The Crown Prince observed the grief and remorse on Sheng Yu's face, hearing every word of his recollections of the past.
He had never been one to empathize with belated regret, nor did he believe that any amount of affection could undo past harm.
For Lady Qi, the cost had been her life, along with endless scorn and condemnation. For Yun Kui, it had been the loss of her mother, a childhood spent under others' roofs enduring bullying, years of homelessness and hunger, and over a decade of solitude and hardship.
Yet Sheng Yu’s own suffering over the years meant not all the blame could be laid at his feet.
Had it not been for the defeat at Wolf Mountain, he would still have been the triumphant martial champion, enfeoffed as a noble and destined for a bright future.
Had Emperor Chunming not pursued him relentlessly, he might not have missed every chance to reunite with Lady Qi.
But no matter how many reasons there were, a wrong remained a wrong.
A cold glint flashed in the Crown Prince’s eyes. "Had General Sheng insisted on searching for her back then, you might have found her. Lady Qi and her daughter would not have had to endure so much suffering."
Sheng Yu closed his eyes, the crushing weight of pain pressing against his chest, his throat tightening with suppressed anguish. "She saved me in my darkest hour, yet I failed her... I should have died back then. She was innocent—she died because of me..."
The Crown Prince had never met Sheng Yu from twenty years ago, but he had heard tales of the man’s past.
At eighteen, he had been the martial champion, spear in hand, brimming with ambition, his youthful vigor reaching the heavens.
But over two decades later, the man before him bore streaks of gray at his temples, his body weakened by old wounds, his spirit worn down by hardship. The shadow of sorrow never left his brow, and the fiery determination of his youth was long gone.
Now, the usually composed man was consumed by overwhelming grief and regret, his face twisted in near collapse.
After a long silence, the Crown Prince sighed. "No amount of remorse will change what happened, General Sheng. You must look to the future."
Sheng Yu clenched the dossier in his hands, his fingers trembling as they traced the line: "In the fourth month of Zhenning’s fifth year, she gave birth to a daughter." His knuckles whitened from the force of his grip.
"Your Highness, may I ask... where my daughter is now? Is she well?"
The Crown Prince paused before answering. "She entered the palace at eleven. Now, she serves in the Eastern Palace."
Sheng Yu’s eyes reddened, his voice thick with emotion. "May I... see her?"
The Crown Prince countered, "What if she refuses to acknowledge you?"
Sheng Yu let out a bitter laugh. "This unworthy life of mine has failed the Late Emperor, Your Highness, and those two women. The only thing left is this wretched existence. Your Highness has helped me find my daughter—I have nothing to offer in return but my flesh and blood, my unwavering loyalty to guard this kingdom for you, even if it costs me my life. As for her... whether she accepts me as her father or not, I have no other kin left. She is my only blood. Everything I have—wealth, power, honor—will be hers alone. I will ensure she lives in peace and comfort for the rest of her days."
The Crown Prince lowered his gaze, idly turning the ring on his finger. "I will convey your words to her, General Sheng."
Sheng Yu bowed deeply. "This humble servant thanks Your Highness."
The Crown Prince continued, "At this point, General Sheng, there is no use dwelling on sorrow. If not for Emperor Chunming’s ruthless purge of dissenters back then, neither you nor Lady Qi would have suffered such fates."
Sheng Yu recalled those years of being surrounded by enemies—even now, Emperor Chunming refused to relent. The thought burned like fire in his chest, a mix of agony and hatred.
The Crown Prince retrieved a letter from a hidden compartment and handed it to him. "These past three years, my campaign in the Northern Frontier had two purposes: to reclaim lost territory, avenge our disgrace, and settle the score for Wolf Mountain’s massacre—and to uncover the truth behind that defeat."
Sheng Yu was stunned. "The truth?"
The Crown Prince’s expression darkened. "General Sheng, do you remember Feng Yu, the Valiant General?"
Of course Sheng Yu remembered. Feng Yu had once served under the Late Emperor alongside him. Though their strategies had differed, they had fought side by side, sharing life and death.
"This servant remembers. Feng Yu died in the chaos of Wolf Mountain. Is there something suspicious about his death?"
The Crown Prince replied, "Two years ago, I captured a Northern Wei general in the frontier. He revealed that during the Battle of Wolf Mountain, someone had secretly leaked our army’s route and battle plans to Huyan Lie, the Northern Wei commander. That was how they set up ambushes in the mountain pass, trapping the Late Emperor and fifty thousand elite soldiers in the valley, slaughtering them under a hail of arrows."
Even after twenty years, the memory of Wolf Mountain’s blood-soaked fields made Sheng Yu’s vision blur with rage, his chest heaving.
Arrows had blotted out the sky like locusts, the valley reeking of blood. He and a handful of others had fought desperately to carve a path through the enemy, shielding the Late Emperor as they broke through—but in the end, they couldn’t save him.
Sheng Yu nearly ground his teeth to dust. "So there was a traitor among us. It was Feng Yu?"
The Crown Prince nodded. "Yes."
Sheng Yu thought of the days he had shared meals and quarters with Feng Yu, never suspecting a thing. That man had been a snake, betraying his own country!
Clenching his fists, he asked through gritted teeth, "Where is Feng Yu now?"
The Crown Prince said, "He didn’t stay in Northern Wei to reap rewards. Instead, he hid in Dazhao. I spent years searching for him. Only this year did I stumble upon the truth—not only is he alive, but he has reinvented himself, serving in the capital. That is why I summoned you back to the Imperial Guards."
Sheng Yu frowned. "He’s in the Imperial Guards?"
The Crown Prince said, "Since your return, you likely haven’t crossed paths with him yet."
A name from over a decade ago flashed in Sheng Yu’s mind. "The Imperial Guards Commander, Lu Qi, who left the capital on official business?"
The Crown Prince smirked coldly. "More likely, he fled to avoid you, not daring to face you."
Sheng Yu’s eyes burned with fury, his chest a furnace of rage. He wanted nothing more than to drag the man out and demand answers.
Just then, Qin Ge requested an audience, claiming urgent news.
Having already disclosed Feng Yu’s identity, the Crown Prince saw no need for secrecy. "Enter."
Qin Ge stepped in, taking in Sheng Yu’s wrathful expression. Guessing the reason, he clasped his hands and reported, "My investigation confirms Lu Qi never left the capital. He’s been at Banruo Temple, overseeing preparations for the Bathing Buddha Festival on the eighth day of the fourth month."
Sheng Yu’s fists tightened, ready to act immediately. "Leave this man to me. I will uncover the truth and give Your Highness and the Late Emperor justice!"
The Crown Prince considered for a moment. "The eighth day of the fourth month is also her birthday. On the day of the festival, I will take her to Banruo Temple. As the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, you must accompany us for security. That will be your chance to see her."
Sheng Yu’s heart lurched, his fury momentarily eclipsed by a dull, aching pain.
He took a deep breath, bowed in gratitude, then hesitated before asking, "Your Highness... may I know her name?"
Qin Ge pressed his lips together, glancing at Sheng Yu with silent amusement.
(Go on, ask. Watch how the Crown Prince dodges.)
(You’re eager to be a father-in-law, but His Highness still wants to play master for a while longer.)
The Crown Prince: "..."
When had his subordinates all become so annoyingly talkative?
The Crown Prince averted his gaze and spoke in a detached tone, "If there is a chance in the future, General Sheng, you may ask her yourself."
Sheng Yu had no choice but to drop the matter for now.
In a single day, he had received two earth-shattering pieces of news, leaving his emotions in turmoil for a long time.
Exiting the Eastern Palace through Donghua Gate, he walked out of the imperial city, where the bustling streets remained unchanged for decades.
Strolling alone through the lively crowds, he once believed he had nothing left—that he should have perished in that great battle twenty years ago alongside the Late Emperor.
But the Crown Prince was plagued by chronic illness, not yet ascended to the throne. The soldiers who survived the brutal battle at Wolf Mountain had been hunted down, while treacherous officials now held power, and loyal subjects were buried in obscurity. The lofty ambitions of serving the nation had become a bitter joke. How could he face the Late Emperor in the afterlife after all this?
Living these years in cowardice, every moment had been torment. Thinking himself clever, he had avoided involving others and hadn’t searched for her with his full strength—only for her to pay a terrible price for it, leaving their daughter to wander alone, suffering humiliation and hardship…
He had failed as a subject, as a man, and as a father.
The sounds of hawkers filled the air, children laughing and chasing each other on the streets, clutching candied hawthorns and pinwheels, calling out, "Father, I want this! Mother, I want that!"
He thought of the suffering Lady Qi had endured all those years, and of his daughter, born without the love of parents. Branded as an illegitimate child, living under someone else’s roof—what kind of bullying had she faced? While ordinary children could whine and get whatever they desired, she had nothing. At a tender age, she had to worry about survival, wandering the streets, fighting beggars for scraps of food…
Had he found them sooner, his salary could have provided them with comfort. No matter how perilous the road ahead, he would have protected them both, even at the cost of his own life…
Fortunately, heaven had granted him a chance to make amends.
Spotting a silk shop and a jewelry store by the street, he remembered that her seventeenth birthday was in a few days. He ought to prepare gifts for their first meeting and for her birthday—though he didn’t know what she might like.
Young ladies loved beauty, so surely rouge and powder would please her. He would never let her go without such things in the future. Hairpins, jewelry, fine silks, and embroidered dresses—she must have them all.
His old residence in the capital, the Tongzhi Mansion, had been hastily cleaned and repaired for his temporary stay. But when she came home, it couldn’t remain so shabby. A young lady needed her own chambers—a canopy bed, a chaise lounge, a vanity, all must be prepared. The display shelves couldn’t stay empty either; they should be filled with trinkets girls adored. If she enjoyed reading, fine stationery and brushes would be essential…
Once a fifth-rank commander, he now held a third-rank position. With no family to spend on, he had saved a considerable sum over the years. He only hoped she wouldn’t think him useless.
But even if she did, once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would return to the frontier and fight. There were always ways to earn promotions. If Lian Po at seventy could still wield a sword, why couldn’t he?
He would make her a carefree young lady of privilege, clothed in silks and fed on delicacies, pampered for the rest of her life.
…
That evening, Zhao Yue came to report that Lord Sheng had returned to his residence and purchased several chests of silk and jewelry as birthday gifts for the young lady.
The Crown Prince twisted the ring on his finger, his expression unreadable, though Cao Yuanlu couldn’t resist murmuring beside him.
"Lord Sheng’s gifts certainly hit the mark. Your Highness mustn’t let him outshine you."
Zhao Yue added with a smile, "The Sheng residence has already ordered urgent renovations to prepare a proper chamber for the young lady. Lord Sheng even had the steward bring out all the account books from these years—seems he intends to hand over his entire savings to her."
The Crown Prince’s expression darkened slightly.
Cao Yuanlu’s thoughts continued to drift.
"Ah, if the young lady returns to her own home, His Highness will be left with a cold bed and no one to warm his blankets. What a pity."
The Crown Prince: "…"
