The third day of the Lunar New Year, known as "Chikou Day."
The townsfolk stayed indoors, pasting red talismans to ward off quarrels, and the lively bustle of the previous days had quieted down.
Children had their ears pinched by their families, sternly warned not to step outside—any argument today could ruin the year’s fortune.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
The sudden sound of hooves made a child in the courtyard exclaim excitedly,
"Mother, listen! A noble is out riding!"
"You try stepping out and see what happens—I’ll tan your hide, believe me!"
"That’s not fair! If nobles can go out, why can’t we?"
...
The rider on horseback paid no mind, merely flicking the reins to quicken his pace.
In the magistrate’s rear courtyard,
Lu Chao lounged in a wicker chair, eyes shut as he basked in the sun—until a shadow fell over his face.
He opened his eyes to see Xiao Youcheng gulping down tea from the table beside him.
A guard nearby tried to intervene but was waved off.
"Ah! After riding nonstop, it’s a relief not to drink frozen water anymore. You lot, wait outside."
"Aren’t you afraid I poisoned it?"
The guards, hearing Lu Chao’s brazen remark, couldn’t help but admire the legendary disciple of Prince Kang even more.
Xiao Youcheng’s chin was shadowed with stubble, clearly unshaven for days. He dragged another wicker chair over and plopped down.
"Poison me then. If I die, so be it."
He gave Lu Chao a once-over and rubbed his nose.
"You look better—finally put on some weight."
The moment he said it, Lu Chao clutched his chest in an exaggerated cough.
"Stop faking. You haven’t coughed since before the New Year."
Lu Chao snorted and rolled his eyes. Damn it—there’s a spy in my household.
Xiao Youcheng pulled his chair closer, leaning in to whisper,
"My father, the Emperor, has woken up. He sent a sealed letter ordering me to the capital at once."
Lu Chao nodded.
"Safe travels, Your Highness."
Xiao Youcheng pressed his lips together.
"You’re not coming with me?"
Lu Chao shook his head. "This frail body can’t handle the journey. Besides, what help would I be?"
"I won’t feel at ease without you."
Lu Chao shot him a disdainful look.
"I don’t swing that way."
"Swing what way?"
Though Xiao Youcheng didn’t understand, the scorn in Lu Chao’s eyes stung.
"You’re playing favorites! After all these years as brothers—fellow disciples!—how can you value Xiao Zheng, who you’ve known for barely half a month, over me? If he were in danger, I bet you’d rush to his side!"
The words had festered in his heart for ages. He’d held back out of concern for Lu Chao’s health, but now, provoked, they spilled out.
Barely half a month? Lu Chao opened his mouth to retort—
Then Xiao Youcheng added,
"Come to the capital with me, and I’ll tell you what I know about Xiao Zheng."
Lu Chao swallowed his words and bolted upright.
"You have news of him? What news?!"
"I knew it! Damn you, playing favorites! You’d ditch a friend for a pretty face!"
Xiao Youcheng angrily downed another cup of tea.
"Don’t be absurd! Xiao Zheng is risking his life for your royal family! Do you think I care only for him? Look at the soldiers charging into battle, the civilians trembling under the Tatars’ boots! They die waiting for reinforcements and supplies from the court—and what do they get?"
"Politics is a bloodsucking game! I can't play it! Can't I just stay away from it?" Lu Chao exhaled heavily after his outburst.
"But have you considered this? If imperial power is divided and the world falls into chaos, dreaming of a peaceful life would be nothing but delusion. You can't escape—none of us can." Xiao Youcheng sighed. He, too, had never desired the throne, yet he was pushed forward step by step. To stop meant death—so why not fight for it?
"On New Year's Eve, Xiao Zheng infiltrated Shuozhou and kidnapped the fourth prince of the Tartars. With inside and outside coordination, he retook Shuozhou! Sibite, the Tartar king, sent envoys to the imperial court demanding an explanation—they wanted the Great Yuan to hand over Xiao Zheng, or else they would mobilize their entire clan to attack us."
Lu Chao’s eyes blazed with excitement as he stood up and slammed the table. "Hand him over? Bullshit! Where’s our backbone?! Rally the troops! Let’s march straight to their lair!"
"Will you go to the capital? Convince the Emperor—send troops to Shuozhou!"
"Let’s go!"
A dark glint flashed in Lu Chao’s eyes. A thought crossed his mind—why bother convincing anyone? Why not just seize the throne? With the Second Prince acting as regent and the old Emperor secretly summoning Xiao Youcheng to the capital, the power struggle was already in motion. If his shoes were already wet, why fear wading deeper into the muddy waters?
Xiao Youcheng smirked. Damn it—he knew this news would work like a charm! If given the chance, he’d love to see what this Xiao Zheng looked like.
Thinking of Xiao Zheng, isolated and unsupported, Lu Chao picked up his brush and wrote a letter to Shi Liu, then another to Lu Yuanyi.
In less than half an incense stick’s time, the sound of hooves clattered through the streets once more, kicking up fallen leaves before fading back into silence.
A few figures stood outside the gate, watching as the dust settled on the empty road.
"Mother, where did Third Brother go?"
"To do what he believes in."
"Let’s go back."
With a sigh, Magistrate Lu helped his wife and child back inside.
At the morning court assembly.
The officials exchanged glances and hushed whispers as they observed the Second Prince, his eyes red-rimmed and face etched with sorrow.
"Last night, all the chief physicians of the Imperial Hospital were summoned to Qianqing Palace—they still haven’t come out."
"Could it be…?"
"Shh."
Murong You locked eyes with the Second Prince and gave a slight nod.
After court, the Fourth Prince stepped out of Qianqing Palace with a furrowed brow. The Emperor remained unconscious, and when questioned about his condition, the chief physicians only shook their heads in silence—his days were likely numbered.
The Emperor’s collapse had been too sudden. There was no time for a secret edict, leaving only the Second Prince and himself as co-regents. Now, with the Second Prince currying favor with the Chancellor’s faction, his influence was overwhelming. If the Emperor passed abruptly—what then?
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the small garden.
The Fourth Prince ducked behind a nearby rock formation, peering through the crevices. A young eunuch—Songxi, the adopted son of the Emperor’s chief eunuch—was burying a bowl of medicinal dregs in a shallow pit. After hastily covering it with soil and scanning the area, he slipped back into Qianqing Palace.
This was the same eunuch responsible for brewing the Emperor’s medicine!
Were the dregs tainted?!
The Fourth Prince hurried to the grove, dug up the buried dregs, wrapped them in a handkerchief, and rushed away from Qianqing Palace.
"What did you say?!"
The Fourth Prince’s face flushed crimson as he grabbed the physician by the collar, his voice trembling with fury.
The physician stammered in fear.
"Your Highness, this... this Tongguan Powder is meant to treat sudden unconsciousness and life-threatening comas, but someone has added Qianghuo to it. Qianghuo is used to dispel external cold symptoms—it will only worsen the patient's condition! I beg Your Highness to reconsider!"
After dismissing the physician, the Fourth Prince's advisor spoke urgently.
"Your Highness!! This is a heaven-sent opportunity!!"
The Fourth Prince paced excitedly. Second Brother, oh Second Brother, how ruthless you are!!
"Summon Commander Tian of the Capital Guards at once!"
The eighth day of the Lunar New Year.
As night deepened, lanterns were lit along the streets of the capital, their glow symbolizing prosperity for the new year.
The night watchman raised his gong, about to strike, when a thunderous rumble echoed from the street corner. He rubbed his eyes—could he be seeing things so soon after dusk?
Rows of armored soldiers marched in formation, their spears glinting ominously in the dark.
The watchman's legs gave way, and he scrambled back into the shadows.
The imperial city was on the brink of upheaval!
