his daily self-reflection on why he was like this. After reflecting for a while, he thought of the outrageous things he’d done that night, and couldn’t help but smile again, his expression softening. His heart grew peaceful as he began recording the events of that night.

After finishing, Yan Shang looked at his writing for a while and felt he was being ridiculous.

He shook his head and burned the paper as if burying his feelings deep inside.

At most… at most… he wrote a letter to his eldest brother somewhat furtively, awkwardly asking if his condition was abnormal; he sought his brother’s advice on how to keep desire in check without making a fool of himself…

While writing to his elder brother, Yan Shang took out more paper and wrote letters to his father, third brother, and little sister as well.

He urged his father to drink less; asked after his eldest brother and sister-in-law’s well-being, what his little nephew was like now, and if the family needed anything;

Severely criticized his third brother’s aimless behavior, urging him to study hard, saying that if the Third Brother could pass the provincial examination and come to Chang’an, he could look after him and help share the family’s burdens;

Finally, writing to his little sister, his tone became much gentler.

But after some thought, Yan Shang realized his little sister was now fourteen or fifteen, the age when young hearts first awaken to love. He instructed his father, elder brother, and third brother to pay more attention to their sister, not letting her go astray at this age.

Yan Xiaozhou was still young, with no rush to marry.

Going on and on about various matters, the letter grew longer and longer—

The foreign envoys were about to leave the Great Wei capital, but this had little to do with most people.

For instance, in Ritual Officer Zhao’s household, Lord Zhao was more concerned about his young daughter Zhao Lingfei; the envoys’ matters were irrelevant to him. Speaking of Zhao Lingfei, what Lord Zhao constantly worried about was naturally his daughter’s marriage.

While Lord Zhao used to find fault with everything about Zhao Lingfei, these past days hearing that she had participated in the military display, others naturally praised his daughter for being as brave as any man, but Lord Zhao, though proud, was also terrified, feeling that Fifth Miss would be even harder to marry off this way.

This day, when Lord Zhao saw Zhao Lingfei at home, she had just come from the small martial arts grounds. Zhao Lingfei perfunctorily gave her father a greeting and was about to leave, knowing her father disapproved of her practicing martial arts.

But unexpectedly this time, Lord Zhao said sternly: “Fifth Miss, come back here!”

Zhao Lingfei turned back to give him a strange look, but still followed Lord Zhao to his study.

Closing the study door, Lord Zhao asked mysteriously: “How are things progressing between you and Young Master Yan?”

Zhao Lingfei froze, a scene floating up in her mind, her face showing a touch of shame and slightly embarrassed annoyance.

She thought of that night after the military display and scholarly competition when Princess Danyang came to drink with them. Among the youths, only Liu Ruozhu was a girl, and Zhao Lingfei, seeing Liu Ruozhu’s fragile and docile nature, felt protective and took the initiative to chat with her.

While chatting, Zhao Lingfei turned her head and saw Princess Danyang sitting with Yan Shang.

All the young people were quite drunk and the atmosphere was good, no one paying attention. But Zhao Lingfei saw Princess Danyang’s head resting lightly on Yan Shang’s shoulder, and Yan Shang acted as if he didn’t notice, not avoiding it at all.

That scene was so jarring that Zhao Lingfei was stunned.

Because the Yan Shang she knew was not the type to let a lady lean on his shoulder. Though he was gentle in his manners, if he didn’t have those intentions, he would not create misunderstandings and let a girl hope in vain.

Yet this same Yan Shang was letting Princess Danyang lean on him.

In an instant, Zhao Lingfei recalled many past events, remembered the times she would waylay Yan Shang daily, remembered when Princess Danyang had eloquently argued until she cried and convinced her to give up… She suddenly felt angry, wondering if the Princess had persuaded her to withdraw only to take advantage of living next door.

They were even neighbors!

How could the Princess be so outrageous!

Liu Ruozhu saw Zhao Lingfei’s expression change and followed her gaze. In the weak bonfire light, Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang’s intimate pose was so tender. Liu Ruozhu froze for a moment, then instantly guessed – could it be that Zhao Lingfei also liked Second Brother Yan?

Had she now understood Second Brother Yan’s feelings?

Liu Ruozhu’s eyes dimmed as she pushed Zhao Lingfei’s shoulder, worrying: “Fifth Miss…”

Zhao Lingfei glanced at her, gave a self-mocking smile, and took a sullen drink. She muttered: “The Princess is so mean.”

Liu Ruozhu said softly: “The lady Second Brother Yan likes couldn’t be mean.”

Zhao Lingfei puffed out her cheeks: “I don’t care! She tricked me… she’s just mean!”

Zhao Lingfei remained dejected for a long while, and now Lord Zhao was asking about her progress with Yan Shang. What progress could there be? Before there wasn’t even a beginning, and now they were growing further apart.

Seeing his daughter’s gloomy expression, Lord Zhao understood. He dismissed it, saying cheerfully: “Never mind, thinking carefully, though Yan Er is not bad, he’s still from a humble background and not worthy of us. Father has found you a better marriage prospect, a top-tier great family!”

Lord Zhao exclaimed excitedly: “If you marry into their family, our branch can rise in status along with you.”

Zhao Lingfei was now somewhat hurt regarding matters of love, and didn’t even refuse her father’s matchmaking: “What family is it?”

Lord Zhao coughed: “Well, he’s slightly older than you… and has a child. But his first wife has passed away, and if you marry him, though you’d be his second wife, you’d still be the principal wife. Moreover, their family has promised Father that once they marry over, Father won’t have to remain just a Ritual Officer, but can participate in practical matters…”

Zhao Lingfei stared blankly at her ambitious father.

She knew her father had always single-mindedly strived to climb into the upper-class families, even making the Yang family their relatives by marriage for this purpose. But she truly hadn’t imagined her father would be so utterly without principles…

Zhao Lingfei raised her voice: “I’m only sixteen! And you want me to be someone’s second wife! Am I so unwanted, so unmarriageable?! How can you mistreat your daughter like this?!”

Lord Zhao was displeased: “What’s wrong with being a second wife? Their family already has children, so when you marry over, there’s no rush to have children early. It’s not good for girls to have children too young… They’ve said that having you marry over is to let you properly care for that child. No rush to have you bear children… How many men in this world don’t urgently want their wives to bear children? Father is thinking of your good!”

Zhao Lingfei retorted: “If you let me marry at seventeen or eighteen, there wouldn’t be this problem! What a terrible marriage prospect, I shouldn’t have trusted your judgment. I won’t marry!”

Zhao Lingfei tilted her head back stubbornly: “With your terrible judgment, I’d rather become a nun than marry!”

Lord Zhao: “You dare become a nun! If you become a nun, I’ll make your mother become one too, to chant prayers for you every day!”

Zhao Lingfei: “Pah! Go ahead and do it if you dare. Using your daughter’s marriage as a business deal, I can’t believe you’d think of such a thing!”

Lord Zhao’s face turned ashen at her bluntness. He turned around and berated her, saying if it weren’t for his scheming, she wouldn’t be living such a good life now. Zhao Lingfei mocked him, saying he couldn’t walk straight when he saw a great family and wanted a marriage alliance whenever he saw a top-tier family… saying he had simply gone mad.

Father and daughter began quarreling as usual.

Zhao Lingfei stood with her hands on her hips while Lord Zhao grew so angry he started throwing books and inkstones at her.

The study was filled with crashing sounds, terrifying the servants outside. When Lady Zhao heard the servants’ report, she hurried over to mediate, trying to calm both sides and stop the argument.

Zhao Lingfei stood by the bookshelf, turning her face away, refusing to look at her father.

Lord Zhao, somewhat calmed by his wife’s soothing, said: “Fine, if you dislike this marriage prospect, Father has another family in mind. It’s one of the Crown Prince’s cousins, who’s also at the age to take a wife…”

Zhao Lingfei couldn’t take it anymore and raged: “The Crown Prince’s maternal family comes from butchers, and that cousin of his is also a butcher who can’t read a single character. Now they’ve all risen because of the Crown Prince… For the sake of currying favor, you either want me to be someone’s second wife or marry an illiterate butcher… You’re going too far!

“Is raising a daughter just a business? Are you just waiting to sell me off?”

Lady Zhao tried to persuade her from the side: “Your cousin is following the Crown Prince, and even the Yang family is close to the Crown Prince, why must you look down on him so…”

Zhao Lingfei held back her anger in silence.

Lord Zhao: “You look down on this one and despise that one, yet the one you fancy doesn’t even fancy you!”

Zhao Lingfei exploded in anger. She slammed her fist on the bookshelf, making it shake and causing all the books to come crashing down. This display made Lord and Lady Zhao’s eyes twitch, secretly shocked by their daughter’s strength, wondering if she was their child…

Zhao Lingfei said: “You’re looking down on Second Brother Yan’s background again, aren’t you? Besides his background, Second Brother Yan is ten thousand times better in every way than those you approve of!”

Lord Zhao: “Say whatever you want… Fifth Miss, let me tell you, your marriage must be to a top-tier family that can help raise our Zhao family’s status. If it can’t do that, I won’t agree to your marriage. Without my agreement, you’d be living in sin. Don’t think about marrying!”

Zhao Lingfei’s eyes reddened, endless despair rising in her heart.

Her ideals had never aligned with her father’s, but never had there been a moment when she realized just how detestable her father was. What was wrong with the Zhao family remaining among the pure officials? Being noble was certainly good, but if it wasn’t possible, what was wrong with facing reality?

Why must they curry favor and scheme, always coveting what didn’t belong to them?

Her sisters’ marriages, her brothers’ marriages… and now it was her turn!

Lady Zhao was consoling her husband, and when she turned to comfort her daughter, the study door was pushed open and Zhao Lingfei ran out. This further enraged Lord Zhao: “If you dare run away, don’t come back! I make the decisions in this house. Just a little girl, eating my food and using my things, and still so inconsiderate!”

Lady Zhao said softly: “Lingfei is still young, she’ll understand…”

Having already run out of the study, Zhao Lingfei heard the words coming from inside. Tears welled up in her eyes and couldn’t stop falling.

She cried from shame.

Yet she didn’t know if she was ashamed of herself for not being able to understand her parents, or ashamed that her parents were such people.

Just on this afternoon, on this day she ran from home, she suddenly realized what a disappointing father her father was.

This home suffocated her, stifled her. Living here, she would either be driven mad by her father or, like her sisters and brothers, be assimilated by him, becoming just like them.

Perhaps people do grow up to become what they hate. But before that day came, she should resist with all her might.

She should use every ounce of strength to resist!—

But where could she go?

Find Cousin Yang Si?

Zhao Lingfei went to the Yang household, only to learn her cousin hadn’t been home for several days. The Yang family tried to get information from her about Young Master Yang Third, asking what he’d been doing since returning to Chang’an; they also wanted her to persuade her cousin to marry.

Zhao Lingfei suddenly felt how pitiful her cousin was too. The atmosphere at the Yang house made her uncomfortable, so she said she needed to go home and run out again. She went to her close friend’s house, but still with no success.

She hesitated before going to the Yan residence, wanting to find Second Brother Yan. In her confusion, she always wanted to find someone she trusted to console her and answer her questions.

However, Yan Shang wasn’t at home either.

The servant said Second Young Master Yan was at the Department of State Affairs, as they’d been very busy lately with the treaties between various countries, and Second Young Master had been occupied with official duties.

With Yan Shang absent and the Princess’s mansion to the left, Zhao Lingfei didn’t dare visit there, knowing how fierce Mu Wanyao was – she figured she’d just get scolded away by the Princess.

Zhao Lingfei left dejectedly, finally not knowing where else to go. She crouched by a wall outside a teahouse, watching the lanterns gradually light up, hearing the drums and bells, knowing the ward gates would soon close. Once the gates closed, she wouldn’t be able to move freely between wards.

Yet Zhao Lingfei still didn’t want to go home.

She crouched by the roadside for a long while, blankly watching people come and go on the street. Suddenly, she saw a familiar face. He was riding a horse, his face like snow and jade, pure and clear, cold and quiet.

He was like a thin layer of clear snow illuminating the dusky evening, making the air feel less stifling.

Yet astride his horse, he kept his head down, completely ignoring the admiring glances from passersby.

Zhao Lingfei’s eyes lit up, and she waved: “Seventh Young Master Wei! Seventh Young Master Wei!”

Wei Shu turned his face to look in her direction. He gazed coldly at the young woman crouching in the corner for so long that Zhao Lingfei wondered if he’d forgotten who she was. Finally, Wei Shu slowly dismounted and walked over. He stopped a full ten feet away from her.

Zhao Lingfei looked at the distance between them, speechless.

But she said pitifully: “Could you help me with something? During the military display, I did save you. Could you repay that favor?”

Wei Shu looked at her for a long while.

Just as she suspected he might turn and leave, she heard Wei Shu say softly: “Speak.”

Zhao Lingfei: “…?”

She was stunned for a moment before realizing he was telling her to say what help she needed. She secretly muttered to herself, thinking this person didn’t like to talk. Zhao Lingfei smiled, continuing to act pitiful: “Could you take me back to your mansion and let me stay for one night?”

Wei Shu remained quiet for a while, then turned to walk away. After a few steps, he looked back to see Zhao Lingfei very cleverly jumping up to follow him, almost bumping into him. Wei Shu stepped back in alarm, gesturing for her to keep her distance, before mounting his horse again—

Speaking not of how Zhao Lingfei fared, nor of how Yan Shang’s official duties were progressing, Mu Wanyao’s mood lately had been extremely good.

Mu Wanyao sat with her Fourth Sister by a clear lake in the palace garden. Princess Yuyang was pregnant, her belly quite round, her expression radiating maternal love. Mu Wanyao sat beside her, waving a feather fan, her jewelry tinkling, completely at ease.

The Emperor was still taking his afternoon nap, so the two princesses just sat in the palace gardens waiting.

Princess Yuyang had come to the palace for her regular greetings, but she didn’t know why her Sixth Sister had come to the palace. As far as she knew, her Sixth Sister didn’t like coming to the palace to see their father.

However… lately, it seemed Father was very fond of Sixth Sister.

He kept sending tonics and treasures to the Princess’s mansion, kept summoning Princess Danyang, and even when Princess Danyang’s temper flared and she talked back to the Emperor right then and there, he didn’t get angry.

Princess Yuyang, who had never received the Emperor’s favor and had always been like a transparent shadow, was curious and envious, wanting to know what her Sixth Sister had done to make Father treat her so well lately.

Mu Wanyao turned her face, seeing her Fourth Sister staring at her. Mu Wanyao pressed her lips into a smile, raising her eyebrows slightly. She had a heart full of private matters she wanted to share, but being short on friends, she had no one to tell. Now with Princess Yuyang here, some things that couldn’t be told to other ladies could be shared with her sister.

Mu Wanyao smiled and said: “Does Fourth Sister know why I came to the palace today?”

Princess Yuyang shook her head: “I’ve been trying to guess, but I can’t figure it out.”

Mu Wanyao smiled brightly, leaning close to her sister to whisper in her ear: “I slept with someone.”

Princess Yuyang, gentle and virtuous, who aspired to be the ideal wife, suddenly widened her eyes and covered her mouth, looking at her sister. Her face reddened, and after a long while, she could only say stiffly: “…Oh.”

She whispered: “Isn’t that… somewhat improper?”

Mu Wanyao raised an eyebrow: “What’s improper about it?”

Princess Yuyang said stiffly: “You’re not yet married, how can you speak of such things…”

Mu Wanyao said carelessly: “I’ve been married before. It’s nothing new.”

She ignored her sister’s prudish, shocked attitude and nestled close to her, happily discussing: “I want to repay him somehow. I want to request an official position for him from Father Emperor. He made me happy, so I should make him happy too.”

Princess Yuyang struggled to speak: “…You slept with someone, and now you want to reward him with an official position?”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes sparkled like spring water, full of spirit: “Yes.”

Princess Yuyang: “Wouldn’t that demean him?”

Mu Wanyao said unhappily: “How is that demeaning? It’s called returning kindness for kindness!”

Princess Yuyang advised: “If you like him, you’d be better off talking to Father Emperor about making him your Prince Consort.”

Mu Wanyao’s interest suddenly waned, feeling she couldn’t communicate with this proper sister of hers.

The smile faded from her face as she said: “My marriage has nothing to do with whether I like someone or not. I’ll either not marry at all, or if I do marry, it must serve the greatest purpose. If there’s no benefit to gain, why should I marry again? Haven’t I been married enough times?”

Princess Yuyang said: “Ah, but…”

Mu Wanyao grew annoyed: “Oh, stop! You’re too proper, we can’t see eye to eye.”

She turned her face away, ignoring her sister. Princess Yuyang, being naturally timid and gentle, only looked at her worriedly, not daring to say more. At this moment, they heard footsteps and an announcement from a eunuch. They both looked over to see Princess Yuyang’s husband, the Metropolitan Governor, carrying a large cloak on his arm, following the eunuch.

Princess Yuyang rose in delighted surprise: “Why did you come?”

The Metropolitan Governor, being from a noble family, was refined and cultured. He smiled and greeted the seated Mu Wanyao, then draped the cloak over his wife’s shoulders, saying: “The spring days are cold, and you’re with child, you mustn’t catch a chill.”

Princess Yuyang’s face flushed red as her husband held her, lowering her delicate head. The couple spoke sweet nothings in soft voices.

Mu Wanyao snorted and turned away, disdaining this couple, thinking to herself that it was nothing special, she now had someone who loved her too, no worse than Princess Yuyang.

She now also had a lover, and her lover lived next door, so close it was practically the same as living in the Princess’s mansion… It was practically the same as being married.

No need to envy others at all.

No need to marry at all.

She could naturally make sweet music with Yan Shang night after night, making others jealous! When she found the chance, she would have to boast about it!

As Mu Wanyao was thinking these resentful thoughts, her sharp eyes spotted four or five officials being led by a eunuch across the lake, heading to see the Emperor. Among those officials, she immediately recognized Yan Shang. With his good looks, even though he walked quietly at the back, he was still very eye-catching.

When Mu Wanyao saw Yan Shang, the officials on his side also noticed the two princesses and the Prince Consort here. The officials stopped to pay their respects to the princesses.

Yan Shang naturally looked over as well.

Mu Wanyao waved her round fan, looking at Yan Shang with eyes full of joy. When their gazes met, she winked at him slightly, thinking to herself that she would let him see her charm and allure.

But unexpectedly, Yan Shang’s face suddenly turned red, and he immediately lowered his eyes.

He acted so flustered, as if he shouldn’t have seen her at all, and hurriedly followed his fellow officials away.

Mu Wanyao was stunned: “…”

Just one look at her, and his face turned red.

She looked back at Princess Yuyang and her husband still showing their affection publicly beside her.

Mu Wanyao secretly fumed: What about her nights of passion?

With Yan Shang’s shyness, would she ever get to experience that?

Would she ever have the chance to make Princess Yuyang envious of her wonderful lover?—

In the Eastern Palace, Yang Si was still kneeling.

Several days had passed, and he’d only had water to drink, not touching a bit of food.

The young man knelt ramrod straight. Over the days, countless passing officials had seen him and shook their heads while pleading with the Crown Prince on his behalf, but the Crown Prince ignored them all. The palace servants couldn’t help but worry as they watched Young Master Yang Third’s face grow increasingly pale, his eyes full of bloodshot veins.

Clearly, after days of torment, even with a body as good as Yang Si’s, he was nearly at his limit.

This night, Yang Si was still kneeling in a daze, having knelt so long he’d almost forgotten his original purpose, only knowing he couldn’t give up. At some point, a palace servant came to help him up, calling him Third Young Master.

Yang Si said hoarsely: “Go away.”

Behind the servant, the Crown Princess looked at this stubborn young man with complex emotions. The Crown Princess sighed and said: “Third Young Master, get up and eat something, His Highness has agreed to see you.”

Yang Si raised his face, and in his thin, pale countenance, his eyes suddenly lit up like stars.

This light made the Crown Princess pause. She wondered if this was why her husband valued Yang Third so much, because of this kind of light in Yang Third.

A brilliance that would burn everything, including himself.

Would such brilliance one day consume Yang Si himself?—

After washing up and eating a little to regain some strength, Yang Si finally entered the inner chambers to see the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince wore a jade crown and white robes, sitting under the lamp polishing a sword. Yang Si closed the door and stood before his desk, while the Crown Prince kept his head down, continuing to polish his sword, not acknowledging him.

So Yang Si just stood silently.

The lamplight shone on the wall, casting the shadows of the young man and the youth.

The Crown Prince suddenly turned his gaze to look at their two shadows on the wall.

He stopped polishing the sword and said slowly: “Though I am the eldest son, I am a son of a concubine. Not only that, but my maternal family is humble, far inferior to the maternal families of Prince Qin and Prince Jin. Father Emperor has never favored me since childhood, and especially during Empress Li’s time, he often resented why I was the eldest son, and why his favorite son wasn’t the legitimate eldest. He preferred Second Brother. Everyone preferred Second Brother. With Empress Li’s great power, naturally, the Second Brother became Crown Prince as soon as he was born.

“But Second Brother was unlucky. Too many people wanted him dead, and he did die. After Second Brother’s death, Father Emperor, wanting to avoid trouble, directly named me, the eldest son, as Crown Prince. This position of Crown Prince came to me like picking up someone else’s leftovers. Father Emperor had no faith in me at all, and I think for many years, he’s been waiting for me to make a big mistake so he can cast me aside.”

The Crown Prince said mockingly: “But unfortunately, I’ve done passably well as Crown Prince, and he never found a chance to demote me, so I’ve just kept on being Crown Prince.”

Yang Si lowered his eyes and said: “I’ve always believed in your ability. You just… wanted that position too much.”

The Crown Prince murmured: “Yes, I wanted it too much. More than anyone. When Third Brother and Fifth Brother failed, they still had their maternal families to protect them, but what did I have? I’ve gotten to where I am today entirely on my own. You always say I’m heartless, say I don’t love the people, don’t love others… but Third Young Master, do I have the luxury to care about such things?”

He fell into memories, saying: “I still remember, when we started our education as children, Second Brother’s study companions were all young masters from great families. When it came to me, Father Emperor just casually picked someone, completely dismissive. I refused and actively begged Father Emperor, wanting someone from a noble family as my study companion. Father Emperor was perhaps moved by my rare plea and arranged for a young master from the Yang family.”

He laughed self-mockingly: “The Chang’an branch of the Henan Yang clan was indeed a great family. I was overjoyed, thinking Father Emperor did care for me after all. But I later learned that the one who came to be my study companion… was your eldest brother, who was in poor health and only studied with me for two months before dying at such a young age.”

Yang Si’s voice was slightly strained: “…I heard my father mention this.”

The Crown Prince murmured: “And then your second brother was given by your father to your childless uncle to raise until finally, the main line of the Yang family had only you, who had just been born. When Father Emperor was about to arrange another study companion for me, I knew if I gave up then, I might never have another chance to advance. I gritted my teeth and insisted on having the Yang family’s third son. Even though the Yang family’s third son had just been born, was still an infant… I could wait for this study companion.”

He suddenly turned his head to look at Yang Si.

Just as Yang Si raised his head to look at him.

Seeing tears in the Crown Prince’s eyes, he smiled bitterly at him: “Third Young Master, I watched you grow up from childhood, waiting day after day for you to grow up, taking every chance to visit the Yang family to see you, to see when you would finally come to the palace to study with me. You were my hope, the hope I found with all my might to have some connection to the Yang family. Your eldest brother died young because of poor health, so I was always worried you would too. Do you know how often I come to see you?

“When you finally could study, you turned out to be a little terror. I was so desperate, but could only endure it. Funny how enduring became a habit. When I was barely in my teens, I felt like I had a son to worry about. Third Young Master… the battlefield shows no mercy to anyone, why must you be so fond of it?”

Yang Si lifted his robe to kneel, and after a long while, said hoarsely: “…Your Highness!”

The Crown Prince stood up, walked to him, and held the youth’s shoulders. The Crown Prince slowly handed him the sword he had just been polishing and said softly: “If you want to go to the battlefield, then go.

“My only request is that, since swords show no mercy, you must return alive.”