Gou Wu was so furious he pinched the spot between his nose and upper lip to calm himself. Since when had Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an gained such a sterling reputation outside?
When Gou Wu stood outside the Guo Mansion, knocking repeatedly with no answer, a sense of foreboding crept over him once more.
"Are you here to see Master Guo, sir?"
Gou Wu nodded.
"You're too late. Master Guo has already left for the capital, taking Master Guo and Madam Guo with him." The speaker's eyes brimmed with envy. "Word has it that the Qin Prince's Mansion declared they would protect all Yong'an County scholars heading to the capital for the imperial examinations."
"His Highness and the Princess are truly benevolent."
Gou Wu's expression froze. Had the Qin Prince's Mansion acted so swiftly?
As he mulled over the man's words, his face turned ashen. "What about Young Master Zheng Fang and Young Master Ling Ming...?"
"Young Master Ling has also gone to the capital."
"Young Master Zheng said he had some family matters to settle first, but once done, he’d join them. Since he’s close to Master Guo, the Qin Prince's Mansion will protect him too."
It felt like a thunderbolt had struck him.
Gou Wu was on the verge of tears. After all his efforts, he hadn’t even gotten a spoonful of the feast.
"Sir..." A servant behind him tentatively spoke up.
"Back to the capital!" Gou Wu took a deep breath. "We must inform His Highness immediately—we can’t afford to lag behind in recruiting scholars from other regions."
Meanwhile, at the Zheng Family residence...
"Why won’t you take an official post? As a provincial graduate, you’re already eligible."
Zheng's Father stormed into Zheng Fang’s quarters. "If not for generations of our ancestors’ virtue, how could you have achieved this?"
"I said I’m continuing to the metropolitan exams."
Zheng Fang stared at his father, expressionless.
"If you fail, it’ll tarnish your reputation. Better to stop now, secure a position here, and support your younger siblings." Zheng's Father spoke as if their past conflicts never happened, still lecturing.
"Master Zheng, your memory seems faulty."
The moment Zheng Fang spoke, the onlookers fell silent.
"Before the provincial exams, I said I’d sever ties with this family." Zheng Fang met his father’s gaze squarely. "And yet you still hope I’ll become an official? If I ever do, my first act will be investigating the Zheng Family—to prove my integrity."
"Ungrateful wretch!"
"Fatherly kindness begets filial piety. Ask yourself if you’ve ever deserved that title."
Zheng Fang removed the jade pendant he’d worn since birth—a tradition for every Zheng child.
Clang!
The pendant shattered on the ground.
"Don’t bother me again."
Young Master Shen had advised him: cut ties decisively, or regret it forever.
Zheng's Father coughed up blood in rage, but Zheng Fang felt no pity. He shouldered his bag and left the wretched place behind.
His friend Guo had written, urging him to the capital. It was time to depart.
......
Meanwhile, in the capital...
After a brief recovery at the prince’s residence, Song Yu announced his "illness" had healed. The next morning, he stood radiant at the imperial court.
Emperor Yuanyou glared at him, seething inwardly.
That scoundrel had nearly emptied the imperial private treasury!
And he’d taken Ah Huan too!
The Emperor’s icy aura was palpable. The ministers exchanged glances—just days ago, His Majesty had been in high spirits. What had changed?
The court session ended in tense relief.
As Song Yu turned to leave, Wu Qi intercepted him. "Your Highness, the Emperor requests your presence."
At the Purple Palace Hall...
"The Emperor of Dayue has died. The new ruler will soon send envoys to Daqi to strengthen ties."
Song Yu arched a brow. "Don’t tell me it’s that bastard Rong Sheng?"
Last time, that fool had dared covet Ah Huan—until Song Yu ruined his reputation as a wastrel.
"No. Rong Sheng is dead."
Emperor Yuanyou’s gaze darkened. "The eldest prince succeeded him."
Thrones were always baptized in blood. He could only pray his own son’s ascension would be smoother.
"Good riddance to Rong Sheng."
Song Yu flashed a grin.
"Father, may you live a thousand years."
"What now? Eyeing more treasures from my vaults?" The Emperor’s melancholy vanished into exasperation.
"Your vaults... don’t have much left anyway."
With that, Song Yu bolted, leaving the Emperor chuckling behind him.
"Fen'er, look how spoiled this boy is—utterly lawless."
"Fen'er, the old Emperor of Dayue was only sixty-seven. I’m aging too. How much longer can I watch over Yu'er and Ah Huan?"
Lately, he missed Fen'er more than ever.
......
In Dayue, the court had been purged. The new reign, "Bright Virtue," saw rival factions crushed—victors and vanquished, as always.
At the Dayue Palace...
"Your Majesty, I swear to fulfill this mission to Daqi."
The man on the throne smiled. "Lingchen, you’re unlike your father. With my throne newly secured, we must maintain peace with Daqi at all costs."
"Your father’s last visit caused tensions. This time, erase that ill will—by any means necessary."
"As you command."
Rong Lingchen kowtowed. Outside, his face twisted with hatred.
If not for Daqi’s slander against his father, they’d never have lost the throne.
Daqi... This blood feud would end only in death.
Back at his manor, Rong Lingchen strode to a secluded courtyard.
"Your Highness."
"Where is she?"
Moments later, a woman with a red anklet appeared.
"Pi'er greets Your Highness."
"Leave us." Once alone, Rong Lingchen spoke again:
"How fares your training in the forbidden art?"
"Eyes of Love and Hate—when cast, the first person who gazes upon this servant for longer than half an incense stick’s time will be poisoned. Their heart shall invert: loving whom they despised, hating whom they cherished."
Pi'er’s voice chimed like jade. "This servant has mastered it fully, thanks to Your Highness’ teachings."
Love was the root of all poisons.
"This is a royal secret of Dayue. Do not waste my efforts."
The art demanded a rare vessel—he’d searched endlessly for her.
By ancestral decree, any who misused it faced burning alive. But for his father’s vengeance, he’d risk it.
Rong Lingchen traced Pi'er’s cheek, his eyes fathomless.
"Your face... is exquisite."
Six parts resembled Princess Fu'an of Daqi.
No doubt... it also mirrored Daqi’s long-lost Empress.
