The winter wind was bitterly cold, cutting into people like shards of ice.
Dawn had not yet broken, and a thick fog obscured everything beyond three steps. Even the eaves were hung with glistening dewdrops.
A carriage slowly came to a halt before the Shen residence. Before the passenger could even enter the gates, the doors suddenly swung open from within. Decked in official robes and a heavy cloak, Shen Zilan stepped out—only to meet the person returning.
"Uncle, where were you last night? Why are you only coming back now?"
Shen Xiabai still wore yesterday's brocade robe, though it was now dusted with dirt and bits of withered branches—as if he had spent a long time out in the fields. Close up, a faint smell of wine clung to him.
"Uncle, you were gone the whole night... you don't mean to say you were with the Second Princess... you two..."
Yu Feng dashed forward and clamped his hand over Shen Zilan's mouth.
Shen Xiabai's thin, sharp eyes were as cold as the morning wind, utterly devoid of warmth. "Would you like to find out?"
Yu Feng's hand, still covering Shen Zilan's mouth, gave a helpless little shake—Shen Zilan's head bobbed along with it.
Shen Xiabai withdrew his frosty gaze and strode into the residence.
Only after he was long gone did Yu Feng dare release Shen Zilan. "Young master, do be careful with your words these days."
Shen Zilan felt a chill run down his spine, like he had run into a ghost on a pitch-black night. He rubbed his tingling scalp and asked, "What's gotten into my uncle?"
He had just started to think that over the last few months, his uncle was finally showing signs of being human again—and now, after one night out, he had come back even colder than before.
Had he been shocked by something? Or possessed by a spirit?
"Young master, don't ask. Just hurry off to court."
Yu Feng hastily caught up with the departing Shen Xiabai.
Inside the chambers, Shen Xiabai spread his arms wide as a servant attended to his bath. Apart from the sound of water, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop. The atmosphere was so thick that even the servants barely dared to breathe.
Yu Feng brought his official robes and helped him dress, kneeling to fasten the sash. "Master, if you're unwell, perhaps you shouldn't attend morning court today."
Shen Xiabai kept his eyes closed, saying nothing. The moment the sash was tied, he turned and walked out without a second thought. Yu Feng quickly grabbed his heavy cloak and followed.
The fog would not lift, and at the palace gates, many ministers were already waiting. Each huddled in their thick furs, clutching hand warmers, standing in sheltered spots—yet the occasional shiver and muttered complaints about the cold still drifted through the air.
The Crown Prince's carriage and Prince An's carriage were among those present. Perhaps because of the chill, neither occupant had stepped out, both choosing to stay inside.
The Shen carriage swept in like the wind and came to a halt squarely before the palace gates, drawing the glances of many officials.
Yu Feng opened the carriage door, and from the shadows, a tall, graceful man stepped down. The aura around him seemed to merge with the lingering darkness of the night.
Just then, the palace gates groaned open, a long, deep sound echoing at the entrance.
Shen Xiabai took the first step, heading toward the great hall.
The Prince An and Crown Prince, who had exited their carriages behind him, raised their brows and exchanged a look.
"Brother, don't you think you've given him a bit too large a dose?" the Crown Prince said.
A man who had been perfectly fine—now suddenly looking so... normal.
After all, the Shen Xiabai of old had always been just this cold and distant.
Prince An replied, "Brother, the question you should be asking is about your own Crown Princess."
By the time the brothers reached the great hall, Shen Xiabai had just ascended the steps. Prince An called out lightly, "Lord Shen."
Shen Xiabai paused, turning his head slightly.
"Did Lord Shen sleep well last night?"
Shen Xiabai's gaze dropped, sweeping over Prince An's sly, charming face, then he looked away just as coldly, turned around, and entered the hall without a word. His eyes were faint—so faint they carried no warmth at all, as though he were looking at a funeral tablet of the dead.
Prince An: "..."
"Your Highness, I must say—Lord Shen seems a bit unnerving today," whispered one of Prince An's allies with a frown.
The eunuch's shrill voice announced the start of court. All civil and military officials knelt as the emperor took his seat upon the dragon throne and bid them rise.
Morning court began, and the various ministries were about to step forward to give their routine reports, when a cool, clear voice suddenly cut through the air.
Shen Xiabai stepped forward and gave a slight bow. "Your Majesty, I have a matter to submit."
The emperor said, "Granted."
"His Highness Prince An has of late performed his duties with utmost diligence—the Imperial Guard is in excellent order. I humbly request that Your Majesty bestow a reward upon him."
Standing to the side, Prince An's gaze snapped onto Shen Xiabai.
Meanwhile, the eyes of the Crown Prince, Prime Minister Cui, and the emperor himself turned onto Prince An instead.
Every face reflected plain, undiluted confusion.
The emperor raised an eyebrow, his gaze drifting over Prince An's stunned expression. "Then what, in your esteemed opinion, should I bestow?"
"Your Majesty, a few days ago, His Highness Prince An invited me to the Spring Breeze Pavilion. I declined due to official duties, but afterward he expressed the greatest regret, saying that several of the young ladies there had extraordinary talents—unmatched even by gentlewomen—and that they had quite won his heart.
I believe a reward should reflect a man's true desires. Thus I beg Your Majesty to grant those ladies of the pavilion to His Highness Prince An, so that he need not suffer daily longing that might distract him from state affairs."
...
Prince An stared at Shen Xiabai, his peach-blossom eyes wide open, utterly at a loss for words to describe what he was feeling.
Prime Minister Cui frowned and cast a cold, heavy look at his son-in-law.
Behind them, the Crown Prince's snicker was barely contained.
"Lord Shen, when did I ever say such a thing?"
Was fabricating a rumor now as simple as a mere touch of the lips?
Shen Xiabai cast him a sideways glance and said coolly, "Your Highness need not decline. You labor so earnestly for the realm—an occasional indulgence is perfectly understandable. I'm sure the emperor understands, and I'm sure Princess An understands as well."
The hall fell into utter silence. Many officials turned veiled, questioning looks toward Prime Minister Cui.
Prince An's face was turning faintly green. He was about to speak, but the emperor cut him off: "Just a few singing girls—if he likes them, consider them granted."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The one who gave thanks was Shen Xiabai.
He stepped back to his place, his face cold and indifferent, as though nothing at all had happened.
When the eunuch announced the end of court, he couldn't help but sneak a glance at Shen Xiabai.
Shen Xiabai seemed wrapped in ice, radiating a chill that kept everyone at arm's length, and he turned and walked out of the hall without looking back.
No one dared approach him that day.
On the steps below, Prince An stood waiting. The Crown Prince leaned against a pillar, a smile tugging at his lips—clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Shen Xiabai walked past Prince An without even a sideways glance.
"Lord Shen." Both brothers called out at once.
Shen Xiabai ignored Prince An and turned instead to the Crown Prince, speaking in a flat tone: "If I were Your Highness, I wouldn't be standing here enjoying someone else's misfortune."
"I hear the Crown Princess has summoned many physicians lately, seeking remedies for an heir—and that she has been meeting closely with Prime Minister Cui. One might almost wonder if she intends to keep the child and do away with the father."
Prime Minister Cui, who had been lagging a step behind, heard it too.
In the silence of Prince An and the Crown Prince, Shen Xiabai strode briskly down the steps, led away toward the imperial study by the emperor's personal eunuch.
On the steps, the three men—father-in-law and his two sons-in-law—stood frozen, watching his departing figure.
Silence.
Finally, the Crown Prince spoke first. "Brother, what exactly did you say to Lord Shen yesterday?"
Prince An's face darkened. "Perhaps... I drove him mad."
He turned and glanced at Prime Minister Cui. "Father-in-law, you'd best watch your step as well."
